It all begins in Hong Kong.
From ancient temples to modern skyscrapers, from bustling city districts to serene fishing villages…, the visits to Hong Kong always bring with new experiences and discoveries. The endless international events and various festive celebrations make it hard for you to resist the allure of this city.
Seeking out culinary delights is naturally a highlight of any trip. Many international celebrities flock to Hong Kong to savour its cuisine. With around 17,000 restaurants offering a variety of unique cuisines from around the world, including 79 Michelin-starred eateries and nostalgic time-honoured restaurants, Hong Kong caters to diverse palates, blending creative dishes with traditional Chinese culinary excellence to satisfy every taste bud and provide a feast for the senses.
For nightlife enthusiasts, Hong Kong offers a vibrant array of options: Lan Kwai Fong in Central is a legendary party hub for nightlife. This iconic district boasts a dazzling array of swanky rooftop bars, cosy live music joints and pumping nightclubs. If you want to enjoy the charming scenery of Hong Kong while sipping popular cocktails, there are also many rooftop bars with excellent views in Kowloon.
The annual “Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival”, held by the Hong Kong Tourism Board in October at the Central Harbourfront Event Space, is another place where you can indulge your taste buds. The event attracts over three hundred booths showcasing the latest trends as well as wines and spirits from different countries or regions that are making waves globally. Furthermore, food stalls serve up delectable local snacks and international dishes, which make for an unforgettable culinary journey set against the Victoria Harbour skyline. The festival also offers opportunities to enhance your wine knowledge or culinary skills through themed workshops led by star chefs and sommeliers, and has a range of family activities and interactive experiences to enjoy.
A visit to Hong Kong wouldn’t be complete without overlooking Victoria Harbour from the Peak, aboard the new Peak Tram with panoramic glass windows offering multiple perspectives of the harbour. For a glimpse of the world-famous Hong Kong skyline and spectacular cityscape, hop on the Aqua Luna for a harbour tour, or visit Sky100 Observation Deck or the Hong Kong Observation Wheel for a bird’s-eye view of the stunning Oriental Pearl. Each evening at 8pm, the multimedia show “A Symphony of Lights” illuminates Victoria Harbour.
Climb 268 steps to reach the towering Tian Tan Buddha, standing at 34 metres high atop a mountain, and marvel at this benevolent outdoor bronze statue. Don’t miss nearby attractions such as the Po Lin Monastery and a ride on the Ngong Ping Cable Car for panoramic views of Lantau Island’s mountains and the shimmering South China Sea.
Wandering through the streets is a great way to experience a place. The West Kowloon Cultural District, the city’s newest and most eye-catching neighbourhood, houses M+, Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual culture, the Hong Kong Palace Museum, and the Xiqu Centre. The “Old Town Central” area is full of stories waiting to be discovered, including Tai Kwun, PMQ, and Graham Street Market, all featuring historic buildings and markets. Sai Kung’s seaside restaurants and fishing villages add a touch of tranquility to your Hong Kong journey.
After enjoying various attractions in Hong Kong, embark on a journey through the mainland, exploring the rich cultural heritage and picturesque landscapes of the Greater Bay Area. Located at the southern gateway of China, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area includes the two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao, as well as nine cities in Guangdong Province, namely Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, and Zhaoqing. With the world’s most densely concentrated seaport and airport clusters, the area not only offers diverse travel experiences but also allows you to savour local delicacies. It has become one of the most popular travel destinations in recent years.
With a one-hour ferry ride or a 45-minute shuttle bus journey across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, you can reach Macao, a city with mixed Chinese and Portuguese influences. Popular attractions such as the Ruins of St. Paul’s, the Cathedral, and the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau are all located in one area, making it a must-see destination for tourists.
As one of the “Eight Scenic Spots of Macao,” Taipa, known as “Dragon Ring”, is a great place to enjoy exotic architecture and dreamy night scenes. Along the seaside road in Taipa, several Portuguese-style residences, the Chapel of Our Lady of Carmel, and parks adorned with colorful flowers exude a European charm. Rua do Cunha in the centre of Taipa is a perfect blend of Macao’s former fishing village architecture and Portuguese architecture. Featuring specialties from around the world and a whole street of souvenirs, as well as creative markets on specific days, it’s considered the most artistic street in Macao. And the Cotai Strip is a hub for major hotels and entertainment venues, offering shopping, dining, leisure, entertainment, and accommodation all in one place.
To experience Macao’s unique culinary culture, the best way is to venture into its Michelin-starred restaurants or explore its streets and alleys to savour the “Taste of Macao.” In addition to unique Macanese cuisine, there’s authentic Portuguese cuisine, a variety of Chinese cuisine from different regions, as well as restaurants offering fusion of Eastern and Western flavours. On a culinary journey in Macao, you can enjoy famous snacks such as almond cookies, egg rolls, pork chop buns, Portuguese egg tarts, as well as visit the 16 Michelin-starred restaurants in Macao, most of which are located within luxurious and innovative star-rated hotels.
For more information, please visit discovergreaterbayarea.com/tc
