Hong Kong captures many an imagination. First-time visitors and frequent travelers alike often find themselves in awe of the sights and sounds of one of the world’s most sought after destinations. The food and drink can be just as amazing as the skyscrapers and surrounding mountains. Deciding where you should eat and drink in Hong Kong can be tricky, though. The options are endless!
Naturally, there are some incredible local Cantonese options suitable for any budget. Surprisingly to some, there are also endless varieties of upscale European cuisine options on offer. Your time in Hong Kong may be spent in skyscraping office towers, conducting important meetings, or wandering the streets and malls of Hong Kong. Wherever you go, it’s hard not to spend most of your time considering what dish you’ll try next.
Combing through all of Hong Kong’s best restaurants and bars could take you years (well spent we might add). For this reason, we’ve selected a handful of some of the better stops you should make on your next visit!
Fook Lam Moon
Whether you’re visiting Hong Kong for the first time, or you’re entertaining business partners in search of a traditional Cantonese meal, Fook Lam Moon is one option you shouldn’t miss. Traditional Cantonese dishes prepared with careful attention and prime ingredients earned Fook Lam Moon a Michelin star in 2011. Founded in 1948, the restaurant has entertained global captains of industry and celebrities for generations. Fook Lam Moon is the perfect venue for celebrating the launch of a new business venture in Hong Kong. Another useful tip to keep in mind is that Fook Lam Moon accepts bookings via email or via their website. Meaning, you’re able to find a table well in advance of arriving in Hong Kong and guarantee you won’t miss out on this culinary experience.
Mira Dining
If you and your colleagues are after a high-end dining experience in Hong Kong, Mira’s Cuisine Cuisine is your best bet. Floor to ceiling windows provide incredible views of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour. The dining hall is geared towards individuals who appreciate their space. Tables are placed far enough apart to ensure your privacy when enjoying their exquisite menu, making Cuisine Cuisine ideal for a lunch time meeting with business interests you’re looking to impress. Their menu is filled with modern seafood dishes, classically prepared but with their own unique twist. The lobster tail has amassed a loyal audience. The dish’s succulent flavors always prove wildly popular with guests. Their braised abalone is highly recommended, too. If you do pay them a visit, make sure to book your table ahead of time so there’s no risk of missing out!
Fu Lum
If you’re after a popular local jaunt to grab a quick bite for lunch in between meetings, you should be heading to Fu Lum. The Hong Kong residents who frequent Fu Lum regularly will tell you that their menu is worth trying. The restaurant may not accommodate too well to non-Chinese speakers, however, it makes for a good opportunity to practice your Cantonese. The service is known for its speed and accuracy, ideal for a quick lunch pit stop. They’re patient too, so don’t be afraid to try this local venue, even if you speak no Cantonese at all. The steamed pork dumplings, BBQ pulled pork roll, and eggplant with fish are sure to hit the spot.
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Ozone
Finding a breathtaking view in Hong Kong is hardly a challenge. With so many skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, there are countless spots to choose from for a proper bird’s-eye view of the city. One of the better spots can be found on top of the Ritz-Carlton in Kowloon. It’s considered the highest bar in the world, located on the 118th floor! Such breathtaking views don’t come cheap, however, drinks are certainly on the high-end of the price scale. Regardless, grabbing a pre-party cocktail or two at Ozone should be an essential part of your trip!
Captain’s Bar
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f you’re looking for some sophistication on your trip to Hong Kong, then Captain’s Bar is where you ought to end up. Located in the Mandarin Oriental, this bar has a strict dress code each evening. The picturesque Captain’s Bar would have felt right at home during the peak of the British colonial days in Hong Kong. Popular for after work drinks and famed for serving beers in silver mugs (if you’re there often enough they’ll even give you your own silver mug with your name engraved on it!). Sipping on one of their famous martinis is a must if you decide to pay the Captain a visit!
