Discover Hong Kong

Hong Kong Still The Freest Economy

2011-01-13T04:38:00.000+08:00

Hong Kong is still the freest economy in the world. This is according to the Heritage Foundation. The Economic Freedom Index, which was released January 12, says that Hong Kong's score remains unchanged at 89.7 out of the highest possible 100 in their test. However, fellow Asian country, Singapore gained 1.1 points on financial freedom.

"There is a possibility Singapore may overtake Hong Kong in the near future as the state has more room for improvement in banking," said Terry Miller, the US foundation's index editor, adding Hong Kong's major drawback is an oversized fiscal surplus.

"There's no reason the government should have a surplus more than the monetary base," said Hugo Restall, editorial page editor for Wall Street Journal Asia. That surplus, he said, should be cut by at least half and the profits tax rate trimmed to 15 percent.

The United States fell one place to ninth, mostly due to large government spending and the passage of President Barack Obama's health-care plan. That despite large commercial spending such as that of preparations for the upcoming Super Bowl 2011 online.

Hong Kong Stocks Up

2010-04-09T14:02:00.000+08:00

Hong Kong stocks rose 1.34 percent by midday on Friday nearing a three-month high as strong earnings from ZTE Corp (0763.HK) and Tsingtao Brewery (0168.HK) and hopes of appreciation in the yuan lifted mainland stocks.

China's main stock index edged up 0.49 percent, buoyed by a buying spree in new listings, but it remained captive to range-bound trade as strong corporate earnings offset liquidity tightening efforts by authorities.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index .HSI gained 1.3 percent, or 293.39 points, to cross the 22,000-mark that market players considered a strong resistance. The China Enterprises Index .HSCE of top locally listed mainland Chinese stocks was up 1.28 percent at 13,020.09.

Market turnover rose to HK$42.65 billion ($5.50 billion) from midday Thursday's HK$37.75 billion.

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2009-11-11T06:02:00.000+08:00

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Top Local Designers In Hong Kong

2009-10-06T06:20:00.000+08:00

Looking for fabulous clothes in Hong Kong? You cannot go wrong with these top fashion designers.

Barney Cheng
He is known for his fine embroidery on exclusive custom-order couture dresses. This is why his collections are loved by high society ladies.

Vivienne Tam
Her clothing brand is named after her and is inspired by Chinese design and modern fashion. The theme of her first collection was called East Wind Code. Her boutiques can now be found in most major cities around the world.

Ranee Kwok
Each of her pieces in the Ranee K label is superbly tailored making them sublime and well fitted. If you want something totally individual, Ranee Kwok is the boutique to visit in Hong Kong.

Asiania Restaurant

2009-08-30T05:49:00.003+08:00

Asiania Restaurant has been around for 30 years and is very well known for its chargrilled suckling pig. The skin is so crispy and the meat so flavorful that we would recommend it to anyone.

Famous HK TV food program host and gastronomy expert Suzie Wong gives it a thumbs-up. Besides this famous dish, there's also dim sum and other Cantonese fare.

Address: 1/F, Asian House, 1 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
Tel: 852-2861 2882
Opening Hours: 1100-2400 Mon - Sat; 1030-2400 Sun
Direction: Wan Chai MTR Station

Yin Yang Restaurant

2009-08-06T10:17:00.003+08:00

Yin Yang Restaurant is a small home-style restaurant in Hong Kong. It lies in a historic 1930's building. It's a bit small so better call for reservations before you visit.

Yin Yang Restaurant is owned by gourmand-chef Margaret Xu. Be sure to try the "Yellow Earth" chicken, corn-fed and roasted with extra-juicy skin and soft, moist meat.

Address: 18 Ship Street, Wan Chai
Tel: 852-2866 0868
Direction: Wan Chai MTR Station

Our Favorite Hong Kong Restaurants

2009-08-03T09:11:00.003+08:00

For today, let me give you our Top 5 favorite Hong Kong restaurants. Hong Kong has a lot of great dining places and it's really impossible to rank them, let alone, choose which is the best.

