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GETTING AROUND TOWN – ICON STYLE

ICON-GUIDE

A vibrant metropolis unlike anywhere else in the world, Hong Kong is buzzing with dynamic dining, shopping and cultural activities. To help you maximise every minute of your visit, we’ve put together some Hong Kong travel tips that will help you zip around town like a local in no time! Oh, and welcome to Hong Kong!

 

Here are a few basics to get you started as you discover Hong Kong...

 

TRANSPORTATION

 

  • If you are here to visit Hong Kong for a few days and plan on taking public transportation, we recommend buying an Octopus Card from an MTR station instead of individual train tickets. You can purchase a card at the customer service desk and reload it at any MTR station, 7-Eleven, or Circle K. The Octopus card is widely used in Hong Kong for transportation, as well as at shops, and cafes. The Octopus card is a quick, easy way to pay at many places as you discover Hong Kong. You can get to many attractions with just a short walk from an MTR station. The MTR is a convenient way to discover Hong Kong like a local. 
  • If you have time to spare, take the Star Ferry to cross from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central or Wan Chai. It costs only a few dollars and you can enjoy a relaxing ride overlooking Hong Kong’s beautiful harbour.     
  • Allow additional travel time during rush hours between 5 and 8 p.m.
  • Many taxi drivers will not accept HK$500 or HK$1,000 bills, so it’s best to have HK$100 and HK$20 bills in hand.
  • Uber is also available in Hong Kong and is reliable for rides.
There are many transportation options as you discover Hong Kong during your stay.
 
 
 

SHOPPING

 

  • Take in a little bit of the city’s history as you shop when you visit places like the PMQ (former Police Married Quarters) in Central, 1881 Heritage in Tsim Sha Tsui and Tai Kwun Center for Heritage and Arts, which are housed in restored historic buildings.
  • Shops of the same type are often clustered in the same area. For example, wide ranges of electronic products are available in Wan Chai, ribbons and textiles abound in Sham Shui Po and dried seafood is best found in Sheung Wan etc. Let our concierge know what you are looking for and they can point you in the right direction.
  • A small fee for plastic shopping bags will be charged at all retail outlets due to the environmental levy scheme by the government. Feel free to bring the reusable shopping bags in your room for your treasure hunt in town!

ACTIVITIES

 

Add these activities to your Hong Kong itinerary. 
 
  • The newly refurbished Avenue of Stars, located just under 10 minutes from the hotel on Kowloon Park Dr, is open again with new AR technology and selfie-friendly displays. Get your cellphone ready to take some lovely photos with famous movie stars in Hong Kong like Bruce Lee and others.
  • You may consider visiting the Hong Kong Museum of History and Hong Kong Science Museum, both of which are within 5 minutes walking distance from the hotel.
  • Theme parks like Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland are very popular and can be crowded, especially on weekends. Visit the Concierge desk to book tickets in advance and avoid the lines.
  • For a place so renowned for its urban density, Hong Kong actually has a lot to offer for reconnecting with nature. Quaint villages, scenic hikes, emerald waters and pristine beaches, you name it!
  • Another popular tourist attraction is the Peak, where you can experience breathtaking views of the city.

 

 

 

DINING

 

Discover Hong Kong through delicious food!

  • Hong Kong’s ‘Dai Pai Dong’ (大排檔) is a type of open-air street food stall and are fantastic for tasting authentic local food. Often characterized as untidy with the lack of air-conditioning and its iconic green-painted steel kitchens, these stalls are regarded as a collective memory of Hong Kong locals. Authentic Dai Pai Dongs are scarce today, with only about 25 stalls remaining in Hong Kong.
  • There is an abundance of highly affordable and delicious 'Cha Chaan Tengs'  (茶餐廳) around Hong Kong. These local styled cafes are well-known for their service efficiency, eclectic menus (often offering Hong Kong style-Western cuisines that are quintessentially Hong Kong. Please be minded that English may not be the first language of the waiters/waitresses, and table-sharing is quite common.
  • While you visit Hong Kong, there may be some new customs to get used to when dining. For example, many casual restaurants will give you a ticket while you wait for your table. Make sure you stay nearby as they tend to pass your seats to someone else if you are not there when they call your name or ticket number.
 

 

 

Here are three schedules to add to your Hong Kong itinerary…

 

  • Idea 1: Spend the morning getting your exercise in by walking around the Peak Circle Walk. Start at Lugard Road and end at Harlech Road. This beautiful walk is just 3.5 km and you will experience some of the best views you can experience when you visit Hong Kong. After exploring the Peak and the breathtaking views of the city, head back to Hotel ICON for a nice afternoon, afternoon tea and a dip in the renowned infinity pool. As you get hungry throughout the day, be sure to discover Hong Kong local dishes like fish soup, beef brisket soup, and dim sum.

 

  • Idea 2: As you visit Hong Kong, you will realize that the city is both magical during the day and night. There is always something to do in Hong Kong no matter the time of day. In the morning, you can take advantage of the cooler weather and go on one of the city’s most famous hiking trails, Dragon’s Back. This is a moderate hike located in the Southern District of Hong Kong that features a few breathtaking lookout spots and ends at Big Wave Bay, where you can take a dip in the water or surf to conclude your hike. When the sun goes down, be sure to check out dining spots with a view. As you visit Hong Kong, the view is something that never fails to impress. Book a reservation at Above & Beyond to experience the unmatched pairing of delectable Cantonese cuisine and sweeping views of Hong Kong.

 

Discover Hong Kong through delicious food!

 

  • Idea 3: World-class shopping and your own food tour in Hong Kong! There are endless shopping malls in Hong Kong. If you are looking for a little bit of Hong Kong’s history while shopping, try out 1881 Heritage in Tsim Sha Tsui. In the Causeway Bay area, SOGO is a sight. In this 21 floor mall, you will find anything you can imagine from household items to luxury fashion. In Tsim Sha Tsui, we suggest going Yum Cha and trying out some Dim Sum, a Hong Kong classic. All around while you visit Hong Kong, keep your eyes and nose open for street food! Hong Kong has some of the best, well-known street food in the world from Cheung Fun to stinky tofu.

 

Follow our Hong Kong travel tips and discover Hong Kong with us. Do not hesitate to ask if you would like any more suggestions for your Hong Kong itinerary!

 

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