Explore the best spots in Hong Kong #TIPS

Explore my photography gallery and get some tips and tricks for the best travel spots in Kong Kong:

(Photo gallery down below)

Disneyland Hong Kong

We had a two day pass and had the best experience ever. I simply can’t describe it better than this …it’s Disneyland! I’m still amazed that they even provide a Mickey Mouse themed tube\train to take you to the park. Try and arrive early in the morning to avoid the annoying crowds. Everyone enjoys dressing up, from kids to adults, so don’t be shy about taking out your old Disney princess dress or at least spread some glitter around.

The Peak Tower – the highest 360° viewing terrace in Hong Kong.

The view is breathtaking and is really worth going to both during day time and night time. Inside you can find a massive shopping centre, various restaurants and even a Madame Tussaud Museum (TayTay is here to prove it). You can get there by using the Peak Tram, which is a visual experience on its own. The ascending angle seems impossible, and it can get quite scary especially when you realise you’re in a 120 years old tram…

Tian Tan Buddha (also known as the Big Buddha) and the Po Lin Monastery at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island:

After the attraction in Taiwan, the Big Buddha statute is the second largest outdoor sitting Buddha in the world. It is supposed to represent the close relationship between man and nature, people and faith. For a closer look at the remarkable 34 m high bronze statute you’ll have to take a ride with the Cable Car (which I can guarantee it will make you really dizzy) and climb 268 steps in order to reach the main platform. Here you can also see the statues around the Big Buddha – The Offering of the Six Devas, which are kneeling before the Big Buddha offering him flowers, fruits, music, etc. Each one of these offerings represents a metaphor for various values such as wisdom , charity, patience, morality.

Before you pass the entrance gate make sure you share some love with the cute and friendly sacred cows that openly roam the grounds of the Po Lin Monastery.

Tai O Fishing Town

This is a truly unique experience which can offer you a totally different insight. After you visit the Big Buddha statue, simply and without fear hop into a doggy bus which will take you to the western side of Lantau Island. The Tai O fishing village is the home of the Tonka people. You can literally say that this community lives on the water, as their houses rest on unusual interconnected stilt structures. You can take a look around the Tai O Market and check out the live seafood tanks and the vast array of dried seafoods and vegetables. Take your time walking around this old traditional village and you’ll find some beautiful cliff and rock formations from which you can have a special colourful view of the sunset.

Lamma Island & Hung Shing Yeh Beach

This was Halloween. It was not our plan to spend the Halloween night on Lamma Island, but as our hike back to the port took longer than expected, we ended up missing our ferry back home. Lamma Island is situated 3km off the south west coast of Hong Kong Island, where we were located. We had to wait till midnight to get into the next available ferry. What started as a recipe for disaster ended up being the most unique Halloween night I ever experienced.

Approximately a third of Lamma Island’s residents are expats. The Island is filled with small independent shops and restaurants and it maintain its original and unique island lifestyle. Everyone seemed to know and speak with everyone. Adults and kids were all dressed up in very detailed and interesting costumes, going trick-or-treating throughout different restaurants and bars, socialising and making even us feel part of their community. It was a very wholesome experience. That night I had the great opportunity to observe a happy, loving, flourishing and united community.

Stanley Bay

Restaurants, bars, small independent shops, street stalls, and basically everything else you wish for — a very popular touristic attraction and surprisingly, a quite peaceful place to be. Simply enjoy yourself walking down the promenade, look through souvenir shops and maybe hang a small memory on one of the designated bridges. However, I will not forget this group of friendly tourists who created a massive queue to take individual pictures with us, for at least 10 minutes, most probably confusing us with some European celebrities. If the picture was not right, you had to stay for a retake!

SHEK O COUNTRY PARK – DRAGON’S BACK HIKE

Maybe one of the most popular hike routes in Hong Kong, which will provide you with stunning views of Shek O, Tai Long Wan, Stanley, Tai Tam, and the South China Sea. It’s a moderately difficult hike which took us approximative 4 hours. Make sure to pack a small lunch with you.

