Hong Kong for Solo Traveller

[Hvr]

As we all know:

Mad dogs and Englishmen
Go out in the midday sun

Jardine's have a tradition of firing the Noon Day gun that is fun to see.

Experience Hong Kong’s East-meets-West heritage in one day | Hong Kong Tourism Board

From afternoon tea to Victorian-style buildings, here are some of the best ways to explore Hong Kong’s past.

www.discoverhongkong.com

Owned by multinational company Jardine Matheson, the Noon Day Gun, made famous in the Noel Coward song Mad Dogs and Englishmen, is fired off by a Jardine employee at noon every day.


The gun is located on the waterfront in Causeway Bay, where Jardine used to have warehouses, known in these parts as godowns

 

[Stewey]

Funnily enough I’m in Wanchai right this very moment on a solo trip and walked past the gun a couple of hours ago

I got drenched in the afternoon storm when I went to the zoological gardens too yesterday and had to walk back to Central station looking like a drowned rat

It’s not raining today thankfully so I am going out to buy some new shoes after my other ones were wrecked in the rain

 

[Lynda2475]

So was chatting online with a ex-pat friend who lives in HK, and he said if I keep my booking at the Harbour Grand and there are protests while I'm there that the "usual protest route" would make getting to Central Station and the Airport difficult.

He highly recommends I switch booking to SoHo specifically the Pottinger (best deal seems to be be via Sino club membership but pushing AU $470/night for my dates with breaky included - so much for things being super cheap in HK due to protests) or somewhere else along the Central-Mid-Levels Escalators (no idea how to check for that when searching) that link to the airport express station, so if roads are closed can still get to the train.

Thoughts?

Im reluctant to book non-refundable rooms because what if I have to cancel altogether? But also dont want to pay a fortune for same room.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Must eat at... Tsui Wah. A true HK institution TSUI WAH RESTAURANT, Hong Kong - 15-19 Wellington St Central, Central - Updated 2019 Restaurant Reviews & Phone Number - TripAdvisor

Do not stay in Sheung Wan, unless you love dried seafood. (It's everywhere and the smell even wafted up to like the 10th floor of my hotel.) Central/Wan Chai is about right - close to everything by ding ding.

Off topic, but maybe useful for others on a budget a bit less Lynda's... I wholly recommend the JJ Hotel in Wan Chai. About AUD100 a night for big rooms (huge by HK standard) and all the basics like fridge and kettle. Plenty of storage space. The hotel has 3-4* rooms, but is 'cheap' because it is located on floors 9-12 of a commercial building and there are no other trimmings such as pool or restaurant (you have dozens of food places and a supermarket at street level). All rooms have good security with corridors only accessible by electronic key card. Booking(.com) is the only place that offers this hotel, but rates are always fully flex. (note the difference between a room with and without windo is about AUD2. Book the room with window!)

Given the prices the hotel is always solidly booked.

 

[Stewey]

Central or Wan Chai are the places to stay
JJ hotel is a good recommendation if you aren’t about chilling in the hotel as there are literally scores of restaurants around there. I’ve stayed there previously when I wasn’t planning to spend too much time in the hotel. Definitely book a room with a window

 

[Lynda2475]

How do i identify the central-mid-levels escalator on google maps to know what hotels are nearby?

 

[Hvr]

Just type "central-mid-levels escalator" into google maps.

Central-Mid-Levels Escalators · Jubilee St, Central, Hong Kong

★★★★☆ · Tourist attraction

www.google.com.au

 

[Stewey]

Central mid levels is a great place to visit, fantastic restaurants and bars, nice Tiki bar there too. Streets are steep though if you aren’t up to walking might not be a good choice

 

[Lynda2475]

It will be winter so not humid, therefore I think walking will be fine as long as protest dont block the route.

Is there a good app for walking and PT directions in HK? Looking to see how far things are apart Google walking directions don't seem to tell you to utilize the escalators etc, obviously would be good to take escalators or lifts where available especially with luggage on arrival and departure days.

Pottinger is no longer an option has price has gone up over $100/night since Friday. Ovolo Central seems to be affordable though.

 

[Stewey]

It will be winter so not humid, therefore I think walking will be fine as long as protest dont block the route.

Is there a good app for walking and PT directions in HK? Looking to see how far things are apart Google walking directions don't seem to tell you to utilize the escalators etc, obviously would be good to take escalators or lifts where available especially with luggage on arrival and departure days.

Pottinger is no longer an option has price has gone up over $100/night since Friday. Ovolo Central seems to be affordable though.

Hi Lynda, this app is not bad for guided walks plus also download the MTR app as you can click on the “nearest” icon and it will show you the nearest MTR station
Small buses are everywhere on roads such as Caine Road and the locals are helpful and will let you know which is the right bus to catch and if all else fails, taxi or I can recommend Uber in HK too
(Photos attached)

Ovolo Central is a good choice

You will love Central, LKF, SoHo and Mid levels and just be aware that the Mid Level escalators go one way in the morning (towards Central) and the other way later in the day and that they are working on sections of it at the moment and have been for a few months now

it was oppressive last time I was there in late June / Early July with hot humid stormy weather

enjoy

 

[Lynda2475]

Thanks Stewey much appreciated.

 

[Stewey]

Thanks Stewey much appreciated.

It’s my pleasure

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Taxis are cheap in HK. From the airport express just hop in a taxi to take you right to your hotel, and if you get tired at any time, just take a taxi.

 

[Stewey]

Taxis are cheap in HK. From the airport express just hop in a taxi to take you right to your hotel, and if you get tired at any time, just take a taxi.

Agree percent, take the card from your hotel too just in case the driver doesn’t understand English and show him or use google translate

 

[Lynda2475]

I generally prefer uber as you don't have to worry about explaining where you need to go.

My question re directions was more that if there are protests blocking the road to the station, I would think pedestrian route would have more options.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Taxis in HK shouldn’t have any issues on where to go. The trade off I guess is instant taxi vs waiting for an uber.

 

[Stewey]

I generally prefer uber as you don't have to worry about explaining where you need to go.

My question re directions was more that if there are protests blocking the road to the station, I would think pedestrian route would have more options.

Uber are great to use in HK and reasonably priced and I’ve used them as your guides too. For example I used Uber to go to Victoria Peak and he waited for us and then I asked him to take me to Repulse Bay and Stanley Market. Some cars are Tesla model S and VW Tiguans

 

[Lynda2475]

Changed my hotel again to The Pottinger as prices dropped again Owned by same people who own The Fullerton in Singapore which I loved,so have high expectations now. Hope the included breaky is as nice as Fullerton.

 

[get me outta here]

Lucky pricing. Also, be aware that it’s quite cold in winter. I would be taking a light weight down jacket that will fit in a reasonable size handbag scrunched into its little bag. . Or, take the opportunity to buy one in Uniqlo whilst you are there. I have quite a collection of different colours.

Changed my hotel again to The Pottinger as prices dropped again Owned by same people who own The Fullerton in Singapore which I loved,so have high expectations now. Hope the included breaky is as nice as Fullerton.

 

[Lynda2475]

Temperature forecast is 15-20 C so shouldnt be any worse than a Sydney winter, definately not as cold as Melbourne. Have red coat picked out to take, as was told not to wear a black one due to protests.