Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mayorgc]

I'm planning on hitting up HK, but I'm trying to find a decent cheap place to stay.

in canada, if i went on road trips, i'd just hit up cheap motels like econolodge or motel 6 or whatever.

does that stuff exist in hong kong? or equivalent.

[greedy_bones]

http://www.hostelworld.com/findabed.php?Search=1&PHPSESSID=2886745611-1uKANA0CJtmzJ390c65NFrMzbkGBzRSH

[Lao Wai]

[D.D.]

Take a train to central and go to the Boat docks. Ask people which boat goes to Lhamma Island. Walk past the first few guest houses and ask prices. Very nice Island and cool people and it's a very cheap boat ride to central.

Dont stay at Chung King mansions or whatever it is called. That place is a hole as is most budget paces in Kowloon or Central.

Lhamma Island is the place.

[mayorgc]

I guess i should have clarified a bit

if it was just me going, i'd stay in any cheap roach motel.

but i'm bringing the GF and I guess clean/cheap/semi-nice would do.

i've been thinking of booking the dorsett seaview or even that ywca place.

[tzechuk]

You DON'T want any of those places.

Seriously... go to www.hongkonghotels.com. You will find a wide range of hotels reasonably priced.

[suadente]

Try the Chungking Mansions in Kowloon. They're old high rise buildings with tens of hotels/hostels on the various floors. Some of them are cheap but rancid places, while others are reasonably priced, nice, clean, though small rooms. Plus, Kowloon is pretty central so it's easy to get to Hong Kong island, and it's walking distance to the ferry and good shopping. The night life isn't that exciting in that neighborhood, but during the day, there are tons of great restaurants.

Bring money, be prepared to shop. I don't know if it'll be the same because of the exchange rates, but when I went, it was like everything was on clearance.

Oh, and be sure to check out Macau. It's less than an hour away by boat. (You have to bring you passport.)

[movybuf]

I would suggest the Ibis Hotel in North Point. It's not fancy, but its not a backpackers spot. Pretty nice if you don't want to spend a lot of money.

I stayed in the Mirador Mansions at the USA Hostel, too. It was small but comfy. The hot water didn't work all the time, but the room was clean. The location couldn't be beat. It was right next to some semi-nice hotel that had a cheap breakfast buffet.

[movybuf]

I would suggest the Ibis Hotel in North Point. It's not fancy, but its not a backpackers spot. Pretty nice if you don't want to spend a lot of money.

I stayed in the Mirador Mansions at the USA Hostel, too. It was small but comfy. The hot water didn't work all the time, but the room was clean. The location couldn't be beat. It was right next to some semi-nice hotel that had a cheap breakfast buffet.

[D.D.]

It's funny everyone ignores the Lhamma Island suggestion. It's the best place to stay for the money and the nicest spot

[mayorgc]

thanks for all the suggestions guys, much appreciated.

but now, i'm wondering what I should do or see while i'm in HK.

I haven't been there for 15 years.

I'm definitely gonna check out macau. but what else? i've heard of mongkok or wongkok and causeway bay. is there anything else? i'm not too much into clubs or drinking, but any other suggestion would be awesome

[mayorgc]

thanks for all the suggestions guys, much appreciated.

but now, i'm wondering what I should do or see while i'm in HK.

I haven't been there for 15 years.

I'm definitely gonna check out macau. but what else? i've heard of mongkok or wongkok and causeway bay. is there anything else? i'm not too much into clubs or drinking, but any other suggestion would be awesome

[suadente]

Llamma Island is pretty, and has a nice walking trail, and Hong Kong island is cool. All in all, it's probably the most modern city, architecturally, that I've ever seen. My wife and I spent almost an entire day just walking around. Take a cable car up to the top of the mountain on a clear day for really great views. There's a nice free zoo and park just north of Kowloon Station. And there's a nice mall west of Kowloon with great prices. I loved Hong Kong, I'd love to live there. Macau was great, too. Lots of old buildings, mega casinos, and the food in both places was amazing.

Also, you could think about taking a boat to the mainland, do three different cities. I think you'll need a visa to do that, though.

[Tjames426]

I lived and worked in HK pre-1997. I visited HK again last year. I noticed some changes.

First, Tourism in HK is now primarily for the Chinese Mainland tourist. Everyone speaks Mandarin, not English. I speak Mandarin, so for me...it was like Heaven. It was horrid before 1997 trying to communicate in decent English there.

If you have a 'white' face, you will literally be physically assaulted by Southeast Asian British Commonwealth Hong Kong citizens. Since the handover in 1997, the Chinese despise these Pakistani and Indian leftovers from the British control. The Chinese will have nothing to do with them. The Southeast Asian merchants must gain business from whitey. Since there are fewer and fewer white tourists, things are very hard for this community. More than one time I was physically grabbed by one of these merchants trying to sell me something. This is besides the continual yelling, following, and pandering toward you.

The famous Kowloon walkway has been somewhat ruined by statues of famous HK actors and Mandarin signs talking about different things. There is still a view, but you might have to fight for a place to see the harbor from the Kowloon side. Personally, I found it humorous that there was a whole section of signs and statues dedicated to the "History of Mandarin film" in Hong Kong. Anyone who knows HK clearly knows that HK people do not give a ..... about the Mandarin language, they speak Cantonese. HK people look down on Mainland Mandarin speakers, apart from speaking the language to gain $$$$ from tourists that is.

So, if you travel to HK, be very careful. The Heyday of international HK tourism is long dead. Hong Kong panders to the Mandarin speaker.

***

IMO

[mayorgc]

hmm, i'm chinese and can speak ghetto ass mandarin, so maybe i'll get by.

my plan is to hit up causeway bay, mongkok, tsim sha tsui, victoria peak, macua and ocean park. is there anything else i should see or do?