Sharp Island – located at the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark

Get yourself prepared to basically hike through the whole Island. The ferry left us at Kiu Tsui Port and we slowly made our way to the Hap Mun Bay Beach, but you can easily make the route the other way around. We found it more rewarding to hike for an hour (1.9 km) and then look for a relaxing beach. The place is perfect for swimming, with fine white sand and beautiful views of mountains and rock formations. At the starting point, if you happen to catch the low tide, you can witness the emerging rock formation promenade that connects to the nearby Kiu Tau islet.

Temple Street Night Market and Ladies’ Market

When the sun goes down, the traders have already laid out their stands and products and they are more than ready to persuade you into buying something. Honestly, with the right attitude you can easily get a 80% off discount. You’ll be fascinated by the local atmosphere, the vibrant colours, the loud music, and overall by the whole energetic and dynamic vibe of the markets.

Around the city …

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I do recommend buying tickets for a ‘hop on and off’ bus to easily find your way around and ensure you visit every single attraction there is.

DISNEYLAND HONG KONG

THE PEAK TOWER – the highest 360° viewing terrace in Hong Kong.

Tian Tan Buddha (also known as the Big Buddha) and the Po Lin Monastery at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island

After the attraction in Taiwan, the Big Buddha statute is the second largest outdoor sitting Buddha in the world. It is supposed to represent the close relationship between man and nature, people and faith. For a closer look at the remarkable 34 m high bronze statue you’ll have to take a ride with the Cable Car (which I can guarantee it will make you really dizzy) and climb the 268 steps in order to reach the main platform. Here you can also observe the statues around the Big Buddha – The Offering of the Six Devas, which are kneeling before the Big Buddha offering him flowers, fruits, music, etc. Each one of these offerings represents a metaphor for various values such as wisdom , charity, patience, morality.

Before you pass the entrance gate make sure you share some love with the cute and friendly sacred cows that openly roam the grounds of the Po Lin Monastery.

Tai O Fishing Town

This is a truly unique experience which can offer you a totally different insight. After you visit the Big Buddha statue, simply hop into a doggy bus which will take you to the western side of Lantau Island. The Tai O fishing village is the home of the Tonka people. You can literally say that this community lives on the water, as their houses rest on unusual interconnected stilt structures. You can take a look around the Tai O Market and check out the live seafood tanks and the vast array of dried seafoods and vegetables. Take your time walking around this old traditional village and you’ll find some beautiful cliff and rock formations from which you can provide a special colourful view of the sunset.

Lamma Island & Hung Shing Yeh Beach

This was Halloween. Yes, we spent the Halloween night on the Lamma Island… and it was the first time I had the chance of experiencing such a feeling. Adults and kids dressed up in very detailed and interesting costumes, going trick-or-treating throughout different restaurants and bars, socialising and making us feel like a part of their community. Many people of the Island are of Western origins, and everyone seemed to know everyone, giving us the feeling of a truly flourishing and united community.

STANLEY BAY

Restaurants, bars, small shops, street stalls, and basically everything else you wish for — a very popular touristic attraction and surprisingly, a quite peaceful place to be. Simply enjoy yourself walking down the promenade, look through souvenir shops and maybe hang a small memory on one of the designated bridges. However, I will not forget this group of friendly Chinese tourists who created a massive queue to take individual pictures with us, for at least 10 minutes, most probably confusing us with some European celebrities. If the picture was not right, you had to stay for a retake! I was amused and so confused at the same time, but it’s truly a funny memory. xx

SHEK O COUNTRY PARK – DRAGON’S BACK HIKE

SHARP ISLAND

Get yourself prepared to basically hike through the whole Island. The ferry left us at Kiu Tsui Port and we slowly made our way to the Hap Mun Bay Beach, but you can easily make the route the other way around. We found it more rewarding to hike for an hour (1.9 km) and then found a relaxing beach to go for a swim. The place is perfect for swimming, with fine white sand and beautiful views of mountains and rock formations. At the starting point, if you happen to catch the low tide, you can witness the emerging rock formation promenade that connects to the nearby Kiu Tau islet.

Ladies’ Market & Temple Street Night Market

When the sun goes down, the traders have already laid out their stands and products and they are more than ready to persuade you with great deals into buying something. Honestly, with the right attitude you can easily get a 80% off discount. You’ll be fascinated by the local atmosphere, the vibrant colours, the loud music, and overall by the whole energetic and dynamic vibe of the markets.