I called my first posts on Hong Kong unmissable sights, but that’s not to say the following things should be missed when you visit. Once you’ve ticked the main locations off your itinerary, do something a bit different to bolster your experience. I managed to write about some places before, my favourite being the near-fail of a hike to see the waterfalls (please learn from my mistakes), but there’s also the hike (another one) to the highest peak on Kowloon and tasting the rainbow via multi-coloured soup dumplings! Let’s add another two to the list to fuel your curiosity:
Lion Rock
So I’ve already written about two hikes, why not introduce another? The city battles with the mountainous terrain of its natural landscape and you’ll soon find that every day is leg day when walking in Hong Kong. For stunning views inside the city, Lion Rock is a famous landmark amongst locals and the perfect counterpart to Victoria Peak’s harbour views. Named for its resemblance to a lion, the trail can be accessed upon leaving Won Tai Sin MTR station (exit B3).
Make sure you stock up on plenty of water as the hike is basically one long staircase to its peak. On hindsight, it’s not a bad idea to bring lunch too! From the MTR exit, there’s two choices: follow the instructions on this blog and walk to the start of the trail, or save yourself a good 30 minutes and take a taxi (~30HKD) to the starting point. When I took my friend Hazel, I was slightly hungover so we smartly opted for the lazy taxi option.
Visiting in late February, the weather wasn’t nearly as hot or humid as in summer, but we still ended up drenched in sweat upon reaching the top. Luckily there was a light breeze to cool us off and we relaxed on the rocks, soaking in the view until sunset. I really recommend starting the hike late afternoon as temperatures will be cooler and watching the sun set over the city is one of those magical experiences you can’t miss. I’m in love with this city at night and with Lion Rock as a vantage point, it’s hard not to be captivated by its glittering lights.*
Cheung Chau (長洲)
Popular with locals, this little island is a food heaven and only a short ferry ride from Central. First time visiting, my friend and I were amazed by the giant fish balls and the sheer amount of food. Head to the food stalls for lunch and to the harbour restaurants at dinner for fresh seafood at decent prices. Note that although the menus here come in Chinese, some do have photographs you can use for reference. For the best experience, take a fluent Cantonese speaker (friend or family) to do the hard work of ordering for you.
Come with a big appetite to sample everything on offer, but definitely don’t leave without eating the mango mochi. From the ferry pier, head left and you’ll recognise the shop by its consistently huge lines. Don’t be deterred though, this is mochi like no other. Beautifully soft mochi is wrapped around a slice of fresh mango making for a deliciously refreshing bite. To the thrill seekers amongst you, try the durian flavour for a step out of your comfort zone. Personally, I’m not fond, but you might strike lucky and find it your cup of tea!
Cheung Chau is more than its food though, keep heading right from the ferry pier and discover the reclining rocks for change of scenery and a quick get-away from the hustle and bustle of the street food scene. The crowds of people start to disperse and you can take a moment on the rocks to relax and nurture your newly acquired food baby.
[Part II coming next week!]
*Getting back down in the dark can be quite tricky, our method consisted of using the lights from our phones and keeping close to a family of three who had the good sense to bring a proper flashlight.
rookie experiences 