China Travel Blog

The Festival Walk is much more than your average, run-of-the-mill mall; it is a veritable personification of the phrase ’retail therapy’. With more than 200 shops in over 1 million square feet area, Festival Walk , located in Kowloon Tong, boasts an unparalleled architectural design – a sky lit shopping paradise with wide open spaces to make this shopping experience a memorable one.

They say that shopping in Hong Kong is not just a day-to-day chore, it’s a way of life, and Festival Walk is its bible. Flagship designer stores, and boutique shops displaying everything from exclusive fashion, cosmetics, and health products to books, interior furnishings and computers, sit next to each other in perfect synthesis.

The popularity enjoyed by Festival Walk isn’t wholly due to the fabulous array of shopping, for the mall is also packed with fun-filled entertainment for the entire family. Visit the largest ice-skating rink in Hong Kong or catch a movie at the AMC Cineplex which screens a variety of Hollywood blockbusters and Asian favorites.

An abundant selection of restaurants on the top most floor of Festival Walk satiates every palette. Whether it’s fast food, a romantic dinner with just the right ambience or a selective spread for a business luncheon, the 27 restaurants offer a global range of cuisine. With a trendy and vibrant setting, the delights of the food court are the perfect reward after a long day of shopping.

The design of Festival Walk is an avant-garde example of architectural innovation. The unique design exudes a sense of vitality and energy, but is in actual fact one of Hong Kong’s most energy efficient structures enabling a saving of more than 5 million kilowatts per hour.

All year round, Festival Walk stays committed to enhancing its retail experience with promotions and exclusive offers that are custom matched to the desires of the throngs of shoppers who flock to the mall every day.

Visitors on the lookout for a hotel in Hong Kong in a central locality that affords easy access to the Festival Walk, will enjoy staying at the Hotel Jen. A boutique hotel Hong Kong that offers world-class facilities, the Hotel Jen is the perfect oasis of luxury in the heart of Hong Kong.

With its chaotic jungle of neon signs, fairly ugly residential skyscrapers, and the ever increasing problem of smog coming from neighboring China, Hong Kong is probably not the first thing that comes to your mind when thinking about a romantic destination… However, the city’s mountainous terrain and its world-famous metropolitan skyline, set a perfect background for some of Asia’s most romantic spots.

This article will take you through 10 restaurants and nightspots in Hong Kong that are surely to melt your lover’s heart.

