A sense of Hong Kong

Hong Kong is known as a concrete jungle, a metropolis that’s home to over 9 million people. As an international hub, many people visit Hong Kong on a layover on their way to other destinations in Asia. Most people only stay for a few days, luckily, there are many things to do in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is such an exciting, lively and vibrant city, that really lives up to the term: “East meets West”. It is a great mix of both Western and Eastern culture, food, shopping and architecture. It is a city that has “everything”. On any given day, you can head to a fishing village less than an hour from downtown, lie on a beach and go on a shopping bonanza in one of the many flashy shopping malls or back-alley markets. After a busy day, you can wind down at one of the city’s multitude of Michelin restaurants.

 

 

 

Our observations and tips from a trip to Honk Kong.

• With regard to getting around,  over 80% of people use public transport so don’t use it during rush hours, unless you like the crush and chaos.

• One of the first things you should do when you arrive in Hong Kong is get an Octopus card. It is a travel card that works on all public transportation (but not in taxis). You can purchase your tourist Octopus card in advance and pick it up from the airport when you arrive. It comes with HK$50 already pre-loaded. If you don’t use all its value, just hang onto the card for your next trip. Octopus card is useable on all eight forms of public transport,  it is also usable in 7/11 and other shops and small restaurants.

• MTR system is easy to navigate but not cheap, your fare will be relative to the distance travelled. Make sure to consult exit diagrams to be sure to exit where you want to go. The stations are enormous, it is very easy to get disoriented.

• Taxis are red (local ) green (new territories) blue (to big Buddha island & airport) and  work out cheaper than Uber. Use Uber for long distance travel.

• Fast food only generally accept cash so carry some small cash. Get cash exchange at airport as bank will only exchange money if you have an account with them.

• No refunds in shops....particularly with regard to clothes and any other products bought at a sale price, make sure they fit your purpose before purchasing them.

• The local currency is the Hong Kong dollar. Most places accept Visa or Mastercard. There are also tons of ATM machines dotted around Hong Kong.

• Pay in Hong Kong dollars (HK$) if given the option on credit card machines, you will get a better rate.

• They do not use chip and pin. Just swipe cards only, anything over $200 you have to sign for, make sure your credit card has the same signature signed on the back of your card....they will check it.

• Despite outside temperatures, the aircon in shops is really cold so bring a light jacket.

• Hong Kong gets all 4 seasons. Summers are really hot with high humidity and it gets fairly cold during the winter months (December to February). The best time to visit Hong Kong is from March to early June, and September to November.

• The best way to get to and from the airport is via the Airport Express train. Tickets can be purchased at the station and the train stops in Tsing Yi, Kowloon and Hong Kong Island – it takes just 24 minutes from end to end. Once you’ve purchased your ticket online, you can use the QR code that they send you to swipe through the special gates equipped with the QR reader.

• There are tons of huge shopping malls here, both on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, as well as some great street markets. Ground rent is extortionate in HK so, no bargains on the ground floor of stores, go way up the floors for bargains. The site of St. John’s Cathedral is actually the only freehold land in Hong Kong, granted the Church of England Trust Ordnance. All other land in Hong Kong is leasehold in nature.

• Shops open later in the morning and stay open later into the evening.

• The main language spoken in Hong Kong is Cantonese, a local dialect. Many people speak English (or at least basic English), and almost all signs are bilingual.

• In Hong Kong, fruits are good quality and really cheap. The variety of fruit available is impressive.

• In Hong Kong you pay for meals at the cash desk or the server stands and waits for payment at your table.

• Buy and carry tissues with you as they are not routinely given out in stalls and fast food locations. Try pineapple buns.....they are surprisingly nice.

• Most visitors opt to book hotels on Hong Kong Island or on Kowloon side. For the more price sensitive, you should check out hotels in Wan Chai, Central, Soho, Sheung Wan and Causeway Bay for maximum convenience and easy access to public transportation.

• There are up to 50 hiking routes in Hong Kong of varying degrees of difficulty.

• Hong Kong is a very walkable city.

• If you have the time in your trip, a visit to Maccau is well worth it and it is only an hour on the ferry. Hong Kong money is not accepted in Maccau or China.

