10 New Things To Discover in Hong Kong
Being in Hong Kong the second time around this year made me discover a lot of things. There are so many things to learn and find out in two weeks! I was in the city for work (training) but I made sure to have fun also.
Below are some of my new discoveries that I want to share with you. You might want to discover it yourself once you find yourselves in Hong Kong soon. Here you go...
During this trip, I was able to try their airport express train. It was a comfortable ride from the airport (literally) straight to Kowloon City. It is so commuter-friendly, they have storage areas when you enter the train to keep your luggage safe and you're off to your home in Hong Kong.
Seats are comfortable and the train is neat. They have USB ports every seat where you can charge your phones as well. It's a 30-minute ride from Lantau airport to Kowloon City. Cost is 90HKD.
2) buffets x buffets x buffets - go at least once!
3) dimsum - served for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Hong Kong serves one of the best seafood dishes ever.
I know we love seafoods so Hong Kong is just the place to be. Almost every restaurant serves seafood most especially buffets. It might be a bit expensive but try not to convert the dollars but convert it into a valuable experience. Seafood in Hong Kong is pretty good and fresh anyway.
Since I was in Hong Kong for training and not for leisure, I was lucky enough to see new places. So when you're in Hong Kong again, try to see new places too.
There are a lot more to see which you may have not seen before. In my case, I was able to see Kowloon Shangri-la again and was welcomed with this lobby.
Also, we went to Island Shangri-la where the Central Business District is.
We also went on a hotel hopping and saw Hotel Icon. Their lobby looks like this.
We also went to Intercontinental Hotel where lifts landing look like this.
7) Meet new friends.
Hong Kong is one of the best places to find a new friend, reconnect with an old friend or simply bond with your family and friends. There's so much things to do and places to see. It's a place for kids and kids at heart. Every now and then, they have new restaurants. You may want to go on an OOTD trip with your best friend, eat around with your buddies or adventure trip in Disneyland or Ocean Park.
The most important thing is to enjoy the moment and make lasting memories together. In my case, I met 17 awesome people from all over the world. We made sure to make the days count and connect even after the training. It pays to have a friend from different parts of the world because when you travel, you know you'll always have a buddy around.
I was able to enjoy night life during my day off. We went to different bars in Lan Kwai Fong and made sure we try their best drinks. It might be a bit pricey but don't worry, alcohol is pricey anywhere. It's just one day or one night. It's the experience that is most important.
We started with a side bar which sells 18 shots for 150 HKD then transferred to a roofdeck bar and then we finally settled to this pub which serves the jello shots.
They are the only ones who have it so you will recognize it easily. It starts to get crowded at around 10pm. You'll see tourists, locals and even corporate people partying.
Go there on a Friday night! It's really fun. You'll see people from all over the world partying and dancing their hearts out.
Since food has been a major discovery in this post, let me seal it with the best dessert. Hong Kong is a place to be when you're into mango desserts like me! We love mangoes. Hong Kong has it for you. They have the sweetest mangoes for dessert and it's seems available any season. Anywhere you will see this store for mango sago.
Try their mango sago or the ones with mochi balls and mango tidbits. It's better when you eat in their stores because servings are relatively bigger. I also tried their local dessert shop which serves mango sago with shaved ice (almost like a bingsu) with mango tidbits and mango ice cream. It's so good even at 10pm.
1) transportation - try their airport express train
I have mentioned in my previous post how you can go around in Hong Kong via public transportation (MTR, bus, taxi, and the magic Octopus card - hehe.)
I have mentioned in my previous post how you can go around in Hong Kong via public transportation (MTR, bus, taxi, and the magic Octopus card - hehe.)
During this trip, I was able to try their airport express train. It was a comfortable ride from the airport (literally) straight to Kowloon City. It is so commuter-friendly, they have storage areas when you enter the train to keep your luggage safe and you're off to your home in Hong Kong.
Seats are comfortable and the train is neat. They have USB ports every seat where you can charge your phones as well. It's a 30-minute ride from Lantau airport to Kowloon City. Cost is 90HKD.
2) buffets x buffets x buffets - go at least once!
Buffets are such a big thing for Filipinos. At some point in our lives, we have been to Vikings, Buffet 101 or Four Seasons. We love buffets! Whether it's our birthday, anniversary, graduation, buffet is the way to celebrate.
