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!
Photo credit score: @alisonpang by way of Unsplash
After the Singapore-Hong Kong air journey bubble obtained introduced and cancelled a number of instances, I nearly stopped believing it’ll occur. But 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) Fully vaccinated travellers (aged three or above) have to bear a ART (will be self-administered) inside 24 hours or a PCR check inside 48 hours earlier than the scheduled time of flight. Keep your unfavorable check end result as you is perhaps required to indicate it.
2) Masks are nonetheless required in public areas, together with public transport.
For most 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 Square!
The very first thing on our agenda: dim sum. Of course, there’s dim sum in Singapore nevertheless 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 Square is a crowd favorite. Try 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.
Read extra: Ultimate Hong Kong Food Guide: 50 Best Eats Incl. Halal Food
2) Revive your Instagram feed
One of the various vibrant partitions alongside ARTLANE! Photo credit score: @samishome by way of Instagram
During the pandemic, we’ve needed to depend on #throwback photographs to maintain our Instagram feed. Luckily, Hong Kong has many eye-catching picture spots that’s certain to carry color to your feed!
Check out vibrant road artwork alongside ARTLANE in Sai Ying Pun and the long-lasting 48 Hollywood Road‘s mural of old townhouses. We took a street art tour around Central Station, which highlighted portraits of icons like Audrey Hepburn in pop art style!
3) Explore the trendy neighbourhood of Sham Shui Po
Photo credit: @kevinlu via Instagram
Sham Shui Po may be one of Hong Kong’s oldest districts, however younger creatives have given the district new life. In truth, a Timeout survey in 2020 listed Sham Shui Po as one of many coolest neighbourhoods on this planet!
Despite Covid-19, many new cafes, galleries and quirky outlets have popped up within the district. White Noise Records is one instance — an indie report retailer with reside performances! Coffee lovers will get pleasure from Colour Brown x Phvlo Hatch, a sustainable espresso store on the bottom flooring of a revamped textile store.
4) Feel like a child once more at Hong Kong Disneyland
We may all use a little bit of Disneyland’s magic. Good information is, after we return, there are a number of new points of interest that await! To commemorate its fifteenth anniversary, Hong Kong Disneyland unveiled the Castle of Magic Dreams in November 2020. This citadel celebrates 13 of our favorite Disney princesses — like Belle and Elsa!
Photo credit score: Hong Kong Disneyland
Castle apart, a cool new zone is opening within the second half of 2023 that’s certain to have you ever shivering with pleasure — Arendelle: World of Frozen. Expect thrilling points of interest just like the Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs, a speedy coaster pulled by Olaf and Sven.
Read extra: The Complete Hong Kong Disneyland Guide: Secrets, Tips, & Magical Must-Dos
5) Climb Suicide Cliff for epic metropolis views
Who else is lacking this unimaginable view?
Suicide Cliff is arguably Hong Kong’s most well-known hike — and for good purpose! Those who tackle this hike are rewarded with epic views of town, and it takes lower than an hour to succeed in the point of view.
Read additionally: 21 Most Rewarding Hikes Around the World — From Stunning Glaciers to Active Volcanoes
6) Or tackle Hong Kong’s different enjoyable hikes
Photo credit score: @emmamialin by way of Unsplash
Despite being identified primarily for its crowded city panorama, over 75% of Hong Kong is roofed in greenery! This means there are many hikes of various problem, from quick trails to difficult routes that assure an excellent sweat.
The view from Sunset Peak!
If you’ve already conquered Suicide Cliff, give Hong Kong’s different hikes a attempt! One well-known hike is the 8.5km Dragon’s Back path, which stretches from Shek O to Big Wave Bay. It takes roughly 4 hours and isn’t too robust. Alternatively, hike up Sunset Peak, Hong Kong’s third-highest mountain.
Read extra: 7D Hong Kong Outdoor Itinerary — Exploring A Different Side of The Concrete Jungle
7) Admire Hong Kong’s skyline from the water
Check out the junk ship’s placing pink sails.
While Hong Kong’s skyline is spectacular within the day, 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 conventional Chinese junk ship, no much less!
