All about 2012 Hong kong 1/3 [] Access to city and Octopus card > Ngong ping (cable car/ village/ Po Lin Monastery> Mid-Level Escalators > Soho street > St. John’s Cathedral > Hop on Hop off > Peak Tram > Victoria peak > @Madame Tussauds museum

2012 Hong Kong and Macau Trip

Not Quite China, But Close

Hong Kong (Chinese: 香港, Pinyin: Xiānggǎng, English: Hong Kong, Cantonese: Hoeng gong): Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region located in the southeastern part of the People’s Republic of China. Its official name is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.
- Official Languages: English, Chinese, Cantonese
- Ethnicity: Predominantly Han Chinese
- Time Zone: UTC +8
- Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
- Climate: Temperate climate (humid summers close to 30°C, and in January, around 19°C, similar to autumn weather in Korea
- Tipping Culture: Around 10% in restaurants
- Voltage: 220V, three-pronged outlets
- Keywords: #Bichon Frise, #duty-free, #Disneyland, #Xu Liu Shan, #shopping, #Jenny’s Cookies

Departure Day: Due to some mishaps, I missed the flight I was supposed to take and had to wait around for about 10 hours before finally boarding a flight to Hong Kong. It wasn’t my first overseas trip, but because it was my first trip abroad in a long time after getting a job, I miscalculated the time to arrive at the airport.

I had booked a package with Cathay Pacific Airways that included a flight and hotel, but since I missed the departure flight, the return flight was automatically canceled because it was a group purchase ticket. So, I had to buy a new round-trip ticket on the spot, tearfully accepting only a partial refund.

Since the next flight was fully booked, I ended up departing on a flight after 8 PM. As a result, I arrived at my Hong Kong hotel well past midnight on the first day, so I had to quickly revise my itinerary from the second day onward.

- From the Airport to the City

From Hong Kong’s Chek Lap Kok Airport, you can take the Airport Express train and reach Kowloon Station on the Kowloon Peninsula in 20 minutes, or Hong Kong Station on Hong Kong Island in 25 minutes. The fare is 80 HKD for Kowloon Station and 90 HKD for Hong Kong Station, and the train is connected to the MTR subway, running 24 hours a day. There’s a slight discount if you buy a two-person express ticket.

- Octopus Card

This is a convenient payment method for public transportation in Hong Kong and can also be used in restaurants and shops. It can be topped up with up to 1,000 HKD and can be purchased at the public transport ticket office at the airport or at subway stations. You can also get a refund of the remaining balance, minus a small fee.

- Octopus Pass

This pass combines a round-trip airport express ticket with a three-day unlimited subway pass for 300 HKD.

Hong Kong Street Scenes: don’t know where my travel plans went... Maybe I threw away the paper copy and lost the file too...

@Ngong Ping Cable Car

Take the Tung Chung Line to the terminus at Tung Chung Station on Lantau Island. I heard there were long lines to board, so I pre-booked tickets. Looking down, I saw trekking trails, and the cable car ride itself was quite long. The cable car with a transparent floor was more expensive.

@Ngong Ping Village

Here, you’ll find restaurants and cafes.

@Tian Tan Buddha

The statue's base is a model of the one in the United Kingdom. One of the five large Buddha statues in China, it is enthroned on a lotus on top of a three-platform altar.^[2] Surrounding it are six smaller bronze statues known as "The Offering of the Six Devas" that are posed offering flowers, incense, lamp, ointment, fruit, and music to the Buddha, representing the Six Perfections of generosity, morality, patience, zeal, meditation, and wisdom, necessary for Enlightenment in Buddhism.^{[citation needed]}

(Source by Wikipedia)

@Po Lin Monastery

Po Lin Monastery: A Serene Escape with Stunning Views: Perched on the scenic Lantau Island, Po Lin Monastery is Hong Kong’s largest Buddhist temple, offering a serene escape and breathtaking vistas. Founded in 1906 by three monks, this spiritual haven gained its current name in 1924. Originally a secluded retreat for Zen monks, Po Lin Monastery has evolved into a vibrant center for Buddhist activities, drawing both devotees and curious travelers alike.

Visitors flock here not only for the temple’s spiritual ambiance but also for the unique experiences it offers. The monastery hosts a variety of Buddhist ceremonies, and if you're lucky, you might catch one of the cultural performances like face-changing or acrobatics. The site is especially popular for witnessing stunning sunrises and panoramic views that make the early morning trek well worth it.

Don't miss the chance to sample the monastery’s vegetarian cuisine, a highlight for many visitors. The meals are simple yet delicious, providing a taste of the temple’s peaceful lifestyle. All of this makes Po Lin Monastery a must-visit spot for those seeking tranquility and a deeper connection with Hong Kong’s rich cultural heritage.

(Sourced from Triple.com Translated by GPT)

Open_ 9:00 - 18:00

Since the airport is located on Lantau Island, it would be more efficient to visit these spots upon arrival or departure. I also visited the nearby Citygate Outlets near the metro station, where it was fun to browse stores familiar to us. Well, the real fun was in shopping... lol. You could find sports brands and bundled Body Shop products at a great discount. The food court inside was also quite large.
https://www.citygateoutlets.com.hk/
Open_10:00 - 22:00

Arrived back on Hong Kong Island. Spotted the double-decker tram.

