Just before you plan your trip to Hong Kong, you'll have to book your accommodation and that's when our article will come in handy ? In our opinion, the best area to stay at is Tsim Sha Tsui or Wan Chai! Two of Hong Kong’s largest mosques and a number of halal eateries are located in these two areas. Plus, both locations are really convenient for tourists.
[Find out why Hong Kong is one of the top 18 places you need to visit in 2016!]
Credit: giphy
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Getting around
Travelling around Hong Kong is pretty easy, given how the city is well-connected through a series of Mass Transit Railway (MTR) services that include trains and trams. Though bus services are also available, it takes much longer to get from destination to destination, which is why the MTR is the preferred mode of transport for most. If you're in Hong Kong for a day, opt to buy the MTR Tourist Day Pass, which gives you unlimited rides on all MTR services!
#HHWT Tip: Use our code TRAVELHHWT to get $5 off your first purchase on Klook!
Staying over the weekend and planning on travelling around? The re-loadable Tourist Octopus Card comes with HK$50 of preloaded credit; you can use it while shopping and dining at discounted rates! Octopus fares are around 5% cheaper than ordinary fares on the MTR, so you'll save both time and money. Purchase these two passes in advance on Klook to enjoy instant confirmation on your bookings plus easy pick up from Hong Kong International Airport!
#HHWT Tip: Get from the airport to the heart of the city in less than 25 minutes when you board the Airport Express! Get the cheapest express tickets on Klook and enjoy the free WiFi on the train ?
Wan Chai Or Tsim Sha Tsui?
Wan Chai – Home of dim sum and roast duck!
What’s a trip to Hong Kong without trying the local delicacies, right? Currently, there aren’t many halal local food eateries in Hong Kong, but hey, we're not complaining when there's halal roast duck and dim sum!
If you’re looking for an accommodation near halal local food, Wan Chai is the place to stay! Islamic Centre Canteen and Wai Kee Roast Duck are in the area so here’s your meal plan: dim sum for breakfast, roast duck for lunch and halal Chinese food for dinner. Repeat. ?
#HHWT tip: DO NOT leave Hong Kong without trying the local food at Islamic Centre Canteen, Wai Kee Roast Duck, Ma’s Restaurant and Islam Food (which we’ve yet to try)! You can find all of these eateries on HHWT!
Now where exactly to stay? We did a search on Agoda (rough dates in March 2016) and here are the hotels we recommend in Wan Chai:
P.S. The best part is most hotels in Hong Kong have complimentary Handy smartphone which gives you unlimited 3G data and calls! That means you can use Google maps and check #HHWT guides on the go :)
1. Butterfly On Morrison Boutique Hotel
Credit: Butterfly on Morrison on Facebook
Price: From USD 87 on Agoda
Address: 35-39 Morrison Hill Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Directions from the airport: A 6-minute walk from Causeway Bay MTR. Alternatively, take the Airport Express to Hong Kong station and take a15-minute taxi ride to the hotel
Note: Free Handy smartphone provided
2. WiFi Boutique Hotel
Credit: WiFi Boutique Hotel
Price: From USD 68.32 on Agoda
Address: 366 Lockhard Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Directions from airport: Hotel airport shuttle bus available at a fee or get to the hotel by public transport
3. South Pacific Hotel
Credit: South Pacific Hotel
Price: From USD 91.08 on Agoda
Address: 23 Morrison Hill Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Directions from airport: A 5 minute walk from Causeway Bay MTR Station (Exit A). Shuttle bus service to HK Convention & Exhibition Center, Airport Express Hong Kong Station and Star Ferry Pier in Central from hotel available.
[ P.S. Rediscover Hong Kong like never before at these 8 most Instagrammable spots! ]
Tsim Sha Tsui - Halal Food Galore!
While there are no halal local food eateries in Tsim Sha Tsui, there are plenty of halal food options, ranging from Indian to Middle Eastern Cuisine. Plus, Chungking mansion is in the heart of this district as well, where you’ll find numerous Muslim-owned eateries.
Best of all, Hong Kong’s biggest shopping mall – the giangantic Harbour City and 1881 Heritage is just a short walk away on Canton Road. Not too far from Harbour City, you'll be able to enjoy the dazzling cityscape view at Victoria Harbour. Do visit it at night and catch A Symphony of Lights, a light and sound show which takes place at 8pm daily!
Here are some of the Muslim-friendly eateries you’ll find in the area:
- Al-Maidah Restaurant: Shop 13, G/F, Tsim Sha Tsui Mansion, 83-97 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon 2367 7288 (Middle Eastern cuisine)
- Bismillah Kebab House: Shop No., 75, 1/F, Chung King Mansion, 36-44 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon 2722 5733 (Turkish & Indian cuisine)
- Ebeneezer’s Kebab & Pizzeria (Indian, Italian & Middle Eastern cuisine):
- Shop 1C, G/F, Astoria Building, 24-38 Ashley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon 2114 0999
- Shop 3 & 5, G/F, Multifield Plaza, 3-7A Prat Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon 3580 1355
- Spice Restaurant: 2/F, Prosperous Centre, No. 1, Knutsford Terrace, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon 2192 9880 (Indian, Malaysian & Thai cuisine)
- 50 Uncle’s Centre Shop: 37B, G/F, Chung King Mansion, 36-44 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon 2722 5733 (Indian cuisine)
- Ziafat: 6/F, Harilela Mansion, 81 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon 2313 1015 (Arabic, Indian & Pakistani cuisine)
Based on rough travel dates in March 2016, here are the hotels we recommend in Tsim Sha Tsui:
Mid-range hotels
1. Xi Hotel
Credit: Xi Hotel
Price: FromUSD 113.43 on Agoda
Address: 7 Minden Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Directions from airport: Hotel airport shuttle bus available at a fee or get to the hotel by public transport. Alternatively, take the Airport Express to Kowloon station, take the complimentary Airport Express shuttle bus (K3) to Holiday Inn Golden Mile. Xi Hotel is a 2-minute walk from the bus stop.
Note: Free Handy phone provided
2. Citadines Ashley Hong Kong
Credit: TheQFamilyAdventures
Price: From USD 116.29 on Agoda
Address: 18 Ashley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Directions from airport: Take the Airport Express to Kowloon station, take the complimentary Airport Express shuttle bus (K2) and alight at The Kowloon Hotel / The Peninsula Hong Kong (4th stop), the apartment is a 5-minute walk away. Alternatively, take bus A21 from the airport towards Hung Hom Station. Get off at Middle Road Station and the apartment is a 5-minute walk away.
3. The Kowloon Hotel
Credit: The Kowloon Hotel
Price: FromUSD 144.38 on Agoda
Address: 19 - 21 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Directions from Airport: Take the Airport Express to Kowloon station, take the complimentary Airport Express shuttle bus (K2) and alight at the 4th stop.
Note: The mid-range hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui are pricier than those in the Wan Chai area.
[ P.S. Check out our 18 insider tips for the most epic trip to Hong Kong Disneyland! ]
With so many long weekends to look forward to this year (and next!), Hong Kong is the perfect city for a short getaway! Check out our Muslim-friendly travel guide on the perfect way to spend 72 hours in Hong Kong :)
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