help needed

we are planning on going to hong kong next year with 2 adults and a 2 yr old and a 4 yr old was hoping to get advice on where to stay and things to do. we are looking at staying for 2 weeks. thanks

help needed

You should really look in Discover Hong Kong.com or get hold of a good guidebook. It would also be nice to know what your interests are. Failing that, having been to Hong Kong with young children I would suggest Disneyland and or Ocean Park, preferably Disneyland as it%26#39;s more skewed towards littlies. A trip up the Peak on the peak tram, tram rides, even a ride on the MTR, where they can use their own octopus card, and the Star Ferry. The Science Museum has an amazing gravity machine which operates several times a day, and that alone is certainly worth the admission, which is only about a $1. 50 Australian anyway.There is also the zoo, which is quite small, but your kids probably wouldn%26#39;t notice the difference as they%26#39;re quite young. Be aware that some parts of Hong Kong are quite steep, your two year old or even your four year old might need a pushchair or some sort of carrying arrangement. It might also be best to avoid travelling at rush hour, which goes on longer than it does in many places.

As to where to stay, we really need an idea of your budget. Failing that I would say somewhere like the Metropark Causeway Bay, which is in an area a little less crowded, and might give kids a chance to adjust. Crowds were a problem for our son early on. He quickly got used to them, but we could have done with staying in it slightly quieter place. It also has a supermarket quite close and several laundries one of which is very good. It is right opposite a large park, which might be good for a run round occasionally. If your budget stretches to it I would suggest a parlour suite, as rooms in Hong Kong are quite small. This is a very large room by Hong Kong standards, with room to stretch out a bit. It also has a swimming pool and nice views. I%26#39;m sure there are other places that people could recommend that would be equally as good.

help needed

Hi sars84, can suggest in respect of your accommodation,the family room/suite in YMCA Salisbury. The family suite has a sofa bed which your two kids can sleep on,and both of you have the bedroom which comes with a king sized bed or two single beds.

Its location is strategic,on Kowloon in the area of Tsim Sha Tsui.

In respect of things to do,well, to get you started off:-

Kowloon(and New Kowloon):-

1). Shopping:- Temple Street and/or Ladies Market-these are popular flea markets.

2). Areas of Fa Yuen/Tung Choi for Birds Market/ Flower Market and of course for shops.

3). Wong Ta Sin temple and Chi Lin nunnery

HK island

1). Victoria Peak

2). Star ferry from Kowloon to HK island(Central pier)

3). Zoological and Botanical Garden

4). Joy ride on Mid Levels Escalator

5). Local life around Central Market/Bonham Strand/Western Market

6). Ocean Park

7). Stanley

Lantau

1). Disneyland

2). Ngong Ping-cable car ride and Giant Buddha,toget her with Po Lin Monastery;

3). Tai O village

then of course you can complement your stay to trip to other outlying islands,e.g. Lamma, Cheung Chau,Peng Chau

going to Sai Kung for seafood dinner,or even to Sham Tseng for famed roast goose.

During your stay,you may wish to purchase the on loan Octopus Card,which is a smartcard widely used on public transportation(MTR, peak tram,tramways, star Ferry,minibuses,buses) and also retail purchases. Each person must have their individual Octopus Card when traveling on public transports.

Those list of suggestions are by no means exhaustive,and can be expounded further by discussing with the kids on their interests-there is even Snoopy World restaurant over here.

Of course,with kids, we must also paced our sightseeing,and not exhaust them.

You may also wish to look at a night or two in Macau.

have you decided on the month of your proposed trip to Hong Kong?

thanks for all the information very helpfull as for budget havent set one yet, we are having our first family holiday this yr in vanuatu in september and wanting to make it an annual thing so maybe september but there is flexibility

October/November is nice in Hong Kong although it could be dearer than some other times due to conferences etc.

Also I second the recommendation for Metropark Causeway Bay . A harbour view room is a little more expensive but well worth it.

First--the HK people here at TA REALLY know their stuff, trust them. They possess a WEALTH of knowledge.

Second -- A place to stay, depends on your budget. If you stay in the Kowloon area, you%26#39;re set as far as transport goes. You%26#39;ll be able to get ANYWHERE easily. MANY good places to stay in and around Kowloon. I%26#39;ve had good luck with Anne Black Guest House in Mong Kok, not far from the harbour.

Third -- Before I came across TA, I used the Rough Guide to Hong Kong and Macau -- it%26#39;s a good overview of the area, and chock full of information.

Fourth - Like most places, when you go will be important. I understand July and August can be pretty toasty and humid. October and November I think are good months.

Good luck with your planning!

Hi Sars84, for accomodation have a look at HArbour Plaza Metropolis in Hung Hom. We stayed in the one bedroom suite Nov%26#39;07 and will stay there again this year. our son was 3 1/2 at the time and we took a stroller, which without it we wouldn%26#39;t have covered as much during our stay. He absolutley loved Disneyland and we saved this until the last 2 days - good incentive for best behaviour ;)

mKiaratravel - we visited Snoopy%26#39;s World in Sha Tin last time but i don%26#39;t recall a restaurant there?? Did i miss this? has one since been built there? or is the one you mentioned in a different place - would love to know as would be fun to visit this for our trip later this year! thank you :)

emuemu, there%26#39;s no restaurant in Snoopy%26#39;s World. There%26#39;s a covered ';Party Pavilion'; with a ';Diner'; sign at the entrance but it%26#39;s just a shaded area where you can take your own picnic. There are of course numerous restaurants elsewhere within New Town Plaza.

There are Charlie Brown Cafes in town that serve simple food, drinks and Snoopy related merchandise.