There can’t be many places in the world where one of the main tourist attractions costs 12p. But Hong Kong’s famous Star Ferry, which sails every few minutes between Kowloon and the island, is perhaps the highlight of anyone’s stay in the Special Administrative Region.
From the ferry, visitors can take in the views of Hong Kong’s skyline with the famous Bank of China building. And they can also get a feel of day-to-day life by mixing with the locals who take the ferry to and from work.
Like Sydney, Hong Kong’s harbour is full of life and one of the best ways to see the surrounding region.
As well as the short trip to Kowloon, it’s definitely worth taking a ferry trip to a number of the islands.
You will need a whole day to visit the largest island, Lantau, which is home to the Po Lin Monastery. The monastery sits on a hill next to an enormous bronze statue of a Buddha – 24 metres high. The bus journey to the monastery is picturesque and will take you up mountains and through tiny villages. The island’s hilly landscape also makes it excellent for keen walkers.
Cheung Chau is a lesser known island, but is one of the prettiest. As a thriving fishing village, there is a daily market with all kinds of goods and it’s worth exploring the back streets to find good jade shops.
Back on Hong Kong, take the tram from Central right through to Wan Chai and notice the stark difference between the modern high-rise buildings in the financial district and the colourful, often rundown shops in Wanchai, selling everything from snakes to fabrics.
A visit to Happy Valley racecourse is a must, even if you’re not into horse racing or gambling. The season runs from mid September until early June with race meetings usually held on Wednesday nights.
The atmosphere is simply electric as thousands of people flood into the stands.
The locals take things very seriously and bet big money, while the tourists tend to gather close to the track barrier and play for lower stakes. Be prepared for a slow journey back to the hotel afterwards as traffic, both pedestrian and on the road, will be heavy.
One aspect that surprises many people about Hong Kong is that its coastline is peppered with beaches. Perhaps the most famous is Repulse Bay. Although it has been overshadowed by the opening of fast-food outlets, if you block these out you can imagine how the beach would have looked in colonial times. In Hong Kong, the elegance of the hotels has made them tourist attractions in their own right and none more so than The Peninsula.
Situated on Kowloon, with views of the island’s skyline, the hotel’s lobby is one of the most magnificent you are likely to see.
For the best views visit the famous Felix bar on the top floor. Even if you can’t afford to buy a drink (prices are extortionate) pay a visit to the toilets which have floor-to-ceiling glass windows with amazing views of the harbour. Contemplate that!