5 reasons why you need to travel to Hong Kong as you can explore the wonderful food, culture, and people within a handful of time. If you travel during a winter or summer vacation, Hong Kong is a good place to have a short stay. Let’s get started! (Please note: COVID-19 will affect the travel advice, so all visitors should follow the government guide before travel)
Why Visit Hong Kong?
Hong Kong is a small busy city, consisted of three main districts including New Territories, Kowloon, and Hong Kong Island. If you are worried about how to get there and have no idea what to do, no worries! This blog will show you complete travel advice when you start planning to enjoy your vacation. I will tell you an interesting fact that Lantau Island is the largest island in Hong Kong. And why it’s being one of the hottest vacation spots since we might be camping, reserving a flat, or staycation in a hotel for a day trip.
The map shows three major districts across Hong Kong clearly.
Hong Kong offers international trips worldwide since lots of commercials and travelers will approach every day. Hence, Hong Kong International Airport is the main airport for every traveler. Here are the lists of approximately flight duration.
United Kingdom
British Airway and Virgin Atlantic are offering a direct flight and a duration of around 13 hours per trip. Heathrow Airport is the main transfer airport to connect with further stops on the Northside.
United State
They also offer a handful of direct flights, based on which states are you living in. If New York and Seattle, it takes around 21 hours and 19 hours.
European Countries
Normally the flight duration around 12 hours to all European countries like France, Germany, and so on.
Stays in Hong Kong
Here we will provide some accommodation and hotel tips to prevent some traps for families or backpackers.
Hotels
There are loads of hotels across three districts, but we recommend that you choose the locations which are nearby the MTR stations since you can approach them easily. If you are a couple or families, we are highly recommended Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel as it tends to be affordable and the surrounding environment is really cool for chilling and gathering. The strengths are that located with three shopping malls with chain companies and surprisingly quantities of restaurants nearby.
Facilities
Normally the room will provide essentials items such as kettles, towels, free Wifi, air conditioners, and so on. If you are coming as a family, Marco Polo will offer Piccolo Kids Club for your children to have special care when you are having a gym or swimming session.
Be aware before booking!
We are not recommend travellers to book low-cost hotels in here since the public safety and surroundings are under standard. Before making a long journey, you need to research the safety and geographic information. Although Chungking Mansions includes vast restaurants like Wakas Mess and Swagat for visitors to discover, the atmosphere is not appropriate for families or single travelers. I attended there before writing this blog, the low-cost hotels are insecurity based on the design of door lock and surrounding neighbourhood.
ChungKing Mansions, located on Tsim Sha Tsui, one of the building integrated with low-cost hotel, commercial and residentical flat.
Top Things to Do
Food
What's the imagination about Hong Kong food? Fusion? Delicate? It is not the best term to describe with it. Convenience would be the best to describe since you can find and buy it anywhere. Street Food is one of the traditional cultures that visitors must be try. As I am being a Hongkonger, street food is highly recommended for visitors to merge into Hong Kong culture. If you are running out of time and havent have a lunch? No worries!! Just grab a lunch here and order whatever you want.But now, you can just pop up to the stores and order it under the comfortable areas to finish your meals.Egg Puff, you can enjoy two different texture which are crispy and soft.
Hong Kong Style Waffle, usually drassing with condensed milk and peanut butter, this combo is fantastic.
Hong Kong Street Food. You can eat full even though you only have limited budget.
On the other hand, doggie’s noodle is another popular food in Hong Kong. It invents by Block 18, which is operated 24 hours a day, and got the achievement of Michelin. Using simple ingredients to make the greatest taste. Although it is not a high-end food, you will love the traditional taste.
Wanna try? they have got 7 branches across New Territories (Jordan, Yuen Long, Tsuen Wan) and Kowloon (Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kwun Tong). Just walk in and take a seat, enjoy your Meal.
Cha Chaan Teng
Cha Chaan Teng “茶餐廳”, known as the Bing Sutt “冰室”, is the iconic one that represents Hong Kong culture. In English, we called Hong Kong style-cafe. It represents the cheap and fast-paced serving for food which offering for low-income class. If you are entering into it, you can see the food are fusion with eastern, Japanese and western culture. From rice dishes to spaghettis to soup instant-noodle. For the drink, milk tea “Lai-Cha” is slightly difference with British or other western countries version. It mixed with tea and evaporated milk under the perfect proportion, which is the main successful reason why “Lai-Cha” can be outstanding. Meanwhile, I have put eight different foods that visitors MUST try in Cha Chaan Teng.
Culture of Cha Chaan Teng
Discussing the culture, Australia Dairy Company “澳洲牛奶公司” is the minority of Cha Chaan Teng that acquired with “rude” attitude and face-paced reputation but everyone loves it. Loads of people are queuing to enjoy these services, alongside high-quality food. Especially the scrambled eggs, steamed milk pudding, and Macaroni soup. But obviously, it is the uniqueness of it, the normal Cha Chaan Teng provided fast-paced services by using some “code name” instead of the whole name. For example, “OT” means Lemon Tea, Hang Gai “行街” means take away and Leng Zai “靚仔” means a bowl of rice.
Tourists Spots
In Hong Kong, tourist spots appear in all places since you can just take a selfie wherever you want such as in front of the buildings or hiking at any time. There are at least 20+ must-visit attractions from New Territories to Lantau Island. I will show you some hottest attractions below:
Victoria Peak
Tourists can choose the trams or bus to get to The Peak. Here I would recommend taking the tram, since you can take approximately 5 mins journey time to enjoy the views. If it is a sunny day, flying kites or dog walking with your loved one is really cool.
Peak Tower, which is located on Victoira Gap, one of the iconic mall merged with leisure and complex functions welcoming over 6 million patrons a year.
