Don't leave Hong Kong without...
Hong Kong is such an intoxicating city that you may have sensory overload by the end of your trip. Just make sure you don't leave the city without trying these essential experiences...
1. Trying dim sum
Hong Kong’s mostly savoury dumplings bear little resemblance to versions served elsewhere. They are generally eaten for breakfast, brunch or lunch, although some establishments serve up dim sum until a little later in the afternoon. The most accessible items for those new to this kind of food are char siu bau (a light white bun filled with sweet chopped barbecued pork) and har gau (dumplings with a steamed rice flour skin, filled with seasoned shrimp and water chestnut).
Explore Hong Kong Island. Shop for jade and silk and wooden handicrafts in markets and alleyways in Central and the Mid-levels, wander around temples and historic sights, take a sampan around the harbor or climb Victoria Peak; there’s something for everyone in Hong Kong. With its excellent public transport system, the MTR, it’s easy to get around the city and despite the dense population, there are plenty of green peaceful places to escape to after a day in Disneyland or Ocean Park. Discover, Kowloon, the New Territories, the bustling harbour, dim sum, beaches, monasteries and temples, some serious sightseeing awaits you.
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Hong Kong dim sum. Photo: Shutterstock
2. Visiting a street market
Though there are few of these left, they recall a pre-mall sensory hustle and bustle. Besides souvenir shopping, the one in Temple Street also has some outdoor food options, from which you can still feel the atmosphere.
3. Riding on the Star Ferry
Take one of two antiquated iconic forms of transport in Hong Kong (the other being a tram). Bob on Victoria Harbour and marvel at the dense cityscape set against the hills of both Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Do this at 8pm and you will catch the nightly Symphony of Lights illuminations that bounce off buildings at approximately both ends of this short harbour hop. Read more about The Star Ferry here.
Buy a guidebook: City Guide Hong Kong
Temple Street Market. Photo: Shutterstock
4. Riding on a tram
For just a few cents, take a ride through old and new neighbourhoods, from one end of the north shore of Hong Kong to the other, on tracks that date back to 1904. Don’t be in a hurry when you ride one of these, as the speed is slow and the stops are many. In the rush hours, they are a mixed blessing: They sail through traffic jams but are jam-packed with commuters.
5. Checking out its shortcuts.
When the humidity and temperature rise or rainstorms hit, Hong Kongers are experts at crossing town via the elevated pedestrian walkways linking malls and office buildings. In Central and Admiralty you can walk between 40 buildings along some 7km (4 miles) of air-conditioned walkways without ever going outside. There have even been books written on the subject. Why not see how far you can get under cover?
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Tram in Hong Kong is the only tram system in the world run with double decker. Photo: Shutterstock
6. Exploring the outlying islands
Many visitors with just a few days in Hong Kong only see the densely built downtown areas. If time allows, it’s an interesting contrast to head out by ferry to an outlying island such as Lamma or Lantau. Alternatively, try a non-guided adventure on the even smaller islands of Cheung Chau or Peng Chau, both accessible from the outlying ferry piers in Central.
Intrigued?
Buy a travel guide: Southern China & Hong Kong
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