6 days 5 nights in Hong Kong – Day 1

6 days 5 nights may sound really long for you as you’ve probably covered this city in 2 days! Regardless of how short/long you’re travelling to Hong Kong, first-timer or not, read on and you'll find out why and how I explored with a comfortable pace. 

We flew with Cathay Pacific in a round trip between the 2 cities that are both densely populated. Our flight from Singapore departed from the brand new Terminal 4, and landed in Hong Kong at about 11:30am. We got our tourist SIM Card with the prepaid package of 8-Day Pass for HK$118/GB at the airport. 

As our hotel is in Yau Ma Tei, we opted for CityFlyer bus A21 to the nearest bus stop to our hotel for about 30 mins. It is much cheaper compared to the train so you will expect a queue at the bus stop. Be patient, the bus runs frequently for every 10-20 mins. You either prepare the exact amount for the bus fare because you will not get your change back, or get an Octopus Card and top up beforehand.

CityFlyer bus schedule and details 

Bus stops

Being aware that accommodations get pricier during Christmas and New Year’s Eve, we booked our hotel back in April 2017. Both of us were really glad to have found such a cozy, clean, and convenient environment to live in.

Check out InnHotel@Yau Ma Tei

Address: 60 Portland Street, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong

One thing worth taking note is the hotel provides a free phone which you can easily use for web surfing and as a hotspot! Unlimited data for free, yes, you heard me. 

Our room on the first day and it is as tidy as this everyday after room service

Our window view from the 26th floor

Yau Ma Tei MTR is within 3 minutes walking distance from the hotel and there are plenty of restaurants, Cha Chaan Teng, dining places from day to night around the area. There’s even a Jockey Club and you’ll find large group of old men holding their newspaper, smoking, looking up to watch their bet from the TV. There is so much happening around the area and I felt I have not observed and stayed long enough.

Again, you must decide if you want to stay in Kowloon or Hong Kong Island. Apparently my close friend and her family who lives in Hong Kong have shared something interesting about how they barely visited Kowloon since staying and spending most of their time in Hong Kong Island. They mentioned that there is a slight difference between residence in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island but I definitely have not stayed long enough to see such a comparison. 

To us, the location of the hotel was perfect and they gave us 26th floor as requested. I still am amazed how sturdy their structures hold to have such high scrapers just along the streets of seemingly run-down buildings. 

However, I would still advise you not to stand too long under old signboards beside the streets. During our stay, news being broadcasted about 3 men injured after a signboard with a solid wooden back structure in one of the shops at Yau Ma Tei fell off and hit them. Ouch, I can’t even imagine such a tragedy would just happen to any of us all of a sudden.

Back to the trip, we checked in, showered, took off to Causeway Bay. There was a large crowd in this new shopping mall called Hysan Place, it is connected to the MTR so you will not possibly miss it.

Hysan Place

Address: 500 Hennessy Rd, East Point, Hong Kong

Now let me sidetrack a little again. Our friend works for SBF boardshop in Hong Kong. It has snowboards, ski equipment, shoes and sneakers, and of course winter and ski suits. I don't get to ski or snowboard often but please check it out if you/someone else is interested because the store isn’t easily spotted after all. 

Go up the narrow staircase and you'll find the entrance here

My partner grabbed Egg Waffle and Curry Fishball next to the T-junction near Times Square. Honestly speaking, it tasted just the same as the ones in Singapore. I could be bias mainly because it is not my favourite street delicacies. The fishball differs to the ones in Singapore and Malaysia as they are stickier when you bite into it instead of being chewy and bouncy. The curry soup was quite spicy but rather tasteless, now this is again a personal preference, as I would usually go for Japanese curry and the ones prepared in Southeast Asia with the flavour of coconut milk.

Curry fish balls that spice up a chilling evening

Heard they serve pretty decent English meals but we didn't get to dine in

Right across the street from Brick Lane stands this old shop that is best known for their pork chop bun! 

Walk further down and you'll find this shop that sells flavoured egg waffle and a waiting crowd

After a 20 mins walk to Tin Hau area, we dine at Mak’s Noodles. You can find them in Singapore and Malaysia so I would recommend you to go for Sister Wah Beef Brisket instead. Apparently they also say the Mak's Noodle outlet at The Peak has the best taste and quality. I won't be able to verify that hah!

Mak’s Noodle

Address: Shop 1, G/F, The Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Road, The Peak, Hong Kong

Sister Wah Beef Brisket (click to read more about this from another website)

Address: G/F, 13A Electric Road, Tin Hau

Ching Ching Desserts

Address: 77 Electric Rd, Tin Hau, Hong Kong

Ching Ching Desserts

Desserts we ordered to satisfy my craving for Black Sesame ball even after Winter Solstice

Interior of Tsui Wah Restaurant at Yau Ma Tei

Condensed milk bun with butter for supper!

For this particular trip, we aim to also purchase some diving equipment as we were told they are cheaper. So we headed over to this recommended shop called Diving Express Ltd.

Diving Express

Address: 9/Flr., CFC Tower, 22-28 Mody Road, Tsim Sa Tsui, Hong Kong. (Near K-11 or MTR Exit N1)

We managed to get a half body wetsuit, and a pair of CRESSI diving masks. The choices for fins at that moment of time were limited, but there’s a whole lot of other equipment and accessories to look out for if you’re interested. We compared the prices with Scuba Warehouse and The Diver's Den in Kuala Lumpur. However cheap in Hong Kong, the prices differ only a little when these two shops in Kuala Lumpur are having year-end clearance and promotion.

Before heading back to rest, we dropped by at Tsui Wah Restaurant for supper. Click here to find out the nearest branch to where you are. 

Tsui Wah Restaurant

Address: G&1/F, 41-49 Pitt Street Yau Ma Tei

We had to end the day earlier because midnight flight exhaust me.

Stay tune for our Day 2 trip itinerary in the next post!

Love,

Christabel

Posing in front of Choi Hung Estate