In terms of attractions and activities, Hong Kong is more lively, with a never-ending supply of things to do and see. It may come as a surprise, but Hong Kong is also home to some of the best hiking trails in the world.
Singapore is no cultural slouch, either. However, it may feel a little manicured if you love the vibrancy of the markets and temples in Hong Kong. Both Hong Kong and Singapore are leading gastronomic hubs in the region. The sheer number of restaurants in Hong Kong is astounding. It excels at Cantonese food — dim sum , anybody? Known for its melting pot of Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisines, there is no shortage of tasty local dishes to try.
From chicken rice to chilli crab and an abundance of world-recognised street food, there are amazing dining choices at every turn. The city is currently home to around 40 Michelin-starred restaurants. For the sheer variety of street markets, wet markets, hawker stalls and upscale shopping malls, Hong Kong probably has the edge.
You can buy inexpensive clothes and accessories, plus a wide variety of menswear and all kinds of merchandise, including small household items, electronic gadgets and toys.
Every May, Cheung Chau draws crowds of up to 60, spectators as they watch bun-snatchers compete in a race up three foot towers. The higher the bun, the luckier it is when shared afterward by the town's resident. Since the 18th century, Cheung Chau's fishing community has held the bun festival, disguising themselves as deities to ward off evil spirits and pray for good sailing.
The entire island goes vegetarian during this weeklong event, so don't even expect to find chicken nuggets at McDonald's. The perfect woman. Can Maggie Cheung do any wrong? Since starting her career as a beauty queen in , she's starred in over 70 films, nabbed a best actress award at Cannes and become a cult goddess among movie buffs. To top it off, she's so stylish that the house of Balenciaga decided to name her its muse.
The over-achieving year-old also recorded an album. The most upside of any land, anywhere. Hong Kong's real estate is notoriously pricey. But its post-recession property values have dropped the most among the world's luxury housing markets, down Now is the time to come and grab that triplex apartment on the peak and laugh at your stupid neighbor.
Wholesome late nights if you're into that sort of thing. Midnight is when the party starts, even for non-partying types here. Those who just have to buy that "it" bag at 11 at night can head over to the apm mall, where retailers open till midnight and restaurants until 2am. If you're lucky, you'll get the cinema all to yourself at the a. If you get bored, just protest! Compared to reactionary neighbors like Singapore and Mainland China, Hong Kong is ripe for civil disobedience.
Police figures show that Hong Kongers organize peaceful protests an average 2. Where else can you march for causes like "protest against the funeral business infinitely expanding," or "protest against inadequate social security assistance to buy our kids Japanese comics and sunglasses? No one does it flakier. If there's one thing Hong Kong learned from the Brits, it's pastry, and now we dare do it better than our teachers.
Velvet egg custard nestled in buttery shells. Flaky puffs stuffed with smoky char siu. You ain't tasted pastry until you've tried the ones in Hong Kong. These days, bakeries all around the city offer delectable flaky treats infused with an Asian twist. Tai Cheong Bakery , favorite of former governor Chris Patten, arguably serves the best egg tarts in the city. Almost completely climate controlled.
If all shopping malls were to close, Hong Kongers would be in a lot of trouble. The average We get two New Years. Hong Kong adheres to both the lunar and solar calendars, so we get to celebrate the bi-annual renewal of both. It's like having dim sum and afternoon tea simultaneously. Home of the Milk Tea King. Hong Kong is home to "pantyhose milk tea," a black tea and milk drink strained, appropriately, through pantyhose.
This results in a silken texture incomparable in the universe of caffeine drinks. Ride the tram to the top of this scenic viewpoint to see the skyscrapers, bustling city, harbor, and surrounding islands. The tram station is located near the entrance to Hong Kong Park by the Murray building. At the top of the tram are the Peak Tower and Peak Galleria, with shops, restaurants, and an observation deck. Most of The Peak is covered by a large park with lush greenery, nature trails, and more beautiful lookouts with views over the thriving metropolis below.
A trail also leads down from The Peak to the city below, following a mix of trails through the forest and sections of road here and there. It can be a bit confusing finding your way. See our article on Hong Kong hiking trails for more details. Evening is a great time to visit The Peak, when you can see the spectacular skyline lit against the night sky. This is one of the best views in Hong Kong at night.
