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/34607 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34607 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34496 As the lift doors open you’re greeted by a lobby crammed with striking modern art, dark wooden floors and a wrought iron Art Deco staircase curving upwards to your left. The extensive Chinese art collection deserves a mention in its own right, and alone justifies a visit to the China Club. From Yu Youhan’s diptych of Whitney Houston next to Chairman Mao hanging on the stairs to Liu Jianhua’s porcelain fish bowl in the lobby - home to five pairs of protruding, disembodied legs as well as several live goldfish who casually swim around the scattered limbs. The restaurant is designed to resemble a decadent 1930s Shanghai club and everything from the ceiling fans to the lamps conjure a bygone colonial era.
Start with aperitifs up on the 14th floor in the Long March Bar, a glamorous slice of art deco opulence. After you gin & tonic, head back past the shoe-shiners and an enormous pair of wooden shoes to the main dining room. Slip into one of the red leather and dark wood booths and get your chopsticks at the ready for the Cantonese feast to follow. Be sure to order the Peking duck, I think it’s the best in Hong Kong. While you eat, if the people watching doesn't keep you entertained enough (Victoria Beckham visited on her recent trip to Hong Kong), prepare to be wowed by the chef who spins ribbons of noodles right in front of your table and the waiter with the watering-can-like teapots who serves your tea with a side of drama. After dinner, decamp upstairs to the elegant terrace for nightcaps under the stars overlooking the city lights.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34496 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/34491 At the end of the night your bill arrives complete with a little sachet of Yardbird spicy seasoning to take home. Super cool, lots of fun, you’re guaranteed an evening of delicious, unusual food. As the restaurant’s tagline goes – Come Early, Come Often.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34491 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32747 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32747 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32462 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32462 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23793
Full of locals which is generally a good sign. Advance booking recommended - turned up on spec one night and couldn't get in.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23793 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19553 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19553 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19550
Staff are not over-friendly and if you need to know anything they just want to help you, from shopping to directions, or other places to eat or drink! I travel regularly to HK and pop in every time I'm there as it’s like a home away from home for me...hope it’s the same for you!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19550 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19545 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19545 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19524 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19524 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19516 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19516 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19507 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19507 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18938 This is actually most people's arrival point, as Hong Kong's new airport was built on an artificial piece of land that was added to accommodate the huge structure.

The island is home to some amazing little fishing villages (Tai O), where locals go at weekends to buy their dried fish, as well as Big Buddha, the biggest outdoor buddha in the world. Next to the Big Buddha temple, is a monastery, where its possible to eat some fantastic vegetarian food, with beautifully decorated and ornate surroundings.
A great afternoon out, and the chance to be outside of the polluted areas like Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18938 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18616 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18616 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13628
Accessible by minibus, taxi and bus, these beaches can be a fantastic half-day out away from the city.

The beaches, from west to east, include Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay, South Bay and over the point to Stanley.

Deep Water bay is a great place to enjoy the sun and sand and is connected to Repulse Bay around the point past Middle Island by a promenade (20min walk).

Repulse Bay is fundamentally a high-end residential area with a large beach and shops.

A short taxi ride from Repulse Bay is South Bay beach. This gem is usually less crowded and great for swimming and has a decent restaurant for snacks.

Over and around the point is Stanley (famous for its market) which has two beaches of note – the first is the main beach facing east (a short stroll from the main bus terminus); the second is St Stephen's beach. Facing into Stanley Bay, its a 15min walk along Wong Ma Kok Rd (taking you past one of HK’s many military cemeteries from WW2 – a sombre reminder of what went on here in recent history). Great for picnics and just enjoying the scenery, you can also take part in dinghy sailing and kayaking if you have the energy.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13628 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11203
As soon as you set foot on the street out come the chasing pack of touts trying to divert you into their restaurant but it is worth holding out and going round the bend to Co Co Curry which has a wide and tasty variety of Malaysian and Thai food as well as the extremely tasty Roti. Tasty and excellent value.

Perfectly washed down by a selection from their wide range of bottled lagers.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11203 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/9384 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9384 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7536 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7536