I've always considered Hong Kong as one my favorite places to go to in the world. I'd like to think of it as another home that I could run to and feel free. From the richness of its culture, passion for the arts, and technological advancements that made it convenient for everyone, no doubt this is a must-to-go for any travel junky out there.
Even though I've been to Hong Kong too many times -- at least 2-3 times a year to be exact -- I'd never get tired of this place. It just feels too much like home.
So I provided a few lists and basics that could help you out for your trip to Hong Kong. :)
To begin with...
For those traveling to Hong Kong as first timers, I'd recommend that you book your stays at these areas:
Even though I've been to Hong Kong too many times -- at least 2-3 times a year to be exact -- I'd never get tired of this place. It just feels too much like home.
So I provided a few lists and basics that could help you out for your trip to Hong Kong. :)
To begin with...
LOGISTICS
What better way to get to know the place by living in one of Hong Kong's residential units. You can definitely book via AirBnB or Roomorama and get to feel what it's like to be a local. Not to mention you can definitely save more than your usual bookings in a hotel.For those traveling to Hong Kong as first timers, I'd recommend that you book your stays at these areas:
These areas are in the heart of Hong Kong. There are various shops, restaurants, museums, parks, and convention centers that you could go to! Personally, I would recommend either Causeway Bay or Tsim Sha Tsui for first timers. Though these areas may also be quite busy during the day and night, there's no chance that you will get lost because of the convenient transportation and road signs around.
TIMING
It really depends on what you plan to do during your stay in Hong Kong.
Every year, Hong Kong hosts a major international event called the Hong Kong Arts Festival which happens from January to April. A lot of international artists come here to perform! Art galleries, operas, orchestras, ballet, you name it!
Me and my mum go to Hong Kong every year to watch ballet. A lot of great ballet companies have already performed for the HKAF including the American Ballet Company, New York City Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Alla Scalla Ballet (Milan), and many more! So there's really no need to go all the way to New York, Moscow, or Milan to see these great ballet companies all thanks to the Hong Kong Arts Festival.
At the same time, during this time of the year, -- February to March -- Hong Kong is on a rapid and vast sale! Whether it be on luxury items or retail clothing lines, you'd see 50-80% off on tags!
So, not only is there a 3-month long of arts festival, but there's also a major sale happening! And did I mention that the weather at this time is perfect? On an average, the weather in Hong Kong at that time of the year is from 17-25 degrees Celsius.
FLYING
Usually, we opt for promos offered by budget airlines such as AirAsia and CebuPacific. But you'll be surprised that airlines such as Cathay Pacific offers yearly promos that offer an all-in & roundtrip fare of 100USD to 150USD per person if you buy 2 tickets.
I also personally use Kayak & SkyScanner to book flights and compare airfares from different online travel agencies.
For those who are planning to have a travel year, it's best that you get 1-2 airlines or 2 different airline alliances so you could start collecting miles and rewards. Make the most out of everything from your travel experiences!
For me, I chose AirAsia/MarcoPolo (Cathay Pacific) that belongs to OneWorld & KrisFlyer (Singapore Airlines) that belongs to Star Alliance.
MUST SEE
So most would include the usual HK Disneyland, Ocean Park, Victoria's Peak & Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, and HK Avenue of Stars. But there's more in Hong Kong that you need to see. I've listed a few places that you could see in Hong Kong apart from the usual tourist's itinerary list:
- Nan Lian Garden - this is what I'd like to call garden in the city. This place is breathtaking! Whether you're looking for a great place to shoot your ootd's or just looking for a place to relax, this is definitely a place to go to. This place is also not cramped with tourists -- so you can definitely enjoy and appreciate the view. Did I mention that it's free? There's also a small cafè where you can relax. This place is a 2-minute walk from Diamond Hill Station (take Exit C2).
Nan Lian Garden - Ten Thousand Buddhas Monestary - now this is something you can include in your morning itinerary as it opens at 9am. This is a really nice and solemn place to visit - not to mention there aren't many tourists that go here. This is a 5-minute walk from Sha Tin Station.
- Night Market Jordan - this is for the sake of experience. You go here at night (8:30pm at the earliest) to have those delicious king crabs and awesome local beer! Don't worry. They have an English menu as many foreigners also come to this place. This is a 5-minute walking distance from Jordan Station (take Exit A).
Temple Street, Jordan - Sneakers Street - or also known as Fa Yuen Street. This is an entire street of shoe shops in Mongkok. Filled with a number of Adidas, Nike, Converse, and more shoe & sports shops. This is the place you can look for those hard-to-find sneakers. This is a 5-minute walk from Mongkok Station (take either Exit D2 or E2).
- Ngong Ping 360 - this cable car would bring you to the Ngong Ping Village & the Tan Tian Buddha. Just a warning: do this on a weekday and early in the morning so that you don't have to queue for a long time in the line. This is in Lantau Island and a station away from Sunny Bay Station (Disneyland Station). Just get off at Tung Chung Station which is the last stop of the Yellow Line MTR. At this station, there is also an outlet mall filled with both retail and luxury stores -- you can definitely save 25-75% off from the usual prices.
View from Ngong Ping Cable Car & the Great B - Lan Kwai Fong - get to experience Hong Kong's night life in LKF. Personally, you need to come and see LKF during Halloween season. During this time of the year, you don't only get to party hard and meet new friends, but you also get to see the creative and creepy side of the locals on how they take this event seriously. This is a 3-minute walk from Central Station.
For the other popular tourist spots such as HK Disney, Ocean Park, and Victoria's Peak & Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, try to schedule these trips/visits on a weekday so you can avoid being cramped in a crowd.
Also, avoid having trips in Hong Kong during the Summer (June to early August) and Christmas.
I hope these tips help you for your Hong Kong trip!
Until next time <3
Also, avoid having trips in Hong Kong during the Summer (June to early August) and Christmas.
I hope these tips help you for your Hong Kong trip!
Until next time <3