Aqua Spirit From its prime position, on the 30th floor of a Tsim sha Tsui tower, this contemporary bar provides some of the best views you can get from Kowloon’s side. Together with its stylish and fairly comfortable ambience, it is one of the best spots in Tsim sha Tsui for a sunset cocktail or an after dinner drink. Caprice, Four Seasons Hotel Located in the swanky Four Seasons, Caprice serves fine French cuisine with a lighter touch, in a marvelous atmosphere… Beautiful classic-contemporary decor, lovely harbour views, perfect table settings and an open kitchen that allows the appetizing cooking aromas to flow to the dining area, are all setting the background for a memorable romantic dinner. Chesa Chesa may not provide the stunning harbour views of some of its counterparts, but what it lacks in panoramic views, it makes up for in delicious food and lovely, cozy ambience. Specializing in Swiss and central European cuisine, the restaurant features a romantic European decor, with plenty of wood, and elegant table settings… Cheese fondue, Swiss chocolate-rich desserts and a decent choice of wines make it a popular destination for loving couples. One – thirty one Nestled on the shores of one of Hong Kong’s most picturesque and romantic coves, this rustic French boutique restaurant occupies a converted village house, with beamed ceiling, polished wood floor, and large windows through which you can admire the views of the mountains-surrounded bay. Restaurant Petrus Perched on the 56th floor of The Island Shangri-la hotel in Wanchai, this ultra-elegant French restaurant really sets the standard for romantic fine dining in Hong Kong. Stunning harbour views and lavish decor, with heavy chandeliers and glamorous table settings, create the right backdrop for an unforgettable dinner, dominated by the classics of French cuisine, and some of the world’s top wines. Gaddi’s Located in the world’s famous Peninsula Hotel, Gaddi’s is another Hong Kong culinary icon, and although it doesn’t provide any panoramic views or a lovely alfresco courtyard, it boasts a marvelous and opulent interior decor that helps to create the romantic atmosphere for which this French restaurant is so much known. The “Terrace” at Sevva Perched at the penthouse level of Prince’s Building, in Central, Sevva is a stylish and contemporary restaurant-lounge, with a fantastic outdoor terrace where you can unwind on a comfy couch and enjoy a sundowner against the beautiful backdrop of Victoria Harbour. It’s also an excellent spot to watch the “Symphony of Lights” show from… Tuscany by H Tuscany by H serves superb Tuscan cuisine, with a slight modern twist, in a refined and elegant ambiance that stands in complete contrast to the hustle and bustle of surrounding Lan Kwai Fong… Created by Hong Kong’s celebrity-chef, Harlan Goldstein, the restaurant uses top quality Italian ingredients to produce some superb culinary creations. The Verandah Restaurant – Repulse Bay Hotel Facing Hong Kong Island’s southern shore, this fantastic restaurant revives the elegance and charm of bygone colonial days… Beautiful Ocean views, tuxedoed waiters, crisp white table cloths, candles on the tables and, above all, fantastic European-French food… Who can ask for anything else? Le Marron This small private kitchen restaurant is one of Wanchai’s best kept secrets. Tacked on the 12th floor of an ordinary commercial building, you can’t really know anything about Le Marron until the door is open and you find yourself stepping into a small piece of classic France, right in the middle of one of Hong Kong’s busiest districts…  Fine lace curtains, antiques, heavy furniture and Parisian bric-a-brac set the tone in this tiny restaurant and create the right ambiance for a sensational French dinner of Escargot, Foie Gras, Duck Confit and other favorites.

With its chaotic jungle of neon signs, fairly ugly residential skyscrapers, and the ever increasing problem of smog coming from neighboring China, Hong Kong is probably not the first thing that comes to your mind when thinking about a romantic destination… However, the city’s mountainous terrain and its world-famous metropolitan skyline, set a perfect background for some of Asia’s most romantic spots.

This article will take you through 10 restaurants and nightspots in Hong Kong that are surely to melt your lover’s heart.

