To all the frequent HK visitors what else is there to do in HK besides mongering and shopping.

i am assuming you are (or will be) a first time visitor, as i wll be in february. these are some of the things i am considering:

ngong ping 360 cable car on lantau island

rickshaw site seeing bus (50 HKD) unlimited on/off for 1 day, 2 routes. this seems to be a comprehensive tour of hong kong island only

peak tram to top of victoria peak

you might try the big budda, but i suggest you do a you tube search before trying. the tram only goes to the bottom of the staris. you then have to climb 6 million stairs to get to the budda. you are probabley better off saving energy for 141 WU's

there is a Junk boat tour of hong kong harbor, but i don't have details . friend of mine at work just got back from HK and said it was great

66bob6

you can also visit those small islands like Tai O village.

I took a couple of WGs on the cable car ride, purely out of the goodness of my heart.
Have climbed the steps before to the giant Buddha at the other end, but opted not to when I took the WGs as I was already knackered   and been up there before. (the Buddha that is)
opted to stay at the bottom and have a smoke!
But if you ain't been before it's a nice day out.

Tip: Both times I have been I opted to pay the extra for the Crystal Cabins. Queuing seemed to move quicker IMHO. And I have to say on my second trip I was really glad I did, as on the return trip, the standard queue was massive, and the Crystal one was much smaller.
Did wonder if you would be forced to walk the path of enlightenment if you are unlucky enough to miss the last Car!
Don't think I'd come out the other side too enlightened if I did!

That said to answer your question, lots to do if you look depending on what does it for you! Personally I've done a few touristy things, but generally comes down to mongering for me    

Love to chill, monger when I want and not have a schedule other than what I have to do for work.

Surprised that nobody's suggested FOOD!

I've got friends who actually time their visits to Hong Kong with things like the Hairy Crab season, or when they could have Dau Miu (I thinks it's usually translated as Pea pod leaves) and even one particular friend of mine from Taiwan who always insists on having Ngau Chup Mien (beef offal noodles) as soon as he gets into Hong Kong (He swears that its impossible to have this - or at least a decent one in Taiwan).

And all these fancy ...and actually quite good Western restaurants...especially for those who lives in China or other parts of SE Asia where decent Western food is quite a rarity.

And instead of just all those "touristy" things that you guys have been suggesting - IMHO, Hong Kong is one of the best places to "People Watch" - and of course specifically for us on here - "Gal watching!"  Depending on your taste in women, you could prop yourself in Central on any weekday afternoon and watch all these Glam gals, tai-tais, mistresses etc shopping around, having tea, hanging about, or in Lan Kwai Fong any evening to watch the party gals. And if your taste runs towards the more exotic SE Asian gals, then any Wanchai bar is a great spot to do your gal watching.

Just IMHO...coz I just ain't that good at doing the touristy thing....especially in Hong Kong when I have to compete for space with the hordes from the Mainland - and I mean hordes from God knows where in China - coz they ain't comprised too much of the choice species of the younger Chinese lassies!!

SEAN

[ Last edited by  SEAJ at 17-1-2012 22:37 ]

welcome to the forum.

HK is not much in the way of culture.  A day is all you need.  If you start at Victoria Peak, then pick up the open air bus through Central, then a star ferry ride to kowloon, then a stroll through kowloon.

You discover the real fun of HK only by living and working there.

Following SEAJ's train of thought on food... I had the best "dim sum" brunch (a.k.a. "yum cha" which is Canto for "drink tea") whilst in HK, which isn't too hard I suppose coming from a predominantly western society. The place I had it was a little further south down Nathan Rd from Eaton Hotel where I stayed (can't remember the restaurant's name unfortunately, but you had to go up a lift to the 2nd floor if my memory still serves me correctly). As I was seated, I curiously observed that the locals washed their cups, bowls and chopsticks with the hot tea (something I've never seen before) and that same pot of tea would be topped up for drinking with your meal. Unfortunately, if you're not familiar with "dim sum" you may not know what to order, but if you're still willing to give it a go I'd recommend "ha gau" (prawn dumplings), "siu mai" (pork dumplings) and "cha sui bao" (chinese BBQ pork in a bun) as a fairly standard introduction to "dim sum". Happily ate my fill of 4-5 different steam baskets/small plates for HKD ~20, which I considered pretty cheap relative to home.

Apart from food, I'd second the suggestion by 66bob6 of Victoria Peak. Some very nice views up there, where you'd pretty much see all of the main city from up top and into a valley that I assume was part of a national park given all the greenery. I went during the day, but I reckon it'll look amazing at night. Probably not so good on a rainy day though. Going up by tram you'll find that the ticketed entrance is guarded by a nicely dressed man that resembled a creepy wax statue of the founder of the tram service. I kid, it's the other way around and perhaps only I found it creepy because at a bat of the eye it looked pretty real when I first noticed it (apart from it being behind glass). Take a good look whilst waiting for the tram if you're into wax statues.

[ Last edited by  yyy111 at 16-1-2012 03:52 ]

I really enjoy going to Lantau Island and eating at the Stoep...pronounced "Stoop", has South African BBQ.  Take the ferry at Cental to Lanau Island and take the bus there, or taxi...every taxi driver knows where the "Stoop" is.  It's located on a really nice beach, you can step out of the Restaurant right onto the beach.

