Fare System Merge - MTR System

The fare system of MTR was finally merge on 28th September, 2008. People using "Single Journey Ticket" are not necessary to purchase another ticket when they travel between original MTR lines and ex-KCR lines.

Three "Interchange" station were merge and people are not necessary to pass through the "Gates" for "interchange" between two networks.

Tourists, normally use Single Journey Ticket or Tourist Day Pass are mostly benefit from this policy. You can directly choose the destination from the ticket vender machine, even you want to travel from MTR to ex-KCR.

Moreover, Tourist can purchase "Tourist Day Pass" at HK$55 for unlimited travel within most of the new MTR network for 24 consecutive hours. Moreover, an tourist version Octopus is also available for tourist, which contains 1 or 2 journey of Airport Express and a 3 consecutive days day pass for MTR network.

More information can be found at the official web site: http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/train/products_index.html

Picture: MTR Tourist Day Pass (original from MTR Web site http://www.mtr.com.hk)

Shenzhen

Shenzhen is located at the north of Hong Kong. It is a mainland China city, which is classified as a special economic zone. It is a modernized city. Some visitors like to have a one day trip to Shenzhen. It is encourge to take Shenzhen Metro to ravel around the city.

Visa is necessary to go to mainland China. However, visa only for

Shenzhen can be apply at the immigration counter at Shenzhen. It is suggested to use MTR(KCR) to Lo Wu Station or Lok Ma Chau Station in order to enter mainland China. You can interchange

with Shenzhen Metro at both port.

Shenzhen is a big city. The metro cover most of the urban area, you can enjoy shopping, dining and entertainment by metro.

The design of Shenzhen metro is similar to Hong Kong MTR, so you can enjoy the journey there.

Yuan (RMB) (The currencies in mainland China) is suggest to use in Shenzhen, the rate to Hong Kong Dollar is 1 Hong Kong Dollar to 0.94 Yuan, it is recommanded to exchange Yuan in Hong Kong.

Detail of the Visa: Only for Shenzhen and 7 days. Apply at the Shenzhen custom counter at Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau. Fee ($150) and photo is necessary for such Visa, also, your valid Passport is also needed. Operation Hour: 9am - 9pm. Hope you can enjoy a trip to Shenzhen.

(The information of visa are reference fro Yahoo! Knowledge, original version is in Chinese, http://hk.knowledge.yahoo.com/question/?qid=7007110802205)

Useful Link:
Shenzhen Travel Guide - http://203.175.146.90:10000/index.aspx?aspxerrorpath=/VisitShenzhen/index.aspx
Shenzhen Metro (Chinese) - http://www.szmc.net/index.jsp

One City, One Rail System (MTR)

If you are planning to visit Hong Kong, you may beware that there are two mass rail system in Hong Kong: MTR and KCR. The two systems are running independently, and it is almost no overlap in service area, but with some interchange stations.

KCR mainly cover the West and East of the New Territories, and provide two ways to connected to Shenzhen, mainland China. MTR is mostly underground and running in the urban area of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, and also provide the Airport Express.

However, the government decided to merge two system, in order to provide one mass rail system in Hong Kong. If a journey need to cover both KCR and MTR, you should paid fare to both system. However, after 2nd December, 2007, the two systems are merged together, you can use one fare to travel a trip all between any lines of the rail network.

The new company will called MTR, however, in Chinese Name, the meaning will be "Hong Kong Railway", all the KCR station will be renamed to MTR station.

So if you are planning to visiting after December, please beware of this change. :)

MTR (left logo), and KCR (right logo) will be merge to MTR in 2nd December, 2007. The new company logo will be the same as current MTR, and the name will be MTR. The picture is Nam Cheong Station, a station that current as a interchange station of both network, after merging, the role will change to "line interchange station".

Sam Tung Uk Museum, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong

Last weekend, I visited Sam Tung Uk Museum, an old Hakka walled villiage built in 18 century in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong.

The museum reveals to visitors valuable historical articles, photos, living culture of early Hong Kong. I especially like the building architecture of the walled villiage. It is a good experience to know how Hong Kong grew from a small villiage to a cosmopolitan city.

Outside Sam Tung Uk Museum

Entrance, Model

Corridors, Lantern

Student's book, Living room

What comments visitors left?

Transport: Exit E, MTR Tsuen Wan Station + 10 minutes walk.
Admission Fee: Free

Taking the Star Ferry

The Star Ferry is the most popular tourist route for you to travel from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon side. This is also the most traditional way for Hong Kong people to travel over the harbour, before the tunnels are built.

