Discover the Vibrant Charms of Hong Kong
Explore the vibrant charms of Hong Kong, where modernity meets tradition in a dynamic dance of culture and innovation. From iconic skylines to lively street markets, immerse yourself in a unique blend of East and West, promising unforgettable experiences at every turn. Discover the pulse of this bustling metropolis and create memories that will last a lifetime."
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1. Friday
Time travel in Sheung Wan, a charming neighborhood where traditional stores sell tea and spices, just as they did more than a century ago, when the city was a colonial trading outpost. One shop, Cheung Hing Tea Hong, sells a wide variety of Chinese, European and Ceylon black teas, as well as coffee beans. Its tea master, who has worked there for more than six decades, nimbly folds and tucks the shop’s signature tea variety, tieguanyin (about 160 Hong Kong dollars, or $20.50, for 150 grams), into an artful, palm - size paper package, using no tape or string. Midway down a wide outdoor stairway, Yuan Heng Spice Company offers all manner of spices, including Sichuan peppercorns, cinnamon bark and aged citrus peels. The shop’s majestic cats are neighborhood fixtures.
2. Saturday
Begin your morning with a stroll past ponds full of koi, turtles and water lilies at Hong Kong Park, a family-friendly, 20-acre green space converted from British army barracks. On the ground floor of Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, a Greek Revival mansion in the park where the commander of British forces in Hong Kong once lived, is LockCha, a tranquil teahouse with dark wood accents and elegant grooved panels. Choose from more than 100 kinds of white, yellow and green tea (starting at 58 dollars; each customer orders their own pot). Vegetarian dim sum options are limited in Hong Kong, so LockCha’s fully vegetarian menu is a rare treat. Try the black truffle vegan siu mai (48 dollars, two pieces), steamed custard buns (35 dollars, two pieces) and the black fungus salad with sesame sauce (48 dollars).
3. Sunday
Spend half a day exploring Sharp Island a tranquil sanctuary northeast of Hong Kong’s center that offers verdant hiking trails, volcanic rocks and pristine beaches. Other destinations like Lamma Island and Cheung Chau Island are more accessible, but Sharp Island’s beauty and relative privacy make the 60- to 90-minute journey worth it. At the public pier in Sai Kung (15 miles from the city center, accessible by public transport), find a private boat operator going to Sharp Island (tickets around 40 dollars) then pick up pineapple buns at Sai Kung Cafe and Bakery (13 dollars, cash only) as you wait to board. Get off at the Hap Mun Bay stop and follow the signs for the hiking trail to Kiu Tsui Beach. Along the trail, look for small ceramic sculptures inspired by the island from the Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival. When the tide is low, cross the Sharp Island Sand Levee a path filled with monzonite boulders nicknamed “pineapple bun” rocks for their resemblance to the crust of the local pastry. It’s the perfect spot to break out those treats you brought along.
