Hong Kong is a busy, crowded city with exceptional shopping centers and food to fit any kind of budget. It’s a great layover destination with an enormous airport providing connecting flights.
For me, it’s a second home. My parents grew up in Hong Kong and left to pursue the American dream. Every so often, now as a bigger family, we return to visit relatives. I always look forward to revisit the local foods, which includes all sorts of noodle soups, seafood, and buttery egg tarts.
Street Markets
Central
The Big Buddha and Tai O at Lantau Island
Macau
Many consider Macau the Las Vegas of China. It’s only a 45 minute boat ride from Hong Kong and many tourists include it on their itinerary. You can make this a day trip, or stay a few nights. There’s no shortage of glitzy, themed hotels to stay at with their own casinos.
I recommend making your way to the Ruins of St. Paul’s, a heritage site and tourist attraction. You can gain historical insight about this former Portuguese colony and enjoy their street snacks. I also recommend getting a taste of Portuguese cuisine while you’re there.
My visit there was really short – just a day. We had a nice lunch at The Parisian Macao, a restaurant inside their faux Eiffel Tower and jumped across different hotels/casinos.
Note: Do not forget to bring your passport because you are crossing borders.
Some of my favorite places I’ve visited:
- Mido Cafe – a Hong-Kong style cafe that has still kept it’s old charm. It’s on the 2nd floor so you get to admire the daily activities while sipping on their Hong Kong-style milk tea.
- Cupping Room – coffee is not as popular here, so if you need your daily fix it’s worth looking up independent coffeeshops to stop by. Coffee at Cupping Room is delicious and they also have a brunch menu
- Dim Sum @ The Sky Boss – You can get dim sum in many major cities now. But I bet you haven’t enjoyed dim sum at the tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong.
- PMQ – Formerly the Police Marriage Quarters and now a historic building. It is renovated to house small businesses and creative shops
- Hoi On Café – Hong Kong cafe, this was near my hotel and I grabbed breakfast there more than once
- Sing Heung Yuen – one of the few surviving dai pai dongs that serves tomato soup base with noodles or macaroni. Expect a line but it moves fast
- Australia Dairy Company – don’t let the name fool you. They are famous for their Chinese steamed egg pudding. You can get it cold or hot, in almond or classic milk flavor.
- Mak’s Noodle (various locations) – famous for their wonton egg noodles. It’s delicious with a little red vinegar.
Trip Tips:
- MTR – is their subway system that easily takes you to many major attractions. You can use their app to calculate fees and find the best route. Besides the app, their way-finding in their stations are really helpful so don’t dismiss them as you’re exiting. Don’t forget to buy an Octopus Card when you arrive.
- Octopus Card – is their transportation card used for all types of transit. You can also use it to pay at convenience stores and franchises.
- OpenRice – is their equivalent of the Yelp/Foursquare app. It has an English version but most reviews are in Chinese
- Ride the Tram – are only found on the Hong Kong side. It’s a (very) cheap way to get around and sightsee. (Use your Octopus card!)
- English and Chinese – Hong Kong was once a British colony and now home to many expats. The English language is everywhere from signage to menus at established restaurants and franchises. A majority of locals also know how to speak.
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