With 5 full days in Hong, what to do what to do? Luckily Hong Kong is no boring place to be. It’s vibrant and not just like any other Asian city.
Although I can tell you so much about all the great things to do, here are my personal highlights.
Happy Valley Horse racing
I actually would’ve skipped the horse racing if it wasn’t for Tim on the plane who said it was a fun experience that I had to do if I was in Hong Kong on a Wednesday. He was right, you don’t have to be into the whole racing to just enjoy the atmosphere here. Being here I also wanted to place a bet on a random horse which name I liked. I put 50 HK$ (€4,70) on Red Adventure. When reading the booklet about the odds of each horse it seemed mine didn’t really stand a chance, nonetheless Red Adventure got 1st place and I won 247,50 HK$ (€23,50). Lucky!!
Viewing the Skyline from Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade
This isn’t just any ordinary skyline, somehow it stands out and you could spend hours watching. Check it out during both daytime and at night.
The Peak
Victoria Peak is the highest point in Hong Kong. The old fashioned Peak Tram takes you to the top for more amazing views of the city. Don’t pay extra for the observation deck since there is a perfect viewpoint just 100 meters ahead.
Mid-Levels-Escalator
You can walk a whole day in Hong Kong and not being on street level. The Mid-Levels-Escalator helps pedestrians cross the traffic heavy Hong Kong with the longest escalator walkway worldwide. It gets you all across Central without ever touching the ground. How cool is that?
The Markets
Walk from one market into another. Start with the Goldfish market; a street full of shops with aquaria and plastic bags with fish. In a big city where space is limited it seems like the perfect pet to have.
Next is the Ladies Market; get cheap handbags, purses, Hong Kong t-shirts, etc. Actually the best place to stop for souvenirs to bring back home.
The Temple Street Night Market is similar to the Ladies Market but as the name suggests is at night.
Hong Kong itinerary
Going to Hong Kong and need help with an itinerary? Here is how I spend my days and wouldn’t want to have missed any of it.
Day 1: Star Ferry, IFC Mall, Mid-levels escalator, Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade, Avenue of the Stars
Day 2: Wednesday: Hong Kong Museum of History (free admission today), Central Plaza 46th floor lobby for splendid views, Times Square, Happy Valley Racecourse
Day 3: Hong Kong Park, Tram to The Peak, Goldfish market, Ladies Market, Temple Street Market
Day 4: Ngong Ping 360 cable car, Tung Chung: Po Lin Monastery, Tian Tan Big Buddha, Tai O fishing village, bus to Mui Wo and ferry to Central
Day 5: relax, go shopping, visit the lesser known places or experience the those things you loved again.
I think you missed one of the major attractions…. Eat something really nice :-).
I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t even tried dim sum. Even after some elementary school kids ran up to me and asked if I had any, they said it was available everywhere.