Aqua Spirit From its prime position, on the 30th floor of a Tsim sha Tsui tower, this contemporary bar provides some of the best views you can get from Kowloon’s side. Together with its stylish and fairly comfortable ambience, it is one of the best spots in Tsim sha Tsui for a sunset cocktail or an after dinner drink. Caprice, Four Seasons Hotel Located in the swanky Four Seasons, Caprice serves fine French cuisine with a lighter touch, in a marvelous atmosphere… Beautiful classic-contemporary decor, lovely harbour views, perfect table settings and an open kitchen that allows the appetizing cooking aromas to flow to the dining area, are all setting the background for a memorable romantic dinner. Chesa Chesa may not provide the stunning harbour views of some of its counterparts, but what it lacks in panoramic views, it makes up for in delicious food and lovely, cozy ambience. Specializing in Swiss and central European cuisine, the restaurant features a romantic European decor, with plenty of wood, and elegant table settings… Cheese fondue, Swiss chocolate-rich desserts and a decent choice of wines make it a popular destination for loving couples. One – thirty one Nestled on the shores of one of Hong Kong’s most picturesque and romantic coves, this rustic French boutique restaurant occupies a converted village house, with beamed ceiling, polished wood floor, and large windows through which you can admire the views of the mountains-surrounded bay. Restaurant Petrus Perched on the 56th floor of The Island Shangri-la hotel in Wanchai, this ultra-elegant French restaurant really sets the standard for romantic fine dining in Hong Kong. Stunning harbour views and lavish decor, with heavy chandeliers and glamorous table settings, create the right backdrop for an unforgettable dinner, dominated by the classics of French cuisine, and some of the world’s top wines. Gaddi’s Located in the world’s famous Peninsula Hotel, Gaddi’s is another Hong Kong culinary icon, and although it doesn’t provide any panoramic views or a lovely alfresco courtyard, it boasts a marvelous and opulent interior decor that helps to create the romantic atmosphere for which this French restaurant is so much known. The “Terrace” at Sevva Perched at the penthouse level of Prince’s Building, in Central, Sevva is a stylish and contemporary restaurant-lounge, with a fantastic outdoor terrace where you can unwind on a comfy couch and enjoy a sundowner against the beautiful backdrop of Victoria Harbour. It’s also an excellent spot to watch the “Symphony of Lights” show from… Tuscany by H Tuscany by H serves superb Tuscan cuisine, with a slight modern twist, in a refined and elegant ambiance that stands in complete contrast to the hustle and bustle of surrounding Lan Kwai Fong… Created by Hong Kong’s celebrity-chef, Harlan Goldstein, the restaurant uses top quality Italian ingredients to produce some superb culinary creations. The Verandah Restaurant – Repulse Bay Hotel Facing Hong Kong Island’s southern shore, this fantastic restaurant revives the elegance and charm of bygone colonial days… Beautiful Ocean views, tuxedoed waiters, crisp white table cloths, candles on the tables and, above all, fantastic European-French food… Who can ask for anything else? Le Marron This small private kitchen restaurant is one of Wanchai’s best kept secrets. Tacked on the 12th floor of an ordinary commercial building, you can’t really know anything about Le Marron until the door is open and you find yourself stepping into a small piece of classic France, right in the middle of one of Hong Kong’s busiest districts…  Fine lace curtains, antiques, heavy furniture and Parisian bric-a-brac set the tone in this tiny restaurant and create the right ambiance for a sensational French dinner of Escargot, Foie Gras, Duck Confit and other favorites.

With its chaotic jungle of neon signs, fairly ugly residential skyscrapers, and the ever increasing problem of smog coming from neighboring China, Hong Kong is probably not the first thing that comes to your mind when thinking about a romantic destination… However, the city’s mountainous terrain and its world-famous metropolitan skyline, set a perfect background for some of Asia’s most romantic spots.

This article will take you through 10 restaurants and nightspots in Hong Kong that are surely to melt your lover’s heart.