If the tram line is long, or you want to go directly from your hotel, you can also take a taxi to the top. The meter-high "Big Buddha" sits above Lantau Island's Po Lin monastery , which was a fairly secluded place until the statue was built in This is one of the largest Buddha statues of its kind in the world and took 12 years to complete.
The size is astounding, both up close and seen from a distance. The setting here is also incredible, surrounded by the green forest and views out over the ocean and islands. Although you can take a bus, the best way to reach the Buddha is via the scenic Ngong Ping cable car , which takes you on a 5. The ride terminates at the small tourist-focused Ngong Ping Village, which you'll have to walk through before reaching the monastery and Big Buddha. Once through the village, a huge set of stairs leads up to the base, but don't be daunted.
The walk up goes quickly, and the views from the base of the statue are well worth the effort. Some people combine a trip to the Big Buddha with a stop at Tai O fishing village, 20 minutes away by bus, but still on Lantau Island. Wong Tai Sin Temple. Located in Kowloon, the original temple was a private structure built in It was later replaced with a newer building in , which is what visitors see today. The temple was built to honor the Taoist god Wong Tai Sin, whom locals regard as the bringer of good luck in horse-racing and a healer of illnesses.
A festival is held at the temple in Wong Tai Sin's name each fall. The temple complex is made up of several buildings, including the Hall of Three Saints , the Good Wish Garden , and another hall dedicated to Confucius and his 72 disciples. Expect to see fortune-tellers in the large hall, as well as joss sticks and other offerings that visitors can use. It is customary for guests to leave a small donation toward the temple's maintenance.
Not everyone thinks of beaches when they think of Hong Kong, but you don't have to go far to find some incredible stretches of soft-sand. The beach at Repulse Bay is the most popular in all of Hong Kong, with beautiful views and a great place for swimming, although it's very non touristy. A day spent here is complemented with the luxury and style typical of Hong Kong itself. The street running along the oceanfront and overlooking the wide beach is lined with trendy restaurants and shops.
Amalfitana is fun place to enjoy a pizza, with casual open-air dining looking over the beach. Another nearby spot for a day at the beach is Big Wave Bay. Here, the water rolls in relatively gently to a large U-shaped cove with a splendid beach.
This is a much more relaxed and casual atmosphere than at Repulse Bay. A popular outing is to walk part of the famous Dragon's Back hike to Big Wave Bay and dip in the ocean for a swim.
At the back of the beach, barbecues line the walkway to the parking lot and serve up seafood and other tasty treats. Scheduled buses and the occasional taxi are available in the carpark area and will whisk you back to the city.
Also worth checking out is scenic Shek O Beach. It's easily accessible via public transit. For more details see our article on the best beaches in Hong Kong. A stroll through the Temple Street Night Market is another one of those all-important things to do while you're in Hong Kong. Located in Kowloon, this is the place to go to taste eclectic foods and to shop for bargains on everything from clothing and trinkets to electronics and household goods.
Vendors sell gadgets of every shape and size, as well as jade jewelry and traditional Chinese crafts. This is the best market for tourists in Hong Kong, but you can find a number of other interesting street markets selling almost anything you can imagine. See our article on Hong Kong street markets to learn about markets to explore by day. The market gets going around 6pm, but vendors are often slow to get set up, so it's best not to arrive too early.
Fireworks, Hong Kong. Hong Kong Disneyland is located on Lantau Island. Here, you'll find a wonderful world filled with fun and fantasy populated with the cast and characters from Disney movies.
Performances happen throughout the day in the various lands and feature everything from parades to musicals, right through to evening fireworks over the castle. Also on offer are a wide array of adventures, ranging from Jungle cruises to a trip to Tarzan's Treehouse, as well as water-based fun at Liki Tiki.
A Chicagoan by birth and a New Yorker by habit, Michael has more than a decade of experience in digital publishing at leading titles in the U. When he's not checking out Hong Kong's newest restaurants and bars or jet setting around the globe, you'll find him hanging out with his dog Buster and enjoying an Aperol Spritz.
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