Travelling to Hong Kong has always been an overwhelming experience. It is home to 260 islands and immensely tall skyscrapers. Be it double dickered trams of the city or the noisy hustling race course, Hong Kong is always full of energy. While the city has 70% of its terrain as mountainous, it offers a very beautiful landscape for travellers. This is the city that celebrates food. Be it Cantonese, Sichuanese, Japanese or French, your platter will always be full and appeasing. This city is also Ladies paradise, and all thanks to flourishing malls of city. Shopping never had been such fun. With its Chinese connection it continues to amaze travellers. Here are top things to do when here.
Star Ferry – This boat ride has been around since 1888 carrying people from Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. It has a scenic route with skyscrapers and mountains in the backdrop, as a treat to photographers. For best pictures position yourself on lower deck of boat, or travel in evening.
Victoria Peak – This Green Mountain and highest peak in Hong Kong has delightful views of the city. Best way to get up there is by 125t year old tram service. On top there is Peak Tower, Peak Galleria (With an observation deck, shop n dine arena), Peak circle walk (Cliffside path to better views).
Temple Street Night Market – It’s best street markets of Hong Kong after the sunset. You can expect to grab a good deal on clothes, watches, jade, and antiques, along with a delicious bite of Chinese food on street side stalls. Plus street singers,fortune tellers around make the market livelier.
Big Buddha – Also known as Tian Tian Buddha, it is the world’s largest outdoor seated Buddha. It is made of 202 bronze pieces, and 23 meters high. It is 268 steps up the Po Lin Monastery.Best ways to get here (Lantau Island) is by cable cars and, admire the beauty over the bay and mountains.
Tsim Sha Tsui – This promenade in Kowloon that extends from Colonial era Clock tower to Hong Kong Coliseum, gives you the best of views of Hong Kong skyline and Victoria harbour. Along the way are The Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong Museum of Art, and lots of bars and cafes to hangout.
Hong Kong Disneyland – Located on Lantau Island, your kids will love you for taking here. It is divided into 7 worlds, Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Toy Story Land, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Grizzly Gulch and Mystic Point. There are fireworks, music, light shows and lots of cotton candies.
Ten Thousand Buddha’s Monastery – This is the most fascinating and photogenic site of Hong Kong. 431 steps take it up to monastery, while on way are 10,000 golden statues of Buddha in unique pose and expression. Up the hill there are 12,000 more gilded statues. Each statue is made to amaze.
Man Mo Temple – This incense scented, clouded with smoke temple was built dedicated to Man Cheong (god of literature) and Mo Tai (god of war). Chinese students battling with their exams often visit here to offer prayers. This Taoist temple was once dispute court during the colonial times.
Symphony of Lights – Every evening 8 PM Hong Kong turns into a stage for world’s largest music and light show. 44 skyscrapers across both sides of Victoria harbour are illuminated with music in the backdrop. It is best viewed from Avenue of Stars, Golden Bauhinia Square, or from Star Ferry.
Ocean Park – Hong Kong’s original and most popular amusement theme park, is divided into Waterland (lowland) and Summit (headland). It has cable cars, world’s largest aquarium dome, and roller coasters. Top wildlife attractions are giant pandas (Ying Ying, Le Le), penguins, & sea lions.
Happy Valley Racecourse – With seating capacity of 35,000 audiences, it is the most popular sport amongst Hong Kongers where they can legally bet. Every Wednesday from, September to July, happens eight races. If you just want to hang out in here, you’ll love the beer garden in complex.
Nan Lian Garden – This scenic garden is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. Come here to relax and breathe. In here you’ll find lotus ponds, manicured trees, springs, and Chinese timber architecture. It permanently exhibits timber architecture, and potted plants.
Hong Kong Museum of History – It exhibits 400 million years history of Hong Kong through more than 90,000 artefacts, right from environment to habitation to China maritime expansion to Colonial times to Opium war to walled villages of Puntay to Japanese occupation to Cantonese movies.
Wong Tai Sin Temple – It is one of Hong Kong’s most famous and busiest temple, and dedicated to Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Inside complex, Hall of Three Saints, the Good Wish Garden and Confucius Hall are quite popular ornate structures. Also must try is fortune telling or kaucim.
Floating Village – Aberdeen was originally a fishing village that now is popular tourist spot with fishermen living on traditional Sampan boats. Walking down the promenade or a boat tour will be an enriching experience. Close to it is also Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant that you must try too.
Travelling leaves you speechless, and then turns you into a storyteller!
