A day in Hong Kong
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Man Mo Temple
Hong Kong
Discover Hong Kong's spiritual side through a visit to its oldest temple
Talk of the town: Ironically, Mo, the god of war, is worshipped by both the police and the triad gangs that they patrol.
Many Hong Kong Chinese worship both Buddhist and Taoist spiritual figures and there are hundreds of temples devoted to popular gods dotted around the city. It can be a wonderful surprise to turn the corner of a traffic-clogged, skyscraper-lined street and find a tranquil temple, complete with red pillars, a two-tiered golden roof and beautiful carvings.One of the most interesting and easily reachable temple is the Man Mo Temple in Central, the city's oldest and most important Taoist temple. Built in the 1840s, it is dedicated to Man, the god of literature, and Mo, the god of war, statues of which are placed prominently in the temple.
What makes this temple a truly evocative one to visit are the huge coils of incense spiralling from the ceiling, burning away night and day, creating a smoky haze, a distinctive aroma and an undeniably spiritual atmosphere.
Open Hours: Daily: 8am - 6pm Address: 124 Hollywood Road, Central Hong Kong Tourism Board's webpage
See & Do
The Peak Tram
Take a ride back in time to Victoria Peak
Word to the wise: Avoid purchasing the combined ticket which includes a return tram pass and entrance onto the Sky Terrace - instead take the very easy (and free) trail for fantastic views without the crowds.
For over 120 years, the tram has taken passengers from Central up an almost vertical 1,200 feet to Victoria Peak (and has never been involved in an accident). The steepest funicular railway in the world was first constructed for the exclusive use of Hong Kong's governor and wealthy residents of the Peak, but now largely carries tourists wanting to soak up spectacular panoramic views of the skyline.Whether ridden during the day when the harbour glistens in the sun, or at night when the lights of the skyscrapers twinkle like neon stars, the unfolding views as the tram slowly ascends the hillside are truly stunning.
Buy a ticket from the Lower Peak Tram Terminus and look at tram memorabilia from the past two centuries in the Peak Tram Historical Gallery while you wait for the next tram.
Fee: Return ticket, Adult: HKD 40, Senior (65+)/Child (3-11): HKD 18 Open Hours: Daily: 7am - 12midnight Address: 33 Garden Road, Central Phone: +852 2522 0922 The Peak Tram's webpage
See & Do
Symphony of Lights
Watch the skyscrapers' lights dance to music
Noteworthy for: The show holds the record for being the 'Largest permanent Light and Sound Show' in the Guiness World Records.
Word to the wise: To watch the show in comfort with a cocktail in hand, head to Felix on the top floor of the Peninsula Hotel or nearby Aqua Spirit (both of which have entries in this guide).
Lights and lasers are thrown upwards and sideways to a symphony of music from the skyscrapers, creating an incredible show that highlights that famous skyline. Best viewed either from the Avenue of Stars along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade or on board a Star Ferry (which pauses for several minutes during the show), it is advisable to arrive well before 8pm to secure a good vantage point.
Open Hours: Daily: 8pm
Address: Avenue of the Stars, Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Phone: +852 2810 2770
Symphony of Lights' webpage
Shopping
Shanghai Tang
East-meets-West in this stunning art deco store
Noteworthy for: There are now 40 Shanghai Tang stores worldwide including the new flagship store on Duddell Street, which opened in April 2012 and has replaced the most famous original store on Pedder Street.
It may pioneer contemporary Chinese chic but Shanghai Tang's flagship store in Hong Kong takes you back to 1930s Shanghai.The clothes are an East-meets-West fusion and exquisite traditional Chinese tailoring brought into the 21st century. Highlights include sleek cheong sams, mandarin-collared shirts and a range of beautiful bags and jewelry, as well as luxurious homeware and childrenswear.
Open Hours: Daily: 10.30am - 8pm Address: 1 Duddell Street, Central Phone: +852 2525 7333 Shanghai Tang's webpage
Shopping
Granville Road & Granville Circuit
Boutique shopping without the price tag
Word to the wise: Look upwards – some of the best shops are tucked away up a flight of stairs on the second floor.
Alongside numerous factory outlets selling cut-price ski-wear and cast-offs by labels such as Esprit, Billabong, and Boss, Granville Road is teeming with quirky boutiques set up by young designers just out of fashion school.For the greatest concentration of these offbeat stores, head off the main street to Granville Circuit. It may appear to be a dingy back alley, but it hides an Aladdin’s cave of tiny shops filled with unique shoes, bags, jewellery and clothing – many in the seemingly nondescript Rise Shopping Arcade. One of Hong Kong’s flash megamalls this is not, but you will be rewarded with a treasure trove of goodies you won’t find anywhere else – and for far cheaper prices than in the major shopping centres.
