HONG KONG

Visiting Hong Kong was a dream destination - although this was many years ago now - I decided to rewrite this and update it with some must do's for your next adventure there. My sum up of this destination is - if you love culture and city exploration then I would 100% recommend Hong Kong. 

- Nan Lian Garden - a classical chinese gardnen and a serene and beautifully landscaped oasis that offers a peaceful escape from the bustling city.  Although that view of the stunning greenery with the huge silver sky scrapers in the background is one to remember. 

- Tian Tan Buddha - get the cable car up to the Big Buddha and prepare to be blown away by everything you will see when you reach the top of the mountain. Soak up the culture and make sure to leave enough time to explore !

- Tai O - could not recommend this enough- a charming fishing village where everything is on stilts in the water ! This is a glimpse into the traditional way of living here and is a must do for a real cultural experience. Do the boat tour to see everything properly, eat at a local restaurant to try the fresh fish that have been caught there & do not be afraid to wander off the beaten track here. 

- Get a ferry over the water and visit the Business District. Grab the Star ferry which is the most cost effective way to cross between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central and you can get amazing views of the skyline. 

- Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery - another wow visit.  Nestled in the hills of Sha Tin, this monastery features over 10,000 Buddha statues, each with its own distinct expression and pose. The peaceful climb ( yes a climb but not strenuous )  to the top is rewarded with stunning views. Also you will see lots of monkeys roaming around and climbing on the buddhas ! 

- Visit Choi Hung Estate for that iconic photo infront of this housing complex. This is one of the citys oldest public housing estates, Choi Hung's bright, pastel-hued buildings offer a striking contrast to the urban surroundings. 

- Visit Sai Wan Swimming Shed - is it like another world - gaze out into the waves. There will be a line of people getting a photo on the rickety pier so you will not miss it

Other recommendations include - 

-The worlds cheapest Michelin Star restaurant - Tim Ho Wan - there will be a queue but when I tell you this is worth the wait... it isnt the biggest place and it is not fine dining but it is so so cheap and we tried all the dishes we wanted to, had multiple courses and still only paid around £30 for both of us ! 

- Go shopping, wander the streets and get lost in Mongkok

- Mid Level Escalators  & all of the shops and restaurants surrounding them. Also try some street food vendors here !

- Go and try some craft beers - the craft beer scene is thriving here and we were surprised at how many cool places there are to go and sit and enjoy some locally brewed beers !

- Visit the markets such as Temple Street Market & Ladies Market