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Stanley Main Street and
Murray House
Stanley is
one of Hong Kong's most popular destinations, an exciting and
low-cost shopping centre and a place of considerable historical
interest. Seven days a week the open market around Stanley New
Street and Stanley Market Road throbs with the passing parade of
life as bargain-hunters from all over the world join in the fun of
haggling with shopkeepers and stallholders after swooping on items
of brand-name clothing and accessories, or simply irresistible
souvenirs, ornaments and other Oriental knick-knacks. It takes time
and energy to push your way through thousands of fellow shoppers
jamming the narrow footpaths, specially at weekends, but not to
worry if you work up a thirst or an appetite - at the other end of
this shopping paradise is a variety of bars and restaurants ranging
from greasy spoon to up-market Continental. Let your choice match
your pocket.
No matter how loaded down with purchases you might be, don't neglect
to visit nearby Stanley Plaza with its elegantly rebuilt
European-style Murray House and Village Square adjoining the
seafront promenade. But be warned - you'll be reaching for your
purse again as you discover still more must purchases in the
specialty stores there. A nostalgic reminder of the Colonial-style
architecture that dominated Central District in early Hong Kong,
Murray House was carefully dismantled in 1982 to make way for the
towering Bank of China glass tower that now occupies its former
site. After remaining near forgotten in storage for those many
years, the carefully numbered blocks of stone that made up the
graceful old building were painstakingly reassembled at Stanley to
create this charming reminder of old Hong Kong. Besides shops and
restaurants, the interior holds valuable relics of the building's
rich past. Board bus No 6, 6A, 6X or 260 from Exchange Square in
Central, or get off the MTR at Chai Wan Station and catch green
minibus No 16M.
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Alfresco Dining
After
exploring the nooks and crannies of Stanley on the south side of
Hong Kong Island looking for shopping bargains, it's time for some
great dining. One of the joys of Stanley is the huge number of
dining options - whether you're just stopping in for a quick snack
or a full meal, the choice of eateries in the area is breathtaking.
With a combination of boutique restaurants and casual eating places
ideally situated along the seaside promenade, Stanley is an ideal
place to relax. There's a tremendous range of South East Asian and
international cuisines to choose from for a truly satisfying meal
under the stars. Transportation: Board bus No 6, 6A, 6X or 260 from
Exchange Square in Central, or get off the MTR at Chai Wan Station
and catch green minibus No 16M.
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Repulse Bay
Deep Water
Bay
This attractive bay lies beyond Aberdeen along a scenic coastal road
flanked by flame trees and imposing cliffside mansions. Its public
beach, one of the most attractive in Hong Kong, is next to the Hong
Kong Golf Club's annex. A scenic pathway winds along the coast from
here to Repulse Bay.
How to get there :
Take bus no. 6A, 6X, 260 from Central (Exchange Square) Bus Terminus
and get off near the Golf Course station.
Repulse Bay
Hong Kong Island's most popular beach is easily accessible by bus or
taxi from Central. The large, sandy beach has been extended recently
and there are many facilities for beachgoers and day-trippers,
including shops, restaurants and bars. The Life Guard Club's
terraces are noteworthy for a pair of large statues of two
goddesses, Kwun Yum and Tin Hau. Above the beach, the reconstructed
The Repulse Bay is a picturesque example of early 20th-Century
colonial architecture.
How to get there :
Take Bus no. 6, 6A, 6X, 260 from Central (Exchange Square) Bus
Terminus and alight at Repulse Bay.
Shek O
Seen from the hill above, the popular seaside destination of Shek O
looks like a picture-postcard image of an ancient Chinese community.
Its ambience is still traditional and rustic, in dramatic contrast
to the millionaires' mansions on the surrounding hillsides and
headland. The exclusive golf and country club nearby is where they
play. Many others make for the golden sands of Big Wave Bay, where
Bronze-Age rock carvings can be found.
How to get there :
1) Take bus no. 9 from Shau Kei Wan MTR Station bus terminus
(Exit A3) and get off at the Shek O bus terminus. 2) Take bus no.
309 from Central (Exchange Square) bus terminus and get off at Shek
O bus terminus (Sunday Only).
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Jumbo Floating
Restaurant
Since its inception in 1976, the Jumbo Floating Restaurant has
excelled in the preparation of seafood for discerning diners. This
splendid restaurant has adopted a design that imitates that of an
imperial palace. The Jumbo Floating Restaurant can accommodate up to
2,300 guests at any time and employs more than 300 staff. This
floating giant in Aberdeen - acclaimed as the world's largest
floating restaurant - received the Hong Kong Award for Services in
2000 for its excellent food and services.
Over the years, the restaurant has become one of the most popular
and representative tourist attractions in Hong Kong, winning the
patronage of Queen Elizabeth II and superstars such as John Wayne,
Yul Brynner and William Holden. Renowned for its seafood, the Jumbo
Floating Restaurant has an enormous seafood pool accommodating more
than 60 breeds of fish and marine life. The seafood pool allows the
restaurant to strictly control its food quality to ensure freshness
and hygiene. In addition to Cantonese cuisine, the restaurant
produces provincial Chinese cuisine as well as Western dishes.
Over the years, the restaurant has become one of the most popular
and representative tourist attractions in Hong Kong, winning the
patronage of Queen Elizabeth II and superstars such as John Wayne,
Yul Brynner and William Holden. Renowned for its seafood, the Jumbo
Floating Restaurant has an enormous seafood pool accommodating more
than 60 breeds of fish and marine life. The seafood pool allows the
restaurant to strictly control its food quality to ensure freshness
and hygiene. In addition to Cantonese cuisine, the restaurant
produces provincial Chinese cuisine as well as Western dishes.
Getting there :
Take a No 70 or No 75 Citybus from either Central or Admiralty to
Aberdeen and board a free shuttle boat to the Jumbo Floating
Restaurant.
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Information provided by
Hong Kong Tourism Board.
