At dusk, Victoria Harbour.
The sunset dyes the skyline orange-red, lights in skyscrapers beginning to come on. On the Avenue of Stars, tourists look for celebrities’ handprints. At 8 PM, “A Symphony of Lights” begins—lights on buildings on both banks flash, accompanied by music, magnificent. Standing by the seaside in Tsim Sha Tsui, watching this brilliant scene, marveling at the Pearl of the Orient’s charm.
This is Hong Kong’s most classic scene.
Hong Kong is a city that makes you want to linger.
Province Profile#
- Location: Southern China, east side of the Pearl River Estuary
- Best Travel Season: October to following March
- Highlights: Shopping paradise, food capital, East meets West, international metropolis
Must-Visit Attractions#
Victoria Harbour: One of the World’s Three Great Natural Harbors#
Victoria Harbour is Hong Kong’s soul, one of the world’s three great natural harbors.
Avenue of Stars has handprints of numerous celebrities—a must-visit spot for tourists. Star Ferry is Hong Kong’s oldest transportation—taking a boat across Victoria Harbour, seeing scenery on both banks, is Hong Kong people’s daily routine.
Best Experience: By the seaside in Tsim Sha Tsui at dusk, see sunset and night scenery. Take the Star Ferry, feel Hong Kong’s slow pace.
The Peak: Overlooking Hong Kong’s Panorama#
The Peak is Hong Kong’s highest point, the best place to overlook Victoria Harbour’s panorama.
Peak Tram is the transportation up the mountain, with red trams running on steep tracks—very vintage. Sky Terrace 428 is the peak’s viewing platform, with 360-degree views of Hong Kong’s panorama. See skyscrapers during the day, see brilliant lights at night.
Best Experience: Go up the mountain at dusk, see sunset and night scenery. Take the tram down, feel the vintage atmosphere.
Disneyland: Fairy Tale World#
Hong Kong Disneyland is China’s first Disneyland.
Cinderella Castle is the park’s symbol, Mystic Point, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland each have their own character. At night there’s a fireworks show, with fireworks blooming over the castle—dreamlike.
Best Experience: Play all day, see the fireworks show. Stay overnight at a Disney hotel, feel the fairy tale world.
Ocean Park: Ocean and Amusement#
Ocean Park is Hong Kong’s classic theme park.
Grand Aquarium allows you to see various marine life, Thrill Mountain has various exciting rides. Giant Panda Adventure has adorable giant pandas—a great place for family trips.
Special Experiences#
Hong Kong-style Cuisine#
Hong Kong is a food paradise, “Asia’s Food Capital.”
Tea Restaurants are Hong Kong people’s daily life—pineapple buns, milk tea, egg tarts, wonton noodles, each one classic. Tsui Wah Restaurant, Lan Fong Yuen, Australia Dairy Company are must-visit tea restaurants.
Dim Sum is the representative of Hong Kong-style morning tea—shrimp dumplings, siu mai, char siu bao, chicken feet. At Tim Ho Wan and One Dim Sum, you can eat authentic dim sum.
Roast Meats are Hong Kong specialties—roast goose, char siu, soy sauce chicken. Yung Kee Restaurant’s roast goose is Michelin-recommended.
Shopping Paradise#
Hong Kong is a shopping paradise, a duty-free port, with goods cheaper than inland.
Harbour City is Asia’s largest shopping mall, Causeway Bay, Mong Kok, and Tsim Sha Tsui all have large malls. Ladies’ Market and Temple Street are open-air markets where you can find bargains.
Central and Lan Kwai Fong#
Central is Hong Kong’s financial center, with skyscrapers—Hong Kong’s most prosperous place. Lan Kwai Fong is the gathering place for nightlife, with bars and restaurants lining the streets—extremely lively at night.
Tai O Fishing Village#
Tai O is Hong Kong’s last fishing village, “Hong Kong’s Venice.”
Stilt houses are built on water, with fishing boats shuttling through. You can take a small boat tour, see Chinese white dolphins. Here preserves Hong Kong’s most primitive appearance.
Travel Tips#
- Transportation: Hong Kong has an international airport, high-speed rail directly to Shenzhen and Guangzhou. The city’s subway, buses, and trams are all convenient—recommend getting an Octopus card.
- Accommodation: Recommend staying in Tsim Sha Tsui or Causeway Bay, convenient transportation, convenient shopping.
- Note: Indoor air conditioning in Hong Kong is very cold—bring a jacket. Shop around when shopping, watch for authenticity.
Hong Kong’s charm lies in its diversity.
On one side, skyscrapers’ modern metropolis; on the other, tea restaurants’ earthly vitality; on one side, Disneyland’s fairy tale world; on the other, Tai O’s fishing village charm.
Come to Hong Kong and feel the charm of East meeting West.
Tomorrow, we head to Macau to feel the glitz and glamour of the Oriental Las Vegas.