Hong Kong- Asia’s World City

By Lindsay Varty

Hong Kong is a fascinating cosmopolitan city bursting with life, lights, entertainment and of course, people. This tiny pinprick of a city in the South China Sea is made up of two main parts: Kowloon on the mainland and Hong Kong island, and has a whopping population of 7 million people.

Having been a British colony until the handover back to China in 1997, Hong Kong boasts a beautiful blend of Chinese and western cultures and a calendar packed full of worldly celebrations and traditions.  It has gorgeous sunny weather, lovely friendly people and yes, you might have guessed it, it’s my home! In just four posts, I will attempt to explain why Hong Kong fully deserves its title as ‘Asia’s World City’.

First up, there’s the food: if you’re planning on splashing out, there are countless swanky restaurants in the city all competing to provide the most extravagant and luxurious dining experience. Check out The Felix restaurant in the world-renowned Peninsula hotel to feel like James Bond for a night. The food is exquisite, the panoramic view of the harbour and the city’s neon jungle mind-blowing, and for the boys- the glass urinals in the bathrooms make it seem like you’re relieving yourself on the vast city below.

Indulge in a traditional Chinese dim sum meal. Try City Hall in Central, where they continue to serve the old fashioned way- ladies push steaming dim sum-laden trollies around the tables and diners just call them over and replenish their lazy-Susans with an array of spring rolls, barbequed pork buns, shrimp dumplings, and so much more! If you’re feeling experimental, try the local delicacy: chilied chicken feet!

Street food in Hong Kong is quick, cheap and utterly delicious! You can find loads of little eateries and stalls called ‘Dai Pai Dongs’ set up on street corners in places such as Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui, offering up tasty treats such as curried fish balls on a stick, soy sauce noodles in a bag and hot egg waffles.

With so many treats for the taste buds on offer in Hong kong, you’ll need to make sure you try them all. In my next blog, I’ll describe some of the top attractions around the city and how best to walk off all the feasting.