Job Discussion Forums

Long ai gu · Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 135

I have to go to Hong Kong for a visa next week. From there I want to go to Chengdu. There doesn't seem to be any trains from Hong Kong. Does anyone know if there is a bus from Hong Kong to Chengdu? If not what will I have to do to get to Chengdu? I'd also appreciate any advice about what to do when I arrive in Hong Kong for the visa..Thanx.

tofuman · Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 937

Recently did the visa run. Not difficult. I suggest the Paris hotel in Chungking mansion. Can get a room there for about 180 to 200 HK a night. There is a great selection of electronic equipment available at a shop or two very near the Chunking mansion. If you know prices, you can get some good deals there.

Short walk to the subway that will take you a short distance from the visa office. It's possible to get same day visa service if you get there early enough. Next day service also available. Long line at the visa office after the lunch break. Probably in the morning as well. Go early.

Once you get the visa, get out of town, unless you've got money to burn. Expensive, Expensive, Expensive. HK dollars are about as valuable as RMB, but you'll go through a thousand HKD like you'll go through a hundred RMB in China. Banks charge a fee to turn $ into HKD but no charge to change RMB to HKD.

Sinko · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 349

Recently did the same thing as well. I managed to get a room in Causeway Bay for 250HK a night. In the morning, it was one MTR stop to Wanchai. I was seated in the Commissioners Office by 9.30, interviewed at 10.45 and told to return at 4.30pm for the passport pickup. That gave me time find a place for lunch to check out a good 2nd hand bookstore (thanks ST, well worth the visit).

OP, I suggest you head to Shenzhen. I caught the MTR at 4.30, connected to the KCR at East Tsim Sha Tsui and headed for the border. Not many people around at this time of day going in this direction. On the other side, you walk out to the front of the Luohu Station.

But why go by train? Have you checked out the airfares? A lot of specials from SZ airport to Chengdu from as low as Y380 + tax. Bargain!!! There are also some good cheap hotels near the station if you want to leave the next day. PM me for more info.

Steppenwolf · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 1769

No bus from HK to Chengdu; your best bet is to start your rail journey from SHENZHEN or GUANGZHOU.

In HK, the Visa Office is in WANCHAI, Harbour Rd..

I don't like CHUNGKING MANSIONS over in KOWLOON because it's dingy and you see a number of dubious characters hanging out there. It does have cheap guest house accommodation though - a couple of hundred hostels.
A block north of it you can find the same and cheaper, minus the seediness, in MIRAMAR TOWER. I recommend the GARDEN HOSTEL on the 3rd floor.

Or a dorm bed in the cosy YMCA (a 4-star guesthouse) next to the PENINSULA.

Alternatively, you can stay very cheap at the Youth Hostel on Mt Davies, HK Island.

Cognition · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 62

in_asia_bill · Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 197

I was at the Chungking Mansion complex just last week and I thought it was excellent! Vibrant and exciting! We had some great Indian food on the first day there and some Middle Eastern food on the second, and some Nigerian (black eye beans and red palm oil) food on the third day. In Shenzhen I have problems ever finding more than one or two different flavours (yes, lots of different dishes, but they all taste the same, don't they?) I found the ethnic mix to be refreshing after the Mainland.

Steppenwolf · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 1769

tofuman · Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 937

Chunking Mansions may be seedy, but there is also a certain cachet involved .....edited.

I thought that it made a nice gathering place for Al Qaeda types, all of whom were quite friendly. The mosque down the street is convenient.

Ahchoo · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 606 Location: Earth

Those electronics stores down that way are absolute scammers. There's another district where they're more straight up but I can't remember the name something or other 'po'.

Cognition · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 62

Was it Sham Shui Po? Just next to Jordan and Mong Kok?

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

I usually get all my electronics over at the golden arcade computer center but I'm not sure I remember which stop it was at... I think it's either causeway bay or wan chai.. I'll double check when i get home tonight

tofuman · Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 937

Say whatever you like about the electronics shops around Chunking Mansion, but you can't beat the goldfish market in another part of town.

jeffinflorida · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 3:50 pm Post subject:

If you are going to spend a night or two in Hongkong why live like a wino? Stay in a nice hotel like the Ramada on HK Island. Elong cost was like 500hk a night but it is a good nice hotel. mtr trips are cheap and the island in HK offers some good eating and good walking.

Ahchoo · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 606 Location: Earth

Long ai gu · Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 135

Thanx for the info kids. I'm off to Guangdong tonight for my new passport then I'll leave for King Kong that morning. I do wish someone could hold my hand and piggyback me around King Kong, but I guess I'm a big boy.