http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34495 While I make no claim that the Yum Cha at Maxim's Palace is the best in Hong Kong (I'm still on a quest to discover that, and will keep you posted on my findings), the dim sum's very good, you get great harbour views and it’s also one of only a handful of restaurants in Hong kong which still uses the old school dim sum trolleys. Come at lunchtime but be prepared for a wait - Maxim's doesn't take bookings and it gets pretty hectic, particularly at weekends. Queueing over, take your seat in the large red and gold dining hall and sip on Jasmine tea while keeping a close eye on the trolleys being
wheeled between the tables. Each trolley is laden with bamboo dim sum steamers. When a trolley passes by and you spot something that you fancy, stop the waitress and grab a basket. Struggling to decide what to opt for? I suggest that you try a little bit of everything but my top dim sum picks are: har gau (shrimp dumplings), char sui bau (steamed barbeque pork buns), cheung fan (rice paper rolls which come with various fillings aka Chinese ravoili), sui mai (pork dumplings), and Xiaolongbao (steamed pork soup dumplings originating from Shanghai). If you’re feeling particularly brave, try
the chicken’s feet which actually don’t taste as bad as they look but are not the easiest thing to eat if you’re a little inexperienced with chopsticks. Lunch over, leave City Hall with a tummy full of dumplings and the clatter of the dim sum carts ringing in your ears and head for a stroll along the harbour front to work it all off.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34495 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32462 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32462 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19541 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19541 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19519 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19519 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19513 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19513 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18982 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18982 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18943
Unlike London airports where transport for London offers no prominent advice to those visiting the UK, The Octopus card is comprehensively trailed at a dedicated desk at the airport.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18943 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16576
If you have broadband, download the high-res version by following the link below; otherwise you can watch it low-res in eight episodes on youTube by searching for HK cycling bend.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16576 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11201
All you can eat dim sum, sushi, sashimi, miso soup, freshly cooked noodles, sandwiches, quiches, fresh Fruit, chocolate fountain, Haagen-Dazs and cakes. Add all you can drink sparkling dry white wine and a price of HK$200 each (about £15) and you have a full stomach, few drinks, happy wife and happy wallet.

And if you have not had enough you can go back on a Sunday. Less of a buffet, more of a meal, and unlimited champagne instead of Sparkling Wine. HK$250 each.

Saturday Sparkling Tea Buffet is 1pm to 4.30pm.
Sunday Bubbly Brunch is 11.30am to 3pm.
Book early to get a window seat!!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11201 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5233
The initial deposit is 50 HK dollars, minimum credit when purchased is 100HKD. Top up as required.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5233 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4605 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4605 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4604 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4604 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4600 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4600 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4592 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4592 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4571
The prices are excellent too: You should be able to feed five people for no more than £30 (under 500 HKD).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4571 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4552
Though very slow, you see virtually the whole of HK island and savour its flavour at street level, jumping off wherever you want - each trip is just HK$1-2 (20p). Avoid rush hour. Watch out for pickpockets. Anyone tall should find a seat quick, or face a crick neck all week.

If there's a few of you, hire your own tram, complete with its own bar for a Friday night trawl. Ask the tourist board.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4552 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4532
Pay HK$10 (about seventy pence) to enjoy the action from the public stand, and whilst there get some of the cheapest lager in town. Either watch the horses hurtle past you from touching distance on the uncovered ground floor, or catch the elevator to the 7th floor of the stand to watch from up high. A wet afternoon in Uttoxeter will never be the same again.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4532 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4531
The atmosphere is fun, and the drinks are reasonably (for HK) priced, with special promotions throughout the week. Check out ladies’ night on Wednesdays (free "champagne" for the women), and do not miss the parties on Friday and Saturday nights.

The best time to get there at the weekend is after 11pm - just as the night is beginning to warm up! Whilst in the area, also be sure to try out Mes Amis 100m away for more of the same and Eboneezer's - the best kebabs in HK.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4531 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4513 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4513 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2108
It has the most amazing view of HK Island. Stupid prices, but just have a small beer and drink in the view. Or, even better, check out the view from the gents.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2108