Have you fall in love with Hongkong by now? If not, let's visit the Theme Parks...You must visit Ocean Park and Hongkong Disneyland, each will need one whole day, so make sure to plan your trip right. After that, we will visit the Giant Buddha.
Ocean Park
The park opens everyday from 10am - 6 pm, just took MTR to Admiralty station exit B then follow the direction to bus station out side, took city bus no 629. There's a ticket booth near it that sells Ocean Park ticket, you could also b
uy the ticket on Ocean Park but if you want to anticipate the long que line, then you better buy the ticket first before hop on the bus (it's the same price). Funny thing is, I bought mine in Admiralty MTR station, there's a store/office inside Admiralty station that sells this ticket cheaper than the usual price (don't know why), this store/office is also an official seller of Ocean Park tickets but I don't remember this store/office location specifically, so you just have to keep your eyes wide open and search it yourself. The ticket is worth HK$ 250/person (adult) and HK$ 125 (children 3-11).
City bus 629 will take you to Ocean Park directly, i think it's dedicated only for Ocean Park's visitors, you will arrive exactly in front of it. Ocean Park is divided into 2 location, Headland and Lowland. If you're using the city bus 629, then you will arrive at Headland. I suggest you to start from Headland because most people start from Lowland first then they took the cable car to Headland, therefore the cable car's que line to Headland is very very very very long, you could even que for hours. While the cable car's que line to Lowland is very...well...there isn't any que...hehehe.
Maybe most of you will find that Ocean Park is more fun than Hongkong Disneyland, in a way, I thought so too. They offer exciting things for adults and children, so everyone will feel satisfied by the end of the day. As I mentioned before, Ocean Park is divided into Headland and Lowland. Headland is where all the thrill rides located, it's more intended for adults. They have 2 categories in Headland, thrill rides and animal kingdom. These are the thrill rides that you could enjoy:
They also have variety of animal show or inhabitants, like:
Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant
It's a very famous restaurant since I wasn't even born and it's known for its delicious meal, unique and artistic restaurant design, and the fact that it floats. They have few small ferry to take you to the restaurant and it's free of charge. There's also a mini pho
to studio in the lobby where you could take photos wearing a traditional Chinese costume, but I didn't have much time back then so I didn't take any photo and I'm very sorry for not be able to tell you the price for it.
Since I'm a fanatic for Chinese cuisine, my taste buds keep improving itself to determine a quality of this particular cuisine, so I have pretty high standard for it. But this restaurant pass my test with flying colors.
This place could also be your photographs destination, very beautiful at night. But it's a bit tricky to continue your journey from Jumbo Kingdom. It's very difficult to find a taxi and taxi will cost you quite a lot. So, may I suggest you to take bus instead? Like I've said, it's a bit tricky. Well, let me flash back a bit to the first bus ride from Admiralty MTR station to Ocean Park, you will need to pay attention to the road and you will notice a bus terminal near the area. Please memorize the bus terminal location, this will be useful for you when you want to continue your journey from Jumbo Kingdom. So, I walked from Jumbo Kingdom to bus terminal then I look for bus number (on the information board) which route pass Causeway Bay and I waited. After few days in Hongkong, I already familiar with the streets, so I easily find my way back to my apartment. Like I've said, it took guts to travel alone, but if I could do it, then I'm sure that all of you could do it too.
Hongkong Disneyland
It's located quite far from central Hongkong, it's in Lantau Island, so the best w
ay to get there is by using MTR. Just took MTR to Sunny Bay MTR station where you change train to Disneyland Resort Line which will take you to Disneyland Resort station and you will ride on a specially designed Disney train, riding on it already an entertainment for me cause the train is so cute with Disney characters accessorizing the train's interior.
Even though the size of Disneyland is smaller to Ocean park, the rides is less exciting than Ocean Park, the view is less spectacular from Ocean Park, the price ticket is more expensive than Ocean Park, but I guarantee you that you're gonna have a MAGICAL day in Disneyland, like its tag line said. The price ticket is worth HK$ 295/person on regular day and HK$ 350/person on peak day, you have to check Disneyland Hongkong's website to know the schedule for peak or regular day.
Disneyland is divided into 4 sections of theme attractions; Main Street, USA. Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. These are the attractions for each section:
Main Street, USA:
* This attraction only available based on the show's schedule.
** This attraction is the most favorite in Disneyland, therefore it's more likely to have a long que line. Disneyland provide a Fastpass for these attractions.