Café Gray Bar
Most Hong Kong locals or regulars will agree that the Upper House is the coolest, most sought after, hotel in town. If you’re not staying there during your visit, you’re at least obliged to visit the Café Gray Bar located inside the hotel to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views of Hong Kong and Kowloon. If you’re planning on stopping in for just one drink, you might find your plans being thrown out the window. With sensational views and a wide variety of drinks to choose from, it’s easy enough to end up spending most of your evening at Café Gray!
Hong Kong has countless exciting and entertaining places to delight your taste buds in. Getting to and from them can be slightly tricky, though, especially if you’re making your way home after enjoying a few drinks at one of Hong Kong’s incredible bars and night spots. Taxis are common, especially around popular hotels and night spots in Hong Kong but they’re not without risk. Drivers will look to overcharge foreigners, especially those who appear to have enjoyed one too many drinks. Enjoying a night out in Hong Kong doesn’t need to be a hassle. If you’re lucky enough to travel regularly to the city make use of a reliable car service, with a driver who communicates in fluent English being able to bring you home safe and sound.
Traveling in China is usually accompanied by some degree of difficulty. Domestic air travel is often inconvenienced with delays and confusion. China’s roads are well known to be a dangerous option for those who choose to drive themselves (we highly recommend that you don’t!) as well as those who hop inside a local taxi instead of a professional car service in China. Bus routes are often crowded and confusing. One of the best tips for using trains in China is that high-speed trains are often a better option if you’re planning on visiting more than one city, and hopefully visiting cities that are in close proximity, when in China.
Firstly, China’s high-speed trains are renowned worldwide for being at the forefront of what’s currently possible for public transport. Trains like the Shanghai Maglev, operating from Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport, reach speeds of up to 400 km/h. Most of China’s high-speed trains are non-smoking and surprisingly clean.
Secondly, using a high-speed train can be less of a hassle than hopping on a domestic flight in China. Depending on which cities you’re traveling between, it can also be the quicker option. A flight from Hangzhou to Beijing, for example, takes about 2.5 hours, while the train journey takes about 5 hours. It may seem longer at first, however, when you consider the time spent at the airport to accommodate check-in/baggage drops and boarding (and the very high possibility of flight delays), the train trip will actually take less time. Considering trains are very rarely delayed.
Thirdly, as a business traveler, the train might be a more productive use of your time than hopping on a plane. China’s high-speed train network serves all major business destinations. Depending on which cities you’re traveling between, spending the hours on a train getting some much-needed work done can prove to be a far better use of your time as opposed to spending that time queuing at airports or dealing with flight delays. With the trains set to get high-speed wifi over the next few years, there really won’t be much reason for taking flights when the trains offer a much better use of your time.
Preparing for a trip to China? A private transfer is the safest, quickest way to travel from the airport to the city. China Car Service is a trusted transportation service helping business travelers for almost two decades. We provide door-to-door service at competitive prices.Make your journey stress-free and contact our 24/7 team at Bookings@ChinaCarService.com with questions, or get a quote below. Use this promo code: 10CARBLOG to get a $10 discount on your 1st service. |
Even for first-time travelers, and unlike the inner city metros, high-speed trains are generally easy to use. Another one of the useful tips for using trains in China is that long-distance train travel only requires you to be at the terminal 30 mins prior to departure. As a foreigner traveling through the country, you’ll need to present your passport at security. With security checkpoints not usually crowded by long queues, finding your boarding terminal shouldn’t take very long at all. Giant lit screens indicate where you should check in, with signs reading both in English and Mandarin.
One of the better tips for using trains in China is that passengers generally only check baggage if they absolutely have to. For example, if they have too many items to manage to get on and off the train by themselves, they’ll choose to check them in. If you’re traveling light, however, with even one larger suitcase and a carry-on, not checking in your baggage can save a lot of time prior to departure. Your ticket may or may not include an assigned seat. It’s common that even if you do have an assigned seat, you’ll find someone else sitting in it when you board. Showing them the ticket with your allocated seat number usually solves the problem and prompts them to move to another seat nearby (albeit, probably still not their actual seat). Many travelers seek tips for using trains in China because of their concern of what sort of food will be available. Luckily, all of the high-speed train stations in China have fast-food outlets, like McDonald’s, available. With a variety of Chinese fast food and snack options available at the stations, filling up before your trip isn’t too difficult. The trains do also have dining cars with juices, teas, and snacks available, plus some arguably expensive hot meals like noodles available to purchase should you feel more hungry.
