Your Hippest 1 day Hong Kong Walking Tour

Our Local Expert Says:

Reknowned Hong Kong style breakfast place, all day tea restaurant with steamed milk and egg whites, tea sets. Fascinating service speed, long lines and complete Chinese crowd. Staff know how much you ought to pay simply by a glimpse at your plates. The scrambled eggs are nothing like anything you will have tasted elsewhere.

Description:

Very reknowned Hong Kong style all day breakfast place, all day tea restaurant with steamed milk and egg whites, tea sets. Fascinating service speed, long lines and complete Chinese crowd. Staff know how much you ought to pay simply by a glimpse at your plates. The scrambled eggs are nothing like anything you will have tasted elsewhere.

Description:

This traditional Tin Hau Temple is one of the most popular sites for the filming of Hong Kong gangster movies. Located just a block north of the Jade Market, it is yet another one of the many temples in Hong Kong dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. The public square of this temple complex is a favourite place for Chinese chess players and acts as the communal heart of Yaumatei. In front of the main temple, there is a row of fortune-tellers, who are only to keen to help temple visitors see into the future.

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This infamous road extends all the way through 4 districts. This road is the artery of Kowloon Peninsula, join the throngs of shoppers and tourists for a wander down Hong Kong's most famous strip. You'll be hustled by touts, bustled by crowds and dazzled by the glittering window displays. It stays busy until past 2am and it will be what you've envisioned on postcards. Park Lane is the major shopping area on Nathan Road, then there's St. Andrews Church and Granville Road which branch off. Nathan Road, was named after governor Sir Matthew Nathan but everyone thought such a wide road was unnecessary at that time of 1880's and Nathan Road became known as "Nathan's Folly." Nowadays, across Tsim Sha Tsui, at the start of Hong Kong's famous 'Golden Mile'. With glittering neon lights and crowded roads lined side by side with tourist shops and just about everything else you could imagine.

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One of Hong Kong's star attractions and one of the deepest container ports in the world, the harbor is shielded on both sides by stunning skylines—skyscrapers and Victoria Peak on one side, and the Tsim Sha Tsui shoreline on the other. Everyday, hundreds of ferries, tugs, junks, speed boats, and barges chug up and down the shore, carrying people and cargo, only pausing for typhoons. Best viewed from the famous Star Ferry, or the Harbour Cruises.

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One of the National Geographic Traveler "fifty places of a lifetime" – crossing the Victoria Harbour in Star Ferry. The Star Ferry has preserved its original looks, feel and smell since the 1960s era when Star Ferries were the main form of transport for Hong Kongers to cross the harbor between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. What is meant by a Star Ferry trip is the main line from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central. Gaze up at Hong Kong's majestic skyline, which is an erratic stretch of skyscrapers, hotels and apartment blocks. The nighttime views, when Hong Kong glitters like a diamond, are a dramatic Red Neon lights and Golden glitter reflected against the lapping waters. As the cheapest therapy in town, few people disembark in anything but the lightest of moods.

Description:

Brash, glittering it's the tourist's Hong Kong with an overwhelming mass of people and shops. Most of the cheapest hotels are around here, including Chungking Mansions - a steep contrast between the Peninsula which is just right across the Road. All buses that have "Star Ferry" written on them will take you to Tsim Sha Tsui, you can always take the MTR Subway as well, the best exit to get out would be Exit A. Start at the star ferry pier and explore Harbour City, Hong Kong's mega mall complex that is luxury and stocks eye-candy handbags as well as the lastest fashion. There are a number of excellent world class museums, a dome shaped Space Museum, the Cultural Centre but the History Museum being the highlight.

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In the midst of some formidable modern architecture stands the neo-classical structure of the Legco Building. The Goddess of Justice above the main entrance dates back 1912 when the building was originally opened as the Supreme Court. In the early 1980s the Legislative Council took over occupancy. Many of the Legislative Council meetings are open to the public, which is a great way to get a look inside this old colonial beauty. Check out the Legco website to see what is on and then call during office hours to reserve a seat.

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The Cenotaph was erected in remembrance for those who sacrificed their lives in the First World War and the Second World War. From Statue Square you will see, not just the Cenotaph but also the three main bank towers of Hong Kong: HSBC, Bank of China and the Standard Chartered. This greenery amidst the three giant buildings is Central's "green lung" and a gathering place for thousands of foreign Filipino maids on Sundays. Right next to the Cenotaph there is the swank Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Princes' Building and of course the Landmark. The MTR is the best mode of transport to use to get to Central. Surrounding Status Square, the legislative Council (LEGCO) is an impressive reminder of colonial times still standing next to futuristic chrome and glass, it used to be the next best thing to the British parliament but now the High Court has moved to Admiralty.