@Mid-Level Escalators

These are close to Central Station or Hong Kong Station. On Google Maps, search for "Zhonghuan Jiban Shan Zaidong Bujie" to find the escalator section. Featured in the movies "The Dark Knight" and "Chungking Express," it’s the world’s longest 800-meter escalator, but it’s not one continuous ride. There are sections where it stops, so you can get off if you find a shop you like. It’s quite an uphill climb, making it a great way to access the Soho area or Lan Kwai Fong.

Mid-Levels Escalator: The Artery of Hong Kong’s Vibrant Soho: The Mid-Levels Escalator, a vital artery connecting the Mid-Levels residential area with Central, has become an indispensable part of daily life for many Mid-Levelers. Catering to the needs of the local residents, the escalator operates downhill from 6 AM to 10 AM for morning commuters, and then switches to uphill service from 10:20 AM until midnight. In fact, CNN even dubbed it one of the world’s coolest commutes in 2015.

Since its inception, the Mid-Levels Escalator has spurred the development of numerous restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops in the Mid-Levels area, turning Soho into one of Hong Kong’s premier entertainment districts. Here, you can savor not only iconic Hong Kong eateries like Tsim Chai Kee, Tai Cheong Bakery, Lan Fong Yuen, and Yat Lok Restaurant but also culinary delights from around the globe.

Originally built to alleviate the inconvenience faced by residents living on the hills, the Mid-Levels Escalator has since drawn both locals and tourists, revitalizing the area’s economy and transforming it into a must-see destination in Hong Kong. It’s fascinating to think that when this escalator was constructed over 30 years ago, no one could have predicted the ripple effect it would have. As I walk through the bustling streets of Soho today, I can’t help but marvel at how this neighborhood has come back to life post-pandemic.

(Information sourced from Weekly HongKong)

@Soho street

Spotted a store that seems to be inspired by the London Tube logo. There were many foreign tourists enjoying coffee or beer inside cafes or bars. It felt like the Itaewon of Hong Kong, haha.

No idea what’s going on, but there’s a massive crowd.

@St. John’s Cathedral

This is said to be the oldest Gothic-style cathedral in Hong Kong.

@Hop on Hop off Two-Story Bus Tour

My first time on a double-decker bus. The night view was dazzling, the breeze was refreshing, and it was a great way to relax.

When you need a break, want to take in panoramic views of the city, or explore one of Hong Kong's iconic landmarks, this is the perfect ride. Especially when cruising down neon-lit streets, a quintessential Hong Kong experience, you'll find yourself thinking, "This is truly Hong Kong."

@Peak Tram

You can find the Peak Tram station by heading towards Tai Chi Garden from Central Station. It was during Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), and whether they were Chinese or Hong Kongers, I’m not sure, but we ended up queuing for three hours. The last time I stood in line this long was during fan events or for the T Express ride at Everland... The tram was packed with people.

Operation_7:30 - 23:00

Fare_62HKD(return 88HKD) in regular days, 76HKD(return 108HKD) in Peak days
There is reduced ticket for child and senior, Combi ticket for Sky terrace 428.

A tram with a long tradition and excellence of over 130 years

The Peak, Hong Kong's most famous attraction, offers a panoramic view that can only be experienced at the Peak, as well as shopping, international cuisine, and other entertainment. The Peak is a must-see for tourists, and a visit to the Peak also offers a chance to catch a glimpse of Hong Kong's lifestyle and culture.

The memory of riding the Peak Tram with a long history and going up to the peak! It will be a beautiful memory that you will never forget. The Peak Tram, a funicular railway that pulls the vehicle up with steel ropes, goes up and down the steep mountainside from 28 meters above sea level to 396 meters (about 1,300 feet) above sea level. When the Peak Tram starts, the passengers' bodies gradually lean back, and the trees and high-rise buildings passing by seem to lie down, giving a novel experience. The steep mountain path has a gradient of 4 degrees to 25.7 degrees! However, the actual gradient is 45 degrees!

Peak Tram Illusion

According to a study by the University of Hong Kong*, tourists experience an incredibly enchanting optical illusion while riding the Peak Tram. As the tram ascends the hill, the tall buildings on the right side of the tram appear to fall down toward the Peak. This is because the bodies of passengers inside the tram are tilted backwards as they ascend the incline, changing the visual vertical axis.

Sourced from Peak tram company

@Victoria Peak

Operating hours: 7 AM - 12 AM / The combined ticket for a round-trip on the Peak Tram and terrace entry costs 65 HKD. Although it’s the peak, the wind was intense, there were lots of people, and the night view was incredible. The observation deck building also houses the Madame Tussauds Museum and restaurants. The weather was great, so I could fully enjoy Hong Kong’s famous night view. Despite visiting Japan four times before, I’d never properly seen a night view, so this was my first time experiencing a night view from an observation deck abroad. There was also a long wait to take the Peak Tram back down.

@Madame Tussauds

Operating hours: 10 AM - 10 PM

Entrance fee: 165 HKD
I can't upload photo which was taken here. My face appearanced all photos...hhh

I saw many wax figuares included Queen Elizabeth, Tiger woods, Muchael Jackson

Near the hotel. Although it was technically the first day, it was really the end of the second day’s itinerary.