Trip Young & Dangerous (HK, Macau & Shenzhen) : Day 3 - Shenzhen

Shenzhen, along with Macau is the quickest and easiest Quick Trip from Hong Kong (if you don’t count worthy destinations within the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region). Shenzhen is close enough to go for a day or even part of a day but has enough to entertain a visitor for many repeat trips (by population, Shenzhen is actually bigger than Hong Kong, and so it makes sense that it has a lot to offer). A border crossing and a significant difference in environment add to the feeling of adventure, and for that reason, our itinerary on the 3rd day was to Shenzhen. Looking for what Shenzhen is famous of... Shopping and The Window of The World (WOTW).


i) Shenzhen Border, Lu Wo Station

Shenzhen, in southeastern China, is a modern metropolis that links Hong Kong to China’s mainland. It's known for its shopping destinations, including Luohu Commercial City, a massive mall with a vast array of wares, from tailors’ custom clothing to faux designer bags. The city also features contemporary buildings, such as the 600m-tall skyscraper Ping An International Finance Centre, and a number of amusement parks.

Getting there
The easiest way is by MTR Subway. The HK Metro System connects to the city of Shenzhen (just across the boarder into China).

Direction: Take the East Rail Line to Lo Wu MTR station (pale blue line)
Travel time : Approx 35mins (Hung Hom - Lo wu)

We started our journey around 10pm. Ya, a bit late since we were still recovering from yesterday's full packed trip and  needed more rest to recharge our energy. As ussual, we had a light breakfast (Biscuits and Nestum), packed Brahims instant Fried Rice for lunch and off we went to explore. Luckily our hotel was not very far from the MTR station. We went to find the East TST Station, take purple line to Hung Hom, then transit to East Rail Line to Lo Wu.

Almost 12 stops to reach Lo Wu station. It's better that you find a seat to sit because it'll be a long journey :D


Travel to Shenzhen on Oct & Nov is considered the best as the weather is cool and pleasant. We had a nice view along the journey, nothing like the Hong Kong skyline. After about 45mins, we reached the Lo Wu Station and I started to feel a leap of excitement.

At Lo Wu Station, we exited the station by scanning our Octopus Card (still can be used in this border) then just followed the crowds and entered the immigration building. Make sure also you followed the correct signboard (either for foreigners / HKID / Citizens etc).

MTR station at the border of Hong Kong - China.

Following the crowds to the immigration building.


Lo Wu Control Point is an immigration control point of Hong Kong located in Lo Wu, North District, within the Closed Area along the border with mainland China. Its counterpart across the border is the Luohu Port, located within the Luohu District of Shenzhen in mainland China. The control point is connected with MTR's Lo Wu Station, whereas the Luohu Port is connected to Shenzhen Railway Station Plaza, Luohu Commercial City and Shenzhen Railway Station, as well as Shenzhen Metro's Luohu Station.
Please note also as Lo Wu is a border area on northern district for Hong Kong and China, but in Shenzhen (China) it is known as Luohu District. So don't get confused by the name :D

Then follow the correct signboard.

Not much people around this time.


Remember my post on preparation to HK, those travelling from Hong Kong can apply for the 5 days Visa On Arrivals (VOA) which could get on the spot.


ii) How to Apply for Visa On Arrival (VOA)

Operation Hours :
9am to 10.30pm

Fees :
RMB168/per entry

Direction :
- The visa office is at Lu Wo immigration building. Just past through the Hong Kong immigration.
- Walk over an indoor foot bridge, pass a ‘Welcome to a Shenzhen’ sign
- Just before the entrance to the China Immigration, head to the left, do a 180-turn, you will see two plain escalators. Go up.
- Go into the room with seats. Take the application form at the counter and fill in. Then get a number.
- When it’s your turn hand in your application form and passport, they will take a photo of you. Don't forget payment in Chinese Yuen (RMB)
- Wait a few minutes – you will be given your passport back with the visa inside.
- Go down the escalators and proceed through China immigration in a ‘Visitors’ line.
- Ensure you don’t overstay your visa, and ensure you stick to the Shenzhen area.

Step by step instructions.

The counter.


It took less than 1/2hour for the Visa application, but quite a long line at the China Immigration. We saw lots of people with luggages everywhere, some even have big boxes coming from and to Shenzhen. I guess you can expect lots of cheap and nice shopping experience here. We did asked one Chinese lady with her mother (we reckon she's Malaysia based on the passport colour she was holding) who is a frequent visitor to Shenzhen (coming here once a month!) to shop. She told us that most of the items sold at Kenanga Wholesale are from here. She also owned one of the shops there. I've asked her, what is the famous item that people normally sought after here, she answered accessories like belts, watches and sunglasses (where u could get around RM1 here!). I will tell you about our shopping experience here later in next post.

