Hong Kong Hidden Gems Everyone Should Know
If you’re planning a trip to Hong Kong, you’ll need to know where to go and what to see. From the Xiqu Centre to the Victoria Peak gardens, you’ll find plenty to do in Hong Kong. Whether you want to explore the city by foot or by car, you’ll be able to find something fun to do. Several flights to Hong Kong are available from Cathay Pacific. Choose the one you love and enjoy these gems.
Victoria Peak gardens
One of the most underrated tourist attractions in Hong Kong is the Victoria Peak gardens. This hidden gem has plenty of space, shade, and other attractions to keep tourists entertained and satisfied.
If you are looking for the best place to take a picnic, there is no better place than Victoria Peak gardens. This area has been a popular picnic spot for many years and is a great place to enjoy a good view of the city.
One of the first things you should see when you arrive is the famous Victoria Peak. It has excellent views of the Central and Kowloon areas of Hong Kong.
The best time to visit is late in the year, around September or December. Weather in Hong Kong is generally warm and sunny throughout the year, but the cooler temperatures of winter are also appealing. In addition to the many sights to see, you will also find many great places to eat and drink.
You will be able to enjoy the Victoria Peak garden’s impressive 360-degree panorama of the city and its surrounding regions. On a clear day, you will be able to view the city’s most famous landmarks.
Sham Shui Po
If you’re in Hong Kong, you may want to visit Sham Shui Po, the most underrated district in the city. Located on the island of Kowloon, it’s home to a bustling and lively community of artisans and up-and-coming businesses. This hidden gem offers a surprisingly different experience from the Central skyscrapers.
The neighbourhood is dotted with ancient Chinese buildings, as well as modern cafes and contemporary boutiques. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to buy and sell old-school baked goods, and you’ll also have the chance to sample local street food.
The area has a rich cultural heritage, which is reflected in its architecture. For instance, Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb, a Buddhist temple, was built in the Eastern Han Dynasty (circa 25-220 AD). It’s also home to an art exhibition, pottery, and bronze artifacts.
The Sham Shui Po district is also known for its open-air street markets, which specialize in selling fruits and vegetables, as well as clothes and electronics. They are affordable and a good way to get a feel for the local culture.
Duen Keen Tea-House
Located on Mt Tai Mo Shan, Duen Keen Tea-House has been serving up tasty tidbits since 1875. The swanky two-story restaurant is known for its salted egg yolk custard buns, steamed rices and, of course, tea. While it may not be one of the most visited destinations in Hong Kong, it is still worth a visit.
Aside from the food, Duen Keen has something for everyone, namely, a watercress farm. Upon arrival, visitors can choose between indoor or al fresco seating. There are also a number of shops hawking the goods. For instance, one shop offers the best deal of the day: an entire box of steamed eggs and buns for HK$15. Another noteworthy store is the aptly named Birdcress Store. With prices that won’t burn a hole in your pocket, it’s well worth a trip to the top of the tallest hill in the district.
Despite the location’s proximity to a number of glitzy hotels, it is surprisingly off the beaten path. Amongst the other yin yangs of Kowloon, Duen Keen is a welcome respite.
Dragon’s Back hiking trail
Dragon’s Back hiking trail is one of Hong Kong’s most popular trails. It is easy to navigate and offers fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean. Depending on your level of fitness, this half-day outing can take you from the lush green forests of Shek O to a secluded beach. This hike is best taken during a cool day.
The trail is a 2km walk. You can either hike along a flat, paved path or through a series of interlocking stones. There are several peaks on the trail, including the impressive Shek O Peak.
The trail is not particularly shaded, so this is not the easiest place to hike on a hot summer’s day. During the summer, the weather is fairly warm, with temperatures averaging 30degC/86degF.
A trip to the top of Shek O Peak (a whopping 284 meters high) provides panoramic views of the peninsula’s coastline, as well as a few other sights worth checking out. Hiking to the top can take as little as 40 minutes or as long as two hours, but you should plan accordingly.
Xiqu Centre
Xiqu Centre is the first cultural venue in the West Kowloon Cultural District, a new cultural quarter located on the Kowloon Peninsula. Built to promote traditional Chinese opera, it combines theatre, arts and public space. Its exterior blends the classic with contemporary, reinterpreting the typical chinese moon-gate motif.
A unique architectural shape defines the building’s façade, which is constructed with a modular system of scaled fins. The facade’s curves open to reveal a circular atrium. This naturally ventilated courtyard patio invites visitors to enjoy exhibitions.
Featuring an 8-storey design, the Xiqu Centre offers a wide range of services to the community. Its secondary functions include F&B facilities, training facilities, a seminar hall, a tea house theatre, and retail stores.
As an integral part of the West Kowloon Cultural District, the building is also one of the main attractions. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day out, or a scrumptious lunch, there is something for everyone at Xiqu Centre.
Xiqu Centre is also home to the Grand Theatre, which hosts world-class performances by opera artists. The Tea House Theatre Experience offers a replica of the traditional tea houses used for Cantonese opera.
Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade is one of the best places to see the night skyline of Hong Kong. It offers unobstructed views of the Hong Kong Island and Victoria Harbour. The area has plenty of things to do and see.
One of the main attractions is the Star Ferry Pier. This port links Tsim Sha Tsui with Central Hong Kong. During the day, you can take a stroll along the promenade and watch the boats in Victoria Harbour. There are numerous restaurants in the area, many of which specialize in national cuisines.
The area is also home to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. From here, you can also walk to the Hong Kong Space Museum and Hong Kong Museum of Art.
The Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade has plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars. There are also several hotels in the area. Some of the world’s finest hotels are located here.
For those who enjoy shopping, the area has several large shopping malls. K11 Musea and Salisbury Road are two of the larger shopping malls in the area.
Temple Street Night Market
One of the best places to experience Hong Kong’s vibrant nightlife is at Temple Street. This market is famous for its cheap finds. Whether you’re looking for cheap clothing, electronics or souvenirs, you can find everything here.
Located in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, the market is a fun place to shop and dine. It has over one hundred stalls.
Temple Street is located near the popular Nathan Road Golden Mile. The street is home to a number of restaurants that serve traditional Cantonese cuisine. For seafood lovers, you should try the steamed fish.
You can also try the won a ton, prawn dumplings, and clay pot hot-pot rice. These are authentic Chinese dishes that are best enjoyed immediately.
There are hundreds of vendors selling all sorts of goods, from crockery to clothes. Many stalls sell junk jewelries, which is another item you won’t mind buying.
Another popular attraction at Temple Street is its fortune tellers. These psychics have been known to give predictions about your future based on your date of birth and palm print.