Hong Kong

Asia's World City from the Peak. November 2012

In a place reminiscent of my first out of country experience, Hong Kong welcomes you with a delight of sights and sounds turning this Chinese city-state into an international metropolis that is worth the vacation you so much deserve. You may have to ditch the typical flip-flops and shorts as you would usually journey on another country and put on a jacket and a pair of boots as you travel on foot together with the locals and tourists on a random day that feels cold almost the whole year round.


When in Hong Kong, you are in for a treat in one of the most fast-paced yet exciting cities on Earth. Bars, high-end retail and concept shops, fancy world-class restaurants, business and fashion - and even the blinding neon lights at night - dominate the area with a mix of beautiful natural and theme parks synonymous with Hong Kong. The growth of skyscrapers all around the city creates a sense of consistency of the vibrancy that every traveler can feel and experience in his stay.


Going around Hong Kong may not be budget-friendly as it is one of the most expensive places in the world, but if you could actually plan and prepare for a visit to Asia's World City, with all the attractions and must-do places, you would later on realize - as I did then - that your time and money's all worth the vacation in this small city-state.

How to Get There

• By Plane. A number of budget airlines fly directly to Hong Kong International Airport, one of the world's busiest airports located on Lantau Island. Upon arrival, it takes about 30 minutes to get to the city proper.

• By Train. Coming from Guangzhou, China, you can take the MTR and you'd arrive at Hong Kong Central in no time.

• By Sea. Most of the sea trips to Hong Kong are coming from Macau. There is an abundance of trips to the city that you don't have to wait long enough for the next trip.

  Where to Stay

• Chungking Mansions, Tsim Sha Tsui. A place that sounds just as fancy as it looks, this 17-storey apartment block just along the busy Nathan Road packs up a series of hostels and budget-conscious tourists ideal in an incredible city like Hong Kong. The building offers a mix of money changers, laundromats, cheap restaurants and curry stalls, visa services, souvenir shops, you name it. Here you never have to worry about getting everything you need on your expedition here.

What to Do

The must-go place for first timers in Hong Kong.

• Spend the whole day in Hong Kong's Signature Theme Parks.  For years, Hong Kong has always been synonymous with two of the famous family theme parks in the world: Hong Kong Disneyland (Lantau Island) and Ocean Park (Southern Hong Kong). The two are very accessible to almost any mode of land transport and they take you to a place that would literally take the whole day each for your visit. In Disneyland, witness your favorite Disney characters you grew up watching on TV as they come to life in the form of mascots and rides, and cap off your stay with a beautiful fireworks display over the castle. For Ocean Park, be amazed with the live pandas, penguins, and other creatures that they have taken good care for your entertainment, and move on to the death-defying rides that leave you exhausted and thrilled. For a first timer in Hong Kong, these are recommended as the definite must-go-there-first places.

Most of Ocean Park's rides can be spelled as YOLO (You only live once)

• Walk past the Avenue of Stars, and stay the night there for a Night Show. Hong Kong boasts its own version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame with the Avenue of Stars, located along the Victoria Harbor in Tsim Sha Tsui, dedicated to Hong Kong's most famous film stars. Don't forget to strike a fighting pose in front of Bruce Lee! By night, expect to see crowds gather on the same avenue every night to witness A Symphony of Lights, recognized by Guiness as the ‘World’s Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show’. Even more amazing with the show is the involvement of over 40 buildings in the show on both sides of the harbor. Also a definite can't miss attraction!

The Avenue of Stars on a random morning.

• Ascend to The Peak. Ride the tram that takes you to Hong Kong island's highest point, The Peak. As the tram halts, you are greeted with a number of commercial and retail shops, restaurants, even a Madame Tussauds wax museum. While it usually gets crowded as the day goes by, the view of Hong Kong from the top is well worth the adventure, no matter what time of day you come. Don't forget to bring with you something to ease the cold when you go up especially at night.

The Tram has evolved over the years, implicating a historical significance on your ride.

• Meet Big Buddha at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island. Getting here may consume most of your time as it is far from the city proper on another island that houses both the Airport and Disneyland, so going there early will be the way to go. Hop aboard a long cable car and you will marvel at the historical Ngong Ping Village, the Po Lin Monastery, and the Tian Tan Buddha Statue, known to be the world's tallest outdoor seated Buddha. A tour on this area takes at least the whole day tops if you want to discover everything at once. 

• Explore the Nightlife District Lan Kwai Fong. Like most nightlife hubs in other cities, Hong Kong seems to be no different. Here you will find a number of bars, clubs, resto-bars and even underground bars. More importantly, you will be surrounded by crowds of people walking left and right - or maybe even sideways - especially on weekend nights! International DJs coming over for concerts are often held here.

• Shopping Options in Hong Kong. Shops are abundant all around Hong Kong, that even the underground MTR stations have shops of their own! Other shopping areas may include, but not limited, to the following places: Nathan road, Tsim Sha Tsui, for independent high-end boutiques; Mong Kok, just minutes away from Nathan Road, for the ladies' market and affordable apparel; and Causeway Bay, for a wide selection of luxury consumer items that make you feel dizzy within a very compact area.

Cross the harbor riding this ferry. It's fun and easy!

Where to Go Next

• Macau. Most people traveling to Hong Kong never forget to make a side trip to the "Las Vegas of the Far East". Macau is just so near it only takes an hour by ferry and be blinded with neon lights emitted by huge casinos and be amazed with the preservation of culture in this tiny city-state.

• China. Hop on the MTR and you'd arrive at Guangzhou in no time. Make sure to prepare your visas, if necessary. Explore authentic Chinese culture with the chance to explore north of the country, including Shanghai and Beijing.