 

 

The Big Buddha, Avenue of Stars, the Peak, Man Mo Temple, Stanley Market, Temple Street…these are but a few of the typical “Top 10” places to visit in Hong Kong

 

 

 

The Peak

Victoria Peak is accessed via the funicular tram from Garden Road. It is a popular attraction as it is the highest point on Hong Kong Island, which means it has panoramic views of the city. You can purchase tickets at the Peak tram station for both the tram and the Sky Terrace. At the top there is a shopping mall full of shops, cafes and restaurants but save your money for the Stanley Market and the arts crafts and galleries at both PMQ and Tai Kwun. If you are price sensitive, there is a free viewing area in the peak Galleria, if you can find the well hidden access. Next to the Peak Tram, is St. John`s Cathedral. Step inside, sit down, and enjoy the peaceful silence for a moment to clear your head from  all the city noise.

 

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Stanley Market

Yes, it’s another tourist trap, it is one of the most popular places to see in Hong Kong and the home to tons of souvenir shops which make up “Stanley Market”. Try to visit on a week day, it gets very busy at weekends. If you walk to the far end of the market you can see the refurbished Blake Pier and Murray House.

Relax in Hong Kong Park

In the middle of the city sky scrapers, on Hong Kong Island, is a Hong Kong Park. You will find some peace and quiet here. The park also contains the Zoological and Botanical Gardens.

 

 

Tai Kwun and PMQ

Tai Kwun is a heritage site that used to serve the central prison, court and police station. Tai Kwun is located close to PMQ and after years of renovation it was opened to the public in May 2018. It has now been converted into a heritage & arts centre.

Both are to be found in Soho. They have become the Hong Kong creative hub for local designers.

 

 

 

Must Eat and Drink

The most popular restaurants have queues outside waiting to enter, so just look out for the queues.

Egg waffles are a Hong Kong creation consisting of waffles made in the shape of bubbles. As a type of waffle it was created by a store owner who was trying to find a way to use up the leftover egg, flour, sugar and milk in his store back in the 50s. Their name derived from their shape, which is also called bubble waffle.

 

Eating Dim Sum or Dumplings is a must in Hong Kong, and Maxim`s Palace in City Hall (3rd floor) is one of the best and most authentic Dim Sum places left in Hong Kong.

 

Luk Yu Tea House (Stanley St, 24-26) is a real old-school Chinese tea house. It is one of the very few authentic Chinese Houses left in Hong Kong.

 

If after all the ethnic food, you are looking for a 24 hour American food hit then look no further than the Flying Pan on Old Bailey street and Lockhart Road.

 

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Go Hiking

It might surprise you to hear that hiking is one of the best things to do in Hong Kong, but it’s full of hiking trails and country parks. In fact, many of these hiking trails offer spectacular views of Hong Kong that you’d be silly to miss. If you want something easy, then Dragon’s Back is for you. If you want the best view, then don’t miss the Kowloon Peak. For a bit of both, head to Devil’s Peak.

 

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Go shopping

Hong Kong is a great shopping city. It is not a cheap city though, so dig deep and find your credit cards. There are tons of huge shopping malls here, both on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, as well as some great street markets. It isn’t a proper trip to Hong Kong without some shopping.

 

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Just walk around and soak up the sights

Just wander around the streets of Hong Kong and experience the atmosphere and the sights of every day life. Take in all the smells and noise of this bustling city.

Look up towards the sky when walking around the busy streets of Hong Kong, and look at all the spectacular sky scrapers. There are over 7 million people living on Hong Kong, in a fairly small area, making it one of the world’s most densely populated area. The lack of space has turned Hong Kong into the world’s most vertical city, full of sky scrapers

 

 

The Noonday Gun

The Noonday Gun is located on the waterfront at Causeway Bay. It is a former military piece mounted on an enclosed site. A bell is rung and the gun is fired every day at noon and it has become a tourist attraction. Thats it, blink and you will miss it. We were lucky, we just happened upon it by accident.

 

 

Visit Some Temples

There are many temples scattered throughout Hong Kong, dedicated to the many Buddhist and Taoist gods, that you can visit. One of the most popular one is Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan, a tribute to the Literature and Martial God. Other temples, such as the Tin Hau Temples dedicated to the sea goddess, can be found along the coast or hidden in the mountains, such as the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery. You might be hard pressed to visit them all, but at least go to one!

 

 

 

Ride on the Mid-Level Escalator

The longest outdoor covered escalator (upwards only) in Central takes you from the business district up through the vibrant SoHo, and is a tourist attraction in its own right. It goes past a lot of attractions as well, skirting alongside the stone slab street of Pottinger Street as well as the Hollywood Road. Not to mention the SoHo district is brimming with quaint western restaurants that are reminiscent of the SoHo of London, as well as the beautiful street arts.