Hong Kong travel highlights help navigate the countless opportunities to explore this exciting city. Truly this is one of the world’s most unique destinations, integrating Chinese and British heritage, in one of the most prominent ports. Hong Kong has it all among this compact, high-rise universe, with efficient transportation to see it. As an Acupuncturist-at-Sea, I enjoyed many days at this port-of-call and love sharing my information. Thus, read on to discover my Top Ten Hong Kong travel highlights.
Hong Kong Background & History
Hong Kong lies on the South China Sea and the eastern Pearl River Delta. The area consists of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, New Territories, Lautau Island and over 200 other islands. Due to its hilly and mountainous terrain, Hong Kong is one of the densest populations in the world. Also, it has the world’s highest number of skyscrapers, with 317 towers taller than 150 metres (490 ft). Hong Kong’s grandiose Victoria Harbour is the heart of the city and separates Hong Kong Island in the south from the Kowloon Peninsula. Its deep, sheltered waters and strategic location make it is an iconic international trade center.
Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is a sophisticated engineering marvel, and one of the best ways to experience the real Hong Kong. Its Octopus Card is a smart payment card used on the train, buses, ferries and even retail stores.
Hong Kong became a British Colony after the Qing Empire ceded Hong Kong Island in 1842 after the First Opium War. Then, the colony expanded to Kowloon Peninsula in 1860 after the Second Opium War, and finally, the New Territories in 1898. 99 years later, keeping their promise, Britain transferred the whole territory back to China. Over the last couple of years, the Hong Kong protests show the struggles for the people, reconciling this capitalistic region with mainland China.
Top Ten Hong Kong Travel Highlights
Victoria Peak
Because Hong Kong is often hazy or foggy, my suggestion is when it’s a clear day, head straight to Victoria Peak for a panoramic view of the city. At 552 m (1.811 ft), it’s the highest hill on Hong Kong Island. Visitors reach the peak by the Peak Tram, bus or taxi. The funicular railway brings passengers up from the St. John’s Anglican Cathedral in the Central District. Furthermore, the Peak Tower and Galleria is a shopping center with a viewing deck and coin-operated telescopes. Overall, it’s epic being above all those skyscrapers looking down at the cityscape and Victoria Harbor. Additionally, nearby is the Victoria Peak Garden, a lovely place to relax or enjoy a picnic.
Star Ferry
This passenger ferry is a very popular tourist attraction, carrying passengers across Victoria Harbor, between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Even though the harbor is also crossed by railway and tunnels, the Star Ferry is busy because it’s so scenic. Crossing the harbor on a ferry is the best way to see the spectacular skyline of the city with the most skyscrapers in the world. Also, the main route runs between Central and Kowloon’s Tsim Sha Tsui.
Street Markets – Hong Kong Travel Highlights
Going to Hong Kong’s Street Markets takes you to the day-to-day essence of this culture. With numerous markets to choose from, overall, my 3 favorites are the Ladies Market, Stanley Market and the Temple Street Night Market.
Ladies Market
Ladies Market is in Mong Kok, Kowloon on Tung Choi Street, opened from noon to 11 pm. Like its name, many of the products are for women, however, there’s also general merchandise. Whenever in Hong Kong, I shop at Ladies Market to buy a palette of Chinese silk shirts, that I wear to work as an Acupuncturist. Also, bargaining is expected here, with almost everything overpriced 10-20%. Thus, be prepared to negotiate because that’s part of the fun and experience here.
Temple Street Night Market
Also, located in Kowloon, the Temple Street Night Market is sometimes known as Men’s Street, being popular for men’s fashion. Therefore, this bustling market gets very busy at night with hundreds of stalls and colorful lights. Overall, eclectic goods abound, such as, clothing, mobile phones, antiques, souvenirs and men’s accessories.
Stanley Market
Stanley is a coastal town, located on a peninsula of Hong Kong Island. Thus, this market is more relaxed than Ladies or Temple Street Night Market, probably because it’s also known for its beach nearby. There are various iconic Chinese goods here that make for good souvenirs or gifts, such as, art, clothing, antiques, silk and Feng Shui items. I purchased a shirt that interpreted my English name into Chinese, printing it on a t-shirt. Bargaining is not usually done here. Also, the restaurants in the area are fabulous offering authentic international cuisines often with outside dining.
Aberdeen Floating Village
Aberdeen Harbour is an important fishing village in the Southern District of Hong Kong. It’s famous for the boat people and the floating seafood restaurants, such as, the Jumbo Floating Restaurant. Over the past 20 years, the population of the Abereeen Floating Village significantly decreased, with many still fishing here, however relocating to the high-rise home. Also, the main population of the “Boat People” are the Tanka and Hoklo ethnic groups.
Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha
Po Lin Monastery is majestically nestled in the Hong Kong mountains on Lantau Island. Surrounded by mountains, lush forests, granite and the South China sea below, its setting is an eloquent balance of Chinese Feng Shui and the natural elements. Either bus or tram takes you to this area known as the “Buddhist Kingdom in the South.” Also, I took the tram, offering a panoramic journey with the surrounding mountains, skyscrapers and sea, all compressed into Hong Kong’s unique culture.
The most popular site at Hong Kong’s Po Lin Monastery is the “Big Buddha,” the world’s largest seated bronze Buddha statue. Additionally, it sits on a lotus throne, standing 26 meters high and weighing 250 tons, made up of 202 bronze pieces. Plus, this marvel is one of the “Ten Engineering Wonders in Hong Kong.” Serenely, he sits atop the hill, reached by many steps.
For more information on this, check out my blogpost: Hong Kong’s Marvelous Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha
Ko Shing Street or Herbal Medicine Street
While this may not be everyone’s cup of tea (pun intended), Ko Shing Street is a haven for herbal or health geeks like me. As an Acupuncturist & Herbalist, this was one of my first destinations in Hong Kong. Ko Shing Street is the heart of the wholesale trade of Chinese herbal medicine in Hong Kong. Walking here you see a menagerie of herbs and animal products, such as, the controversial shark fins, deer antlers, giant mushrooms, ginseng, dried bats, goji berries, dried caterpillar fungus, red jejubes (dates), dried fish, sea cucumber and a variety of herbs.
Most noteworthy, this street sells the prized edible Swiftlet’s bird nests. In China these nests, made out of the swiftlet’s solidified saliva, are deemed healthy and tasty in soup. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, these nests are high in protein and especially good for the skin. This highly prized product sells for prices up to $3,000 per pound. Also, in this district, there are many restaurants offering the nutritional and tasty bird’s nest soup.
Hong Kong’s Food Scene
The Hong Kong Food Scene is a foodie’s delight as a culinary nirvana. I’ve savored Thai Food in Stanley, Peking Duck and Japanese food in the Tsim Sha Tsui Food District. Most importantly, I enjoyed my most delicious meal in Central Hong Kong at the famous and funky Ho Lee Fook Restaurant. (Left Photo) Plus, I’ve explored the street food, ready-to eat-snacks, such as, stinky tofu and egg tarts. Overall, there’s endless choices with this city being such a melting pot. However, if you want to go with the local cuisine, consider the Cantonese Restaurants with popular dishes, such as, fried beef noodles, dim sum steamed bun with barbeque pork, turnip cakes and egg tarts.
Kowloon District
Kowloon is located across Victoria Harbour, north of Hong Kong Island. This urban area is the location of the aforementioned Ladies Market and Temple Street Night Market. Additionally, Nathan Road is the main street in Kowloon, that goes from Tsim Sha Tsui to Sham Shui Po. Numerous shops and restaurants line along both sides of this street. Also, Nan Lian Garden is a Chinese Classical Garden in Diamond Hill as a sanctuary for quiet space. It is designed in the Tang Dynasty-style with hills, rocks, water, trees and wooden structures. Furthermore, the next 2 must-see highlights are both in Kowloon.
Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) Promenade
Located in Kowloon, this promenade is the best way to observe the awesome 317 skyscrapers across Victoria Harbour on Hong Kong Island. This promenade is about 1.6 km long, starting from the Star Ferry in the west to the entrance of the submarine tunnel of Hung Horn. Additionally, important landmarks are along this path, such as, the iconic Clock Tower, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Hong Kong Museum of Art and Avenue of Stars. Most importantly, this is the best place to watch the nightly awesome Symphony of Lights at 8:00 pm.
Symphony of Lights
Finally, saving the best for last. Do not miss the Symphony of Lights. Every night at 8:00 there is a light and sound show illuminating from 40 skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island. The colorful show lights up the harbor and everyone watching it. Overall, the best place to see it is on Kowloon’s Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade or a Dinner Cruise on the harbour.
Overall, Hong Kong Travel Highlights
Hong Kong is the pinnacle of travel having it all! However, it’s important to research beforehand to make the most of your time here. This special place is a rare combination of ancient history mixed with innovative modern energy. Thus, Hong Kong helps all travelers expand themselves into something greater than they were before the visit. I’ll conclude with the left photo from my ship in Victoria Harbour, wearing my new silk shirt from the Ladies Market.
