Hong Kong had us hooked from the moment we checked in on the Kowloon side, where neon lights, harbor views, and some of the best food in the world are all at your doorstep (especially the dim sum, which quickly became a daily obsession). Evenings began with incredible sunsets over Victoria Harbour, the skyline glowing in golden light before the Symphony of Lights took over and lit up the night. We loved hopping aboard the Star Ferry from Kowloon to Central, then diving into the city’s energy. Wandering up Pottinger Street, exploring Tai Kwun, and finding pockets of calm at the Hong Kong Zoo and Hong Kong Park aviary. For a change of pace, the Peak Circle walk at Victoria Peak delivered mesmerizing panoramic views, while the famous “Monster Building” was a photographer’s dream of urban density. Back in Kowloon, we got happily lost in the local markets of Sham Shui Po, and one unforgettable night, joined our friend Katie at Happy Valley for the electric atmosphere of “Happy Wednesday” horse races. Beyond the city, the Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride to the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery came with a hefty wait thanks to its popularity, but the views along the way still made it worthwhile, and Tai O Fishing Village offered a glimpse into a quieter, stilt-house way of life. We also found a surprising sense of serenity at Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery – true oases amid the chaos. Hong Kong is a city of contrasts that somehow works in perfect harmony, and between the jaw-dropping views, unforgettable food, and nonstop energy, it’s the kind of place that gets under your skin in the best way and keeps calling you back.
Welcome to Hong Kong poster at the airport
View of Hong Kong Island from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront
Fancy public toilet at the Avenue of Stars
The iconic Hong Kong Film Awards statue at the Avenue of Stars
Handprints and signature of Jackie Chan
Bronze statue of Bruce Lee in a pose from his 1972 film "Fist of Fury"
Tree like structure known as the "Iron Tree" at the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
The iconic Peninsula Hong Kong hotel. Known as the "Grande Dame of the Far East", the hotel opened in 1928 and features a classic colonial-style architecture
Robby enjoying a massive bowl of pho for dinner
These sculptures are part of an anti-fraud campaign launched by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Artistic manhole cover in the Central district of Hong Kong near the ferry pier promenade
The Peak Tower (a shopping and leisure complex located at Victoria Gap near the summit of Victoria Peak)
Becky at Victoria Peak admiring the view over Hong Kong
The dense skyline of Hong Kong
The "Peak Circle" hike at Victoria Peak offers amazing views over Hong Kong
The bustling energy of a busy street in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
This is the Two International Finance Centre (Two IFC) located in the Central District. At 415 meter tall, it is the second tallest building in Hong Kong
Scenic traffic roundabout in the Central District of Hong Kong
These towers are home to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
"Above the Clouds" sculpture by Beijing artist Ren Zhe, depicting two figures in a martial arts duel; Exchange Square
Double decker tram in the central district of Hong Kong
"Street food" section of a revitalized Central Market
The Central-Mid-Levels escalator is the longest outdoor covered escalator in the world. It is 800 meters (2,600 feet) long and rises 135 meters (443 feet) in elevation
Street art in the central district of Hong Kong
The historic Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts
This is a common sight in Hong Kong - a building under construction featuring traditional bamboo scaffolding wrapped in green safety netting
Graham Street in the Sheung Wan area of Central District; Hong Kong
Chan Sze Kee is a traditional open air food stall on Stanley Street
Li Yuen Street East is a narrow, pedestrian only, historic market full of stalls selling clothes and daily goods
One of the oldest streets in Hong Kong, the historic Pottinger Street is often referred to as "Stone Slab Street" due to its unique uneven stone paving
The Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts used to be the Central Police Station and Prison
Vintage restored staircase within Tai Kwun (this used to be the Police Headquarters)
Aluminum facade of JC Contemporary art gallery
Interior of the former Victoria Prison
Prominent art installation at the entrance of Ovolo Central Boutique Hotel
Robby at a mural in the Hong Kong Zoo
Flamingos at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens
Fountain at the Hong Kong Zoo
Bronze statue of King George VI at the Hong Kong Zoo
Ornate urn at the Hong Kong Zoo
Chinese War Memorial at the entrance to the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Garden
St. Joseph's Church on Garden Road
The dense, vertical cityscape of the Mid-Levels, an affluent residential area on Hong Kong Island
"Eye of Infinity" sculpture at the entrance of the Peak Tram Central Terminus
Wax figure of actor and martial artist Jackie Chan
Steep staircase near Victoria Goal
Java sparrows at the Edward Youde Aviary in Hong Kong Park
Alexandrine parakeet at the Edward Youde Aviary
The Edward Youde Aviary is a 3000 square meter aviary built over a natural valley at the southern corner of Hong Kong Park
Architectural structure at the Tai Chi Garden of Hong Kong Park
A couple poses for wedding photos on a bridge at the Hong Kong Park
Staircase at Hong Kong Park
The Cheung Kong Center is a prominent 70 story skyscraper located in the Central district of Hong Kong
Japanese garden; Central Hong Kong
Bronze statue of Sir Thomas Jackson at Statue Square in Central Hong Kong
Hong Kong WinterFest Christmas Town at Statue Square
Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal
The Yick Cheong Building ("Monster Building") is a series of five interconnected buildings built in the 1960s. Today, 10,000 residents live in 2,243 units here
