10 Ways to Enjoy Hong Kong The Right Way
- Zane Balmaceda
- May 6, 2017
- 7 min read
“A New York minute is a Hong Kong second” - a saying you’ll hear from expats who live in this thrilling, idiosyncratic city of 7 million residents, and it’s not hard to see why. Hong Kong teems with energy from the moment you arrive, and it never lets up. Shopping is on the list, as are dim sum, sightseeing, and the latest, hippest crop of restaurants and bars. Landmarks and skylines need to be photographed, there are countless street markets to explore or get lost in, and ferries and boat rides are waiting. Needless to say, it’s impossible to do everything, but there are some experiences that simply shouldn’t be missed.
Are you tired of the same-old-same-old things and places you see? Victoria Peak, Avenue of Stars, Disneyland and Ocean Park? Whether you’re visiting Hong Kong for the first time or the tenth, here are 10 things you absolutely can’t miss.
1. HIKE THE DRAGON'S BACK
Hong Kong is often regarded as a city of skyscrapers and shopping malls, but it offers remarkable hiking options for active locals and visitors. Stretching for 31 miles, the Hong Kong Trail cuts through five country parks on Hong Kong Island, the most popular portion of which is known as the Dragon’s Back. The highlight of this hike is reaching Shek-O Peak, from where you can enjoy 360-degree views of beaches, bays, verdant countryside, waterfront communities and the South China Sea. The shortest version of this hike can be completed in less than two hours, though you could extend it to six hours if you want to start from Happy Valley and make your way south.
Aside from the iconic Dragon's Back hiking trail, some other options are Shek Pik in Launtau Island, The Peak, Twins, MacLehose Trail, Mui Wo and many others that offer various difficulty levels. So whether you are a group of friends and family, hardcore hikers or road runners, you can surely find something that's suitable for you. You can click on to this page to learn more about the other hiking trails in Hong Kong.
I must say, Hong Kong is very blessed to have this everywhere in the city. Definitely not something yo can find in Manila, Singapore or even in New York.
2. ESCAPE TO THE BEACH
Less than an hour from the city center, you’ll find some of the world’s most gorgeous beaches, which can be reached by taxi, boat, or public transportation. Unlike many beach destinations, Hong Kong is home to many different types of beaches, so there really is something for everyone, from surfers to families to party animals. Shek-O is undoubtedly one of the most popular options, along with stretches of sand in Stanley and surrounding Repulse Bay. For a more secluded experience, head to pristine Tai Long Wan on the eastern coast of Sai Kung Peninsula, considered to be one of the most beautiful places in all of Hong Kong.
Coming from a country that boasts white sand beaches and clear, pristine waters, at first I was not that impressed by the beaches around the city. But hey, come to think of it, it's not that bad at all especially when it only takes you fifteen to twenty minutes to get to shores right from your very home.
If you want more information on which beach is the best one, click on to this page and plan your trip to the beach!
3. BIKE AROUND IN TAI-PO
Who would have thought you’d be riding a bike in Hong Kong? You can rent bikes and cycle through the New Territories of Hong Kong, away from all the skyscrapers and bright lights. See some of the local villages and try local food along this scenic route.
Bike rental costs from 60 HKD per day, per bike. You should be able to knock them down on price if you only want to go for an hour or so. It’s scenic! Cycling along the river from Sha Tin to Tai Po Waterfront Park you can pretty much forget your worries and the hustle and bustle of city dwelling. Fresh air - the air definitely feels fresher than in Central. It’s fun!
Cycling along the river, you can watch the rowing boats go by, but do keep your eyes on the road. There’s a designated bike path, which means no cars, so it’s very safe. It's best to go at the end of fall, just right before winter so you can enjoy that fresh cool breeze as you ride your bike forward along the bike path.
How to get there:
By MTR: From Central or Admiralty Station, take the Tsuen Wan Line (Red line) to Mongkok. Transfer on to the Kwun Tong Line (Green line) line to Kowloon Tong Station. Pick-up East Rail Line (Light blue line) at Kowloon Tong and take it to Sha Tin.
From Sha Tin station take exit marked New Town Plaza. Follow the signs for Sha Tin Plaza and Sha Tin Town Hall. Once at Town Hall head towards the water and you’ll find the Park, once in the Park look for the bike kiosk signs. The bike shops are located down on the waterfront to the left of the Northern Playground if you’re looking at the water.
