Five unmissable things and sights in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a thriving business hub and home to millions of people.

It’s an incredible spot to visit and to spend some time, and there are so many different attractions that it can be hard for people to narrow down what they want to spend their time doing there! Hong Kong was just a fishing port until the Opium Wars in 1842 when Hong Kong island comes under British rule. After this point in time, China leased the New Territories – together with a further 235 islands to Britain for 99 years – starting from the 1st of July. Hong Kong was home to thousands of mainland refugees who were fleeing from the Japanese in the Sino-Japanese war.

By the end of the Second World War, the population of Hong Kong dropped from 1.6 million people to 650,000 people. In the 1950s Hong Kong enjoyed a revival of economic forces based on the interested and demand for light industries like textiles. In the 1960s, a troubled time swept through Hong Kong as labour disputes are rife among the poorly-paid workforce. Riots break out in 1967, after which point living conditions improve and the social unrest begins to abate. Since the 1970s Hong Kong has been seen as an industrial and business hub and a powerhouse for highly-established technological developments. So – with such a fascinating history there are bound to be numerous things to see and do in Hong Kong – so let’s take a look! These tips are brought to you by Travezl.

Visit Victoria Peak and watch a sunset over the city

With a city packed with needles of skyscrapers, it’s a great idea to step outside of it and get a view from this nearby mountain. Take the gravity-defying tram to get to the Peak and enjoy a ride on the 125-year-old Peak Tram. This is the highest point on Hong Kong Island – standing at 552 metres tall. It’s also one of the most visited spots in Hong Kong – and it’s not hard to see why. Take a walk around and have a look at the site of the old governor’s summer lodge – a building that was burned to the ground by Japanese soldiers during WWII. The gardens are still there even if the building isn’t so enjoy a walk around.

Visit Temple Street Night Markets

You can visit this market for everything from cheap clothing to music to footwear. Amongst all that, you’ll find cookware and a whole host of other desirable and not-so-desirable items for sale. If you find a marked price, you can most certainly consider that merely a jumping off point for negotiations – this is definitely a place to bargain.

Eat street food

Take a look at the array of delights available on Woo Sung Street – a spot where you can get everything amazing, from a plain and delicious bowl of noodles to a full meal of delights.

Hong Kong Museum of History

Spend a day walking around this wonderful museum and enjoy a full array of information about Hong Kong’s archaeology, ethnography and local history. You can learn about the ‘Hong Kong Story’ through a walking tour past eight galleries – each exploring a section of Hong Kong’s history starting from 6000 years ago and ending with Hong Kong’s return to China in 1997. Fascinating and well worth a closer look.

Visit Lantau Island

You can take to the seas and visit the Giant Buddha Exhibition Hall at Po Lin (translates to precious lotus) Monastery. Enjoy the sight of beaches, villages, valleys and more as you explore.

Hong Kong is a place just waiting to be explored, so don’t delay – get started on your journey today.