[Colatron]

My wife, 5 year old son and I are stopping off in HK in both directions during a visit to Australia, 3 days out 1.5 back.

I would very much appreciate any recommendations of where to go and what to see.

As well the the typical tourist areas, we would love to see the real side of HK.

Accomodation advice would be appreciated approx US$180 P/n?

Please bear in mind I have my 5 year old son!

Also, typically, can anyone recommend where I could get a PSP from? For my Son - Honest!!!!

Relevant or not we are from the UK

Thanks

Oooopppsss - Travel in March

[KnowItAll]

Avoid the escalator -- overrated and underwhelming.

Ocean Park will be good fun, family outing. My almost 3 year old son enjoys it.

PSP -- If you really really want to turn your son into a gamer, Causeway Bay (Windsor House) may have PSPs. I'm going there next week, will check.

Our hotels site is not up yet, but you can have a look on our partner site for an idea on what the rates are likely to be at that time.

HK Hotels

Chances are, your airline might be able to arrange a good package deal for you.

[Colatron]

I'll check out Ocean Park - Thanks!!

[BrunoHK]

In Sham Shui Po, electronic products for computer, games for PS2, Nintendo etc.
Golden Arcade Computer Center.

148 Fuk Wa Street
Sham Shui Po Distric
Kowloon
MTR (metro) station Sham Shui Po
EXIT D2

http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/train/ae_intro.htm

[KnowItAll]

I've been listening to comments from someone who is currently visiting Hong Kong.

Here's one more recommendation

* Take the Peak Tram up to the Peak.

[Geoff]

Take the number 6 bus from Central to Stanley Market can be fun too - around half an hour ride with nice panoramic views of the sea, and a nice colourful market to lose yourself in shopping for a couple of hours.

Also has a few bars and restaurants on the sea front if you get a bit peckish.

[DocBird]

after ride up Peak Tram, if weather ok, walk circuit of the Peak - an hour or so, belting views if not mist/smog/fog (all possible in March!)

ferry to Lantau Island (to Mui Wo), bus to Ngong Ping to see Big Buddha, walk tea gardens for great views; maybe then down to Cheung Sha (beach) - by bus or taxi, where some lovely restaurants at eastern end, just above tideline.

298 Hennessy Road (mall) in Wanchai also has gaming consoles, computer gear; rather like Golden Arcade in being classic type of HK computer mall, packed with small stores, and with some stuff that's, err, a lot cheaper than some companies might wish.

both Wanchai and Mong Kok near golden arcade are well worth a walk round, to see urban HK; whilst there - in Mong Kong especially - maybe stop for coffee at one of the small stalls with tables just outside; can sit and watch people passing. (Should be article on this site on at least one such place shortly, so hope you can watch for this.)

Ocean Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui, has huge toys r us, and beside this a sony playstation centre, where can try games for free; locals have discovered this so may not be easy to get a session and try Eye Toy and so on (I've so far just stood n watched - dang)

to Shek O on eastern HK Island; lovely little village, w nice beaches, headland you can stroll along, to granite tip where surf might be crashing, and nearby islet.

If museums: Space, for IMAX theatre, providing there's decent film on; Museum of History pretty good, with mock house, tomb etc, even a part jungle as you enter (HK long past).
These are in Tsim Sha Tsui, where afternoon tea at the Peninsula is ever so jolly. TST streets good value, with tons of small shops, some selling factory outlet clothes, others trinkets n silke etc from China; also touts with watches by that well known local brand, Copy.

Cheung Chau, where I live, nice place, w low rise housing, just one car (police), decent beach (not quite warm enough in March), temples, more seafood restaurants than you can shake a stick at, with highly competitive pricing (mainland beers at HK$10 for large bottles).
- has fishing boats in pleasant harbour, good views on clear day. Not like Aberdeen, which is far more to be avoided than even the escalator (yes, Ocean Park fine, but Aberdeen is way over blown I reckon)

Avenue of Stars: utterly pathetic I reckon as an "attraction" - unoriginal and uninteresting; but a good path to walk along for harbour views.

ride HK tram, at least through Wanchai, say - on upper deck. Maybe ride to Causeway Bay, where in early evenings you can marvel at volume of humanity crossing road in front of Sogo dept store.

HK Park, by lower peak tram station, is ok; best thing is huge walk-through aviary, with high walkway through "rainforest" from se Asia - great tree trunks made of concrete etc but looking good, with plenty of birds around. It's free, too. Nearby is cafe by artificial waterfall (is that made in HK or what?); not a great cafe when I've tried but pleasant location. Might also see Hongkongers getting married and having umpteen photos taken.

[Colatron]

Wow!

Lots to do in such little time.

Many Thanks for all for the advice - Appreciate it.

[KnowItAll]

>> Avenue of Stars: utterly pathetic I reckon as an "attraction" - unoriginal and uninteresting; but a good path to walk along for harbour views.

Someone who is visiting me right now, would beg to differ on that. He found it one of the more err ... "this is the hong kong I thought of".

One more thing that he seemed to enjoy -- fireworks from the Intercontinental lobby. Heard the Quarter Deck in Fenwick Pier also has a good view.

[DocBird]

couldn't be, could it KIAll, that your visitor figured hk might be, shall we say, tacky n tasteless? ... course not

Forgot to suggest: ride peak tram in aft, do the circuit if weather ok, and back to vicinity of peak tram station around dusk, to watch lights come on in city, maybe eat/drink too - there are restaurants in a mall just by the station (which I think is being renovated).