Get a taste of the vibrant essence of Hong Kong with a two-day trip that is bound to
leave visitors wanting more.
To the untrained eye, Hong Kong may seem to be all about skyscrapers, business and
finance. However, on the ground the face-paced city is home to an abundance of
unique activities, sights, tastes and sounds waiting to be discovered.
Day One: Morning
Start the day at bustling Tai Ping Shan Street. Meaning. Once lined with gambling
and opium dens, this was the area hardest hit by Hong Kong’s 1894 bubonic plague
epidemic. Today, it’s a laid-back, bohemian hub with a collection of boutique fashion,
ceramics and homeware stores, art galleries and craft cafés.
A must-see site is nearby Man Mo Temple, one of Hong Kong’s oldest and most
famous complexes, where parents gather to ask the god of literature to help children
with their education.Â
No trip to Hong Kong is complete without trying dim sum and there is no shortage of
eateries serving the bite-sized dish. A top place to sample the traditional dish is Dim
Sum Square, where diners can sample an array of the dish as well as a selection of
sweet and savoury Chinese dishes.
Day One: Afternoon
Shopaholics can head to SoHo, a trendy neighbourhood in the Central district that
houses more than 300 hip boutiques, diners, upscale bars and art galleries.
Next, jump aboard a traditional double-decker tram and explore Hong Kong Island.
A great option is TramOrganic Tour, a 1920s-style, open top tram that takes
passengers on a one-hour audio-guided ride around the island. It starts at Western
Market Terminus in Sheung Wan and ends at Causeway Bay.
Day One: Evening
Iconic Causeway Bay is the perfect spot to indulge in a delicious dinner. The lively
neighbourhood is packed with restaurants, bars, shops and the island’s largest public
park. We then recommend heading to Lan Kwai Fong, a lively nightlife district where
the party continues until the early hours.
Day Two: Morning
Start the day like a local and tuck into a traditional breakfast at a cha chaan teng, or
tea restaurant. These casual eateries dot the streets and serve a range of classic
westernised Hong Kong dishes, including tasty pork chop buns.
Next, pull on your hiking boots and spend the morning exploring some of the
spectacular trails Hong Kong is home to. Head to Bowen Road to embark on the 30-
minute Peak Circle Walk to the Peak. Teetering at 1,300 feet above sea level, this is
Hong Kong’s highest point and boasts splendid views of the sprawling metropolis
below.
Day Two: Afternoon
Take a step back in time and spend the afternoon exploring Kowloon Walled City.
The former military stronghold’s notorious collection of buildings was torn down in
the late-1900s. In its place, a Jiangnan garden-style park was built, boasting
impressive water features and traditional gardens.
Get on the ultimate high in the afternoon and charter a helicopter to take you above
Hong Kong’s speckling on islands as the sun sinks into the sky. Alternatively, there
are plentiful operators offering various helicopter tours that offer spectacular bird’s
eye views of Hong Kong.
Day Two: Evening
Another unmissable attraction is A Symphony of Lights. Every night at 8pm, the 10-
minute multimedia laser show lights up the skyscrapers around Victoria Harbour on
Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. An incredible way to experience the show is on
board the Aqualuna. The traditional junk puts on a delicious dinner during the
spectacular.
The perfect way to round out two days in Hong Kong is a trip to its largest night
market at Temple Street in Kowloon. Stalls line the web of streets selling everything
from clothes and accessories, through to household items, jewellery and snacks.
Comments