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Announcements, Attractions, Destinations

Hong Kong wins Best of Asia, 2019 Experts' Choice Awards

A visit to Hong Kong has long been among the most thrilling, incomparable experiences of urban life in the world, never mind Asia. Many of the former British colony’s highlights are evergreen – think hiking Victoria Peak, the view of Hong Kong Island’s skyline from Kowloon, the bustling nightlife of Lan Kwai Fong and dim sum the morning after. However, a series of new developments are reinvigorating the city’s appeal, honoring its history and energetically lifting up creativity and the arts.

All of this is set against a backdrop of political uncertainty. Twenty-two years after the end of British rule, there’s growing pessimism about Hong Kong’s ability to retain its distinctive identity, as Beijing steadily asserts its sovereignty over the territory. These changes seem inevitable, so visit now and discover why Hong Kong is our Best of Asia winner in our 2019 Experts’ Choice Awards.

victoria-peak

Victoria Peak

Hong Kong’s energy is infectious, and you feel it as soon as you step into the densely populated hustle of downtown Kowloon or Hong Kong Island’s hectic business districts. You’ll hear conversations going on in Cantonese, English, Mandarin and many other languages besides, and the city’s iconic neon signs compete for your attention from all directions.

The food in Hong Kong is spectacular, in every category, at every price point and any hour of the day. From dim sum steamers filled with siu mai and har gow, to fishball noodle soup, char siu BBQ goose and pork, and the East-meets-West charm of the city’s cha caan teng, there’s so much variety, craftsmanship and history just in the local cuisine. Join one of the many food tours, who’ll make your life easy and allow you to get on with enjoying the food. You can also enjoy incredible food from all over the world, with 63 Michelin-starred restaurants including Caprice, Bo Innovation and Lung King Heen.

You can end your evenings convening with other globetrotters to watch the fireworks over Victoria Harbor, or exploring creative, beautifully presented cocktails at bars like The Old Man, Quinary, The Iron Fairies and Ping Pong 129. And when it’s time to get some rest, Hong Kong has some of the world’s 

The Peninsula

finest hotels, many offering stunning views. Leading the TripExpert pack this year are The Peninsula, InterContinental, Mandarin Oriental and The Upper House, but look out for newly opened spots like the St. Regis and Rosewood to climb the rankings in the year ahead.

Hong Kong’s creative side has often been overlooked, but a range of new developments in the arts is raising the city’s game. This year will see the opening of the highly anticipated M+ Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District, which also contains the already-open Arts Park and the Xiqu Centre, a theater celebrating the art of Chinese opera and other traditional performing arts. The WKCD also adds welcome parkland to the Kowloon harbor-front.

Other developments embrace contemporary art while also spotlighting Hong Kong’s history and heritage: Set in a 19th century building that once housed the Central Police Station, Tai Kwun features an art gallery and auditorium as well as a number of restaurants and shops. Back across Victoria Harbor on the Kowloon waterfront, the 457-meter Avenue of Stars – Hong Kong’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame – has just reopened after a transformative facelift headed by James Corner, the architect behind Manhattan’s High Line. The Avenue of Stars renovation is one plank of the USD 2.6 billion Victoria Dockside project, which will be boosted later in 2019 by the launch of mixed-use art and retail development K11 Musea. For family fun, Hong Kong Disneyland is currently being expanded, with the first stage set to be completed over the next 12 months.

Kowloon

Finally, don’t forget to get away from the skyscrapers and explore Hong Kong’s stunning surroundings. To the north of Kowloon, the New Territories offer fantastic hiking opportunities, and the MTR network is your friend: hop on a train and hit a hiking trail to burn some calories, making way for more eating. Take a ferry across to the former Portuguese colony of Macau, and make time to visit one or two of the smaller islands (there are over 200) to wander fishing villages and beaches.

Destinations

Your 24 hour guide to Hong Kong (according to the experts)

Even if you don’t have much time, you won’t forget Hong Kong. It’s a cosmopolitan, multicultural playground that will leave you hoping for your next visit. Even if you just have a day’s layover or a few hours, make sure you get out and explore. Especially at night. The skyline is pretty amazing.

The Peninsula Hong Kong, stunning views from Victoria Peak, dim sum from Tim Ho Wan and the Man Mo Temple

To kick off a great stay, it’s vital to pick the best hotel Hong Kong has to offer. TripExpert ranks The Peninsula Hong Kong as the best one. The colonial building has rooms with “chic, residential-style elegance and have been updated to feature new guest-oriented technology, including multiple bedside adapters, LED touch-screen wall panels (available in five languages), interactive digital tablets, and wireless phones,” according to Fodor’s. The Peninsula boasts character, so staying here for a couple of nights will be memorable. Rooms are $513 a night.
As a first stop, you must visit Hong Kong’s most famous landmark: Victoria Peak. If you’re short on time, this is the one place to check out. It’s Hong Kong’s highest point, and gathers “sweeping views of the vibrant metropolis, verdant woods, easy but spectacular walks,” says Lonely Planet. An Uber from the Peninsula will be around $28, or you could take the ferry and see how many locals travel daily. Admission to Victoria Peak is free, and to top off the perks, you get to take a funicular tram to the top. 
Take a tour of the Peak and make sure you get pictures from your 1800 ft (550 m) view of the cityscape.
For lunch, we suggest you taste the dim sum. The best place to find it is at Tim Ho Wan, which is a $20 Uber ride away from Victoria Peak. “The world’s cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant, Tim Ho Wan serves up some of the finest and best-value dim sum you will ever eat,” says Conde Nast Traveler. Indeed, you will not spend more than $25 at Tim Ho Wan. The barbecued pork buns are a favorite here. It’s always busy, so try to schedule your lunch outside of peak hours at this spot.
Just a short, $8 ride away is the Man Mo Temple, which you should definitely visit during your trip. Hong Kong’s oldest temple, built during the 1840s, is a Taoist gem. According to Frommer’s, “what makes this evocative temple particularly memorable are the giant incense coils hanging from the ceiling, imparting a fragrant, smoky haze — these are purchased by patrons seeking fulfillment of their wishes, such as good health or a successful business deal, and may burn as long as 3 weeks.” 

Pick up souvenirs at the Temple Street Night Market

Make another stop before you indulge in some of Hong Kong’s cuisine. The Temple Street Night Market is a place to look for knick-knacks, grab a local snack, or just people watch. “You’ll also find a surfeit of fortune-tellers, herbalists and, occasionally, some free, open-air Cantonese opera performances,” says Lonely Planet. 
It’s been a long day, but dinner will not disappoint. TripExpert recommends the Cantonese restaurant Lung King Heen. It’s a $10 Uber ride away from the Night Market, where you’ve hopefully built up an appetite amongst the shopping. Forbes Travel Guide says, “seafood figures prominently, along with delicacies such as bird’s nest and abalone, but meat and poultry (including a sublime roast chicken) are treated with aplomb, too.” It doesn’t hurt that the views are spectacular. There’s a set dinner price of $200 at Lung King Heen.
Hong Kong is a fast-paced city, and visiting all of its top spots in a day can be difficult, but can be done. This itinerary is perfect for someone who has a day to spare in Asia’s financial capital.