Off the beaten path: Hong Kong's Cultural Kaleidoscope
Description:
Take advantage of the rare opportunity to ride a Duk Ling, watch early morning Tai chi at Kowloon Park and explore museums that tourists rarely go. Museum visits give you a choice that no other city in Asia could beat, with the most popular ones being History, art, heritage, space, science. The Big Buddha and the various outlying islands, especially Lamma Island are quieter off the beaten path choices.
Markets and the Architecture Walk through the business districts of Admiralty and Central during office hours will be a different way to see the area.
A top tip when going to Mai Po Marsh is explore the wilderness in ambience whilst reflecting that this world heritage site is right at a bustling Hong Kong.
With plenty of cultural fusions of East and West, theres no shortage of culture in Hong Kong and you should not be shy in suggesting a few tips of your own as you visit.
Author: Shirley
Day 1 - Hong Kong
After an authentic Hong Kong breakfast at Australia Dairy Co. Your favourite cultural fixes where the day starts off at Kowloon Park for some early morning Tai Chi watching. Afterwards, take advantage of the rare opportunity to ride a Chinese Junk boat. Take it from the Kowloon Public Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui, only on Thursdays and Saturdays. Hong Kong Musuems are hidden gems that most tourists skip but whether you are interested in Chinese art, culture, modern history of science, the Musuem of History and Museum of Science are sure to entice. The next stop is Mong Kok where you'll be walking through one of the world's densest populated area that is bustling at every hour of day. The night markets around Temple street are a great place to find bargains and explore the soul of Hong Kong's older areas.
1
Australia Dairy Co.
Location:
view in google maps47 Parkes Street
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
852 273013562
Early Morning Tai Chi Watching
Location:
view in google mapsGloucester Road
(Victoria Park)
Hong Kong, China
3
Kowloon Park
Location:
view in google mapsNathan Road
Tsim Sha Tsui
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2508 12344
Duk Ling Ride (Chinese Junk)
Location:
view in google mapsG/F, The Center, 99 Queen's Road Central
Central
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2508 12345
Museum of History
Location:
view in google mapsKowloon Park, Haiphong Road
Tsim Sha Tsui
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2367 11246
Hong Kong Science Museum
Location:
view in google maps2 Science Museum Rd
Tsim Sha Tsui East
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
852/2732 32327
Mong Kok
Location:
view in google mapsKowloon
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2508 12348
Goldfish Market
Location:
view in google mapsTung Choi Street
Mongkok
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2508 12349
Jade Market
Location:
view in google mapsJunction of Kansu Street and Battery Street
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2508 123410
Yaumatei Tin Hau Temple
Location:
view in google mapsYaumatei
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2508 123411
Jia
Location:
view in google maps1-5 Irving St
Causeway Bay
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
852/3196 900012
Honeymoon dessert
Location:
view in google maps10C Po Tung Road, Sai Kung
Sai Kung
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
852 2571 4246Day 2 - Hong Kong
Your Lantau Island experience is going to be different starting with a cable car ride on Ngong Ping 360. Get off the MTR at Tung Chung Station Exit B and walk 5 minutes to the Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal where you'll head off to see the Big Buddha. Skip the tourist haven of Ngong Ping Village and instead visit the Po Lin Monastary next to the Big Buddha. Not too far away if the WIsdom Path, an outdoor replica of the centuries-old Heart Sutra. Its a beautiful 15 minute hiking trail that is deemed the path to wisdom. Returning from the Big Buddha it is time to explore Sham Shui Po. This is an electronics and computer bargain buy area it may seem but explore the streets and you will find a textiles export and import market as well as the oldest Hong Kong buildings too. It will be hard to find people who speak English at Sham Shui Po, as it is not an area where tourist visit. Dinner at Chao Inn is a great local dining option.
1
Lantau
Location:
view in google mapsLantau Island
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2508 12342
Big Buddha
Location:
view in google mapsNgong Ping Plateau
Lantau Island
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2805 12343
Po Lin Monastery
Location:
view in google mapsNgong Ping Plateau
Lantau
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2508 12344
Sham Shui Po
Location:
view in google mapsSham Shui Po
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2508 12345
Chao Inn
Location:
view in google maps10/F, 1 Peking Road
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
852 2369 8819Day 3 - Hong Kong
Choosing betweem Lamma Island or Cheung Chau is a tough decision whilst standing outside Central Ferry Pier. Pier number 5 goes to Cheung Chau whilst Pier number 4 goes to Lamma Island. Cheung Chau or Lamma Island? Why not both if you have time. Too much to do, too little time? Lamma Island is a little more off the beaten path whilst Cheung Chau is a more popular choice. But don't forget that Hong Kong is made up of more than 200 outlying islands, so the choice is dizzying.
