If you think Hong Kong is all just about shopping, and eating dim sum and roast goose, you clearly don’t know what you are missing out. Beyond the glitz and glamour of the city centre are plenty of exciting things to do in Hong Kong and exotic foods to try. Add these 10 challenges to your list the next time you’re planning a trip to Hong Kong.
1. Hike the MacLehose Trail
For the adventurous and outdoor lovers, pack up your hiking pack and challenge the MacLehose Trail. There are 10 sections to this trail which adds up to 100 kilometres long and links up 8 country parks in New Territories. You can choose to complete all 10 sections over a few days, or select a few routes that are more scenic. The best season to traverse the trail would be in autumn, when the weather is cool and the skies are clear.
2. Cliff Jump at Sheung Luk Stream in Sai Kung
If cliff climbing isn’t enough fun, jump off one! At 8 metres high, the cliff at Sheung Luk Stream is enough to get your adrenaline pumping. Do note that there is a certain amount of risk involved. Never jump if you don’t feel ready for it!
3. Learn Kung Fu at Shaolin Wushu Cultural Centre
HIYAH! Martial art fanatics who are looking to learn some kungfu and are yearning for a retreat need not look any further. Shaolin Wushu Cultural Centre offers lessons in basic Shaolin Kung Fu as well as hostel rental.
4. Drink Snake Soup
Snake soup is said to have medicinal benefits and is especially beneficial to have during cold weather. Scary as it sounds, it actually tastes like chicken, just a little tougher. For a bigger challenge, try a shot of snake’s blood!
5. Dig in to Deep Fried Pig Intestines
Forget dimsum and go for street food. Deep fried pig intestines, also known as zha dai cheung, is a snack you mustn’t miss when you’re in Mongkok to shop for street wear.
6. Make A Trip to the Tai O stilt Houses
Stilt houses were common in fishing villages, but are now a rarity in Hong Kong. In fact, this is the only village left where houses on stilts are still found. Visit Tai O and have a feel of what Hong Kong was like a few decades back.
7. Get Your Fortune Told at Temple Street Night Market
Take it for real or just for fun. Fortune-telling runs deep in the Chinese culture and there are many ways to get your fortune told, including but not limited to palm and face reading, as well as coin divination and bird divination.
8. Go up the Sky100 Observation Deck
Enjoy a ride up Hong Kong’s fastest ever double deck elevator and treat yourself to a 360° view of Hong Kong from its tallest building, which is 490 metres above ground!
9. Find Your Idol’s Hand Imprint at the Avenue of Stars
If you’re a loyal fan of the Hong Kong entertainment scene, wait no longer and head over to the Avenue of Stars to find your idol’s hand imprint, whether it be Bruce Lee, the world-renowned martial artist, or Louis Koo, Hong Kong’s highest earning actor in 2015.
10. Visit the Po Lin Monastery
Whether you’re a Buddhist or not, you won’t regret taking the cable car here to see the Tian Tan Buddha statue, also known as the Big Buddha which is 34 metres high. Climb up 268 steps to get a closer look at it, and when you’re tired from all that climbing, feast on a vegetarian meal.