Hong Kong is the official Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China. A multi-cultural society with both Cantonese Chinese and the influence of 150 years as a British colony, ending in 1997. The European infrastructure remains, as well as other familiar things like English signage, double-decker red buses and a cosmopolitan feel. Hong Kong has eastern customs, beliefs and culture, as well as western skyscrapers, fashion malls and luxury hotels. It is located between the Pearl River Delta and the South China Sea. As part of China, however, Hong Kong owns its own currency, the Hong Kong Dollar.
The name 'Hong Kong', derived from its Cantonese name, 'Heung Gong (He-Ong-Kong)', in Chinese, 'Xiang Gang', which means 'fragrant harbour' and 'incense harbour'. 'Fragrance' refers to the sweet taste of the harbour's fresh water influx from the Pearl river, and 'incense' refers to the incense factories lining the coast of northern Kowloon.
The most used way to enter Hong Kong is by air, landing at Hong Kong International Airport. However, one can also land in Macau and catch a ferry to Hong Kong; or land in Shenzhen and catch a train to Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a shopping Mecca with many interesting street markets and state-of-the-art malls. One of the popular shopping street is Mong Kok, a crowded area with narrow streets and on each street the vendors specialises in one type of product. The best markets are Ladies' Market and Temple Street Night Market.
Hong Kong is divided into 4 main cities, namely Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Territories and Outlying Islands (like Lantau Island). Each district is then sub-divided into smaller districts. The popular areas to go in Hong Kong are Sham Shui Po, Central, Sheung Wan, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Yau Ma Tei and Mongkok.
Hong Kong in November has a nice cooling temperature between 24degC to 19degC, a nice escape from the heat in sunny Singapore. It is a 4hr flight to Hong Kong. I am taking a midnight flight, arriving in Hong Kong at 5am. The hotel that I got allows an upgrade of early check-in at 7am (instead of 3pm) and a late check-out on the last day at 6pm (instead of 11am). With this, I booked an evening flight departing at 8pm and will arrive in Singapore at midnight, so this gives me a full day to spend on arrival day, and another half day to spend before leaving Hong Kong. Sometimes, when the timings do not fit that well, it often leaves you not much time to explore on the first and last day.
However, the hotel currently offers complimentary storing of baggage before check-in and after check-out, so I did not do the upgrade. For 3-star and above hotels, it usually comes with this service. However, since this is a capsule hotel, this is like an additional service.
Without further ado, the itinerary for this Hong Kong trip:
Day 1 – Arriving at Hong Kong
Upon arrival at Hong Kong Airport at 5am, I took the airport express to MTR Hong Kong Station, then to Causeway Bay where my hotel, L’etoile de Mer, was located, a fully automated capsule hotel. Accommodation is so expensive in Hong Kong due to scarce land that even the affordable alternative of capsule hotel is at an average rate of HKD500/night.
Left my luggage at the hotel first as check-in is at 3pm. Most of the places are still closed as it was around 8am. Chilled at Starbucks before I head to Man Mo Temple, a temple for the worship of the civil / literature god Man Tai (文帝) and the martial god Mo Tai (武帝). Then to Halfway Coffee, where they serve coffee in beautiful traditional Chinese tea cup designed paper cups.
Next, I headed down to Social Place for brunch, a popular dimsum place that offers modern, innovative Chinese cuisine; items like Custard Lava Buns with Charcoal Bun and edible gold, Mushroom-shaped Truffle Shiitake Buns, and Turtle-shaped Char Siew Bun. Then, to the popular Graham Street Mural. There are many murals around Central area, you might want to spend some time hunting them! After which, I headed to popular Taiwan boba tea shop, Tiger Sugar, to queue for a cup. They specialize in the latest boba tea trend, brown sugar bobas. Is it really worth queuing for?
