The world-class city and territory of Hong Kong barely needs
an introduction. It was everything I
thought it would be and more; colourful, hectic, crowded, overwhelming, exotic
and above all insanely exciting. It’s a
place where a bustling metropolis rubs shoulders with rural fishing
communities, where glistening skyscrapers sit next to forest-clad
mountainsides. Formerly a part of the
British Empire, Hong Kong is now a self-governing region of the People’s
Republic of China. There’s such an abundance
of things to see and do in Hong Kong that it would take months to tick them all
off. But as most travellers don’t have months
to spare, I’ve narrowed it down to this list of my personal highlights, to help
you get the most out of your time. I’ve
also included some budgeting tips at the end of the article.
Night markets in Mong Kok
I’ll start with my absolute favourite place on this list –
Mong Kok. These densely packed streets
have an energy like I’ve never seen before.
Whatever the time – day or night – these streets are buzzing. This is the Hong Kong I’d dreamed of;
colourful, crowded and bursting with life.
Bright neon signs almost obscure daylight and smells of Cantonese street
food fill the air. Mong Kok is a circus
for the senses. It’s both overwhelming
and wonderful at the same time. Visit
Mong Kok for its bustling night markets and excellent array of culinary
delights.
Chi Linn Nunnery
I was particularly excited to visit Chi Linn, as it’s the
first Buddhist temple I’ve been to. I
was taken back by the vibrant colours and tranquillity. This pretty, intricately decorated spiritual
shrine is built almost entirely from wood, reflective of residents’ desire for
harmony with the natural world. The main
hall houses a large, gold statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha alongside other
Buddhist treasures. The complex is
surrounded by beautiful oriental gardens and lotus ponds; it’s a peaceful oasis
in the busy city. Chi Linn is a short
walk from Diamond Hill MTR station and entry is free.
Hong Kong Night Skyline
Flat land is difficult to come by in Hong Kong, so the only
way to build is skyward! With more than
1300 skyscrapers above hundred meters in height, Hong Kong has more tall
buildings than any other city in the world.
And this makes for a pretty dramatic cityscape! The view is great by day, but it’s
particularly spectacular by night. In
the hours of darkness, the city transforms into a dazzling spectacle of lights. Some of the best views to be had are from the
promenade in Tsim Sha Tsui (by the clock tower) or from the Star Ferry.
Star Ferry
The hugely iconic Star Ferry crosses the harbour between
Tsim Sha Tsui and Hong Kong Island. Two
different routes run regularly from Tsim Sha Tsui pier; one to Wan Chai and the
other to Central. At just $3.30 HKD (£0.30
GBP) per trip, it’s the cheapest and one of the easiest ways to cross the
harbour. There are fantastic views of
the city, and the experience certainly has a novelty factor. The Star Ferry has been in operation since
1888 and holds a special place in the hearts of Hong Kongers!
Wong Tai Sin
For such a seemingly ultra-modern city, Hong Kong has done a
fantastic job of preserving traditional culture and traditions. To get an authentic flavour of the Far East,
there’s no better place than the temple of Wong Tai Sin. This intricately decorated, and vividly colourful
temple is a spiritual sanctuary for both Buddhists and Taoists. This temple is really easy to reach from Wong
Tai Sin MTR station, so it can become a bit crowded - particularly on weekends. But its popularity is well-justified – it’s
stunning!
Tian Tan Buddha
The huge Tian Tan Buddha sits tall above Lantau Island. This stunning bronze statue is amongst the
biggest of its kind in the world and the rugged natural setting really adds to
the appeal. The strenuous climb of 268
steps from Ngong Ping village is worth it for the fabulous views over the Po
Linn temple and the surrounding countryside.
A scenic, but quite pricey cable car ride links the site with Tung Chung
MTR station or alternatively you can take the bus.
Tai O fishing village
A short bus ride from the Tian Tan Buddha is the cute
‘floating’ fishing village of Tai O, known for its traditional stilt houses and
slow pace of life. It’s such a unique
little place and it’s so beautiful. Tai
O feels a million miles away from the bright lights and busy streets of Hong
Kong or Kowloon. Traditions here have
stood the test of time and it’s a delight to explore. Wander through the maze of little alleys and
fish markets, soaking in the atmosphere, then take a boat ride through the labyrinth
of canals and stilt houses. You really
get a unique perspective from the water.
Boats leave frequently from the village’s main pier and should only cost
around $30 HKD (about £3 GBP).
Peak Tram
This much-loved and near-vertical historic funicular carries
passengers high above the skyscrapers to the summit of Victoria Peak. From here, there are spectacular panoramic
views over Hong Kong and on towards Mainland China. Be sure to visit on a clear day, as views are
often obscured by mist and be prepared for long queues!
Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas
Of all the temples in Hong Kong, the Temple of Ten Thousand
Buddhas is probably my favourite. I love
the vivid colours and secluded location - this temple feels so peaceful. A winding path, lined with gold-coated Buddhist
statues, zig zags up a hillside from Sha Tin MTR station to the main temple and
iconic red pagoda. It feels very
authentically ‘oriental’. And I know
what you’re thinking; are there really ten thousand Buddhas?? There’s actually a little under 13 thousand! Entry is free and there’s a vegetarian
restaurant on the site.
Practicalities
Hong Kong is a safe and incredibly exciting place to visit
and is very tourist-friendly. Countless
airlines run daily flights to HKG from every continent and passport holders
from most countries can enter the territory visa-free.
Unfortunately, the city has a reputation for high prices,
and this is likely to be the biggest obstacle for budget travellers. Accommodation will almost certainly be your
biggest expense. Expect to pay around $180
HKD per night for a shared dorm in a decent backpackers’ hostel. There are lots of fantastic hostels in the
city, mostly in Tsim Sha Tsui or Central.
I stayed at Hopp Inn Hostel and it was great. Hotels are tear-inducingly expensive – expect
to pay upwards of $600 HKD per night in a single room in a low-end hotel. Be wary of the cheapest deals.
Food prices are comparable to those in Western Europe, but
it’s actually relatively easy to eat well on a low budget. Local dishes in mid-range restaurants should
cost between $80 and $120 HKD, but street food and simple noodle dishes can be
as cheap as $30 HKD. Western food is
widely available, but tends to cost more.
Despite the city’s thriving party scene, drinking tends to be a pricey
hobby in Hong Kong; expect to pay about $50 HKD for a Chinese beer at a bar, or
around $70 HKD for a glass of wine.
Supermarkets are considerably cheaper.
In contrast, transport is extremely cheap, efficient and easy to
use.
Hong Kong is quite frankly stunning. For me, it was love at first sight and I’d
urge anyone and everyone to visit! I
hope this article is helpful – thanks for reading!
Elis Griffiths. x
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