Make sure that you gather all the flyers in the main entrance, this way you would know schedule for each show and learn more about Fastpass (and how does it work).
A side from the above attractions, they also have Disney on Parade which usua
lly scheduled twice a day and Fireworks shows everyday on closing time (regular day on 7 pm, peak day on 9 pm). You really have to stay until closing time and see the fireworks, make sure that you find a good sitting spot right in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle so you could enjoy the magical experience in a proper way. It was the most amazing fireworks show that I've ever seen. I went home feeling Magical indeed.
For you shoppers, don't worry cause they have souvenir shops every where and they sell the merchandise according to the section's theme. And you better prepare a lot of money when going to Disneyland cause you will want to buy everything in the souvenir shops (trust me). Owww....how much I love Disneyland!
The Giant Buddha
It's also located in Lantau Island and it's even farther than Disneyland. Took the MTR and stop at the last station, Tung Chung Station, it took me 45 minutes ride from Causeway Bay (Hongkong Island) to Tung Chung Station and afterward we still have to continue our journey to the top of mountain where Giant Buddha is located by using bus, it's ano
ther 45 minutes ride, or you could ride a cable car Ngong Ping 360 and enjoy the mountain view of Hongkong, its length is 5.7km and it's about 25 minutes ride. The bus fare from Tung Chung Station to Giant Buddha is HK$ 30/person, while standard cabin of Ngong Ping 360 will cost you HK$ 169/person (adult) and HK$ 86/person (children 3-11).
The Giant Buddha is located exactly on the top of the mountain. Since I went to Hongkong in winter time, it's freezing for me the whole time I'm at the Giant Buddha. You will have to pay for another HK$ 23 to climb the 268 steps of stairs. Can you imagine? 268 steps of stairs and I have to pay for it? I think I'll pass...So, I didn't climb to see the Giant Buddha up close and personal, I already satisfied seeing it from afar. But my husband did climb those stairs and he glad that he did, cause it's just magnificent, all those statues, those view, and obviously the Giant Buddha itself. So, it's totally worth it, every single one of those 268 steps just pays off. By the way, the ticket is also included for a snack and one cup of hot tea in Po Lin Monastery. So, you could relax your feet a bit before continuing the journey.
Well, I think that's pretty much everything I know about Hongkong. Can you understand now why I love Hongkong so much? I, the perfectionist, visiting a very organized city with clean air and surroundings, it's just like finding my soulmate.
Few tips from me, I think that you better come to Hongkong in early November because the weather is just perfect, it's the beginning of winter so it wouldn't be too cold and most importantly, it's not peak season, therefore you could save a lot in price tickets and hotels. You also have to gather all the information that you can get from the internet, it will help a lot (trust me). It took guts to travel alone, going to places that you know none about, but if I could do it then all of you could too. Until our next trip my fellow traveler.
Maybe these websites could help you:
www.oceanpark.com.hk
www.jumbo.com.hk
www.park.hongkongdisneyland.com
www.np360.com.hk
Happy adventure traveller...
Cheers,
MissCandyBar
=)
Ocean Park
The park opens everyday from 10am - 6 pm, just took MTR to Admiralty station exit B then follow the direction to bus station out side, took city bus no 629. There's a ticket booth near it that sells Ocean Park ticket, you could also b
uy the ticket on Ocean Park but if you want to anticipate the long que line, then you better buy the ticket first before hop on the bus (it's the same price). Funny thing is, I bought mine in Admiralty MTR station, there's a store/office inside Admiralty station that sells this ticket cheaper than the usual price (don't know why), this store/office is also an official seller of Ocean Park tickets but I don't remember this store/office location specifically, so you just have to keep your eyes wide open and search it yourself. The ticket is worth HK$ 250/person (adult) and HK$ 125 (children 3-11).City bus 629 will take you to Ocean Park directly, i think it's dedicated only for Ocean Park's visitors, you will arrive exactly in front of it. Ocean Park is divided into 2 location, Headland and Lowland. If you're using the city bus 629, then you will arrive at Headland. I suggest you to start from Headland because most people start from Lowland first then they took the cable car to Headland, therefore the cable car's que line to Headland is very very very very long, you could even que for hours. While the cable car's que line to Lowland is very...well...there isn't any que...hehehe.
