Hong Kong is not a glasshouse with some identical skyscrapers huddled together. It has the glitz of New York and the glamor of Paris. Cosmopolitan to the core and spirited to the hilt, this young city occupies a small place on the earth and yet it has so much to offer. If you have grown out of Disneyland or the famous Clock Tower, you have an entirely different world awaiting your arrival. Be it the Cantonese opera at night or the city tour on a double-decker tram, every moment spent in ‘Asia’s World City’ is intense. The city’s love for food is legendary and you can hear locals validate this over wonton noodles, dim sum, and tofu.
#1. Victoria Peak and Historical Train Ride
Standing at the highest point on Hong Kong Island is no ordinary feeling. The Victoria Peak, one of the most visited destinations in the city, makes you feel elevated. The experience gets even more original when a Victorian-era tram spirals up the peak and takes you to the summit. Ask anyone and they will tell how gorgeous the island city looks at night when it is seen from the Victoria Peak observation deck
#2. Noah’s Ark
No, it’s not the Hong Kong’s answer to the famous water park in Wisconsin. It’s actually a full-size replica of the ark that Biblical Noah had created. What lies inside this ship is remarkable. Staying true to the theme, the boat houses a virtual zoo with around 67 life-size pairs of exotic animals and birds. To remind you of the Great Flood, the onsite theater screens a cinematic presentation. And, in case you are wondering, Noah’s Ark is big enough to accommodate humans. You can book a hotel or a hostel located on top of this multistory ship.
#3. Tian Tan Buddha
When you leave behind the urban rigmarole and take a ride over the Hong Kong’s largest outlying island, you will be in for a pleasant surprise. A ride in Ngong Ping Cable Car takes you to the biggest seated outdoor Buddha in the world. What Christ the Redeemer is to Rio, the Tian Tan Buddha is to Hong Kong – an iconic symbol. Breathtaking vista of South China Sea complements the grandeur of this 34-m-tall bronze Buddha.
#4. World’s Longest Escalator Ride
Hong Kong’s Central–Mid-Levels walkway, which connects Queen’s Road Central with Conduit Road, traverses 800 meters
If you have watched ‘The Dark Knight,’ you might remember the scene where Morgan Freeman strikes a conversation with Christian Bale as they stand on a walkway. Not many would know that they were using the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world. Hong Kong’s Central–Mid-Levels walkway, which connects Queen’s Road Central with Conduit Road, traverses 800 meters as it passes through cafes, historic landmarks, and also the affluent district of Soho. It also crosses the largest Man Mo temple located in Hollywood Street.
#5. Victoria Harbour
The modest-looking boats have been ferrying people from one side of the Victoria harbor to the other since the late 19th century.
Star Ferry is true to its name. The modest-looking boats have been ferrying people from one side of the Victoria harbor to the other since the late 19th century. It still enjoys the affection of its patrons. The best part of this 11-minute heritage ride across the blue waters of South China Sea is the beautiful view of the surrounding skyscrapers. You wish the journey had continued.
#6. Shopping Districts
Hong Kong is like a huge duty-free shop. Shoppers consider this city an attractive proposition as it levies no sales tax on goods. From the fashion boutiques in the Island Beverly Centre to the Jardine’s Crescent street market, the city is packed with high-end and affordable places to shop. If shopping malls sound monotonous, head to the Cheung Sha Wan Road where even fashion designers come to buy fabrics. Walking down the Cat Street is like battling the desire to own a rare artifact of the Ming Dynasty and other treasures strewn all around.
#7. Restaurants
When you are in Hong Kong, choosing a place to dine is like finding a needle in a haystack. You better
trust your instincts and sit down at any of the Michelin-starred restaurants. The champagne brunch served at the Top Deck Restaurant in Aberdeen every Sunday has few peers. Moreover, the fish balls in Mong Kok and the egg waffles in North Point are highly recommended. In fact, the unassuming food stalls on the Temple Street Night Market are just terrific.
Related: 5 Famous Buddha Statues Around The World
Image Credits: Maninder Badwal, eXpose, Vincent St. Thomas, Philip Lange, Korkusung, milosk50