Super Seven
Victoria Peak At 552m tall, Victoria Peak is the highest point on Hong Kong Island and it is absolutely worth heading up there. Don't be put off by the long queues, as the views more than make up for it. The funicular tram is quite the experience, but there is a hiking route also available. My advice would be to head up just before sunset and take your time up there, so you benefit from both daytime and nighttime photography shots.
Lantau Island "Big Buddha" Lantau Island is a half day trip that you should fit into your itinerary, as there's multiple attractions to check out. To get there, you can either take the ferry from Pier 6 at Central, or take the MTR to Tung Chung and hop on the cable car. Either way, you should experience Ngong Ping 360, which is the cable car spanning 5.7km in length. Some of the cable cars even offer a glass bottom floor to satisfy the adrenaline junkies. The Tian Tian Buddha is a 112ft tall sculpture that rests on top of a giant podium. A 268 step climb awaits visitors who want to take a closer look. The Po Lin Monastery is a stone throw away from the bottom of the buddha steps, although the monastery is similar to many others.
Tai O Fishing Village This place was one of my favourite places to explore, and is also located on Lantau Island. For me, this village offers visitors a glimpse of what life was like in pre-colonial Hong Kong. You've got stilt houses, fishing markets along cobbled streets, and pink dolphins roaming the area via a short boat ride. This place has so much character, so DON'T miss it!
Victoria Harbour Hong Kong is a city with an extremely impressive skyline, and there's no better place to view it that Victoria Harbour. You're now on the Kowloon side of the island. A Symphony of Lights is a daily sound and light show at 8pm. Although there's plenty of room, arrive around 30 minutes beforehand to get a front row view. The famous clock tower landmark is also located right by the viewing platform.
Quarry Bay Neighbourhood This is a neighbourhood that won't be mentioned in your average guidebook. It's quite a sleepy area, but offers a superb photographic opportunity in the form of the Yik Cheong Building. For true photographers, this is a very photogenic spot and not to be missed. Also referred to as "The Monster Building" and even features in the movie Transformers: Age of Extinction. The hardest part for me, was fining the entrance into the building courtyard, even after I'd found the building. Locals will gladly guide you.
Temple Street Night Market The night markets of Hong Kong sell all sorts and are a little overrated in my opinion, but still great to check out at night and feel the buzz of the city. If you're a tech geek, you can definitely pick up a bargain. I just found a lot of the stalls very repetitive, but a great spot for the photography enthusiasts. You don't even have to settle on the one market. There's also Stanley Market, Jade Market, Ladies Market, and Fa Yuen Street Market.
MTR Hopping I get a great buzz hopping onto the local transport system in a big city. Here's a couple of spots worth checking out... Island Line - Central (Bank of China Skyscraper), Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, North Point, and Quarry Bay Tsuen Wan Line - Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Ya Mau Tei (Kubrick Coffee Shop), Mong Kok (Goldfish Market), and Sham Shui Po.
Accommodation Advice
For a mid-range hotel, I'd recommend Burlington Hotel in Wan Chai. The rooms are a little on the small side, but thats normal for Hong Kong. The location is great with a metro stop on the doorstep. Fast wifi, helpful staff, and a selection of restaurants on the doorstep. The additional feature of a GPS smart phone called "Handy" to help with city navigation was a nice touch. Approx cost of $95 a night.
Food Porn Rating Hong Kong is home to the cheapest Michelin-Star Restaurant in the world, Tim Ho Wan. The Dim Sum and Pork Buns are a "game changer" and will put a $3 dent in your wallet. Quite the attraction, so do expect long queues.
