“You can leave Hong Kong, but it will never leave you“

Nury Vittachi

The city

This vast, bustling metropolis offers a unique blend of Eastern and Western influences, shaped by its history as a British colony and its evolution into a global financial hub. With commuters rushing to work and a fast-paced environment that never slows down, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. I won’t lie—this city is incredibly busy, and there’s always a sense that you shouldn’t linger; people have places to go and destinations to reach. It’s like any concrete jungle, with its sweltering heat, towering high-rises, and relentless traffic. You might have your own reservations about city life, but as a city girl myself, I couldn’t wait to dive in and start exploring

When I first arrived in Hong Kong, I was like any other traveller—jet-lagged, hungry, and in desperate need of a shower. But once I dropped off my bags and freshened up, I couldn’t wait to dive into what this vibrant city had to offer. From the mouthwatering street food to the towering skyscrapers, there’s no shortage of excitement here. To be honest, Hong Kong is incredibly busy, crowded, and loud. So, if you’re seeking a quiet, laid-back holiday, I’d recommend looking elsewhere. With its dense concrete landscape and throngs of commuters, this city is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

From K11 Musea to the sky trams, Hong Kong is brimming with sights to see. Some of my favourite experiences included exploring iconic landmarks like the Big Buddha on Lantau Island and visiting the sacred Wong Tai Sin Temple. There’s no shortage of beautiful tourist destinations, but what I found most rewarding was simply immersing myself in the rhythm of the city. On my first day, I wandered the lively streets, soaking in the energy and sampling street food—egg pancakes, noodles, dim sum, you name it. Hong Kong has some seriously tasty bites! And so began my unforgettable first experience in Asia.

Activities/Excursions

Now, to be honest, I had the advantage and joy of experiencing the city through the eyes of locals, thanks to my friends who live there. They took me to some incredible food spots that the average tourist would likely miss. It also reminded me to brush up on my Cantonese! But that’s one piece of advice I’d happily share with others: if you can, or if the opportunity arises, interact with the locals. I’d definitely recommend it! Of course, you can always rely on tourist recommendations from platforms like TripAdvisor, TikTok, or other social media, but I find that forming friendships with people who live in the city gives you a much more authentic, insider’s perspective of your destination.

It was a wonderful day, made even better by the fact that the weather wasn’t too humid (for anyone who doesn’t know, HK can get rather hot from this time of year onwards). We wandered through several markets, and I even had my fortune read. Without going into too much detail, I was told that my romantic life would be turbulent but ultimately lead to a lasting friendship (not exactly what I expected, but I’ll take it). The day ended with a stunning view of the city lighting up across one of its vast rivers. The neon lights illuminated the night sky, and I was both amazed and stunned by how bright Hong Kong is after dark.

Another fond memory I have is from a day trip to visit this remarkable site with a tour group, where I was unexpectedly adopted by a lovely family. We explored several sites, including trying (and failing) to see the rare pink dolphins, visiting the charming fishing village of Tai, and, of course, seeing the Big Buddha. I was amazed at how quickly you could go from the vibrant hustle and bustle of the city to the sleepy, remote villages. As for the family that happened to be on the tour with me, I suppose they thought I looked a bit helpless or just needed someone to talk to, so they took me under their wing. But that’s one of the great joys of travelling solo—you never know when you’ll make new friends or bond with strangers along the way. Although I haven’t heard from the family since, I’ll always cherish that day. It was unexpected, but wholesome!

if you ever want to escape the cities hustle and bustle, then I would recommend Nan Lian Garden. This peaceful and tranquil destination is a scenic park where you can soak up Hong Kongs innate scenery and feel at one with nature! I thoroughly enjoyed just mindlessly wandering around stunning places like this and sitting down with a coffee and my book. It gives an essence of Hong Kongs culture whilst offering breathtaking views.

