Hong Kong: Ten Things To Do

If you have a sweet tooth then Hong Kong is the place for you. There are plenty of "dessert houses" to choose from, which will satisfy any cravings. Make sure you try the latest phenomenon – the mango dessert house. All desserts are made with fresh mangos, watermelon and many other exotic Asian fruits.

You won’t go hungry studying abroad in Hong Kong. In fact, this tiny island is known as the culinary capital of Asia. There are more than 1,100 restaurants all over the island offering a range of Asian and Western cuisine to cater for all tastes.

The Guinness Book of Records has officially recognized it as being the world’s largest permanent light and sound show, and it happens every night in Hong Kong at 8pm! Illuminating the scenic Victoria Harbour, the Symphony of Lights involves 40 buildings showcasing their architecture through coloured lights and laser beams, all synchronized to music and narration. There are five main themes — Awakening, Energy, Heritage, Partnership, and the finale, Celebration. Take a seat along one of Hong Kong’s waterfront promenades, or make a real night of it and head out on the water for a harbour cruise.

Whether it’s the Ladies Market, the Avenue of Stars, the Clock Tower or Lei Yue Mun Seafood Bazaar that tickles your fancy, Kowloon is an area of Hong Kong rich in heritage, seafood and markets - it even has a goldfish market! But don’t just go there for the shopping, although you may not be able to resist buying your roommate a bamboo birdcage complete with a songbird. Located north of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon also has a number of historical buildings which have been declared monuments by the Antiquities and Monuments Office, as proof of their historical significance.

You won't be able to resist the towers of bamboo baskets filled with tasty morsels that get delivered to your table in a dim sum restaurant. That’s if you’ve managed to be able to choose from the extensive menu. But if you’re having trouble selecting just a few dishes, don’t hold back – once you’ve finished that round, why not order again? To experience real dim sum, make sure your meal also includes Chinese tea. Yum cha (which literally means “drinking tea”) first arose along the Silk Road. Weary travellers would call in for a cup of tea and once they found out tea aided digestion, began eating light dishes, what we know now as dim sum.

As one of two special administrative regions of the People’s Republic of China, it’s no wonder that Hong Kong is rich in Chinese culture. That includes many festivals all year round, such as the Chinese New Year, Spring Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival or the Birthday of Confucius (to name but a few!). Experience Chinese opera, dragon dancers, fortune telling and Chinese cuisine as Hong Kong becomes enveloped with festivities.

Did you know? : Hong Kong used to be under the rule of the British Sovereignty but in 1997, the island was returned to the Chinese. Today, 95% of Hong Kong’s population is ethnic Chinese.

It’s no secret, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated places in the world, so if you’re not a people person, Hong Kong may not be the place for you. However, there are ways to escape, and that’s exactly what the mountain trails and nature reserves of the New Territories offers you. Unlike the rest of Hong Kong’s islands, the New Territories has remained largely undeveloped, allowing an idyllic rural retreat for undergraduate students and visitors alike to escape the hustle and bustle. Explore ancient villages, Buddhist monasteries and rural villages in Hong Kong’s ‘hidden oasis’. Hike to Big Wave Bay in Sai Kung, the most remote place in Hong Kong.  Just be sure to start your two-hour journey early as you’ll have to hike back at the end of the day too!

Less than an hour’s ferry ride from central Hong Kong is a selection of outlying islands, perfect for a mid-week getaway. Visit Lantau Island and its famed Giant Buddha, sample the famous seafood at Lamma Island, or take time out on the unspoilt beaches of Cheung Chau and Peng Chau islands. Hire a bike, trek some trails, visit quaint fishing villages or simply enjoy looking back on Hong Kong from afar.

Did you know? : Hong Kong is made up of 236 islands. Lantau Island is the biggest, followed closely by Hong Kong Island.

Once you’ve finished those:

1. Enjoy a cruise on Victoria Harbour

2. Take time to explore some of the many temples around the island

3. Take a feng shui class

4. No visit to Hong Kong is complete without the fish bowl experience, or for the girls, Ladies Night.

5. Take time out from the lecture hall and visit one of Hong Kong's most popular attractions, Ocean Park. It'll bring out the kid in you again!

Hong Kong's top universities

University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

City University of Kon

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hong Kong Baptist University