After check-in, I planned to explore Wan Chai, but I was so so tired that I actually wanted to just take a short nap, like 30mins? But I ended up waking at 10pm instead. So lastly, went down to Tsui Wah Restaurant (just opposite hotel) for dinner / supper. Tsui Wah is the largest cha chaan teng chain in Hong Kong, there is already 3 stores at the area where I stayed!
Day 2 – Truffle Eggs, Lava Toast, Ngong Ping Village
Firstly, went to Cross Café for some polo bun burgers. Polo Bun and Scrambled Egg Toast are two favourites amongst Hong Kongers and this, a combination of both! Next, to another nearby eatery, Chau Kee, to try their popular lava French toast. Followed by morning coffee at global coffee chain, % Arabica. I love how every store is so beautifully designed with a welcoming vibe!
Next, I grabbed a cable car (Ngong Ping 360) to Ngong Ping Village, a small town on Lantau Island. The crystal cable car cabin allows you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Hong Kong, literally 360deg! At Ngong Ping, I first went to the famous 34m giant Tian Tan Buddha that takes you 268 steps to reach the bottom of the statue. Then to Po Lin Monastery before I headed back to the main island of Hong Kong.
Back at Central, I headed over to popular Hong Kong traditional cha chaan teng, Australia Dairy Company. Be ready to spend some time queuing if you plan to visit this place! Do not miss out their famous scrambled eggs and steamed milk pudding! Then, to N1 Coffee & Co., for an evening coffee. Next, I went to Michelin guide recommended store, Mammy Pancake, to grab a bubble waffle, then a cup of Brown Sugar Boba Milk from Aboutea.
Day 3 – Tai Kwun, ‘Vomit’ Buns, Hong Kong Snacks
After breakfast at Tsui Wah, I headed to Yee Shun Milk Company which serves the best Steamed Milk Pudding in Hong Kong! Next, to Xing Fu Tang to try their Brown Sugar Boba Milk, I think their version is the best! Following which, to Barista Jam for a cup of afternoon coffee.
Next, I headed to Tai Kwun, a new centre built for heritage and arts, bringing culture and leisure together. It is located in the restored Central Police Station, which used to house the Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison. Then, to Elephant Grounds for coffee again! Lastly, to famous Chinese restaurant, Yum Cha, for lunch. Do not miss out their cute dim sum collection, especially the ‘vomit’ Custard Lava Buns!
Day 4 – Best Congee Ever, HK Egg Tart Taste Test, Rabbit Café
First, I head over to Micheline guide recommended congee place, Trusty Congee King for brunch. Then, I went to Tai Cheong Bakery and Honolulu Coffee Shop. They are two popular places to get egg tarts from, and are just a street away from each other. Tai Cheong’s version comes with a melt in your mouth tart crust, and Honolulu’s version comes with a flaky crust that vows to have 192 layers! Which will be better?
Next, I went to Brew Bros Coffee for an afternoon coffee, before I head to famous noodle place, Kau Kee, for some awesome beef brisket noodles. Then, to Hakawa Chocolate for a nice cup of 75% cocoa Hot Chocolate, and Oddies Foodies for a soft serve served with bubble waffle! Ending the night at Rabbitland Café, where you get to interact and cuddle with real rabbits!
Day 5 – 1950s Hong Kong Housing, Choi Hung Estate, Super Good Matcha Ice Cream
First of all, Xing Fu Tang again, because it is legit damn good! Then, brunch at famous noodles place, Tsim Chai Kee Noodle Shop, for some awesome Wonton Noodles. Then, to The Cupping Room that is just opposite, for coffee. Next, I went to Heritage of Mei Ho House. It was originally a resettlement estate built to house the homeless victims to a fire in 1953. In 2009, it was passed to Hong Kong YHA to build as a hostel and the place was opened for business in 2013. The museum section showcases the housing history of Hong Kong from the 1950s to 1970s. Following after, I got a bubble waffle from More Eggettes, who is popular for its unique star-dotted waffle.
