W S T

HONG KONG

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Hey! I’m Wesley, and as many other young people dream of visiting as many places around the world trying to live new experiences and discover hidden gems different cultures holds for us. However there are plenty of destinations a traveller could choose from, so… why HONG KONG?

Why would you want to travel to Hong Kong, having plenty of countries all around the world to choose from?

Hong Kong has many unique and attractive aspects that would make you want to go. Here is my Top 6:

  1. Multiculturalism:
  • Hong Kong is a sophisticated fusion of the east and the west. It is under the cultural influences of Cantonese, Mandarin, British, which mixed together make an amazing environment for the city.
  1. Food:
  • Apart from trying the regional Cantonese food, tourists can also enjoy a full choice of authentic Asian and western cuisines.
  • It has the world’s most affordable Michelin star rates dishes at less than 2 pounds per dish.
  • Street food in Hong Kong is a unique culinary experience with stalls in pedestrian sidewalks offering skewers of cooked meat, vegetables and cut fresh fruits.
  • Must tries are:
  1. Dim Sum: Dim sum means “to touch the heart”. It is all about small servings of different dishes that are always served in piping hot bamboo baskets.
  2. Chinese Barbecue: Chinese barbecue, known as “siu mei”, includes highly-seasoned meats roasted over an open fire or in a rotisserie oven. It is very popular in Hong Kong and all around China. Roast duck or goose and Barbecued pork are examples.
  3. Seafood: Hong Kong consists of more than 200 islands. Seafood is certainly an integral part of Hong Kong cuisine.
  4. Noodles and Congee: The most famous noodles are wonton noodles, beef brisket noodles, and rickshaw noodles.
  5. Street Snacks: There are street food stalls everywhere in Hong Kong. The most popular snacks are pineapple buns, chicken feet and mini egg waffles, egg tarts
  6. Festivals and Fairs:
  • Hong Kong chinese new year.
  • Dragon boat festival.
  • Lantern festival.
  1. Transport Network
  • Hong Kong boasts an excellent transportation network.
  1. Buses
  • The extensive bus system offers a bewildering number of routes that take you just about anywhere in Hong Kong. Most visitors use the buses to explore the south side of Hong Kong Island and the New Territories. Northern Hong Kong and Kowloon are best explored by the MTR.
  1. Subway
  • The Hong Kong subway (MTR) is clean, fast, safe and easy. Though it costs a bit more than other forms of public transport, it is the quickest way to get to most destinations.
  • Trains run every 2-4 minutes from 6am to 1am daily on nine lines and the Airport Express. Fares range from HK$5 to HK$15. If you plan on doing a lot of traveling, the Octopus Card offers excellent value on MTR, LRT, KMB, City bus and HKF ferries.
  • For short trips, the MTR is not the best value. However, if your destination is further away, the MTR is considerably faster than a ferry or a bus and about the same price.
  1. Trams
  • Hong Kong Island Trams are an integral part of the transport network and characteristic of the Hong Kong Island.
  1. Taxis
  1. City of contrasts: Hong Kong is the embodiment of the ying and yang, the chinese concept of balance. From having neighborhoods that resemble the chinese and colonial tradition to skyscrapers making the city grow to a new technological era.

It has the most skyscrapers in the world, with 8,000 buildings having more than 14 floors. Due to the lack of available land, few historical buildings remain in the urban areas of Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s skyline is often considered to be the best in the world, with the mountains and Victoria Harbour complementing the skyscrapers.

Now, let’s suggest that we are going to make a 48hour itinerary to Hong Kong. We better hurry up or we are going to miss things we don’t want to.

Before we start let’s make things clear:

  • We, young people have a limited budget so let’s try to make this itinerary cheap and try to fit in as many free things as possible
  1. Once we get to the airport, the first thing is to find a way to get to the city, which is The Airport Express.
  • The Airport Express is one of the world’s leading Airport railway systems and offers you swift, sure links between Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Hong Kong’s vibrant Central business hub.
  • The 35.3km journey between the Airport and the city takes as little as 24 minutes.

To pay for it we would need either an octopus card or an Airport Express Travel Pass.

  • The “Octopus” is a rechargable and contactless ‘smart card’ used on most forms of public transport ( Bus, Minibus, Ferry, Peak Tram, Tram & MTR Trains), as well as settling payments at all major convenience stores, such as 7-Eleven, fast food restaurants, Starbucks, supermarkets, bakeries, self-service vending machines, personal care stores, major photo service outlets, etc.
  • Octopus fares are sometimes between 5% and 10% cheaper than ordinary fares on most trips made on the MTR network, while reductions could apply for transits of specific bus services.
  • Just place your Octopus card over the Octopus reader and your payment will be deducted instantly. You can add value to the smart card at MTR stations and most of the retail outlets that accept Octopus payment.
  • However, the travel pass includes journeys from the airport and unlimited travel for 3 consecutive days. The prices range from 250-350 HK (25-36 pounds).

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