5 things you must do in Hong Kong

I’m going to list here, 5 things you must do in Hong Kong (in no particular order). This is purely my view and you may or may not agree but hey, I love doing these things in Hong Kong and you might too!

1. Ride the Star Ferry

An adult fare on the lower deck costs HKD2.20. Buy a token from the machine and drop it into the turnstile and you are off! I love the green and white tug boats and I hope they never replace them with advertisements like they do on the trams. This is one of the best and cheapest ways to get to Hong Kong Island from Kowloon or vice versa. I especially love watching the skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island get closer and closer as you approach the terminal. Incidentally, the ferry terminal has been moved so its a lot further from City Hall now than it was.

2. Ride the Tram

The Tram plys the middle of Hong Kong island and is a lovely cheap way of getting around if you have time. It only costs HKD2 to any stop or even to ride it from one end to the other; so if you are planning a long journey, its absolutely worth it! I like riding upstairs. The view of the city is entertaining and educational but don’t stick your head out the window or risk getting it lobbed off by a passing tram!

3. Have evening drinks at Felix bar at the Peninsula Hotel

The Peninsula Hotel is one of the icons of Hong Kong and is located on the tip of Tsim Tsa Tsui just 5 minutes from the Star Ferry. A night there can cost upwards of RM1000 so its impossible to stay there. However, you should pop by the Felix bar for evening drinks (food is way to expensive even though I was thinking of splurging). Located on the 28th Floor, it is served by a dedicated lift and has the most awesome views of Hong Kong ever! Felix opens at 6pm so go there early so you can watch the sun set over Hong Kong and watch the lights come on. It is a lovely experience. Drinks are expensive but hey, its premium property so expect premium prices! Ladies, to get the best picture of Hong Kong island, visit the toilet. Yep, it gives the most stunning unobscured view ever and the toilet is very unique too. Do note that Felix has a dress code of smart casual dressing. No sandals are allowed and for men, no shorts (this includes bermudas or cropped pants).

To prove you get the best view of Hong Kong island at night, here’s a picture I took from the Ladies washroom on the 28th Floor of the Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong.

Impressive eh?

4. Have Dim Sum at Maxim’s Palace at City Hall

A short walk away from the Star Ferry terminal is City Hall. Go up to the 3rd Floor where Maxim’s Palace restaurant serves some really good dim sum with a breathtaking view from the window, of the harbour and Kowloon. Maxim’s opens at 11am and is very crowded so if you go late, expect to have to queue and take a number. I always make sure I’m there just as they open so I don’t lose whatever precious little time I have in Hong Kong. On weekends and Sundays, its even worse and the queue starts earlier because thats when the locals go for dim sum with their family and friends. The dimsum is pricey but for me, its worth it. Its pricey compared to Malaysia, but less so when compared to other dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong. My favourite dim sum there is the Char Siew Polo Pau (I always try to bring this home!). I can’t find it anywhere else.

5. Eat Tau Foo Fa at Mid-Levels

This may seem odd to you, but this little stall under the Mid-Levels escalator serves what is to me, the best tau foo fa in the world! The tau foo fa is smooth and is served with ginger syrup and ginger sugar. It is absolutely divine and is one the things I miss about Hong Kong. Its also the only tau foo fa I’ll eat This stall is at the corner of Lyndhurst Terrace by the escalators. More info will be provided over at HaveYouEaten.net soon and if you aren’t familiar with this dessert, you may also want to read what is tau fu fa?

There are of course lots of other things to eat and see and do. You may wonder why I’m not mentioning things to do like visit Victoria Peak, Aberdeen Harbour, Repulse Bay, Temples, Ocean Park, Disneyland and Stanley Market or things to eat like roast meats. The simple answer is that I’ve visited them all the first time I was there (except Ocean Park and Disneyland) and for me, once is enough and they aren’t worth repeat visits if you have a short time in Hong Kong. As for roast meats, I don’t have a specific recommendation as nearly every restaurant or stall is good!

My list here is for those who have been to Hong Kong and seen the sights; and may have missed out on the food and things I enjoy doing. Maybe it’ll help you plan your trip too!

Tagged as: hong kong, Travel