However, we think that it's time for us to share our personal top 5 favorites for the past couple of weeks. What are they? Here they are in random order:

The Pawn
A perfect fusion of the east and the west.
Address: 62 Johnston Road, Wan Chai

Gaia Ristorante
A fantastic alfresco dining experience.
Address: G/F The Piazza, Grand Millenium Plaza, 181 Queen's Road Central

The Flying Pan
Bottomless coffee and eggs just the way we like it.
Address: G/F, 9 Old Bailey Street, Central

Cucina
A spectacular view of the Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong city skyline.
Address: 6/F Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel, Harbour City, Kowloon

Gi Kee Seafood Restaurant
An affordable eating place of award-winning Chef Chan Chung Fai
Address: 2/F, CFS4, UC Wong Nai Chung Municipal Services Building, 2 Yuk Sau Street, Happy Valley

Da Ping Huo Private Kitchen

2009-07-23T03:23:00.004+08:00

Da Ping Huo Private Kitchen is the best kept secret of Sichuan food lovers in Hong Kong. It's hard to find and that's one of its charms.

Da Ping Huo Private Kitchen can also be an art gallery as it has many paintings done by the owner. This place, as a restaurant, is open only for dinner.

Must try in Da Ping Huo Private Kitchen is the Stewed Brisket and Tendons in Spicy Gravy, Braised Diced Bean Curd in Hot Chili Sauce and Braised Pork Belly with Sweet Potato.

Always make sure you have reservations.

Address: L/G Hilltop Plaza, 49 Hollywood Road, Central Hong Kong
Tel: 852-2559 1317
Operating Hours: 1830 - 2330 (closed on Mondays)
Direction: Central MTR Station

Heaven On Earth

2009-07-12T06:01:00.003+08:00

Heaven On Earth is the only Chinese Restaurant located in Knutsford Terrace's entertainment and dining strip. In here, you will enjoy Shanghainese and Sichuan dishes with a twist.

Their best sellers are the Spicy Cucumber and Preserved Egg with Spicy Sauce and the Deep Fried Fish with Special Vinaigrette Sauce. You should also try their Simmered Fish Fillet in Hot Chili Sauce.

If you're going to Heaven On Earth at night, make sure you have reservations because it's always full there in the evening.

Address: G/F & 1/F Knutsford 6, Knustford Terrace, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Tel: 852-2367 8428
Website: www.kingparrot.com
Direction: Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station

Agnes B. Le Pain Grille

2009-06-30T02:02:00.004+08:00

Agnes B. Le Pain Grille is a shop in a shop. You can relax, drink coffee or eat cake here while waiting for your perfume to be prepared or the pair of shoes you just bought to be wrapped.

The French designer takes the good life as the inspiration for Agnes B. Le Pain Grille, which is located inside Agnes B. Concept Store in Causeway Bay. This is one of the best places to relax in Hong Kong.

Contemporary and cozy, you can eat authentic French dishes here but with a modern touch. The restaurant is divided into two parts: Parisian Cafe and Parisian Underground.

Address: Shop 1 & 2A, 2-4 Kingston Street, Fashion Walk, Causeway Bay
Tel: 852-2577 0370
Direction: Causeway Bay MTR Station

Image Credit:
mad_dog

How To Make Your Food Healthy In Hong Kong

2009-06-18T01:15:00.001+08:00

For today, let's have a little Chinese tutorial on how to make special requests when dining in Hong Kong restaurants. Here's some of the phrases you can say to make your meal more healthy.

Zau Tim : less sweet or less sugar
Zau Yau : no oil
Siew Yau : less oil
Dor Choy : more vegetables
Siew Yok : less meat
Siew Yim : less salt
Fei Sa Zau Nai : black coffee without sugar and cream

That's it! Happy eating!

Sushi One

2009-06-07T02:41:00.004+08:00

Sushi One is a popular Japanese restaurant in Hong Kong. You can't miss this place along Ashley Road. When you see a big illuminated fish tank inside, that's Sushi One.

You can order a la carte or sit by the sushi bar here. Their best dishes include the Seared Hokkaido King Crab, Crab Stick and Avocado, Shrimp Tempura and Asparagus, Uni Chicken Gristle and the Asparagus with Caviar.

Call for reservations to ensure that you'll have space for dinner.

Address: 23 Ashley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Tel: 852-2155 0633
Direction: Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station

Image Credit:
granthugh71

Best Restaurants For Afternoon Tea

2009-05-29T02:47:00.004+08:00

There are many restaurants in Hong Kong but here are the top four places you can go to to have some afternoon tea. They have the best food and great value for your money. Happy Tea Time!

