Yet again, I managed to turn a work trip into a pretty amazing vacation, after I was accepted to present at a conference in Hong Kong.  I knew I had to jump at the opportunity to present internationally for my career, but also to take advantage of visiting another country or two in Asia (more to come on Vietnam, our second stop).  It’s a super long flight, but if you can manage 16 hrs in the air, visiting Asia is so worth it.  We had 6 days in Hong Kong.   There is tons to do and we certainly did not have time to do it all, but we felt like it was a good amount of time to get a taste of the city.

1 – Victoria Peak
You have to visit The Peak if you are spending any amount of time in Hong Kong.  Victoria’s Peak is the highest point on Hong Kong Island and offers sweeping views of Victoria Harbor, Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.  The views are incredible any time, however, the views of the city lights at night is magical.  Going a little bit before sunset allows you to see both day and night, but you’ll need to be prepared for massive crowds.  We took a cab there and back because the lines for the funicular were insane.  The cab cost around $75 HKD (less than $10 USD) and was totally worth it.  It costs $52 HKD ($7ish USD) to go to the 360 Sky Terrace 428 platform for the best views, and it’s worth every penny.  But be prepared to elbow your way through tons of people to get pictures.

2 – Big Buddha
Visiting the Big Buddha is another must do in Hong Kong.  Take the MTR (orange line) to Tung Chung and from there you can either board a bus or take the cable car to Lantau Island.  My advice is to splurge ($38 USD) and buy the round trip crystal bottom cable car ticket for gorgeous, scenic views the entire ride up and down.  The Beverly Hills housewives did it, so it’s obviously the thing to do.  Once you’re at the Buddha, take time to explore Ngong Ping Village and the Po Lin Monastery before or after climbing the 200+ steps to see the Buddha.  The village also has a variety of restaurants to grab a bite.  One of my favorite meals in Hong Kong was ramen at Zen Noodle.  It’s a really fun day trip and the views are insane.  It is also easily done on your own, so no need to pay extra for an organized group tour.

3 – Dragon’s Back hike
Dragon’s Back hike is a great way to get in some exercise and see another part of Hong Kong Island.  It is also easily accessible by public transportation.  Take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan station, then get on bus 9.  The bus will drop you at the To Tei Wan stop on Shek O Road, which is where the hike begins.  The hike is about 5 miles and will take about 4-5 hrs round trip.  There are some difficult up hill climbs and uneven surfaces, but also plenty of spots to stop and rest, whilst taking some gorg photos.  The hike ends at Big Wave Bay, which is a beach famous for surfers.  Take some time to relax at the beach before heading back to the hustle and bustle of the city.   If you are a hiker, Dragon’s Back should not be missed.

4 – Sightseeing and Parks
Take time to just wander along the waterfront on both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Walk through Kowloon or Hong Kong Park or the Botanical Gardens.  Check out the Man Mo Temple.  Find the street markets.  Walk up the escalators in SoHo. There’s a lot of see and do in Hong Kong and you can stop at some of the many excellent bars and restaurants along the way.

5 – Harbor cruise
Riding the Star Ferry is the most highly recommended attraction in Hong Kong, according to Trip Advisor, so we figured…when in Rome.  We did a day time ride, but they also do night rides, and a special cruise to see the light show.  It was nice to see the city from the water and it’s always fun to take a boat ride.  Also it’s a scenic way to get from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon or vice versa.

Honorable Mention

Night Markets
The night markets in Hong Kong are a fun way to spend a night out.  They don’t compare to the ones in Thailand in my opinion, however they are a great way to bargain shop for souvenirs.  We went to the Ladies’ Market and the Temple Street Night Market, which are within a 20-25 minute walk of each other.  They had similar items, so if you are short on time, you’d be fine going to just one.  My tip is walk away before agreeing to buy anything.  They will chase you down and ultimately lower the price to at least half of their original offer.

Ozone
Ozone is on the 118th floor in the Ritz Carlton hotel in Kowloon.  It has the honor of being “The highest bar in the world” per the sign hung in the bar.  Drinks (even mocktails) are insanely expensive, but it’s worth it for the views.  Also while you’re drinking, you get unlimited truffle popcorn, which for me, made the $50 for 2 drinks totally worth it.  It’s also a great spot for watching the nightly light show on Hong Kong Island.

Hong Kong surprised me.  I expected a busy city, which it definitely is, but was not expecting the mountains or the coastal views and tropical feel you get on the south side of the island.  Although an Asia vacation may not be as easy as a Europe vacation, it is definitely worth the trek.  Hong Kong is a vibrant, inexpensive and fun city, with a variety of things to see and do, great food and drinks and breath taking views.  I’d highly recommend it as a stop on any trip to Asia.