Customer Reviews

Time Out Hong Kong 1

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Good book, easy to follow and a ton of info. I'd buy it again.

Pros: has a good, easy to locate layout. Info seemed accurate if you assume that historical sights never seem to disappear but I rarely use guidebooks for restaurant/food/bar recommendations specifically but typically go by local websites and travel forums. Maps were also very good, I thought. Less "biased" stances such as politically related info that other guidebooks tend to incorporate within their books by omitting one thing vs. another due to some biased historical stance.

Cons: Should include some Shenzhen info. This is the city directly opposite Hong Kong and while it's not really that special considering HK is a great "world city" and many cities in China have caught up to the luster of Shenzhen, it's just really just another Chinese city now. However for someone who has never been to the Chinese mainland, it's worth the day or two unless you need a full $130 visa (which Americans do). It does have Guanghzou which is a 70mile or so hike up the Pearl River but they're vastly different places.

Could include more bus-related info as well as some of the best parts of HK still are not connected via the MTR. Plus, the top of a double-decker bus is a great way to "see" HK, if you ask me. Could also talk about the two checkpoints at Lok Ma Chau/Huang Gang if in China and if you're stuck at the bus terminal vs. the bridge, should invest the $$ in buying a bus back to your destination as the MTR does not stop there! This is a common mistake made by Shenzhen taxi drivers I had no idea about this setup at all. I just happened to stay near there in Shenzhen.

I bought this, my second Time Out brand guidebook based on the pleasure gained from reading their Time Out San Francsisco. I especially liked the style of the background material and I liked the way information was presented in the Hong Kong one as well though not as much as the San Francisco. There is definitely some subtle mature assessments but of course, there are mistakes - nobody's perfect - e.g. yes, "buk goo" is used somewhat derisively to refer to tall healthy Mainland girls but the the first character means North and the second character means Our Father's Little Sister. There's love in everything even if it goes unacknowledged or even denied. Zhang Ziyi is considered a "buk goo" so how bad can that be. The subway system is easy and simple and that wasn't really communicated in this guidebook. Also local delicacies and everyday delights should not be missed. I recomend visiting the surprisingly excellent Asia travel website on CNN.com to supplement your guidebook.