Next, to Choi Hung Estate for some aesthetic Hong Kong apartment shots. Then to Queen Sophie for some egg tarts. Honolulu vows to have 192 layers for their egg tart crust, while Queen Sophie vows to have 386 layers! Lastly, to another popular cha chaan teng, Kam Wah Café & Bakery, known for its polo buns, egg tarts and French toast for dinner; then to matcha café, Via Tokyo.
Day 6 – Pop-up Food Festival, Ichiran, Sailor Moon Dim Sum
First, I had breakfast at Ichiran Ramen, everybody is like crazy over this ramen! Then to a pop-up market that is available every Sunday and this year, it runs from 4th November 2018 – 17th February 2019. Sunday mornings are for Tong Chong Street Market! So glad that it was during my trip! The market is featuring three themes – ‘Coffee Festival’ for November, ‘Snowy Christmas’ for December and ‘Healthy Eating’ for next year.
Then, to Kam Wah Café & Bakery again for lunch as I ordered the wrong sandwich yesterday. Then, to the popular Ladies Market street, one of the best spots in town to pick up a bargain. Grabbed a cup of Brown Sugar Boba Milk at Dakasi Tea, then to Tsim Sha Tsui. Over here, I first went to Hong Kong Avenue of Comic Stars, an area that features statues of Hong Kong comic characters of the 1960s to the 2010s; dinner at Dim Sum Icon, who sells cute cartoon character dim sum in rotation themes and during this trip, it was Sailor Moon theme! Then to bakery Hanjuku Kobo that sells Palmier in 7 amazing flavours! I first tried Palmier a couple of years back when Maxim’s (美心) was sold in Singapore, and I love it! I think I ate like 4 boxes in a row, oops! And lastly, dessert at another matcha café, Uji-En.
Day 7 – Bruleed Boba Tea, SOGO, Melon Ice Cream
Scrolled through Instagram after I woke up and found a new boba tea shop at Causeway Bay called Belle Epoque. Their Brown Sugar Boba Milk is topped with a layer of cheese cream and bruleed, second best after Xing Fu Tang! Next, I went to another popular cha chaan teng, Chrisly Café. Their items are actually 90% similar to Australia Dairy Company, who will fare better?
Then, I went to Hong Kong Science Museum and Hong Kong Museum of History, which are side by side. Hong Kong Science Museum showcases Cathay Pacific’s first DC3 airliner, together with 18 galleries of science and technology that includes topics like sound, motion, light, electricity, mathematics, geography, life science, food science, transport and communication. Hong Kong Museum of History showcases the history of Hong Kong from the formation of the island to its independence in 1997.
Next, I went to Craft Coffee Roaster for coffee, before I head back to Chrisly Café again, as I ordered the wrong item again. Having a little trouble understanding the Chinese menu. Then, to SOGO Department Store. At the basement is a premium supermarket with lots of Japanese products, as well as many food stalls, mainly Japanese food. Went to Hang Heung Cake Shop to get some of their amazing Chinese pastries. Lastly, to I Cremeria for dessert.
Day 8 – Back to Singapore
A week in Hong Kong just passed so quickly, and down to the last day! After check-out, I first went to Cross Café for their Polo Bun with Truffle Eggs again! Didn’t know there is actually a store at Causeway Bay itself, where I stayed, went to the one at Sai Ying Pun the other day. Then, to Golden Cup Specialty Coffee for a cup of morning coffee. Next, to Café Seasons for an old-school Hong Kong meal.
Following after, I went to Lee Tung Street. This area at Wan Chai is so pretty! Went to the Calbee+ store and Givres – rose-shaped gelato – over here. Then, to Kam’s Roast Goose for lunch. Went back to the hotel to get my luggage, before I head down to IFC Mall, which is where I will board the airport express back to the airport.
It was still early, so I went to Lady M for dessert and lastly another coffee at % Arabica. It has been a wonderful time in Hong Kong, soaking myself in Cantonese, stuffing myself with amazing Hong Kong food and exploring my way out! And… time to head back home!
