Singapore & Hong Kong Info!

[Flywithd]

Hi Guys, sorry if some of these points have been bought up before but i've been planning to book flights for me and my partner to SIN & HK. Mid Feb flight MEL - SIN - HKG return via SIN Y class is around 2100 for the both of us! Would love to bite the bullet and fly J but its a bit out of our league for now and we could use that money for hotels and shopping! Is 5 days in HK enough? Can i have some recommendations on Hotels and things to do and places to eat for HK and SIN?

I have been checking out the discover HK website and really dont know where to stay, Kowlon, Mong Pok? i dont know where to start!! and thats only HK!

We have never been to SIN or HK so just wanted to plan ahead!

I have a Aus passport while my partner has his PR and is holding a Vietnam passport, I know that AU PP holders dont require a visa for both of these countries, but for my partner i assume he will have to apply for one, what would be the best way to apply for the visa's for both of the countries in Aus, would i be doing it online or going to the embassy?

Other than that, just to confirm that we will be earing Velocity on the SIN flights?

Thanks Guys

 

[mella2007]

I have only stayed in HKG so can only comment for there. Great city, loved it...stayed 10 days, but 5 is good.

We have stayed at Langham Place in Mongkok (which is an area in Kowloon where they say you see/feel the real Hong Kong) and also the Conrad Hilton which is over Victoria Harbour in an area called Central (Business District, Great Malls)

We did the following
*Shopping at the Ladies Market, Temple Street Night Market, Stanley Markets and Jade Market (market city!)
*Caught the old tram to the top of The Peak which is an amazing skyline view of the city, and has shops/places to eat etc
*Caught a train to LoWu which is in China. 5 story mall full of knock off gear
*Visited Times Square Shopping Centre, Antique Street (forgot its name) and went up the Mid Level Escalators
*A day at Hong Kong Disneyland
*Went on the Cable Car
*Went to Ocean Park and saw Pandas and other rides
*Did a dinner cruise watching the Symphony of Lights show
*Caught a ferry on Victoria Harbour from Kowloon to Central
*Day Spa
*We had some very good street food, as well as a nice dinner at Ming Court at the Langham Place (1 Michelin Star) and also ate at a few places in Tsim Sha Shu which is the main tourist area in Kowloon

Be sure to get an Oyster Card to use at places like 7/11, the fantastic transport system and some attractions. So easy to use and so many places to use it.

I have no idea for Visa's for non Aussies so can't help you there.

Enjoy, we certainly did.

 

[tehuringa]

I was in Singapore recently doing an article on Hawker food for a magazine. Stayed at the Marriott this time around which has been recently refurbished and was very good, excellent location on Orchard Road right opposite the ION shopping centre and directly over the Orchard MRT. I've recently stayed at the Hilton on Orchard Road also which again, is very good.

Didn't do too much touristy stuff as I spent three days just visiting hawker stalls and stuffing myself so if you want any food recommendations just sing out.

 

[serfty]

...

Be sure to get an Oyster Card to use at places like 7/11, the fantastic transport system and some attractions. So easy to use and so many places to use it....

That would be "Octopus" ... the "Oyster" is a UK thing.

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[amaroo]

Both are great places to visit.

What is your budget for accommodation?

IMO 5 days is perfect for HKG....Feb will be a little chilly so an afternoon swim might be a challenge! No need to splurge on a place with a great pool

 

[Major]

Other than that, just to confirm that we will be earing Velocity on the SIN flights?

Thanks Guys[/QUOTE]

It depends on your booking class

[TABLE="width: 100%, align: center"]
[TR]
[TH="class: first"]Fare type[/TH]
[TH]

Points earn rate per mile​

[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Economy (N, Q, T, V)[/TD]
[TD]

Ineligible​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Economy (S, Y, B, E, M, H, W, U, L, K)[/TD]
[TD]

1 Velocity Point​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Business Class (Z, C, J, D)[/TD]
[TD]

1.25 Velocity Points​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]First Class (F, P, A)[/TD]
[TD]

1.5 Velocity Points​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Suites (R)[/TD]
[TD]

1.6 Velocity Points​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[munitalP]

If you have not been to Singapore before, you will find 5 days ample (personally 5 minutes is too long for me unless attending the GP or similar). There's some good things to do in Singapore, zoos are great, if you do the day zoo, make sure you do the night zoo as well, take a taxi, don't join a tour group, and regardless of what the concierge may tell you, there will be taxis at the zoo to get a ride back into town! Sentosa Island attractions such as the aquarium and the butterfly park are cool, and of course here is the food... Singapore has some unreal food options, try hawkers such as Newton Circus or any number of shopping centre food halls for brilliant Malaysian / Chinese / Indonesian food.

If you go to Honkers first, you will be spoiled for markets there, so I suggest that Singapore has nothing worth offering in that area.

If you are feeling adventurous, take a ferry to Batan Island one day, and a taxi to Jahor Bahru the next - the contrasts are amazing. JB, you need to be a little careful where you go, if looking for some good cheap shopping, the plaza at the old Holiday Inn in JB is pretty good, just remember to barter, offer 20% of the asking price and don't go above 50% ever

I personally would stay in the Clarke Quay area, close to the MRT (mass rail transit) and has a huge selection of restaurants and night spots such as Pump, one of my Fav night spots in Singapore. Close by is the Novotel, Swiss Hotel, Robinson Quay Hotel and a few others, my choice is always the Novotel.

