I couldn't find any other threads about traveling to Hong Kong, and I was wondering if any one could share personal experiences. I've mostly found vague, contradicting accounts elsewhere online.

I have two rather long layovers (6-8 hours) in Hong Kong during an upcoming trip. Would I be crazy to leave the airport and explore the city? I don't speak Cantonese, and because I am scrambling to learn as much as I can of another language for this trip, won't really have time to learn the basics. Is some good dim sum therefore unattainable?

11/14/2008 3:11:18 PM

keep your butthole tight

11/14/2008 3:13:04 PM

you can pm if you got more qs. but you can leave the airport and explore the city it is a 20 min ride on the super tram but that will take you to the mtr stations where you can go anywhere. its hard not to find good dim sum anywhere. a lot of signs are in English but its so big and packed it will get confusing.

[Edited on November 14, 2008 at 3:14 PM. Reason : pretty sure there is dimsum in the airport.]

11/14/2008 3:13:44 PM

holler at pilgrimshoes

11/14/2008 3:14:21 PM

actually ^^ would be the person to really talk to.

oh here's a spot though

when you get out of the airport, and leave the baggage claim, there will be dudes like running up to you to offer a car ride to the city

they're trying to nag you first in order to charge exorbitant (sp) rates, decline and use mass transit.

you'll likely not have a problem with not speaking cantonese... remember it was an english providence or whatever not too long ago, the grip is still there.



[Edited on November 14, 2008 at 3:18 PM. Reason : e]

11/14/2008 3:17:05 PM

I would say take the airport express to the kowloon station and then catch a cab to ocean terminal. lots of good dining. shopping and great views of the HK Island plus its a bit more touristy and easier to get by with english.The cab should go down Canton Rd. plus cabs are really cheap here.

From ocean terminal you can catch the star ferry over to Hong Kong Island really quick and catch it back. that's always fun.

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/mustknow/cruising/mk_crui_ocea.jhtml

Harbour City and Ocean Terminal is side by side.


MTR Map: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/mustknow/maps/images/transmap.pdf


[Edited on November 14, 2008 at 3:30 PM. Reason : d]

11/14/2008 3:21:22 PM

My limited Cantonese lesson:

Le ho ma - How are you?

Gnaw hai jung gock yun. - I am a chinaman.

Gnaw eyu (soft e, long u) yut gaw ha lo mein. - I want one (order) of shrimp lo mein.

That's really all you need to know.

[Edited on November 14, 2008 at 3:32 PM. Reason : w]

11/14/2008 3:31:55 PM

[Edited on November 14, 2008 at 3:33 PM. Reason : i can has properly working link?]

11/14/2008 3:32:41 PM

^Bill fail

[Edited on November 14, 2008 at 3:33 PM. Reason : <-Palindrone ]

11/14/2008 3:32:55 PM

^STFU, n00b

11/14/2008 3:35:00 PM

oh you should get beef chow mein. oh AND these:





the cream soda is REALLY hard to find here in the US i've only found it in SF's china town.

11/14/2008 3:37:31 PM

and beef jerkey candy

that was awesome

11/14/2008 3:38:28 PM

^ whats that?

and now I am really regretting turning down going to Hong Kong for a month for December. damn job hunting.

11/14/2008 3:40:43 PM

you know what double bubble gum looks like?

it was like that, but bits of sweet beef jerky

11/14/2008 3:47:19 PM

seriously head to kowloon city and hit up the pizza hut.... its will blow your mind. also the mcdonalds there has some seriously good flat breads. these are my major hangouts when there because Pieng won't take me shopping, they see a 6' white guy (bac-quai or something like that, means white ghost) and the price triples.

11/14/2008 4:17:50 PM

"Pok gai" means asshole. Maybe that's what they're saying?

[Edited on November 14, 2008 at 4:21 PM. Reason : d]

11/14/2008 4:20:53 PM

lol

yeah the most important word is piju anyways

[Edited on November 14, 2008 at 4:26 PM. Reason : e]

11/14/2008 4:24:55 PM

Thanks to all who replied.

11/14/2008 11:44:25 PM