Bob Coffey
South China is very much known for its shopping-rich landscape. Hong Kong's most massed residential district, Mong Kok guarantees a zero-boring schedule during your stay. Walk along the dense shopping complexes, and feel the pulse of life.
This exclusive bird market should perhaps be the onliest cultural element found in this part of the world. Birds are here not to show off their presence. These creatures are sold for their voice. Walk along some busy street, you are sure to hear them chirping various songs. This is quite popular with the older generation. Old men reach here in the wee hours with their bird singers to share the entertainment with others. This will remind you of the western style of bringing dogs along with them. These men with birds would walk along the street with their own stories to share. These feathery creatures have migrated from Australia just to exhibit their vocal skills. When you walk along the stalls, you will come across complex bamboo cages hanging above. Much like westerners taking their dogs out for walks, men will promenade with their prized bird around the plaza stopping to exchange stories along the way.
Hong Kong is a beehive of markets. These markets offer almost everything on this earth. On the good side, you can even negotiate prices with the sellers. Well, it is a compulsory thing to do as they tend to sell goods a little overpriced. You will never regret negotiating prices, as you will need money for elite shopping as well. You won't get a chance for negotiation in those posh places.
Ladies' Market, which is situated in Tung Choi Street is a convenient place where most accessories are available. Mix into the masses and enjoy negotiating prices with the local sellers. You can even go for Hong Kong memorabilia.
Walking along the streets in Mongkok, you will find many crossroads. If you are not that much of a shopoholic, you could move along and see what these streets have to sell. There is ladies market for common accessories. Then there is goldfish market, bird market, temple street market and flower market. You will come across a puppy market too! You can step into a restaurant too to dine on an affordable budget.
You can check into Dorsett Mongkok Hotel Hong Kong, and be eligible for free internet plus free iPad rental during your stay. You can check with the hotel's helpdesk for the room types that offer the iPad rental free of charge. The hotel is built according to green living concepts, which ensures a smoke-free environment for the guests. Check-in services are available all 24 hours.
One of the best Mongkok dining promotions is the Thai restaurant named 'Thai Pad' on Dorsett Mongkok Hotel's second floor. It provides exquisite Thai meals with a wide range of seafood and special beverages. The renowned Chef McDang describes Thai food as 'intricacy, attention to detail, texture, color, taste, and the use of ingredients with medicinal benefits, as well as good flavor'. This is just what you would experience, when you step into Thai Pad.