Be certain to catch the day by day Symphony of Lights Show — a surprising 14-minute show — at 8PM!
8) Discover hidden gems in Mongkok
Photo credit score: @j_lam83 by way of Unsplash
Mongkok is certainly one of Hong Kong’s busiest districts — thriving arts and meals scene, plus a shopaholic’s paradise. You’ll want just a few days to actually respect this district!
Photo credit score: 618 Shanghai Street
On your subsequent journey to Hong Kong, pay 618 Shanghai Street a go to. It’s a revitalised strip of shophouses opened in 2020 that’ll provide you with a glimpse into native craft companies. In want of retail remedy? Head to Sneakers Street to cop the most recent sneakers or Argyle Centre, a five-storey buying arcade!
9) End the evening at Hong Kong’s full of life evening markets
Temple Street. Photo 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 ambiance. Temple Street is certainly one of Hong Kong’s OG evening markets, with road meals and low cost garments.
Ladies’ Market is one other go-to, with over 100 stalls stretching nearly 1km. Here you’ll discover all kinds of inexpensive girls’s clothes, plus equipment and toys!
10) Escape town for a day at Sai Kung
Sai Kung is nicknamed the ‘back garden of Hong Kong’. Why? This peninsula is the nation’s second-largest space and is thought for idyllic surroundings, beautiful seashores and thrilling actions.
During our final go to, we hiked a (quick) portion of the 100km MacLehose Trail, noticed rock formations on a ship tour and noticed the High Island East Dam Reservoir. There’s nonetheless lots of Sai Kung left to discover, and we are able to’t wait to be again.
Read extra: Sai Kung Guide — 7 Day Trip Itineraries to an Often Forgotten Side 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. The better part is, you don’t should lay our a fortune for the Michelin expertise.
Yat Lok is a favorite amongst each locals and vacationers, serving superb 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 ebook a flight to Hong Kong!
Read additionally: Ultimate Hong Kong Food Guide: 50 Best Eats
12) Explore Lantau, Hong Kong’s largest island
Lantau Island is like Hong Kong’s model of Sentosa. 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 over the Lantau Sunset 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 City’s wealthy tradition
Photo credit score: @cath_fu by way of Instagram
Kowloon City is an space bursting with tradition and historical past — with landmarks from way back to the thirteenth century. It was additionally residence to Hong Kong’s unique airport! This district is nicknamed Little Thailand because of its abundance of Southeast Asian eating places.
Visit Kowloon Walled City Park, which has a infamous previous as a Chinese navy outpost within the sixteenth century. These days, it’s a pristine backyard with historic exhibitions.
14) Spend a day on the seaside
Photo credit score: Hong Kong Tourism Board
When you consider Hong Kong, a “beach getaway” most likely isn’t the very first thing that involves thoughts. But the golden seashores and blue waters at Shek O seaside may persuade you in any other case!
Besides 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
Photo credit score: The Peak
We’re rounding up our checklist of issues to do in Hong Kong with one of many metropolis’s high points of interest, Victoria Peak. To get there, you possibly can both hike up or, the extra enjoyable means — take the Peak Tram (from S$16.90). It ascends from 28m to 396m in simply eight minutes!
Stroll alongside the Peak Circle Walk, which wraps across the highest level on Hong Kong Island. Then, head to Sky Terrace 428, a viewing platform that’s 428m excessive. If you handle to tear your self from the view, try Monopoly Dreams (from HK$260, ~S$44.60), the world’s first Monopoly-themed attraction.
Photo 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 Next Hong Kong Itinerary?
Photo credit score: @jay.phuc.pictures by way of Instagram
Whether it’s your first time or nth time, a visit to Hong Kong is one thing we all the time sit up for. Plus with new points of interest, cafes and outlets opening on a regular basis, there’s all the time one thing new to expertise!
Now that we are able to lastly revisit Hong Kong, we sit up for experiencing all the pieces once more.
Read additionally: 7D Hong Kong Itinerary — Exploring Beyond the Food And Shopping Paradise
What are a few of your favorite issues to do in Hong Kong? Share with us within the feedback!