A vintage tour boat crossing Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong; (c) Nitin Sharma
Hong Kong
One of the most recognizable cities in the world, Hong Kong has a gravitational pull for cultural sites adorning mountainsides, urban parks, remarkable cuisines, double-decker trams for sightseeing, and night markets encircling a world-renowned financial center. Americans find comfort in the dual Chinese and English signage and the cleanliness of public transport. Though small in number, you can find Black folks here. The city managed to attract Disneyland too. — Soul Of America
Victoria Harbor features photogenic spots, particularly the West Kowloon Cultural District. Admire Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront Promenade, the multimedia light show “A Symphony of Lights”, International Financial Centre, and the Hong Kong Observation Wheel via a water taxi. There’s a surprising number of picnic spots available in Hong Kong.
West Kowloon’s Art Park offers top-notch harbor views and green lawns, as well as food trucks from time to time. The route covers iconic attractions along Victoria Harbour, including Golden Bauhinia Square, and the Hong Kong Palace Museum. A ride on a double-decker tram gives you scenic views of Kowloon District for less than cost than a cup of coffee. It’s a must-do way to explore the Pearl of the Orient.
There are lots of additional spots nestled in the city center, such as Victoria Peak Garden and Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park. And if you don’t mind crowds, the best time to visit is during the Chinese New Year.
Modern architecture lovers will be astounded by the International Commerce Centre along the edge of West Kowloon. Its glassy exterior reflects the sun as it ascends 1588 feet in height. The Sky100 Indoor Observation Deck is great for a cocktail and views. Jockey Club Innovation Tower is another eye-catcher. The city is an unrepentant playground for modern and oriental architecture.
Temple Street showcases its nighttime vibes, particularly from 15 December to 15 June. The roadside food stalls have endless Hong Kong specialty products that please taste buds.
No visit is complete without a Star Ferry experience across Victoria Harbor. You should also visit Golden Bauhinia Square and see the treasured artifacts in Hong Kong Palace Museum.
Spend a day exploring the Big Buddha and Lantau District of Hong Kong Island. Visit the Tai O fishing village. Try visiting Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts, Hollywood Road, and Man Po Temple.
With a history dating back to 1842, Central Market has been through multiple transformations as one of Hong Kong’s first wet markets. It has since been upgraded for community use to shopping, dining, and olfactory experience.
Many Expats get use to housing using like this; credit Yick Cheong/UN
At its peak, only Hollywood and Bollywood produced more movies per year than Hong Kong. Avenue of Stars pays tribute to Hong Kong’s enviable cinematic history. Grab selfies with martial arts legend Bruce Lee and see over 100 handprint plaques near Victoria Harbor.
Po Lin is a huge Buddhist monastery and temple complex built in 1924. Peer into the Main Shrine Hall of Buddha for a solemn experience.
The draw is the enormous bronze Buddha encircled by ground-level bronze goddesses, a must-see on any Hong Kong trip. Commonly known as the “Big Buddha,” the Tian Tan Buddha is a representation of Lord Gautama, some 75 feet high.
Big Buddha, Hon Kong; (c) Jason Cooper / UN
Standing at 1,182 feet, Victoria Peak is the highest point on Hong Kong Island and one of the most visited sites. Sweeping views of the metropolis, verdant woods, and verdant walks are reachable in 8 minutes from Central Hong Kong’s 125-year-old Peak Tram. Visit Level 5 and you’ll reach the Sky Terrace 428, so named because it stands at 428 meters (1,404 feet) above sea level. You’ll be awestruck with 360-degree views of skyscrapers, the harbor, and Kowloon District.
Like its sister properties in the US, Paris, and Tokyo, Hong Kong Disneyland features self-contained worlds of fun – Adventureland, Fantasyland, Grizzly Gulch, Main Street USA, Mystic Point, Tomorrowland, and Toy Story Land. For maximum fun, be a child at heart with every visit. Toy Story Parachute Drop simulates paratrooper jumps. Climb into green seats with a camouflage parachute above our heads, then get hoisted into the air only to be dropped with a stomach-churning lurch.
For something tamer no less but exhilarating, take HYPER Space Mountain for twists, turns & drops. For something chill, revisit your childhood at Small World where more than 300 dolls in the native costumes of their countries from Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and South America sing that unforgettable song in rhythmic formation.
The highlight of Hong Kong Disneyland is the Black Panther holding court in Wakanda. After his stage show, T’Challa shakes hands with a line of roughly 50 fans. After some Royal trumpet fanfare, you might get lucky and take a selfie with him too.
Sister with Black Panther at Hong Kong Disneyland; (c) Soul Of America
