PSA: Hong Kong has lastly reopened borders after three years — extra particulars beneath, plus issues to take a look at when in your subsequent journey to Hong Kong!
Photograph credit score: @alisonpang by way of Unsplash
After the Singapore-Hong Kong air journey bubble bought introduced and cancelled a number of instances, I nearly stopped believing it’ll occur. Nevertheless it’s been three lengthy years and Hong Kong has lastly opened its doorways to the remainder of the world!
Hong Kong entry necessities as of Jan 2023:
1) Absolutely vaccinated travellers (aged three or above) have to endure a ART (might be self-administered) inside 24 hours or a PCR take a look at inside 48 hours earlier than the scheduled time of flight. Hold your destructive take a look at outcome as you is likely to be required to point out it.
2) Masks are nonetheless required in public areas, together with public transport.
For many of us, it’s been awhile since we’ve walked alongside Hong Kong’s vibrant streets. So right here’s a visit down reminiscence lane — issues we are able to’t wait to do on our subsequent journey to Hong Kong!
1) Feast on genuine dim sum
Our unfold at Dim Sum Sq.!
The very first thing on our agenda: dim sum. In fact, there’s dim sum in Singapore however it ain’t the identical! Dim sum in Hong Kong isn’t only a meal, it’s an expertise. Waitresses pushing overflowing trolleys, boisterous patrons yelling out orders — it’s nearly such as you’re in a scene of a Cantonese drama.
Dim Sum Sq. is a crowd favorite. Strive the crispy BBQ pork buns (HK$19, ~S$3.20) and har gow (HK$22, ~S$3.75)! Then there’s One Dim Sum — a former one Michelin-starred restaurant that sells nice dim sum at inexpensive costs.
Learn extra: Final Hong Kong Meals Information: 50 Finest Eats Incl. Halal Meals
2) Revive your Instagram feed
One of many many vibrant partitions alongside ARTLANE! Photograph credit score: @samishome by way of Instagram
Throughout the pandemic, we’ve needed to depend on #throwback pictures to maintain our Instagram feed. Fortunately, Hong Kong has many eye-catching photograph spots that’s positive to convey color to your feed!
Take a look at vibrant road artwork alongside ARTLANE in Sai Ying Pun and the long-lasting 48 Hollywood Highway‘s mural of outdated townhouses. We took a road artwork tour round Central Station, which highlighted portraits of icons like Audrey Hepburn in pop artwork fashion!
3) Discover the stylish neighbourhood of Sham Shui Po
Photograph credit score: @kevinlu by way of Instagram
Sham Shui Po could also be one in all Hong Kong’s oldest districts, however younger creatives have given the district new life. In actual fact, a Timeout survey in 2020 listed Sham Shui Po as one of many coolest neighbourhoods on the planet!
Regardless of Covid-19, many new cafes, galleries and quirky retailers have popped up within the district. White Noise Data is one instance — an indie report retailer with reside performances! Espresso lovers will get pleasure from Color Brown x Phvlo Hatch, a sustainable espresso store on the bottom flooring of a revamped textile store.
4) Really feel like a child once more at Hong Kong Disneyland
We may all use a little bit of Disneyland’s magic. Excellent news is, once we return, there are a number of new points of interest that await! To commemorate its fifteenth anniversary, Hong Kong Disneyland unveiled the Citadel of Magic Desires in November 2020. This citadel celebrates 13 of our favorite Disney princesses — like Belle and Elsa!
Photograph credit score: Hong Kong Disneyland
Citadel apart, a cool new zone is opening within the second half of 2023 that’s positive to have you ever shivering with pleasure — Arendelle: World of Frozen. Count on thrilling points of interest just like the Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs, a speedy coaster pulled by Olaf and Sven.
Learn extra: The Full Hong Kong Disneyland Information: Secrets and techniques, Suggestions, & Magical Should-Dos
5) Climb Suicide Cliff for epic metropolis views
Who else is lacking this unbelievable view?
Suicide Cliff is arguably Hong Kong’s most well-known hike — and for good motive! Those that tackle this hike are rewarded with epic views of the town, and it takes lower than an hour to succeed in the perspective.
Learn additionally: 21 Most Rewarding Hikes Across the World — From Gorgeous Glaciers to Lively Volcanoes
6) Or tackle Hong Kong’s different enjoyable hikes
Photograph credit score: @emmamialin by way of Unsplash
Regardless of being recognized primarily for its crowded city panorama, over 75% of Hong Kong is roofed in greenery! This implies there are many hikes of various problem, from quick trails to difficult routes that assure a superb sweat.
The view from Sundown Peak!
Should you’ve already conquered Suicide Cliff, give Hong Kong’s different hikes a attempt! One well-known hike is the 8.5km Dragon’s Again path, which stretches from Shek O to Large Wave Bay. It takes roughly 4 hours and isn’t too robust. Alternatively, hike up Sundown Peak, Hong Kong’s third-highest mountain.
Learn extra: 7D Hong Kong Out of doors Itinerary — Exploring A Completely different Aspect of The Concrete Jungle
7) Admire Hong Kong’s skyline from the water
Take a look at the junk ship’s placing purple sails.
Whereas Hong Kong’s skyline is spectacular within the day, the town actually comes alive at evening. The views from Causeway Bay Pier are nice — however to get proper within the thick of the motion, go on an hour-long cruise (from ~S$38.55) down Causeway Bay. On a standard Chinese language junk ship, no much less!