Cafe De Coral
Address: UG/F, Malahon Centre, 10-12 Stanley Street, Central
Tel: 852-2524 6405
Direction: Central MTR Station

Tsui Wah
Address: G-2/F, 15-19 Wellington Street, Central
Tel: 852-2525 6338
Direction: Central MTR Station

Honolulu Coffee Shop
Address: G/F, 176-178 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
Tel: 852-2575 1823
Direction: Wan Chai MTR Station

Lan Fong Yuen
Address: 2 & 4-6 Gage Street, Central
Tel: 852-2544 3895
Direction: Central MTR Station

Ser Wong Fun

2009-05-22T01:07:00.004+08:00

Ser Wong Fun is famous for its snake soup, which goes back as far as 120 years in history. Now, Ser Wong Fun is run by the granddaughter, Gigi.

The food here has no MSG and you'll sometimes see celebrities eating here. One of their best dishes is the Chicken Claypot Rice with salted eggs and sausages, Water Lily Duck Soup and the Seaweed Fish Claypot.

Address: G/F, 30 Cochrane Street, Central
Tel: 852-2543 1032
Operating Hours: 1130 - 2230
Direction: Central MTR Station

Image Credit:
Taekwonweirdo

Kowloon Soy

2009-05-15T05:30:00.004+08:00

Kowloon Soy is a store that sells soy sauce. It has been run by four generations now. In Kownloon Soy, the soy sauce are hand-made which gives their products that authentic flavor of soy sauce.

One of their best products is the light soya sauce, sesame sauce and the bean paste. Always a delight to add to your food. Use it for dipping or seasoning, really delicious.

Address: 9 Graham Street, Central
Tel: 852-2544 3695
Direction: Central MTR Station

Image Credit:
Eileen Chow

Cucina

2009-05-08T04:07:00.004+08:00

Cucina is a fine-dining restaurant in Hong Kong that has the open-kitchen concept. This means that you can watch how they will prepare your food.

But a more interesting and spectacular view is the Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong city skyline which you can also see inside Cucina. This makes this restaurant a favorite for family gatherings and social functions.

Cucina restaurant features Western and Asian cuisine. The weight conscious can likewise enjoy their salad bar.

Among their best dishes are the Golden Fried Eggplant with Spicy Garlic, Feville de Brique Salmon Fillet with Warm Nicoise Salad; and Sauteed Diced Beef Tenderloin with Asparagus in Wasabi.

Address: 6/F Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel, Harbour City, Kowloon
Tel: 852-2113 0808
Website: www.cucinahk.com
Direction: Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station

Image Credit:
13HOC

Sing Heung Yuen

2009-04-29T03:03:00.003+08:00

Sing Heung Yuen is a home-style cooking restaurant in Mee Lun Street. Irene, who is the owner, inherited the recipes from her mother which is now the favorite of Sing Heung Yuen patrons.

The signature dishes of Sing Heung Yuen include the Crispy Pork Chop, Thick Toast, Tomato Soup and their Iced Lemon Tea. Once you taste the food at Sing Heung Yuen, you'll keep coming back.

Address: 2 Mee Lun Street, Central
Tel: 852-2544 8368
Operating Hours: 0800 - 1730; closed on Sundays
Direction: Sheung Wan MTR Station

Kung Lee

2009-04-21T03:09:00.003+08:00

Kung Lee is well known for its sugarcane products.

Sugarcane, which is naturally rich in sugar content, is a high-energy drink. Consumed in moderate amounts, it's just the kind of energy your body needs. Other than the original version, there's also sugar juice with lemon grass, dried orange skin and "luo han guo", which is said to combat the common cold and flu.

There's also herbal tea boiled with bitter gourd, sugarcane cake and Chinese herbal jelly. The place has been around since 1948. Kung Lee is really worth checking out.

Address: G/F, 60 Hollywood Rd., Central
Tel: 852-2544 3571
Operating Hours: 1100 - 2300
Direction: Sheung Wan MTR Station

Image Credit:
hugo poon

Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant

2009-04-14T14:46:00.004+08:00

Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant is one of the biggest floating seafood restaurants in the world. Aside from seafood, they also serve delicious dim sum.

Among the favorites are beef siu mai and crispy deep fried vegetarian rolls. When you're eating at the Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant, you must order the authentic Typhoon Shelter Fried Crabs.