Once we passed through the China Immigration, finding our way out of Lo Wu station is pretty straight forward. But since our main target in Shenzhen was to visit Windows of The World, we searched direction for Shenzhen Metro (train) to go there.

Going down the escalator to exit from the immigration.

This is the scene outside of the immigration building.


I shall continue on how to get to the Window of The World on next post ok. Stay tuned.


Trip to HK, Macau and Shenzhen Fast Link Here
Preparation
Day 0 – Departure to Hong Kong and First Night at Chungking Mansion
Day 1 – Star Ferry Ride from Kowloon to HK Island
Day 1 – HKCEC and Golden Bauhinia Square
Day 1 – Repulse Bay and Stanley Village
Day 1 – Lunch at Islamic Muslim Centre, Ammar Mosque and Tram Ride
Day 1 – The Mid Level Escalator
Day 1 – The Peak Tram and Night at Victoria Peak (Sky Terrace 428)
Day 1 – End of Day 1

MACAU Day Trip
Day 2 – Journey to Macau by TurboJET Ferry
Day 2 – The Venetian, Macao
Day 2 – City Of Dreams and Hard Rock Hotel
Day 2 – The Galaxy Macau
Day 2 – Grand Lisboa and Senado Square
Day 2 – The Ruins of St. Paul’s
Day 2 – Macau back to Hong Kong

Shenzhen Day Trip
Day 3 – Window of The World
Day 3 – Shopping at Shenzhen and back to Hong Kong

Hong Kong Trip Continues
Day 4 – Ngong Ping 360, Lantau Island
Day 4 – Aberdeen Floating Village and Jumbo Kingdom
Day 5 – Disneyland Part 1
Day 5 – Disneyland Part 2
Day 5 – Disneyland Part 3
Day 5 – Shopping at Ladies Market, Mongkok
Last Day – Avenue of Star
Last Day – HK Museums, 1881 Heritage and Back to Malaysia
Total Expenses

Trip Young & Dangerous (HK, Macau & Shenzhen) : Day 2 - Macau Day Trip - Last Episode

This is my last post on our one day trip at Macau. From Senado Square, we walked back to Grand Lisboa. It was easy to locate this building as it is the highest and most lighting in this city area. Once reached at the Grand Lisboa, we couldn't resist to take more photos here.


It was so happening with the lights, crowds, visitors coming in and out the hotel and casino... totally felt like in Vegas (I never been there though but I bet Vegas is definitely more happening)...

Lets the photos do the talking ok..!

The area infront of the Grand Lisboa was crowded with visitors who also didn't want to miss a chance to take photo of the hotel.

It really has its charm at night.

The Casino with colourfull lights to attract visitors.

Brighter version.

The dome.

It's quite tough to take photo in this angle. Luckily Nor was good at it :D

In front of the Grand Lisboa replica, a pineapple shape tower.

More close up.

Posing infront of the casino.

The Dome and Tower. Magnificent!!

I love this photo!

Final post in Grand Lisboa.


Once had it enough at Grand Lisboa, we went infront of the lobby to catch the shuttle bus. It was already very long queue there and we started to panic either we could make it on time to the Ferry Terminal (tu la bergambar tak ingat kan...). We also noticed that everyone must have a receipt/ticket to get into the shuttle bus which made us more worried. We asked the information counter inside the hotel and being told that we needed to collect the receipt at the casino's counter. What!! Actually, the free shuttle bus only applicable for member or if you spending money in their resort (casino, hotel, restaurant, etc). As some people (like us) who used their free shuttle bus but not going into their resort or worst go to their's competitor resort like Wynn Hotel which located opposite the Grand Lisboa (that definitely not us), so they implemented this rule. Well you don't really have to play, just go to the casino's counter and asked for receipt (as like you want to play in the casino). Once received the receipt, go down back to lobby and present the receipt to the bus conductor. Then you are free to board into the bus.

Note : Starting 2015, some of the resort hotels like Wynn, City of Dreams and etc, already suspended their free shuttle "departing from" the resorts between 5pm-8pm unless you are member, hotel's guess or spending money in their resort. However shuttles "to" the resort still work as usual.


It was totally a new experience to us!! Imagine, as a Muslim we are prohibited to gamble but in Macau, we entered the casino hall. People who saw us might think, what are these muslim's ladies doing here (as it's quite obvious since we wore "shawl" and covered our hair). We were like an alien there. Of course, we felt a bit afraid and guilty to enter the casino hall however all that provides me with one in a lifetime experience and at least I got a chance to witness the gambling scene in LIVE. (Kat Genting tak bole masuk casino kannn...)

