Apr 20, 2016 |
Traveling and Learning Something New
If you’re traveling to Hong Kong you got to head over to Kowloon and visit one of the most famous temples in Hong Kong called Wong Tai Sin.
For the longest time I thought Hong Kong’s Wong Tai Sin Temple is a Buddhist temple. But its not. It’s actually a Taoist temple. And yes there are differences and you can learn about it here if you don’t know already. Even though there are differences Wong Tai Sin still has slight Buddhist and Confucian influences as well.
The last time I visited Wong Tai Sin was roughly 20 years ago. My memory is still good though foggy with age, I can still remember back then it was smaller with just the main temple.
This is the entrance to Wong Tai Sin Temple…
Today that same main temple is still there but the temple grounds have expanded greatly. And there’s a new mall next to the temple aptly named Temple Mall. And even a jumbo TV screen which certainly wasn’t there 20 years ago. The surrounding area has changed so much I couldn’t believe it. But I shouldn’t be surprised. Hong Kong is always on the move.
What I also noticed is everything seems more organized. There are many more signs posted with tourists information. As much as it’s a popular tourist attraction, Wong Tai Sin is visited mainly by devout worshippers coming in to pray for good health, good luck and good fortunes.
All Chinese Zodiac animals are represented at Wong Tai Sin temple entrance…
Something also new are Chinese Zodiac Statues. It’s really popular with visitors standing next to their Zodiac animals representing their birth year and snapping selfies.
This large tv was certainly not there 20 years ago last I visited…
And today because there are so many visitors I also noticed there are temple workers around for crowd control. I was there on a weekday. I’m sure on weekends Wong Tai Sin can get a lot more crowded with visitors.
You will see many devoted worshippers everyday…
There is a lot of history with Wong Tai Sin Temple which I won’t go into detail here. So if you want to learn some history it’s better you check out ol’ wikipedia here.
Another major change at Wong Tai Sin is a new underground palace type worship hall called Tai Sui Yuenchen Hall. But as you might know by now I’m a piss poor planner when it comes to traveling. So I wasn’t aware of this newer addition. Apparently this new hall cost HK$100 million and took 3 years to complete. And there is a HK$100 entrance fee.
Traditional offerings of fruit and burning incense sticks a common sight…
What’s so unique about Tai Sui Yuenchen Hall is worshippers do not make their personal requests through burning incense. For HK$300 you can write what you wish for on a piece of paper, drop it in a box, and a puff of smoke comes out. I’m not a devout Taoist. But I can tell you next time I visit Wong Tai Sin you can bet I’ll be trying that out.
Many stalls outside the temple selling incense sticks and souvenirs…
And if you ever get the feeling you want to be a local for the day, you can purchase incense sticks at shops outside the temple entrance. And Temple Mall is not far away either close to Wong Tai Sin MTR subway station.
Wong Tai Sin Temple is worth a visit if you’ve got some time to spare in Hong Kong. As much as everything around it has changed I’m still excited to visit the area and see what else is planned in the future.
How to Get to Wong Tai Sin Temple
Take the subway to Wong Tai Sin MTR station. You want to look for Exit B3 which is also near Temple Mall as well.
Wong Tai Sin MTR and area map…
Mar 11, 2016 |
BP Hotel – Affordable Hotel in Tsim Tsa Tsui District HK
You really don’t need to spend over $100USD for a good clean 3 star hotels in Kowloon Hong Kong. I’ve been recommending BP Hotel since I first stayed there.
The first time I stayed in BP was about 6 years ago which I also did a review too. Since that time I’ve stayed there again for about three more times. BP International Hotel was built in 1993 and last checked it was renovated in 2007.
Today there are some improvements such as free internet Wi-Fi and softer beds. And the towels were cleaner and newer too. One of my biggest gripes awhile ago were the old towels. And there are these spiffy new flat screen televisions with Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, English and Japan channels.
The BP Hotel is located in Tsim Tsa Tsui on the Kowloon Peninsula or simply TST as the locals call it. If you don’t know already, Hong Kong consists of a peninsula called Kowloon which is connected to China as well as an island named Hong Kong.
What I like about BP Hotel
HK hotels are infamously expensive. Especially when you visit during the convention season. This time around I stayed at the BP mid February right after the Chinese Lunar New Years festivities.
I booked my rooms via Agoda.com when I found city vista category rooms for $65USD including taxes. Those are the cheapest rates I have ever seen. Six years ago I paid twice that price in the month of August which was HK low season rates.
We got some good rates at the BP Hotel and this view is priceless…
If you love a good view make sure you choose a high floor room. Our room was on the 27th floor…
Because right now is the best time to find hotel deals in HK due to political problems with China. Even the more expensive hotels have reduced their rates but still expensive in my opinion. While many more affordable hotels such as the BP offer guests considerable savings.
Rooms are small and compact but comfortable for 2 adults…
Bathroom is small but not so bad, but the shower is narrow..
A clean bathroom with a few toiletries…
I booked a city vista rooms and no surprise they are small but quite normal by HK standards, about 22 square meters. Just right for 2 guests in a room. Anymore than that and it’ll be a tight squeeze.
