Hong Kong is synonymous with shopping. It’s a shopper’s paradise, with its many malls, stores selling everything from designer jeans to junk jewelry. But few would know that there is much more to Hong Kong than just shopping. It has a wealth of cultural attractions that includes museums, heritage walks and places to shop and dine.
1. Architecture Tour:
The Architecture Institute of Hong Kong conducts tours of some of the notable buildings and landmarks. The tour takes around 3 hours and is a good way to explore and know the historical facet of the city. You would get a chance to see some colonial structures like the Central Police Station and the French Mission, as well as some great modern architecture, including the Hong Kong and Shanghai building designed by Sir Norman Foster in 1985.
2. ‘Tramming’ your way:
The HK2 double-decker city trams are iconic and one of the cheapest means of sight-seeing. They are slow no doubt but they take you through various landmarks of interest such as the Western Market, Happy Valley, Causeway Bay and finally ends at Shau Kei Wan. Definitely the cheapest sightseeing tours around.
3. Lantau Island:
The Island houses the largest Buddhist monastery in Hong Kong located high in the Lantau hills. Gear up to climb 260 steps to the 100 ft tall seated statue of Buddha & enjoy the breathtaking view of the surrounding hillsides. You can sample some of the delicious, yet simple vegetarian fare too.
4. Trip to Ocean Park and Waterworld:
This is located in the southwest of Hong Kong island and is a massive theme park and entertainment center. The Ocean Park houses Amusement rides, a butterfly park, an aviary and marine shows. The Middle Kingdom walk-through the exhibition features recreated street scenes and palaces from long ago and is educative about China’s past. Waterworld has slides, a wave pool, manmade rapids and other child-friendly activities.
5. Shopping at Stanley Town:
A visit to Hong Kong is considered incomplete without a visit to Stanley Town. Accessible by bus, Stanley Town is a tourist attraction located in the southeastern peninsula of Hong Kong Island. You get excellent bargains on everything from antiques, arts, and crafts, embroidered household linens, cheap children’s clothes to electronics. Also, try out the variety of foods and refreshments.
6. Mystic Reading at Temple Street:
If you have an interest in the occult and metaphysical, a visit to the Temple Street is a must do. At night, the street is filled with various fortune tellers who can give you readings for around HK150 to 200. There are a variety of fortune tellers ranging from readers of tea leaves and palms to Tarot cards and the traditional style based on your birth date and Chinese zodiac.
7. Victoria Peak:
This hilly landmark is named after the British monarch Queen Victoria and is visited by every tourist to Hong Kong. A cable-pulled train (funicular) takes visitors from Hong Kong Park to the peak. A bus also goes up the peak but the views from the funicular are more breathtaking. Up at the Top, there is the Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum and also the recently renovated Peak Tower, housing many shops and establishments. You could also try out the Hiking trails and the Sky Terrace which offers a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of Hong Kong.
8. Avenue of Stars:
This is located within walking distance of the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station and is Hong Kong’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s a seaside promenade offering fantastic views and celebrates icons of Hong Kong cinema. Every night at 20:00 Hour, you can also enjoy A Symphony of Lights, a marvelous light and laser show that is recognized by the Guinness World Record as the world’s “Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show.”
9. Shopping at Tung Chung Factory Outlets:
Any trip would be incomplete without shopping and good deals. Explore the CityGate Shopping Mall, Hong Kong’s first outlet mall. There are plenty of factories outlets here, and cheap, quality bargains for original goods like nowhere else.
10. Aberdeen Harbor Boat Ride:
It is famous to tourists for the boat people community (A community on the water, made up of hundreds of fishing boats tied together.) living in the harbor and the floating seafood restaurants such as the Jumbo Floating Restaurant (a double storied boat serving typical seafood and Cantonese cuisine on board and which accommodate 2,300 people at a time). The best way to explore the Aberdeen Harbor is by Sampan boats. For $100 HKD you can catch a local sampan boat that takes you around the harbor on about a 20 minute tour.
So, instead of just shopping around do justice to the other fabulous places that Hong Kong has to offer.
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