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There are a handful of hackneyed adjectives often used to describe the megalopolis that is Hong Kong, such as exciting, lively and vibrant.
Known as Asia’s New York City, the bustling megacity is home to shiny towering skyscrapers, glowing neon lights, sprawling country parks, diverse dining, and a kaleidoscope of life.
A beautiful fusion of East meets West, the experience of being in majestic Hong Kong is a sensory overload that can either overwhelm you or awaken your imagination.
If you’re coming here anytime soon, make it a point to check these off your to-do list.
Best eats and must try
Food-obsessed people will be pleased to find that the city is particularly famous for its eats, so tease your palate with Hong Kong’s epicurean offerings, from street to restaurant.
Wherever you go in the city, cheap and delicious street food delights are aplenty.
Hop onto a Mass Transit Railway (MTR) towards Tsim Sha Tsui station then take a leisurely stroll down the busy district. As you admire the major activity hub, be sure to treat yourself to a toasty serving of gai dan jai, a spherical egg-based waffle wrapped in paper.
But it’s only the beginning so don’t stop there. Let your foodie journey continue just a few stalls down where you can take a bite out of a juicy curry fish ball on a stick.
When you’ve got your fill of shopping and sightseeing, get back onto the MTR and make your way to Mong Kok, Hong Kong’s intense maze of narrow streets.
Watch people go about their day on the crowded streets lined with shops and stalls, listen closely to the chatter and the buzz filling the air around you. Mong Kok is truly a hive of activity that’s authentically Hong Kong.
Before you allow yourself to get lost in the crowd, make a pitstop at Tim Ho Wan Sham Shui Po. You can’t say you been to Hong Kong until you’ve savored the traditional Cantonese dim sum in a yum cha restaurant.
Also in the area is the Australian Dairy Company, a much-lauded classic cha chaan teng (tea restaurant) that serves up delicious custard treats and its heavenly steamed milk pudding. If you’re up for dessert – and why shouldn’t you be since you’re on vacation – you know where to go.
An introduction to the Hongkongese culture
Be sure to pay close attention to all that is around you because Hong Kong is steeped in culture, one that’s an identity of its own.
Derived from and heavily influenced by the Cantonese from the neighboring province of Guangdong, and later by the British culture due to the British colonialism, their culture is different from those of other Han Chinese people.
This is reflected in the wide array of tantalizing food, the different dialects and mannerisms, architecture, as well as fashion and music.
Discover how truly dynamic Hong Kong is while you stroll down the busy streets as the city’s unique architecture is sure to pique your interest.
As a former British colony, the main building of the University of Hong Kong naturally has a lot of British influence. But on the other end of the spectrum is the Kam Tin walled village, built by the Hong Kong indigenous people to fend off pirates between the 15th to the 19th century.
Not to be missed is the opportunity to catch a Cantonese opera performance.
Originating in south China’s Cantonese culture, the opera is an ancient art form involving music, a heavy use of makeup, costumes, singing, martial arts, acrobatics, and acting. Delicate yet strong all at the same time, the performance is an all-immersive experience.
Sunbeam Theatre, the largest performance venue for Cantonese opera in Hong Kong island, is one of the places that hold the tradition. To get there, take the MTR to the North Point station.
A city that never sleeps
Hong Kong has more tricks up its sleeve than you think. Aside from being a food haven, the territory also boasts a bounty of activities from dusk till dawn. After all, no fun weekend is complete without hitting up the best entertainment spots in the city.
But it’s not limited to nights alone as Hong Kong also offers picturesque hiking trails, museums, exhibitions, pristine beaches, and Disneyland Hong Kong and Ocean Park.
Take the popular Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak to get a good look at the city’s glittering skyline that’s definitely Instagram-worthy. Then, enjoy a leisurely tree-lined walk on your way down.
Come night time, bathe in the glow of the city’s neon lights.
If you’re feeling particularly curious, take the MTR to Lan Kwai Fong. A small square of streets in central Hong Kong, the area was dedicated to hawkers before the Second World War but underwent a renaissance in the mid-1980s. These days, it’s bursting with clubs, bars, and a sea of locals ready to paint the town red.
Whether you’re a traveler who loves watering holes or one invested in artistic travel photography, Lan Kwai Fong is your “one size fits all”. You’d be pleasantly overwhelmed.
Royal Plaza Hotel
Of course, no Hong Kong getaway is complete without an equally impressive place to call home for a couple of days.
Located in the Mong Kok area on the mainland Kowloon territory, the Royal Plaza Hotel features 699 beautiful rooms that you’re sure to appreciate. In particular, the 350 square feet Plaza Deluxe Family room is made for traveling families and couples in mind.
With two plush queen-sized beds, an LED TV with over 50 channels, an electronic safe, free in-room WiFi, and USB charging points, on top of an abundance of food options, you can rest assured that you’re well taken care of during your great Hong Kong escape whether you choose to be out and about or simply lounging “at home”.
Those with a family in tow will surely appreciate Royal Plaza Hotel Hong Kong’s Family 1 + 1 Combo Room Package, which offers a pair of connecting rooms for up to 6 people. Whether you’re traveling with young ones or with the elderly, all of you are entitled to a complimentary use of Royal Plaza Hotel’s Health Club and the shuttle bus service. It’s truly a vacation made easy.
Not to forget Royal Plaza Hotel Hong Kong’s Super Sales Promotion, which includes a 25 percent off Best Unrestricted Rate and a complimentary buffet breakfast for two at the hotel’s at La Scala restaurant, as well as access to the Health Club.
Be the first in line to enjoy the Royal Plaza Hotel experience and the best of Hong Kong. Head on over to the hotel’s website to book.
The post Ignite your zest for life with a pinch of culture appeared first on Travel Wire Asia.
Source: travelwireasia.com