Finally!!! I can't remember for how many years I had wanted to visit Hong Kong, even reaching back the times it was a British Crown Colony. I had tried several times to fit in a stopover, but either the flight prices with Cathay Pacific towards my final destination in South East Asia were not competitive, or it was the wrong time, as especially May to August it's very hot and humid. November to January is generally the best time to visit, with often blue sky and pleasant temperatures. So combined with a trip to Vietnam, I managed to fit it into the schedule. Finally!!!
Hong Kong was handed over from the British to China in 1997, under the principle "one country, two systems". It has a population of more than seven million and is one of the most densely populated regions in the world. Picturing the Hong Kong skyline, this is a fact many people know or expect. What many people don't know is that the Hong Kong territory of 1,104 square kilometers also contains several islands and huge green country parks with even multi day hiking opportunities. Unfortunately, there was not enough time to explore everything, so we decided to focus on the city center this time.
Friends recommended us this place. Don't be fooled - with YMCA you probably link cheap dorm beds for young travellers. Not so in Hong Kong. The Salisbury YMCA is nowadays a full grown 4 star hotel, with a long history. Far from cheap, but considering the staggering hotel prices in Hong Kong reasonable priced, it's perfectly located at the tip of Kowloon Island. There is a Metro Station around the corner, the famous clock tower and the star ferry to Hong Kong Island are just a stone throw away and the view from the harbour view rooms towards the skyline can keep up with the one from the famous Peninsula Hotel next door, with room prices three or four times higher. Try to book months ahead, as it's not a secret.
I loved strolling around during nighttime to soak up the atmosphere, generated by myriads of exotic looking (at least for me) advertisement boards, modern and run-down buildings side by side, the hustle and bustle on some streets and quiet, almost surrealistic looking corners.
Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island was one of the earliest settled places by the British and is a great area to explore the traditional Hong Kong. There are plenty of stores that offer all kind of strange and exotic looking things. If you are interested in your future, look out for fortune telling by birds.
This light and sound show of the skyline starts every day at 8:00 pm and is best watched from the waterfront of either Kowloon Island or Hong Kong Island. Arriving 20 minutes early, I was shocked by the many people that gathered here to enjoy the daily event. No chance to make use of the tripod. So I changed my strategy and put the crowd in the foreground to tell the story. By the way, I found the show rather disappointing, not adding much additional atmosphere to the already great skyline. However I guess many people would disagree with me in this regard.
I went to the temple on a Sunday, and hell was it busy! Homebase of three religions (Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism), it's obviously a very popular place. Great place to watch people.
The "Avenue of Stars" is the counterpart to the famous "Hollywood Walk of Fame" in Los Angeles. It's located right beside the Hong Kong Museum of Art, just a short stroll from our hotel. While looking for an access to the waterfront, we found ourselves after a short odyssey at the "Garden of Stars" a couple of minutes to the east. Later, we found out that the "Avenue of Stars" was closed due to construction works and some of the exhibits were located temporarily at another place. The reopening was planned for end of 2018. Honestly we didn't know many of the mostly Asian actors - but who cares as long as the mighty all-time legend "Bruce Lee" is part of the show.
No question, Hong Kong is the place for all hardcore shoppers. If you are up to camera gear, avoid the sellers around Nathan Rd. in Tsim Sha Tsui, as they have a bad reputation. Best place to go is Mongkok, where the locals buy. Look for chains like Fortress, Broadway or Wing Shing. For Fuji lenses, Broadway had the best deals.
Be aware at the touristy lady market where sometimes your are asked for incredibly exorbitant prices with the argument of very high quality products. It's tempting to believe the sellers as this is almost too bold to be just a negotiation strategy. But it is, as you might experience the price for the luxurious advertised purse continuously coming down from 30 US$ to 3 US$, which is probably still 50% too high, looking closer at the real quality of the product. Also, the quality of the shirts was very poor, considering the quality and price level we had seen in Vietnam a couple of days before.
The variety of food places is huge in Hong Kong, but they can be surprisingly expensive. If you are of the brave kind, look for well running and generally cheap snack places and just point out what looks interesting to you. Don't expect English speaking staff, but honestly, although I had no clue what I was ordering, I was never disappointed. Well worth a try.
Another interesting temple. Be aware that the hundreds of incense coil not only create a very spiritual atmosphere but also watering and burning eyes. The adjacent litte park is great for people watching and to take photos of daily street scenes.
A beautiful garden and a refugium surrounded by a hectic world outside. Take your time, stroll around and look for the many great photo opportunities. The garden has a direct connection to the Chi Lin Nunnery, so easy to visit both in one go.
To me, the red cabs in Hong Kong have a similar iconic status as their yellow counterparts in New York. Hard to imagine the city without them.
The fish, bird and flower markets are all close together in Mongkok and shouldn't be missed out while visiting the area.
For me, without a doubt the best time to take pictures of the skyline is before sunrise. Not only will you avoid the fighting with the crowd - contrary to the evening time -, but it is also extraordinary to soak up the atmosphere of the city waking up in the early morning. In addition, the huge and overly bright billboards on the skyscrapers disturbing the scenery are not yet on.
There are surprisingly many green spots in the city, and from inside them, it sometimes seems as if the skyscrapers around arose from the green jungle.
Often subject to abuse and poor working conditions, Hong Kong's Filipino domestic workers are only allowed one day off a week. Often, they don't have their own room. Since the early 1980s, they congregate in Hong Kong’s public spaces every Sunday. Thousands of women sit on cardboard or plastic mats in the shadow of five-star hotels, major bank buildings and luxurious shopping malls. They chat, cook, dance or sell small items. A strange sight.
A great way to explore Hong Kong Island is via the tram. It's cheap, it's slow, it's a great experience. Grab a seat on the upper deck, best in the front if you manage, and let the scenery slowly pass by. At North Point is the authentic Chung Yeung Market which is a good point to turn around.
Chung Yeung Market
The central escalator is a combination of 20 single escalators, which covers 135 m in elevation in 800 m of distance. Many restaurants, bars and shops are lining its route. A nice area to stroll around. In the morning, the escalator goes downhill, than around 10 a.m. it changes its direction to uphill.
Not far from the Central Escalator, this is another worthwhile sightseeing spot. The temple is like a small spiritual heaven, surrounded by a sea of skyscrapers.
Probably the number one highlight in Hong Kong. The view from the 552 m high Victoria Peak is breathtaking. The viewing platform is at around 400 m elevation. The best view is not from the peak tower itself but 1 km further from the Lugar Rd lookout, which can only be reached by foot. We went there on a Saturday afternoon, obviously not the best idea, as it was crazily busy. There are different ways to reach the peak. By the peak tram (expect very long waiting times), bus, taxi or by foot. We took the bus No. 15 from the Central Ferry Piers Terminus and it took us almost one hour due to the heavy traffic on the peak road. Anyway probably the best choice.
Get a further glimpse of the city in 10 minutes. Provided by Melanie A. For more movies visit her on YouTube.
© 2026 Beyond All Maps - Portraits of our Planet by Thorsten Mehret
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