The Yick Cheong Building in Quarry Bay is famous for its extreme density and has become a popular spot for urban photography
The nightly 8 pm Symphony of Lights is a free 15 minute multimedia show in Victoria Harbour
1881 Heritage is a historic landmark located in the Tsim Sha Tsui district of Kowloon. It was originally the headquarters for the Hong Kong Marine Police from 1884 until it was restored and repurposed
Goat heads hanging in a butcher shop in Kowloon
Chi Lin Nunnery is built in the Tang Dynasty style (constructed using interlocking wooden components without any nails)
Lotus pond next to the Chi Lin Nunnery Buddhist Temple
Dragon head fountain at the Chi Lin Nunnery Lotus Pond Garden
Stone pagoda at the Chi Lin Nunnery
Statue of the Bodhisattva Akasagarbha at the Chi Lin Nunnery
Buddhist monks walking past the "Pavilion of Absolute Perfection" at the Nan Lian Garden in Diamond Hill
The Pavilion of Absolute Perfection and its iconic red bridge were designed in the Tang Dynasty style
Detailed figurines on a miniature roof model at Nan Lian Garden
Model of the Nan Lian Pagoda, a hidden gem located in the Diamond Hill area of Kowloon
Wooden corbel support figure at the Nan Lian Garden Museum
Cantonese dim sum dishes at a local joint in Sham Shui Po
"Taste of Old Hong Kong" sign at the Kung Wo Beancurd Factory in Sham Shui Po
Interior of the historic Kung Wo Beancurd Factory famous for its traditional handmade soy products; Sham Shui Po District
Chinese Wedding gold jewelry for sale in old Kowloon
Street market near Sham Shiu Po
Traditional markets in Hong Kong have "shop cats" which bring protection, prosperity, and good luck
Yau Ma Tei Jade Hawker Bazaar (commonly known as the Jade Market) located in the heart of Kowloon
Traditional wet market stall in Kowloon
Hanging pig faces at a traditional wet market in Kowloon
Fish section of the Pei Ho Indoor Food Market
Live frogs for sale at a wet market in Kowloon
Seafood vendor at the Pei Ho Market
Vegetable stalls at the Pei Ho Market
Chicken vendor selling every piece of a chicken at the Pei Ho Market
Hong Kong style egg tarts for sale
A young family getting wedding photos taken in the heart of old Kowloon
Cantonese cured meat shop in old Kowloon
A shopkeeper shows off her cute dog in Kowloon
Meeting our friend Katie at the Happy Valley Racecourse for a night of horse races!
Starting gates for a horse race at Happy Valley Racecourse (managed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club)
And the race is on! We placed bets on a horse and won!!!
A racehorse and jockey competing on the racetrack with the Hong Kong skyline in the background
Picking up our winnings on two different races!
The giant information screen at the Happy Valley Racecourse clearly shows the winner of this race
"Happy Wednesday" at Happy Valley Racecourse (world-class horse racing with a party atmosphere featuring live music, beer garden, and global cuisine)
Located in the heart of the city, the Happy Valley racecourse is surrounded by skyscrapers, creating a unique urban backdrop for night races
Thanking Katie for a wonderful night out in Hong Kong!
A common commuter experience in Hong Kong! This girl appears relaxed and confident while rocking a hair roller on the subway
Insane line for the cable car at the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Terminal
The Tung Chung River estuary on Lantau Island in Hong Kong
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is the world's longest sea-crossing bridge and tunnel system (55 km or 34 miles)
View of Lantau Peak from the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car
Scenic landscape around Lantau Island
Tian Tan Buddha is a massive bronze statue also known as the "Big Buddha" on Lantau Island
The Big Buddha Statue is 34 meters (112 feet) tall
Scenic view of the Po Lin Monastery and the surrounding mountains on Lantau Island
This bronze statue is one of "The Offering of the Six Devas" surrounding the Big Buddha on Lantau Island
You have to climb 268 steps to reach the base of the Big Buddha and get this magnificent view!
Impressive stone gate at the entrance to the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island
Colorful lantern display at the Po Lin Monastery
A large bronze incense burner at the Po Lin Monastery
Main shrine hall of Buddha at the Po Lin Monastery
An ornate Chinese stone pillar at Po Lin Monastery's main shrine hall of Buddha
Interior of the Main Shrine Hall of Po Lin Monastery
Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas; Po Lin Monastery
Buddhist sculpture at the Po Lin Monastery
This colorful manhole cover is a decorative piece found at Tai O, a traditional fishing village located on Lantau Island
Snowy egret hoping to get lucky at the Tai O Fishing Village
An elderly woman wearing a traditional wide-brimmed straw hat, a characteristic accessory of the Tanka (a community of boat people)
A scene from Tai O, a historic fishing village famous for its unique traditional way of life and its "pang uks" (stilt houses) built over tidal flats
A wooden walkway connects the stilt houses of Tai O Fishing Village
Salted egg yolks being sun dried on bamboo trays at Tai O Fishing Village
Traditional dragon boat mural painted at Tai O Fishing Village
Traditionally processed salted and dried fish hanging at Tai O Fishing Village
Tai O Bakery - a small and famous shop at Tai O fishing village selling its signature Tai O Donuts (Sa Yung), which are large, deep fried, sugar dusted Chinese style doughnuts
Fish vendor at Tai O Fishing Village
Small fishing boats moored in a narrow canal at Tai O Fishing Village
Traditional stilt houses known locally as "pang uk" built over tidal flats and waterways; Tai O Village
Robby at a fishing boat mural at Tai O Fishing Village
Dried souvenir puffer fish for sale at Tai O Fishing Village
Dried octopus for sale at Tai O Fishing Village
Dried starfish; Tai O Fishing Village
Dried guitar shark for sale at Tai O Fishing Village
Robby enjoying appetizers and drinks at Harbourside Grill
One last dramatic sunset over Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong
Taro milk tea from Sincere Tea, customized with chewy tapioca pearls (boba) and jellies
