Hong Kong is a microcosm of Asia in many respects…it is a symbol of the prosperity that the East is experiencing right now, but amidst the towering skyscrapers and glitzy shopping centers, you can turn a corner and feel you are in the midst of “real China”.
We were fortunate enough to stay at the glitzy Ritz Carlton Hong Kong which occupies the 102nd – 118th floor of the International Commerce Center on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong. I will dedicate a separate post to this beautiful hotel – it is now in my top five favorite hotels! Our room was on the 115th floor overlooking the harbor and Hong Kong Island. As many of you know, I was concerned that this might bother me. It turned out that I loved it! Our room had a wall of windows with sweeping views and there was a window seat that stretched across the entire window. Every waking moment that we were in the room, that is where you could find me…most often with my phone in my hand taking yet another photo. These are a few of my faves…
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| Night view from 115th floor |
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| The clouds lifting over Hong Kong Island… |
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| I love how the sunlight was coming through the clouds and hitting the water… |
One
“must see” in Hong Kong is “The Peak”. We hired a guide for half a day
to show us the sights, including his “secret, uncrowded” spot at the
Peak. Unfortunately for us, it was raining that day so this is what we
saw:
“must see” in Hong Kong is “The Peak”. We hired a guide for half a day
to show us the sights, including his “secret, uncrowded” spot at the
Peak. Unfortunately for us, it was raining that day so this is what we
saw:
Instead of this…
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| Photo taken by our guide, Jamie |
But, it didn’t matter to us because we had the best view in town right from our hotel room!
Jamie of J3 Tours has lived in Hong Kong for nearly 40 years (he is originally from the UK) so he knows a thing or two about the city! He recommended we take a taxi to the top of the Peak to avoid the lines (and showed us his “secret spot”) and then enjoy the nearly vertical descent of the Peak Tram!
The Peak Tram has been running continuously since 1888. Again, quite a contrast to Hong Kong’s modern metro system!
On to another gem of Hong Kong…the Star Ferry. Also running since 1888, the Star Ferry was the only way to get from the island to the mainland until the first tunnel was built in 1972. Now, it is a charming way to cross the harbor – it is a major tourist attraction but many residents still use it as pubic transportation.
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| One of the last Chinese Junks left in Hong Kong…it is now a dinner cruise! |
Jamie is very into the correlation of numerology (which is HUGE in Chinese culture) and the license plates of cars. We, very serendipitously, discovered the Holy Grail of license plates – FOUR eights which represents “quadruple fortune” (Did you know the Beijing Olympics began on 08/08/08 at 8:08pm?)
In the “Central” district, you are surrounded by skyscrapers. The building below is where our son, Carter, worked. It is called the Koala building. Can you see why?
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| The famous “Bank of China” building by architect, IM Pei |
Continuing our study of contrasts…this is a shopping mall attached to our hotel…if we saw one Cartier (Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Rolex – you name the luxury brand) we saw ten while we were in Hong Kong.
And these are a few scenes from various shops we saw when walking around in the Sheung Wan district…
Maybe I was a Buddhist monk in a previous life…my favorite aspect of our entire trip was our visits to Buddhist temples, including Man Mo Temple dedicated to both literature and war…another intriguing contrast.
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| The cone shaped things hanging from the ceiling are actually incense – you light the bottom and it burns in a spiral all the way to the top. |
We almost missed the Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden in the Diamond Hill neighborhood and I am SO happy we didn’t. They are pretty far off the beaten path, but well worth the taxi fare.
We were disappointed that the “Garden Pavilion of Absolute Perfection” (don’t you love that name?) was being renovated and was covered completely in draping…
What we didn’t see:
But that just gives a reason to go back!
The rest of the Nan Lian Garden was just stunning…
After watching the events surrounding “Occupy Central” unfold over the course of the fall, we definitely wanted a first hand view of the protest site in the Admiralty district. It is amazing they have been allowed to disrupt a major thoroughfare for such a long time. The road you see below is the equivalent of the West Side Highway in New York City.
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| Umbrella Man has become the symbol of the movement |
Five days is barely enough time to scratch the surface of a city as dynamic as Hong Kong, but we covered a lot of ground in our short time there.
It is truly hard to believe that in less than two weeks, Carter will be arriving back in the States after his five months in Hong Kong (and recent travels to Cambodia, Vietnam and the Chinese Mainland). It was wonderful to have the opportunity to visit him while he was studying in Hong Kong!
Tips for Hong Kong
Make sure you purchase an
“Octopus Card” – it is an incredibly efficient system to pay for public
transportation and it even works at Starbucks and 7-11 (yes, they have
many of both in Hong Kong).
