It seems like just yesterday that I was exploring the streets of Hong Kong making amazing memories with my family. From delicious food to sightseeing, I had the most wonderful time in Hong Kong this past winter and I can’t wait to go back already!
Fun fact: if you didn’t know already, Hong Kong was actually not a part of China and has been a British colony since 1996. Because of this, English is one of the official languages of the country, making it super accessible for Americans to travel. Even though China has acquired Hong Kong now, Hong Kong still has different currency, the dialect of Cantonese rather than Mandarin (the official language of mainland China), and a very different way of life ranging from food, business, and culture.
Hong Kong is a city that does not disappoint in terms of sightseeing and eating yummy food! And in case you ever thought about visiting Hong Kong or are already planning a trip there, below is a break-down of some of my favorite places that I was able to visit and some of my must-have food options and restaurants!
Must-See Places in Hong Kong
The Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree is one of the most charming places I have ever seen. Hong Kongnese people seeking some good fortune will likely make a trip to the famous Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees, which is located near a shrine in the small village of Fong Ma Po in the New Territories. According to an old superstition, the banyan trees of Lam Tsuen have a magical ability that make all your dreams come true! Even though I’m not superstitious, I was so happy I got to visit here with my family. Plus, they have a couple of hole-in-the-wall restaurants there that are filled with freshly-cooked food!
This bridge connects Mainland China to Hong Kong, and it took ten whole years to build. Jay and I took a bus on our way back to Hong Kong from Mainland China via this bridge. Costing about 18.8 billion dollars and measuring almost 34 miles, it’s currently the longest bridge in the world. And actually, because of customs, you need a special license to drive across it. It was super cool to see the scenery along the way while being able to travel from mainland China to the island of Hong Kong.
The Choi Hung Estate, also known as the Rainbow Estate, is a public housing estate in Hong Kong known for its vibrant appearance. Because I’ve seen this colorful location ALL over Instagram, I knew I needed to take some photos. The colors were so beautiful, and Jay and I got some great photos, including this couple one right here! The estate is stunning, and includes 11 residential blocks, one car park, and five schools, with various shops and restaurants on the ground floor of each block. It’s a must-see.
Victoria Peak, (also known as Mount Austin and locally as The Peak), is a hill on the western half of Hong Kong Island. Measuring up to 1,811 ft, it is currently the highest hill on the Island. From the top of this hill, you can see all of the entire Hong Kong city across the harbor which is filled with skyscrapers and a gorgeous skyline. Although it is a great sight to see at all hours of the day, I personally find it most breathtaking at night with all the lights and at sunset.
Victoria Peak gathers almost 7 million visitors each year, making it one of the greatest tourist attractions in Hong Kong. The viewing deck also has binoculars that are coin-operated so that visitors can see the cityscape. This peak is something that should be on everyone’s Hong Kong must-see list!
If you are visiting Hong Kong in Winter, this carnival is definitely a must-do! It has a ton of amusement rides, attractions and games (where you can win cute plushies and prizes!). AND if you know anything about me, you know that this is right up my alley! I came here with my cousins and Jay, and we had so much fun taking pictures, playing the games, and of course, trying to win all the plushies imaginable! Located at Central Harbourfront in Hong Kong, the neon lights and gorgeous Ferris Wheel at the carnival are absolutely stunning.
Food is absolutely one of my favorite parts about traveling, and Hong Kong is home to the best traditional Chinese food. Ranging from traditional cuisines to the amazing Mcdonalds (kid you not!), Hong Kong kills it every time in the food department!
When it comes to food in Hong Kong, you absolutely cannot leave without having some traditional dim sum! Normally dim sum includes a variety of options like steamed buns, rice noodle rolls, and dumplings. My personal favorites are the rice noodles wrapped outside shrimp and the steamed rice noodles over fried bread. Oh, and the shrimp dumplings (ha gao) or freaking amazing!
Dim sum is usually eaten in the morning as that is when it is the most fresh, but you can really have it at anytime around lunch as well. When you go, bring a lot of friends and family because you’ll want to try everything from these small dishes and order as many as possible!
Unlike the American McDonald’s, the McDonald’s in Hong Kong is actually super good and the quality is SO much better. It also has such a variety of food and beverages – it’s not just burgers and fries, They also have some of the best crispy chicken wings I’ve ever had that would give KFC and Popeyes a run for their money. They also offer awesome twists on food like seaweed or BBQ seasoning to mix into your fries. On top of that, they have a formal McCafé at each restaurant, where you can order fancy prawn and egg croissants and a delicious Ovaltine latté.
I had so much food, and everything was honestly incredible. American McDonald’s needs to take some notes!
I’ve written about this place before in my last Hong Kong Food Guide (The 5 Best Hong Kong Undiscovered Restaurants), and it was for good reason! Cheung Hing Kee has the best Shanghainese pan-fried dumplings I’ve ever had. My brother, Jay, and I ordered the truffle pork, regular pork, and shrimp with pork dumplings…and omg they were SO. FREAKING. GOOD. You gotta be careful when eating them because they’re super hot, and they have juicy soup inside each dumpling (which is scrumptious!). The bottom is also crispy so it has a nice contrast in texture with the soft bao skin. Man, I am getting so hungry just writing this!
Some other dishes that I absolutely loved that you can pick up anywhere on the streets were Jung (sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves), fried pork with crunchy skin, and of course all the bao that I could possibly have!
And there you have it! I hope you enjoyed this Travel Guide filled lots of adventures and food! Let me know if you get to go to any of these awesome locations when visiting Hong Kong or eat any of the amazing food listed above!
And don’t forget to check out my Exploring Hong Kong Vlog on my YouTube channel where I take you behind-the-scenes through the cities mentioned above. Make sure to check it out!
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: HONG KONG TRAVEL VLOG!!!!
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Hong Kong Travel Guide | Best Sights to See & What to Eat It seems like just yesterday that I was exploring the streets of Hong Kong making amazing memories with my family.
