25 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN HONG KONG

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Wow This is the only thing we could say when we arrived in Hong Kong. All those lights, the skyscrapers, the Chinese writings ... it was like being in another world! Although the hours that separated us from Manila, from the Philippines, from Southeast Asia were only 2, the difference was noticeable and we already realized that what was beginning was going to be totally different. Come on, the trip to China was milk and here we are going to tell you everything you can See and do in Hong Kong.

1. Approach the Avenue of the stars, a street in the purest style of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where tribute is paid to great Chinese artists. Here, for example, you can see the footprints of Jackie Chan and take a picture with the statue of Bruce Lee.

2. Return here at night: it is one of the best places to enjoy the “Symphony of the light”, a show of light and sound to which the entire city seems to participate. It takes place every night at 20.00 and lasts about 10 minutes. Being able to enjoy the incredible city skyline while “taking life” is one of the best things to do in Hong Kong!

3. Nathan road It is the commercial artery of Kowloon, we recommend you walk through it and let yourself be guided by your instinct. It seems he almost never sleeps (Nathan Road, not your XD instinct).

4. The area of Lai Kwai Fong, always lively, is perfect for a beer or a cocktail before or after dinner.

5. You can't go to Hong Kong and not get crammed with one of their specialties: Dim sum! There are many restaurants to try, some of the best are in One Dim Sum Chinese. In this post we tell you other restaurants where to eat in Hong Kong.

6. After so much jungle of steel your body may ask you for some relaxation, then go to the kowloon park, where you can disconnect, surround yourself with green, see the old people practice tai chi and even take a bath in their public pool. Curiosity: here until 1987 the old neighborhood of Kowloon arose that, at that time, was one of the most dangerous places on earth ... a true city without law where not even the cops dared to enter. Here you have more info about the history of that walled city ...

7. If you prefer the pool Beach, nothing happens: you are on an island! Some of the most recommended are South bay or Stanley Beach.

8. Hong Kong has a super interesting gastronomic scene, and good news: here is one of the Cheapest Michelin star restaurants in the world. Is named Tim Ho Wan (Try the pork and shrimp dumplings and the rolls stuffed with the bbq pork). A dinner for two, leaves for less than € 20 (and that we put on our boots).

9. If as we are a fan of Chinese temples, you can not miss the Wong Tai Sin Temple, one of the most important in the city, and the Man Mo Temple, of the oldest in Hong Kong.

10. Go up to Victoria Peak: watching the sunset from up there, while hundreds, thousands of skyscrapers rise in front, is one of the best experiences to live in Hong Kong. How to get? Take the funicular, you can book it in advance here (€ 10 i / v + entrance to the Sky Terrace 428 viewpoint). When we went at night he began to do some scratch, you are advised.

Tired? Courage: you have to discover a few more things What to see and do in Hong Kong!

11. A few years ago nobody knew or went to Choi Hung Estate, but then instagram arrived and someone realized that, this colorful building would look great in his gallery ... Today it is one of the most visited (and photographed) places in the city!

12. Same speech for the Yik Cheong Building (Monster Building), a building full, full, full of apartments and that became famous when going out in movies like Ghost in the Shell. A photo here and likes a shovel tip XD

13. Take a tour of the Ladies market, the most frequented market in Hong Kong, where you can find everything (from bags to fish soup hehe). Open until 11pm. Do not forget to haggle!

14. Another recommended market is the Temple street, very, very crowded and full of personality.

15. Give yourself a whim and make a Victoria Harbor Cruise, in the traditional Chinese reed. It is best to do it at sunset or at night, when the city lights paint all the water in thousands of colors. It is one of the best things to do in Hong Kong. You can book your ticket here (it costs € 22).

16. Although if the budget does not give you so much, there is a much cheaper option (although nothing romantic hehe). We talk about ferry (Star Ferry) Tickets to cross from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island are only worth HKD 2.7 (about € 0.30). The trip takes 10 minutes.

17. Do you know that in Hong Kong is the longest escalator in the world? You have to take it! It is located between Central and Mid Levels and measures about 800 meters. It is not really a ladder, it is rather a stretch of different stairs. The entire journey takes about 20 minutes.

18. An original way to visit the city is by riding in one of itsdouble-decker trams. If you are free, get in the first row of the top floor: guaranteed views. The ticket costs less than € 0.50!

