Hong Kong

Dec 1, 2009 2:58:37 AM

Maximum fun, minimum money: Hong Kong's best freebies

Hong Kong is not a cheap place, but with a bit of planning you can spend a day in the city and spend very little money.

Start the day with a free t’ai chi lesson, taking in views of the Hong Kong Island skyline, courtesy of the Hong Kong Tourist Board.

If it’s a Wednesday, you’re entitled to free entry at six of Hong Kong’s best museums: Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, Hong Kong Museum of History, Hong Kong Science Museum and Hong Kong Space Museum, excluding the Space Theatre.

After all that museum madness, you’ll be needing a sit down. Make lunch your main meal of the day for the ideal combination of most calories, highest quality and lowest price. Dai pai dong’s (street stalls) and food courts are your best bet for a relatively inexpensive feed.

After lunch, head to one of Hong Kong’s shopping malls for a bit of free air-con and wi-fi. If you don’t have a laptop, you can catch up on your email by using a free library internet terminal.

If you need to cool off and can’t afford the entry to Ocean Park, take your own white-knuckle ride on the top deck of the bus to Shek O for some free and secluded beach action.

In the evening, hit the bars during happy ‘hour’ drinks and you might also score some free nibbles. Still hungry? Then grab some $20 Tak Fat beef balls at this famous Tsim Sha Tsui dai pai dong, before putting your haggling face on and heading to the Temple Street Night Market for some inexpensive memorabilia, kitsch and crafts.

Other freebies and bargains to look out for include:

• Bank of China: panoramic island views from the 43rd-floor public gallery
• Star Ferry: one of Hong Kong’s must-do experiences, all for a bit of shrapnel
• Chi Lin Nunnery: where peace and serenity doesn’t cost a cent
• Hong Kong Zoological & Botanical Gardens: free walks and gratis squawks
• Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden: where the butterflies (and cows and dragonflies) are free
• Tian Tan Buddha: a cost-free superlative
• Hong Kong Island tram: a bargain ride across Hong Kong Island for a couple of dollars

More information

Thorn tree member hermesalfa wonders how to minimise costs for a long-term stay in Hong Kong

Share your tips for travelling on the cheap in Hong Kong.

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