"Time Out" Hong Kong (Time Out Hong Kong)

Hmm, mixed opinions from other reviewers. Well, I've used more than a dozen Time Out guides and would say this is one of the best.

Visiting Hong Kong for the first time I held a set of images of the city, cliches which this guide actively seeks to challenge. Like most Time Out guides this book combines the usual useful information for orientation, public transport, sightseeing, accommodation, even recommended itineraries; and a comprehensive, thoughtful primer on the history of the ex-colony, life today and specific aspects of the city such as architecture and profiles of significant HK residents.

The guidebook is also good on looking beyond the shops and bars, with information on walks through the countryside and trips across the border to the mainland (which I expect will be beefed up in the next edition, judging by the revised title).

I was only in HK for a couple of days so didn't have long enough to test the listings to destruction, but there was never a question the book couldn't answer or a subject of interest it didn't cover. Recommended for a first time visitor, and probably many expats too.

6th trip and not better off... (6/10 people found this helpful)

I just got back from my 6th trip to Hong Kong. I bought the book for my boyfriend for it was his first trip there and I wanted to read all about Hong Kong, the history and so that he could decide what he wanted to do and see.

I must be honest to say that we hardly used the book, but my brother and his wife who live in Hong Kong looked at the book and discovered things and places that even they didn't know... on the other hand they told me the book teaches you to go to all the most expensive places to shop, stay etc. My boyfriend and I also found that some of the instructions in the book were not all that clear and ended up getting lost in Hong Kong island... that is the point where we got a taxi out of our mess and lost my camera!

When arriving at Hong Kong Airport (Chek Lap Kok) there are racks dotted around with all sorts of travel guides, maps, events listings, etc. and found these more of a help than this book.

One good thing did come out of it though, my boyfriend read about a beautiful place called Shek O which we went to and had a lovely time.

'The best way to spend your Time Out in Hong Kong' (12/13 people found this helpful)

'The Other side of Hong Kong is on the Other side of Hong Kong.' Having lived in Hong Kong for 8 years I am able to appreciate this slogan for Ocean Park, written a couple of years back (the 'other side' is the laid-back, calmer side of Hong Kong, and really is on the other side of Hong Kong Island). However, for the first-time traveller Time Out Hong Kong successfully manages to present all sides of this fascinating city in an unbiased and completely independent way - the researchers are not paid by any establishment to give good reviews. Which is what I like about the guide - alongside placing Hong Kong in a historical and political context it manages to be bang-up-to-date on this vibrant city's movers and shakers, the hippest bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants and shops to be seen in. It also has an extensive coverage on the arts and entertainment scene as well as a gay/lesbian chapter. There are sections on Hong Kong's country parks, flora and fauna and the Outlying Islands plus a section on Macau and Guangzhou if you're thinking of a day trip into the mainland, and at the back is a handy dip-in directory complete with maps of the city. Accommodation for all budgets is listed, and the guide, which is beautifully illustrated with photographs throughout, provides detailed insight into local customs so tourists don't get caught out. Time Out Hong Kong also answers the first thing on every tourist's mind early on: What's changed since 1997? A section on the city's future deals with this question, and by flicking through the rest of the guide the reader realizes that yes, most things remain reassuringly diverse, Hong Kong still mixes the old with the ultra-modern with characteristic flair and merciless money-making is still very much a part of everyday life.

"Time Out" Hong Kong (Time Out Hong Kong)

Time Out Guides Ltd

Reader Reviews:

A great guide for a flying visit (9/9 people found this helpful)

6th trip and not better off... (6/10 people found this helpful)

'The best way to spend your Time Out in Hong Kong' (12/13 people found this helpful)

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