19. The Nan Lian Garden It is one of the most beautiful and relaxing areas of the city. There is also the Chi Lin Monastery, a set of Buddhist temples that will abstract you from the madness and traffic of the city.

20. A neighborhood we loved was Soho, it has a super interesting cosmopolitan atmosphere and full of bars and restaurants. Too bad it's full of slopes and stairs XD

21. The neighborhood of Mong Kok It is also very worthwhile, it is the most commercial part of the city, where you will be surrounded by people, neon lights and shopping centers.

22. The best excursion in Hong Kong is the Big Tian Tian Buddha. You can go quietly for free, taking the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, which, incidentally, has sublime views. Or by booking a tour, here you can do it, it costs € 19 (i / v) and takes about 25 minutes to arrive.

23. And of course, take advantage that you are on the island to know Disneyland Hong Kong. Here you can buy the transfer and entry package.

24. If you have more time, consider changing the island and visiting Macao, or the island-casino as some call it. We did not go for lack of days, but it is something we want to do ... sooner or later 🙂 Update 2020: we returned to Hong Kong and visited Macao and it is cool! That mix between China, Portugal and Las Vegas is very rare but it seems a curious place that is worth a visit!

25. Come back ... Hong Kong is impossible to discover on a single trip!

After visiting Hong Kong during 4 days It was time to go to China, but of course ... that's another story! Do you know more things to see and do in Hong Kong? Leave us a comment 🙂

Useful information

:: Where to sleep in Hong Kong?

If you don't want to spend a lot, I rectify, if you want to spend as little as possible there is only one option: Chungking Mansion! This huge building of different blocks and many floors has something like 200 hostels! We booked at the New Yan Yan Guest house, for 250HKD the night. Surely if you go without a reservation you can get a somewhat cheaper price (but no idea). The room was tiny, about 8-10m2, with private bathroom, window, tv, a / c. The price is exorbitant, but it is what it is, all are similar. Is this or go to a hotel for about € 100!

Here you can see more accommodation options in Hong Kong. You can also take a look at Airbnb which, when we went to China, was not at all extended like now!

:: How to get to Hong Kong?

From the airport to downtown Hong Kong The cheapest way is to take the A21 / N21 bus and if you stay at the Mansion chunking, get off at Nathan Road with Middle road (stop n 14). It costs 33HKD, lasts about 50 min.

If you go to pass to mainland China (Schenzen city) What you have to do is take the subway to the LO WU stop. Right there is the border where your visa will be sealed and not even! Welcome to China! Outside the border there are bus agencies and bus and train stations to go to the most famous destinations.

:: How to get around Hong Kong? Octopus Card

With this rechargeable card you can save money. You can buy it at any subway station or at the airport and it costs 150HKD (100 balance and 50 deposit). Once you leave the city at any customer service center of the subway stations they will return the deposit (well they keep 7HKD, so they only return 43 of the 50 of the deposit) as the remaining balance. It is also valid to buy in many stores (es 7eleven, mc donald)

More info about the Octopus Card.

:: Where to eat in Hong Kong?

In this post we tell you several options where to eat in Hong Kong.

:: Reference expenses (exchange rate: € 1 = 8,859 HKD):

Accommodation: 4 nights, € 12.90 / person.
Food: € 3.92 / person
Transport: € 3.99 / person
TOTAL: € 20.81 / person and day

:: Do you have little time but want to see as much as possible?

Here we leave you the best tours and activities:

How to process the Chinese visa in Hong Kong

Our first goal in Hong Kong was fundamental: get the visa for china. So we get up early and catch the crowded subway to reach the center of Hong Kong Island (the city is divided into two: the financial center, the so-called island of Hong Kong and the district of Kowloon, the oldest and commercial area). The truth has been easier than expected, although much more expensive!

If you want process the visa for China in Hong Kong you will have to go to China Resurces Building, located at No. 26 Harbor road. The nearest metro is Wan Chai (exit A2, continue on LOCKHART road to the right and at the crossroads with Fleming turn left and continue straight on until you cross Gleicester)

The NORMAL cost to process the visa is of 200HKD (one entry), it takes about 4 business days. If you need the service to be faster you can pay 400HKD to have it in 2 business days, or 500HKD to have it the next business day. (Saturday and Sunday clearly the office is closed)

* The post is updated to December 2018 but the visa info no :-p