 

[Cynicor]

5 days in SIN is decent, there's more to do there every year. The new river safari should be open by year's end, as should the new aquarium at resorts world sentosa. There's also the universal studios and, if you like luxury shopping, plenty of boutiques everywhere.

 

[rlarosa]

Couple of things we enjoy in Singapore are a visit to Lau Par Sat at night when the street is closed off and the satay vendors set up shop. If it's your thing, afternoon tea at the Fullerton Hotel is always a special occasion. We usually stay at Traders. The prices are usually good, and while the rooms are smaller (like many in Singapore) and are by no means ultra modern, its comfortable, the staff are great, and it has a fantastic pool area that is a great place to while away the morning with a good book!

 

[Flywithd]

Thanks for the replies guys!! I'm setting a budget of around 200 per night for hotels! Want something nice and clean!
Was intending to arrive in Sin for 2 days then head to HK but Might head to HK then back to SIN, wanted to maybe head into Vietnam for a couple of days but will have to see about that!

Sounds like shopping in HK would be better that SIN?

 

[k3nnis]

I think shopping in HK is better than SIN.

 

[ShaneN]

I visited Hong Kong for the first time in March. A great city, and worth at least five days.

I stayed in the Holiday Inn on Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon), which is right in the centre of the action, and right on top of a MTR station. There are plenty of options both on the mainland (Kowloon) and the island.

Things to do include riding the Star Ferry across the harbour, riding the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak, the light show from the Kowloon foreshore, and perhaps a visit to Stanley for the markets and to see some very attractive beaches ora trip to the giant Buddha at Ngong Ping on Lantau Island. Temple Street night markets are fascinating, and the street food is cheap and good. I could spend days just wandering around the some of the interesting neighbourhoods. These include Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok in Kowloon and Wanchai and Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island. If you like shopping also visit some of the modern luxury shopping malls. There are great malls at Central, Admiralty, Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon Tong, and probably more that I missed.

Travelling around Hong Kong is very simple. All signs are in both English and Chinese, which makes things much easier. The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) will take you to almost anywhere you want to go. Services are very frequent, cheap, safe and reliable. Local buses are also very cheap and are the best way to go to Stanley (a very scenic trip as well as an interesting destination). Also do not miss a ride on the double deck trams. If you ga to the Giant Buddha you should be able to ride the Ngong Ping 360 cable car - it was closed for maintenance when I was there.

As others have said, be sure to buy an Octopus Card. It is used to pay for all public transport, and can also be used in 7-11 and many other stores.

A very useful Hong Kong website is <title>HOME - Hong Kong Extras.

I have not been to Singapore so cannot comment.

 

[amaroo]

I think shopping in HK is better than SIN.

IMO you can add food to that list.

 

[yohy?!]

Stick to Tshim sha tsui or Hk island for your first visit, mong kok can be fun but not the best first impression of Hk....do the avenue of stars on your first night here and catch the light show of buildings on the harbor, maybe take a ride on the junk across the harbor or the star ferry.

In terms of Hk vs SG, I may be biased but Hk has much more to see and do so I would be spending most if not all your time here (SG is good to transit throughout but that's about it...).

Finally when selecting your seats on the SYD-sin legs if on the a380 go for the upper deck economy seats to get the best in terms of space and service.

 

[Alanslegal]

IMO you can add food to that list.

And that's where I disagree, I think SIN food is better than HKG food

Singapore has so many different cuisine influences eg. chinese, malay, indian, indonesian, compared to Hong Kong which is mainly influenced by chinese cuisine.

 

[Major]

And that's where I disagree, I think SIN food is better than HKG food

Singapore has so many different cuisine influences eg. chinese, malay, indian, indonesian, compared to Hong Kong which is mainly influenced by chinese cuisine.

Totally agree about SIN food. Not only is it good but there are so many cheap restaurants and food stalls.

Singapore is also one City where I feel perfectly safe, night or day.

 

[KitKat]

And that's where I disagree, I think SIN food is better than HKG food

Singapore has so many different cuisine influences eg. chinese, malay, indian, indonesian, compared to Hong Kong which is mainly influenced by chinese cuisine.

Agree with you Alanslegal. But I guess it is a matter of taste.... I like the variety in SIN....not to say I have not had great meals in HKG either

If you are in HKG, pop by the Tim Ho Wan outlet at Central.... if it is busy, just do the take away. We did, and was in the hotel room enjoying some great Yum Cha looking out in the harbour.. with a storm front coming in

 

[jetlagger]

Totally agree about SIN food. Not only is it good but there are so many cheap restaurants and food stalls.

Singapore is also one City where I feel perfectly safe, night or day.

With you all the way on those areas of contentment in SIN

 

[cosi]

, compared to Hong Kong which is mainly influenced by chinese cuisine.

Sorry I disagree

All cuisine, in all budgets are available in HK.

 

[jetlagger]

Sorry I disagree

All cuisine, in all budgets are available in HK.

We are all different, as is HKG & SIN - That's what makes the world interesting!