Hong Kong is an amazing place with lots to do. However, part of its charm is the fact that it is not overwhelmingly big so you have the opportunity to do almost all the things you are interested in. To make it a little easier for those of you who decide to study in Hong Kong or just visit, here is a list of top twelve things you should do while you’re in HK.
Lamma Island
There are a few Islands around Hong Kong but Lamma is definitely a must see. It used to be a famous fishing village and still holds on to some of its customs. However, it is now home to many expatriates who move to Hong Kong area and want a peaceful place to live. It is only a 20 minute ferry ride from Central pier and costs less than $8 (USD) there and back. You can visit the main town Yung Shue Wan (a population of about 6000) or the main fishing village Sok Kwu Wan (a population of about 300). If you don’t want to choose, do both. You can go on a mini hike and enjoy the Famous Lamma family walk from one side to the other. They are both unique but promise beautiful views and delicious sea food.
Hiking
I can count the number of times I’ve gone hiking in one hand. It’s not something me or members of my family do for fun. However, the first time I went on a hiking trip in a completely new city was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I made a decision to go hiking wherever the trails were. Good thing I came to Hong Kong!
Hong Kong is known for its beautiful hiking trails and amazing views. There are so many picturesque places to see. What better way than to look at them than from above? Two weeks ago, I hiked up to the Suicide cliff (do not be alarmed by its name). It was definitely a tough hike up there but it was short and a whole lot of fun. The key is to go with a group of people you enjoy talking to and I promise you’ll have a blast. Here are a few others hiking trails you should consider looking into – Dragon’s Back, Victoria Peak, Sunset Peak, The Twins and Lion Rock.
Beaches
With over a 100 beaches in Hong Kong, you cannot visit without going to at least one. The water is beautiful and the weather is almost always perfect for the beach. There is even WI-FI on some of them so having work to do is not an excuse not to visit at least once. Here are a few of the popular ones you have to go to Repulse Bay, Cheung Chau beach, Big Wave Bay and Clear Water Bay.
Tim Ho Wan – Michelin- Star Dim sum
Good food was a huge determinant for where I decided to study abroad and Hong Kong did not disappoint. The cheap street food is delicious and very easy to find. It might be a little overwhelming the first time you see it but I promise the fish balls and egg waffles are worth a try. Apart from the delicious street food, Hong Kong is also home for many Michelin restaurants. This specific Dim Sum place somehow allows you to try various treats and still manages to fill you up without breaking the bank.. It is a chain restaurant, so there are a few locations that you can check out (there is always a line outside the door so prepare to wait a while). When you visit, be sure to try the Barbecue Pork buns. They are the best I’ve ever tasted.
Tip: Any restaurant in HK that has long lines almost always promises good food.
Lan Kwai Fong
Lan Kwai Fong (LKF) apparently used to be an area dedicated to hawkers before the second world war. Now, it is home to the popular dining options, lounges and clubs. If you enjoy that kind of thing, partying in Lan Kwai Fong is a must while studying abroad in HK. It is a great place to meet other exchange students as well as relax after a hard week. I recommend going at least once and if you enjoy it, it does not hurt to go every weekend.
Ladies Market
The Ladies Market in Mongkok is a popular destination for both tourist and residents. It is the perfect market to find good deals on the newest fashion trends as well as souvenirs. It is open almost all day till about 11:00pm, so it’s never too late to visit.
The first time I visited, I was overwhelmed at its size. It seemed like there were over a hundred stalls. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find what I wanted but the great thing is that there are markets all around Mongkok. A few others you should consider visiting include, Street market, Flower market, Sneaker street, Bird street and even shopping malls like Langham Place and Argyle Center.
There are obviously more than twelve things you should do while in Hong Kong. So, I decided to add a few extras. If you are here in the Fall semester you should definitely go for Clockenflap and Mid-Autumn (Moon) Festival. Clockenflap is Hong Kong’s biggest musical festival. It is a three day event with good music, arts and films. This year Khalid, Erykah Badu and Interpol were the headliners and I hear it was a really good time. The Mid-Autumn festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the eight month in the Lunar calendar.
If you are in Asia, you should definitely visit to witness the fire dragon dance, eat delicious mooncakes and see the beautiful lantern displays and carnivals. Stay tuned for the other 6 in the next post. If you are looking for more things to do, I have included a link to another blog post that I use to track my progress on living my best life in Asia.