Sha Tin Park 2 Yuen Wo Road, Sha Tin Park, Sha Tin, New Territories
Tai Po Waterfront Park
Good Luck Bike Shop, a.k.a. Shatin Park Bike Kiosk No.2 Tel: +852 2606 6878
4. CHARTER A JUNK BOAT
A popular weekend activity for locals is to escape the city center by renting a “junk,” a term which used to apply to Chinese fishing boats but now refers to any motorised water vessel designed for leisure. But just because you’re a visitor doesn’t mean you can’t partake in this tradition. Castelo Concepts offers seven-hour rides, including food and open bar, for up to fourteen adults (approximately 1,260 HKD), while Traway’s eight-hour charters are less than half that price (their website is in Chinese, but if you call them, you can arrange something in English). Another option is to consult with your hotel concierge for the best rates. No matter what, riding a junk is a wonderful way to enjoy the water and see some places off the beaten path.
5. VISIT HISTORIC TEMPLES
For all its fast-paced modernity, Hong Kong is still home to historic religious sites that pre-date the British occupation. Man Mo Temple is the oldest in the city, and it is dedicated to the Taoist gods of literature (Man) and war (Mo). Anyone is welcome to visit, but true believers come here to leave offerings and burn incense, while fortune tellers (who are highly regarded in Hong Kong) sit in front awaiting customers. If you want to be dazzled, head to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in the New Territories, where 500 life-size golden Buddhas sit on either side of the 400 steps you’ll climb to reach the temple. Inside the main temple, there are nearly 13,000 gilded ceramic statuettes, even more than the temple’s name promises.
5. PLACE BETS ON HAPPY VALLEY RACECOURSE
Aside from the summer months, when there are no horse races, Happy Valley Racecourse is the place to be in Hong Kong on a Wednesday night. Popular with both expats and locals, this weekly event feels more like a party than a sporting event; sure, people come to gamble, but it’s more about the scene than anything else. Some weeks offer themed nights, like Oktoberfest or Carnival, and the crowd dresses accordingly.
6. SHOP-TILL-YOU-DROP
There’s a reason mainland Chinese cross the border to visit Hong Kong, and it’s all about shopping. From the high-end designer stores crowding lower Kowloon and Central to the maze-like malls of Causeway Bay to the seedy environs of Chungking Mansions on Nathan Road, shopping is an important part of Hong Kong’s heartbeat. For one-stop shopping, make your way to Times Square, a gargantuan, twelve-story mall where stores are organised thematically. If time permits, a visit to one of Hong Kong’s tailors is worth it to buy a garment that's customised for you.
7. HIT THE LADIES MARKET (STREET MARKET)
Just about anything you could ever want to buy can be found in Hong Kong’s lively street markets. Ladies’ Market, home to hundreds of stalls selling clothing and accessories, and the Temple Street Night Market, where you can find everything from noodles to watches, are the most famous. Elsewhere, Cat Street is known for antiques, Apliu Street Market is the place for electronics, and Fa Yuen Street is known as Sneakers Street. There are also dedicated markets for flowers, goldfish, birds, jade, kitchenware, and more.
8. ENJOY A BLOODY HIGH TEA
One of the enduring legacies of British occupation is the widespread availability of high tea in Hong Kong. Most of the city’s best restaurants and hotels offer afternoon tea service daily, but the quintessential spot is in the lobby of The Peninsula, where you’ll see a queue forming before 2:00pm, when tea service begins (81 HKD for two people). Another popular spot is the lobby of the InterContinental, where floor-to-ceiling glass walls afford wonderful views of Hong Kong Island. It’s best to do some research beforehand, as high tea in Hong Kong ranges from very traditional (exactly what you’d find in London) to completely contemporary. But my personal favourite would be the one on The Ritz Carlton's Cafe 103.
9. MICHELIN-STARRED CUISINE
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to eat well in Hong Kong, but if you’re looking for some of the finest meals in the world, you’ll find them in the city's 58 restaurants that have been awarded Michelin stars - and even those are cheaper than restaurants of similar quality in other cities. Bo Innovation (molecular gastronomy), L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (haute French) and Lung King Heen (arguably the best Cantonese restaurant in Hong Kong), rank among the city’s finest restaurants. Ultimately, if you are on a tight budget, Tim Ho Wan is found in Central and in Kowloon.
10. DRINK ON A ROOFTOP
Depending on the time of year, average temperatures range from 60–90 degrees, ideal conditions for enjoying wine, beer, and cocktails outside, as long as it’s not raining. Accordingly, Hong Kong has a bevy of rooftop bars to choose from. Sevva, Sugar, and Armani/Privé are all popular options, but the best rooftop bar is the one that can be tough to get into: The China Club. As an exclusive establishment, it requires that you come with one of its members to gain entry, so if you have any local connections, use them - it’s worth it.
Now that you have a list of ten things to do when you're in Hong Kong, you can be sure your trip will be adventurous and will be a lot of fun.
Comments