You must see the City Plaza. This is a top-of-the-line department store prominently featuring products by Marks and Spencers. City Plaza has all of those familiar designer shops one so desperately needs to see, and it also has virtually every toy marketed by Toys R Us. Boasting a popular skating rink, the Plaza is where one can find all kinds of Foreign and Local fast foods.

In Kowloon you will want to travel The Nathan Road, very popular with night shoppers. Haggle, haggle, haggle, and have some fun doing it. Even if you do not decide to buy anything from the many unique boutiques, you will enjoy watching and listening to those who do. Just remember, you are the one with the money and the shop keeper really wants to sell you something!

Upscale shoppers will be drawn to the Landmark Atrium, a shopping center that seems designed for the rich and accessory-starved. Designer bags, shoes, and all sorts of clothes are to be had here, if the price is right. Access to the Atruim is very convenient because it connects with the local station directly.

Back in Kowloon again, you should find–and plan to spend some time in–the Stanley Market. This extremely well-known shopping center is famous for its atmosphere of excitement and fun. High-energy shoppers will be at home here, finding wonderful Chinese artworks, Mao trinkets, and various souvenirs. This market is reached by a wild trip through jungle and wildlife.

Finally, the budget shopper and the window shopper will revel in the famous Lanes of Hong Kong. These streets are lined with booths and stalls selling budget items of all sorts, sizes, shapes, and kinds. Electronics, clothing, foods, books, trinkets, and almost anything can be found here. You might stumble upon the “find” of your life!

Make sure, while you shop in Hong Kong, that you savor the experience and will be reminded of the great times you will have as you gaze upon the prizes you bring home.

Saltwater fishing is most common in Hong Kong. You can fish in a number of harbors around the area, including Hong Kong’s Island harbor, and the harbors of Kowloon and Kwun Tong. You can also venture further out into the ocean by boat, or get away from the city and spend some time in nearby Stanley, where the fishing is equally good but the surroundings are rather more peaceful.

Two interesting fishing spots, which were the sites where some traditional fishing communities lived, are the peninsula of Sai Kung and the island of Lamma. You can rent a boat at both of these locations and be guided to the best places for sea fishing.

There are chances for many different types of fishing, including fishing in the surf and the deep sea. There is plenty of advice available locally that will help you to locate your ideal fishing spot, although it is a good idea to do some research beforehand.

Freshwater fishing is more difficult in Hong Kong, as you will need to get a license. There is some interesting fishing to be done in the local reservoirs. You can expect to find species such as the edible Goldfish and Carp.

Hong Kong offers opportunities for more than fishing too. There are plenty of sights to see, and there is some excellent shopping and many great restaurants- many of them serving a selection of local sea food. You will be able to discover the city of Hong Kong in between your fishing trips, and there will also be plenty to do for any companions you have brought along who are not so keen on fishing.

You can use the same techniques that have served you well at home in order to fish in Hong Kong, although you may also be interested in learning about some of the local methods and fishing history.

Use the Airbus

Upon arriving in Hong Kong, choose to bypass taxis and the Airport Express in favor of the slower Airbus. Although baggage handling will be more convenient and your flight may have been long and tiring, the Airbus is a far less expensive method to get from the airport to the city than the Airport Express and taxis. You do pay for the convenience of the other forms of transportation.

The Airbus make a bit longer to get to your destinations but the savings can be substantial. Taxi fares can be as high as HK345, a single trip on the Airport Express can range up to HK100, but the Airbus will cost you up to a low HK40. That represents a significant savings.

Octopus Card

Using the Octopus Card ensures that you get savings. It is an electronic preloaded card that can be used throughout most of the public transit system in Hong Kong. When using the card, fares are a bit less than if you were paying cash. Not only is the card convenient to use to get around, it can be easy to top up when it gets low.

To use the card, you can simple wave it over the card reader. Because it is a chip, the card doesn’t need to be taken out of you purse to be read. The usage is immediately deducted from the balance and you can easily check the balance.

For HK150, you get a card with a HK100 balance and a HK50 refundable deposit that is returned when you turn in the card. At the end of your visit, you can turn the card in to get any unused funds as well as your deposit. If you will be visiting Hong Kong within three years, keep the card to use on your next visit.

Shopping

In Kowloon, you can immerse yourself in the authentic Hong Kong shopping experience. There are seals to be had but beware you don’t get taken. The open markets in Kowloon attract tourists and some vendors are prone to overcharge. Do your research on prices before you go and don’t be afraid to haggle. Some items can be had for 50% less than they are priced.

HK2 Sight-seeing tour

For a slow, scenic ride through Hong Kong’s streets, jump on a double-decker tram. Since the fares on the trams are regulated, no matter how far you travel the cost is still HK2. If you are looking to see the city and not have to find your way around, this is the way to do it. Not only is this style of sightseeing convenient but also save money to boot.

Cheap Accommodations

Finding a cheap place to stay in Hong Kong can be a daunting task. In this city of expensive hotel rooms, the Harbourview Hotel offers affordable rooms with many of the rooms looking out over Victoria Harbour. The four star hotel is ideally located close to shopping, Hong Kong Park, The Peak Tram, and is within a short walk to the ferry terminal.

