HONG KONG – a destination itself that interlocks cultural, historical, commercial, and urban experiences in a tight-knit parcel of land with towering concretes and rockies that would truly make Hello Hong Kong to take you to more. It is one of the most well-loved international tourist sites by Filipinos who dream of stepping into their first overseas travel. The majority of us truly fall in love with the dramatic landscape, cityscape, and seascape surrounding Hong Kong – the moment our plane approaches the mini archipelagic Special Administrative Region – you will be greeted by lush greeneries bordered by defined city blocks and busy sea lanes. The iconic structures and landmarks such as the skyscrapers, the unique tour experiences such as cultural and art tour, and the wonderful shopping and dining landscape truly attract every Filipino traveler.
Certain experiences in Hong Kong would captivate and elevate your travel experience. It is hard to miss iconic destinations such as Hong Kong Disneyland, the Hong Kong Palace Museum, and Victoria Peak which comes with sometimes hefty ticket prices. Planning well your budget and expenditures for the tight-budgeted tourist could pose a daunting experience before the flight. But, Hong Kong has many destinations where you do not need to break the bank.
Let’s begin with the most exciting and favorite activity that every Filipino tourist and traveler does – Shopping. Hong Kong also has large shopping malls and entertainment districts to house different designer labels and brands for your convenient and exquisite shopping experience. However, Hong Kong is also famous for its Street Shopping Districts like Mong Kok which attracts steady and heavy daily foot traffic. Lots of choices and options, but free of any form of entrance fees!
SHOPPING AND LIFESTYLE EXPERIENCE
Fa Yuen Street is one of the most visited retail streets in Mong Kok as it receives one of the huge number of shoppers and gets filled especially during weekends. Thanks to the myriad of options and shopping choices, this is the best place to be. Filipinos love to bring back take-home treats and travel gifts to their loved ones and friends and finding one for every person should not be a problem in Fa Yuen Street. Latest and trendy fashion choices with bargain prices. I can imagine Filipino Mom Shoppers taking their price-haggling skills into a challenge. You can reach Fa Yuen Street via MTR and exit at D3 Mong Kok Station.
Brace yourself for a wallet-friendly shopping wonderland in Li Yuen Street (East & West) where every stroll is a treasure hunt for steal prices. Imagine entering this shopping haven that is every frugal shopper’s dream. Historically, Li Yuen Street was part of a large-scale reclamation project to increase land supply for further development in Central at the end of the 18th century. Residential and commercial foot traffic flourished along the street evidenced by the rows of stalls. It was after the Second World War that newspaper offices in Hong Kong began to be located on Li Yuen Street. However, the dubbed “Newspaper Street” of Hong Kong did not last long, instead, street stalls with displays of different clothing began to dot the street. Until such time Li Yuen Street boomed as one of the street shopping destinations and souvenir items and street food are part of the mini-commercial ecosystem of the street. As of writing, more items can be found at Li Yuen such as home accessories, some pieces of jewelry, room accents, personal gift items, fashion choices, and, of course, souvenirs.
Located near Causeway Bay, Jardine’s Crescent Street is one of the retail center destinations of Hong Kong. It is one of the busiest street markets, often packed during the morning, and gets into a tighter squeeze as the hours advance to nightfall. Imagine the labyrinth of Mong Kok but with slimmer alleyways. Some locals and visitors find the price comparably low and store sellers are far more friendly and nicer compared to Mong Kok. This is another option to buy souvenir items plus shopping for your fashion needs. Crescent Street is a bit smaller in area so it is much easier to navigate around, and getting lost is less of an issue.
TEA RESTAURANTS & SHOPS
Tea Shops are one of the best culinary experiences to try while in Hong Kong. To begin your experience, try at their oldest tea shop, Laon Fong Yuen made famous by their silk stocking milk tea from their original family recipe serving until as of posting. Alternatively, if you are in the Prince Edward District, visit Kam Wah Cafe at Bute Street and try their version of milk tea with their famous crispy sweet pineapple bun.
PUBLIC PARKS
Despite the limited land area, Hong Kong has many open-air spots and parks surrounding its neighborhood. I love these breathing spaces within the urban jungle where I get to witness locals getting by, clusters of people walking about, fitness fanatics completing their meter goals, or just plain viewing vehicles passing by while reading a book or sipping a cup of beverage. Most garden parks in Hong Kong are well-kept and are truly alluring to our eyes. After a day of sauntering and meandering through the destinations in Hong Kong, allow yourself to rest and recuperate surroundings with lush and at times colorful greeneries before you hit the sack. I tried slow walks in the front yard of the Hong Kong Museum of History and of Science and visited the gardens of 1881 Heritage in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Elevate your Hong Kong experiences by visiting the Art Park in West Kowloon District. Surrounded by two prominent museums, the Hong Kong Palace Museum and the M+, a contemporary museum, this Art Park is a strategic place to visit and to saunter around. Marveling the Victoria Harbor as you walk around the aesthetically designed open space and lots of open spaces to truly breathe in and out. Entrance is practically free yet there are dining options around should you wish to heed the hunger pangs after a bit of strolling around. Let the Art Park be your creative motivation and head out before dusk and have your lenses ready before the captivating sunset reveals another grand light show above the picturesque skyline of Hong Kong – this is another spot to witness and spend the golden hour while in the city. If you happen to be at the Art Park during the weekends, there are engaging live performances showcasing the creative performing arts industry of Hong Kong. The live performances could happen anytime between 10:00AM and 10:00PM should there be no special reservations on the park.
