9 of the Best Experiences in Hong Kong

[Alex Dragas]

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In addition to impressive sites and fabulous dining, Hong Kong is a territory full of wonderful experiences, deeply rooted in both traditional and modern culture. Here are nine not to miss:

Attend a Chinese Festival 

There are festivals that take place throughout the year. Two of the major ones are Lunar New Year (the next one is around February 1, 2021, the Year of the Ox) and the Mid-Autumn Festival (aka the Lantern Festival or Moon Festival, next held this September 21st. Both are beautiful, bubbling with amazing sights and sounds.

Take a T'ai Chi Lesson

Developed as a martial art, t'ai chi is the ancient Chinese discipline of slow movement used today for defense training, exercise, and meditation. Almost everybody in Hong Kong practices it, particularly the elderly, who can be seen doing it daily in parks and neighborhoods especially in the morning. The Hong Kong Tourism Board offers free classes four mornings a week.

Go for a Boat Ride

HK's impressive skyline and natural landscapes are best appreciated from the harbor, whether via the Star Ferry or various harbor cruises, from updated traditional junks to huge floating restaurants. Whether by day or night, it's a memorable experience indeed!

Savor Cantonese Cuisine

From intimate little noodle bars to enormous (and even floating) restaurants, one of Hong Kongers' favorite pastimes is eating, both Cantonese and international fare. Cantonese is characterized by use of sugar, salt, soy sauce, rice wine, cornstarch, vinegar, scallions, and sesame oil. Favorite dishes include kung pao chicken, chow mein, spring rolls, and sweet and sour pork. Another tasty specialty is dim sum, a delightful assortment of small, tasty tidbits, often served in restaurants from rolling carts.

Experience Hong Kong Nightlife

Hong Kong's nightlife is one of a kind, from small karaoke bars and quiet lounges to big, brash dance clubs. Unfortunately, much of it has been shuttered of late due to the pandemic, but as the vaccines take hold, by the time you visit the partying may be back in full swing.

Take a Day or Overnight Trip to Macau

Similar to Hong Kong, Macau is a onetime foreign colony with a marked identity separate from mainland China - specifically remanants of its Portuguese colonial heritage from the 16th through 20th centuries, from sites like the old cathedral and fort to food treats like pasteis de nata (egg custard tarts). There's also a booming casino/gaming scene - and if gaming isn't your thing, this also means world-class entertainment, shopping, and dining. 

Visit the Bruce Lee Exhibit

The foremost legend of martial arts was a hometown boy, and the Hong Kong Heritage Museum hosts a great, interactive exhibit devoted to his life and work, including photos, memorabilia, drawings, letters, artwork, and of course video and film clips.


Shop Till You Drop

The territory offers an amazing variety of shopping opportunities, from high-end boutiques and malls to
vintage shops and specialists in Chinese art and artifacts (for example, a traditional "chop" with your name rendered in Chinese makes a great souvenir!). And of course there are busy street markets such as the Temple Street Night Market.and Jardine's Crescent.

Bliss Out with a Traditional Massage

You can find virtually all of the world's massage modalities, styles, and treatm..., but of special note is Tui Na, the traditional Hong Kong massage with roots going back some five millennia. Utilizing the eight principals of traditional Chinese medicine, it seeks to keep yin and yang in balance with rubbing and kneading both gentle and vigorous.