48 Hours in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of my favourite places in the world, I went to school here and always relish at the chance to go back. Hong Kong is one of the most crowded cities in the world and has more skyscrapers than anywhere else. It’s been dubbed the Concrete Jungle for a reason! The city is the perfect blend of old and new cultures, with its traditional temples and endless noodle stands mixed with Michelin starred restaurants, beautiful gardens and wild night life. Here’s my guide to Hong Kong:
Places to visit:
Victoria Peak
For the best views of Hong Kong, you must visit this hill on the western side of the city. There’s a mall at the top, filled with shops and restaurants, and this is also where you can access a viewing deck called the Sky Terrace for $90 HKD ($18 NZD or $12 USD). If you want to explore more of this area, take a walk around Lugard Road, which offers pretty much the same views from the lookout that’s about a 25 minute walk away from the main road.
Temple Street Market
There are countless amounts of markets in Hong Kong, but Temple Street Market is one of the more unique ones in the city due to how alive it becomes at night with its bright lights and flag decorations. You can shop for anything your heart desires here, as the stalls sell nearly everything you can think of. There’s also a lot of restaurants and street food for you to enjoy. I walked through the street during the day, but unfortunately didn’t get the chance to visit at night due to the protests in the area.
Choi Hung Estate
This public housing estate has become quite popular in recent years due to its pastel coloured buildings set behind a colourful basketball court. When I visited, the outdoor area was full of older residents doing tai chi and running around the courts. This location can be reached by taking the MTR to Choi Hung station, follow the signs to the estate and taking the stairs up the car park.
Montane Mansion
One of the most iconic places in Hong Kong, due to its concrete jungle design, Montane Mansion became an internet sensation after being featured in the Transformers: Age of Extinction movie. The apartment complex is actually shaped like an ‘E’ so there are two courtyards, one that is painted blue and the other which is painted red (as pictures below). There are thousands of people who live in these buildings and you can often see them playing mahjong and drinking tea in the courtyards.
Victoria Harbour
For the best views of the Central skyline, head over to Victoria Harbour. Take a stroll and check out the clock tower and avenue to the stars (Hong Kong’s very own Walk of Fame), which honours some of the best from Hong Kong’s film industry, including Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. This is also the best place to catch the largest light show in the world, the Symphony of Lights, a free show that starts at 8pm every night.
Where to eat:
Tim Ho Wan
Formerly the cheapest Michelin starred restaurant in the world, Tim Ho Wan specialises in dim sum and their star dish is the pork bun, which is the best pork bun I’ve ever eaten in my life! I’ve heard of there being queues to get in to the Central restaurant, especially if you’re with a group of more than 2 people. Luckily, when I went, there were heaps of spare tables, but to free up space, staff sat me at a table opposite a woman who was nearly finished her meal. This is perfectly normal in HK, so don’t be alarmed if you find yourself sitting next to a complete stranger!
MANA! Fast Slow Food
MANA was the first plant based restaurant I discovered in Hong Kong back in 2012. The restaurant’s motto is “Eat like it matters,” and they specialise in organic, vegan and raw food. You can pick up a delicious soup, salad or wrap from here, but it’s a little on the pricey side compared to other restaurants I listed here. But if you’re looking for a healthy meal, this is the place to go!
Australia Dairy Co.
If you’re looking for a spot to have breakfast, you must check out Australia Dairy Co.! The people of Hong Kong LOVE breakfast, so this little cafe is nearly always busy. It’s a favourite amongst locals and has a simple menu, mostly of toast, scrambled eggs and soup. I ordered the scrambled eggs with toast, and a Hong Kong style milk tea. Like Tim Ho Wan, I was sat at a round table with 3 people I didn’t know, but don’t worry as everyone just focuses on their food and they won’t even bother to talk to you! The food here is also extremely affordable. I think I paid less than $10 NZD or $6 USD for my order!
Mammy Pancake
The only Michelin starred egg pancakes in Hong Kong! Mammy Pancake has a huge menu of different flavoured egg waffles you can order. I got the matcha waffles with red bean, which was pretty good. They also sell bubble tea, which is a must when you’re in Asia!
Where to stay:
Four Seasons Hong Kong
If it’s in your budget, there’s no better hotel to stay at in Hong Kong than the Four Seasons. Located in Central, I’ve never stayed at a room here that didn’t overlook the Victoria Harbour. It’s also attached to the IFC Mall, so you don’t have far to go if you feel like doing a bit of shopping. The restaurant in the lobby is also recommended (on two occasions I ate here, I saw Michael Bloomberg and Alexa Chung!)
Residence G
Located just a 10 minute walk from the Tsim Tsa Tsui MTR station, this hotel is located in Kowloon. In the mornings, free continental breakfast is served next to reception where you can get some fruit, cereal, croissants & coffee. The location is what sold me on this hotel though, as just a short walk away are Temple Street Market, Mammy Pancake, Australia Dairy Co. and clothing stores like Cotton On.