Also, hike Dragon's back...google it and you will get all the information that you need.

I second taking the Crystal Cabin at Ngong Ping to the Giant Budhha, nice ride.

I did dinner at Hutong at 7pm, and really enjoyed the 8pm light show from an amazing vantage point...pricey, but good.

I love Hong Kong but find it to be quite boring, does that make any sense?  Coming from other Asian countries, its not exactly a fun place, but it's quite good for shopping.  

The food is great, the infrastructure is pretty good, service is good, but " fun " factor, not soo good.

Threre's Sea world and Disneyland if you are so inclined... Sea world is better though. also have a cable car, just not as long.

Hong Kong has many michelin star restaurants, including the cheapest one star michelin restaurant which is a dim sum place in Mong Kok. Huge lines tho... (at least this was the case about a year ago)

Hong Kong is also a very photogenic city, and they have those laser shows every night at TST. so there you go, two options that are also great punting locations...

OUCH!!  You make it sound so "Singapore!!"

But you're probably correct in that things ARE kinda "uptight" in Hong Kong and its a city best enjoyed with friends...I guess how it is with most cities where people are more disconnected from each other.

And it is also a city that is definitely NOT no fun if one really gets into the swing of things; whether shopping, going to the touristy places (and errr... it's called OCEAN PARK and not Sea world - Sea World is in San Diego etc LOL!) or better still, at the places where locals go to themselves.  

For more "adult" pursuits, depending on yourself, Wanchai (if you're more into things favored by Westerners) Lan Kwai Fong/Lyndhurst Terrace if you're more "localized", the small bars and clubs around Causeway bay/Tsimshatsui (if you're really very local) etc etc.  

Lots of fun things in Hong Kong - but you do need to be willing to be more "attuned" to the place; its not a place that will attune to you.

Just IMHO
SEAN

Of course if you pick the wrong gal while mongering you could end up trying two types of hairy crab

i agree %100.
after 4-5 days in HK, i'm always wondering what i should do next.

For clarification, as a couple of ppl have pointed out, its ocean park, not sea world.

I think, "fun" is subjective. What is fun for some will not b fun for others . This essentially boils down to ur hobbies.

agree to all of the above

food is awesome

if you visit in summer, there are a number of nice beaches

if you visit in winter, hiking is excellent, with well-maintained trails and some awesome views

and for those who like sailing, try turning up at one of the Yacht Clubs on a Saturday and volunteer to crew, you might get lucky

Try the seafood on Lamma island.  Only a 30 minutes boat ride from Central dock #4.  Also you can hike between the northern and southern piers, both having ferry service back to Central.

I don't understand the question.  Something to do other than mongering?  (And NO - shopping is NOT a good option.  Ugg, hate shopping!  Unless a new gal is with me trying on bikinis (done this before!!))).  

There is:

- mongering by day. (Saunas, massage, a regular you picked up earlier in the week).
- hunting civvies.  (Not mongering, right?).  HK is loaded with beautiful women!  Mmmmm, so fun getting into a chat with some hot gal in starbucks!  Ask her to join you for a drink that nite and chase and charm the nite away.  
- huting civvies by nite.  (Similar as above, but add booze).
- mongering by nite in Wanchai bars.
- hunting for all the stuff you misplaced the nite before in Wanchai.
- grrr. Shopping to replace all the stuff you lost the nite before in Wanchai.  
- hypnosis:  for when you finally realize the "nite before" actually lasted 56 hours and you REALLY NEED to remember where your passport is.  
- sleep.  Eventually we all succomb!
- repeat.

Go for a concert at Asia World Expo near the airport, there are so many concerts and even over there. Singers are always superstar all over the world. I had my Tylor Swift concert there.

Hong-Kong is fun for a few good things

1) Eating ( you need to know where to go)
2) Shopping
3) Massage for an afternoon rest or nap (need to find the right place though)
4) Mongering
5) Dinner
6) Rest (If you can find a place to sleep that isn't noisy)

Repeat process while in HK. If you have extra time then you catch the Ferry to Macau and do some gambling. Not much else to do in HK
If you are a gadget geek then you will love Hong-Kong as you can shop around all day looking at new gadgets.

Somethings I like to do while in HK...

(1) Have sex with Mongolian girls.


and...

if you are ever in HK in October, go to Ocean Park Halloween night. Every Friday & Saturday in October the park closes at 5 as normal but reopens at 6 - midnight having been transformed into a Halloween theme, "creepy" stuff everywhere and a real hoot if you are with a group.



If the weather is suitable, go over to HK side and take the mid levels escalator. It goes all the way up to Conduit Rd, a great leisurely way to see "Hong Kong's" busy behind the scenes goings on. When you get to the top, walk left along Conduit Rd and then take first left and walk down the hill, on your left you will find gardens with zoo, all free entry.



If some ships are arriving in port, head over to Dan Ryan's in the Ocean Centre, get yourself a beer and sit over near the window... watching the tug boats bring a big ship in is very interesting.


If it's "your thing" High Tea at the Peninsula Hotel.


Lantau Island Cable Car and Big Buddha.



Find yourself a nice bar with an open front, park yourself near the opening and watch the world go by.Seriously, So much goes on in HK it is a fascinating way to spend an afternoon.


[ Last edited by  TonyToro at 24-1-2012 09:40 ]