Once successfully got the receipt, we back to the queue and waited for the shuttle bus.

While I was in the queue, Nor got off the line and took photo at the area nearby. Trishaws are also available here in Macau for sight-seeing around the city.

Another casino located nearby.


Around 15mins before 8pm finally we managed to board into the bus and reached Macau Maritime Ferry Terminal just on time before our departure.

Went up the escalator to departure hall.

Immigration counter for custom clearance.

Departure hall was quite deserted that time. Not much people went back to Hong Kong, probably because it was already late at night.


Night ferry ride was not very pleasant to me. Maybe because I was already tired, I had nausea. Just tried to sleep along the journey back to Hong Kong. After an hour, we reached TST Ferry Terminal, Kowloon and walked back to our hotel.

Passed by Kowloon park. Since we didn't get a chance to take photo here before, so we did now.

As it was night already, we didn't enter the park.

The TST area is still happening at night.

The city that's never sleep. Still lots of people hanging around this time.


Finally we reached our room nearly at 10.30pm. We were really exhausted plus our feet started to pain. Nor's condition was the worst as she got blisters on her feet (That's why comfort shoes is very important when you had a long walking distance). Luckily I brought "minyak gamat", so Nor put on the oil to her blisters (remember in my earlier post on preparation, I mentioned that medicine is one of important things to bring along during travel. We never expected when we could get injured right?). After took shower and performed Jamak prayers, we made a Maggie mee and Nestum drinks for supper before went to bed.

Tomorrow would be another long journey with of course... lots of walk, walk, walk.


Well, this was basically how we spent our one day trip in Macau. We really enjoyed ourselves and it gave a different experiences as this trip was full of glamorous, glitzy and lavish places. But there's also historic places with different culture like in Senado Square. It was impressive. Not forgetting our 1st time visit to casino hall.... However to be frank, for me one day is just enough as besides the majestic hotels and building, nothing much attraction there. One day should be enough to cover all places. Unless you want to spent quality time in the lavish hotels and gambling, then you can spent more time. So that was it, finished my post for 2nd day.

Signing off...


Trip to HK, Macau and Shenzhen Fast Link Here
Preparation
Day 0 – Departure to Hong Kong and First Night at Chungking Mansion
Day 1 – Star Ferry Ride from Kowloon to HK Island
Day 1 – HKCEC and Golden Bauhinia Square
Day 1 – Repulse Bay and Stanley Village
Day 1 – Lunch at Islamic Muslim Centre, Ammar Mosque and Tram Ride
Day 1 – The Mid Level Escalator
Day 1 – The Peak Tram and Night at Victoria Peak (Sky Terrace 428)
Day 1 – End of Day 1

MACAU Day Trip
Day 2 – Journey to Macau by TurboJET Ferry
Day 2 – The Venetian, Macao
Day 2 – City Of Dreams and Hard Rock Hotel
Day 2 – The Galaxy Macau
Day 2 – Grand Lisboa and Senado Square
Day 2 – The Ruins of St. Paul’s
Shenzhen Day Trip
Day 3 – Starting Journey to Shenzhen, China from Hong Kong
Day 3 – Window of The World
Day 3 – Shopping at Shenzhen and back to Hong Kong

Hong Kong Trip Continues
Day 4 – Ngong Ping 360, Lantau Island
Day 4 – Aberdeen Floating Village and Jumbo Kingdom
Day 5 – Disneyland Part 1
Day 5 – Disneyland Part 2
Day 5 – Disneyland Part 3
Day 5 – Shopping at Ladies Market, Mongkok
Last Day – Avenue of Star
Last Day – HK Museums, 1881 Heritage and Back to Malaysia
Total Expenses

Trip Young & Dangerous (HK, Macau & Shenzhen) : Day 2 - Macau Day Trip (The Ruins of St.Paul's)

vii) Ruins of St Paul's

Still at Senado Square, I continued from my last post where after about 10 minutes walk down the street, we reached the Ruins of St Paul's Cathedral.

Arguably Macau’s most famous landmark, the Ruins of St. Paul’s was officially listed in 2005 as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Historic Center of Macau. Originally built in the 16th century, the complex of St. Paul’s College and the Cathedral of St. Paul burned down and was rebuilt multiple times before the third and final fire during a typhoon in 1835 left it beyond repair. All that remains are the iconic stone facade and the grand staircase leading up to it.

Admission Fee :
Admission to the museum is free every day between the hours of 9 am and 6 pm.

Sitting atop sixty six granite stairs, the Ruins of St Paul Cathedral is probably the most crowded place in Macau. There were really A LOT of tourists taking photos on the long staircase. It wasn’t easy to take photos without including some random people in the frame.

