Themed Tours in Hong Kong
Hong Kong means "fragrant harbour" in Cantonese. At one time, that fragrance was pleasant, but like so many things here, that has changed, thanks to industrialization and population growth. Perhaps the one thing that's remained the same is the fact that at its core, Hong Kong is a Chinese city. That will seem obvious to anyone wandering the bustling streets of Mongkok or stopping into the shopping malls of Causeway Bay, but this tour gives you a look at the more historic heart of Chinese Hong Kong.
Start: MTR to Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui.
Tai Chi on the Avenue of Stars
You've probably heard of tai chi, a martial art that looks like a kind of shadowboxing. Tai chi is hugely popular, especially with older Chinese, and you'll see people practising it in parks all over Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Tourism Board offers free classes for beginners four days a week; the best is at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, where there's a view of the skyline.
Time to spend
One hour.
Telephone
+ 852 2508 1234
Opening Hours
Check dates and make a reservation at the Tourist Board
MTR
Tsim Sha Tsui
Western Market
Construction of this massive, Edwardian-style market building was finished in 1906, and it was used as a food market until 1988. Now it's a historic landmark and, not surprisingly in this shopping-crazed city, a market for souvenirs. You can pick up things like Chinese seals and jade on the first floor and check out the bright bolts of silk on the second floor. The top floor is home to The Grand Stage, which features ballroom dancing from 2:30pm to 6pm daily.
Time to spend
30 min.
Where
323 Des Voeux Road, Central.
Opening Hours
Daily 11am–12am (until 3am Fri & Sat)
MTR
Sheung Wan
Urban Council Sheung Wan Complex
This complex is one of Hong Kong's largest neighbourhood markets. The ground floor features fish and poultry, the first floor features meats and vegetables, and the top floor has a large food hall. The Chinese value fresh food — very, very fresh! Live chickens are killed on the spot and tossed into machines that pluck their feathers (though for health reasons, live chickens are to be banned from wet markets in future), and you may see baskets filled with the discarded horns and skulls of bulls. This is not a stop for the faint hearted, but it is a fascinating look at Chinese culture.
Where
Morrison Street and Bonham Strand, Central.
Opening Hours
Daily 6am–2am.
MTR
Sheung Wan
Sheung Wan Shops
Sheung Wan is an area that's home to Chinese wholesale businesses — many of them family run — that have been here for decades. Stroll Des Voeux Road to see the dried seafood shops selling everything from scallops to seaweed and Ko Shing Street for Chinese herbal medicine dealers. On Queen's Road West, you'll find shops selling red paper offerings that the Chinese traditionally burn to honour the dead.
Time to spend
90 min.
MTR
Sheung Wan
Luk Yu Teahouse
Serving tea and dim sum since 1933, Luk Yu is considered to be Hong Kong's most authentic remaining teahouse, complete with ceiling fans, spittoons, and waiters who look as if they've been around since the place opened. It's always crowded with regulars — a sure sign that the food is good. The English-language menu doesn't list all of the options available, so ask your waiter for help. Come before 11am to have dim sum served the old-fashioned way — off trolleys.
Where
24–26 Stanley Street.
Telephone
+852 2523 5464
Man Mo Temple
Dating back to the 1840s, this is Hong Kong's oldest temple. Man is the god of literature and Mo is the god of war — he's also the special protector of police, and shrines to him can be found in police stations all over the city. Look for the two ornately carved sedan chairs that date to the 1800s and were used to carry statues of the two gods through the streets during festivals. You'll also notice the massive coils of incense that hang from the ceiling—they can burn as long as 3 weeks.
Time to spend
45 min.
Where
Hollywood Road and Ladder Street.
Telephone
+852 2803 2916
Opening Hours
Daily 8am–6pm.
Cost
Free.
Bus
26
Graham Street Wet Market
This is not your average food shopping experience. As you walk past the stalls along this narrow street, you'll find yourself surrounded by tanks of live fish, crustaceans and even turtles. Be brave and try the Cantonese ‘hundred-year' eggs, which are chicken, duck or quail eggs that have been soaked in a mixture of salt, lime, clay and rice straw for several weeks. Surprisingly, these dark green eggs aren't terribly flavourful on their own (which may not be a bad thing), but they're excellent when served with dipping sauce.
Time to spend
45 min.
Where
Graham Street.
MTR
Central, D2 to Mid- Levels escalator.
Bus
26
Happy Foot Reflexology Centre
After so much walking, it's time for a very Asian remedy for tired feet: a foot massage. Although Hong Kong has too many spa options to count, the quality varies. The Happy Foot reflexologists are consistently excellent and prices are reasonable (starting at HK$198 for 50 min). The Chinese believe that when a skilled foot reflexologist goes to work, he or she is not just giving your toes a rubdown, but is specifically targeting pressure points that correspond to the rest of your body.
Time to spend
One hour.
Where
98–102 Wellington Street.
Telephone
+1 202 628 2111
MTR
Central, exit D2.
Lock Cha Tea Shop
Tea is a staple of Chinese life, and the Lock Cha Tea Shop, with its traditional Chinese furniture and comprehensive stock of over 100 types of tea, is the place to go for it. Here, you can pick up flavours like jasmine green and peony white, both from Fujian province. If you're having trouble choosing, the staff will not only help you navigate the myriad choices, but will show you the proper way to pour. The shop also sells tea sets and snacks.
Time to spend
30 min.
Where
290a Queen's Road.
Telephone
+852 2805 1360
Opening Hours
Daily 11am–7pm.
Kowloon Walled City Park
This park was designed to re-create the style of a classical Southern Chinese garden, and you can follow its winding paths past bonsai, bamboo, ponds and streams. The landscaping and the Chinese zodiac sculpture garden are impressive and so is the area's history. The park occupies what was once a Chinese fort, built in 1847; its history is recounted in a photography exhibit at a former almshouse.
Time to spend
Two hours.
Where
Tung Tsing Road.
MTR
Lok Fu, exit B.
Bus
1, 10, or 113.
Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple
This busy Taoist temple honouring Wong Tai Sin, the god of healing, is actually a collection of temples set amid peaceful gardens and fountains. The altar of the main building features a painting of Wong, a young shepherd who Taoists believe disappeared only to return decades later with incredible healing powers. People now pray to him not only for physical well-being, but also for health in relationships and business dealings.
Time to spend
45 min.
Where
Lung Cheung Road.
Telephone
+ 852 2327 8141
Opening Hours
Daily 7am–5:30pm.
MTR
Wong Tai Sin, exit B2.
Cantonese Opera at Hong Kong City Hall
Cantonese opera may strike you as one of the stranger relics of China's past. The costumes are elaborate, and the lyrics are sung in a shrill, high-pitched tone that is often bracing to Western ears. Don't be embarrassed to leave halfway through — performances can be long, and you won't be the only one doing so. Check the listings at Hong Kong City Hall and get your tickets in advance, as shows often sell out.
Where
5 Edinburgh Place.
Telephone
+852 2734 9009
Cost
Tickets start at $HK100
MTR
Central
Website
Neway Karaoke
Karaoke is a Japanese invention, but it's hugely popular in Hong Kong. Some locals will even admit to practising at home so they can put on a better performance in public. At the Neway Karaoke Box you can choose from a huge selection of songs. If you're feeling shy, request one of the private rooms.
Where
Causeway Bay Plaza, 489 Hennesy Road, 3rd floor.
Telephone
+852 2196 2196
Cost
Free. To submit your tour request, go to website and click "Group Tours."
MTR
Causeway Bay, exit E.
Website
