1.Tian Tan Buddha aka Big Buddha
When visiting Hong Kong, I think one of the must visit places would be Big Buddha. Surrounded by small villages and hiking trails, the Big Buddha is much more than a tourist attraction. Inside the Buddha, there is memorials for people that have previously passed, a sacred place for locals and visitors alike. There are paintings that hang on the walls as well as scriptures that people are able to observe to learn more about the history of some of Hong Kong and the village alike. In the surrounding village there is another temple where people can place their offerings in the form of incense. In a local place like the Big Buddha, one must try the local delicacies as well. Having a menu varying for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the village offers a carefully chosen to set every day.
Besides the small villages near Big Buddha, there are also surrounding hiking trails that will test your endurance. Some advice I got while at Lantau Island was that winter in Hong Kong is the best time to hike. This is because once the humidity and heat hits, it will make it harder for most people without hiking experience to walk the trails.
2. Sai Kung
Located just a 45-minute minibus ride from Diamond Hill, Sai Kung is a scenic view away from the busy city life. Filled with beautiful beaches and easy access to boats for island hopping, Sai Kung’s specialty is seafood. A lot of the restaurants will catch their own seafood daily, have you selected which one you would like to eat, and will season it and cook it on the spot for you. If you don’t want to leave Hong Kong Island but still experience the nice beaches and get away from the city lights, Sai Kong is a perfect place. During my time in Sai Kung, I mostly learned about the fish distribution system and which restaurants are better the others, but it was still a good break from the constant rush of what is life in Hong Kong.
3. Victoria Harbor
Also known as the Jewel of Hong Kong, Victoria Harbor has everything you can think of, luxury stories, walking paths, ports for ferries, and by far the best view for fireworks. Depending on how far you have walked on the path you can observe how full of people it gets based on the district you are in. Victoria Harbor offers an incredible view across to the other island as you walk the path towards either Kowloon district or Tsim Sha Shui. Also being famous for the importance, it holds for the luxury brands located on the edge of the harbor, it is where many events and short-term exhibitions are held on a regular basis.
4. The Peak
Lastly, one of my favorite views that I have seen while in Hong Kong has got to be at the peak. It is accessible on foot, about a 2-hour hike from central or a tram ride up the hill that is only 15 minutes. Both options you can enjoy the views as you reach the top, but I personally very much enjoyed the tram ride up. Once you reach the top there is a small commercial center where you can dine and shop during your time there, but what I personally enjoyed was walking further up the mountain for a better view. About a half an hour hike past the commercial center and many turns there is a view top where you are able to see the view of the other side of the island. There is only a small shack where you can purchase bottled water so be prepared should you be a thirsty person. The first image is at the end of the tram ride from central. The second picture is from the top of the mountain, definitely worth the hike if you enjoy watching sunsets.
5. Ten Thousand Buddhas in Sha Tin
May I advise that climbing up this hill is not for the weak; as someone with bad knees and terrible balance, I nearly fell several times. With steep hills and several steep stairs, the view to the top of the ten thousand buddha’s was all worth it. As you make your way to the top you get to slowly see how the buildings go from being at eye level to seeing the top of buildings at a 3-mile radius. At the halfway point you will find small local desserts as well as refreshments available for purchase before you continue your way to the top of the mountain. This is a great place to learn about Buddhist traditions as well as get your daily step count in. Be advised that if you are walking up, please refrain from wearing sandals and heavy hoodies, as you will quickly find out that was a terrible idea.