Also be sure check out ‘gi’ on Granville Road, a mini-mall opened by a Hong Kong film star that offers space to up-and-coming local designers.
Open Hours: gi, Sun-Thu: 12noon - 11pm, Fri-Sat: 12noon - 12midnight Address: Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Phone: gi +852 3188 5273 gi's webpage
Shopping
Hollywood Road
Discover Asian antiques and curios hidden in the depths of old antique stores
Word to the wise: Branch off up Cat Street to walk down its open-air curio market - you never know what you might find.
This street is home to Hong Kong's largest concentration of genuine antique shops and art galleries. Unique Asian artefacts and furniture and contemporary Asian artworks fill the stores lining this street and the antiques all come with a certificate to prove they are genuine, something that not every so-called antique store in Hong Kong offers.Pick up Ming vases, jade carvings, antique furniture and Buddha sculptures. Many of the stores offer a worldwide shipping service so you needn't worry about flying back with your purchases.
Open Hours: Daily: 10am - 8pm Address: Hollywood Road, Central Hong Kong Tourism Board's webpage
Restaurants
Tim Ho Wan
The world's cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant
Word to the wise: At the busiest time you could be waiting up to three hours to score a table but don't stroll too far from the restaurant after you put your name on the list - your table will quickly be given away if you are not there when your name is called.
Within a nondescript building in frenetic Mong Kok, a five-star feast awaits diners. However, you don't have to have deep pockets to eat at this dim sum canteen - despite being awarded a coveted Michelin star in 2010, the former Four Seasons chef has opted not to raise his prices. That means that anybody can sample the mandarin and spring onion-infused meatballs, delicate prawn dumplings and crispy pork buns with a subtle sweet glaze. At only HKD 100 for nine excellent dishes, this is a truly rare and delightful find.Price sample: Main dish: HKD 10 Open Hours: Daily: 10am - 9.30pm Address: Shop 8, Taui Yuen Mansion Phase 2, 2-20 Kwong Wa Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon Phone: +852 2332 2896
Restaurants
Sing Kee
Simple but tasty food in one of Hong Kong's last remaining dai pai dongs
Popular plate: The stir-fried clams with hot pepper are just-caught fresh and richly flavored with pickled soy beans and chilli peppers.
Word to the wise: The chefs often won't put the best dishes on the menu so be sure to ask the waiter for recommendations, or point to what the locals are enjoying.
Sing Kee is one of only around 30 remaining and it has a buzzing atmosphere - woks sizzling, customers conversing loudly, waiters shouting their orders at the chef. And, of course, the food is wonderful. Simple, hearty dishes such as stir-fried beef with choi sum and chicken congee are washed down with ice cold Tsing Tao beers.
Come for an informal, dirt-cheap meal at plastic tables on the street - a true old-school Hong Kong experience.
Price sample: Main course: HKD 30 Open Hours: Daily: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 11pm Address: 9-10 Stanley St., Central, Hong Kong Island Phone: +852 2541 5678
Bars & Nightlife
Circle Tower Bars
Party with the locals during a vertical bar-hop
Noteworthy for: Circle Tower is a real hidden gem, completely off the tourist radar.
For a slice of real Hong Kong nightlife, away from the flashiness of Lan Kwai Fong, head to Circle Tower in Causeway Bay. Housing a bar per floor, this skyscraper offers a huge variety of karaoke joints, bars and clubs to choose from, with cheaper prices than you'll find in Lan Kwai Fong, SoHo or Wanchai.One of the best is Chocolate Bar on the 15th floor, featuring a sleek interior, a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking Times Square, and devilishly good chocolate cocktails.
Open Hours: Daily: 7pm - late Address: 15/F, Circle Tower, 28 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island Phone: +852 2834 5666 The Chocolate Bar's Facebook page
Bars & Nightlife
SEVVA
Sip cocktails on a roof terrace dwarfed by Central's skyscrapers
Word to the wise: Arrive just before 8pm and you'll be treated to a prime position for the Symphony of Lights show – with drink in hand of course.
On the top floor of Prince's Building in the heart of Central, this elegant bar and restaurant has a fantastic roof terrace where you can sip a cocktail whilst looking over the skyscrapers of the business district and the harbour.Best visited at night when the lights create a dazzling display, SEVVA oozes pared-back cool and hosts Hong Kong's fashionable set. Furnishings straight out of an interiors magazine add to the glamour and the signature cocktails are delicious. There is also an extensive wine list and many beers to choose from.
Open Hours: Mon-Wed: 12noon - 12midnight
Thu-Fri: 12noon - 2am
Sat: 11am - 2am
Address: 25/F, Prince's Building, 10 Chater Road, Central
Phone: +852 2537 1388
SEVVA's webpage
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