Originally Posted By Mr X I've been reading these latest posts with interest, about HKDL and the surounding areas... BUT, I find the place names and everything else to be a blur... Can someone explain about "downtown" Hong Kong, Kow Loon, and all these places everyone is taking about? How far are they from the airport? From HKDL? And what is the layout like in Hong Kong? I'm very curious, since people ask me similar questions about Tokyo all the time and it just seems "regular" to me (cause I live here!).
Originally Posted By irishfan I was there back in Febuary. The easiest way to explain it IMHO: Hong Kong city comprises many islands, and also the chineese mainland. When you think of Hong Kong, for most people it's that skyline that people think of. Well, that skyline is basically Hong Kong Island. (the largest island) Kowloon, is actually on the mainland, and it's from here where you get some of the best views of Hong Kong Island. Kowloon is much more chaotic than Hong Kong island. Kowloon feels much more like a chineese city than Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong island is more similar to say Singapore. You can travel between Kowloon and Hong Kong island by both underground, and by the famous Star Ferry. Either way it doesn't take too long. From memory, the airport was about a 25 minute train trip to get to Kowloon, and add an extra 5/10 minutes to Hong Kong island.
Originally Posted By HongKongDisneyLand bring TDLFAN or jglhk with you. and b4 you go , get a new pair of glasses!
Originally Posted By gardabble The best way to describe Hong Kong is that it is comprised of 3 different regions: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Territories and its outlying islands. The downtown you usually refer to in Hong Kong is known as Central. That's where all the businesses are located. You will notice its the only area of Hong Kong Island that has one of the tallest skyscapers in the world which is IFC (International Finance Center). Victoria Harbour is the waterway that separates Hong Kong Island from Kowloon. That's where you take the Star Ferry to commute from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island and vice versa. If you still confused post here I can help you out.
Originally Posted By jlghk <<<Hong Kong city comprises many islands, and also the chineese mainland.>>> <<<Kowloon, is actually on the mainland>>> I would like to clarify one point here. There is a borderline between (in irishfan¡¦s term) Kowloon and Mainland China. Because HK is a capitalist city and mainland China is a communist country, so all mainland Chinese can only come to HK for traveling for a short period of time. They have to go back to their hometown in mainland Chinese before their traveling permits expire. In general, HK is a very safe place, but sometimes some mainland Chinese come to HK and commit crimes by means of their traveling permits. Mr.X When is the best time to visit TDL ? Is it after the golden week in Japan (after new year holiday, and also between end of April & the first week of May)? I wanted to avoid the crowd in TDL.
Originally Posted By Mr X You can not avoid crowds at TDL. Ever. But hey, you live near Hong Kong Disneyland right? THAT place isn't very crowded right?
Originally Posted By SuperDry Go to the MTR website <a href="http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/train/intro.html" target="_blank">http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/trai n/intro.html</a> and click on the Route Map on the lower right. Although stylilzed as subway maps tend to be, this is actually a good way to look at Hong Kong as a tourist, as you'll likely be using the MTR to get around. So, MTR geography is what counts. The land to the left is Lantau Island, which is where the airport and Disneyland is. The bottom land mass is is Hong Kong Island, which is where "Central" aka downtown is. The large area of land at the top is Kowloon, which is at the tip of a peninsula of land that's part of the mainland geographically. When someone says "Hong Kong," they could mean one of several things, which might be leading to some confusion: - The territory of Hong Kong, which includes everything on that map as well as a few miles further north. - Hong Kong Island - Hong Kong Station, or the general "Central" downtown area (used to be called Victoria).
Originally Posted By Lake Nona >>You can travel between Kowloon and Hong Kong island by both underground, and by the famous Star Ferry. Either way it doesn't take too long.<< Visited HK in 1989 and 1990 "The Old HK" when I was on the USS Midway (CV-41). What I do remember is that the Star Ferry is one of the best travel values in earth. Back then it was 50HK for lower level and 100HK for the upper level. The ride across the harbour is 7-9 mins. HK is easy to get around, don't forget about the Stanley Market Place, and the taxi's are cheaper than Toyko.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Hong KOng is about the easiest place to get around Mr. X. Just go and find out.
