HONG KONG - Oasis Highlights
- Introduction |
- Destinations & Hotels |
- Info & facts |
- Itinerary Ideas |
- Oasis Highlights |
- Price Guide |
- Themes
Star Ferry
The earliest reports of a ferry service crossing between Kowloon and Honk Kong Island date back as far as 1888 when the steam powered boats took a full forty minutes to make the short harbour crossing. Nowadays The Star Ferry service takes just 10 minutes but the journey is still, if not even more, spectacular as it would have been back then.
Luxury Hotels
Hong Kong is home to some of the world’s finest hotels with some of the most stunning views in the world. There is nothing quite like waking up and opening the electronically controlled curtains to reveal, through the floor to ceiling windows, the spectacular sight the cruise ships, container boats and traditional junks that ply the waters of Hong Kong Harbour!
Chinese Food Paradise
For lovers of Chinese food, Hong Kong must rate as the ultimate gastronomic destination. You can eat tasty street food from the market stall vendors, dim sum lunches in the huge local restaurants or treat yourself to a Chinese gourmet banquet at some of the regions fanciest restaurants where you will find an exotic fusion of Eastern and Western flavours. If you have a particular favourite we are more than happy to make a reservation for you, or if you are a first time visitor we can happily recommend somewhere that suits your palate.
Nightlife
Hong Kong is a 24/7 place, it never sleeps. There are entertainment and restaurant districts all over the Kowloon and the Island. Whether you're on Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon, there's a labyrinth of bars, restaurants and clubs of all shapes and sizes. The best place for cocktails and late night bars are Lang Kwai Fong or Wanchai on Hong Kong Island or for less extravagant options there are a number of waterholes in Tsimshatsui on the Kowloon side.
Helicopter Tours
Air tours can take you over most of Hong Kong. You can fly around the harbour and see the spectacular high-rise density of Central, along the beautiful bays and beaches on the south side of Hong Kong Island, across to the spectacular Outlying Islands, up the rugged east coast of the New Territories, across traditional farmlands and even along the Chinese border. Take in the panoramic wonder of the famous harbour. See the engineering marvel of the Tsing Ma Bridge. Every scenic flight can be tailor-made to your request. Whether you use it simply for sight-seeing, for professional photography or for entertaining company VIP's, you are sure to have an unforgettable time. The fleet of helicopters can accommodate anywhere between 4 to 16 seats per craft. The most popular flights are the half-hour trip around the harbour and Hong Kong Island, and the one hour trip around the harbour, Kowloon Peninsula, Lantau Island and the New Territories.
Shop till you drop
Virtually everywhere in the tourist areas of Hong Kong you will never find yourself more than a few paces from a huge air-conditioned mall, department store, designer boutique or local market stall. They all offer an astounding array of products from the latest in designer fashion labels and electronics, local handicrafts, Chinese medicines (although be careful with what you can bring back to Australia!) to the cheapest, and generally unreliable, copy watches.
Shopping Tips
Hong Kong is rightly known as a haven for “shopaholics”. There are shops selling just about everything you can imagine and usually at great prices. Below are a few tips to help you get the best out of you shopping experience.
In department stores, all items price-tagged and prices are fixed. Many small retailers also practise price tagging but are often flexible when approached for a discount. Ask the retailer for his "best price" and then counter-offer with realistic prices until both of you reach an agreement, but don’t bargain too hard over just a couple of dollars.
If you decide to have clothes tailor-made, establish a clear understanding about payment. It is sensible to just leave a deposit when ordering, with full payment following only after you have inspected the completed garment and you are happy with the workmanship and fit.
There are many electrical goods on sale in Hong Kong, but don’t automatically assume they are cheaper than at home, before purchasing anything check on the internet what price you would pay. Also check that the warranty card for your purchase bears the correct details of the product acquisition and is endorsed with the retailer's stamp. International warranties can be acquired for many goods, usually for a 12-month period, but some products are not accompanied by warranties and these are usually sold at a reduced price. Various international warranties have limitations and may not be applicable in certain countries. Most shops will conform to a request for a guarantee statement, but if not forthcoming, it may be best to simply buy elsewhere.
