#urbanfamilyinhongkong
Every year the Urban Family unites for a week long tour, and there is one destination that is very close to our heart, it’s in fact our signature tour and that’s the bustling metropolis of Hong Kong.
This vibrant city in the heart of Asia was our first official tour and we have returned many times since. We chose it based on its proximity to Australia and the range of experiences on offer. There’s no shortage of places to frock up and indulge in life’s finer things and similarly we can quite comfortably cruise around the city in a pair of thongs and enjoy the street markets and cuisine.
Here are some of our tried and tested must do’s when in Hong Kong
Accommodation
The Mira
This is our pick in terms of location and atmosphere. The hotel is clean and modern with a number of bars and restaurants to choose from. The rooms aren’t big but are well appointed and it’s only a short walk to Tsim Sha Tsui MTR.
The Langham
This is a beautiful, grand hotel right across the road from Harbour City. The rooms are a decent size and the breakfast “stuffet” is great but we found it lacking in atmosphere. The lobby bar is fine for maybe one drink but there are limited options and it’s not somewhere to settle in after a big day.
Shopping
We’ve found the shopping in Hong Kong is either very high end or bargain basement. Mid range fashion is generally found at the big retail chains like Zara & H&M which can be located in most of the malls, which in our experience are all pretty similar. Harbour City in Kowloon and Causeway bay on Hong Kong Island are great for this type of shopping.
TIP!!! – When in a shopping mall, the higher the floor, the more affordable the goods!!
Granville Road
In terms of affordable fashion, this is one street that is worth wandering along. It’s a short walk from Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station and lined with a range of boutique stores. I purchased one of my favourite pairs of leather boots from one of these stores that are still going strong 5 years later.
Ladies Market– Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok
During the day, this is the place to visit! Most stalls are open from about lunch time and if you get the MTR to Prince Edward Station you can weave your way through the market and finish up in the heart of Mong Kok. You’ll find a huge range of bargain goods, from handbags and accessories to luggage and souvenirs. Be sure to check out the retail stores running parallel to the market, we found some great quality clothing stores there for children.
Temple Street Night Market
This bustling Chinese market kicks off once the sun goes down. The range of goods is pretty similar to the Ladies Market but perhaps not quite as extensive.
At the Jordon road entrance you’ll find a couple of great retail stores where you can purchase a huge range of hair products much cheaper than at home. Just remember, the products do tend to take up valuable kilos in your luggage!
Sham Shui Po
This is not a tourist area but a fantastic place to browse a huge range of craft supplies and accessories. Any type of fabric, ribbon, beading, braid or button can be found in this area. There’s a good chance you’ll find your children’s school ribbons here for a fraction of the cost!
Once you emerge from the Sham Shui Po MTR head for Yu Chau Street and Ki Wa Street. Don’t stress if you get lost wandering around these streets, just use the MTR as a base. It’s good to plan your trip to Sham Shui Po before you head down to the Ladies Market which isn’t too far to walk.
Shenzen
If you are after some bargain shopping – Lo Wu Commercial District in Shenzen is your Meccah. We always dedicate one full day to visit Shenzen whilst in Hong Kong, it’s a tour all by itself. Shenzen deserves its own special blog post as we have lots of tips and favourite stores. Stay Tuned for that one…….
Dining/Drinking
On any Urban Family tour a roof top cocktail bar is a must!
Eye Bar- 30/F, ISQUARE, 63 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
This is a fantastic spot to watch the sun set over the city. Cocktails are great but be prepared to pay! If you really want to get carried away, the experience is made even more memorable with a Magnum of Veuve!
Wooloomooloo Steakhouse- The Hennessy, 31/F & Rooftop, 256 Hennessy Rd, Wan Chai
On the Island this is a great place to kick off for drinks. You can then head downstairs for dinner where the steaks aren’t the only highlight on the menu.
Aqua- One Peking, 29+30F, Peking Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
On tour we always like to indulge in one fine dining experience and Aqua, in the Harbour City precinct is a favourite. Even if you don’t make it for dinner, be sure to head up after a hard day’s shopping for a ‘Porn Star Martini’ – our most memorable cocktail. (And that is saying something)
Din Tai Fung– Multiple locations
Where dumplings are king! This affordable restaurant chain is one of our favourites and wherever we are it’s tradition for us to have at least one meal here. The soup dumplings are to die for!
Totts & Roof Terrace– The Excelsior Hotel, 281 Gloucester Rd, Causeway Bay
When in Hong Kong the Sunday Champagne Brunch is a right of passage!
The Sunday champagne brunch at Totts is an absolute must, but make sure you book ahead! Four hours of free flowing French champagne with an all you can eat buffet of seafood, roast meat and plenty of dessert. You may want to note that they don’t hold back on the champagne and are constantly refilling your glass, so things can get fairly entertaining on the compulsory shopping trip to Causeway Bay in the afternoon!
Sightseeing
To be honest, when it comes to visiting cultural landmarks and traditional tourist destinations the Urban Family falls a little short. However, we did find one tour that was right up our alley!
Aqualuna Harbour Cruise
Aqualuna offers a variety of different tours where you can sail the harbor in a traditional Chinese wooden junk. We chose the Symphony of Lights Dinner and Cruise for approx. $220 AUD per person where we sailed the harbor first then enjoyed a 5 star dinner at the award winning Hutong Chinese restaurant. Keep in mind, the cocktails on the cruise are about as basic as they come and it can get quite windy however rest assured there was no problem with sea sickness as a couple of us are not exactly born sailors, if you get my drift. There is an earlier cruise that you can choose that will save you a few dollars but you will generally miss the city lights.
Foot Massage
It is Urban Family tradition to finish almost everyday with a well deserved foot massage. There is no shortage of places ready and willing to pamper your well trodden soles. Much like ‘Sasa’ they are on every corner. Happy Feet, is a well known chain and fairly reputable. One of our favourites is located under ISquare in Tsim Sha Tsui. Often the massage parlours a located underneath or up the top of buildings that look a little suspect at first but we have tried numerous different locations and have always been safe and well looked after. You will be sure to find one that suits you after a couple of days!
