Job Discussion Forums

Curious George · Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 15

Hey all,

Coming from Seoul to Hong Kong for 5 days for New Years. Anything special going on? Any good parties, parades, or must see sights?

All advice and suggestions are welcome since I have never been to HK before.

Thanks in advance

Curious George · Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 15

Wow, no replies?

Surely with all the teachers and ex-pats in HK someone has a suggestion or two? Help me out here!

saroq · Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 77

Well most of us probably won't be here so try asiaxpat site or online Hong Kong magazine.

Joachim · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 311 Location: Brighton, UK

Errr, Hong Kong isn't really a city of tourist sites, and the clubbing/party scene is utterly pathetic.

You should have a meal at the Peak lookout, going to and from by Peak Tram. It's incredibly touristy, but the tram really is something special and the views from The Peak are amazing.

If you like hiking there are loads of good trails, the best of which being the "dragons back" near Shek O - also great views, but only if the weather is good.

Head to the "big buddha" on Lantau island to escape the city and see the largest seated buddha in the world. Also you are close to the monastery there....

Shop on Nathan road, Tsim Sha Tsui, and take the star ferry back to Central.

errrr, shop in Causeway bay.

As for New Years Eve itself, people tend to hang out in Lan Kwai Fong, Central, which will be very crowded, but probably have quite a good atmosphere. Wan Chai will be sleazy and nasty.

But like Saroq said, most people will be leaving the territory over xmas/NYE if they possibly can!

Joachim · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 311 Location: Brighton, UK

Errr, Hong Kong isn't really a city of tourist sites, and the clubbing/party scene is utterly pathetic.

You should have a meal at the Peak lookout, going to and from by Peak Tram. It's incredibly touristy, but the tram really is something special and the views from The Peak are amazing.

If you like hiking there are loads of good trails, the best of which being the "dragons back" near Shek O - also great views, but only if the weather is good.

Head to the "big buddha" on Lantau island to escape the city and see the largest seated buddha in the world. Also you are close to the monastery there....

Shop on Nathan road, Tsim Sha Tsui, and take the star ferry back to Central.

errrr, shop in Causeway bay.

As for New Years Eve itself, people tend to hang out in Lan Kwai Fong, Central, which will be very crowded, but probably have quite a good atmosphere. Wan Chai will be sleazy and nasty.

But like Saroq said, most people will be leaving the territory over xmas/NYE if they possibly can!

Curious George · Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 15

Heh, kind of like teachers leaving Seoul for holidays. Nobody wants to be in the country they are teaching in!

Well, not much to do in Korea either, so a change will be nice for me and I have always wanted to see HK, if for no other reason than to say I've been there and take a few pictures.

Thanks for the advice. Anyone else got any ideas?

Scott in Incheon · Joined: 31 Aug 2004 Posts: 58

one of things I always suggested to people when they were visiting me in hk was to take a ferry to cheung chau (an outlying island)...for the trip (take the slow ferry) and for a seafood lunch where you get there

ozman · Joined: 12 Jun 2004 Posts: 133 Location: HONG KONG

I don't know any expats who will be here for New Year. Just about everyone clears out for Xmas and New Year. Roll on the holidays.
Ozman

Curious George · Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 15

You guys are really making me wonder about coming to HK heh. Well plane ticket and hotel already booked so I will try to make the best of it.

How about any recommendations or names of western bars to hang out in while I am there that might have some native speakers?

Surely there is one or two popular teacher/ex pat hang outs where I can meet other English speakers?

Ladybug · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Posts: 68

It's my understanding that LOTS of people in HK have a considerable grip on the English language, so finding someone to converse with should be no problem.

I also don't think that HK has any Itaewon type places. Korea and HK are worlds apart it seems.

once again · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 815

Any bar you walk in anywhere in HK will have someone you can speak English to in it. But the major bar areas of Wan Chai, Central and Tsim Tsa Choi, will be full of English speaking people. In HK the second language is English. A bar with a few people to chat with in English will not be the problem. You may find however that they do not want to speak to you too much as you are not part of their social group or network..and that is a whole different story...and one of the unpleasant sides of HK. It can be very cliquey here..but once you have your own clique..then there is no problem Laughing

travelem · Joined: 19 Nov 2004 Posts: 36

Curious George · Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 15

Yeah I would love to see the Chinese New Year celebrations. Too bad the Chinese New Year is in ...February (?) Sad

travelem · Joined: 19 Nov 2004 Posts: 36

You can still see the New Year countdown at Time Square or Lan Kawi Fong.

travelem · Joined: 19 Nov 2004 Posts: 36

You can see the recent Christmas decorations here:
http://www.hkcities.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3667