I realized that Hong Kong people loves celebrating too and when they do, they eat at buffets just like us. Buffet is such a craze for them - whether it's a weekend or a weekday! I was lucky enough to try 3 different restaurants for buffet.
I tried Cafe Kool at Kowloon Shangri-la (posted above).
The Market at Hotel Icon which serves free flowing white wines on weekends and Big Bay Cafe, the newest buffet restaurant in Hong Kong, opening this April 28. Much details will be shared in the last part of this post.
I realized that Hong Kong people loves celebrating too and when they do, they eat at buffets just like us. Buffet is such a craze for them - whether it's a weekend or a weekday! I was lucky enough to try 3 different restaurants for buffet.
I tried Cafe Kool at Kowloon Shangri-la (posted above).
The Market at Hotel Icon which serves free flowing white wines on weekends and Big Bay Cafe, the newest buffet restaurant in Hong Kong, opening this April 28. Much details will be shared in the last part of this post.
3) dimsum - served for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
They serve dimsum for breakfast, lunch and dinner and it's really, really tasty. I tried this awesome restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui called Yum Cha. They serve Instagram-worthy dimsum. The taste is marvelous which doubles the fun. Both my feed and tummy is happy.
4) learn how to bargain at Temple night market in Mong Kok
Filipinos are very fond of pasalubongs. The night market in Mongkok, Hong Kong is a place where you can buy "affordable" pasalubongs for your friends, family and office mates. I said "affordable" because it is really not when you do not know how to haggle (tawad). Since it's a tourist spot, of course they have a tourist price. It's best to know your budget for pasalubong and how much you can go for an item.
One key chain may cost you 30 HKD or around Php200, go ask for discounts. In my case, since I semi look like a local, I told the sellers I was a local and of course, they gave it to me for 7-10HKD. Because imagine if you have 10 friends (which I'm sure you do), you have to spend at least 300HKD for key chains alone. That's quite a lot when you can just have it for 70HKD. 200 Hong Kong dollars is still 200 Hong Kong dollars. It's enough for a decent meal for 2-3 persons already.
Know how to bargain! There are a lot of Filipinos shopping for pasalubong as well, they will help you bargain. Teamwork!
Filipinos are very fond of pasalubongs. The night market in Mongkok, Hong Kong is a place where you can buy "affordable" pasalubongs for your friends, family and office mates. I said "affordable" because it is really not when you do not know how to haggle (tawad). Since it's a tourist spot, of course they have a tourist price. It's best to know your budget for pasalubong and how much you can go for an item.
One key chain may cost you 30 HKD or around Php200, go ask for discounts. In my case, since I semi look like a local, I told the sellers I was a local and of course, they gave it to me for 7-10HKD. Because imagine if you have 10 friends (which I'm sure you do), you have to spend at least 300HKD for key chains alone. That's quite a lot when you can just have it for 70HKD. 200 Hong Kong dollars is still 200 Hong Kong dollars. It's enough for a decent meal for 2-3 persons already.Know how to bargain! There are a lot of Filipinos shopping for pasalubong as well, they will help you bargain. Teamwork!
5) Hong Kong has the best seafood ever
Hong Kong serves one of the best seafood dishes ever.
I know we love seafoods so Hong Kong is just the place to be. Almost every restaurant serves seafood most especially buffets. It might be a bit expensive but try not to convert the dollars but convert it into a valuable experience. Seafood in Hong Kong is pretty good and fresh anyway.
6) Go on a hotel hopping tour.
 |
| Lobby at Kowloon Shangri-la |
Since I was in Hong Kong for training and not for leisure, I was lucky enough to see new places. So when you're in Hong Kong again, try to see new places too.
There are a lot more to see which you may have not seen before. In my case, I was able to see Kowloon Shangri-la again and was welcomed with this lobby.
 |
| View at Island Shangri-la |
Also, we went to Island Shangri-la where the Central Business District is.
 |
| Bar at Island Shangri-la |
We also went on a hotel hopping and saw Hotel Icon. Their lobby looks like this.
We also went to Intercontinental Hotel where lifts landing look like this.
7) Meet new friends.
Hong Kong is one of the best places to find a new friend, reconnect with an old friend or simply bond with your family and friends. There's so much things to do and places to see. It's a place for kids and kids at heart. Every now and then, they have new restaurants. You may want to go on an OOTD trip with your best friend, eat around with your buddies or adventure trip in Disneyland or Ocean Park.
