Southern (____) is an administrative region of Hong Kong Island
Understand
The Southern side of Hong Kong Island was for many years on the wrong side of the hills. In the early colonial period, when modern air-conditioning was no more than a dream, the south-facing slopes on the island were too sunny for many, and had the added disadvantage of bearing the brunt of torrential rain and the typhoons that sweep in off the South China sea. Today, the southern shore of Hong Kong island is a strong rival to The Peak as one of Hong Kong's most exclusive residential areas. Here you will find extravagant homes with spectacular views over the largest sea in the world. Visitors to Hong Kong should come south for the excellent beach resorts, theme park and some very good dinning opportunities. On a sunny day, the south-side is a welcome escape from city life and ought to be a compulsory part of your agenda when travelling in Hong Kong.
Get in
Finding your way to '''Repulse Bay''' (_____s) and '''Stanley''' (____) is relatively easy despite the absence of the MTR. From Central, you can take one of a number of frequent buses (6, 6A or 6X) from the bus station at Exchange Square (next to Central MTR station). You will have a choice of buses, most end in either Stanley or Stanley Market. Try to take the cheaper, slower, bus that goes over the top of the mountains. Alternatively, take the express bus through the Aberdeen Tunnel and pay a little more for a quicker journey. If you are heading for the beach at Repulse Bay, relax and enjoy the ride because the beach is an obvious and popular dropping off point. If you are travelling in a group, a taxi is not an unreasonable proposition and will cost around $120 from Central.
If you are going to '''Ocean Park''' (___`_C_m____), you can take a bus from the bus station next to Admiralty MTR station. If you are going to the Jumbo Kingdom (________) floating seafood restaurant, in Aberdeen, you can take bus 70 or 75 to Aberdeen from Exchange Square, and then take a short taxi ride to the ferry pier (take something to show the taxi driver incase he does not speak English). You should know that there is almost nothing in Aberdeen itself that will engage most tourists.
Finding your way to '''Shek O''' (___S) and '''Big Wave Bay''' (___Q_s) takes a little bit of effort, but is well worth it. On a Sunday there is a bus service from Exchange Square bus station in Central, but if travelling at other times you will need to take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan and use either bus number 9 or find the red-top minibus service that goes to both beaches. The red-top minibus is what most local people use and can be found immediately above the MTR station at Shai Kei Wan, but be prepared to have to do some hunting around to find it. Remember that red-top minibuses do not take Octopus cards, but will give change for small amounts of cash.
See
The south east coast of Hong Kong island offers visitors some attractive coastal and mountain scenery. It is simply interesting to travel around the two peninsulas found either side of Tai Tam Bay that dangle into the South China sea. This part of Hong Kong does have its own unique charm that is hard to describe; for some visitors it has a Mediterranean feel, whilst others will be reminded of parts of the Californian coast. In reality, it is affluent Hong Kong - drenched in money and bathed in sunshine.
'''Murray House''' is an attractive colonial building. Originally built in 1844 in Central it was moved to Stanley during the 1990s and now is home to the Hong Kong Maritime Museum and also accommodates a number of major restaurants. Once a place of torture and execution, it is thought by some Chinese people to be haunted.
[http://www.hkmaritimemuseum.org/location.php Hong Kong Maritime Museum] located at Stanley Plaza, in Murray House, it is a popular visitor attraction that will appeal to those interested in commercial and military shipping. Closed on Mondays.
'''Dragon Boat Racing''' takes place in Stanley in May every year during the Tuen Ng festival (_[____).
Do
'''Chill on the beach''' There are many good beaches to choose from and you can surely find one that suits you. Repulse Bay is the biggest and most popular beach and is suitable for families with small children. BIg Wave Bay is popular with surfers. Shek O attracts a young Chinese crowd, especially older teenagers and young adults. Middle Bay is popular with gay men and is a 20 minute walk along the coast from Repulse Bay. South Bay beach is never too busy, even on weekends, but you will need to take a taxi from Repulse Bay.
'''Hiking''' Walk the Dragons Back. Take the number 9 bus from Shau Kei Wan MTR Station, to just after the small roundabout at Tai Tam Gap. Walk up the steps by the "Shek-O Country Park" sign and turn right along the Hong Kong Trail.
[http://www.oceanpark.com.hk Ocean Park] is a huge Disney-like (in both the good and bad sense) oceanarium. Marine biodiversity in the Atoll Reef and Shark Tank just as breathtaking as Sea World of San Diego, and thrill rides will satisfy children and adults alike. It is popular with locals as well as tourists from mainland China. You can find out if there are ticket available on any given day from the website linked above. It has beautiful views from the cable car over the ocean and hills. Take a bus from the bus terminus in Admiralty (alternatively, minibus number 40 makes an intermediate stop a couple of minutes away from the entrance if coming from Stanley or Causeway Bay, and it's slightly cheaper than the bus from Admiralty). It is open from 9am to 7pm on weekdays and until 9pm on weekends. Adults $206, Children (up to 11) $103, Under 3 Free.
'''Wakeboarding''' Hire a boat and driver by the hour at Tai Tam, Repulse Bay or Stanley.
'''Surfing''' Surfboards can be hired at Big Wave Bay for around $50 per day.
'''Barbecue''' parties are very much a Hong Kong tradition and the beaches in this area are popular with local people for this purpose. The local authorities have provided purpose built BBQ pits and local supermarkets cater for demand by selling all the paraphernalia and food needed for such a feast.
Buy
Head to Stanley Market in Stanley New Street and Stanley Market Road and prepare to haggle. This is the one-stop place to buy your holiday gifts and souvenirs. Prices are competitive and there is a wide selection of ornaments, pictures, artwork and clothes to browse around. You will find a selection of both Chinese-style goods (such as ink and brushes for Chinese calligraphy) and also many western brand clothes at discount prices. The market opens at 10:30 am and closes at 6:30 pm.
Eat
The beach-side restaurant at Big Wave Bay is a popular choice. Staff speak English and serve a range of western-style foods and drinks, including alcoholic beverages.
Chinese and Thailand Seafood Restaurant, 303 Shek O Village, Hong Kong. Tel: 2809-4426. Food here is reasonable and it offers probably the best meal in the village.
The '''Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant''' in Aberdeen is a bit more expensive than similar restaurants elsewhere. You can take the restaurant's sampan from the waterfront to the restaurant, have a look around and then take it back again without eating there. The "Top Deck" is a separately managed restaurant focusing on Western style seafood in a super chilled out setting. Sip champagne and chill out on their chic lounge chairs while overlooking the yachts coming in and out of the exclusive Marina Club. Weekend brunches and tea are kid friendly; there's a play area with a few toys where the kids can run around while adults chat.
'''Stanley Main Street''' If you are looking for formal dinning you could try Stanley where there are a choice of restaurants along the sea front. Here you will find a wide range of styles including, Western, Indian and Asian. Although the quality of the food and service varies, you should find something that will appeal.
Drink
The only nightlife is along the waterfront on Stanley Main Street.
'''The Smugglers Inn''', 90A Stanley Main St, 2813 8852. Located on the sea front, this is a British-style pub that serves a range of beers and traditional English pub food.
Sleep
Contact