72 hours in Hong Kong
Junk boat, Hong Kong. Photo, KittyKaht/Flickr.
72 hours in Hong Kong
Stay
Built in 1928, the Peninsula is Hong Kong’s oldest hotel, and one of the city’s most iconic institutions. Dubbed the “Grande Dame of the Far East,” the Hong Kong institution offers you a truly luxury hotel experience with bellboys who sport white pillbox hats and uniforms, a string quartet that plays classical music and daily afternoon high tea that draws lines. Decorated in a formal English-manor-style with dark wood furniture, rich fabrics, and Chinese ceramics and wall art, the Peninsula’s location near the Tsim Sha Tsui district’s harbourfront gives easy access to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Hong Kong Space Museum and the Star Ferry Terminal.
If you think the Peninsula might be a bit too ‘old-world,’ check out the more modern and tech-savvy Mira. Located on Hong Kong’s Nathan Road across from Kowloon Park, the spacious rooms at the Mira are equipped with Arne Jacobsen ‘Egg’ chairs, Bose iPod docks, LCD TVs, entertainment units that incorporate a computer and Blu-Ray DVD players, and marble aromatherapy baths. There are also plenty of dining options at the hotel from the Michelin-starred Cuisine Cuisine that offers upscale Cantonese fare to COCO which has the hotel’s in-house master pastry chef concocting desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Eat
You can’t travel to Hong Kong and not sample the dim sum, and the Maxim’s Palace Restaurant in City Hall doesn’t disappoint. An assortment of bite-sized foods are paraded on trolleys (most places have moved to ordering off menus) around the restaurant’s large dining hall where you’ll find dragon decorations, great views of the harbour, and Hong Kong locals. Make sure to try the shrimp dumplings (har gow), a mainstay of most dim sum restaurants, but especially tasty at the ‘palace.’ If you’re thinking of going for breakfast or lunch, expect long lines as people start queuing early (no reservations are accepted).
Originally from Taiwan, but with branches across Asia and a few in the United States, the Din Tai Fung branches in Hong Kong are a must-visit. The dumpling house is internationally recognized (the Silvercord Branch in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui district was awarded a Michelin Star in 2010) for its delicate steamed dumplings that can be filled with shrimp, pork, mushrooms and veggies, and are hand-made and rolled on the premises. Despite having four locations in the city, you can expect long lines at all of the locations, so make sure to get there early as they don’t take reservations.
Do
A visit to Hong Kong isn’t complete until you’ve seen the city from the Peak. Offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the island, you’ll want to snap a photo or two (plus a selfie!) when you reach the top of the mountain. Traveling up the Peak is an experience in itself when you take the tram. One of the world’s oldest mountainside cable railways, the Peak Tram will bring you 396 metres above sea level so you can see breathtaking views of HK.
Hong Kong is made up of a bunch of sprawling islands, and to see the rugged coastlines and deserted coves, you need to experience it by boat. Hop on a ‘junk,’ a traditional Chinese fishing boat that will take you to see how the city likely appeared to generations of fishermen and pirates.
There’s no better way to travel between Hong Kong’s Kowloon side and Hong Kong Island than the Star Ferry. The cross-harbour ferry takes about eight minutes, and you’ll get to see panoramic views of the Hong Kong Island coastline. Try to catch a ferry just before 8 p.m., as the boats stop mid-harbour for a few minutes so you can snap photos of the nightly Symphony of Lights show that incorporates lights, lasers, fireworks and 24 harbourfront buildings on both Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon side.
Shop
If you’re looking to get your hands on bargain clothing, accessories and souvenirs then head to the Ladies’ Market in the city’s Mong Kok district. One of Hong Kong’s most legendary street markets, it got its name because of the abundance of women’s clothing and accessories that are for sale. Today, the one-kilometre stretch on Tung Choi Street is still predominantly a “ladies’ market,” but in addition to women’s clothing, jewelry and handbags, you can also find men’s and children’s clothing and home furnishings. Be prepared for the crowds and negotiating, which are both prevalent in HK.
Another market that you need to visit in Hong Kong is the Temple Street Night Market. When the sun goes down, the legendary street bazaar comes alive with vendors, Chinese opera troupes and fortune-tellers claiming a spot near the Tin Hau temple, which the market was named after. You can find trinkets, antiques and electronics at the market. Be sure to stop by one of the outdoor food stalls, where you’ll be able to feast on some traditional Chinese cuisine.
Hong Kongers know their shopping, and that’s clearly evident from the many shopping malls you’ll find in the city. Head to Causeway Bay to visit Times Square, a 10-floor shopping mall that mixes luxury fashion storefronts like Louis Vuitton and Chanel with sportswear outlets like Adidas and Giga Sports. You’ll also find the luxury department store Lane Crawford (think Holt Renfrew), which is exclusive to Hong Kong and Mainland China. Check out the mall’s basement where the Western-style grocery store City Super sells pastry cakes filled with sweet red bean paste that are made fresh before your eyes.
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