I?m in Hong Kong for two main reasons 1) to pick up my Chinese Visa and 2) because it was the only mainland Asia award ticket I could find availability on. I didn?t have high expectations of Hong Kong from the start because my traveling record has proven that generally I dislike cities (in my view, once you?ve seen one city you?ve seen them all). The Hong Kong skyline boosts a majority of the worlds 20 tallest buildings and in fact the density and length of the central business district?s skyscrapers caught me in aw. This is the modern side of Hong Kong most visitors see?
Unless you?re on a shoestring budget?I spent two nights in the Kowloon district at both the Mirador Mansion and the famed Chungking Mansions. Lonely Planet calls these the budget accommodation slums and indeed that?s what they are. They are worn down old high-rises with what seemed like hundreds of different guesthouses or hotels. These were the WOREST accommodations I have ever had. The rooms were tiny, dorm mates (and even the staff!) were noisy and stinky, bathrooms and showers were grouse, 5 minute lines for the single elevator, and the whole place seemed like it could burn down in an instant. Avoid these places at all cost!
China is playing this tit for tat game with the U.S. state department charging a ridiculously high $590 HKD for a double entry tourist visa issued in 4 days (an additional $150 HKD for 24-hour service). $100 USD for a visa is an absolute rip off and had I known, I might have avoided China. Then again maybe I shouldn?t complain. For basically any foreigner to obtain a U.S. visa they are required to pay upwards of $100 USD for the application, be interviewed (often taking 2+ hours), and then be humiliated by being fingerprinted like a criminal. Actually a newspaper editorial I recently read by a foreigner who went through the process called the process ?efficient? but just think if you?d have to go through this process to enter China!
Overrated tourist destinations in Hong Kong: Peak Tram
Most enjoyable experience in Hong Kong: a nighttime stroll along the pier at the New World Center and Victoria Harbor