By Gemma Dignam (University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
Now I have finished my exchange in Hong Kong, I’ve put together a list of everything I recommend an exchange student to do whilst you’re there- from climbing the tallest peak in Hong Kong, to the best rooftop bars to watch the incredible skyline.
Places and Activities
- Take the tram up to Victoria Peak
- Explore Central and Soho- taking the Mid-Levels Escalator ( the longest escalator in the world)
- Have a beach barbeque at Shek O
- Go shopping in Causeway Bay
- Go shopping in CityGate Outlet for great discounts
- Watch the horse racing at Happy Valley
- Go to Ocean Park- Hong Kong’s signature amusement park with a zoo, water rides and rollercoasters
- Go to Hong Kong DisneyLand
- Go cycling in the New Territories, to the Shenzhen border to see China or along Tai Po
- Visit Lamma Island for an easy hike, beaches and to stroll round the villages
- Visit Cheng Chau Island
- Go to the Choi Hung Estate
- Visit the Monster Building, a famous photography spot
Culture
- Experience Mid Autumn Festival by going to Wong Tai Sin Temple, Victoria Park and eating a mooncake
- Take the cable car to the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island
- Visit the Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Gardens
- Go to Tai Kwun- the Centre for Heritage and Arts
- Visit Tai O Fishing Village
- Visit the West Kowloon Cultural District
- Visit the markets and have street food in Mong Kok
- Explore the museums in Hong Kong- Art, History, Science, Space and M+ Museum
- Visit the Ten Thousand Buddha’s Monastery
Nature-based
- Go camping in Sai Kung and watch the sunrise
- Go kayaking from Clear Water Bay to Green Egg Island
- Hike to the tallest peak in Hong Kong- Tai Mo Shan
- Stroll around Kowloon Park and Hong Kong Park
- Hike the Dragon’s Back trail
- Hike up Sunset Peak
- See the monkeys at Kam Sham Country Park
- Visit Tung Ping Chau island, part of the Hong Kong Geopark
- Complete the Pineapple Mountain hike and visit the ha pak lai wetlands on the way down for sunset
- Hike to Lion’s Rock to see the city views and sunset
- Go to the Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls
Food and Drink
- Eat DimSum at Fresco
- Try the dumplings from Bafang
- Go to a Hong Kong cafe and try the milk tea
- Try an egg waffle
- Get a drink at Ozone, the highest bar in the world
- Head to Wan Chai on Wednesday- Carnegie’s, Devils Advocate
- Night out in LKF- Iron Fairies, C45, Zentral, Space, Le Boudoir are popular
- Get a drink on Peel Street
- Go to Mr Wong’s for unlimited food and beer for £8
