Can any city in the world top Hong Kong’s phenomenal energy? Judge for yourself as you ride the tram to the top of Victoria Peak, join the surge into countless markets and watch the hardworking world of Aberdeen’s fishing junks.
Hong Kong is truly unique – a city where Chinese and Western traditions have blended together for 165 years to create a place that’s at once modern, ancient and altogether captivating.
Here is our list of Top Five Things do do while in Hong Kong.
1. Star Ferry: Enjoy sensational views of the Hong Kong Island that stretches from Causeway Bay to downtown and up to the Peak. This has been named by National Geographic as one of the ” 50 places of a lifetime.” Step aboard the fabulous double-decker “Shining Star” ferry, a beautiful re-creation of the ferries that plied Victoria Harbour in the 1920s. Relax and enjoy the magnificent view while sipping a cup of fine coffee in an air-conditioned, on-vessel cafe or soak up the sun on the open decks while enjoying the cooling sea breezes.
2. Harbor Cruise: Board a chartered traditional-style Chinese junk to take in the dramatic views of Hong Kong Island from the water. You’ll tour one of the world’s most exotic ports on a narrated cruise around Victoria Harbour. At night, Hong Kong’s spectacular skyline becomes a dazzling neon cityscape. Pristine skyscrapers are lit up against the night sky, including the Bank of China, the HSBC headquarters and the International Finance Centre–the tallest building in Hong Kong.
3. Victoria Peak: Peak Tram funicular railway to the top of Victoria Peak to enjoy a panoramic nighttime view of Hong Kong Island, Victoria Harbour and the Kowloon Peninsula spread out far below. The Peak sits at 1,805 feet above sea level. If you have time, enjoy a meal at Café Deco, an art-inspired restaurant on the top of Victoria Peak, which commands spectacular views of Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon peninsula.
4. Markets: Visit the Bird Market where the amazing array of artistically crafted bamboo birdcages are on display, and the “warbling” competitions must be heard to be believed. Walk along Flower Market Street–row upon row of shops and stalls selling cut flowers and potted plants from all over the world. The Jade Market is a great place to browse and pick up souvenirs. To the Chinese, jade is the most important stone, as it is said to have great spiritual value and to represent wealth, good fortune and power. Stanley Market is one of the must-go places for tourists when in Hong Kong. It is a large open-air marketplace where you will find an array of small shops selling silk garments, arts & crafts, Chinese jewelry and souvenirs.
5. Lantau by Skyrail: Visit the stunning monastery on the nearby island of Lantau. You’ll travel to the top of the Ngong Ping 360–a spectacular four-mile cable car journey brings you to the Big Buddha, where Chinese devoutly worship and visitors are amazed by the immense statue and vast views. Combine this visit with a stop at the exciting themed village, to add a cultural and spiritual dimension to Hong Kong’s visitor offerings.
If you’ve already been to Hong Kong, then we recommend visiting Macau: Macau is just 60 minutes from Hong Kong by fast ferry, and is an ideal tour for those who have previously visited Hong Kong. The island was colonized by Portugal for 400 years, but reverted to Chinese rule in 1999 and is known as “the Monte Carlo of the Far East” for its annual Formula 3 Grand Prix race through the streets. The territory is an intriguing blend of cultures–unmistakably Asian, but nonetheless draped in a cloak of intriguing atmosphere and faded Mediterranean charm. See the Buddhist temple, and the Porto do Cerco gate which marks the old border between Portugal and China. Visit the ruins of St. Paul’s–a 16th-century church built by Italian and Japanese Jesuit priests–and the Macau Tower. This is the 10th-highest freestanding tower in the world.
