A night junk sailing in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong

HONG KONG — Think of Hong Kong, and your first thought might be sky-high skyscrapers that seem to jut straight up out of the sea.

Certainly Hong Kong is one of the world’s great urban marvels – but travellers may be surprised to discover how much wonderful nature the island has to offer too.

It’s said that everyone has their own story in Hong Kong and these stories compound to create the Hong Kong experience. This Travelweek correspondent recently took part in the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Connect Hong Kong Fam, and as a first-time visitor to the island, created a story of this enigmatic destination that so many travellers have on their bucket list.

CONNECT HONG KONG FAM

The Connect Hong Kong Fam marked the first trip for North American trade to the destination since the pandemic. “We have one opportunity to showcase ourselves, so we want to make the most of it,” declared Michael Lim, Director, Americas for the HKTB. And make the most of it they did!

Many Canadians visit as many as three Asian countries on trips to this region, and for Lim and the HKTB, “the goal is to have every Canadian spend three nights in Hong Kong on multi-destination trips. We love for everyone to absorb and have their own story. Seeing is believing – and Hong Kong has an advantage as an aviation hub.”

Hong Kong’s Sai Kung

VIEWS FOR DAYS – AND NIGHTS

One can’t help but notice all the monumentally tall buildings that comprise Hong Kong’s skyline. Fans of cityscapes are in for a treat and can enjoy views of the metropolis from a multitude of ideal locations, day and night.

One spot is from the swanky lounge called Cardinal Point located at the top of Gloucester Tower. Another ideal location for a head-on view of the skyline is the popular EyeBar, with indoor and outdoor seating for drinks and dining. Panoramic views of the entire city and harbour can be found from the Sky Terrace atop the Peak, the number one attraction in the city. This observation deck atop Victoria Peak, which can be accessed by a tram, is very popular so anticipate lengthy lines to get aboard. Scenic views from high above are also available aboard the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car.

One last excellent opportunity to take in the skyline can be had from aboard an authentic junk while on a harbour cruise. ‘Junks,’ an iconic symbol of Hong Kong, is the name for the traditional boats plying the harbour waters. Canadian visitors in particular love going for sightseeing sails on junks.

Views of the skyline from atop EyeBar

NATURE ABOUNDS

City sights are what most think of and expect prior to visiting Hong Kong, but what many travellers may not anticipate is the abundance of nature attractions that await them in this diverse destination, home to some seven million people.

Hong Kong consists of 263 islands, so outdoors lovers can find all kinds of activities including hiking, biking, kayaking, climbing and even surfing in Sai Kung and Lantau.

The Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark in Sai Kung is home to Tai Long Wan, a gorgeous 10.5-kilometre hike along the beach and through hillsides. Everyone can go at their own pace during the approx. four-hour hike. Those looking for a more challenging route can try the High Island Reservoir Loop, more than 19 kilometres long, near Sai Wan in the Sai Kung district. This longer hike takes almost seven hours to complete. Of note, cars need a permit to enter Sai Kung East Country Park, so tourists take taxis and transit when accessing.

MECCA FOR FOODIES

Of course, another big draw for Hong Kong is the wide range of food offerings.

There are approximately 17,000 restaurants in Hong Kong, and any type of cuisine is available. “Restaurants are open long hours, so you’ll never go hungry,” assured Lim.

There are excellent options for upscale dining like Chinesology, The Chinese Library and Cafe Bau. There are 77 Michelin-starred restaurants in the city. More low-key, yet extremely delicious, eateries include Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun Shop and the superbly authentic Ladies’ Street Sik Fan Co. To discover a local neighbourhood that’s full of authentic restaurants, grocery and shops, clients can take the Sham Shui Po Foodie Tour.

Shoppers on a pedestrian street in Sham Shui Po

 STRONG REPEAT RATE

Hong Kong, known as the destination where east meets west, has a strong rate for repeat clientele: 50% before the pandemic. “It’s a truly bilingual city and one of the safest cities in the world. It’s an international centre so it must be safe for investors to come here,” said Lim. “People work hard and play hard, so it’s a great place to play considering it’s the events and culinary capital of Asia.”

Hong Kong welcomed 23 million visitors in the first nine months of 2023. Pre-pandemic, Canadians travellers stayed an average of 4.2 days per trip.

The city has over 300 hotels with approximately 89,000 rooms. There’s something for all types of clients, with options ranging from budget to world-class. Participants on the Connect Hong Fam stayed at New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel.

To learn more about this destination, visit DiscoverHongKong.com.