First stop on the South East Asia tour was the bustling and colorful city of Hong Kong. I met up with my friend from college Gautam and we took the city by storm. Be prepared to have comfortable walking shoes, water, and layers! There is so much to do in Hong Kong you could explore for weeks but Gautam and I saw most of the main spots in just four FULL days.
Day 1 : Sham Shui Po and the Flower Market & Fruit Market
A great way to start in any new city is walking. Gautam and I were staying in the Jordan area of town and decided to walk up to Sham Shui Po. Along the way I suggest taking two detours, one being the fruit market, and the other is the flower market. In the flower market you can find the most beautiful orchids, house plants, and stunning never before seen cross-bred flowers. In the fruit market you will find colorful kiosks teaming with fruit from the familiar to the exotic! Open from 2am to 6pm, it is best in the middle of night but we could only pass through during the day. Since it is a night market, many vendors will be closed later in the afternoon but there will be more then enough options to try something new or stay with your delicious favorites! Tip: make sure you know how to barter!
Sham Shui Po which is arguably one of the most authentic parts of Hong Kong left in the city and one of the most interesting to explore. Because Hong Kong real-estate is government owned many areas of this amazing city have been commercialized. Sham Shui Po is the area of town most concentrated with permanent working class residents and independent vendors. This area boasts many colorful fabric, food, and electronic stores. Come here to get your knock off Beats, speakers, and any fabric, button, zipper, or absolutely anything you need to sew.
Pro tip: Not the greatest area to get something to eat if you don't have your travel stomach yet, but the mall is a great place too cool down and use the restroom.
Day 2 : The Peak Tram and the Temple St Night Market
On our second day we took the Peak Tram, a trolly car that takes you up to the highest point on the South Side of the city. Since Hong Hong is covered in smog and fog during this time of year, we paid to go up to the observation desk but its really not worth it if it's not a clear day. I suggest paying for a one way trip with the Peak Tram to the top, and walk the winding road back down. If it's foggy the city will begin to emerge as you descend and its an enjoyable walk with many little fascinating nooks and crannies along the way.
That fog was real!
At the bottom of the walk you get to walk through the some of the most beautiful apartment complexes hosting some of the most wealthy residents in Hong Kong.
After a quick nap we got ourselves together to go to the Temple St Night Market, a bustling market starting at 5pm and going to 11pm its a great place to pick up your favorite trinkets from jade jewelry, to artwork, knock off electronics, random tchockies, and colorful knick-knacks and yummy snacks.
Tip: again another place to get your haggling pants on!
Day three : Tian Tan Buddha
On day 3 we headed up to the Tian Tan Buddha, which is just a 45 minute metro ride away. A stop past Disney World you exit the train to get onto the cable car that takes you up misty mountains to the highest point in Hong Kong, home to the Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. You can take three types of cable cars, a normal cable car, crystal cable car with a glass bottom, or a private car. I suggest taking the crystal cable car, it's only an extra $10 American and just adds a little more whimsy to the trip.
At the Po Lin Monastery you are welcome to purchase some incense and say a prayer and walk peacefully and quietly through the stunningly decorated religious space.
Then, my favorite part of this trip, there is the trek up to 268 stairs the big buddha. Once up there you can get views for miles around and stand in amazement of the giant bronze statue of Buddha Shakyamuni.
Unfortunately because Gautam and I got so obsessed with Tian Tan we couldn't make it to the Tai O Fishing Village but if you schedule your day correctly you can do both in the same day. I suggest getting to the cable car right when it opens at 10am and stay until 1 or 2pm then take the cable car back down and a taxi to the Tai O Fishing village to see traditional stilt houses, one of the few remaining in Hong Kong.
Day 4 : Hike to Lion rock
Last day was a hike to Lion Rock and first and foremost make sure you are wearing comfortable clothes and good walking shoes because it can be a hard hike. You can take a cab right to the entry of the park, or take the metro to Won Tai Sin or Diamond hill MTR stops, and a cab from there or its a short walk from either metro stop. The hike is a half circle in shape and I suggest entering at the Won Tai Sin stop because it is a longer but easier way up. If you go up the entry closer to Diamond Hill MTR it is a steep staircase that is much easier to go down then up, but either way the view is astounding.
Above: a very lovely man who told us the way to go and kept us moving when we thought we couldn't go anymore! I fully credit him with reaching the top even though he could not speak a word of english he would write the amount of meters left in the sand to let us know how far we were from the top.
Hong Kong was a perfect start to this two month long South East Asia tour resting my legs on the next flight and headed to Vietnam!
Goodbye Hong Kong and of course keep curious ♥
And a special thanks to Aryaman Gautam Khanna for taking all the pictures of me! Check out his insta @aryamangk
-Kierella