The biggest difficulty you’re likely to face on a high-speed train is one you’re likely to encounter on any transport route in China, language. Language is a barrier for most foreigners in China. Although English isn’t spoken widely, neither in the trains nor their terminals, the signage and general announcements are done in both Mandarin and English, and are relatively easy to understand.
Each stop is announced in both Mandarin and English, as well as being displayed on LED signs scattered along each train car. Missing your stop isn’t as easy as you may fear. Once the stop is announced, before the train comes to a halt, it’s usually best to collect your items and get ready to disembark as soon as you arrive at the station. The trains run on a fairly tight schedule and are usually busy throughout their daily hours of operation. Due to the popularity of the trains in China for locals, business travelers, and vacationers alike, the train terminals are vast. Meaning, if you’re planning on using a taxi to your next destination, you’ll likely face a long walk to the taxi stands. Not ideal for anyone traveling with large amounts of luggage.
Upon arriving at your desired terminal, finding transport to your hotel or office in town is fairly simple. It’s highly recommended that you don’t rent a car and drive yourself around China. Not only will you require a Chinese driver’s license, but the roads are notoriously chaotic and dangerous for those who aren’t familiar with them.
Experienced travelers usually prefer to make use of a car service with English speaking drivers that offer a reliable and comfortable ride to their destination. Taxis, although abundant at airports and train stations, are often difficult to catch as a foreigner and can be unsafe. If you’re heading to a business meeting, say, at a factory out of town, a local taxi may not wish to take you out of the city from the train station. In this case, getting from A to B after disembarking the train may be very difficult, if you don’t have pre-arranged transport!
China’s high-speed rail networks are ultimately very impressive and regularly expanding. Depending on which cities you’re visiting, train travel has certainly emerged as a viable alternative to flying domestically in China. Most importantly, before you travel make sure to research your specific route so you know which option is best for you. Safe travels!
Traveling to China is an exciting experience, for first-time travelers and seasoned business professionals alike. While China has an enormity of beautiful landscapes and exciting chaotic cities to offer, traveling around town is often a difficult prospect. If you’re planning on using an airport taxi in China to get to your hotel, or the office, here are the 5 things you should know before taking one.
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Navigating China’s roads can be a very tricky business. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or seasoned explorer, getting around China’s major cities can be daunting. With mobile phones now facilitating our access to a world of information, arranging a taxi in China has gotten a lot easier. So, what are the pros and cons of these taxi apps in China?
If you choose to use taxis to get around China, there are three major apps you can choose from. Didi (the world’s biggest taxi hailing app with over 12 million daily users), Yidao Yongche, and Shenzhou Car Service. As convenient as they may be, these apps aren’t as easy to use as you might think. Just what are the pros and cons of each?
Convenience is usually the biggest motivator when downloading a taxi app. The promise of having a taxi ready and waiting for you, without having to wait for one to drive by. Certainly, if you find yourself in an area not frequented by tourists, having one of these taxi apps can save you from a long walk to an area with taxis waiting.
Didi is China’s most popular local taxi app. As with most of the best taxi apps to use in China, the benefits are being able to book your trip online and ahead of time. And also, knowing how much your trip will cost before you even jump in the taxi. In most major cities, Didi even offers a service that allows you to test drive a car you might’ve had your eye on.
Didi offers a useful inter-city travel messaging board (similar to the West’s BlaBlaCar), where riders are able to post details about their desired trips out of town. Drivers offer real-time quotes and provide the user with door-to-door service. Paying cash on arrival, or using your online wallet, is another plus for Didi.