Make sure you catch the every day Symphony of Lights Present — a shocking 14-minute show — at 8PM!
8) Uncover hidden gems in Mongkok
Photograph credit score: @j_lam83 by way of Unsplash
Mongkok is one in all Hong Kong’s busiest districts — thriving arts and meals scene, plus a shopaholic’s paradise. You’ll want just a few days to actually recognize this district!
Photograph credit score: 618 Shanghai Avenue
In your subsequent journey to Hong Kong, pay 618 Shanghai Avenue a go to. It’s a revitalised strip of shophouses opened in 2020 that’ll offer you a glimpse into native craft companies. In want of retail remedy? Head to Sneakers Avenue to cop the most recent sneakers or Argyle Centre, a five-storey procuring arcade!
9) Finish the evening at Hong Kong’s vigorous evening markets
Temple Avenue. Photograph credit score: Hong Kong Tourism Board
No journey to Hong Kong is full and not using a go to to a evening market. We miss the open-aired stalls, looking for good offers and the general loopy environment. Temple Avenue is one in all Hong Kong’s OG evening markets, with road meals and low-cost garments.
Girls’ Market is one other go-to, with over 100 stalls stretching nearly 1km. Right here you’ll discover all types of inexpensive girls’s clothes, plus equipment and toys!
10) Escape the town for a day at Sai Kung
Sai Kung is nicknamed the ‘again backyard of Hong Kong’. Why? This peninsula is the nation’s second-largest space and is understood for idyllic surroundings, attractive seashores and thrilling actions.
Throughout our final go to, we hiked a (quick) portion of the 100km MacLehose Path, noticed rock formations on a ship tour and noticed the Excessive Island East Dam Reservoir. There’s nonetheless loads of Sai Kung left to discover, and we are able to’t wait to be again.
Learn extra: Sai Kung Information — 7 Day Journey Itineraries to an Typically Forgotten Aspect of Hong Kong
11) Dine at Michelin-star eating places (at inexpensive costs!)
With 71 Michelin-star eating places, Hong Kong’s culinary scene is a dynamic one. One of the best half is, you don’t must lay our a fortune for the Michelin expertise.
Yat Lok is a favorite amongst each locals and vacationers, serving wonderful roast geese (HK$108, ~S$18.50) since 1957. Ho Hung Kee at Causeway Bay is one other must-visit, providing springy noodles with tasty wantons (HK$40, ~S$6.80). The meals alone is sufficient to persuade anybody to e-book a flight to Hong Kong!
Learn additionally: Final Hong Kong Meals Information: 50 Finest Eats
12) Discover Lantau, Hong Kong’s largest island
Lantau Island is like Hong Kong’s model of Sentosa. Right here you’ll discover sandy seashores, historic landmarks, and loads of nature.
Getting there may be already an journey — by way of a glass-bottom cable automobile! The final time we visited, we checked off the Tian Tan Buddha earlier than taking up the Lantau Sundown Peak Hike. It takes about 5 hours to finish, however the sweeping views of nature are effectively price it — 10/10 would go once more!
13) Soak in Kowloon Metropolis’s wealthy tradition
Photograph credit score: @cath_fu by way of Instagram
Kowloon Metropolis is an space bursting with tradition and historical past — with landmarks from way back to the thirteenth century. It was additionally house to Hong Kong’s authentic airport! This district is nicknamed Little Thailand as a consequence of its abundance of Southeast Asian eating places.
Go to Kowloon Walled Metropolis Park, which has a infamous previous as a Chinese language army outpost within the sixteenth century. Lately, it’s a pristine backyard with historic exhibitions.
14) Spend a day on the seashore
Photograph credit score: Hong Kong Tourism Board
Whenever you consider Hong Kong, a “seashore getaway” in all probability isn’t the very first thing that involves thoughts. However the golden seashores and blue waters at Shek O seashore may persuade you in any other case!
Apart from sunbathing, get pleasure from windsurfing and stuffing your self with Asian delicacies at beachside eating places.
15) Take the tram as much as Victoria Peak
Photograph credit score: The Peak
We’re rounding up our record of issues to do in Hong Kong with one of many metropolis’s high points of interest, Victoria Peak. To get there, you’ll be able to both hike up or, the extra enjoyable method — take the Peak Tram (from S$16.90). It ascends from 28m to 396m in simply eight minutes!
Stroll alongside the Peak Circle Stroll, which wraps across the highest level on Hong Kong Island. Then, head to Sky Terrace 428, a viewing platform that’s 428m excessive. Should you handle to tear your self from the view, take a look at Monopoly Desires (from HK$260, ~S$44.60), the world’s first Monopoly-themed attraction.
Photograph credit score: @hkpeakgalleria by way of Instagram
What’s extra, the Peak Galleria — a mall on Victoria Peak — was newly renovated in 2019. It now options extra shops and a recent, fashionable look.
Planning Your Subsequent Hong Kong Itinerary?
Photograph credit score: @jay.phuc.pictures by way of Instagram
Whether or not it’s your first time or nth time, a visit to Hong Kong is one thing we at all times stay up for. Plus with new points of interest, cafes and retailers opening on a regular basis, there’s at all times one thing new to expertise!
Now that we are able to lastly revisit Hong Kong, we stay up for experiencing every thing once more.
Learn additionally: 7D Hong Kong Itinerary — Exploring Past the Meals And Buying Paradise
What are a few of your favorite issues to do in Hong Kong? Share with us within the feedback!