Maybe most of you will find that Ocean Park is more fun than Hongkong Disneyland, in a way, I thought so too. They offer exciting things for adults and children, so everyone will feel satisfied by the end of the day. As I mentioned before, Ocean Park is divided into Headland and Lowland. Headland is where all the thrill rides located, it's more intended for adults. They have 2 categories in Headland, thrill rides and animal kingdom. These are the thrill rides that you could enjoy:
- Raging River (like Niagara-gara in Dufan)
- Space Wheel
- Mine Train (medium-sized roller coaster on the edge of a cliff), you will feel like falling to the ocean below.
- The Abyss ( greatest ride in Ocean Park), you'd be pull +/- 100m from the ground and then it drops you suddenly.
- Eagle (like Rajawali Condor in Dufan)
- Crazy Galleon (like Kora-kora in Dufan, only bigger and better)
- The Dragon (huge roller coaster)
- Flying Swing (like Ontang-anting in Dufan)
- Farris Wheel (huge one)
They also have variety of animal show or inhabitants, like:
- Flamingo pond
- Bird's Aviary
- Pacific Pier (seagull)
- Shark Aquarium
- Attol Reef
- Sea Jelly Spectacular (house of jelly fish, very cool place, never knew that there's so many types of Jelly fish before)
- Dolphin University
- Frog Hopper (mini abyss)
- Kids' World Playground
- Balloon up-up-and away
- Clown-a-around
- Merry-go-round
- Amazing Bird Theater (I saw a pretty cool show of those amazing birds)
- Farm Yard Fun
- Ocean Park Grand Prix (go cart racing), you have to pay HK$ 40/person to play
- Sky Fair (Hot Air Balloon)
- Giant Panda Habitat
- And many other
Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant
It's a very famous restaurant since I wasn't even born and it's known for its delicious meal, unique and artistic restaurant design, and the fact that it floats. They have few small ferry to take you to the restaurant and it's free of charge. There's also a mini pho
to studio in the lobby where you could take photos wearing a traditional Chinese costume, but I didn't have much time back then so I didn't take any photo and I'm very sorry for not be able to tell you the price for it.Since I'm a fanatic for Chinese cuisine, my taste buds keep improving itself to determine a quality of this particular cuisine, so I have pretty high standard for it. But this restaurant pass my test with flying colors.
This place could also be your photographs destination, very beautiful at night. But it's a bit tricky to continue your journey from Jumbo Kingdom. It's very difficult to find a taxi and taxi will cost you quite a lot. So, may I suggest you to take bus instead? Like I've said, it's a bit tricky. Well, let me flash back a bit to the first bus ride from Admiralty MTR station to Ocean Park, you will need to pay attention to the road and you will notice a bus terminal near the area. Please memorize the bus terminal location, this will be useful for you when you want to continue your journey from Jumbo Kingdom. So, I walked from Jumbo Kingdom to bus terminal then I look for bus number (on the information board) which route pass Causeway Bay and I waited. After few days in Hongkong, I already familiar with the streets, so I easily find my way back to my apartment. Like I've said, it took guts to travel alone, but if I could do it, then I'm sure that all of you could do it too.
Hongkong Disneyland
It's located quite far from central Hongkong, it's in Lantau Island, so the best w
ay to get there is by using MTR. Just took MTR to Sunny Bay MTR station where you change train to Disneyland Resort Line which will take you to Disneyland Resort station and you will ride on a specially designed Disney train, riding on it already an entertainment for me cause the train is so cute with Disney characters accessorizing the train's interior.Even though the size of Disneyland is smaller to Ocean park, the rides is less exciting than Ocean Park, the view is less spectacular from Ocean Park, the price ticket is more expensive than Ocean Park, but I guarantee you that you're gonna have a MAGICAL day in Disneyland, like its tag line said. The price ticket is worth HK$ 295/person on regular day and HK$ 350/person on peak day, you have to check Disneyland Hongkong's website to know the schedule for peak or regular day.
Disneyland is divided into 4 sections of theme attractions; Main Street, USA. Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. These are the attractions for each section:
Main Street, USA:
- Hongkong Disneyland Railroad, a tour around Disneyland using an excursion-style train.
- Main Street Vehicles, cruising up and down main street in a motorized vehicles.
- The Disneyland Story, original artwork, rare film footage, and artifacts from the creation of Mickey Mouse to the creation of Hongkong Disneyland.
- City Hall, information center and where you could rent a stroller or wheelchair.