1
Lamma Island
Location:
view in google mapsLamma Island
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2805 12342
Deli Lamma
Location:
view in google maps36 Main Street, Yung Shue Wan
Lamma
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
852 2982 15833
Cheung Chau
Location:
view in google mapsCheung Chau
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2508 12344
Outlying Islands
Location:
view in google mapsOutlying Islands
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2508 12345
Boat trips around Sai Kung
Location:
view in google mapsSai Kung Pier
Sai Kung
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2508 1234Day 4 - Hong Kong
Hong Kong offers a wealth of architectural influences and styles waiting to be discovered as you visit Hong Kong Island today. During this walk through Admiralty and Central you'll see historical structures juxtaposed to glass and steel monuments of the Bank of China Tower. Hollywood Road, Cat Street and the Mid levels Escalator are going to be unique experiences where you'll see a fusion of East and West. Nightlife today at Lan Kwai Fong is a must try, although packed with tourists and locals alike. If neon nightlife is not your cup of tea then why not try the alternative Fringe Club to end the night off.
1
Tsim Sha Tsui East
Location:
view in google mapsTsim Sha Tsui East
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2508 12342
Star Ferry
Location:
view in google mapsStar Ferry Pier, Edinburgh Place
Edinburgh Place
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2367 70653
Admiralty
Location:
view in google mapsAdmiralty
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2508 12344
Museum of Tea Ware
Location:
view in google maps10 Cotton Tree Dr
Flagstaff House, Hong Kong Park, Central
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
852/2869 06905
Hong Kong Park
Location:
view in google mapsAdmiralty
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2521 50416
Bank of China Tower
Location:
view in google maps1 Garden Road
Central
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2826 68887
Legislative Council (Legco) Building
Location:
view in google maps8 Jackson Road
Central
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2869 92008
Statue Square and Cenotaph
Location:
view in google mapsChater Road
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2713 92119
Fringe Club
Location:
view in google maps2 Lower Albert Road
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2521 725110
1A Space
Location:
view in google maps1/F, Block B, 12 Oil Street
Fortress Hill
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2529 008711
Old Government House
Location:
view in google mapsUpper Albert Road
Central
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2508 123412
Former French Mission Building
Location:
view in google maps1 Battery Path
Central
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2208 440013
Colonial Duddell Street Steps
Location:
view in google mapsCentral
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2508 123414
Lascar Row (Cat Street)
Location:
view in google mapsSheung Wan
at the intersection between Ladder Road and Hollywood Road
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2508 123415
Hollywood Road
Location:
view in google mapsHollywood Road
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2807 654316
Mid-levels Escalator
Location:
view in google mapsConnaught Road
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2807 654317
Fringe Club
Location:
view in google maps2 Lower Albert Road
Central
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
852 2521 725118
Fong Underground
Location:
view in google maps34 D'Aguilar St
Central
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
852/2523 2002Day 5 - Hong Kong
Access to the Marsh is limited as the site was listed as a Wetland of International Importance in 1995 but the Hong Kong Wetland Park, is open from 10am to 5pm daily but closed on Tuesday. Definately off the beaten path, Mai Po is world class ecotourism that most people never associate Hong Kong with.
1
Mai Po Marsh
Location:
view in google mapsNear Yuen Long, Deep Bay
Deep Bay
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2652 02852
TakeOutComedy
Location:
view in google maps34 Elgin Street
(basement, SOHO, Central)
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
852 6220 4436Day 6 - Hong Kong
Wong Tai Sin Temple, Kowloon Walled City Park and Law Uk Folk Museum are your special opportunity to truly see Hong Kong through its local customs and history.
1
Nishimura
Location:
view in google maps6th Floor, Hong Kong Marco Polo Hotel,
Harbour City
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
852 2113 00882
Wong Tai Sin Temple
Location:
view in google mapsupper edge of Wong Tai Sin Estate
Wong Tai Sin
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2320 28833
Law Uk Folk Museum
Location:
view in google maps14 Kut Shing Street
Chai Wan
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2896 70064
Kowloon Walled City Park
Location:
view in google mapsTung Tsing Rd
Kowloon City
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2716 99625
Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens
Location:
view in google mapsAlbany Road,
Central
Hong Kong, China
Phone:
+852 2530 0154