HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

There are endless of possibilities on what to do at Hong Kong during the night.  Sidewalk scenes are even more lively and vibrant when night time comes.  We do have varied preferences which makes plotting of itinerary different from one person to another.  But there are constants.  Constants that may make up a bucket list or the usual list of what to do in Hongkong.

And here is my version.


   1. SIGHT-SEEING AT THE VICTORIA HARBOR

If there is one iconic landmark known in Hong Kong, it is no less than the Victoria Harbor and the promenades that surround.  The skyline of Hong Kong Island is definitely a great subject of photography and in this natural landform harbor situated between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, a great vantage point is provided. 

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG
THE VICTORIA HARBOR
There are several ways on how to view the skyline but of course we opted for that which is free.  For those who wants to experience it differently but necessarily comes with a cost, one may avail of the Star Ferry Harbor cruise or go to the Peak Tower atop Victoria Peak.

To further enhance the experience, every night at 8, the government has produced a daily light and sound show dubbed as the Symphony of Lights.  The show is an orchestration of music, decoration lights, laser light displays and pyrotechnic fireworks.  It runs for only 15 minutes. 

With the strategic location of the Victoria Harbor, it has become a world-famous venue for a New Year’s countdown as well, which I highly recommend for families.

  2. A DRINKING SPREE AT THE LAN KWAI FONG AND WAN CHAI

What is a vibrant city without the night shindigs?  I have repetitively been informing my friends that drinking in Hong Kong proves to be costly and unreasonable.  But, when you have another set of friends who are persistent in finding out the cheapest way to drink, it saves a lot of money not to mention discoveries are widened.

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONGHOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG
  
The truth is, anywhere in Hong Kong, you can actually drink.  The secret is to buy cans of beers at nearby convenience stores and position yourselves on corners and alleys which you feel comfortable.  Is it legal to drink anywhere? I actually have no idea but I think it is.

At the Central District of Hong Kong, there is Lan Kwai Fong.  The diverse options (food and drinks) of how to spend the nightlife is a significant part of the drill when at the said area.  It is popular for tourists, businessmen and expatriates with the common goal of rest and relaxation after a long day of work.  The area is home to a variety of bars and restaurants ranging from the wine pairings to raucous jelly shots.

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

We did our share of the Lan Kwai Fong experience as we were in time for the festival with a Korean theme. For relative convenience, we had San Miguel Pale Pilsen consumed on one of the benches strategically located in the middle of the area, a perfect spot to people watch and simply loiter. 

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

Another popular spot for night entertainment and drinking sprees is the Wan Chai area.  The red-light district of Wan Chai area is quite popular for tourists, specifically featuring bars and strip joints.  While I was able to try once when I had drinks with my brother and father at one of the sports bar, prices are quite expensive especially if you know you can get one bucket of beer for a price of only one bottle at the said area.

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG
WAN CHAI AREA

   3. SHOPPING AT THE LADIES MARKET OF MONGKOK AND AROUND CAUSEWAY BAY

There is no denying that when one speaks of Hong Kong, it has always been associated with shopping for bargain finds.  And there are two (that I know) which stands out.  The Ladies Market of Mongkok and the Causeway Bay.

Overwhelming is an understatement when at the two areas.  The offerings range from shoes to electronics, computers, skin care, home accessories, branded clothes and apparel and a lot more.  Causeway Bay may be more of luxury goods and fashion boutiques, but there are nearby bargain finds at the Jardine’s Crescent Street Market.

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

The Ladies Market is actually not for ladies only.  It is a street name at the Mongkok District popular for both locals and tourists as stalls aligned offer a variety of merchandise.  The stalls are open until 10PM or 11PM.  If you arrive late, they say it is advisable to go to the Temple Street Night Market which starts and closes late and is a 30-minute walk south or a 5-minute taxi ride from the Ladies Market.

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

But not only is the area known for shopping, as there are cafes and small restaurants that operate ranging from Korean, Japanese, Indian and almost all types of cuisine one could imagine.

  4. THE TRAM RIDE

The rackety double-decker trams have been traversing the Hong Kong Island for centuries which makes the ride educational more than a convenient means of transportation.  It may actually be slow-moving contrary to the fast paced life of Hong Kong, but you get to obtain a unique glimpse of the everyday Hong Kong street life.

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

Though it is good to experience the morning ride as well, the night exploration through the tram can be quite comforting and relaxing.  If you have no planned itineraries like ours, it is best to just sit down and go wherever the tram will lead you and be dropped off at any interesting district you would like to discover. 

The Hongkong Trams traverse the northern part of the Hongkong Island on a West-East direction at only 2.30HKD (approximately 0.30USD) regardless of where your destination is.  We rode the tram at Sheung Wan where the Western Market (a mall) is situated.

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

  5. FOOD TRIP OF LOCAL FAVORITES AT CHEAP FINDS

Food choices in Hong Kong is endless.  Michelin-star restaurants is a top choice.  But more than the fine dining and expensive treats, there are stalls and eateries that equally provides a gastronomic treat.    

We tried the street foods at Hunghom and the noodles of different types at Mongkok and Wanchai.  Though the aim is to look for authentic Hong Kong cuisine served at alleys, there are times that we have to give up for language barriers.

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

But for the endless walking even at midnight, we are fortunate to have found eateries serving authentic Hong Kong food, with owners and servers of near nil English communication skills and vocabulary. But we were able to manage and the rest is history.

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

On my recent visit, the game plan was not to dine on restaurants or food chains of Western and American brands and it was achieved, but with the exception of McDonalds at Tsim Sha Tsui, where we dined before we depart for Manila.

  6. STROLL AT TSIM SHA TSUI

A walk at the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui is quite interesting.  Famous landmarks include the Hong Kong Space Museum, Hong Kong Cultural Center, The Avenue of Stars (now closed) and the Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower.

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

The towering skyscrapers and unique architectural façade of hotels can be a good backdrop for a literal walk in the park.  Tsim Sha Tsui, being a main tourist hub in Metropolitan Hong Kong, there are a number of luxury shops and restaurants as well.

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

The Chungking Mansions has a market of its own.  It is positioned at the Nathan Road of Tsim Sha Tsui and surrounded by bargain finds of whatever sort housed in stalls and small shops.  The building is well-known for lovers of Wong Kar Wai films (that includes myself).  Though the illegalities and underground stories have been featured for the Chungking Mansions as depicted on films (whether fictional or not), the building has an elusive charm.  It features guesthouses, curry restaurants, African bistros, clothing shops, stores and foreign exchange offices.  To some, it is where the ethnic minorities of Hong Kong converge particularly Indians, Nepalese, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans, Middle Eastern, Nigerians, Europeans and Americans, making the building unique and relatively interesting.

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONGHOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

  7. Ride or Have a Glimpse of the Hong Kong Observation Wheel

The newest addition to the world-class Hong Kong Harbor skyline is the observation wheel.  It provides an unobstructed 360 degree view of the panoramic harbor and lasts for twenty minutes.  The wheel’s 42 air-conditioned gondolas is for sitting passengers only and can hold between 8 to 10 passengers.

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHTS IN HONGKONG

The best time to catch a ride is during sunset or at night when the row of skyscrapers are lit.  But for the acrophobic such as myself, who has intense fear of heights, I am contented with the experience of a close view of the observation wheel.

The Hong Kong Observation wheel is easy to reach.  The MTR Central Station or the Star Ferry Terminal serves as the landmark.

x-----------------------x

Do you have other things in mind on what to do at night while in Hong Kong?


You May Also Like

0 comments