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Hong Kong (Macau) Attractions
Hong Kong (Macau) Attractions
Below are some of our favorite attractions in Hong Kong.
Riding the Star Ferry: To reacquaint myself with the city, one of the first things I do on each return trip is to hop aboard the Star Ferry for one of the most dramatic -- and cheapest -- 5-minute boat rides in the world. Hong Kong's harbor is one of the world's busiest, and beyond it rises one of earth's most breathtaking skylines.
Taking a Tram: Take a double-decker tram ride from one end of Hong Kong Island to the other for an unparalleled view of life in the crowded city as you pass skyscrapers, street markets, traditional Chinese shops, and department stores.
Gazing upon Hong Kong from Victoria Peak: You don't know Hong Kong until you've seen it from here. Take the tram to Victoria Peak, famous for its views of Central, the harbor, Kowloon, and undulating hills beyond, followed by a 1-hour circular hike and a meal with a view. Don't miss the nighttime view, one of the most spectacular and romantic in the world.
Bargain-Hunting in Stanley: Stall after stall of casual wear, silk clothing, tennis shoes, accessories, and souvenirs and crafts imported from China make this a shopper's paradise. And after a day of bargaining, I like to recuperate in one of Stanley's trendy yet casual restaurants.
Strolling Tsim Sha Tsui's Waterfront: There's a pedestrian promenade that stretches from the Star Ferry eastward along Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui East, providing close-up views of the harbor and Hong Kong Island with its skyscrapers. After dark, this is a wonderful romantic stroll, with the lights of Hong Kong Island shimmering across the water. And every evening at 8pm, Hong Kong puts on a spectacular laser and light show projected from skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island. The best place to see this colorful extravaganza? On the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront alongside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
Paying Respects at the Big Buddha: Laze on the open aft deck during the 50-minute ferry ride to Lantau island (and enjoy great views of the harbor and skyline along the way), followed by a hair-raising bus ride over lush hills to see the world's largest, seated, outdoor bronze Buddha, located at the Po Lin Monastery. Complete your pilgrimage with a vegetarian meal at the monastery.
Expanding Your Cultural Horizons at the Hong Kong Museum of Art: Hong Kong's most important art museum is a must-see for its vast collection of Chinese antiquities, including ceramics, jade, and lacquerware, as well as its gallery of old paintings depicting Hong Kong through the ages and its changing exhibition of contemporary Hong Kong art -- all against the dramatic backdrop of Hong Kong's harbor outside its windows.
Reliving the Past at the Hong Kong Museum of History: For a quick 101 course on Hong Kong history, make a visit to the Hong Kong Museum of History one of your first priorities. A life-size diorama of a Neolithic settlement, replicas of fishing boats and traditional houses, ethnic clothing, re-created street scenes, displays of colorful festivals, and the Chinese take on the opium wars are just some of the visual feasts awaiting visitors. If you see only one museum during your stay, this should be it.
Exploring the Western District: Produce, bolts of cloth, live snakes, ginseng, dried seafood, Chinese herbs and medicines, a historic temple, a museum dedicated to Chinese and Western medicine, and antiques and collectibles are just some of the things you'll see while strolling through one of Hong Kong's most fascinating neighborhoods.
Hopping Aboard the Central/Mid-Levels Escalator: Hop aboard the world's longest covered people mover as it snakes its way uphill in a series of escalators. You can hop off at one of 29 exits to enjoy a drink or meal at one of the many establishments along its link, or take it to the top for a 20-minute ride.
Hong Kong (Macau) Activities
Below are some of our favorite activities to participate in while in Hong Kong.
Dining on Dim Sum: A great way to start your day, nothing conveys a sense of Chinese life more vividly than a visit to a crowded, lively Cantonese restaurant for breakfast or lunch, where trolleys of dim sum in bamboo steamers are wheeled from customer to customer. Simply peer into the passing bamboo baskets and choose what appears the most tempting.
Getting Up Early to Watch Tai Chi: Before breakfast, head to one of Hong Kong's many parks to watch people going through the slow, graceful motions of tai chi, or shadow boxing. For the best viewing, go to Kowloon Park, Hong Kong Park, Victoria Park, or the Zoological and Botanical Gardens. You can even participate in free practice sessions, held 3 mornings a week on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade.
Window-Shopping on Nathan Road: Open-fronted clothing boutiques, jewelry stores, camera shops, tailors, tourists from around the world, international cuisine, huge neon signs, and whirling traffic combine to make this boulevard Hong Kong's most famous shopping street.
Shopping at Shanghai Tang: This 1930s-style Chinese department store is oh-so-chic, with lime-green- or fuchsia-colored jackets, Mao watches, 1930s reproduction home decor, and more. The shopping bag that comes with your purchase is a bonus -- just way too cool -- and the shop's free postcards are also pretty fab.
Browsing for Chinese Souvenirs: In addition to Shanghai Tang and Stanley Market, many Chinese emporiums sell vases, vase stands, porcelain figurines, chinaware, calligraphy brushes, birdcages, jade, silk jackets, teas, and various Chinese crafts and products.