The most important thing is to enjoy the moment and make lasting memories together. In my case, I met 17 awesome people from all over the world. We made sure to make the days count and connect even after the training. It pays to have a friend from different parts of the world because when you travel, you know you'll always have a buddy around.
8) Enjoy night life at Lan Kwai Fong!
I was able to enjoy night life during my day off. We went to different bars in Lan Kwai Fong and made sure we try their best drinks. It might be a bit pricey but don't worry, alcohol is pricey anywhere. It's just one day or one night. It's the experience that is most important.
We started with a side bar which sells 18 shots for 150 HKD then transferred to a roofdeck bar and then we finally settled to this pub which serves the jello shots.
They are the only ones who have it so you will recognize it easily. It starts to get crowded at around 10pm. You'll see tourists, locals and even corporate people partying.
Go there on a Friday night! It's really fun. You'll see people from all over the world partying and dancing their hearts out.
9) Best mango desserts are served in Hong Kong!
Since food has been a major discovery in this post, let me seal it with the best dessert. Hong Kong is a place to be when you're into mango desserts like me! We love mangoes. Hong Kong has it for you. They have the sweetest mangoes for dessert and it's seems available any season. Anywhere you will see this store for mango sago.
Try their mango sago or the ones with mochi balls and mango tidbits. It's better when you eat in their stores because servings are relatively bigger. I also tried their local dessert shop which serves mango sago with shaved ice (almost like a bingsu) with mango tidbits and mango ice cream. It's so good even at 10pm.
10) Try the newest 5-star property in Hong Kong, the Kerry Hotel Hong Kong.
We were one of the first guests of the newest property in Hong Kong. It's in Hung Hom Bay next to the ferry and the bus terminal. It's tourist-friendly (best for commuting) and 10 minutes away from the famous Tsim Sha Tsui. It has a more laid back environment compared to Tsim Sha Tsui.
A different environment is always better. We were welcomed by this spacious room and a welcome treat from their chefs.
During our stay, we were able to try their authentic, tastes like a Michen-star Chinese Restaurant called Hung Tong.
They're best dishes are these melt-in-your-mouth barbecued pork ribs, salted egg prawn balls, special goose (must-try when you're in Hong Kong) and their prawns with mango salsa.
It gives you an authentic Hong Kong experience and the price is very competitive since it's new in the market.
We experienced their Red Sugar bar. One of their special drinks at that time were these mocktails. I had three of those Basil drinks. Ambiance was excellent and I had good company.
We tried their Big Bay Cafe - their all day dining restaurant the next day and had all these good experiences:
(1) We were served fresh-from-the-oven breads at our table. It was tasty and of course, hot and fresh.
(2) we had the freshest array of seafood and biggest lobster in town, they can also grill it for you.
(3) they have a Korean bibimbap bar which is new for a buffet. It's a D-I-Y Korean bar. Very unique experience!
(4) They have a live nitrogen ice cream lab.
Ice cream is really creamy and you can customize it.
(5) They have a chocolate and matcha faucet. It's so beautiful and Instagram - worthy. Where in the world will you find a chocolate faucet?
All in all, Hong Kong the second time around is beyond exceptional! There are so many things to see and find out the second time around. If you find yourself within the city, I urge you to discover new places and new things and share it too.
A different environment is always better. We were welcomed by this spacious room and a welcome treat from their chefs.
During our stay, we were able to try their authentic, tastes like a Michen-star Chinese Restaurant called Hung Tong.
They're best dishes are these melt-in-your-mouth barbecued pork ribs, salted egg prawn balls, special goose (must-try when you're in Hong Kong) and their prawns with mango salsa.
 |
| Stir fried prawns with mango salsa |
 |
| Prawn ball with salted egg |
 |
| Best tasting goose |
 |
| Barbecued pork ribs |
It gives you an authentic Hong Kong experience and the price is very competitive since it's new in the market.
We tried their Big Bay Cafe - their all day dining restaurant the next day and had all these good experiences:
(1) We were served fresh-from-the-oven breads at our table. It was tasty and of course, hot and fresh.
(2) we had the freshest array of seafood and biggest lobster in town, they can also grill it for you.
(3) they have a Korean bibimbap bar which is new for a buffet. It's a D-I-Y Korean bar. Very unique experience!
(4) They have a live nitrogen ice cream lab.
Ice cream is really creamy and you can customize it.
(5) They have a chocolate and matcha faucet. It's so beautiful and Instagram - worthy. Where in the world will you find a chocolate faucet?
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