Aqua Spirit From its prime position, on the 30th floor of a Tsim sha Tsui tower, this contemporary bar provides some of the best views you can get from Kowloon’s side. Together with its stylish and fairly comfortable ambience, it is one of the best spots in Tsim sha Tsui for a sunset cocktail or an after dinner drink. Caprice, Four Seasons Hotel Located in the swanky Four Seasons, Caprice serves fine French cuisine with a lighter touch, in a marvelous atmosphere… Beautiful classic-contemporary decor, lovely harbour views, perfect table settings and an open kitchen that allows the appetizing cooking aromas to flow to the dining area, are all setting the background for a memorable romantic dinner. Chesa Chesa may not provide the stunning harbour views of some of its counterparts, but what it lacks in panoramic views, it makes up for in delicious food and lovely, cozy ambience. Specializing in Swiss and central European cuisine, the restaurant features a romantic European decor, with plenty of wood, and elegant table settings… Cheese fondue, Swiss chocolate-rich desserts and a decent choice of wines make it a popular destination for loving couples. One – thirty one Nestled on the shores of one of Hong Kong’s most picturesque and romantic coves, this rustic French boutique restaurant occupies a converted village house, with beamed ceiling, polished wood floor, and large windows through which you can admire the views of the mountains-surrounded bay. Restaurant Petrus Perched on the 56th floor of The Island Shangri-la hotel in Wanchai, this ultra-elegant French restaurant really sets the standard for romantic fine dining in Hong Kong. Stunning harbour views and lavish decor, with heavy chandeliers and glamorous table settings, create the right backdrop for an unforgettable dinner, dominated by the classics of French cuisine, and some of the world’s top wines. Gaddi’s Located in the world’s famous Peninsula Hotel, Gaddi’s is another Hong Kong culinary icon, and although it doesn’t provide any panoramic views or a lovely alfresco courtyard, it boasts a marvelous and opulent interior decor that helps to create the romantic atmosphere for which this French restaurant is so much known. The “Terrace” at Sevva Perched at the penthouse level of Prince’s Building, in Central, Sevva is a stylish and contemporary restaurant-lounge, with a fantastic outdoor terrace where you can unwind on a comfy couch and enjoy a sundowner against the beautiful backdrop of Victoria Harbour. It’s also an excellent spot to watch the “Symphony of Lights” show from… Tuscany by H Tuscany by H serves superb Tuscan cuisine, with a slight modern twist, in a refined and elegant ambiance that stands in complete contrast to the hustle and bustle of surrounding Lan Kwai Fong… Created by Hong Kong’s celebrity-chef, Harlan Goldstein, the restaurant uses top quality Italian ingredients to produce some superb culinary creations. The Verandah Restaurant – Repulse Bay Hotel Facing Hong Kong Island’s southern shore, this fantastic restaurant revives the elegance and charm of bygone colonial days… Beautiful Ocean views, tuxedoed waiters, crisp white table cloths, candles on the tables and, above all, fantastic European-French food… Who can ask for anything else? Le Marron This small private kitchen restaurant is one of Wanchai’s best kept secrets. Tacked on the 12th floor of an ordinary commercial building, you can’t really know anything about Le Marron until the door is open and you find yourself stepping into a small piece of classic France, right in the middle of one of Hong Kong’s busiest districts…  Fine lace curtains, antiques, heavy furniture and Parisian bric-a-brac set the tone in this tiny restaurant and create the right ambiance for a sensational French dinner of Escargot, Foie Gras, Duck Confit and other favorites.

With its chaotic jungle of neon signs, fairly ugly residential skyscrapers, and the ever increasing problem of smog coming from neighboring China, Hong Kong is probably not the first thing that comes to your mind when thinking about a romantic destination… However, the city’s mountainous terrain and its world-famous metropolitan skyline, set a perfect background for some of Asia’s most romantic spots.

This article will take you through 10 restaurants and nightspots in Hong Kong that are surely to melt your lover’s heart.

