5 Amazing Days In Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a place that inspires a vision of jam-packed city with its soaring skyscrapers, wild night outs, big finance companies, and thick smog. It is a dynamic and thrilling cosmopolitan metropolis of 21st century. Hong Kong is a fusion of several cultures. It is a land of ferocious contrast. From sprawling hills covered with the greenest trees to the latest and greatest technologies abound.
And if technology and nature are not enough, you can also manage to do some serious damage on your credit card by going shopping. It is paradise for shopaholics. It brings together all popular brands.
So what did we get up to in out five days there?
Day One
We stayed on the Kowloon side, where you will find a lot of hustle and bustle. It is amazingly easy to get around Hong Kong. All you need to do is get to the nearest train station and get yourself a ‘swipe card’ that can be re-loaded at any stop and can be used on their vast public transport system anywhere.
Arriving late on the first day we chose to rest till the night came when we ventured out to watch the amazing Lightship lighting up Hong Kong, dancing with the music dictating the lights. I am not a boat fan, so watching it from the shore was great for me, however you can take the Star Ferry or other lightship cruises and enjoy this spectacular on the water.
Unlike my current town I live in where life stops by 9pm, Hong Kong really starts to kick off in the later hours. I guess it’s to do with the warm weather here. So after the light show we headed off to Nathan Road aka the Golden Mile, to enjoy the night markets. While you are here take a look inside the Chungking Masions. Here you will find a chaotic market on the ground floor.
Day Two
Day two was consumed by heading to Victoria Peak. Did I mention how easy it is to get here? You can take a tram! It is the most scenic way to get there too. You will be faced with some amazing views from here.
Don’t worry you won’t get lost getting there! I found Hong Kong has an amazing array of information booths, websites, itinerary planners that help your trip along the way. I actually planned the whole itinerary on their interactive itinerary planner before we even got there! Amazing, wish all places had these tools.
But back to the peak. It has opening hours, due to the public transport getting you there and the attractions on the peak. Did I mention they are open late? Most things are open till 11pm at night, transport stops at 12am. Pretty good I thought.
Apart from the amazing views you can visit the Peak Tram Historical Gallery, The Peak Tower, and Madame Tussauds as well.
This is one of the most modern and stylish architectural attractions of Hong Kong. There is also a 360 degree viewing platform known as The Sky Terrace and offers panoramic view of the city.
If you are not sure where to start, they even have suggested itineraries for the peak, depending on the time you want to spend here. Check it out here.
Day Three
The fun continued on Day three when we visited the Ocean Park.
Ocean Park has everything!!! It is a marine life theme park, so not only do you get to marvel at marine animal exhibits (above and under water), but you can also enjoy different rides, shopping and other joyous adventures. It is a great blend of education and entertainment.
There are about forty attractions and rides in the park. According to World by Forbes it is the 33rd most visited tourist spot. It also the seventh most popular amusement park in the world. This amusement park has won several other awards as well.
Day Four
Since we were having all fund and games, it had to continue – ‘Let’s go to Disneyland!’ was the thought of day four. After all you cannot miss this when you are in Hong Kong! You cannot.
Tickets are a little pricey, but well worth it. If you are making it a family holiday, you can even stay here at one of many accommodation options and enjoy the park for your stay.
It has been upgraded – I would say recently, but can only compare it to my last visit – so there are now even more fun and games. There is a Jungle River Cruise, Tarzan’s Treehouse, Fantasy Gardens, Theatres, Cinemas for Mickey’s 3D adventures, Mystic Manor, Tomorrowland, Toy Story Land and the list goes on. It’s great fun for all ages.
This is the first theme park that has been built inside the Hong Kong Resort. This is also the fifth Magic Kingdom style park of Hong Kong. It is located in the Lantau Island at Penny’s Bay. You will be able to spend some magical moments in this place. You may even find that one day is not enough!
Day Five
I had to rest my feet on most of Day Five, but only enough to get us to the Ladies Market in the evening. There are hundreds of bargain stalls around here, for clothing, accessories, souvenirs, not to forget the bags and shoes that the ladies love. You can find amazing things. You will have to haggle no question about that, which can be a little uncomfortable if you are not used to it.
The markets are on Tung Choi Street and go for about a kilometre. And if not at the markets, there are stores all around it, so you will find something for you.
After the last minute stock up, it was great to make it to the plane to head home.
