From Lanterns to Legends: Unexpected Moments in Hong Kong
Exploring Hong Kong
Exploring Hong Kong after leaving China again. This is the perfect trip for our first overseas travel in a while.
In July this year, we arrived in Hong Kong, hearts open to its rhythm of culture and neon-lit surprises. As always, we sought out experiences with character, places that whisper local stories, while offering a touch of family comfort and quiet luxury. Hong Kong revealed itself as a city dancing between tradition and modern spectacle. We loved exploring Hong Kong!
Bruce Lee, Buddha, and Stardust Views
Our first mornings were spent strolling the Avenue of Stars, paying tribute to cinematic legends, before meeting a sleek bronze silhouette at the Bruce Lee statue in Tsim Sha Tsui. From there we rode the historic Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak, arriving at sky‑high serenity and panoramic vistas over the iconic skyline and harbour, an elegant awakening to Hong Kong’s shape and soul. It feels nice to be in a modern and vibrant city, that has a distinctly westernised feel, compared to China.
Sacred Paths and Lantau Landscapes
We ventured next to Lantau Island, where hikes wove through lush forest trails toward the majestic Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha). In soft morning light, the sacred figure seemed as timeless as the hills around him. Our feet found balance on quiet paths and ancient wisdom beneath rustling leaves. Later we wandered Tai O fishing village, spotting stilted houses and traditional boats swaying on tidal waters.
Temples, Horse Tracks, and Hidden Museums
Back in the city we explored the vibrant energy of Temple Street Night Market, where incense, neon, and evening chatter wove an intoxicating tapestry of Hong Kong’s soul. A midday escape led us to the Hong Kong Museum of Art, where brushstrokes met contemporary creations in halls filled with thoughtful calm.
On a glowing Wednesday night we traded temples for excitement at the legendary Happy Valley Racecourse, home of the Hong Kong Racing Museum. Amid lantern-lit grandstands, we savoured the thrill of live horse racing beneath floodlit skies, ending the evening with a quiet ride through neon-lit streets back to our luxurious hotel.
High-Rise Mazes and Cyber-Retro Wonder
One of our most memorable discoveries was around Quarry Bay, where five connected apartment blocks tower 19 stories high, forming the famed Yick Cheong Building, known as the “Monster Building.” This extraordinary concrete labyrinth built in the 1960s is home to around 10 000 people and has influenced futuristic films like Ghost in the Shell andTransformers
Standing in the curved courtyard, looking straight up toward a sliver of sky, we felt like extras in a sci‑fi film set, surrounded by pastel-washed walls, air‑conditioning units, and tight corridors that hum with daily life. It is graphic urban density yet full of stories. We visited early to avoid crowds and found a small café on the ground floor where locals chatted over milk tea.
Nightlife from the Stratosphere
No visit to Hong Kong would be complete without scaling its nightlife. We eased into the evening at luxurious Ozone Bar, perched almost 500 meters above the city in the Ritz‑Carlton building, the highest bar in the world. Champagne flutes met breathtaking views, and as the city lights blinked below us in polished geometries, we felt the pulse of modern luxury mixed with something timeless. I always do love class and style, and this suits me just perfectly!
Later evenings found us wandering up to Lan Kwai Fong, where the streets hum with energy and laughter. In-App-inspired clubs we sipped cocktails while the world below pulsed on. For all its sparkle, there was a certain maturity to our night: relaxed conversation, quiet smiles, shared memories.
Racing Under City Lights: A Night at Happy Valley
On a glowing Wednesday night we traded temples for excitement at the legendary Happy Valley Racecourse, where we joined locals and travelers alike to experience one of Hong Kong’s most iconic events — horse racing under the lights. The air buzzed with energy, the crowd roared with each thunderous gallop, and the atmosphere was electric.
With skyline views framing the oval and food stalls serving everything from dim sum to champagne, it was one of those evenings where tradition and thrill met in perfect harmony. We placed small bets for fun, clapped along with the crowd, and soaked in a different side of Hong Kong’s character, sophisticated, spirited, and entirely unforgettable.
Other Notes of Wonder
We ducked into a public minibus museum, where rows of mini‑bus models tell the story of local transport history and colourful routes that twist through the city. Say hi to the charming owner, a man who has owned the store for 50 years.
At Yick Cheong (Monster City) we saw craft shops selling hand‑stitched trinkets and artisans etching scrolls, their craft a quiet luxury.
We also hiked Suicide Cliff (a steep forty‑minute trail), stopping for breath and the surreal sight of panels of ancient adobe rising in one sweep against the sea breeze.
In Causeway Bay, we indulged in luxury shopping amid high‑end boutiques, while classic wooden sailboats drifted across Victoria Harbour opposite the Symphony of Lights show. Forty‑odd buildings lighting up in orchestration.
City of Contrasts
Hong Kong is a city of juxtapositions. Mountain temples stand as silent witnesses next to neon nightlife. Historic tramlines intersect with high‑roller racecourses. Humble housing blocks echo like mini‑cathedrals of urban living and every corner speaks of stories layered in both modesty and grandeur. Hong Kong is definitely a place where luxury and style mets the most humble soul – side by side.
We discovered that luxury is not just marble lobbies or rooftop bars. It is hidden in the peaceful hush of trail-top Buddha statues, the gentle clink of tea cups in a cliffside tea stall, the way street food is served with care beneath lantern light. If you are looking for unique travelling experiences, the Hong Kong and China are definitely the places you should add to your bucket list.
So from heritage and hikes to horse races and high-rise mazes, exploring Hong Kong has offered us a rich tapestry of moments, simple, spectacular, and deeply felt.
Until next time may your travels lead you along both lantern-lit paths and gleaming city skylines.
We’re about to explore our next country. Very different in culture from this one! Follow us for more exciting adventures as we head toward reaching 100 countries as we explore the world.
