With its own rich past, the city of Hong Kong is another popular destination for tourists in Asia. This Special Administrative Region, which falls under the sovereignty of China, has its own unique appeal due to its fascinating history.
As it was once a British colony, remnants of the British influence can still be seen in Hong Kong, much like in Malaysia and Singapore. With a population of approximately 7.4 million people from various countries living on a single island, Hong Kong ranks fourth in the world for population density.
Despite this, the citizens have managed to succesfully plan the city in their own distinct way. Similar to Singapore, most of the buildings and skyscraping properties are built to conserve space and land. Thus, it’s no surprise that the city is filled with towering skyscrapers and apartments.
Moreover, Hong Kong has established itself as one of Asia’s top shopping hubs. There are a wide variety of shopping options, ranging from the most affordable to the most luxurious.
For those looking to explore the city, tourists can take advantage of the highly efficient public transportation system. The island is connected by an extensive metro network, making it easy for residents and visitors to travel to almost every corner of the city.
With the use of the versatile ‘Octopus Card,’ visitors can make the most of their time in Hong Kong. This card can be used for all public transportation in the city and can be reloaded as needed.
At every MTR (Mass Transit Railway) station, there are machines where passengers can top up the card, similar to Malaysia’s ‘Touch and Go’ card.
Additionally, there are special buses for tourists who want to explore the central areas of Hong Kong, such as the ‘hop on and hop off’ buses. Hong Kong is also famous for its colorful double-decker buses, similar to those in London. These buses travel through the city streets, carrying hundreds of passengers every day.
One of their must-see attractions is Disneyland, the world-famous theme park. While the Hong Kong Disneyland may not be as large as its counterpart in the United States, it is still a very enjoyable experience.
In addition to being the nearest Disney park for Southeast Asian visitors, it’s not overly crowded. This means the wait times for attractions are relatively short, and most visitors can experience almost everything the park has to offer in a single day.
What’s more, Hong Kong Disneyland is the first Muslim-friendly Disneyland in the world. Not only are there restaurants that serve Halal-certified food, but the park also has designated prayer rooms and facilities for ablution for Muslim visitors.
Known for its reputation as “the happiest place on Earth,” Disneyland Hong Kong is a must-visit for anyone traveling to the city. With its many rides themed around popular Disney films, it also offers beautiful backdrops for taking memorable photos.
A new addition to the park, themed around the animated movie Frozen, is also worth checking out. The World of Frozen is the world’s first and largest theme park dedicated to the Frozen franchise, offering an immersive experience that will make visitors feel like they’re part of the film.
However, as mentioned earlier, Hong Kong is primarily known as a shopping paradise, offering a wide variety of unique products and services.
So be sure to visit Mongkok, a well-known shopping district. At night, the streets of Mongkok are filled with night markets selling a wide range of interesting items. From the smallest souvenirs to large goods, everything can be found at these night markets.
For those who love fashion, the city is dotted with shops and boutiques. There’s even an area nicknamed ‘Sneaker Street,’ which is a haven for sneaker enthusiasts. Located in Mongkok, this street is lined with numerous boutiques selling world-renowned sneaker brands at prices lower than usual!
For fashion and local design lovers, don’t forget to check out PMQ!
Originally built in 1951 as Police Married Quarters (PMQ), the site was redeveloped in 2010 to support Hong Kong’s creative industries. It is now a hub for young local designers to sell and promote their creations. PMQ offers a variety of new local brands, selling everything from fashion to other creative products.
Interestingly, PMQ is also home to one of Hong Kong’s famous Muslim-friendly restaurants called Pasteako. Known for its pasta dishes with meat, all the meat at this restaurant is Halal and delicious. What’s more, diners are given the option to choose their preferred knife for cutting the meat during the meal.
The building itself is also unique and beautiful, filled with small alleys and stairs that require visitors to climb. It can be a bit tiring if you visit by public transport, but it is definitely worth the ‘hike’.
Speaking of Muslim-friendly services, Hong Kong is becoming increasingly aware of the needs of Muslim travelers. More and more businesses in the city are catering to the Muslim market.
Near the famous Kowloon Mosque in the city center, there is a Michelin-recommended luxury restaurant called Cuisine Cuisine. Located in The Mira Hotel, this restaurant offers a special Halal-friendly menu featuring authentic Cantonese dishes. It has also been recognized with four ‘crescent’ symbols by CrescentRating, a well-known global Muslim-friendly certification body.
Another popular destination among both Muslim visitors and general tourists is Marouf Coffee. This pastry venue and café offers a wide range of delicious pastry and bread-based dishes. Even more special is that everything served is Halal, as all the meat used is certified Halal.
So, if you’re looking to enjoy luxurious Halal food in Hong Kong, don’t miss out on these places.
Another popular shopping destination in Hong Kong is CityGate Outlets, located on Lantau Island. This outlet mall features branded boutiques that sell products at much lower prices than usual. It’s also conveniently located with easy access via Hong Kong’s extensive rail system.
Overall, shopping and sightseeing in Hong Kong is a thrilling experience. The residents are quite trendy, and the city is modern and vibrant. It is lit up with dazzling lights and digital billboards, and its transportation system makes it easy to travel without hassle.
Hence Hong Kong is a place everyone should visit if given the chance. Furthermore, it’s not overly expensive and can be visited at a reasonable cost. For those who have never been, the city’s charm will surely leave you impressed, and you’ll likely want to return when the opportunity arises. Truly, you can never go wrong in Hong Kong!
The writer’s uninterrupted internet connection in Hong Kong was powered by Samurai Wifi.
For further info on tourism in Hong Kong log on to Hong Kong Tourism Board.