It takes 6 minutes for you to cross the harbour, you can enjoy the fresh wind form the harbour, feel the sunshine, or have a good dream with the lights in the evening.

Routes of Star Ferry:

Central - Tsim Sha Tsui
Fare: Upper Deck $2.2, Lower Deck $1.7
Operating Hour: 0630-2330
Frequency: 6-12 minutes

Wan Chai - Tsim Sha Tsui
Fare: $2.2
Operating Hour: 0730-2250
Frequency: 8-20 minutes

Elements - Shopping Mall of MTR Kowloon Station

"Elements", the newest Shopping Mall in Hong Kong.

Since the station started operated nice years ago, it is just a quiet place, only for the airport express interconnection. However, a new shopping mall, Elements, here was grand opening in October, it is great that the shopping mall may bring more traffic to the railway station.

The shopping mall called "Elements", it is connected directly to the railway station. The mall is divided into five areas, with different topics of Wu Xing: metal, wood, water, fire and earth, which represent the "Five Elements" (or Wu Xing) in the natural phenomena of the traditional Chinese philosophy.

Besides stores, the shopping mall also equipped with food court, cinema and skating court. the combination of the business is quite similar to megaBox in Kowloon Bay, however, the area is wider, with compare to megaBox, people may feel more comfortable to be here. Come to Elements next time you visit Hong Kong.

Transport: MTR Kowloon Station or any bus to MTR Kowloom Station, for example 281A from Mong Kok.

Golden Computer Centre

I went to the Golden Computer Centre in Sham Shui Po looking for the latest notebook computer. My notebook has been using for 3 years already, it is time for a refresh :) There are many brands and models but I target HP, Lenovo or DELL. The prices of the latest models ranging from $8,000 to $12,000. The specification includes Core 2 Duo, 2GB Memory, 160GB harddisk with the latest Microsoft Vista (Home Premium/ Home Basic/ Business) installed. I am still debating because I still have to compare the number of years of warranty and discounts :-P Any advice?

Golden Computer Centre - Sham Shui Po MTR Station D2 Exit

(Tourist MTR 1-Day Pass and Airport Express Tourist Octopus are available)

Hong Kong Disneyland

No matter you are a super Disney fan, you have to visit our theme park - Hong Kong Disneyland! Halloween is coming soon and "The Dark Side of Hong Kong Disneyland" is now showing.

Hong Kong Disneyland is located on the Lantau Island. Undoubtedly the most convenient way to arrive there will be by the MTR. Take the MTR to the Sunny Bay Station and interchange another Disney-decorated train to the Disneyland Resort Station.

There are Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland and Main Street, U.S.A with numerous games, street entertainment, parade and fireworks which you may have to spend a day or two inside Disneyland. In order not to miss any game, a "FASTPASS" can help you. If you are a super fan, I recommend you to stay a night in the Disneyland Hotel and even hold a wedding banquet there! There is package price of staying with the tickets of Disneyland too.

Transport: MTR Disneyland Station

Street Snacks

I love Hong Kong street snacks so much. You can easily locate one of them almost everywhere. Some big stalls in Causeway Bay and Mongkok, some small ones just around any corner.

Foods are mostly deep fried pepper/eggplant with meat, deep fried beancurd, fish balls/meat balls, braised sharkfin soup, rice pancake, chicken wings, sausage, egg puffs/waffles, etc. You can have an ice juicy or sweet soup. Most of them are just $5-$10 per serving.

Railway Museum

The Hong Kong Railway Museum is located at Tai Po, including the old Tai Po Market railway station. It is quite worth to have a look if you want to see something special, beside the major scenes in Hong Kong.

The museum is originally an old railway station, it was built in 1913, about 100 year old now. However, the building is still in good condition since the railway company is keeping it in very high standard. Beside the old station building, you can see some old train cars, especially those in the "diesel era".

Opening Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm
(closed on every Tuesday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year Day and the first 3 days of the Lunar New Year)

Admission: FREE

Location: 13 Shung Tak Street, Tai Po Market, Tai Po, Hong Kong

Transport: KCR Tai Wo Station, then follow the road sign, walk for about 10 minutes.

You can follow this kind of road sign (upper), from Tai Wo Station, and follow the path located on the map and walk for 10 minutes to the museum.

(Map Source: KCRC)