Moving to Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a bustling area packed with thousands of different and exciting ways to spend your time. Whether you’re a fan of the great outdoors, junk boat parties or catching a glimpse of a city’s cultural heritage, Hong Kong never ceases to impress. With such a huge abundance of different ways to spend your time off, we’ve put together a list of the top 5 things to do in Hong Kong. Rather than suggesting 5 different views of Hong Kong’s incredible skyline, we’ve gone for 5 completely different things, all of which are worth taking the time to see and do if you want to make the most of your move to Hong Kong.
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Soak in the Hong Kong skyline at The Peak
Given that Hong Kong is roughly the size of London, but with the population density of Tokyo, it’s little surprise that a lot of Hong Kong goes upwards. This has allowed Hong Kong to develop a truly impressive skyline over the years – a sight which is best viewed from a height.While there are many different places to see the Hong Kong Skyline, (two of the top 5 best places to eat in Hong Kong are in the city’s skyscrapers,) the best is without a doubt Victoria Peak. The Peak, as it’s known locally, holds a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, as does the skyline itself, making it a uniquely awe-inspiring place to visit. You can easily spend 2-3 hours here at the Peak – just be sure to bring at least one spare memory card for your camera because when it comes to picturesque shots and photo opportunities of Hong Kong, you’ll be hard pressed to beat The Peak.
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Take a tour on the Star Ferry & the Hong Kong Tramway
During your time on Hong Kong you’re likely to spend a lot of time on the Star Ferry from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island and back again. If you’re looking to see Hong Kong at your own leisure, why not jump on the city’s incredible tramway?Believe it or not, both the ferry and the tram hold their own TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence. The tramway in particular has been operating on Hong Kong Island since 1904, with two antique tramcars still in service. With the city having grown up around the tramway, this mode of transport remains one of the best ways of seeing Hong Kong – especially when you consider that the tramway also contains the largest collection of double-decker tramcars in the world.
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Be impressed by the Tian Tan (Big) Buddha
The Tian Tan Buddha, also known as the Big Buddha, was the winner of a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award in 2015. This historic landmark on Lantau Island truly is an impressive sight to see – that is as long as you don’t mind the crows. This giant bronze statue was completed in 1993, with Lord Gautama sitting at an impressive 34m. The Tian Tan Buddha symbolises the harmonious relationship between man and nature, people and their faith.There’s also a gondola you can ride with a glass floor to help you take in the spectacular view in true style. Be aware however, that if you forget to book your tickets online you’re likely to have to wait for up to two hours in a queue for tickets on the day.
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Get some culture at the Chinese Opera
When it comes to the ancient arts, Chinese Opera is one of the most impressive that you can still see performed to this day. The operas tell stories of Chinese legend in a vibrant performance of music, drama and colourful costumes. While a background in Cantonese will definitely help, your linguistic skills and cultural knowledge aren’t integral to enjoying these plays. Even if you don’t speak a word of the language, the stunning performance, lavish costumes, extravagant sets and distinct style of singing allow for anyone and everyone to enjoy their time at the Chinese Opera. -
Get outdoors on the Dragon’s Back
If you’re looking to head into the great outdoors, the Dragon’s Back hiking trail is not something that you want to pass up. The Dragon’s back is specifically a mountain ridge at the southeastern corner of Hong Kong Island, and is often voted the best urban hiking trail in Asia.If you’re new to hiking, the Dragon’s Back is a nice way to start, as the trail is fairly easy and can be completed in around three hours. Offering stunning views of Shek O, Tai Long Wan, Stanley, Tai Tam, and the South China Sea, the Dragon’s Back is also the proud owner of a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.
