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The Best of Hong Kong On a Shoestring Budget

Trips to Hong Kong can be a bank busting experience. They don’t have to be. Take a look at our budget guides to sleeping, eating out and seeing the city for proof that you don’t need an expense account to enjoy the best Hong Kong has to offer.

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Hong Kong / Macau Travel Spotlight10

Taking a Bus Tour in Hong Kong

Monday April 30, 2012

Seen in cities around the world, bus tours have only arrived in Hong Kong in recent years. Now three firms are battling it out for the dollars of time pressed tourists looking to fit in all the essential sights on one trip.

We're not a huge fan of bus tours, especially not in Hong Kong. This is a city to be experienced, not to be passed by on the top deck of a double decker bus. Things need to be tasted, smelt and shopped. But, for some, bus tours are an irresistible opportunity to see the city in one quick trip.

In our Hong Kong bus tours article we've rated and reviewed all of the main competitors and documented just what they offer.

Jumbo Kingdom Hong Kong

Monday April 30, 2012

Jumbo Kingdom

Do you like food? Do you like boats? Yes. Read on. Jumbo Kingdom is a floating restaurant on a grand boat moored off the Aberdeen coastline. It's also been one of Hong Kong's most popular tourist attractions since 1976.

This gargantuan vessel seats 2000+ diners and is decked out like a traditional Chinese Palace meets Moulin Rouge - all fairy lights, glowing neon signs and gold, grinning dragons. It's less a restaurant, more an event.

If the décor has always attracted superlatives, the food has mostly attracted derision. Overpriced is the criticism most kindly levelled at Jumbo - tourist trap for the less polite. In recent years it's had an overhaul and claims more quality in the kitchen.

Find out what we made of the new, improved Jumbo and whether it's worth putting on your itinerary in our review of Jumbo Kingdom.

Photo: Jumbo Kingdom Hong Kong. Copyright Jumbo Kingdom

Ride the Hong Kong Balloon

Monday April 30, 2012

DHL balloon

Hong Kong must be about the only major city in the world missing a Ferris wheel. Crazy really, when you think about it. Since the London Eye took its bow the things have been springing up like mould across the globe, so for Hong Kong - one of the greatest cityscapes ever crafted - to not have its own seems, well crazy.

What Hong Kong does have is the DHL balloon. This giant hot air balloon floats tourists 300 feet into the air for an unrivalled view of the skyline. But is it worth it? In our DHL balloon review we take a look at the views, the experience and ask if you really need to pay to see the Hong Kong skyline?

Photo: DHL Balloon and the Hong Kong Skyline. Copyright DHL Balloon

Hong Kong Wetland Park on test

Saturday April 28, 2012

Hong Kong's great green outback is often overlooked for the more cinematic skyscrapers and shop lined streets of the city. Yet Hong Kong - as a territory - remains 75% rural. There are golden beaches, furry green valleys and rocky mountains - well - very big hills.

Nowhere takes better advantage of Hong Kong's outback than Hong Kong Wetland Park. Set on the mudflats of the Mai Po Marshes, this fragile ecosystem ranks as one of the finest nature reserves in Asia. Flora and fauna thrive here and each Spring and Autumn thousands of migratory birds land here for some rest and relaxation.

The park is set up with themed trails to show off the best of the area's wildlife - including Pui Pui the local crocodile. Find out more in our Hong Kong Wetland Park review.

Photo: Stream at Hong Kong Wetland Park. Copyright Hong Kong Wetland Park

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