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Designed by British architect Sir Norman Foster, the building cost nearly a billion Hong Kong dollars to construct and was the world's most expensive building when it was completed in 1985. The bank does not have tours for the public, but information booklets about the building are available at the reception desk on the first floor. Whilst there, it is worth having a look at the internal structure of this monolith, which is made up of a giant atrium surrounded by floors suspended from steel masts. Outside, the two bronze lions have been guarding the entrance since 1935.

Our Local Expert Says:

Signature dishes are Pomegranate Shaped Chicken, Boiled Chinese cabbage with Soup, Drunken Chicken with Preserved Plum and Steamed Eggplant with black bean sauce.

Description:

Located in a secluded spot under the Mid levels escalator, if you are trying to find it better locate the Fat Angelos opposite before finding Bistro Bamboo. This is the hidden gem and off the beaten path gem Chinese restaurant in Soho as well as in Hong Kong. With a strangely nostalgic vibe, the dimly lit East meets West interiors are immediately impressive for their lack of pretension and sheet coziness. Once you walk in, its like retro 1930s Shanghai.

But its the food that matters, and the appetizers kick off superbly, with both the marinated chilled chicken and shredded duck breast standing out with their spicy freshness. the Hangzhou steamed fish, marinated in thick vinegar sauce, is an uncommon delicacy that can be tough to prepare, but it's done just right here at Bistro Bamboo. And the jasmine tea is so delicately fragrant that it complements the dishes so well. If there aren't enough reasons to return, the deep fried milky balls are a sweet end to a near perfect chinese meal.

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The most elegant symbolic skycraper in your mind along Hong Kong's waterfront. Built by American Chinese architect IM Pei and completed in 1989 around the time of the joint declaration.

The 74 storey Bank of China's feng shui was reputed to be bad news - well not for the bank itself but for all the buildings around it. Its sharp corners, built in four triangular glass and steel shafts with an oriental flavour of the spikes on the roof, supposedly radiates bad vibes.

Nevertheless, there is no observation deck on the 73/F so instead the highest that you will be able to go to is the 64/F where the majority tourists take photos of the stunning harbour views.

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In order to experience some true traditional Hong Kong markets, Li Yuen Street East and West are the two mystically cobblestone alley way streets that juxtapose the glitzy skyscraper area of Central. From dried salted fish, preserved Duck Eggs, sauces to export outlet clothing, key chains, cashmere cardigans, shoes and tourist knick knacks these two streets are a must visit if you are at Central and are designated by the Hong Kong Tourism Board as sights not to be missed. At discounted prices and with plenty of choice, some clothing stores are not to be missed. Best times to visit Li Yuen Street East and West would be during the afternoon because some stalls do not start business until 3pm. Ask anybody after getting out of Central MTR Station exit D how to get to

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No visit to Hong Kong is complete without a visit to the Peak. What is the most authentic way of getting there? The Peak Tram no doubt. Before the Peak Tram opened, hardly anyone travelled to the Peak. Part of the experience is watching the faces of tourists glow with delight as they climb the steepest slopes of Victoria Peak on the Tram. The Tram, which is itself an attraction, dates back to 1888 with new and larger cars installed in 1989. These cars are pulled by 1,500m steel cables wound on drums. Passengers sit back for a literally vertical ride enjoying panoramic views as the car steadily makes its way to the top. The Peak Tram station is located right opposite the Hong Kong US Embassy and the best way to get to the Tram station would be to take the bus. Expect long queues if you go right before 7pm, the peak is a tourist haven and you will be able to take postcard pictures of Victoria Harbour line.

Description:

If you haven't been to Victoria Peak (also known simply as the 'Peak'), then you haven't been to Hong Kong! All visitors to Hong Kong should go to the Peak for panoramic views of the city, which have to be amongst the most spectacular in the world, especially at night. A walk around the Peak reveals further scenic vistas over the greener western parts of Hong Kong Island, and the viewing platforms on top of the Peak Tower and Peak Galleria are a must for anyone with a camera. A tram will get you to the top. You can check the website for specific details.

Our Local Expert Says:

Sex equality rules at Insomnia every Tuesday when you don't need to wear a skirt to enjoy a free drink. In exchange for your business card, there's a free bar and free food for men and women from 9-11pm

Description:

One of Lan Kwai Fong's most popular bars, Insomnia is at its most crowded in the wee hours of the morning, when there's no room to spare on the packed dance floor. Live music, provided by bands that rotate venues in Hong Kong and Singapore, begins at 7pm nightly. There's nothing you love better than moshing to "Living on a Prayer" in front of a long haired cover band at three in the morning. Insomnia shoorts to the top of the list for its kickass live music. Both the kitchen and the bar are open 24 hours, though they'll close the place down if the number of patrons dwindles by dawn, leaving true insomniacs with nowhere to go until things kick up again at 8am, when the bar reopens with a happy hour until to 9pm.