Aqua Spirit From its prime position, on the 30th floor of a Tsim sha Tsui tower, this contemporary bar provides some of the best views you can get from Kowloon’s side. Together with its stylish and fairly comfortable ambience, it is one of the best spots in Tsim sha Tsui for a sunset cocktail or an after dinner drink. Caprice, Four Seasons Hotel Located in the swanky Four Seasons, Caprice serves fine French cuisine with a lighter touch, in a marvelous atmosphere… Beautiful classic-contemporary decor, lovely harbour views, perfect table settings and an open kitchen that allows the appetizing cooking aromas to flow to the dining area, are all setting the background for a memorable romantic dinner. Chesa Chesa may not provide the stunning harbour views of some of its counterparts, but what it lacks in panoramic views, it makes up for in delicious food and lovely, cozy ambience. Specializing in Swiss and central European cuisine, the restaurant features a romantic European decor, with plenty of wood, and elegant table settings… Cheese fondue, Swiss chocolate-rich desserts and a decent choice of wines make it a popular destination for loving couples. One – thirty one Nestled on the shores of one of Hong Kong’s most picturesque and romantic coves, this rustic French boutique restaurant occupies a converted village house, with beamed ceiling, polished wood floor, and large windows through which you can admire the views of the mountains-surrounded bay. Restaurant Petrus Perched on the 56th floor of The Island Shangri-la hotel in Wanchai, this ultra-elegant French restaurant really sets the standard for romantic fine dining in Hong Kong. Stunning harbour views and lavish decor, with heavy chandeliers and glamorous table settings, create the right backdrop for an unforgettable dinner, dominated by the classics of French cuisine, and some of the world’s top wines. Gaddi’s Located in the world’s famous Peninsula Hotel, Gaddi’s is another Hong Kong culinary icon, and although it doesn’t provide any panoramic views or a lovely alfresco courtyard, it boasts a marvelous and opulent interior decor that helps to create the romantic atmosphere for which this French restaurant is so much known. The “Terrace” at Sevva Perched at the penthouse level of Prince’s Building, in Central, Sevva is a stylish and contemporary restaurant-lounge, with a fantastic outdoor terrace where you can unwind on a comfy couch and enjoy a sundowner against the beautiful backdrop of Victoria Harbour. It’s also an excellent spot to watch the “Symphony of Lights” show from… Tuscany by H Tuscany by H serves superb Tuscan cuisine, with a slight modern twist, in a refined and elegant ambiance that stands in complete contrast to the hustle and bustle of surrounding Lan Kwai Fong… Created by Hong Kong’s celebrity-chef, Harlan Goldstein, the restaurant uses top quality Italian ingredients to produce some superb culinary creations. The Verandah Restaurant – Repulse Bay Hotel Facing Hong Kong Island’s southern shore, this fantastic restaurant revives the elegance and charm of bygone colonial days… Beautiful Ocean views, tuxedoed waiters, crisp white table cloths, candles on the tables and, above all, fantastic European-French food… Who can ask for anything else? Le Marron This small private kitchen restaurant is one of Wanchai’s best kept secrets. Tacked on the 12th floor of an ordinary commercial building, you can’t really know anything about Le Marron until the door is open and you find yourself stepping into a small piece of classic France, right in the middle of one of Hong Kong’s busiest districts…  Fine lace curtains, antiques, heavy furniture and Parisian bric-a-brac set the tone in this tiny restaurant and create the right ambiance for a sensational French dinner of Escargot, Foie Gras, Duck Confit and other favorites.

Hailed as being the culinary capital of Asia, Hong Kong presents travellers with an impressive array of dining options that includes an impressive figure of over 11,000 restaurants. Best of all many of these are located in special food districts allowing hungry visitors to be presented with a diverse selection of cuisine. Discover everything from Cantonese and Chinese food from the region to a full complement of Asian and Western cuisine.

When travelling to Hong Kong one cannot afford to pass up one of the most frequented items that have been popularized throughout the world, Dim Sum. Dim Sum isn’t actually a dish but a course of small starters that are steamed and served in bamboo baskets along with Chinese tea.

Seafood is another popular type of cuisine to indulge in due to the freshness of the ingredients used in the preparation of dishes as Hong Kong is blessed with large bodies of water.

Chinese cuisines that can be found in Hong Kong include Cantonese, Shanghai and Chiu Chow. Numerous restaurants also specialize in vegetarian dishes in addition to those from Szechuan, Peking and Hunan which completes a robust offering of Chinese cuisine. A bottle of fine Chinese wine helps complete the experience with its distinct taste and flavour.

But going beyond Chinese flare a variety, culinary blends of other cultures are represented in Hong Kong. Travellers can indulge in the Vietnamese, Thai, Malaysia, Indian, Filipino and Japanese cuisine all of which bring a different aspect of Asian dining.

Travellers need not restrict themselves to Asian cuisine as an ample selection of western cuisine can also be found here including French, American, English, Italian, several Mediterranean countries and many others.

For short term travellers a hotel in Hong Kong presents the most practical accommodation option. Hotel Jen is a hip hotel in Hong Kong that offers a unique style in its service and atmosphere combined with an ideal location making it an outstanding choice for travellers.

Hong Kong is known for its thousands of small authentic restaurants, where you can indulge on delicious Chinese food without having to dig too deep into your pocket… But finding a really good eatery in this jungle of Chinese neon signs can be as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack…

This article will introduce you to seven of the best authentic restaurants and Dim-sum eateries on Hong Kong Island.

Lin Heung Tea House – The best known of them all, has been around for God knows how many years and is still as popular as ever… Conveniently located on Wellington Street, right between Central and SoHo, the ambience at this good old establishment reflects the true spirit of Hong Kong: Noisy and bustling, yet homey and welcoming… Great dim-sums and other “yum cha” delicacies are the main draw, and the place is open from as early as 6am till as late as 11pm.

