Hong Kong is a city that never sleeps. It bustles with energy even at the most unearthly hours. It’s well lit skyline makes it a visually appealing sight for any tourist. While most Indians opt for the tried and tested Thailand, Hong Kong is still relatively low on the Indian itinerary except for those familiar with what this vastly underrated Asian city has to offer.
It’s a vibrant city, which is a nice mix of New York City and London. Tourists who visit Hong Kong can choose to stay here or the nearby Kowloon Peninsula, which is separated by the beautiful Victoria Harbour. This is a must visit as nowhere does the skyline look as spectacular as it does when you take an evening cruise, where the entire landscape looks incredibly breathtaking with dotted lights lining the horizon. But even prepared, the unusual weather conditions can also lead to a choppy ride. So make sure you line yourself with medication if you are prone to sea sickness.
The languid but somewhat rocky ride offers some breathtakingly gorgeous views as your private yatch glides through the water, and you get a bird’s eye view of the city dotted with colourful lights and buildings in various sizes. There are different options but the four- hour sail includes a spectacular firework display at Disneyland. You can opt to stay at any of the fancy star hotels on Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon, if budget is not a concern. You can even book a room with a harbour view and it’s a wonderful sight to wake up to every morning.
Kowloon is typically filled with tourists as it appears to be a shopping hub. You will find several high end malls like Harbour City Mall, with every international designer under the sun. Even if you don’t really want to buy stuff, it’s a great place to walk around and there are food courts, cafes and high end eateries too. Shopping can be steep here unless you are lucky enough to find good discounts at high end stores. The quaint Vivienne Westwood coffee shop near the designer store is a must visit for their lip smacking cupcakes and cappuccino that comes with the logo. There are also many quirky local boutiques in areas like the Central where you can buy trendy pieces at affordable rates.
It’s not just a shopper’s paradise, but it also has a rocking nightlife. Lan Kwai Fong in Hong Kong is a street dotted with the best of pubs and bars. There are some bars like Tonic with rocking house music, where you can simply walk into and order a drink. There are also exclusive clubs like Dragon I, where you need to book a table in advance. This first floor venue has a great outdoor area and a huge indoor section and you can move around swaying to the music while you sip your drink.
There are many great outdoor bars like Sevva and Ce La Vie, from where you really get a fabulous view of the city. Depending on the season, it can either be freezing to stand out or simply soothing if it’s a summer’s night. High end bars like Ozone at the very exclusive Ritz or the Armani Prive, which also has a restaurant attached and Acqua are worth a visit. The food at the Acqua is a connoisseur’s delight and their sit down dinner is worth every Hong Kong dollar that you spend.
If there is one thing that simply does not disappoint in Hong Kong it’s the food. From House of Sichuan for spicy Chinese, Mak Mak for Thai food, to Din Tai Fung for delicious dim sums and Kyoto Joe for fusion Mexican and Spanish cuisine, every morsel makes you swoon with delight. You will find an eatery – be it a café or a restaurant every couple of minutes and the tempting window work display can break your firmest resolve to eat healthy.
But the best way to beat the guilt of over binging is to walk endlessly as the air is unpolluted and there are enough unending pathways through mountainous terrains, especially if you get an opportunity to stay in the upscale Midlands area. The upward and downward walk provides the perfect outdoor cardio workout for health buffs. So you have a little bit of everything to make your holiday special including the famed Ocean Park and Disneyland to bring out the child in you, when the adult gets weary with the world.
