I have just arrived back from a quick visit back to Hong Kong with my girlfriend. It’s always great heading back to the city where I used to live, it reminds me of how lucky I was to spend so much time there! After backpacking around for so long Hong Kong comes as a very nice treat because everything works; the public transport, accommodation, food and safety are second to none.
My girlfriend and I were only there for 48 hours because we had a meeting at the University of Hong Kong (which is worth a visit if you’re in town), I was of course under immense pressure to act as a great guide having been a former HK resident! To be honest it’s easy to show someone a good time in this vibrant city, the only problem I faced was making sure that we were able to fit as many things in as possible. Our main focus was on good food and even better views, I’m sure you’ll see that when I give you my tips.
The first thing I little travel tip I want to give you is that you need to check out Cathay Pacific before you fly. We flew from Bangkok to Hong Kong with Cathay and I am so happy that we did because the seats were huge with loads of leg space, food good and service great. The best part is that we were able to get our tickets on Cathay cheaper than the well know budget airlines, it was such a good way to start the trip.
So you’ve got 48 hours in HK? Here’s some little gems that will help you on your way.
To and from the airport
Getting in to the city couldn’t be easier. Once you exit the arrivals hall head straight to the Airport Express which takes only 25 minutes to Hong Kong Island. You need to pick up an Octopus card ($150HKD) before you board the train.
On the way back it’s a good idea to check in before you go to the airport. So head to the IFC where you can check your luggage in and pick up your tickets. This means you can still explore the city before you have to fly and not worry about your baggage.
Shopping
Shopping at the IFC is always great, there’s a number of shops including an official Apple store where you can pick up your tech stuff cheaper than you will find it back home. We chose to shop here because we had checked in our luggage and also because of the great food options.
The Peak
You have to head up to the peak because the views of Hong Kong are absolutely stunning. If you want to get the full experience then skip the tram and head down to Admiralty and take the bus. I think it’s number 15 (don’t quote me on that) that you need to hop on, make sure you sit up top to take in the breathtaking views as you zig zag your way to the Peak. Book a window table at Cafe Deco in advance if you want a reasonably priced dinner with a stunning view.
Afternoon Tea at the Ritz – Carlton
How about afternoon tea on the 102nd floor overlooking the Hong Kong Skyline? Afternoon tea is a very popular dining option in Hk and you’ll find plenty of restaurants/hotels to choose from. I like heading to the Ritz-Carlton because you get the ‘wow factor’ and luxury rolled into one. You could even have afternoon tea before you head to the airport because a short walk away is the Airport express that you can pick up from Kowloon station.