AN EXTRAORDINARY HONG KONG 10-DAY ITINERARY (PART 1)
GET A TASTE OF THE REAL HONG KONG!

Day 2   Treasure hunting in the modern-historic Sheung Wan

[Avenue of Stars –> Star Ferry –> Lunch@ Lin Heung Gui –> Hollywood Road (G.O.D concept store+ PMQ) –> Cat Street –> Man Mo Temple –> Tai Ping Shan Street & Bridges Street –> Mount Davis WWII relics –> Dinner@ SOHO + Lan Kwan Fong]

Avenue of Stars – A pilgrimage to the stars who’ve contributed to make Hong Kong “the Hollywood of the East” including Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and more.

Then take star ferry to Central. Enjoy a traditional dim sum lunch in Lin Heung Tea House – one of the oldest tea houses left where you can taste the classic Siu Mai with quail eggs and big chicken buns!

Get onto the Midlevel Escalator to Hollywood Road. This long walk from central to Sheung Wan is a vivid combination of artistic, cultural, antique and modern elements:

G.O.D. concept store – HK-style x modernity designer goods (perfect souvenirs!)

PMQ – The creativity hub of Hong Kong young designers

Cat Street (Antique Street) – TREAUSRE HUNT TIME! From a cheap bric a brac to rare Ching dynasty paintings, ceramics and pieces of furniture!

Man Mo Temple – A major local temple paying tribute to the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo)

Tai Ping Shan Street & Bridges Street – A leisurely neighborhood lined up with florists, galleries, cafes, lifestyle select shops, vintage stores and fashion outlets. Ideal place for an afternoon stroll! You can also take a comfy rest in Hong Kong’s first public garden here – Blake Garden

Then it’s time to get into the time tunnel and fly back to the WWII era – head to Sheung Wan MTR Station for the free shuttle bus to Jockey Club Mount Davis Youth Hostel. There you will enjoy the most breathtaking views across the Victoria Harbour and the iconic Ching Ma Bridge. If you’re fond of this romantic corner, why not consider staying overnight to opt for the equally lovely morning views?

In their cozy canteen and common room, you may share unforgettable moments with new friends from different countries preparing food and enjoying meals together! Sometimes, the hostel staff even organize mini parties and events which make guests reluctant to leave. No wonder why backpackers who have stayed in there said that they must come back to this warm family-like hostel!

Just adjacent to the hostel, you can travel back to wartime by beginning your historic walk along the Mount Davis Heritage Trail to visit a series of WWII military relics, including the command headquarters, arsenal and batteries of the British military forces.

When it’s getting dark, set off for SOHO, the city’s prime dining destination, to enjoy some fine multicultural cuisine in the exotic restaurants.

You can also get a drink and have some crazy PARTY TIME in Lan Kwai Fong – Hong Kong’s most popular nightlife hot spot.

Links:

Avenue of Stars: http://www.avenueofstars.com.hk/

G.O.D. concept store: http://www.god.com.hk/

PMQ: http://www.pmq.org.hk/

Jockey Club Mount Davis Youth Hostel: http://www.yha.org.hk/md

Lan Kwai Fong: http://www.lankwaifong.com/

Day 4   Ngong Ping + Tai O – Far beyond imagination!

[Ngong Ping 360 –> Ngong Ping Village (“Walking with Buddha”) –> Big Buddha –> Po Lin Monastery –> Tai O Fishing Village –> Citigate Outlet ]

Take the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car from Tung Chung City Centre (25 mins) to Ngong Ping on Lantau Island. During the ride you will enjoy panoramic views of the Hong Kong International Airport, South China Sea, the Big Buddha Statue as well as the lush mountains.

When you get off the cable car, you will immediately arrive at the Ngong Ping Village. Visit the major attraction “Walking with Buddha” to experience the enlightenment path of a man.

Next head off to the world’s tallest seated outdoor bronze Buddha – the Big Buddha. But before reaching this majestic Buddha, make sure you’re fit and courageous enough to conquer the 268 stairs up!

After the strenuous walk, treat yourself a special vegetarian lunch in the nearby Po Lin Monastery. Walk around this “Buddhist World in the South” to admire its colorful manifestations of Buddhist iconography and its pleasant garden filled with birdsong and flowery scents.

For friends who are interested in exploring more about this peaceful land (Wisdom Path, hiking trails and more) or are particularly affectionate about the religious culture, you may consider spending a night or two in the YHA Ngong Ping SG Davis Hostel. From there you can easily reach all of the above sights as well as the Lantau Peak for the unforgettable sunrise.

Take bus no.21 which leaves every hour to Tai O, the honored Venice of Hong Kong. In this historic fishing village, you will see stilt houses which are still homes to the Tanka people. Don’t miss the boat trip to visit the cute inhabitants of the waters – the Chinese White Dolphins.

Also bring home the unique and traditional food: shrimp paste, tea pastries, glutinous rice balls, salted fish, grilled salted fish / seafood, salted eggs, teacakes, dried seafood and soya bean products, which cannot be found elsewhere in Hong Kong.

Another thing that you must NOT miss is the amazing sunset. Then take bus back to Tung Chung to get engaged in a crazy shopping spree at Citigate Outlets, the city’s largest mall. There’s also a food court which serves you all kinds of international cuisine.

Links:

Ngong Ping 360, Ngong Ping Village: http://www.np360.com.hk

Po Lin Monastery: http://www.plm.org.hk/eng/home.php

YHA Ngong Ping SG Davis Hostel: http://www.yha.org.hk/np

Citigate Outlets: http://www.citygateoutlets.com.hk