A few days ago, when going through my photos I stumbled on photos taken when I was in Hong Kong. It was a short trip on my way back from Japan, I had only two full days but I managed to cross a few things off on my bucket list. So if you're thinking of a quick trip to the Pearl of the Orient or have a few days to spare, here are my must-sees!

The Peak 

The Peak

A trip to Hong Kong won't be complete without a visit to The Peak, and like any good tourist, I was well out the door before peak hour to allow plenty of travel time. Now, many would just take The Peak Tram but a Hong Kong colleague of mine suggested to take Bus 15 up and then the tram on the way down, not only to avoid large crowds but you also get a different experience. Oh, the benefits of knowing a local. As it turned out, I enjoyed the bus ride a lot more, though it took longer, you get to see more of the cityscape as it winds its way up and you also meet more locals, instead of just a car full of tourists. For me, this is the best way of seeing a city, instead of rushing from point A to point B, sometimes taking a slightly longer and less popular route can offer you a different experience.  

Peak Circle Walk

Once you arrive, pay a quick visit to The Peak Tower and the circuit starts at Lugard Road near The Peak Tower.  In the morning, the circuit had only a few locals going about their morning exercises, so most of the time I was left to enjoy the view all on my own, the whole loop took me no more than 1.5hr at a very relaxed pace, taking my time to enjoy the panoramic view, take photos and also rest from the humidity, even though it was May, it was rather warm compounded by high humidity, which made the air was quite sticky and visibility poor.

It is along this walk, you will see the iconic views of Victoria Harbour and beyond; skyscrapers and residential high-rises as far as the eye can see, all tightly packed together like matchsticks. It really dawned on me just how dense Hong Kong really is, and I thought Shanghai was crowded. On your way back, take a rest at the Lion Point View Pavilion where you can take in even more stunning views before the journey down. The early start definitely paid off, as the tram on my way down was almost empty yet the people lined up at the tram terminus below trying to get up overflowed onto the street outside. 

Lugard Rd Lookout

View of Victoria Harbour from Lugard Rd Lookout

View from Lions Point Pavilion

Tip:
- If you're staying in Kowloon, you need to make your way to Hong Kong island first by taking the MTR
- You can catch Bus 15 which takes you to The Peak from the Exchange Square Terminus. Don't get confused with Bus 15C, which only takes you to the Peak Tram Lower Terminus.

Symphony of Lights

This light show is something I've been hearing about long before my visit to Hong Kong, and so at around 7:30pm I made my way to the harbour on Kowloon side and as expected it was already crowded with visitors, all trying to find that perfect spot to view the show. Hong Kong's skyline is quite amazing as it is, yet seeing the buildings on Hong Kong Island light up with the fading light and all the hustle and bustle on the water, it is like signaling the start of the city's nightlife.  

The wait felt like hours as everyone tried to find a good vantage point along the promenade outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, but before I knew it, it was all over in about 10mins but do stay behind for a bit till the crowd disperses. 

Victoria Harbour

Before the show begins

The Big Buddha or Tian Tan Buddha is in Ngong Ping, Lantau Island, I took the MTR to Tung Chung Station, then hopped on the cable car to Ngong Ping. Again, as one of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong, the lines for the cable car can get quite long, so make sure you get there as early as possible to avoid large crowds. Although there are buses available, the cable car offers you panoramic views and glimpses of the Big Buddha as you approach Ngong Ping. 

Once you disembark, you arrive at Ngong Ping Piazza signified by its ornamental archway, follow the central walkway, also known as the Bohdi Path which will lead you to the Big Buddha. For a small fee, you can climb the 300 steps staircase to the base, where you can get a closer look at the Buddha and also sweeping views of the surrounding mountain. Like the Buddha in Kamakura, Tian Tan Buddha is also constructed out of bronze but has its right hand raised in a gesture to deliver blessings to all. The statue sits on 3 tier base which greatly resembles the structure at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. 

Ngong Ping Pai Lau

Tian Tan Buddha