Hong Kong's Top 10
Hong Kong's Top 10
by Scott Reynolds
by Scott Reynolds
From the magnificent view of Victoria harbour by night to the packed markets and alleyways of Kowloon, Hong Kong is a thrilling city. With its unique combination of British colonialism and Chinese tradition, it throbs with excitement and glamour. And, while it is a major business centre at the crossroads of the globe, it is also a great holiday city.
Whether you are riding the longest escalator, visiting a Chinese herbalist, dining at a five-star hotel or learning tai chi in the park, there are many attractions to keep you busy. With the new Disney resort a short drive away, it is also a great destination for children. Here are just 10 of the must-see things to do in the city:
Catch a tram to The Peak
No stay in Hong Kong is complete without a visit to The Peak, the extraordinary complex on the mountain overlooking the city. Take the tram up to the top in just seven minutes - or walk up by road in an hour or two. When you reach the top, you will experience the most incredible view of the city below.
No stay in Hong Kong is complete without a visit to The Peak, the extraordinary complex on the mountain overlooking the city. Take the tram up to the top in just seven minutes - or walk up by road in an hour or two. When you reach the top, you will experience the most incredible view of the city below.
It really is a breathtaking view of the high-rise buildings which house shopping malls, office blocks and some of the most expensive apartments in the world. As you look down, you realise why people are prepared to pay millions of dollars for this view. When you tire of gazing down, the anvil-shaped shopping mall offers a great opportunity to hunt for souvenirs or have a bite to eat.
Learn Tai Chi for free
If you want to feel like a real Hong Konger, why not learn Thai chi, the martial arts exercise programme? While many people don't see the point of the "slow" choreographed routines, Chinese practitioners swear that it keeps the mind and body healthy. They say it is perfect for harmonising the ying and the yang.
If you want to feel like a real Hong Konger, why not learn Thai chi, the martial arts exercise programme? While many people don't see the point of the "slow" choreographed routines, Chinese practitioners swear that it keeps the mind and body healthy. They say it is perfect for harmonising the ying and the yang.
Find out for yourself by taking the free classes offered by the Hong Kong Tourist Board four days a week at Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and The Peak Tower. Classes run from 8-9am on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. You need to book for a class by calling the Hong Kong Tourism Hotline (+852 2508 1234).
Take high tea at the Pen
People are always making fun of the English tradition of high tea. Usually associated with the higher echelons of British society, this tradition proudly lives on in Hong Kong. The best place to give it a try is at the five-star Peninsula Hotel in Kowloon, which offers finger sandwiches with ham, salmon and cucumber along with scones, cakes and many other fancy delicacies.
People are always making fun of the English tradition of high tea. Usually associated with the higher echelons of British society, this tradition proudly lives on in Hong Kong. The best place to give it a try is at the five-star Peninsula Hotel in Kowloon, which offers finger sandwiches with ham, salmon and cucumber along with scones, cakes and many other fancy delicacies.
This hotel, famous for its fleet of Rolls Royce limousines and white-uniformed bellboys, throws a lavish spread in the Lobby Lounge every afternoon from 2-7pm. Make sure you dress presentably (no shorts or sandals) as you mingle with the rich and famous. Listen to the sounds of a string band, try to spot the celebrities passing through the hotel lobby.
Watch a Chinese Opera
You may not understand much of it, but Chinese opera makes for spectacular viewing with its flamboyant costumes, lavish sets and feats of acrobatics and swordmanship. Chinese opera started 600 years before any Western opera and usually dramatise legends and historical events. Western usually remark on the shrill falsetto sound and the informal atmosphere.
You may not understand much of it, but Chinese opera makes for spectacular viewing with its flamboyant costumes, lavish sets and feats of acrobatics and swordmanship. Chinese opera started 600 years before any Western opera and usually dramatise legends and historical events. Western usually remark on the shrill falsetto sound and the informal atmosphere.
For visitors, the best time to see a Chinese opera is during the Hong Kong Arts Festival, held in February and March each year. However, operas can also be seen during important Chinese festivals such as the annual Bun Festival or the birthday of Tin Hau. Operas are also often performed at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui and in town halls in the New Territories. You can book tickets through the booking agency URBTIX or the Tourist Board. If you can't get seats, you will have to rely on your hotel concierge.
Discover the history of the Walled City
For a fascinating glimpse into the city's past, visit the site of the old walled city of Kowloon. It is now a park, but the six-hectare plot was once the notorious home of more than 50,000 Chinese. Run by the Triads, neither the Chinese or British governments interfered with the running of this rabbit-warren of humanity.
For a fascinating glimpse into the city's past, visit the site of the old walled city of Kowloon. It is now a park, but the six-hectare plot was once the notorious home of more than 50,000 Chinese. Run by the Triads, neither the Chinese or British governments interfered with the running of this rabbit-warren of humanity.
