Places to Avoid and the reason why

I dont know if anyone has started a thread on this, if so I apologise, but if not might I suggest that TA members contirbute to this for the benefit all other readers.

I would like people to name places in HK that they think should be red flagged and also give the reason. Can we please have proper reasons, not just %26#39;I didnt like the barman%26#39;s face etc%26#39;

I would like to start this off by naming (and shameing) Murphy%26#39;s Bar next to Chungking Mansions on Nathan Road, . The reason being that I just dropped in there for a beer at lunchtime having seen a notice on the board outside stating that beers started from 拢2.00, I ordered a pint of Carlsberg and was staggered to charged HKD 62 which is as near as damn 3 times the price indicated outside. A real rip off in my opinion.

Please feel free to add to the list, maybe pressure from us will have some effect

Places to Avoid and the reason why

HK$62 for a pint of carlsberg!! They saw you coming...

Across the road is Delaneys in Peking Road. Might not be much cheaper but a pleasanter place to drink. Either way, stick to drinking at Happy Hour to save the pennies (or pounds)

As to places to avoid - all the electronic shops going up Nathan Rd starting at Murphy%26#39;s. They are recognisable by their brightly lit sign boards, but they have no name. Also, usually the staff are not wearing a uniform - if they get raided by the police for dishonest selling the staff will just disappear into the crowd.

Places to Avoid and the reason why

ANY shop that advertises *tax-free* or *duty-free* - if they sell products apart fromones containing alcohol or petroleum (I assume this is still the case??), then there is no tax or duty imposed anyway, and if those shops are selling some of HK%26#39;s few dutiable goods, then they%26#39;re doing something illegal.

Unless you are buying some seriously hard liquor, all wines and beer are now tax-free as well.

Watch for beers at Lan Kwai Fong. A pint can cost up to $100 so at least know what you are paying for before hand. If you want to save money, just buy beer from the 7-11 down the street and stand outside the pubs while drinking.

Don%26#39;t give money to the monks at the side of the street. Those are professionals at work trying to scam money from you. Unlike Thailand, proper monks in HK don%26#39;t stand in the street asking for money. They are all supported by buddhist organizations which are in turn, supported by donors.

The lobby lounge at Intercontinental Hotel used to be one of my favorite hangouts due to its fantastic views at night. However, they have now instituted a minimum charge (last I saw was $300 or so at the beginning of 2008) after 9pm so be sure you want to spend that kind of money before sitting down.

Hi Drum

I agree with you about Delaneys, its a far nicer place to have drink than Murphy%26#39;s. And yes the tip about only drinking during happy hour is a wise one.

Having said that, I only paid HKD45 for a bottle of Carlsberg at 11:30 pm last night over in Wan Chai so this really does prove what a rip off Murphy%26#39;s is

You do need to watch out for advertising that restaurants and bars put outside. Often the offers are very limited or only available at certain times (a couple of times I%26#39;ve ordered what turned out to be the lunch special for dinner, which of course is served at a higher price). Wan Chai seems particularly bad for this.

Avoid Ngong Ping village.

Definitely take the Ngong Ping cable car, but once you arrive, just walk straight through the village and keep going to the Big Buddha.

Don%26#39;t pay the extra for the experiences in the village. It%26#39;s a lot of average restaurants in a fake %26#39;village%26#39;. Also don%26#39;t bother with the two %26#39;interactive experiences%26#39; there. The history of Buddha is vaguely entertaining if you%26#39;ve nothing else to do and really know nothing about Buddha, while the Monkey%26#39;s tale will only entertain five year olds and under.

Also be warned that if you go to Karoke Bars, you are instantly charged for a platter of fruit or snacks even though you have not ordered it and eatin it.

Also, some places, in China, will give you a packet of tissues in the restaurant, which they will charged you if you use it.

There is no such thing as a free lunch!

I would say most of Nathan Road. If your not hassled every few steps into buying a suit or a watch you will probably get taken for a ride if you enter most the camera shops you will find.

those people standing outside a mtr station...specially TST and mong kok, they pretend to be dumb and try to get you to buy a teddy off them!!

also in china if you catch a taxi (saying this though, not seen it in 2/3 years) and there%26#39;s beggers specially children, do not even attempt to open your window and give them money, even if it is 1p!!!

NEVER ever do it!!

my mum did it once and boy was it a mistake, the taxi was covered with children asking for more

There was a fake monk in Tsim Sha Tsui yesterday. Knows enough English to ask for money.