The first time in China – I didn't know what to expect. Of course, I have heard about the love for traditional food, about the incredibly rich history and that the Chinese work ethic was one of machine kind. Does Hong Kong, as one of the global financial centers, has only skyscrapers, banks, and businesses to offer?
Those five weeks clearly showed me that Hong Kong has a significantly higher cultural diversity than I have ever expected. Its contradictions, traditions and destinations exceed everyone's expectations of a typical financial city and make the stay even more adventurous.
Before telling you everything about the fabulous places in Hong Kong, it is pretty useful to know about the local transportation system– in order to find your way and not get lost. HK has a convenient underground called “MTR” with which you can reach almost every place, except rural areas which are only accessible with buses. The third, and personally my favorite, way of traveling is the ferry from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon. During the 10 minute-ride, you can enjoy the view of the Victoria Harbour and the financial center. You have to bear in mind that only a charged “Octopus” Card (travel pass) can be used to pay the trip, but also groceries and goods from other stores. This card can be purchased at the airport, recharged in many supermarkets, and you will receive your extant money back when you leave Hong Kong.
Now, let’s start with the fun part !!!
The first things that come to mind when thinking about Hong Kong are the large population density, its unique position in China, and the high living expenses. The best place to absorb this economic power is in Central on Hong Kong Island. Modern-built skyscrapers will surround you with banks, offices, and brand stores like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and whatever your heart desires. If you want to shop in this area for more attractive price tags, the International Finance Centre is for you. For sure, in the surroundings, you will find other malls as well. Still, at the IFC, you can sip at a cup of coffee while having an extraordinary view on Kowloon (which is on the other side of Hong Kong Island), the Financial Centre itself and those ferries oscillating on the water which directly depart from the IFC.
Another good shopping mall and area is Timesquare in Causeway Bay with luxurious brands and good quality stores. There is no doubt that one will feel like being in New York City, only that it is 20 degrees warmer.
However, if you prefer to explore the nature, you can relish a nice walk in the Tai Chi Garden and the Forsgate Conservatory. Always seeing enormous buildings and people constantly in a hurry might be overwhelming – changing up the environment could be helpful. The well-tended and tranquil garden with plenty of different plants, fountains, waterfalls, and benches offers a place to relax and take magnificent photos.
If you are a crazy tea lover like I am, you’ll love the Flagstaff House. It is a museum about the ‘evolution of tea’ and its usage throughout Chinese history. Every room is dedicated to a specific time and decorated accordingly, and as Chinese tea is known for its great and finest quality, you can purchase different kinds in the shop at the end of the tour. Be prepared: it can get a little bit pricy but I promise the money is worth it. You can ask for particular flavours or let you consult by a shop assistant who would recommend specific tea sorts with distinct health benefits.
Another exhilarating activity every tourist in Hong Kong should do is going on Victoria Peak! It is the highest hill on Hong Kong Island (552 m), where you will have the feeling that whole Hong Kong lays at your feet. There are two options to reach the Victoria Peak Tower: the sporty ones can walk up the hill, or one can use the Peak Tram. But let me warn you, it might take two hours in the queue to get a seat in the tram, for both outward and return journey. Having arrived at the Tower, you have plenty of opportunities to spend your money: whether it is on food in cafes and restaurants, souvenirs shops, or photo booths with special effects. Still, the highlight is the platform at the top of the Tower. The view on the Financial Centre, the Harbour, and Kowloon is just breathtaking!! At nighttime, the outlook becomes even better, as all the illuminated skyscrapers enlighten Hong Kong in all the colours of the rainbow.
Other places to delight in discovering Hong Kong from above are Central Plaza 46th floor in Wan Chai (HK Island) and Sky 100 in Kowloon. The first observation platform is situated in an office building and doesn’t cost you anything. Sky 100 already indicates that the observation deck is on the 100th floor with chic and luxurious indoor design. With panorama glass, some shops, and cafes, you can spend some quality time in the ‘sky.’ Unlike in Central Plaza, there is an adequate entrance price for this experience.
For those of you who like nerve-wracking adventures and seek adrenaline, the Suicide Cliff may be the perfect destination. On the northeast side of Kowloon, the cliff gives you a stunning view over Sau Mau Ping, Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, Victoria Harbour, the Victoria Peak and the whole center of HK. The hike up there may take a few hours, so I advise you to carry some water and snacks with you. In addition to that, a completely charged cellphone or some power banks may come in handy to take some marvelous pictures as proof for the others that you had the nerve to stand and look down the Suicide Cliff.
