HONG KONG EXPERT HERE (born and bred in HK from a westerners view)
muahaa..
ok being serious now..
mishka mentioned that there is a competition for the tallest building in HK. Its very true and currently the IFC tower (international finance centre) is winning and is one of the top 10 tallest buildings in the world. (and other buildings in HK also included in that list).
The number one thing to do is have 'yam-cha' (dim sum). It is my favourite food in the whole wide world. It is only served for breakfast and lunch so make sure its the right time of day for that. I recommend ordering the barbeque pork bun, and 'har gau' (juicy shrimp in a rice wrapping). NOTHING beats the real thing (dim sum) in HK.Whenever I come home (to HK) I gotta have it. Even other countries cuisines seem to be the best in Hong Kong. So live on your stomach whilst you are there.
If you like views make sure to visit the Peak on a nice sunny day, I highly recommend taking the peak Tram. You can catch a bus to the tram station from the Star Ferry terminus in Central. Additonally, do take the Star Ferry for a ride like Mishka said, its a traditional method of crossing Victoria Harbour. If you like visiting landmarks as well, Take a ferry to Lantau Island and see the Big Buddha. I have actually never been there and I've lived in HK for 18 years, it will be something I will do when I return from London.
Shopping in Hong Kong is also phenomenal. If you are a westerner, its cheaper than what you are used to. For asia it may be a little higher priced. Remember that Hong Kong is a big centre of trade, they know their business and they know it well. There are markets everywhere, as well as shopping malls. From rags to riches, the shops in HK contain everything. ELECTRONICS are the favourite buys. Because 1. its cheaper in HK than most other countries 2. the quality is JUST as great (in fact the quality originates here) and 3. Hong Kong is a huge step in front of anyone else in technology (except perhaps, Japan-or they are both on par) so if you buy something new in HK, you are likely to bring it back to astounded friends and relatives who gush over your new gadgets, who are unable to buy it in your own home country. I recently bought an 8GB memory stick (it cost 1000HK dollars, equivalent to around 67 british pounds), it was good quality and I brought it back to the UK. My friends were like WHAAAAT. Like I said, HK is a step ahead in technology...
Another thing is pirated DVD's. Now I know that half the time they are bad quality (if they are of movies still currently running in the cinema) but most work great and with good quality. For what its worth, I would still say its worth a shot buying a few. If you do buy any, buy ones which have already been legally released on DVD, so that the likelihood of the quality is great. Shopkeepers can demonstrate and test them on their players for you if you request it.
Now Mishka also mentioned bamboo scaffolding. I have grown up seeing it my whole life that I never thought twice about it until I went overseas and realised people were in awe of it. Well, if its that awesome, it must be! Bamboo is some pretty strong shit. And they use it EVERYWHERE in construction in HK. I will remind visitors that HK is not the best place for clean air. or clean, anything. Except for hygiene. Hygiene has become a huge issue in HK since the SARS incident, so you shouldn't have a problem GETTING dirty and infected with anything, but the noise and air pollution is still pretty bad.
Well I have loads to say but if you have any questions just contact me, and hope this helps 😊
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