Peak Tram, a funicular railway connecting between the lower and upper levels of Hong Kong Island. The history of it is so long, which is operating over 130 years.
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
It was opened at The Peak in 2000 and displayed for nearly 100 wax figures, including internationally known personalities and local celebrities.
Wanna take a selfie with famous actors? YOU GOT THE RIGHT PLACE. Madame Tussauds is locating inside the peak tower and offering high-quality wax figures that visitors can have a “real” dating with them. Before COVID-19, long queuing is essential and just have a rough viewing.
Lan Kwai Fong
Lan Kwai Fong “蘭桂坊” is an iconic spot for locals and foreigners to have a chilling night. This dining and nightlife district is easy to help you exchanging different cultures from worldwide. Pubs, nightclubs, and restaurants are all putting together which attracting all different age groups to have a beer and enjoy the football match. If you would like to enjoy the atmosphere of the bars, Cassio and Buenos Aires Polo Club can give you a wonderful night. Hope you enjoy it!
World Cup Football and Halloween also organising some events here. But yeah, part of them are not just serving adults, just dining is fine for young people who are under 18 years old.
How to get there?
MTR is the convenient way to get there, just taking the Island or Tsuen Wan Line and leave at D1 Exit. Walking through a couple of mins by following the guide in the station, then you arrive!
Tai Kwun
Tai Kwun, originally is Central Police Station, located on Hollywood Road. But now converted to Hong Kong’s Center for Heritage and Arts which visitors MUST visit. It opened in 2018 and operated by a joint partnership between The Hong Kong Jockey Club and The Government to conserve the historic building. Inside the building, you can discover the old Victoria Prison (Block B), Prison Playground, Barrack Block, and so on. Moreover, you can check out their official website to reserve what programs or tours fit you in. If you feel hungry, no worries! Categories of food tend to be international, such as Statement (British), Aaharn (Thai), Madame Fù (Cantonese).
Tian Tan Buddha
Located on Lantau Island, and the whole constructed duration takes 3 years from 1990 to1993. There are near 270 steps that visitors have to climb to reach the Buddha, and it attracts millions of visitors every year.
Outdoor Activities
Tai O
If you would like to get rid of the normal tourist spots, Tai O is one of the best options to relax and take a bike with your families and friends. Tai O is a small fishing town and the original meaning is the outlet of the waterways. Are you feeling hungry? Just reserve a table in Tai O Heritage Hotel, and order the signature meal — Pork Chop Bun with shrimp paste with a cuppa, enjoy the rest of the day!
However, I know that some desserts that foreigners probably afraid to try, based on the look of it. Here I will tell you a bit more about it and hopefully can change your mind and try it for ONCE! Especially the down left and right corner, the texture tends to be chewy and sweet, including some nuts into it. Hence, do not afraid to try some new things, it probably can provide an incredible experience for you and increase the bounce rate.
Cheung Chau
Cheung Chau is another popular spot that visitors and domestic citizens to have a walk during the weekend or short vacation. The routine is pretty easy as you just need to take the ferry from Central Pier and the duration about an hour. REMEMBER! Make a reservation before heading to Cheung Chau, otherwise it is hard to find a hotel to stay for couple nights. Bela Vista Villa and some low-cost hotels are competitive since the prices for each night is much cheaper than Warwick Hotel Hong Kong. Here I will provide some tips before booking your places:
Booking Tips:
- Check for the news if the accommodation happened anything
- Read the cancellation policy carefully
- Check for the location if it is safety
- Check for security features
- Read the previous review
Okay we have discussed how to get there and some tips for new visitors, I will show you some amazing food that you might NEVER seen before.
Cheung Chau Bun Festival “長洲太平清醮”
Cheung Chau Bun Festival usually held in April or May and lasts for 7 days. This festival began for fishing communities to pray for safety from pirates. But remember, there are 3 days in a week are adhering to go vegetarian and most of the seafood restaurants and McDonald’s are following the rules.
Parade of Floats “飄色巡遊”
The parade of floats usually happens in the afternoon and attracts different brands and personal participants to join this festival. Children are mainly wearing customs which is regarding different scales, for example, political, cartoon, and so on. They are not just walking on the street, someone on the basis will use ehicle to push them up for the whole performance.
Bun Tower Climbing
Bun tower, built of 18 meters of bamboo and covered by 9000 buns for each tower. It is an intensive race participated by 12 participants which includes at least 3 females and the duration is 3 mins to grab as many as they can.
Temple
Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple
Wong Tai Sin Temple “黃大仙祠”, located on Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon. The design is a classic Chinese traditional temple similar to the rest of other temples such as Lung Mo Temple “龍母廟”, Che Jung Temple “車公廟”, and Tin Hau Temple Garden “天后廟”. Before the COVID-19, an average of 5 million people attended each year. If you calculated the proportion of Hong Kong population, it is over 70% of Hongkongers have attended previously. If you are worried about your marriage, workplace, or studying, please do not hesitate to make an appointment. Hence, I will go through briefly if you are interested to predict when is your lucky time, what you may need to prevent and should do in the future.
The process to predict your future:
- Draw lots in front of the idol (REMEMBER you can ONLY choose one stick drop down from the begging)
- Taking that fortune stick and get the fortune poems
- Seeking for a dissolver
- If you want, you can purchase a talisman
Concluding with Hong Kong Culture
After reading this fruitful article, hopefully you can gain an insight of Hong Kong culture such as food, nightlife, outdoor activities and traditional temples. Although the first impression of some local food that foreigners are not willing to try, jus bookmark my this article if you change your mind. Hope everyone enjoy couple of mins to read it. Everyone are equally getting chances to discover everything that they would like to to. Hoping this article can encourage you to discover how Hong Kong looks like
Hong Kong is a great place to visit.