Mak’s Noodle Limited is another Wellington Street icon… Best known for its Won Ton Noodle, which some say is the best in Hong Kong, this humble eatery doesn’t have much in the way of décor, but the place is tidy enough, the food is great (although the portions are slightly small) and the prices are not too bad…

Tsim Chai (Jim chai) Noodle, also on Wellington Street, is Mak’s mythological competitor… This humble Cantonese food joint draws people from far and wide for its Wonton noodle soup, that comes with large and plumpy wonton dumplings, full with shrimps…

Quite expectedly, there’s nothing much here in the way of glitz and glamour, but the food is great and the prices are very moderate… So who can ask for anything more?

Kau Kee Noodles: Tucked on tiny Gough Street, just a minute stroll from the SoHo, humble Kau Kee Noodles has made a name for itself as a Hong Kong culinary emblem, after serving some of the best Beef Brisket in town for the last who knows how many years…

You can have your Beef Brisket in a plain meaty broth or in a curry broth, and it comes with or without noodles (their noodles are really nice though, so maybe you should give them a try…)

Almost needless to say, it’s just a small corner shop, so do not expect any “romantic ambience”… Lunchtime queue can be a pain, so try to come later if you can.

Prawn noodle shop in Wanchai specializes in Singaporean-Malaysian Prawn noodle soup.

Their menu has 3 different types of soup-base : Spicy prawn, Spicy curry laksa and Pork with chicken… After deciding which soup-base are you going for, you can “beef it up” with extras like: seafood, prawns, chicken, fishball, meatball, squid ball, fish cake, bean curd, and what have you…

The place is very busy, so maybe you should try to avoid lunchtime.

Chee Kee is a Causeway Bay institution, particularly known for its Beef brisket noodle in soup and Wonton with noodle in soup.  The menu doesn’t have a great variety to choose from, but whatever is there, is likely to be good.

Located on Percival Street in Causeway Bay (Can be accessed via exit A of MTR Causeway Bay), Open from before lunch until almost midnight

Ho Hung Kee, also in Causeway Bay, is known to have some of the most authentic wonton noodles in Hong Kong.

In addition to its outstanding Wonton with noodles in soup, the restaurant serves other authentic Cantonese favorites, such as Shredded pork noodle,  Beef chow fun (a Cantonese dish of stir-fry beef with wide rice-noodles and bean sprouts), Ee Fu Noodles and some scrumptious Congees…

Located on 2 Sharp Street East in Causeway Bay, just a heartbeat from Lee Theatre Plaza.  Open daily, from before lunch to almost 11pm

Globetrotters are constantly on the lookout for novel world travel destinations to quench their thirsts to know and grow. Tours around the world probably enhances one’s knowledge spectrum to a large extent, bringing a considerable part of the globe at your feet. A world travel guide will lead you through a smooth and hassle free traveling experience.

It is a clever and sensible step to decide on the cheap flights that take you to the top world travel destinations. These flights provide more than decent services and the crew at the airports as well as that on the flights extends admirable hospitality to the visitors. Most heartening, however, is the fact that these services are meted out by the cheap flights at unbelievably reasonable prices.

The United Kingdom is one of the prime world travel destinations, attracting the travel desires of all and sundry around the world. Hence, an UK tour is expected to form an essential part of the world travel guide. Home to some of the finest world hotels, UK provides a huge array of accommodation options to the visitors. All of them, however, ensure strategic locations, near to the main conveyance hubs. The rooms at these hotels are generally spacious, well furnished and most elegantly decorated. These some of the best world hotels also provide first class business facilities, like conference centers, STD/ISD facility, Internet, etc. To occupy your leisure, opt to take the assistance of the travel desk at the hotels to visit the famous tourist sites, like the British Museum, Madame Tussaud’s, London Eye, etc. Step up your UK tour by putting up at any of these hotels.

