Get lost with a smile on your face when in Hong Kong
Hong Kong travel brings the familiar and the not so familiar into a fascinating blend of Far East meeting West – all in a colorful cultural explosion of sound, taste color and sights.
Having a plan and a goal for travel makes it a reality. Even if you have to wait a little while for it. My first memory of Hong Kong travel was my arrival. Back in the day, Kai Tak airport was a runway that carried with it a notoriety with pilot friends of mine from South African Airways. For the longest time, my fascination with flight drew me to the idea of a flight to Hong Kong.
I was in a race against the clock – I wanted to experience a landing at Kai Tak before it was to be closed. The cruise company I was working for, at the time, had assigned me as Cruise Director on the Alaskan run. That meant that I was sailing out of Vancouver. Bottom line – my world travel bucket list needed the addition of a flight to Hong Kong!
Living in Johannesburg, South Africa at the time, I thought this would be a great way to travel to Hong Kong. No-one in their right mind chooses to fly east from South Africa to get to Vancouver. It means two international flights, the first to Hong Kong and a connection from the ultimate China Town to Vancouver.
But I was determined, and the travel department at the cruise line indulged me. I was set! So off to Hong Kong travel adventure I went. Wow! The flight was long. But the arrival was nothing short of spectacular. The pilot brought the flight in on a somewhat foggy morning but the lights of Hong Kong were visible as we banked sharp right and descended through the cloud.
Landing at Kai-Tak
I remember a mix of fear and fascination as I watched building flash by at close range, with laundry hanging from balconies. It was surreal.
This was the gateway to Hong Kong – a mystical assault on the senses..and to travel to this oriental landmark city is to experience something completely different. Hong Kong is known for its shopping – it seems to be the national sport. You will be able to choose from the huge westernized style malls to the for more gritty and multi-sensory psychedelia of the street markets.
Hong Kong is ALIVE! Everyone is in a rush to go some place. If you want convenience, it’s all there for you. Eating is a delight. It’s also a mystery but you can ask if the menu doesn’t provide an adequate description. Food on the go is made easy with very good 711’s and other great convenience stores.
The place to go for breakfast is Australia Dairy Company. Not Aussie at all….just the name. Iconic and definitely a must-do. Hong Kong rates right up there as one of my fave cities. The skyline is amazing, the vibe is awesome. You feel really in the groove when you’re there…at least i did and many people I know have said the same thing.
Key things to know when you travel to Hong Kong
- Spring and Autumn are the best times of year to travel to Hong Kong.
- Summer in the city can be very hot and humid.
- There is so much to see and do. Avoid staying only on Hong Kong Island. There are over 260 islands in the territory. One way to do this is to hire a junk – this iconic Chinese sailing vessel, made known to most in the Western world due to Bruce Lee movies, is a fantastic way to see the islands. It will set you back about $400-500 for 8 hours – well worth it!
- On Hong Kong Island, I suggest you take a guided half day tour. This sets you up to get a good feel for the metropolis. You can also take a cruise which will help you pick out landmarks for future navigation and travel on the island. The views from a cruise ferry are spectacular….particularly a night cruise.
- Witness the Symphony of Light – this has to be the worlds largest and permanent light and sound show. Forty four skyscrapers on both sides of Victoria Harbor participate. It really is amazing!
- Make sure you get the Octopus card which gives you usage to all the transport available in Hong Kong
- Visit Victoria’s Peak for a fantastic view of Hong Kong , the mainland and the islands.
Whilst Hong Kong is a very westernized city in many ways, the Hong Kong Chinese have a firm grip on their ancient traditions. Immerse yourself in the Chinese culture. You an visit the temples, tea houses, watch the martial art of Tai Chi practiced by the locals in the parks. Hong Kong travel will leave you feeling mystified and enchanted. It is a must do experience.
Hong Kong is a Market city
Travel the markets. There are many to choose from. I really enjoyed the Temple Street Night Market. Here you will find everything – it’s really an exotic sideshow with hawkers, musicians, foods, prostitutes and smells and sounds that you will never forget.
If you fancy taking in some urban grunge, try the Chungking Mansions area, on the Kowloon peninsula. An eclectic mass of cultures in a 24/7 area buying and selling everything.
Looking for bars, clubs and music – go to Lan Kwai Fong…arrive at sundown, leave at sunrise. Crazeeee!
When to go?
Hong Kong is a city that teems with crowds of humanity generally but in the summer months it can be really jammed and made more uncomfortable with the muggy and very hot conditions. (also this is Typhoon season so be careful) However this is the time of Duanwu Festival – aka the Dragon Boat Festival, which is held close to the summer solstice and is an amazing sight in Victoria Harbor, Kowloon, Hong Kong .Generally June until September can see the temps high and the crowds intense. October, though cooler has Golden Week and that will see a big uptick in tourists. Late January and February is Chinese New Year time so hotel prices will be at a premium.
Generally, it is considered that October through December and April and May would be the optimal times to visit, with temperatures cooler and hotel prices moderately lower.
Daily costs of travel in Hong Kong
Moderate/Expensive.
Hong Kong is one of those great cities that really can swing to extremes in costs. If you are a really adept and frugal backpacker, you can do it reasonably cheaply. If not, it can get expensive quickly.
Low end hotel or hostel – $25-35 USD per day
Food – $10-20 USD per day per person
2 drinks per day $5-12 USD
$50-70 USD: Suggested Daily Budget for ‘bare bones’ travel (hostel rooms, public transport, food from stalls or supermarkets etc) with a few sightseeing highlights per week
$100 – 150+ Suggested Daily Budget for ‘average’ travel (Mid-range hotels, food from the occasional restaurants and stores, sight seeing attractions and transport .
Find more awesome places to visit in the world..
Where to next?
Leaving the exotics of Asia, let’s move on to the style of Europe, starting with the romantic destination of Venice, Italy