Anisah Ahmad
A three and a half hour flight will take us to the city of Hong Kong. Infamous for its ghastly pollution and overcrowding, it’s hardly an ideal holiday location. But once you step onto Central Piers, you’ll see a gamut of skyscrapers flaunting renowned brands like the Hong Kong Shanghai Bank Corporation (HSBC) and the Bank of China . The buildings represent the country’s constant growth.
Just like its towering buildings, the standard of living in this financial hub is much like Singapore. Hopping on its high-speed “bullet” Mass Transit Railway or MTR (their version of our MRT) only costs HKD$6.90 (S$1.30) for a single trip.
Outwardly metropolitan and cold, it might not seem too friendly a city to explore, but poking into the nooks and crannies of these buildings and streets will uncover the tastiest desserts and cheapest bargains.
Lunch the Hong Kong Way
Have a perfect lunch date – the Hong Kong way. The true Cantonese never fails to go for yum cha which means “drink tea”. It’s a tradition to yum cha on weekend mornings and spend quality family time while diving into an excellent spread of dim sum. Like they say, you’ve never been to Hong Kong if you’ve never tried the dim sum.
Hong Kong has the sights, the sounds and of course, the Smelly Tofu. It’s a notoriously popular, reeking,dai pai dong (street-side) delicacy that’s a must-try. Muster all the courage you have, before it automatically repels with the pungent odour that critics liken to sewage, hold your breath and gulp it down.
Crave any cuisine and Hong Kong will deliver such that even food connoisseurs will not leave unsatisfied. With German, Italian, Dutch, American, Turkish, Szechuanese, Hainanese, Korean, Indian and of course, bona fide Cantonese dishes, only for the brave-hearted, like goose paws (yes, geese have paws in this menu!) and fish maws (the gas bladder of a fish) to choose from, the most courageous eater will be spoilt for choice! Visit an inconspicuous street-side restaurant on Cochrane Street .
Diagonal to the notable Starbucks Caféand known for its massive variety of delectable local Cantonese desserts isHang Fa Lau . The stall attracts those in need of real traditional delicacies. The desserts come either hot or cold and with natural ingredients like fruits, seeds, herbs, milk and eggs. Signature dishes are the steamed egg white with sweet milk HKD$18 (S$3.20) and the sago sweet ball with sesame HKD$16 (S$2.90). A favourite end to a fulfilling meal would be the coconut milk with black glutinous rice HKD$18 (S$3.20), which is mildly sweet, adequately rich yet not heavy.
The Shopping Haven
Streets like Tung Choi Street (Ladies Market) , with its concoction of bustling streets and constant loud haggling, is simply exhilarating and a must-visit. Also buried in this concrete jungle are outlet shopping areas (shopping centres that spill over onto the streets as small shops) that promise excellent value for money. This internationally fashionable shopping stretch is in the Wan Chai District and Joyce warehouse in Ap Lei Chau. The nondescript grey buildings house original branded goods like Issey Miyake , Gucci , Prada , Louis Vuitton ,Agnes B. and a host of others.
If insane humidity levels agitate you, island-hop to Lantau and cool off at the Citygate Outlets in Tung Chung. A massive five-storey mall for tight budgets, it’s sprawling with stores that carry faux branded goods and offer discounts of up to 70 percent.
Too Many Sights to See!
Besides mandatory visits to its themed Disneyland and Ocean Park , witness other iconic attractions that awe locals and visitors perennially. Sail on board Aqua Luna , one of Hong Kong’s last remaining batwinged junk boats that grace theVictoria Harbour . The Aqua Luna boasts the distinctive red sails spottable from afar. A 45-minute cruise on board this two-storey vessel costs HKD$180 (S$32) but comes with a free drink from its bar and cocktail lounge.
At the end of the day, visit the southernmost tip of Kowloon , where museums and cultural centres stand. There you’ll find The Avenue of Stars , which is complete with a host of dining options where you can witness, according to Guinness World Records , the “World’s Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show”. That’s The Symphony of Lights and it’s a nightly exhibition that has 43 buildings on both sides of the Victoria Harbour, fancifully illuminated to signify a vibrant and diverse Hong Kong. With a 360-degree display, any corner of this promenade promises a front-row seat.
Fast Facts
Getting there – Cathay Pacific ,United Airlines and Singapore Airlines fly direct to Hong Kong with daily flights. Fares on Jetstar Airways start from $159 (excluding taxes).
Currency – Hong Kong Dollar (S$1 is approximately HKD$5)– XE.com
Visa – No Visa is needed for Singaporeans visiting this Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China for 90 days or less.
Best time to visit – The best time to visit would be during summer (May-August). End of year season is usually cold and dry.
Language – Despite a majority being able to speak in English or Mandarin, Cantonese is the most widely-used dialect in Hong Kong. Start with the popular greeting, “Lei Hou!” which means “How do you do?”
To see more sights of Hong Kong, visit Discover Hong Kong .