It’s been a while since I used a travel agent to plan a trip. But a major travel agent in Belgium posted a deal one can’t refuse in a newsletter in June 2023. Flights from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific and three nights at the four-star Park Hotel Hong Kong in the Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon area. So I messaged Oriol in ‘panic’ and pressured him to decide quickly (as the deal was popular and the the offer limited in time and availability) to come along to this Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China. Being four days in Hong Kong, we used one of these days to Macau (also often spelled Macao) the other SAR. We were there in November 2023.
On day 2 we had a guided tour, included in our dare. At 9AM Glory picked us op and would show us the Central District on Hong Kong Island.
Central or Central District is the central business district of Hong Kong. It is located in the northeastern corner of the Central and Western District, on the north shore of Hong Kong Island, across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui, the southernmost point of Kowloon Peninsula.
As the central business district of Hong Kong, it is the area where many multinational financial services corporations have their headquarters. Consulates general and consulates of many countries are also located in this area, as is Government Hill, the site of the government headquarters until 2011.
The area, with its proximity to Victoria Harbour, has served as the centre of trade and financial activities from the earliest days of the British colonial era in 1841, and continues to flourish and serve as the place of administration after the handover to China in 1997.
Man Mo Temple at Sheung Wan
The Man Mo Temple or Man Mo Miu is a taoist temple for the worship of the Civil or Literature God Man Tai / Man Cheong and the Martial God Mo Tai / Kwan Tai.
The two Deities were popularly patronized by scholars and students seeking progress in their study or ranking in the civil examinations in the Ming and Qing dynasties. There are several Man Mo temples in Hong Kong, the best known of which is the temple in Sheung Wan.
It is the only temple were we can take photos. Yes, the temple features Christmas decorations in the for of a golden deer!
Lan Fong Yuen
Glory took us to Lan Fong Yuen for two typical Hong Kong drinks. Oriol had a half and half cocktail of coffee and tea. I had Hong Kong milk tea. Tea made from many tea leaves and a good portion of milk.
Central–Mid-Levels escalator
Next stop was the Central–Mid-Levels escalator. It’s the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world. The system covers over 800m in distance and traverses an elevation of over 135m from bottom to top. It opened in 1993 to provide an improved link between Central and the Mid-Levels on Hong Kong Island.
Apart from serving as a mode of transport, the system is also a tourist attraction and is lined with restaurants, bars, and shops.
We did not go on it.
Victoria Peak & Peak Tram
Victoria Peak is a hill on the western half of Hong Kong Island. It is also known as Mount Austin, and locally as The Peak only generally. With an elevation of 552 metres, it is the tallest hill on Hong Kong Island, and the 29th tallest in the territory of Hong Kong. It is a major tourist attraction offering views of Central, Victoria Harbour, Lamma Island and the surrounding islands.
The summit of Victoria Peak is occupied by a radio telecommunications facility and is closed to the public. The surrounding area of public parks, tourist facilities and high-value residential land is the area that is normally meant by the name The Peak. The Peak also refers to Victoria Peak itself and its nearby areas, including Victoria Gap, Mount Kellett and Mount Gough. Sometimes Bowen Hill may also be included.[1]
Victoria Peak is one of the most expensive residential areas in Hong Kong, but less so than Deep Water Bay and Jardine’s Lookout.
You can hike to to the top, or take a regular bus. But the Peak Tram is also very popular. The Peak Tram is a funicular railway which carries both tourists and residents to the upper levels of Hong Kong Island. Running from Garden Road Admiralty to Victoria Peak via the Mid-Levels, it provides the most direct route and offers good views over the harbour and skyscrapers of Hong Kong. Operated since 1888, it was the first funicular railway in Asia.
Hong Kong Tramways
After we drove down to the Star Ferry terminal and the adjacent mall, Glory and us parted company. We took a ‘Ting Ting Tram‘ of the Hong Kong Tramways to the East. These double decker trams are iconic of Hong Kong.
Victoria Park
Victoria Park is around 190,000 square metres or 19 hectares in size and contains sporting facilities for tennis, association football, basketball, handball, volleyball, swimming, jogging, fitness, roller skating, and bowling.
Hong Kong Island Waterfront
From Victoria Park we walked on the Waterfront towards the Convention Centre and further to the Star Ferry Terminal. The ferry took us across to Kowloon and back to the hotel for some rest before starting the nocturnal activities.
Trip By Trip 
5 Comments Add yours