Yidao Yongche and Shenzhou Car Service are both growing in popularity. So much so, that Yidao Yongche has recently expanded its operations to include cities along America’s West Coast, after significant investment. Generally, Yidao Yongche drivers are friendly, as they rely on customer feedback for their in-app rating. With Shenzhou Car Service offering a more business-tailored private car service, their drivers are also generally courteous. However, both apps are only available in Chinese language (Mandarin), so it’s more suitable for those who are proficient in Chinese.
Both apps allow you to choose from a number of available drivers. Giving you the choice, while Didi generally assigns a driver for you, at random.
A private transfer is the safest, quickest way to get from the airport to your hotel. China Car Service is a trusted transportation service helping business travelers to China for almost two decades. We provide door-to-door service at competitive prices.Make your journey stress-free and contact our 24/7 team at Bookings@ChinaCarService.com with questions, or get a quote below. Use this promo code: 10CARBLOG to get a $10 discount on your 1st service. |
If you choose to download Didi, your biggest challenge is that the app is generally in Chinese. You’ll have to ask a local friend to help you set up the English option. It’s a bit of an extra hassle. Once you manage to change the language, however, the next big challenge is that the driver will call you to confirm your location. Unless you’re fluent in Mandarin, you’ll have a difficult time explaining to the driver where you are. Usually they can use the app’s GPS locator to find your general vicinity.Alternatively, you can avoid the awkward, “Um… do you speak English?” by hiring a service that offers English-speaking drivers, removing all confusion and assuring your peace of mind. Additionally, with Didi being so popular amongst locals, finding a taxi through the app is challenging during peak hour traffic as most drivers are already busy. If you’re trying to catch a taxi at peak hours, don’t be surprised if you find yourself waiting as long as 30 minutes in queue for a vehicle.
The most obvious challenge you’ll face across any app in China, including the Yidao Yongche and Shenzhou Car Service is the language barrier. The risk of selecting the wrong destination or not being able to understand the payment is high and can cause unnecessary stress during your trip. It’s also worth understanding the risk of traveling with unlicensed or uninsured drivers. Remember that these aren’t professional taxi drivers, they’re average people using the app to earn a little extra income when they’re not at their regular jobs.
Deciding to get around by China using a taxi or normal cab is a popular choice for first-time visitors, especially when going from the airport to their hotel. With China’s roads being challenging at the best of times, not even an app is guaranteed to make your trip easier.
If you’re familiar with using taxi apps like Uber or Lyft back home, it’ll be reassuring to know that you can benefit from the same convenience in China.
The proviso, however, is that unless you’re able to read and communicate in Mandarin, you’ll need a bit of local help to get by. Arranging a local number and payment method (bank account linked to Alipay or WeChat wallet for example) as required could also certainly be a hassle, especially for visitors only in China briefly or occasionally.
For first time travelers, the hassle may not be worth it. Aside from the condition of the taxi you may find yourself in, the risk of being driven and occasionally harassed by unlicensed and uninsured drivers is not one worth taking for most travelers. Choosing a reliable car service that provides safe and comfortable transport, without any hassle, is more often the best decision to make when traveling in China.
Macau earned its “Asia’s Vegas” title thanks to a variety of casinos, big city lights and a thriving entertainment scene. Located on the western side of the Pearl River Delta in East Asia, former Portuguese colony Macau has become a popular destination for tourists, as well as for the business people from all around the world.
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Stop and take a look around your house or office, wherever you may be seated right now. If you had to take an educated guess as to where most of the stuff you’re scanning was made, where would that be? Now, admittedly, not all things are are made in China, but a significant number of them are. Chinese products are everywhere. It’s hard not to glance at a product’s label, sticker, or tag without seeing the words “Made In China.”
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“He who does not climb the Great Wall is not a true man.” As this famous Chinese saying suggests, The Great Wall of China is a must-see Chinese attraction. Its size, architecture, and mesmerizing landscapes will leave you in awe, regardless of the season. There are several different ways to travel along the Great Wall. Whether you have an eight-hour layover in Beijing’s airport or are an adventurous traveler who wishes to make the most of the experience, we bring you the real deal on what you need to know.
Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, an airport lounge can provide a calm haven for you to rest, away from the crowds. As soon as you pass through their doors, you’re welcomed with comfortable chairs, wi-fi, food, beverages, and other amenities.
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Whether it be for tourism, business, or even a local journey between China’s bustling cities and airports, traveling in China remains an incredibly daunting prospect. This is why many travelers and visitors choose to make use of a car service provider during their visit to China. With such a high demand for transportation, choosing the right private transportation option can quickly become overwhelming. Not all companies are equal, and you can’t be sure of which will provide the necessary services (or quality of service) you may need. Here’s what to look for in a car service in China.
When it comes to selecting the right car service in China, you’ll want to make sure they have a good reputation and are reliable. Every country has its group of bad apples ready to trick foreigners (and even unexpecting locals), and China is no different. Be careful of common scams such as overcharging for transportation, fake drop-off zones, and drivers taking off with your luggage when you get out of the vehicle.
The easiest way to find out whether a car service in China has a good reputation is to visit their website. On their website, you should be able to learn a lot about the company and the type of services they are offering. But you don’t only have to take their word for it. Read client testimonials and research some online reviews about the company to get a more honest perspective from real clients.
In an article for The New Yorker, Peter Hessler wrote the following about his own personal experience with drivers in China “China is a nation of new drivers, and the transition has been so rapid that many road patterns come directly from pedestrian life—people drive like they walk… They rarely use their turn signals. If they miss an exit on the highway, they simply pull onto the shoulder, shift in reverse, and get it right the second time.” Now that doesn’t really sound like someone you’d like to journey with, does it?
Make sure the car service in China that you choose, only provides experienced, knowledgeable, and skillful drivers. Apart from a reckless driving style, you’d be surprised to know how many drivers don’t really know the city that well. Missing an important meeting, or losing out on valuable traveling experiences because your driver got lost or stuck in a traffic jam is far from ideal.
Even among well-developed areas, English is rarely available from transport service providers. Make sure the car rental option you choose can offer a driver, or at the very least, a translator, that can help you communicate effectively in your language throughout your entire trip. This will ensure that there is no miscommunication regarding where you need to go.
Flights booked, meetings scheduled but still looking for a driver to get you around China? Take advantage of our online discount and book today!
Making use of a flexible, independent transportation option that can assist you with all your travel needs in China can completely change the nature of your trip! Any seasoned traveler will tell you that things don’t always go according to plan. Your plane could be delayed, your travel itinerary could change, or your luggage could go missing. These things could force you to spend another night in the city before your next transfer.
Whatever happens, you should have the freedom to travel conveniently, being able to make changes without having to incur hefty fees. For business travelers, it’s especially important to hire a reliable car service provider that can ensure you make it to your next meeting on time. After all, there’s no better feeling than being able to just sit on the backseat and catch up on your emails or simply relax after a long flight.
Make sure the transport service you choose will provide you with flexible and comprehensive traveling options. Check the company’s terms for cancellations, rescheduling, and delays and make sure they’re able to adapt to any unforeseen events that may occur.
According to the World Health Organization’s report, China has over 58 000 road fatalities each year. This number is frightening, which is why you should make sure that safety is a top priority for the transportation service provider you’re planning on using.
All vehicles should be well-maintained and adhere to regular safety standards and laws, such as being fitted with seat belts in passenger seats. This is another reason why it’s important to choose a company that makes use of proficient drivers who understand the road networks and nature of China’s traffic.
Private car services can be found in all major cities across China. Below is the list of major business cities around China that travelers are likely to choose for business travel or factory visits and where this comfortable and cost-effective car rental service will be needed. These blogs provide insights on city-specific challenges of the local transport and optimal solutions for ground transportation in China and Hong Kong.
Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China, is the heart of the country’s politics, culture, and international exchanges. If you’re visiting this metropolitan city, we highly recommend you use a car service to take you around.
Hiring a private car with a professional local driver can make your trip hassle-free, safe, and significantly more efficient.
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