Posted: 12/10/2011 | December 10th, 2011

I’ve ended up being a bit of a lazy traveler. I barely do any type of planning or research study anymore. I barely ever look into where I’m going up until I get there. sometimes that doesn’t bother me; just winging it has its benefits. however sometimes I regret not doing any type of research, since I never understand what to see or do or even where to start, as well as I frequently end up missing sites as well as activities I understand I would have enjoyed.

And I didn’t do any type of planning for my trip to Hong Kong either. I understood nothing about the city other than that I had to eat dumplings while there. however I understood who would understand what to do — you. So I did something I haven’t done before: I let my visitors plan my trip. I asked people on Facebook as well as Twitter to suggest things to see as well as do as well as then utilized their responses as a guide. I was extremely impressed as well as overwhelmed by the outpouring of concepts as well as information. I understood I’d never be able to do whatever suggested in the three days I had in Hong Kong.

But I tried.

Friday Night

By the time I shown up at my guesthouse on Hong Kong Island from the airport, it was dinnertime as well as I was seriously jet-lagged. After eating dinner (delicious fried poultry as well as rice) as well as checking out my neighborhood, I collapsed into bed around 9pm as well as fell asleep within minutes. So much for Friday night!

Saturday

A few people suggested ocean Park, so that’s where I went. It’s a style park that features giant panda bears, rides, as well as an aquarium. I’d never seen a giant panda before as well as was quite excited to see one, though I wasn’t so excited when it decided to do a #2 right in front of me. That was more than I wished to see. I spent the day photographing pandas, enjoying a few roller coasters as well as water rides, as well as marveling at exactly how you can still discover big tour groups with a flag-holding tour guide at an enjoyment park. I mean, is it that difficult to discover your method with a small enjoyment park? PLUS, the guides had microphones so they might talk about…what? going on the rides? sometimes I just don’t get those tour groups.

To be honest, this is a quite lame enjoyment park. The aquarium doesn’t have a great deal of fascinating fish. The rides are less than thrilling. The food’s bland. It’s method as well crowded. I wouldn’t go back to ocean Park. The only reason to go there is to see a giant panda. It’s worth the entrance charge alone.

That night, I complied with the advice I’d gotten from many on Twitter: I went to Lan Kwai Fong. This area of town is one of the primary nightlife areas as well as is particularly prominent with expats as well as tourists. It’s quite much all foreigners. There was a carnival going on, as well as the streets were lined with beer sellers, food vendors, music, as well as dancing girls. After generous quantities of beer, my buddy as well as I called it a night, as well as I went back house to lastly kick my jet lag.

Sunday

Waking up early, I plowed with some work as well as then explored Kowloon Island. I went around the seaport as well as walked around Kowloon Park, which is a lovely place. I don’t understand if it’s just a Sunday thing, however everywhere I walked, I encountered little groups of Muslim women sitting around, chatting, eating, as well as sometimes singing. perhaps somebody from the area can hint me in on why it was only Muslim women (I’m guessing from Indonesia) who were doing this.

The park is an excellent method to awesome off as it’s extremely well shaded, though I was super unfortunate the public pool was closed up until March. I mean, come on city officials, it’s still quite damn hot in November!

Walking away dissatisfied as well as dripping with sweat, I took the advice of every travel blog writer understood to guy — I visited the famous Chung King Mansion. famous for being derelict, run-down, as well as a big terminate hazard, I couldn’t picture staying at one of the guesthouses in the building. Sure, they’re truly cheap, however even that’s as well inexpensive for me. However, a bright point is that there are some truly great Indian food stalls as well as restaurants on the ground floor. tasty food at a great price. as well as if you for some reason requirement a stolen phone, this is the location to go. They have everything.

Monday

I did the Ngong Ping 360 on my last day. This is a cable vehicle that takes you with Lantau Island as well as as much as see the famous giant Buddha. My whole weekend in Hong Kong was beautiful, warm, as well as sunny, however the day I decided to do the cable vehicle trip for sweeping views of the city, it rained. It got cloudy. It got cold. I might barely see a few feet in front of me. however since I have an incredible fear of heights, that may have been a great thing. I spentmost of the trip cursing at my buddy for taking me on this thing while trying not to look down. I was miserable. Sure, the scenery was impressive when the clouds broke on the method back, however it’s not an experience I want to relive.

And the Buddha statue? It’s quite awesome. It was gigantic as well as ornate. I was extremely impressed by it.

After only a few seconds in Hong Kong, I realized three days was not almost sufficient time to check out the city. I requirement more time. A great deal more time. I didn’t make it to Macau. Inclement weather condition prevented me from heading to the peak for a view of the city at night. I missed the fireworks. I didn’t get to a few of the outer islands or little villages. I just missed so much.

But the food…the food! Hong Kong is a foodie city if there ever was one. around every corner is an remarkable noodle, dumpling, or dim sum restaurant. smells of noodles as well as pork as well as fried poultry fill the air. My nose guided me to tasty food stalls for three days. as well as as an avid sushi lover, I was overjoyed to discover that there seemed to be a decent high quality sushi restaurant everywhere I went.

I barely scratched the surface of this wonderful as well as mesmerizing city. as well as by stating even that, I’m being extremely generous with the amount of sightseeing I did.

I liked Hong Kong as well as regret coming to Asia so frequently yet never having made it right here before. Hong Kong is just an remarkable as well as energetic city that you should visit, as well as I requirement to return for a much longer visit.

And thanks, everybody, for the fantastic travel advice. This was my very first experiment in having my whole trip organized for me, as well as it went extremely well. I may have to crowdsource my trips more often. You are much better than any type of guidebook.

Book Your trip to Hong Kong: Logistical tips as well as Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to discover a inexpensive flight. They are my two preferred browse engines since they browse websites as well as airlines around the globe so you always understand no stone is left unturned. begin with Skyscanner very first though since they have the biggest reach!

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest stock as well as finest deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, utilize Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses as well as inexpensive hotels. My preferred locations to stay are:

Hong Kong Hostel

Yesinn

Rainbow Lodge

Homy Inn

For even more locations to stay in Hong Kong, inspect out my publish on my preferred hostels in the city. It has an even more detailed list!

Don’t fail to remember travel Insurance
Travel insurance coverage will protect you against illness, injury, theft, as well as cancellations. It’s comprehensive security in situation anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to utilize it many times in the past. My preferred business that offer the very best service as well as value are:

Safety Wing (for everybody below 70)

Insure My trip (for those over 70)

Medjet (for extra repatriation coverage)

Looking for the very best business to save money With?
Check out my resource page for the very best business to utilize when you travel. I listing all the ones I utilize to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want more info on Hong Kong?
Be sure to go to our robust destination guide on Hong Kong for even more planning tips!