Originally Posted By jlghk Hong Kong is a small city. The majority of Hong Kongers may get to HKDL in about an hour. One of my colleagues who lives very close to HKDL. He can watch the partial view of HKDL fireworks from his balcony every night. But he always complains that the fireworks, which produces smoke/ashes, contributes to the air pollution in that area. He is worried about his health. There is a saying that the skyline (at night) of New York city is the best in the world. The skyline in HK is second to New York city. Do you agree to that? Check out the photos of night views of HK Victoria Harbor in Season¡¦s Greetings: <a href="http://mysinamail.sina.com.hk/cgi-bin/album/ualfolder.cgi?uid=jlghk" target="_blank">http://mysinamail.sina.com.hk/ cgi-bin/album/ualfolder.cgi?uid=jlghk</a>
Originally Posted By HongKongDisneyLand For the best skyline in the world... Hong Kong is always no. 1 on my list. but this is just my personal opinion. and according to Emporis: (This listing ranks cities by the visual impact of their skylines) No 1. Hong Kong No 2. New York No 3. Seoul No 4. Chicago No 5. Singapore No 6. Shanghai No 7. Bangkok No 8. Tokyo No 9. Sao Paulo No 10.Toronto
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<There is a saying that the skyline (at night) of New York city is the best in the world.>> I would bet that really the only people who say that are New Yorkers. If I was a New Yorker too, I might be proud enough of my city to say it as well. HK looks great at night. Other cities I would imagine to have spectacular skylines at night would be San Francisco and Sydney.
Originally Posted By HongKongDisneyLand Hong Kong is extremely beautiful at night. Pls check out the following link: <a href="http://www.pbase.com/accl/hong_kong" target="_blank">http://www.pbase.com/accl/hong _kong</a> <a href="http://www.pbase.com/accl/symphony" target="_blank">http://www.pbase.com/accl/symp hony</a> <a href="http://www.pbase.com/accl/skycrapers" target="_blank">http://www.pbase.com/accl/skyc rapers</a> <a href="http://www.pbase.com/accl/hong_kong2" target="_blank">http://www.pbase.com/accl/hong _kong2</a> <a href="http://www.pbase.com/accl/fireworks" target="_blank">http://www.pbase.com/accl/fire works</a>
Originally Posted By SuperDry The difference is that in order to fully take in the skyline of NYC, don't you have to be in New Jersey or somewhere else? What's so unique about Hong Kong is that you can see it up close from the Kowloon side of the harbor. Although the skyline of NYC may be comperable to Hong Kong's, I don't think the view of a skyline anywhere is even close to Hong Kong's. Every time I've visited, I can just stand on that waterfront for about an hour looking in awe.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Interesting list, hongkong. I am surprised Sydney isn't on the list; I just looked at some photos and found it quite beautiful. The Opera House and bridge give it visual appeal over the standard skyline. Tokyo is a bit of a surprise to me as well, as that city is so spread out, with no signature landmarks... I don't find it all that interesting a skyline.
Originally Posted By Lake Nona >>Tokyo is a bit of a surprise to me as well, as that city is so spread out, with no signature landmarks... I don't find it all that interesting a skyline.<< The Toyko Tower. >>No 1. Hong Kong No 2. New York<< Ditto on this ranking.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I wouldn't consider Tokyo Tower to be much of a signature landmark. My reason? If you showed 100 average people a picture of it, I would imagine most of them wouldn't be able to name it. It doesn't have anywhere near the recognition or status as well-known landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Empire State Building in NYC, the Coliseum in Rome, or the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Originally Posted By Mr X True...but can you really name such landmarks as those in ASIA though? I mean, the Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Tower, and Landmark Tower are all widely known in Japan, but I'd never heard of such places living in America. Perhaps Hong Kong has a building or two that is a true landmark but other than that I don't think the landmarks of Asia are quite as widely known as the ones of America and Europe. Then again, many would recognize a Japanese garden, or the Emperors Palace, the Golden Temple or the Great Wall of China, so perhaps Asia is just more widely know for its more ancient wonders, no? I agree about the Tokyo skyline though, it is disappointing just for the sheer vastness of it (but cool for that reason too...hard to explain). Kinda like LA, but with a real public transportation system so you can get around.
