Cheap Thrills Hong Kong

Glass and steel buildings, glitzy shops and frenetic business, Hong Kong, with its cosmopolitan trappings can be enjoyed at a minimal expense.

Star Ferry

Any visitor to Hong Kong shouldn't miss a ride on the Star Ferry. This green and white, double-deck boat has recently celebrated its 100th year. Ferrying passengers from Hong Kong Island to the Kowloon Peninsula, the Star Ferry sails from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central and Hunghom to Wanchai. Sailing time is approximately 7 minutes while waiting time for a boat is normally 5 minutes. Fare on the upper deck is HK$2.20, lower deck costs HK$1.30. Last ferry leaves at 11pm.

Take the Tram

The tram to some Hong Kong residents is a big irritation. It is slow, blocks the traffic and it's always crowded. But I love the tram. Not just because it's cheap. It's a way to hobnob with the locals and an effective way to know the streets. The thing is if you're in a hurry then don't take the tram.

The tram route starts from the west side of Hong Kong Island from either Kennedy Town or Whitty Street, where the Tram Depot is located. It may either go to Happy Valley, Shaukeiwan or North Point. Adult fare is HK$2.00 with discounts for senior citizens and children.

There's a special tram called the Peak Tram that goes to Victoria Peak. A double-decker bus picks up passengers at a designated stop near City Hall to bring them to the Peak Tram stop.

Street Markets

Hong Kong must have hundreds of these! The most popular ones frequented by tourists are the Night Market in Mongkok, Jade Market and Temple Street Market in Yaumatei and Li Yuen Street in Central.

A visit to Hong Kong isn't complete without exploring them. My personal favorite is Fa Yuen Street in Mongkok, more known as Women's Street. It sells a wide variety of trendy women's clothes and accessories at bargain prices. Household goods, sweets, incense, shoes and children's wear are sold as well. I find the fruits here lower in cost compared to other places in Hong Kong.

Mid-Levels Escalator

At 800 meters long, The Central Mid-Levels Escalator is the world's longest. The mechanical staircase leads to the city's multi-ethnic neighbourhood and bohemian restaurant district. With pubs, bistros, curio shops lining the escalator at both sides, passers-by are instantly transformed into a captive audience. From 6 a.m., the escalator operates on a downward direction when executives and professionals go to work. It switches to an upward direction at 10am when amahs and grandmas are expected to have completed their morning shopping and are ready for their climb up. The escalator runs uphill till midnight. The Central Mid-Levels Escalators begins at Connaught Road Central and ends at Conduit Road. The journey takes 20 minutes.

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