When you’ve ever seen Anthony Bourdain’s dive into Hong Kong in his culinary travelogue collection Components Unknown, you’ll know by now that Hong Kong is an extremely eclectic place to discover. It’s a continually evolving metropolis that not solely has a splendidly numerous vary of meals to expertise but additionally a wealthy and vibrant tradition able to be skilled.
For these of you trying to create an itinerary for a visit to Hong Kong in 2023, this information sheds some mild on among the greatest vacationer points of interest and cultural experiences so that you can discover.
From thrilling festivals to iconic landmarks, let’s plan and build your dream holiday. Take a look at 11 of the perfect exercise concepts to discover in Hong Kong, in addition to our greatest recommendations on transportation, native delicacies, and reasonably priced lodging.
11 Greatest Actions to Discover in Hong Kong
1. Peak Tram
Working since 1888, the Peak Tram in Hong Kong is without doubt one of the oldest funicular railways on the planet. It transports passengers from Central as much as Victoria Peak, rising about 1300 ft above sea stage and providing you with wonderful views of among the metropolis’s most iconic landmarks alongside the way in which.
This experience is vastly standard with vacationers and locals alike. The College of Hong Kong additionally famous that passengers driving uphill on the Peak Tram sometimes expertise what is known as “The Peak Tram Phantasm,” which makes the buildings seem extra tilted in direction of the bottom than they really are. Maybe you’ll expertise this phantasm for your self!
2. Ocean Park
Ocean Park is the second largest theme park in Hong Kong after Hong Kong Disneyland. Since being revitalised with a HK$ 5.5 billion growth plan, it has expanded tremendously and now options over 80 points of interest and rides.
Guests will first arrive on the Waterfront, which homes the marine life displays Aqua Metropolis and Whiskers Harbour. Right here, you would possibly get to see some lovable otters and king penguins.
As a result of it’s situated on a hill overlooking the South China Sea, you need to use the cable automobile to see the surroundings across the park. Alternatively, you need to use the Ocean Categorical prepare, which simulates being underwater in a submarine, to get to the Summit the place all the massive water rides just like the Rapids are.
3. Star Ferry
The Star Ferry in Hong Kong has been working since 1880. Getting on their bottle inexperienced boat is without doubt one of the most iconic experiences available when you’re within the metropolis.
On the ferry, you’ll get a beautiful view of Victoria Harbour when crossing from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central. When you head over to the starboard aspect round 8 PM, you’ll get a singular perspective of the Symphony of Lights.
4. Luxurious Procuring Spots
Often called the “metropolis of mall,” Hong Kong is without doubt one of the greatest locations to buy in East Asia. The town is residence to among the most well-known purchasing spots on the planet, from bustling markets and road stalls to luxurious malls and designer boutiques.
The principle purchasing sizzling spots are present in Central, Causeway Bay, North Level, Admiralty, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Jordan, and Yau Ma Tei.
When you’re searching for probably the most unique luxurious mall, this one in Central is known as the Landmark, which is the place you’ll discover the costliest manufacturers.
5. Temple Road Night time Market
Temple Road Night time Market is without doubt one of the most well-known night time markets round, the place you will discover high-quality items at discount costs.
Each night time, the 600m lengthy road transforms right into a bustling market with distributors promoting all types of issues you possibly can take again residence like electronics, clothes, and jade jewelry. You’ll discover an array of antiques, native and pirated items, road meals, and even fortune tellers there.
There’s additionally an opportunity you may additionally be capable of take heed to Cantonese Opera when you’re there, which isn’t too removed from the road.
6. Girls Market
Desirous about visiting one other night time market? Girls Market is situated on Tung Choi Road in Mong Kok, not too distant from Temple Road Night time Market and the Jade Market.
Like the opposite markets talked about, you will discover distinctive low cost objects on the Girls Market that make excellent souvenirs on your family members. Please be aware that there’s a bargaining tradition on this market, so that you’re inspired to attempt to discount to get an excellent deal on any objects you want.
7. Native Hawker Stalls
Though there are far fewer stalls than there have been in earlier a long time as a consequence of strict new insurance policies and limits enforced by the federal government, native hawker stalls are nonetheless the most effective methods to expertise genuine native delicacies.
Most of the license holders are actually of their 60s, and with no new licenses being issued, it’s a dying commerce that new guests will solely have a brief time frame to expertise for themselves.
You can find many of those hawker stalls arrange on the aspect of the road, providing scrumptious reasonably priced dishes tucked across the busy districts of Mong Kok, Sham Shi Po, and Kwun Tong. Hawker stalls provide the whole lot from noodles and dumplings to conventional cooked dishes with a twist. A go to to a neighborhood hawker stall is bound to be an unforgettable expertise that may tantalise your style buds!
8. Dim Sum & Tea Homes
Dim Sum & Tea Homes are an essential a part of Hong Kong’s cultural and culinary heritage. In Cantonese, Dim Sum will most definitely be known as Yum Cha.
Locals will often have Yum Cha between or round breakfast and lunch. The dishes are both fried, steamed, or made candy, and a typical menu will provide all kinds of small bite-sized dishes that embody steamed buns, dumplings, and rice noodle rolls.