See, it's very hard to take photo without being "Photobomb"ed

The crowds started from the bottom of the stairs up to the ruins... Bertabahla yer


The facade is 27 meters tall, 23.5 meters wide and 2.7 meters thick. The top floor is a triangle lintel under a cross; in the middle of the lintel is a copper dove. The dove is surrounded by the sun, moon, and stars. There is a statue of the baby Jesus Christ with the tools that were used to nail him to the cross. The major figures portrayed in the lintel are the Virgin Mary, the Holy Father, some Holy Saints, and Jesus Christ. The middle two floors reflect missionary endeavour.

Details of the facade.

Judging from the facade, the original church must have been huge during its heyday.


We went to the back area of the ruins which restored into a museum. The facade is buttressed from behind, allowing tourists to climb up to the windows to get a closer look at the stone carvings and to enjoy a panoramic view of the city below.

Paul's Cathedral was destroyed by a fire during a typhoon in 1835 and only the front wall, facade and granite stairs of the church remains..

Back wall of the facade.


As the ruins located on a hill site, it offers a good view of the city. Can see the Grand Lisboa clearly from here.

Grand Lisboa close up.


Being one of the major tourist attraction in Macau, the Ruins of St Paul is undoubtedly a must-visit.

Our camera was almost out of battery resulting this poor quality of photo. Banyak "entiti" hehehehe

Looking from the front side, people might think it is a one complete building while it is actually only one wall remains.

Martial art pose. Mcm2 gaya.

Closer photo. Look at the details. Impressive!

Another attempt to take photo in front of the facade.


Most people come to Senado Square and the Ruins of St. Paul in the day time for the photo ops, but coming here during the night has some benefits. For one, it isn’t crowded. During the summer you can’t even squeeze through the throngs. Secondly, the weather will be more pleasant at night. Imagine with the crowds and hot weather... one might faint with such conditions. Third is a bonus where the lighting is very beautiful at night.

The city already illuminated with lights. Grand Lisboa lighting looks like a fireworks!


I recommended you to come here in the evening to experience both day time and night view like we did!

Managed to ask help from people there to take our photo together.

Like I mentioned, camera's battery was weak. Semakin banyak "entiti" appeared :P


It's almost 7pm so we started to make a move back to the Ferry Terminal as our ticket's back to Hong Kong was at 8.00pm. We went down the staircase and back to the alley of shops.

Arch of love


Walked down the lane back to Senado Square.

What a nice place to hang out with families and friends.


The Holy House of Mercy of Macau (Portuguese: Santa Casa da Misericórdia,) is a historic building in Senado Square. Established as a branch of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia, it was first built in 1569 on the orders of the Bishop of Macau as a medical clinic and several other social welfare structures in early Macau. It later served as an orphanage and refuge for widows of sailors lost at sea.

Now, Santa Casa da Misericórdia is also part of the Historic Centre of Macau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Finally we reached the main road at Grand Lisboa where we needed to find shuttle bus back to Ferry Terminal.

Read my final chapter on Trip to Macau on next post. Bye.....


Trip to HK, Macau and Shenzhen Fast Link Here
Preparation
Day 0 – Departure to Hong Kong and First Night at Chungking Mansion
Day 1 – Star Ferry Ride from Kowloon to HK Island
Day 1 – HKCEC and Golden Bauhinia Square
Day 1 – Repulse Bay and Stanley Village
Day 1 – Lunch at Islamic Muslim Centre, Ammar Mosque and Tram Ride
Day 1 – The Mid Level Escalator
Day 1 – The Peak Tram and Night at Victoria Peak (Sky Terrace 428)
Day 1 – End of Day 1

MACAU Day Trip
Day 2 – Journey to Macau by TurboJET Ferry
Day 2 – The Venetian, Macao
Day 2 – City Of Dreams and Hard Rock Hotel
Day 2 – The Galaxy Macau
Day 2 – Grand Lisboa and Senado Square
Day 2 – Macau back to Hong Kong

Shenzhen Day Trip
Day 3 – Starting Journey to Shenzhen, China from Hong Kong
Day 3 – Window of The World
Day 3 – Shopping at Shenzhen and back to Hong Kong

Hong Kong Trip Continues
Day 4 – Ngong Ping 360, Lantau Island
Day 4 – Aberdeen Floating Village and Jumbo Kingdom
Day 5 – Disneyland Part 1
Day 5 – Disneyland Part 2
Day 5 – Disneyland Part 3
Day 5 – Shopping at Ladies Market, Mongkok
Last Day – Avenue of Star
Last Day – HK Museums, 1881 Heritage and Back to Malaysia
Total Expenses