Savouring a Well-Spent, Practical Weekend in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a destination that I’ve always wanted to visit. As most of you know, I have a bit of a long running love affair with fast paced cities filled with neon lights, delicious street food and great shopping. Luckily, fellow traveller Shannon Dianoi is here to fill you in on how to spend the perfect weekend in Hong Kong. Enjoy!
Hong Kong, as most of us realise, is one of those small yet charming countries that represent a dynamic cultural vibe. It’s one of the main reasons why people from various parts of the globe want to visit this lovely island of greater China. From a technical standpoint, Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. However, we’re not here to talk about the many complicated aspects of this beautiful country, we’re here to focus on how to make the most of our trip, which will ultimately lead to a well-spent weekend in Hong Kong.
In more ways than one, Hong Kong is like the New York of Asia. Jason Wordie, on the other hand, claims that the resemblance has often been exaggerated by many; going as far as branding the Asian country as the Big Lychee. Whichever the case, there’s no denying that Hong Kong, just like New York, represents the cliché “hustle and bustle” of the city. From its around the clock culture to its majestic skyscrapers all the way to the famous personalities, there’s plenty of reasons to be excited about travelling to this country. With that, here’s an idea of what a practical weekend in Hong Kong looks like.
Accommodation
True enough, hotels can be quite expensive in Hong Kong. As a matter of fact, prices are on par with the likes of London and New York, according to the Financial Times. Good news is: there’s a range of affordable and viable alternatives in terms of lodgings. For as little as 100 HKD, you can stay at the Madera Hong Kong Hotel and savour the breath-taking views of Kowloon. This hotel has a rooftop bar, ideal for meeting likeminded travellers and just enjoying the vista with a glass of wine at hand. If all else fails, you can always opt for an Airbnb.
Food
When it comes to dining options, you can be sure Hong Kong has literally everything on offer. Of course a trip wouldn’t be complete without eating at Michelin starred restaurants such as Tim Ho Wan, where their classic dimsum compensates for the often-long queues. There’s also an unassuming restaurant called Yat Lok that serves arguably the best peking duck ever. In hindsight, these aforementioned eateries are cheaper compared to most of the well-known restaurants in Hong Kong.
Sightseeing
Some of the must-visit sights in Hong Kong are in Victoria Peak, especially at night when you can marvel at the harbour’s skyline capped off by the so-called Symphony of Lights. You can also swing by Kowloon Park, Mong Kok, and Nathan Road, as well as do some serious shoe shopping on the famous Sneaker Street along Fa Yuen. But, probably the highlight of your free sightseeing trip is the Avenue of Stars. We all know how, up to this day, Bruce Lee remains an influential figure. He’s even still significant in today’s digital age, with video game personas such as Marshall Law of Tekken, and on Slingo in the form of a special Bruce Lee game. Capturing the perfect Dragon pose in front of his statue at the Avenue of Stars is obligatory, to say the least whilst you’re in Hong Kong.
All in all, travelling to Hong Kong doesn’t necessarily require you to break the bank. With proper research and the right mentality, you can take advantage of its relatively cheap yet absolutely worthwhile adventures. Yes, if you have a little more budget to spare, you can revel in the likes of The Intercontinental’s infinity pools, Hong Kong Disneyland’s rides, and Tsim Sha Tsui’s shopping district. But those are different stories for another other time and for the most part feature on every ‘Top 5 Things You Can Do in Hong Kong’ lists you’ve already read.