This mini-city had the highest density of population per square kilometre than any other place on earth of the equvialent of 1,900,000 people per square kilometre. The demolition of this city started in 1987 and was completed in 1994. The new park, developed at a cost of $76 million, is split into eight sections each representing different and unique styles of Hong Kong’s history.
See the ocean mammals at play
Ocean Park is one of the must-visit places in Hong Kong, no matter your age. Of course, it is fun to see children’s eyes light up when they see the rides and roller coasters, but there are plenty of other attractions as well. Visit the Giant Panda enclosure and take note of the jelly fish and shark aquarium where you can see these magnificent creatures up close behind the safety of glass. Dolphins and other mammals such as sea lions are on display and they perform in spectacular shows.
Ocean Park is one of the must-visit places in Hong Kong, no matter your age. Of course, it is fun to see children’s eyes light up when they see the rides and roller coasters, but there are plenty of other attractions as well. Visit the Giant Panda enclosure and take note of the jelly fish and shark aquarium where you can see these magnificent creatures up close behind the safety of glass. Dolphins and other mammals such as sea lions are on display and they perform in spectacular shows.
Cruise the harbour of lights
Take a cruise around Hong Kong harbour and admire the skyscraper skyline which surrounds this busy stretch of water. You can also watch one of the busiest ports in Asia at work, with yachts, shipping containers, ferries, fishing boats and all other sorts of watercraft plying their trade.
Take a cruise around Hong Kong harbour and admire the skyscraper skyline which surrounds this busy stretch of water. You can also watch one of the busiest ports in Asia at work, with yachts, shipping containers, ferries, fishing boats and all other sorts of watercraft plying their trade.
However, the truly awesome sights can be seen at night, when the coastline is lit up by the city lights. The easiest way to take a cruise in the harbour is to buy a ticket for the Star Ferry between Central and Kowloon, but you will get to see more on a commercial harbour cruise. For a magical experience, you can hire a Chinese junk and enjoy a private dinner on board as the city glides by.
Climb the stairs to Big Buddha
If you don't mind climbing a few steps, then you should not miss a visit to the huge Buddha statue on Lantau Island. Make sure you take a bottle of water and an umbrella on hot days to protect you from the sun as you walk 268 steps to see this glorious statue. Once you reach the top the view over the area is astonishing. There are also three floors below the Buddha to be explored.
If you don't mind climbing a few steps, then you should not miss a visit to the huge Buddha statue on Lantau Island. Make sure you take a bottle of water and an umbrella on hot days to protect you from the sun as you walk 268 steps to see this glorious statue. Once you reach the top the view over the area is astonishing. There are also three floors below the Buddha to be explored.
Ride the longest escalator
Something of amusement in Hong Kong is the longest escalator in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records. It runs from the Mid-Levels, the residential area halfway up the mountain on Hong Kong to the city centre down below. Since opening in 1993, about 55,000 people use this escalator to get from their apartments to work and back again. Between the hours of 6am and 10am the escalator runs downhill as people head for their offices below, but from 10:30am until midnight the escalator goes up towards the mid-levels.
Something of amusement in Hong Kong is the longest escalator in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records. It runs from the Mid-Levels, the residential area halfway up the mountain on Hong Kong to the city centre down below. Since opening in 1993, about 55,000 people use this escalator to get from their apartments to work and back again. Between the hours of 6am and 10am the escalator runs downhill as people head for their offices below, but from 10:30am until midnight the escalator goes up towards the mid-levels.
The entire journey takes about 20 minutes and it is entertaining to watch the action in the surrounding streets as you slowly rise up the hill. On the way to the top, you can stop off at one of the many bars and restaurants, usually packed after 5pm. There are also some unique shops along the 800m route to the top.
Visit a Chinese medicine man
Along the streets of Kowloon you will notice many Chinese medicine shops, packed with herbs, spices and jars of strange-looking objects. They aren't there for the tourist trade - the Chinese people visit these stores regularly to seek a cure for their ailments. Step inside and you will be confronted by an amazing array of plants and animal parts.
Along the streets of Kowloon you will notice many Chinese medicine shops, packed with herbs, spices and jars of strange-looking objects. They aren't there for the tourist trade - the Chinese people visit these stores regularly to seek a cure for their ailments. Step inside and you will be confronted by an amazing array of plants and animal parts.
Explain your ailment to the 'medicine man' (it can be anything from acne to insomnia) and he will reach into one of the many jars and drawers to concoct a cure. If you are really adventurous, you can visit an acupuncturist to discover whether the little needles can help relieve your aches and pains.
Read about other interesting things to do in Hong Kong in our guide
For other articles on Hong Kong, go to our archive
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