Tipping

Most hotels and restaurants add a 10% gratuity to the bill. There is no reason to leave an additional amount unless you find the service above average. Check beforehand to see how much will be added to the bill so that you do not tip too much. It is appreciated if you leave an additional 5% if you like the service.

Saving money during your time in Hong Kong is not difficult if you so a bit of research and ask the locals for information. Make sure that you do price comparisons and follow the thrifty tips to keep a bit more of your hard earned money in your pocket.

Designed along the line of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, this promenade was developed into this attraction at a staggering cost of $40 million Hong Kong dollars by a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, New World Development Company Limited. Although the promenade itself was constructed in 1982, the Avenue of Stars component was unveiled to the public in 2004. During the ceremonies, the Avenue was handed over to the government to be used as public space.

During the day, the promenade provides impressive views of Victoria Harbor. In the evening, it is a popular place to see spectacular A Symphony of Lights display. With the addition of the Avenue of Stars, there is also an opportunity to glimpse the human stars of Hong Kong.

As you enter the promenade from Salisbury Garden, There is a towering 4.5-meter high replica of the Hong Kong Film Awards winner’s statuette. Hong Kong’s cinematic history spanning 100 years is revealed on nine bright red pillars as well as a Bruce Lee life-size statue are set along the 440-meters promenade.

As a tribute to those that have made significant contributions to territory’s filmmaking, there are decorative concrete plaques inset in the bricks of the promenade. The majority of the plaques honor deceased contributors and therefore just the name is inscribed. Plaques honoring those that are alive often feature an autograph and handprints.

The first year saw 73 people inducted and the list keeps growing. Such notables as Jackie Chan, the late Bruce Lee, and John Woo all have stars along the promenade. Take a stroll among the stars and, who knows; you might see a celebrity doing the same.

Although the temple appears to be ancient, it was constructed in 1921. Utilizing the characteristics of traditional Chinese temples, Wong Tai Sin Temple covers 18,000 square meters of space. With its large bright red pillars and incredible gold roof, the temple will make you catch your breath as you approach it. The adornment of rich blue friezes and yellow latticework help to provide a striking contrast to the carvings that decorate it.

Throughout the temple are stunning gardens that enhance the serenity of the site. The renowned Good Wish Garden offers you the chance to have your wishes answered provided that you make an honest request to the gods. The waterfalls splashing over rocks and the spectacular plantings make this a popular spot.

A series of three memorial arches can be found on the grounds. The first stands vigil outside of the temple and has the temple’s name etched into it. As you go farther and pass the fortunetellers, you will see the second. Proceeding further along will take you to the third. Arches such as these are typical in traditional Chinese temples.

One interesting feature of the temple is its Nine Dragon Wall. This wall was designed to reflect the Nine Dragon Wall in Beijing and is inscribed with a poem that adds to the feeling of tradition. Other areas of interest include Three Saints Hall where Guan Yin, Guan Di and Lu Zu are worshipped; Unicorn (Confucian) Hall where homage to Confucius is paid, and Yue Hing Shrine honoring the Buddha of the Lighted Lamp.

Wong Tai Sin Temple attracts throngs of visitors seeking their fortune and burning incense. Thousands of worshipers gather outside of the temple on Chinese New Year’s Eve in order to be the first to make an offering of incense as soon as the New Year comes. It is said that the earlier the offering is made, the better luck the worshipper will have throughout the year.

Whether or not your wishes are answered, the temple is an incredible place to experience.

Car rentals, even for a small car, are extremely expensive in Hong Kong, costing upwards over $600 per day. The roads in this densely populated area are heavily congested and laid out in a complex, confusing maze, at least to the uninitiated. If by chance a driver gets to where they want to go, they are unlikely to find a parking space because of the rarity of parking spaces. In the event that renting a car is unavoidable, unlike mainland China, Hong Kong does recognize International Driving Permits and driving is on the left side of the road. Be warned that if you decide to drive to, or in, mainland china; you will need license plates from the Guangdong authorities and a Chinese issued driver’s license.

Taxis are likely the most tourist-friendly mode for travelers to get around in Hong Kong. You get the views and retain efficiency. One important thing to remember is that taxi drivers are required to change bills up to 100 Hong Kong dollars so if you need something bigger changed, make sure that you get change before getting in the taxi. There are three colors of taxis and the color indicates the areas that it serves. Red taxis are the ones to take when in doubt but red taxis cannot go to Lantau Island. Blue taxis serve Lantau Island and green taxis service the New Territories. The best news is although tips are appreciated, they are not expected however drivers will usually round up to the nearest dollar when they give change.

Buses, trams, bicycles, trains, ferries are other forms of transportation around Hong Kong. A common form of payment for a lot of the transportation is an Octopus card that is a prepaid smart card. Octopus cards can also be used at some fast food chains, most convenience stores, roadside parking, vending machines and some parking lots.

The transportation options for getting around Hong Kong are numerous and all have pros and cons. For the first few days of your visit, it is worthwhile to get to know the options that are in the vicinity of your hotel and get hotel staff to help you with instructions. It will make your visit to Hong Kong more enjoyable if your transportation needs are met efficiently.