This is Day1 of my 6 day suggested child-friendly itinerary for Hong Kong, if travelling with small kids.
We arrived in Hong Kong at 6 in the morning. Thus we had the entire day at our disposal, but were a bit sleep deprived.
My previous post gives my detailed itinerary (6 Days in Hong Kong).
We arrived in Hong Kong at 6 in the morning. Thus we had the entire day at our disposal, but were a bit sleep deprived.
My previous post gives my detailed itinerary (6 Days in Hong Kong).
Octopus Card:
At the airport, I suggest you should buy the 'On Loan Octopus' card. This card can be used as a Bus, MTR or Star Ferry pass. These cards can be bought at any of the Airport Express counters. More information on Octopus card here.
I got an additional 100 HKD topped up on each Adult Octopus card, and a 50HKD topped up on each Child Octopus, to last us for our 6 day trip.
Where to stay
I preferred to stay at Hotel Eaton on Nathan Road, after reviewing a number of hotels. It was a nice hotel and I do recommend it.
The double bed was big enough to accomodate our two small kids.
TIP TIME: A trick that I used when kids were small and had a habit of rolling too much in my hotel bed: Put the Air conditioning on high. Somehow, the kids dont want to roll too much once they are sleeping smugly next to me.
Ok, coming back to the hotel review: The bathrooms were clean, and the room service was satisfactory. I had read some reviews on the internet about rooms smelling of cigarette smoke. But we never had such a problem. We stated our preference for Non smoking zone, while booking the hotel room.
My kids liked the food that they served, for breakfast as well as for the in-room dinner that we ordered.
Traveling from the airport to the Hotel:
I preferred to stay at Hotel Eaton on Nathan Road, after reviewing a number of hotels. It was a nice hotel and I do recommend it.
The double bed was big enough to accomodate our two small kids.
TIP TIME: A trick that I used when kids were small and had a habit of rolling too much in my hotel bed: Put the Air conditioning on high. Somehow, the kids dont want to roll too much once they are sleeping smugly next to me.
Ok, coming back to the hotel review: The bathrooms were clean, and the room service was satisfactory. I had read some reviews on the internet about rooms smelling of cigarette smoke. But we never had such a problem. We stated our preference for Non smoking zone, while booking the hotel room.
My kids liked the food that they served, for breakfast as well as for the in-room dinner that we ordered.
Traveling from the airport to the Hotel:
The decision to travel on your own, in a new country, can be unnerving, when you are traveling with kids. However, with google at your finger tips, and a little bit of advance planning and research, it can be done without much hassle.
Thanks to Travelpod, Tripadvisor and Google maps, I found that the most convenient way to reach any hotel on the Nathan Road is to take the Citybus A21. So this is what we did, and the bus practically dropped us just one block away from the hotel. If staying at Hotel Eaton or Hotel Nathan, you need to get down at the 10th stop if travelling from the airport by Bus A21. Traveling on the first seat of the upper deck can be a lot of fun too!
We reached the hotel by 9 am, and as the Hotel checkin time was after 3 pm, we just left our luggage with the Concierge and set off for the day's sightseeing.
Victoria Peak:
Hong Kong is divided into islands. Victoria Peak is located on Hong Kong island, while Hotel Eaton is located on Kowloon island. Victorial Peak can be reached by road, rail or by ferry.
We decided to try out the ferry, as it is supposed to be an attraction of Hong Kong. Just outside the hotel, we got a bus that took us to the Star Ferry Terminus at Tsim Sha Tsui.
We decided to try out the ferry, as it is supposed to be an attraction of Hong Kong. Just outside the hotel, we got a bus that took us to the Star Ferry Terminus at Tsim Sha Tsui.
At Tsim Sha Tsui, we took the Star Ferry to Central Pier. The 10 minute ferry ride gave us our first view of the commercial district of Hong kong - the Hong Kong island.
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| Hong Kong Island view from the Star Ferry |
Looking back at Kowloon, we could see the 108 storied ICC Tower - the International Commerce Centre. The 100th floor of this building has an observation deck, called Sky 100. Tickets can be purchased for HK$ 150. More information on Sky 100 here.
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| ICC Tower |
We disembarked from the Star Ferry at the Central Pier, and found bus 15C, which took us to the Peak Tram Station. Here tickets are available for the Peak Tram ride, the Sky Terrace and Madame Tussauds.
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| Loads of shopping at the Peak. |
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| Its rare to see Jackie stand so still. |
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| Saying I love You to the Peak. |
TIP TIME: Some of the shops have Special hours, during which they sell things at half price.
After a couple of hours at the Peak, we decided to move on to Stanley Market.
From the Peak, Bus # 15 to Stubbs Road, and catch Bus #6 to continue onwards to Stanley Market.
After a couple of hours at the Peak, we decided to move on to Stanley Market.
From the Peak, Bus # 15 to Stubbs Road, and catch Bus #6 to continue onwards to Stanley Market.
Stanley Market/ Repulse Bay:
The Bus 6 goes to Stanely Market. If time permits, you can visit Repulse Bay on your way. The bus drives right past the bay. But I doubt you can do both in one day, with kids in tow, if you intend to catch the Symphony of Lights on the same day.
As kids were already dozing off on the bus, we decided to skip Repulse Bay. But we did get to see the famous building with a hole. Legend goes that it was built in this manner, so that the dragon who lives on the hillside, would have an unobstructed flight to the sea.
The Bus 6 goes to Stanely Market. If time permits, you can visit Repulse Bay on your way. The bus drives right past the bay. But I doubt you can do both in one day, with kids in tow, if you intend to catch the Symphony of Lights on the same day.
As kids were already dozing off on the bus, we decided to skip Repulse Bay. But we did get to see the famous building with a hole. Legend goes that it was built in this manner, so that the dragon who lives on the hillside, would have an unobstructed flight to the sea.
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| The hole in the building: Repulse Bay |
At the Stanley Market we found shoes, luggage and a Princess dress for my daughter to wear to her dream visit to Disneyland. Bargaining works.
We returned to Tsim Sha Tsui rather late, and missed the Symphony of Lights by just a few minutes. So we spent the rest of the evening roaming along the Avenue of Stars, looking for Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee stars.
Food:
Burger king at Central, Deli France` at Stanley market (French bakery), and In-room dining at Hotel Eaton.
Water:
We preferred to buy mineral water on Nathan Road. The same bottle of water would cost more than double, at the tourist spots. If dining in a good restaurant, the water served is generally safe to drink.
Stay tuned, for Day 2 - Oceanpark, and let me know what you think of my first day in Hong Kong!
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