Travel

Travel Inspiration – Hong Kong

After two years living in Hong Kong (wait, have I mentioned that before?), I’ve accumulated quite a lot of photos from my time there, as you can probably imagine. Narrowing them down for this post was no easy task – I found myself ‘narrowed down’ with still 90 options! So these are a very, very small selection of those I’ve taken. Most people know Hong Kong for it’s dense living conditions and towering skyscrapers, but there’s a surprising amount of other sights to see too, so I’ve included quite a wide selection here, covering all the different areas of Hong Kong, and a few special events that you may be lucky enough to see, depending on what time of year you visit. The goal of these posts is to inspire you to want to see this country for yourself, and I think Hong Kong has something on offer for everyone. If you want anymore specific suggestions, take a look at my Top 10 Sights in Hong Kong and 5 Day Hong Kong Highlights!

View from The Peak, Hong Kong

Sunset view from The Peak, Hong Kong
Sunset tree on The Peak, Hong Kong
View of ICC and Star Ferry at night from Hong Kong
Skyscrapers at night in Hong Kong
Skyscrapers at night in Hong Kong
SoHo and Mid Levels Escalators in Hong Kong
Street art in Hong Kong
Incense in Man Mo Temple, Hong Kong

Tai Hang Fire Dragon dance, Hong Kong

Mid Autumn Lantern Festival, Hong Kong
Stanley harbour, Hong Kong
Stanley, Hong Kong
Sunset in Stanley, Hong Kong
Sampan boat in Aberdeen, Hong Kong
Aberdeen, Hong Kong
Big Wave Bay beach, Hong Kong
Repulse Bay Beach sunset, Hong Kong
Repulse Bay beach sunset, Hong Kong
View of Kowloon over Victoria Harbour from Hong Kong side
      Hong Kong Island is usually the area that people are most familiar with, that iconic skyline of skyscrapers – Hong Kong has more skyscrapers than any other city in the world, including New York. It certainly makes for some staggering sights, and is a hugely important part of the city. But amongst the towers, you’ll also find temples and traditions, incense and lanterns. And venture to the south side of the island and you’ll find quiet seaside fishing villages, mountainous hiking trails, and gorgeous beaches.
View of Hong Kong skyline and Victoria Harbour from Kowloon
Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Skyline at night over Victoria Harbour from Kowloon, Hong Kong
Junk boat and skyline at night in TST, Kowloon, Hong Kong
View of Victoria Harbour from Ozone bar, ICC, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Lion Dance, Chinese New Year parade, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Chinese New Year fireworks viewed from Kowloon, Hong Kong
Heritage 1881 building, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Afternoon tea in the Peninsula, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Kowloon Walled City Park, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Chi Lin Nunnery, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Nan Lian Gardens, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Wong Tai Sin Temple, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Wong Tai Sin Temple, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong
View from Lion Rock, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Lion Rock, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Kowloon is sometimes referred to as ‘the dark side’ of the harbour, where everything is a little rougher around the edges than the slick, modern, cosmopolitan island. I think it has more character though, locals and expats living side by side in these densely packed apartment buildings. Kowloon has the best views of the harbour too, from the shore at Tsim Sha Tsui, or from the heights of Lion Rock. There are traditional temples and parks in abundance, and some of the fanciest dining establishments in the city, like the classic afternoon tea in The Peninsula, and cocktails in Ozone, the highest bar in the world.

Mirror Falls, New Territories, Hong Kong
Sharp Island, New Territories, Hong Kong
Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong
Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong
Sai Wan beach, Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong
Tai Long Wan, Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong
Monkey Mountain, New Territories, Hong Kong
View of the Island from Kwun Tong, New Territories, Hong Kong

The New Territories is the largest portion of Hong Kong, but probably the least visited – it’s mainly the homes and workplaces of locals. Yet the New Territories is also the location of a huge Global Geopark, and has nature in abundance, a stark contrast to the city life on the island. There are hiking trails criss-crossing the hills, and some of the most stunning beaches in Hong Kong waiting to be discovered.

Lamma Island, Hong Kong
Lamma Island, Hong Kong
Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong
Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong
Tai O, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Cheung Sha Wan beach, Lantau Island, Hong Kong

Last but not least, are the Outlying Islands, of which there are about 200, but the most popular are Lantau, Lamma, and Cheung Chau. I have so many more photos from these that I haven’t included here, or this post would go on forever. If you haven’t tired of beautiful countryside in the New Territories, then hop on a ferry and visit some of the viewpoint, beaches, and quiet fishing villages scattered across these islands. Lantau is also home to the Big Buddha, Ngong Ping cable car, and Disneyland! Hopefully all of those has proven just how diverse Hong Kong is.