Hong Kong was the first stop on my Asia trip in April 2015. I spent an entire week there. For a list of best attractions check out my other post. Below is an overview of my vacation and personal experience in Hong Kong.
My family is of Cantonese descent so Hong Kong had long been a top destination on my list. I was familiar with Hong Kong culture as I grew up speaking the language, eating the food, and chasing TVB dramas. Therefore, I was super ecstatic to cross Hong Kong off my bucket list.
Journey
Chicago (ORD) → Hong Kong (HKG)
Total Flight Time: 16 hrs
Culture
Upon arrival I was a bit jet lag and full of excitement so I had a hard time falling asleep. As soon as there was some light out I went for a stroll in nearby Kowloon Park. I was astonished by the number of elderly that were already out and about doing Tai Chi. It was an amusing sight to see as seniors are not that active back in Chicago where I’m from. I thought to myself I would like my parents to exercise more and hoped I would be this healthy when I got older.
The general vibe I got from Hong Kong was that it is fast-paced, super crowded, and concentrated in a very small space. It wasn’t possible to cross many main streets directly; instead you had to zigzag through pedways which was pretty confusing at times.
We experienced a bit of culture shock when we witnessed staff from local restaurants washing dishes in large buckets outside. It didn’t look very sanitary so it was a surprising sight to see in a highly developed metropolis such as Hong Kong.
It felt surreal to actually be in Hong Kong in person as I recognized many sights from TVB dramas. I had hoped to spot some celebrities out and about filming but unfortunately that never happened.
Memories
- Eating loads of delicious food
- Weather was not on our side as it rained almost every single day
- The BEST egg tarts at Tai Cheong Bakery- I still rave about it to everyone till this day
- The hills were pure torture for my mom and aunts- proud of them for powering through it cause heck even I was gasping for air
- Trying different types of snacks at every supermarket we came across
- Hunting for durian candy shop after shop because my one aunt wanted a specific kind
- Selecting super fresh seafood for our meal in Sai Kung
- Foggy day when we visited the Big Buddha (barely visible)- a number of stray dogs lounging around almost as if they were guardians of the temple
- Mouthwatering tofu pudding atop Lantau Island
- Haggling for souvenirs at the night markets
- Raining cats and dogs during the Symphony of Lights- we got completely soaked
- Ferrying over to Macau for a day trip
Last Impression
The food in Hong Kong was superb and exceeded my expectations. I actually visited a 2nd time as a pit stop on another Asia tour and literally just spent the whole time pigging out which was awesome.
I had a fantastic experience in Hong Kong! My only complaint is that it is quite congested. I would definitely want to visit again if I get the chance.
Be sure to check out my other post for a list of must-eat foods in Hong Kong.
Have you been to Hong Kong? What is your favorite memory there? Let me know in the comments!