“Octopus Card” – it is an incredibly efficient system to pay for public
transportation and it even works at Starbucks and 7-11 (yes, they have
many of both in Hong Kong).
The metro is incredibly clean, efficient and easy to use. When crossing the harbor, it makes most sense to use the metro, as taxi fare can increase dramatically due to the tolls at the tunnel. If you are staying on the Kowloon side or Hong Kong Island, taxi fares are very reasonable.
Don’t worry about what you are going to eat…the food is delicious! Make sure you experience some authentic food, particularly Dim Sum and Guandong Barbeque. For less adventurous eaters, you can find cuisine from pretty much any place in the world all over the city, including cheeseburgers!
They say the national pastime in Hong Kong is waiting in line…be prepared to wait in certain places, but learn ways to avoid the lines whenever possible (email me and I will share the “secret” Peak viewing spot!)
Good morning Sandy!
This is one place in Asia that I missed on a trip of a lifetime, way back in 1979. I was a dancer and I participated in a USO dance/theatre tour that took us to Japan, Korea, Okinowa, The Philippines and Guam to perform for the troops. We were suppose to head out to Hong Kong, but didn't make it. This is such a cosmopolitan area juxtaposed by old traditions that I would love to have seen. Your photos are AWESOME!
Welcome home! Anita
Hong Kong is one of my favourite places in Asia to visit. Food in Hong Kong is one of the best in the World. They have several Chinese restaurants there with Michelin stars. Dim sum there is the real thing and the best!
Thanks for sharing you all your beautiful posts and pictures. I look forward to them
Totally fascinating, looks like some tour. That view from your room was astounding, but made my heart beat really fast just thinking of being that high up! So interesting about the four 8's and I was wondering if there are any more junks there, and now you have answered my question. Sure looks like the trip of a lifetime! How on earth did you get a picture of that street loaded with businesses with so few people, I am so used to seeing hordes of people crowding the sidewalks……your pictures were fabulous Sandy!
Wow! What a fabulous city, view and trip! I am in love with your view! I would have taken just as many photos from the window seat as you, it is a magnificent view.
The gardens, temples and sight take my breath away.
Thanks for sharing your
Sandy, Wow. Hong Kong looks just amazing. I would really love to go there someday. A girlfriend of mine who is originally from China and organizes over the top girls trips to Asia is talking about taking a group to Hong Kong next. Your post is making me want to do everything possible to go with her. I love your photos! And what an interesting time to be there with the protests going on. I think you should put Bhutan on your list next since you were so drawn to the Buddhist shrines and temples – that was certainly a highlight of my trip there.
How excited you must be for you son to come home! And how wonderful that you got to have this experience while he lived overseas. XOXO
Sandy, this brings back memories of our stopover in Hong Kong–what a gorgeous city! We made it to the Peak (lines and all!) but didn't see the gardens. Next time, we'll get the inside scoop from you before we go! Wonderful photos.
What an amazing trip you had! I would love to visit Hong Kong someday, looks like an incredible city with lots of fun and unique things to do. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Sandy what an incredible trip and so many memorable sites. As you said, and I agree, the great cities of the world take a lot of time to see just the basics. Thanks for sharing all of this beauty!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
I'm so glad you enjoyed your stay there Sandy! I haven't been there in years, I think the last time I was there, I was still single! LOL! The view from your hotel is spectacular and your right, Victoria Peak is a great spot. I'm also glad the hotel is at Kowloon side. Back then, all the very tall buildings were on Hongkong side, times do change. As for the brands, Asians are generally Brand-aholics so, HK is actually favorite shopping destination more than a tourist attractions not just for Filipinos but other Asians as well!! Carter is lucky to have studied in different and diverse places, his view of the world will certainly be broadened and enriched by all his experiences in different countries!
I'm not sure that I could take the 115th floor but I would have absolutely no trouble checking into a room on one of the Ritz Carlton's lower floors! As always, your gorgeous photos make me want to hop on a plane right now!
I have always wanted to visit and after this tour, it's moving to the top. Love the view from your hotel and all of your images. Know you can hardly wait for your son to get home, but that was truly a once in a lifetime for you and Carter! Happy Monday, Sandy!
Hong Kong is one of our favourite cities and we have been fortunate to visit it three times! Your lovely photos reminded me of all those iconic sights. What a pity that the Garden Pavilion of Absolute Perfection was covered up. It really took my breath away but as you say, a good excuse to return to this fascinating city.
Indeed, Hong Kong is very different with the sun. I've been living here for a year now and really enjoy this place. It's full of things to do, to see, to try… Here are some tips if you plan to go back to catch the sun! http://www.milesofhappiness.com/blog/9-reasons-not-to-come-to-hong-kong-for-a-stop-over