Address: Shun Wan Pier Drive, Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen
Tel: 852-2553 9111
Website: www.jumbokingdom.com
Operating Hours:
1100-1630, 1730-2330 (Mon - Sat)
0700-1630, 1730-2330 (Sun and holidays)
Direction: Take bus 70 or 75 from Central bus interchange to HK Ferry Station

Image Credit:
andie travel

Gi Kee Seafood Restaurant

2009-04-07T09:18:00.003+08:00

Gi Kee Seafood Restaurant is the famous affordable eating place of award-winning Chef Chan Chung Fai. This restaurant is for the happy trooper who just wants to relax and eat.

The place is like a food court. Servers are wearing slippers and aprons, attending to all the customers. The lack of fine dining ambiance is not a factor because even celebrities like Jackie Chan and Zhang Ziyi have been seen here.

When you are in Gi Kee Seafood Restaurant, you should order the chicken abalone and shark's fin soup. Also order the deep fried chicken with fried garlic on top.

Address: 2/F, CFS4, UC Wong Nai Chung Municipal Services Building, 2 Yuk Sau Street, Happy Valley
Tel: 852-2574 9937
Direction: Causeway Bay MTR Station

Tung Kee Seafood Restaurant

2009-03-30T07:21:00.005+08:00

Tung Kee Seafood Restaurant is where you can eat the best salt water chicken feet. You can dip it in ginger sauce for more flavor to the crunch.

Another specialty of Tung Kee Seafood Restaurant is the salt and pepper Mantis shrimps which is a delicacy you must simply eat if you're in there.

That's Tung Kee Seafood Restaurant for you which is located at Sai Kung, the place where you can get the cheapest and freshest seafoods.

Address: 96-102 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung
Tel: 852-2792 7453
Operating Hours: 0900-2300
Direction: From Choi Hung MTR Station take a minibus to Sai Kung

Shopping Malls

2009-03-24T03:52:00.002+08:00

What are the shopping malls in Hong Kong? What are the shopping hours and where are they located? If you're planning to do some shopping in Hong Kong, then it pays to know exactly where the malls are and their operating hours.

No worries because here are the best shopping malls in Hong Kong. Just follow the link and you'll get to read a little bit about them, their opening and closing schedule, their location and how to get there.

Enjoy your shopping!

The Flying Pan

2009-03-09T03:54:00.004+08:00

The Flying Pan is a place in Hong Kong that serves breakfast and brunch all day. In here, you can get hot coffee and sunny side up eggs anytime you want.

The servings are good and they have bottomless coffee for the caffeine lover. Of course, you can say how you'd like to have your eggs done, along with salad and bread.

If you're in The Flying Pan, I recommend that you order the Full English breakfast, which is composed of bacon, mushrooms, croissant, beans, tomatoes, sausages and eggs.

Address: G/F, 9 Old Bailey Street, Central
Tel: 852-2140 6333
Direction: Central MTR Station

Image Credit:
Lewi Hirvela

Tien Yi

2009-02-18T04:57:00.003+08:00

Tien Yi is a restaurant with very dramatic lighting. It has a 6 meter high water wall and a pond. At the lower level, guests will be treated by Tien Yi's 3,000 bottle wine cellar. The upper level has private rooms and VIP dining is available for special occasions and business meetings.

Tien Yi is well known for their Barbecue Pork Flank, South African Abalone, Sauteed Mushroom served in Mini Pumpkin, Sauteed South African Lobster with Egg White and Crab Roe and Steamed Fresh Prawn Dumplings. Truly mouth watering.

Address: Level 2 & 3, The Peak Tower
Tel: 852-2907 3888
Operating Hours: 11:00 - 23:30 (Mon - Sat); 10:00 - 23:30 (Sun and Holidays)
Direction: Central MTR Station then take a cab to the Peak Tram

Image Credit:
jellybeanjill13

Cheap Flights to Hong Kong

2009-01-22T15:49:00.003+08:00

Are you looking for cheap flights to Hong Kong? Then you can choose among several travel agencies and vacation packages that offer the lowest plane rates in going to Hong Kong. Choose among the different airlines and see which one will suit your budget.

Since Hong Kong is a major tourist destination, a lot of businesses in the travel industry offer affordable rates to and fro Hong Kong. All it takes is some due diligence and you'll surely find the best vacation package for you.

Having a vacation in Hong Kong is a breeze and there are a lot of cheap flights to Hong Kong available on the internet.