One day, I was just in the mood to wander around and educate myself about Hong Kong from within. So I decided to take the ferry from HK Island, where I stayed most of the time, to Kowloon and dedicated my day to explore Tsim Sha Tsui. The first thing I visited was the most basic but interesting museum: The Hong Kong Museum of History. It would not be amiss to invest some time into self-education as the four floors illustrate Hong Kong’s development from being a fishing village to the Japanese occupation. From being under British rule to a place with one of the highest living expenses in the world and approximately 7.5 million people on 1100km2. The free entrance always is a great bonus. Afterward, I amused myself with a nice walk on the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade along the Harbour, which leads to the Avenue of Stars. The best time to arrive there is in the evening, and to be precise at 8 p.m.
Why? Well, at that time, more than 40 skyscrapers participate in the Symphony of lights, which is just gorgeous. After the 15-minute show, one might come across the Hong Kong Clock Tower, which is one of HK’s landmarks just like the Golden Bauhinia Square (it looks similar to a giant golden cup).
Being in a zone surrounded by the South China Sea, we cannot forget about the beaches. There are many different kinds of them, depending on one’s preferences. To name a few, Deep Water Bay is small, quiet and there is pretty much nothing around it. Repulse Bay Beach is about 600m further from the small beach and is longer, it has beautiful buildings and restaurants in the surrounding area and is, therefore, more crowded. Last but not least, Shek O Beach is a wonderful beach which sometimes can become very crowded for several reasons: the beach is long and clean, the colour of the water is breathtakingly blue. It is surrounded by nature and a small village, in which one has several food options to enjoy.
Speaking of, food never can be neglected on vacation, especially in Hong Kong, where you can find dishes from various cultures for a pleasantly low price. My favorite restaurant for Chinese / Hong Kong food is the Dim Sum Square in Sheung Wan. There, the typical Dim Sum also shares the menu with Zongzi (it is sticky rice with different stuffing packaged in Bamboo leaves), unique Hong Kong dishes like Wan Tan and many more. In rush hours, it can be pretty packed inside, so the probability is high that you would glory in your order facing a stranger. Another Dim Sum restaurant one should definitely try is called YUM CHA in Central. This fancy place offers Dim Sum in various designs, whether salty or sweet, original or in the form of a pig, frog or other animals. Bear in mind that the service has its price.
To try HK’s wealth of its cuisine, it is not necessary to spend a fortune on restaurants; it is enough to be in Kowloon and stroll around the streets. You’ll find street food in almost every petit corner in this vast area. The top three street food dishes I highly recommend are Cheung Fun (steamed rice noodle rolls with optional different fillings and sauces), Siu Mai (pork/fish with yellow pastry plus soy or curry sauce) and curry fish balls. Not only are they phenomenally delicious, but the price is also astonishing: it can vary from 1-4 USD.
Regarding desserts, let me put it that way: one would need a few days to try everything HK provides, and I am not exaggerating.
Did you know that those bubble waffles, which were everywhere on social media, originally come from Hong Kong? Hence, you will find plenty of flavors and styles of those fluffy desserts (e.g., with ice cream, fruits, milkshakes, and many more). An excellent place to try it is Mammy Pancake in Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon). The most famous Hong Kong pastries are the yummy egg tarts and pineapple buns you can purchase in every bakery and many supermarkets. When in Hong Kong, one will definitely come across those Bubble Tea chains like Share Tea, and to be honest, they have amazing flavours and variations. Probably that's the reason why I saw almost everyone with that drink in the hands running around the city.
In Hong Kong, tourists can gather pretty good bargains through trading on markets in Kowloon. One of the most famous marketplaces for souvenirs, clothes and those things you want to buy but you honestly don’t need is the Ladies Market in Mongkok. Even if you have already acquired enough that your luggage is screaming, it is an enjoyable experience you should have – trust me.
For those technology fanatics, you can find and trade for phones, laptops, technology supplies and everything you can think of in the Golden Computer Center and the Golden Computer Arcade in Sham Shui Po.
If you have one extra day in Hong Kong, I can suggest going on Lantau Island. It is located on the west side of Hong Kong and is reachable with the gondola Ngong Ping 360. You can either select a standard gondola or the Cristal Cabin, where the floor is out of glass. At the top, a small village with many cafés and souvenir shops will welcome you. Additionally, you can book a tea ceremony where a Chinese shows how to prepare the tea in the traditional Chinese way.
Further, you can add a tour to the fishing village to have a look at the fishers’ way of living, and with the followed boat tour, one can hopefully see some white dolphins. I was lucky enough to have a glance at them, but they were too enthusiastic about our visit that their speed precluded taking some pictures. The spotlight is taken though by the 34m high Tian Tan Buddha, which one can already see from the starting point of the gondola. Furthermore, there is a Buddhist temple for public observation. One sees how people pray, bring sacrifices in the form of food and decorate those temples.
Hong Kong has won a special place in my mind, heart, and photo gallery due to its multiplicity in activities, environments, cultures, and its wealth, which is shining day and night. There are no other words: I fell in love with this city. I have been there for only five weeks, but I am certain that Hong Kong would surprise me daily if I stayed for three months or more.
XOXO
Diana
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