If you ask anyone who’s ever been to Hong Kong to share their experience with you, they will surely leave you with a positive impression of this unique city. Consisting of three different islands (Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories), Hong Kong is just big enough to fit everyone in it. Thus, it is not unexpected for it to be one of the most densely populated cities in the world. With so many kind and friendly locals around, it’s hard not to enjoy a visit to this urban city.
In Hong Kong, you can witness a combination of all things incompatible. You can encounter a small, traditional street market with all kinds of food and drinks, while right next to it, there’s an enormous skyscraper. It’s also quite convenient for backpacking trips, since it’s easy to move around. Before you start packing, it’s important to have a travel guide and a plan for your visit, since without these you will find yourself lost within minutes. Previous visitors would advise you not to rush your visit, and here are some options for you to consider putting on your map and activity log.
What to see in Hong Kong
The only way you won’t be fascinated by the streets of Hong Kong is if you go through them with a blindfold. There are many fun things happening on Hong Kong streets every day, you just have to know where to look for them. Hong Kong is famous for Lion Dances and Dragon Parades which can be found in Kowloon Park’s Kung Fu Corner every Sunday afternoon. This type of event will help you truly experience the Chinese culture and tradition. Not only are these open events free, but they also give you an opportunity to learn kung fu from the land of its origin.
As for sightseeing, you can’t go to Hong Kong without visiting the Ngong Ping 360. While sliding down this 5.7km long journey, you will have a complete 360-degree experience of Hong Kong from above. You can make a stop at the Ngong Ping Village where you can find the Big Buddha, a true symbol of the connection between man and nature.
What to do in Hong Kong
If you are in for a fairytale tour of Hong Kong, then you should definitely not miss out on Hong Kong Disneyland. The rides at this fun park will take you straight back to your childhood in an instant. Hong Kong also offers a more wet kind of experience, and it’s called Ocean Park. This park consists of two parts connected by a sky tram and offers a magnificent overview of the city. For animal fans, this is also a great place to explore Hong Kong sea life and play with pandas. You can even be a panda keeper for a day!
For those of you who love to travel around the city more, you should take any chance you get to hop on the Ding Ding tram. This tram line connects the business areas of the city (where most accommodation centers are) with the traditional, market part of the city. Market workers are known for their hospitality and they will surely make you try some of their products. Once you’re done with shopping, relaxing with a glass of champagne in Hong Kong certainly is a great way to end the day.
What to eat in Hong Kong
Even though tourists mainly stick to restaurants and diners, if you really wish to get a taste of Hong Kong, you should stay in the open air. Hong Kong is known for its incredibly delicious street food, and there are some specialties you should definitely try. Dim sum is one of them, and is probably the favorite food of most locals. If you ask three of them where you can find the best dim sum, you’d probably get three different answers. For those of you who still wish for the restaurant experience, you can find very good dim sum in Yum Cha restaurant.
Dumplings are another thing to try because Hong Kong people really make this dish unique. You can have the dumpling dough filled with basically anything you want, so make sure you at least try them with some traditional fish and vegetables, as well as the sweet and sour sauce.
Keep in mind that you probably won’t have time to experience Hong Kong to the fullest during your first visit, which is why most visitors say they would come back to experience more. Hong Kong will be waiting for your return, as well.