The preferred dishes you must attempt are the har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings), and char siu bao (barbecued pork buns). Yum Cha is usually thought of a social gathering place for households or associates, so this ought to be checked out if you need a neighborhood expertise.
9. Mountain climbing in Hong Kong’s Nation Parks
If you would like a brief break from the bustling metropolis, Mountain climbing in Hong Kong’s Nation Parks is a good exercise for lovers of the outside. There are over 40 parks in Hong Kong, every of which options simple strolls alongside well-marked trails to difficult climbs up steep hills.
Probably the most well-known and standard nationwide park with a mountaineering path is the Hong Kong World Geopark of China. This park covers an space of fifty sq. kilometers and is understood for its hexagonal rock columns, sea caves, sea stacks, and volcanic rocks. It is usually residence to some uncommon and endangered natural world that you simply usually wouldn’t be capable of see in any other case
10. Symphony of Lights Present
The Symphony of Lights Show in Hong Kong is an award-winning sound and light-weight present which runs each night time at 8 pm.
This mild present has been a signature of Hong Kong since beginning in 2004, with over 40 buildings on either side of Victoria Harbour being illuminated by coloured lights and lasers through the present.
For the perfect view, you must head to the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront exterior the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
11. Po Lin Monastery
The Po Lin Monastery was based by three monks visiting Lantau from the mainland in 1906, and is without doubt one of the most essential websites of Buddhism within the area.
There are three bronze statues of the Buddha discovered inside the monastery, however additionally, you will discover the bigger Tian Tan Buddha statue (aka “the Massive Buddha”) near the positioning. It’s a extra scenic vacation spot for these eager to see a bit of extra nature and Buddhist structure.
Since it’s situated on Lantau Islands, you possibly can go for a brief or lengthy hike by way of the mountain and forests with a wonderful backdrop of the coastal surroundings.
Transportation Suggestions
Hong Kong’s transport system could be very environment friendly, so that you gained’t have a lot hassle getting across the metropolis. The MTR subway system is the spine of the town, with its traces connecting all main districts and points of interest. It’s best to be capable of navigate to nearly any location within the metropolis utilizing the MTR’s 12 traces. Buses and mini-buses additionally run all through the day and night time on a complete community of routes.
Tramways are additionally an iconic a part of Hong Kong’s transportation community; they’re comparatively reasonably priced and you may generally get some good views taking these too.
If you wish to take a look at the opposite islands, the Ferries will join you to the totally different islands.
In case you might be fighting public transport, taxis will also be discovered all through Hong Kong 24/7 and are metered and comparatively reasonably priced. Journey-hailing providers comparable to Uber additionally function in Hong Kong, offering an alternate for guests who’re fighting some language boundaries.
Consuming Native Delicacies
The native delicacies of Hong Kong is a singular mix of Cantonese, British, and different Asian influences. Guests are spoilt for alternative in the case of meals. When you aren’t happy with the price range expertise of the road meals stalls, you possibly can head over to the costlier Michelin-starred eating places.
One staple dish in Hong Kong it is advisable attempt is roasted goose or duck. The crispy pores and skin and tender meat make this dish unforgettable, and it’s laborious to search out this replicated to the identical diploma in your personal metropolis.
Different standard dishes embody congee (rice porridge), candy and bitter pork, and egg tarts for dessert. For individuals who are a bit extra adventurous, snake soup could also be an providing at some eating places.
When you are in Hong Kong, chances are you’ll need to discover the eating places that Bourdain had initially tried out in his culinary collection. A few of these embody Lau Sum Kee Noodles, Solar Hing Restaurant, and Leaf Dessert. Do be aware, among the eating places have since closed and also you would possibly need to double-check that they’re nonetheless working earlier than touring to them.
Discovering Inexpensive Lodging
Hong Kong affords a spread of lodging choices that may cater to nearly all budgets.
In case you are planning to remain in Hong Kong on a price range you must go for a hostel. A few of these can go as little as 12 or 15 {dollars} an evening. Nonetheless, if you’re intending to remain in Hong Kong for greater than every week, you’ll seemingly be extra snug in a medium-priced lodge.
Hostels in Hong Kong provide clear dormitory-style rooms with shared loos and communal areas comparable to kitchens and lounges. Nonetheless, extra energetic guests could discover hostels more durable to relaxation in.
If you wish to take pleasure in luxurious, Hong Kong has among the most costly five-star inns on the planet. The rooms are much more spacious, and you’ve got significantly better views of the town skyline. Some additionally produce other facilities comparable to swimming swimming pools, spas, health centres, and superb eating eating places.
An alternative choice is a guesthouse or homestay. These kind of lodging provide a singular alternative to reside with locals and are a significantly better technique to immerse your self within the native tradition. Guesthouses sometimes are on the smaller aspect, however make up for it with personalised service from native hosts who may give you higher recommendations on the place to go and what to see.
Conclusion: Take pleasure in Hong Kong!
Clearly, there are many enjoyable issues to get pleasure from in Hong Kong. Whilst you’re there, be sure you get to expertise Hong Kong to the fullest, with each native culinary adventures and typical vacationer spots. We hope this information offers you loads of concepts to discover when you go to this wonderful metropolis.
