Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [3]
July
HONG KONG FASHION WEEK FOR SPRING/SUMMER
http://hkfashionweekss.tdctrade.com
This is the spring/summer section of the biannual Hong Kong Fashion Week.
August
HUNGRY GHOST FESTIVAL
www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/events/chinese-festivals.html
Celebrated on the first day of the seventh moon (sometime between August and September), when the gates of hell are opened and ‘hungry ghosts’ (restless spirits) are freed for two weeks to walk the earth. On the 14th day, paper ‘hell’ money and votives in the shape of cars, houses and clothing are burned for the ghosts and food is offered.
September
MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL
www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/events/chinese-festivals.html
A colourful festival held on the 15th night of the eighth moon (sometime in September or October). It marks an uprising against the Mongols in the 14th century, when plans for a revolution were passed around in little round ‘moon’ cakes, which are still eaten on this day.
October
CHEUNG YEUNG
www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/events/chinese-festivals.html
Celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth month (mid- to late October), this festival is based on a Han dynasty story in which an oracle advised a man to take his family to
a high place to escape a plague. Many
people still head for the hills on this day and also visit the graves of ancestors.
November
HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL CRICKET SIXES
www.hksixes.com
This two-day tournament pits Hong Kong’s top cricketers against select teams from the eight test-playing nations.
December
HONG KONG WINTERFEST
www.discoverhongkong.com/winterfest
See the lights on the Statue Sq Christmas tree turn on and take in the baubles, fake snow and carol singers on open-topped antique trams.
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COSTS & MONEY
Hong Kong is a relatively pricey destination. Accommodation is the biggest expense, followed by drinking in Hong Kong’s bars. On a very tight budget you could survive on, say, $350 a day, but it would require a good deal of self-discipline. Better to budget something along the lines of $700 if you want to stay in the better class of guesthouse or a cheaper midrange hotel and do more than just eat bowls of noodles. If you want to sample the finer hotels and restaurants, you’ll be paying the equivalent of most leading world cities. The real bargain compared to the likes of London and even New York is the incredibly cheap taxi fares; in fact, transport generally is excellent value. For practical details on ATMs and foreign currency, see Click here.
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HOW MUCH?
Bowl of wonton noodles $15 to $35
Cup of coffee from $25
Fresh juice $12 to $22
Litre of bottled water $10 to $14
Pint of beer around $45 (from $25 at happy hour)
Wi-fi access free in malls and some hotels
Laundry (5kg) $50 to $60
Souvenir T-shirt $40 to $100
MTR fare (Central to Tsim Sha Tsui) $8.50; $7.90 with Octopus card
Peak Tram one way/return $22/33
Star Ferry fare (Central to Tsim Sha Tsui) 1st/2nd class $2.30/1.80
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INTERNET RESOURCES
The Lonely Planet website, www.lonelyplanet.com, lists many useful Hong Kong links. Other helpful sites:
Asiaxpat (www.asiaxpat.com) A lifestyle site – restaurants, nightlife, trends – that includes advertorials.
bc magazine (www.bcmagazine.net) Nightlife and entertainment from one of Hong Kong’s top nightlife freebies.
Blog Hong Kong (www.expat-blog.com/en/directory/asia/china/hong-kong) A useful collection of HK blogs, from Sex and the City–type expat scribes through to satirical ranters and foodie obsessives.
Discover Hong Kong (www.discoverhongkong.com) A good general resource if you’re seeking inspiration with lots of pictures.
Gay Hong Kong (www.gayhk.com) The nightlife scene in Hong Kong for visitors