Hong Kong offers many unique finds for visitors looking for something different – Instagram-friendly swimming sheds, secret dim sum spots in factory buildings or speakeasies are just a few examples – that you can discover for a low budget!
Nam Sang Wai is an ideal spot for bird-watchers while Tai O Fishing Village gives visitors a peek into traditional life (and gives visitors the opportunity to taste its legendary shrimp paste!). Finally, Sham Shui Po’s Fuk Wing Street provides an entire street dedicated to toys. Bangkok to Hong Kong flights are available from Cathay Pacific right now.
Shing Mun Reservoir
Shing Mun Reservoir is a natural oasis offering visitors many activities for nature enthusiasts. Situated between Tai Mo Shan and Needle Hill in central New Territories, it features scenic viewing points, natural attractions and picnic spots – as well as being home to an abundance of birds, monkeys and other mammals.
Shing Mun is an ideal spot to experience both thrilling and tranquil activities – the Pineapple Dam Nature Trail offers visitors a wonderful glimpse of local flora and fauna while taking a relaxing walk around its reservoir is sure to put a smile on your face! It’s no secret why so many families flock here each year.
As well as its main dam, there are various secondary dams and waterworks dotted throughout the reservoir that add an extra touch to this scenic spot. Low Gaps Dam provides one of the few places in Hong Kong offering such spectacular sunset views – it truly offers one of the finest experiences available in terms of viewing beauty at dusk!
Lower Dam stands 46m and serves as one of the major sources for freshwater supplies to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Its stunning architecture creates photo opportunities that won’t soon be forgotten!
Visitors can observe the workings of a dam from its bridge that crosses over its reservoir, providing visitors with a spectacular view. Furthermore, this bridge serves as an ideal viewing spot for fireworks shows held during festive seasons.
As you stroll the reservoir, you’ll come upon a forest of paperbark trees (Melaleuca quinquenervia). This popular attraction of Shing Mun Reservoir can sometimes become submerged during heavy rainfall; during these instances it partially submerges into its waters.
Li Wanrong, an Ming Dynasty loyalist who fled to this area to battle ethnic Manchus during the mid-17th century, built Needle Hill at its southern base as part of his defense against ethnic Manchu attacks – it would later come to be known as Needle Hill after him! Additionally, Shing Mun (Li’s fort in the river valley) became his nameakening tribute.
Reservoir and stream waters provide habitats for various fish, shrimps and tortoises; however, human-released invasive species have caused issues. Fishing with a valid license is only allowed during non-spawning season.
Shek Kwu Chau
Shek Kwu Chau is one of Hong Kong’s more eccentric islands, located just four kilometres from the mainland and west of Cheung Chau. Here, staff and drug abuse reforming students at Shek Kwu Chau Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre live amongst a few other residents on a rocky island dotted with Roman bath-shaped pools, statues and whimsical structures reminiscent of Ancient Rome, rare creatures like dung beetles and woodland spiders – all part of Society for Aid & Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers who run Shek Kwu Chau as an alternative to prison.
Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers takes a strict zero-tolerance approach to drug possession or use on Shek Kwu Chau Island, with random urine tests as part of its standard protocol. But CSD employee, Wu (who will retire soon), disproves claims that Shek Kwu Chau resembles prison. Instead, its isolation may serve to shield residents from peer pressure as well as their source of drugs.
There’s much to discover on Shek Kwu Chau Island, particularly its marine biodiversity. The waters off its southwest provide excellent fishing grounds near Cheung Chau; additionally, this location serves as one of three key local breeding sites for Black Finless Porpoise which are globally Vulnerable to Extinction. Furthermore, Shek Kwu Chau also supports 15 species of hard coral.
Shek Kwu Chau is a popular stop for recreational boats, so the island and surrounding waters could become even busier in future – which would be good for both its local community and an Integrated Waste Management Facilities project that will be built nearby in an artificial island south of Shek Kwu Chau near Cheung Chau to reduce MSW volumes while recovering valuable resources and prolong landfill lifespans.
Shek Kwu Chau is not an appropriate location to construct an integrated Waste Management Facilities due to several reasons. For one thing, doing so goes against the objectives of the government’s Southwest New Territories Development Strategy Review which recommends protecting south Lantau and Shek Kwu Chau for wildlife and leisure activities. Furthermore, building such an undertaking takes time – likely longer than existing landfills have filled up – so any haste will lessen efficiency while increasing pollution when operationalized.
Aqua Luna
Aqua Luna, launched in 2006 and sailing Victoria Harbour since, is an eye-catching traditional Chinese junk boat that stands out in Hong Kong’s waterway. Boasting vibrant red sails, Aqua Luna I was initially unveiled with three sails; more recently however, Aqua Luna II debuted with ornate blue and white sails reminiscent of Ming Dynasty pottery motifs. Crafted using wood and bamboo without ever needing nails to hold it together!
Aqua Luna not only offers breathtaking harbour and skyline views, but it also serves up delectable bar bites and signature cocktails like Summer Chills: an irresistibly refreshing blend of gin, elderflower liqueur and celery that pays homage to Hong Kong’s Queenstown neighborhood where this cocktail was first created.
No matter what your taste preferences may be, the junk boat offers something sure to satisfy them all. From its a la carte menu and seafood buffet offerings to dim sum brunch – where guests can try some of its most beloved signature truffle har gao (prawn dumpling) treats!
Aqua Luna Cruises provide afternoon and evening cruises from various departure points in Tsim Sha Tsui and Central. Experience breathtaking sunset harbor views while aboard its Sunset Harbor Cruise or Symphony of Lights Cruise; both feature Hong Kong’s amazing laser show!
Secure your cruise tickets on Traveloka early to avoid queues and ticket shortages during peak holiday seasons, and to reschedule without incurring penalty fees within 48 hours before the trip. To maximize your experience, make sure local weather conditions are favorable before embarking, packing a raincoat or umbrella in case it rains, and remembering that weather-related changes and cancellations may reschedule or change the itinerary; Aqua Luna will notify of such instances with alternate experiences or refunds provided as necessary – be sure to read the terms & conditions carefully prior to embarking!
Un Chau Flower Tunnel
Nature enthusiasts and photographers should visit Hong Kong’s Flower Tunnel as soon as they can. Created by Bougainvillea spectabilis on an estate in Cheung Sha Wan, this 30-meter-long floral corridor has become one of the city’s premier photo spots in recent years – its fleeting beauty adding another dimension to visitors’ experiences; they feel like they’ve entered into another realm altogether!
The Pavilion of Absolute Perfection stands out as an architectural wonder against Hong Kong’s towering estates and mountains – it truly cannot be replicated anywhere else! A must-see in any visit to this bustling metropolis. One of Hong Kong’s most beloved places, this shimmering structure has earned itself the status as an aesthetic delight that draws tourists in droves from across Asia.
Hong Kong’s stunning skyscraper views may be famous, but visitors rarely get an opportunity to witness some of its natural splendor. Ng Tung Chai Falls offer an intriguing contrast to Hong Kong’s high-rise cities and provide stunning natural beauty within New Territories forests.
Tai O is another lesser-known fishing village on the tourist circuit that should not be missed; home to charming wooden houses on stilts located right along the water’s edge, Yeung Hau Temple and numerous archaeological sites; plus one of the best places for viewing endangered Chinese White Dolphins!
Although most visitors focus on Lantau and Lamma Islands, Peng Chau offers visitors an escape into another world. A great spot for hiking, Peng Chau features numerous secluded beaches as well as delicious seafood restaurants and museums such as Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware which houses one of the oldest ceramic kettle teapots still existing today – perfect for exploring its depths!