My 5 Favourite Things to Do in Hong Kong

I spent many months in Hong Kong several years ago when I was working with Foster’s. Sometimes I would go there for just one meeting, at other times I would stay for a month. Over the years I got to know Hong Kong well, and it is a city that I have always loved. It is simply the best of east and west in many ways, and has such a fantastic energy.

My 5 favourite things to do in Hong Kong are:

1. Go shopping in Tsim Sha Tsui : This market area in Kowloon is always fun to wander through even if you have no interest in buying anything. I used to get the ferry over from the island and then walk through the bustling street stalls packed with everything from rather suspect looking clothes with designer labels, to electronics of every description possible.  There is now a proper promenade there I believe, and the view looking back over to Hong Kong Island is just fantastic.

2. Have dinner at Victoria Peak : Yes it is a tourist cliche, but hey, there is a reason that so many tourists head up to the peak and stay for a meal. It is one of those experiences in Hong Kong that you must do. The adventure starts by taking the Peak Tram, a beautiful old colonial style carriage, up to the top and then watching the sunset over Hong Kong with a glass of wine in hand.

3. Have cocktails at The Peninsula Hong Kong : Many an evening was seen in by having a drink at the Peninsula Hotel in Kowloon.  Whilst I believe there are now many harbour view bars in Hong Kong, for me nothing will ever beat this one as my favourite.

1. Pick your own dinner from the fish market : One of my most memorable meals in Hong Kong was at a rather unassuming place, so much so I can’t remember the name. But what I do remember was walking through the fish market and selecting the different creatures that we would be having for dinner. I didn’t even recognise some of the animals, there were shell fish that looked like a cross between a prawn and a lobster, strange looking creatures, but they did taste amazing! We wandered through the fish market, picked what we wanted and my colleague just told the store owner where to send it. About an later we were seated at a small restaurant dining on some of the freshest seafood (and most delicious) I had ever had.

2. Watch the world go by at Stanley Bay : I am a Cancerian, which means I can spend hours just sitting staring out to sea. It is where I feel most at home. Whilst Hong Kong Island is surrounded by sea, my favourite place to just watch the world go by there is Stanley Bay. It is a little quieter than other parts of Hong Kong, and has a lovely old world feel about it.

All this reminiscing makes me feel like grabbing a steamer full of har gow and a nice chilled beer!