Of all the world travel destinations, Beijing stands out as a special choice. This solely owes to the forthcoming Beijing Olympic 2008. The Olympic Games are programmed to take off on the 8th of August, 2008 and continue till the 24th of August, 2008. The grand opening ceremony is scheduled to begin at 08:08:08 pm CST at the Beijing National Stadium. Some of the events, however, are slated to be hosted by some of the other cities in China. The closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics is scheduled to be conducted on the 24th of August, 8.00 p.m. in the Beijing National Stadium.

The mascots of any Games bear tremendous significance and Beijing Olympics 2008 is no exception. The mascot here consists of a set of five Fuwa or the ‘good luck dolls’, comprising Bebei, Jingjing, Yingying, Nini and Huanhuan, symbolizing the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow and the Olympic Flame respectively.

A tour to Beijing during the Olympic Games is sure to be covered in detail by a world travel guide. Whether you will need eighty days to cover your desired trip around the world in a desired manner, is debatable, but, the journey through the much loved places with the help of a thorough world travel guide will be certainly of great assistance to any traveler.

Opinions about restaurants have always been a topic of conversation, especially for those places which have become popular for their food or style. In looking for a new restaurant or just to see if one’s opinion is the same others, there are many sources to check on what another person’s opinions are about a particular restaurant.

Recognized authorities
When we speak to families and friends about a restaurant, we all have our individual points that matter in a dining experience. Two people may go into the same restaurant at the same time, order the same item and still have differing opinions about the food, presentation, service and ambiance.

There are many authorities on the experience of dining at a restaurant. Most magazines, television and newspaper organizations have food critics and commentators who dine and report on new restaurants and food trends. Many authorities count on individual opinions to rate on certain points such as the type of food, quality, quantity and the skill of the chef. Other points include the quality and selection of accompanying beverages such as wine or spirits. Service, presentation and the experience in the dining area count as well in the rating of the restaurant.

Some authorities such as Zagat or Michelin, rely on diners ratings and experiences that are tallied and when applied to a rating system, a measurement in the form of stars or points are given to a particular eating establishment. However with so many eating places and the actual physical effort of tallying opinions of persons who at times may get to sample only a slim cross section of restaurants, properly rating a large area even a single city, can be very difficult.

There are magazines and websites which are dedicated to rating restaurants in a city or region, where people can write about their dining experience. Examples of these sites include Menuism and Yelp. These sites allow users to join as a reviewer, select a restaurant, and enter a rating according to their system and a review for the establishment. While these are good sources for finding a good place to eat, each person’s criteria again are different with respect to the entire dining experience.

A noted authority of ratings for ratings is Restaurant Magazine. The San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards and List is organized and compiled by Restaurant Magazine, sponsored by San Pellegrino and other companies.

The winners are chosen by a poll of over 800 food writers, commentators, experts, specialist, and critics organized into 26 panels representing the different regions of the world. Each panel member has a total of five votes; with no more than three can go to establishments in their region.

The obtained results are exposed in the top 10 in the World:
1 El Bulli – Spain
2 The Fat Duck – UK
3 Noma – Denmark
4 Mugaritz – Spain
5 El Celler de Can Roca – Spain
6 Per Se – USA
7 Bras – France
8 Arzak – Spain
9 Pierre Gagnaire – France
10 Alinea – USA

What do you think? You can tray another list…

Although millions of people pass through Hong Kong every year, on their way from here to there, many of them don’t really know what are the best ways to spend a day in this exciting metropolis.

This article will show you how to cover Hong Kong’s most popular attractions in a one day stopover.

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After clearing customs and immigration, proceed to the luggage storage counter at the ‘Meeters and Greeters Hall’, where you can store your trolley or bag till you come back… Buy an Octopus Card from the Airport Express Counter at the Arrivals Hall and hop on the Airport Express Train, with which you travel all the way to Hong Kong Station.

