Sightseeing in Hong Kong

Today is New Year's Eve, but there's definitely time for some sightseeing before the evening festivities kick in. So that's exactly what we did! :o) Hong Kong is famous for its distinct neighborhoods, each offering something unique. Here’s a quick rundown of the most well-known ones. They’re all easily accessible by the metro, and generally, you won’t find long traffic jams in the city. There are very few pedestrian crossings that disrupt the flow of traffic, so pedestrians are directed to the long sky bridges that wind over the roadways. Causeway Bay is the go-to spot for shopping. In fact, you can shop just about anywhere, as the selection of stores and shopping malls is massive. But if you’re looking for a prime shopping destination, head to Causeway Bay. If you’re feeling hungry, Soho isn’t far away. The locals are pretty laid-back, which is why there are escalators going up the steep hill to Soho. Honestly, you never have to struggle up the stairs since there are escalators almost everywhere. Soho boasts a wide range of restaurants from all over the world, catering to every budget. That said, it’s still the cheapest to eat like the locals do, and the menus are often quite good and very varied. So far, we haven’t been disappointed. If you’re in the mood for a drink, there’s a great selection of bars—just head a bit down the hill to Lan Kwai Fong. This is the place to go out and enjoy the nightlife. A little further south of the city lies Stanley, home to the island’s beaches and a great market filled with souvenirs and restaurants. It’s a perfect choice for outings, as it’s a cozy spot. Stanley has beautiful waters and is surely a lovely escape from the city’s hot streets in the summer. From the bus window, you also get a stunning view of the island, the city, and the lush nature. Back in the city, you’ll find one of Hong Kong’s biggest attractions—Victoria Peak, which offers the best views of the city’s skyscrapers. You can see all the way over to Kowloon, which is on the other side of Victoria Harbour. Unfortunately, it’s often foggy in Hong Kong, so make sure to head up as soon as the skies clear—you never know when it’ll be clear again. We were lucky today, with nearly a blue sky. You can either take the local bus to the top or hop on the old tram that takes the scenic route up the mountain. The more active folks hike back down, as Victoria Peak is the starting point for one of the city’s many hiking trails. We opted for the bus! :o) New Year’s Eve is celebrated out in the city. People go out to eat, and restaurants have put together special New Year’s menus. Some are festively decorated and even provide hats for guests. Afterward, everyone heads to Lan Kwai Fong, where entrances to the area are sometimes blocked off for safety reasons if too many people gather in one spot. Almost everywhere, extra patrolling officers were out on the streets and in the metro to ensure the evening went smoothly—and it certainly did. People were in high spirits. There was no buildup to anything in particular. Overall, it feels safe to walk the streets at any time of day or night. We paid 500 DKK per person for our dinner, including wine, at a nice restaurant. We had expected a massive fireworks display at midnight to mark the end of the old year and the beginning of the new one. But it was over in a flash. You could blink a few times, and you’d miss the rockets. Many people work on New Year’s Eve. A lot of clothing stores and malls stayed open until 9 PM, even though you wouldn’t think there’d be much shopping going on that night...