Without going on endlessly about all the amazing things I saw, one final memory I want to mention is, of course, Disneyland. As a child, I was lucky enough to visit Disney World in Orlando (yes, my family were huge Disney fans—and still are). So naturally, I had to check it out. It turned out to be a wholesome day filled with great rides and charming attractions. From my perspective, unless you have children with you, it’s entirely possible to explore the park in a single day, though it really depends on your pace. While there are a few decent rides, most of the attractions cater to younger kids. Later in the evening, as I was getting ready for the parade, I was approached by a friendly young guy. We started chatting, and before I knew it, we ended up spending the rest of the evening eating food and watching the fireworks together. Yet another example of the great perks of travelling solo is the chance to meet people from all walks of life.

Now I suppose going to Disneyland as a solo traveller may seem out of the ordinary, but that is a small part of the reason to push yourself out of your comfort zone. It doesn’t have to be an amusement park, but simply going for coffee on your own or a shopping trip, its all a part of challenging yourself. I found that when I wasn’t with friends or part of a tour, I would often find myself wandering the city, reading on my Kindle, or just people-watching It’s surprisingly relaxing, and I’ve come to really enjoy it.

Food

One of the most important aspects of travelling is of course FOOD. I could go on about all the incredible food, but we’d be here all day, so I’ll just mention a few of my favourites. Some of the dishes that stand out are the classics, like Dim Sum and Noodle Soup. But also Hong Kong is famous for several desserts such as the Eggettes (a bubble pancake), Egg Tarts, Pineapple bead, Tong Yuen (white dumplings served with red bean, black sesame or even peanut) or Milk Pudding (to name a few).

Ironically most are sweet treats/desserts…

Most of these dishes were outside my comfort zone and had intriguing textures, but that’s the excitement of travelling—exploring new flavours. As for my favourite dessert, I’d have to say the egg pancake or egg tart, with their smooth textures and sweet flavours.

One restaurant with a Michelin star that I highly recommend is. Yat Lok Restaurant (樂燒鵝). With its crispy, golden skin and tender, flavourful meat, Hong Kong’s roast duck and rice is a must-try. You’ll miss out if you don’t sample it. While there are plenty of Michelin-quality spots in the central areas, I can confidently say this one is a MUST.

One local restaurant that I had the pleasure of experiencing was The Cosmopolitan (鍋心粥底火鍋 (德成街) on Tak Shing Street. This restaurant lets you cook your own dish, offering a selection of ingredients to create your own broth! I was fortunate enough to have my friends help communicate with the local owners and staff, so if you know someone who can, definitely use that to your advantage! Unfortunately, I didn’t take many photos of the food, but I’ve included the restaurant link for more information above if you ever find yourself in HK and want to check it out.

One Dessert shop that I visited Kai Kai Dessert (佳佳甜品), a Michelin star dessert shop at that had the super yummy desserts such as Black Sesame rice dumpling and Mango Sago. The Dan Tarts and Lo Po Bing had a rich, creamy flavour that made them some of my favourites (especially since I’m a bit of a sweet tooth).. As I mentioned before, you can find these anywhere but another delicious delicacy is Mammy pancake (媽咪雞蛋仔). These bubble style waffles/pancakes can be found dotted around HK, with a variety of flavours to try. I tried a classic: Chocolate flavour that was smooth and sugary. If you have a sweet tooth (like me), I wouldn’t miss out on these yummy treats. Sweet or savoury from matcha to double cheese, there are many options for you to try!

These are just a few places I tried and loved. Of course, there are many more to explore, but these are some local delicacies I’d highly recommend you try.

My overall impression of Hong Kong is that the food is amazing, and while it’s constantly alive (something I’m somewhat used to being from London), I’d recommend spending about a week there to fully experience it. If you word prefer a more quiet and steady break, then I’m not so sure that this region is the best place for you. I found myself admiring the temples architecture or hanging out in coffee shop with my coffee and kindle. The city reminded me of home and I could resonate with the vibrancy. I never felt lonely here, even though I was mostly on own. Hong Kong is a city that never fails to captivate, with its perfect blend of tradition and modernity, making it a destination that stays with you long after you leave.

This post only scratches the surface of Hong Kong. There are so many memories and experiences I could share, though I’d be here for hours. From Hong Kong, I hopped on a plane and headed off to my next destination..

Thank you for reading my post—I hope you enjoyed.

Until my next post of intrepid tales on my trails…!