Victoria Peak (or simply “The Peak”) is one of Hong Kong’s most popular tourist attractions and probably the best starting point. Having your breakfast or morning coffee while enjoying some spectacular views is definitely a nice way to start your Hong Kong day-tour.

The Peak Tram is the most popular (and scenic) way of getting to The Peak. It operates daily, 7 am – 12 midnight and climbs the full distance in approximately 7 minutes.

A short walk from Hong Kong Station (exit C) will bring you to the Lower Terminus, on Garden Road, where you can buy the ticket and board the tram (you can also pay with your “Octopus Card”)

Pacific Coffee, near the “upper terminus”, is open daily from as early as 7:30 am, and is the best place to enjoy your “coffee with a view” at such an early hour.

Down from “The Peak” walk back towards Hong Kong Station and through “the elevated walkway” to the pier from which the Star Ferry departs to Tsim sha Tsui. This historic ferry route is very popular with tourists and has long become one of Hong Kong’s most prominent icons.

From the ferry building, turn right and walk along the waterfront to the Avenue of Stars: Hong Kong’s answer to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, where floor plaques of Hong Kong film industry’s who’s who can be seen.  This is also the best place to take photos of Hong Kong’s spectacular skyline.

From here, you can take a short walk to the Hong Kong Museum of History, where “the story of Hong Kong” is told… From the geological changes that took place hundreds of millions of years ago, through prehistoric eras, notable historical events and until present day. The museum is fairly rich and boasts plenty of interesting exhibits.

Continue to Nathan Road, Kowloon’s main thoroughfare, and proceed through Jordan Road to Canton Road, which is popularly known as Jade Street.

Jade and its products are the specialty of most of the shops along this section of Canton Road, as well of those in the neighboring <b>Jade Market</b>, and there is certainly a lot to see (and to buy…). From Jade Street. you can turn right to <i>Ning Po Street</i> where many traditional Chinese shops and businesses can be found.

The Old Tin Hau Temple, just a few minutes walk from the Jade Market, was built in the 1880s and is one of Kowloon’s oldest temples. It is dedicated to Tin Hau (Matsu), Goddess of the sea, protector of seafarers and one of Hong Kong’s most beloved deities.

From the temple, you can either walk or take the MTR to Mong Kok area, where some of Hong Kong’s best open-air markets can be found:

As its name denotes, Ladies’ Market specializes in women’s clothing, accessories, cosmetics, and the like, although you can find here more than a few stalls that sell men’s and children’s products, including toys, clothes, bags, jeans and watches, just to name a few…

Sai Yeung Choi Street South boasts shops of consumer electronic products at street level and upstairs bookstores above.

Fa Yuen Street concentrates many retailers of sports equipment and clothing, while Fa Yuen Street Market, in the north part of Fa Yuen Street, is full of shops selling bargain-priced trendy fashion and casual wear for men, women and children.

While in Mong Kok, you should also make a point to visit the Goldfish Market, the Flower Market and the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden (or just “Bird Garden”), where dozens of bird shops are located and hundreds of colorful songbirds in exquisitely crafted cages can be seen…

Mong Kok is also packed with many authentic eateries and restaurants where you can enjoy some delicious local food at reasonable prices:

Curry A La King, on 88 Soy Street, is a paradise for curry lovers, serving a wide selection of scrumptious curries from different Asian cuisines.

Satay King, on ladies market, specializes in Southeast Asian satays.

MongKok Fung Shing Restaurant, on 749 Nathan Road, is known for its superb dim-sum and delicious crispy chicken.

Lucky Corner Restaurant, on 146 Sai Yeung Choi Street South, is a rather humble eatery which has been serving some of the best Wonton Noodles in Hong Kong for God knows how many years.

Little Sheep (4th floor, 16 Argyle Street)is one of Hong Kong’s most favorite hotpot restaurants.

Fu Kei Restaurant, in King Wah Centre, is serving fabulous food from different Chinese cuisines.

That’s it… You can now take the MTR to Central, from which you link to Hong Kong Station (there is a pedestrian passage) and continue with the Airport Express, back to Hong Kong Airport.