Let’s explore: Hong Kong

Giant Buddha statue on Lantau Island.   Let’s start with my first post ever. I am so excited to finally getting around and starting this blog. My goal is to help others to plan and have the perfect trips to the world’s best destinations. So… let’s go on our first trip together!!

Little history and facts: Hong Kong isn’t just a city. It’s a subtropical archipelago made up of 236 islands, islets, and rocky outcrops. It’s an iconic travel destination and a business metropolitan. Imagine that 100 years ago it was just a fishing village and then magically transformed into the fast pace city it is today. Hong Kong is densely populated at 16,469 people per square mile, so you’ll never feel alone. Depending on the area it can feel a little overwhelming, but that’s part of its charm.   Useful tips for your trip: Before you go check the voltage of all the electrical tools you have! Must be universal 110~240v or 220~240v. If you are an American, your 110~120v tools might explode or stop working permanently as the circuits will be fried.

As it is an ex-British colony, all the sockets are British and an adaptor is a must. You can buy it in Hong Kong for 30HGD from any street kiosk.

·         Buy an Octopus card! It’s 50HGD and you can use it almost everywhere (except for some very fishy markets) in Hong Kong to pay. You can top it up with the amount you wish. Hong Kong is aiming towards a cashless future, so be part of it. You can use it in the subway, 7/11, shops, restaurants, and other locations. You don’t need to risk using your credit or debit cards anywhere and once you are leaving Hong Kong you can return the card and get the rest of your money for it back and 40HGD for the plastic.     Top 5 things to do in Hong Kong:   Here are my top 5 must-do things in the second city that never sleeps. 😉   1.      Giant Buddha temple on Lantau island: You can’t visit Hong Kong and not go to see this statue (and temple). It’s majestic and they claim that’s the biggest Buddha statue in the world! Make sure you book a combo excursion and combine it with Tai O fishing village and a cable car ride over the island.

2.      Ocean park: One of the world’s biggest marine parks. It has phenomenal views and rides that take you right over the cliff. The park is actually built on the edge of a cliff, which gives amazing views and thrills. Get the Fast track pass, so you can enjoy the rides quicker and skip all the lines.

3.      Cruise around Victoria Harbour and watch Hong Kong’s light show: It is one of the most dazzling things to do. Enjoy dinner on a traditional dragon-style boat while watching Hong Kong light up.

4.      Hike the Dragon’s Back: That was one of the most amazing experiences I ever had. It reveals stunning views of southern Hong Kong island and its surroundings. It’s an easy and refreshing hike and it ends at Big Wave Bay beach. I booked the hike through Viator and so all my other trips.

5.      Tai O fishing village: One of the few remaining fishing villages in Hong Kong, Tai O is home to the Tanka people who had built their homes on stilts in the waters off of Lantau Island. A majority of the community’s incomes derive from tourists visiting their markets, where you can shop for dried seafood and traditional Chinese snacks, and taking boat tours through the stilt houses.  

Tai O Fishing Village on Lantau Island in Hong Kong.

More things to do:   If you have more time to explore here are some more things you could enjoy in Hong Kong:

·         Ozone bar: That’s one of Hong Kong’s most famous rooftop bars and it’s on top of the highest building. The entrance is through The Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the drinks are amazing. It’s a little pricey, but the views of Hong Kong Island that it reveals are amazing.

·         Ladies’ Market: With over 100 stalls of bargain clothing, accessories, and souvenirs, the Ladies’ Market on Tung Choi Street provides a 1km stretch on which to practise your bargaining skills. It gets its name from the huge amount of clothing and accessories on sale for women of all ages.

·         Disneyland Hong Kong: Make sure you visit if you are a Disney fan, but the rides in Ocean Park are more thrilling and there is bigger variety. I had to choose between the two and all the reviews were pointing to Ocean Park and  I had a blast.

·         Hong Kong’s Nightlife: Of course a city like Hong Kong will have its party central. Here is Lan Kwai Fong; a compact square of streets in Central Hong Kong containing many bars, restaurants, clubs, and drinking dens. Lan Kwai Fong is crowded every night and gets packed on its festival days and New Year’s Eve. Every place is full of people intent on partying the night away. SoHo around Hollywood Road surrounds Lan Kwai Fong and is home to even more bars, clubs, and pubs, but a little less intense and more chilled out. ·         Hello Kitty Restaurant: If you have kids with you or you’re a fan of Hello Kitty, you should definetely visit this restaurant. All the food is Hello Kitty themed and most importantly it’s delicious. It is located in Kowloon and it’s right next to a metro station for easy access.

Please let me know what you think in the comments below.

What should I improve? What more do you want to see in my posts?   

Hiking the Dragon’s Back trail was phenomenal experience!