If you visit with the school-aged generation, it is best to include the Edward Youde Aviary Park located at Cotton Tree Drive in Central District. Imagine the myriad of species of Flora and Fauna you can marvel with virtually free of any Entrance Fee, except if you need to access the Squash Centre or Sports Centre. The Aviary is not your usual type of animal interaction center found in the Philippines where animals are caged in cramped animal quarters. The aviary features a raised walkway accessible by the public where you can marvel at various bird species on different levels where they have more expansive spaces to fly around. The striking architectural design is the arched supports to raise the protective mesh up to 30 meters to remove dreaded poles from your view. Marvel close to 600 birds of 70 different species like Java Sparrows, Common Shelducks, Lorikeets, and Parakeets. Part of the tour is educational programs with a focus on crucial participation in the conservation of rainforests and other natural ecosystems. The aviary is accessible via public transportation through MTR, Tram, and Bus.
Discover the captivating allure of Nan Lian Garden where distinctive Tang Dynasty-style landscaping meets the modern surrounding skyscrapers in one destination. The tour route is set in a circular manner to provide the best vantage points around the lush and picturesque garden. Found along the trails are intricately adorned arches like the Black Lintel Gate, archaic oriental wooden architecture such as the Chinese Timber Gallery, and the Song Cha Xie Teahouse which has a view against the towering concrete jungle. There are lakes also with interesting rock details and lush greeneries that truly offer a captivating breather inside the bustling city. The Nan Lian is free of charge and accessible via MTR – alight at Diamond Hill Station and exit via Exit Gate C2. There are clear signs leading to the garden. Daily operations of Nan Lian Garden are from 7:00AM – 9:00PM.
VIEW DECKS
View decks are the favorite and must-try in every tour in Hong Kong. Famous view decks require premium-priced fares and entrances for you to experience. I enjoyed the view of the famous Victoria Harbour right at the Star Ferry Pier and truly got a clear view of the beautiful skyscrapers across and the nonchalantly sailing ferries.
Do you want to experience a legendary hiking activity in Hong Kong? Head out to Kowloon Peak and choose Lion’s Rock as your goal to reach the epic viewpoint of Hong Kong Central District and Kowloon District. The etymology came from the shape of a Lion’s Head facing sideways among the peaks’ rocky features. The trail features steep pathways from rocky soil and some portions have established pathways with forest canopy. The hike would take approximately 3-4 hours to tackle by a regular tourist hiker. As you slowly ascend the trail, you will get rewarded with the viewpoints of Hong Kong. To get to the jump-off point, Take the MTR and alight at Wong Tai Sin Station (Green Line). Either walk or take a taxi to Fat Jong Temple. Once at the temple, take the steep paved Shatin Pass Road until you see the Lion Rock Archway Gate Entrance. There are signs along the trail leading to the Lion’s Rock Peak.
Get that Hollywood-style spectacle right beside the Victoria Harbor without costing you a dime – visit the Avenue of Stars located at the southern portions of the promenade in Tsim Sha Tsui. Redesigned by known architect James Corner, the Avenue of Stars is a celebration of Hong Kong’s creative and artistic offerings. If you are lucky, you can join a free group tour around the promenade and be mesmerized by the different narratives of featured celebrities such as Bruce Lee, the master of martial arts in Tinseltown, featuring its edifice of 2 meters in height and made from bronze material. A superstar made immortal and honored through a statue instillation – Hong Kong’s own Anita Mui, a multi-domain performer and undisputed superstar in the realm of cinema and music.
Apart from natural vantage points and view decks, you can enjoy the fantastic views of Victoria Harbor through the eclectic architectural wonders of the bustling city. Here are two recommended outlets located at the higher decks.
After a whole day of shopping and excursion at Nathan Road or anywhere around Tsim Sha Tsui, head to Eyebar of iSquare. Located on the 30th floor, it is one of the sky bars to visit and try their unique array of cocktails as you witness the sunset and city lights flickering from the distance. iSquare is a high shopping complex featuring 31 floors with more than 140 outlets for shopping, dining, cinema, and special events.
While at Hong Kong Island, cap your day of adventure at Cruise, a rooftop restaurant of Hyatt Centric with good food and great booze. One of its breathtaking features is its terrace overlooking the Victoria Harbor. Enjoy your choice of cocktails such as North Point Negroni and Emperor’s Daughter as you bask in the panoramic view below.
Experience sweeping views of the city via the Big Bus Hong Kong Island Night Tour valued at HK$20 per pax. A unique ride to be whisked around by an open-top bus as you wind through the known landmarks and spots of the Central District like the Man Mo Temple, Lee Tung Street for night shopping, and the views of the iconic skyscrapers that defined the famous Hong Kong skyline.
CONNECTIVITY FROM THE PHILIPPINES
Hong Kong is connected to a lot of gateways in the Philippines. You can conveniently fly to Hong Kong via Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao with many airlines of choice for your convenience. Wherever you are in the country, you can have convenient access to direct flights to Hong Kong.
You can enjoy Hong Kong and spend hours on exciting activities and experiences without truly breaking the bank. There are so many activities to experience, but you really need to scour for updates. Hong Kong truly is a destination that marries tradition and innovation to fully enhance your visit.
Hello Hong Kong takes you to more – whether it’s more events, more experiences, or more hidden gems waiting to be explored. Hong Kong is a city that never runs out of surprises.