Also BP has at least 5 dedicated non smoking floors. So there’s plenty of smoke free rooms.
What I Don’t Like About BP Hotel
Checking in and checking out is a breeze at BP Hotel…
There really isn’t much that I don’t like about BP. No surprise there. But they have the worst elevator system I’ve ever seen so far. There are 4 elevator banks. Even though there aren’t as many mainlander Chinese visiting Hong Kong these days there’s still a lot. Plus all the other tourists around the country too.
So the elevators would get packed right before check out time which is 12pm. The size of the elevators are normal but if you include all the luggage and people you can imagine it’ll be tight inside.
Long wait times can happen during checkout time…
One day while heading out around 11am I had to wait about 10 minutes for an elevator that had enough room. I suppose elevator wait times are not in control of the hotel. However, one evening we were waiting for the elevator at the lobby. For some reason the elevators were super slow and we could see it was stopping on every floor.
There were a bunch of guests waiting too. One elevator finally came down to the lobby floor but we couldn’t get in because a hotel staffer was taking garbage down to the basement level. And then the elevator went all the way back up somewhere. About 5 or so minutes later it came back down to the lobby and when the doors opened it was the same staffer with another load of trash to take down to the basement. Maybe it’s not a smart idea to take trash down during peak hours.
The Location
BP Hotel is on Kowloon Peninsula in Tsim Tsa Tsui district on Austin Road about 200 meters from Nathan Road; a major avenue in Kowloon. This is the area to be if you’re not so familiar with HK. But overall, HK is a very easy place to travel around.
And there are lots of shops and especially restaurants to eat around the hotel’s vicinity. Kowloon Park is right outside too and it’s a nice spot to walk around and check out. Best time to visit and walk down Nathan Road in the TST district night time when the shops light up the avenue.
Close to Jordan MRT Subway Station
The nearest MRT station is called Jordan and it’s only a short 5 minute walk to reach it. Riding the subways is the quickest and cheapest way to explore other parts of Kowloon. You can even ride it all the way to Hong Kong island, Disney Land and Hong Kong International airport.
You can catch the A21 bus to the airport on Austin and Nathan Road intersection, a short walk from BP Hotel…
However I like taking the Airport Express Bus #A21. This particular #A21 bus makes trips from hotels along Kowloon with a final stop at HK international airport. As of writing the fare cost $33HKD. Make sure you have the correct change before boarding.
Hotel prices fluctuate according to season and demand. I don’t even know if I’ll ever get the same $65USD rate. But even if I visit HK again and find a price of $85USD to $90USD at the BP Hotel I would still think that’s a fair price. That’s just how much I like BP Hotel.
“BP International Hotel requires a 500HKD deposit upon check in.”
As much as I would like to make more Hong Kong hotel reviews I don’t want to spend money on hotel rooms I know I won’t enjoy. And the BP is always reliable. However, there are a few other names of HK hotels I’ve spent nights in that are good too but the price wasn’t right at the moment.
Check prices and read reviews for BP International Hotel.
Apr 15, 2013 |
Nathan Road on Kowloon
I love Hong Kong. It has an incredible energy, especially at night time.
However I really regret that I don’t visit Hong Kong as often as I should. Like in Malaysia I can speak Cantonese and interact better with the locals with no fear of the language barrier. The food is easily recognizable to me and who doesn’t like dim sums. Wontons with egg noodles and cheong funs dripping with sweet and hot sauce with fish balls! Hong Kong is hands down the best places to gorge on those types of dishes. Actually maybe it’s not a good idea to visit as much because I know I’m going to get fat and eat myself to an early grave.
The main reason why I don’t visit Hong Kong as often as I should is because hotels there are pricey. Particularly during Chinese New Years on whatever month it falls on and on October when the conventions roll into town There are people that I can stay with but I really don’t want to inconvenience anyone.
Kowloon is a great place for night photography…
There’s really no such thing as budget quality hotels in Hong Kong and even the pricey hotels have small rooms. At least that’s from my experience. However, when I do find deals for 2 particular hotels on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong I will then jump on the chance to visit.
The first hotel I typically stay in is called the BP International Hotel on Austin Road which is just a short walk to the main artery roadway of Nathan road. The second hotel I stay in when the price is just right is the Prudential Hotel which sits right on Nathan Road and has the Jordan MTR station access right beneath it. Normally both hotels cost around $200USD a night.
Some very famous neon signs on Nathan Road…
However, sometimes you can find up to 50% off or. So there are cheaper places to stay in Kowloon but I’ve been to some and I wasn’t happy. For me as I get older there’s just a certain comfort level that I’m used to. So at BP and Prudential I’m quite happy with their quality and service so I don’t mind paying around $140USD a night whenever either hotel’s rates gets to that level. And the area surrounding both hotels have a crap load of restaurants and many places to pick up quick tasty snacks.
Nathan Road
One thing I also regret is not visiting Hong Kong Island enough. I’ve been to Victoria Peak and the southern side of Hong Kong particularly the over touristy Stanley Market. But I really don’t mind just hanging out on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong. For one thing it’s really easy to get around. And I love taking photos up and down Nathan Road. All those neon lights add that extra bit of energy that I love so much about Hong Kong.