- Festival of the Lion King*, it's a pageant of music and dance about The Lion King.
- Rafts to Tarzan's Treehouse, crossing the rivers of Adventure with a raft.
- Tarzan's Treehouse, where you could explore the treehouse in search of adventure.
- Jungle River Cruise, boat ride journey along the mysterious rivers of Adventure (very cool)
- Liki Tikis, where you could enjoy the beat of jungle rhythms.
- Sleeping Beauty Castle, the icon of Hongkong Disneyland.
- Mickey's PhilarMagic**, a 3-D theater starring Mickey the Maestro and Donald the con-duck-tor.
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant, a joy ride.
- Cinderella Carousel, a joy ride.
- Fantasy Garden, Where you could take photos with Disney Characters.
- Mad Hatters Tea Cups, a joy ride.
- The Golden Mickey*, a 25 minutes of musical show (spectacular show indeed)
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, a whimsical storybook journey through the Hundred Acre Wood.
- Snow White Grotto, a wishing well.
- Space Mountain**, an indoor roller coaster ride (in the dark), very thrilling cause you won't know what will happen next.
- Orbitron, a joy ride.
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, a joy ride.
- Autopia, a mini car race.
* This attraction only available based on the show's schedule.
** This attraction is the most favorite in Disneyland, therefore it's more likely to have a long que line. Disneyland provide a Fastpass for these attractions.
Make sure that you gather all the flyers in the main entrance, this way you would know schedule for each show and learn more about Fastpass (and how does it work).
A side from the above attractions, they also have Disney on Parade which usua
lly scheduled twice a day and Fireworks shows everyday on closing time (regular day on 7 pm, peak day on 9 pm). You really have to stay until closing time and see the fireworks, make sure that you find a good sitting spot right in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle so you could enjoy the magical experience in a proper way. It was the most amazing fireworks show that I've ever seen. I went home feeling Magical indeed.For you shoppers, don't worry cause they have souvenir shops every where and they sell the merchandise according to the section's theme. And you better prepare a lot of money when going to Disneyland cause you will want to buy everything in the souvenir shops (trust me). Owww....how much I love Disneyland!
The Giant Buddha
It's also located in Lantau Island and it's even farther than Disneyland. Took the MTR and stop at the last station, Tung Chung Station, it took me 45 minutes ride from Causeway Bay (Hongkong Island) to Tung Chung Station and afterward we still have to continue our journey to the top of mountain where Giant Buddha is located by using bus, it's ano
ther 45 minutes ride, or you could ride a cable car Ngong Ping 360 and enjoy the mountain view of Hongkong, its length is 5.7km and it's about 25 minutes ride. The bus fare from Tung Chung Station to Giant Buddha is HK$ 30/person, while standard cabin of Ngong Ping 360 will cost you HK$ 169/person (adult) and HK$ 86/person (children 3-11).The Giant Buddha is located exactly on the top of the mountain. Since I went to Hongkong in winter time, it's freezing for me the whole time I'm at the Giant Buddha. You will have to pay for another HK$ 23 to climb the 268 steps of stairs. Can you imagine? 268 steps of stairs and I have to pay for it? I think I'll pass...So, I didn't climb to see the Giant Buddha up close and personal, I already satisfied seeing it from afar. But my husband did climb those stairs and he glad that he did, cause it's just magnificent, all those statues, those view, and obviously the Giant Buddha itself. So, it's totally worth it, every single one of those 268 steps just pays off. By the way, the ticket is also included for a snack and one cup of hot tea in Po Lin Monastery. So, you could relax your feet a bit before continuing the journey.
Well, I think that's pretty much everything I know about Hongkong. Can you understand now why I love Hongkong so much? I, the perfectionist, visiting a very organized city with clean air and surroundings, it's just like finding my soulmate.
Few tips from me, I think that you better come to Hongkong in early November because the weather is just perfect, it's the beginning of winter so it wouldn't be too cold and most importantly, it's not peak season, therefore you could save a lot in price tickets and hotels. You also have to gather all the information that you can get from the internet, it will help a lot (trust me). It took guts to travel alone, going to places that you know none about, but if I could do it then all of you could too. Until our next trip my fellow traveler.
Maybe these websites could help you:
www.oceanpark.com.hk
www.jumbo.com.hk
www.park.hongkongdisneyland.com
www.np360.com.hk
Happy adventure traveller...
Cheers,
MissCandyBar
=)
