A Trip in Hong Kong

The First Day: In Search of Art and History

Arrival

I entered Hong Kong through the West Kowloon Station Checkpoint. Afterwards, as I walked through the station, I seemed to inhale the distinct atmosphere of Hong Kong, a scent reminiscent of the coffee at Café de Coral.

At Austin Station, my Octopus card was collected by an attendant. Later, I felt a bit regretful because I could have activated it myself using an app. This particular card, which I believe I applied for sometime before 2017, was exempt from annual fees. Nowadays, such a card is quite a rarity.

On the morning of my arrival, I noticed that the street signs were clean and aesthetically pleasing.

Exploration and Visits

I visited the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, particularly its School of Design. The exhibitions there made me realize that good design can be very down-to-earth and truly focus on user experience.

What surprised me further was discovering an outdoor swimming pool right within the university campus, located in the heart of the city.

Next, I went to the Hong Kong Museum of History. There were two exhibitions running: one on Qing Dynasty history and another on national security. I read a news article stating that national security knowledge will be included in school textbooks next year. I believe this is a positive development.

Then, in search of art, I headed to the Hong Kong Art Museum. The museum had seating areas where visitors could enjoy views of Victoria Harbour in an air-conditioned environment.

I also visited the Avenue of Stars, only to find that there were no handprints of younger celebrities there.

Additionally, while the air in K11 felt comfortable, I couldn't find any facilities or places to refill my water bottle.

Observations on the Streets

I saw many luxury cars and supercars, but also quite a few BYD vehicles. Considering how expensive it already is to own a car in Hong Kong, is it a common thought that, if given the opportunity, one might purchase an even more expensive car?

Shopping and Strolling

Unfortunately, I found that most commodities in Hong Kong are more expensive than those in mainland China.

Guess what I found near Tamar? A Miki Snow Ice Cream shop!

The Second Day: From East HK to West HK

Exploring HKUST

I planned to visit the top five universities in Hong Kong, which is something not typically on the agenda for visitors primarily focused on shopping. I searched for guidance on Xiaohongshu and found that only HKUST and CUHK do not require prior entrance approval.

It took me more than an hour to reach HKUST, located in the eastern part of Hong Kong. This distance might be one of the reasons why visiting this university doesn't require prior approval, I suppose.

Regarding transportation, I recommend taking the bus from Diamond Hill subway station, which is also its starting point. This increases your chances of getting a seat on the upper deck of the bus, offering excellent views.

The weather was hot and sunny. While I didn't feel comfortable, it provided good lighting for photography.

Moreover, I thought HKUST seemed well-funded, as I noticed many water fountains inside the air-conditioned buildings. Such facilities are even scarce in upscale shopping malls like K11.

I also had lunch at HKUST, which is situated on the bay. Students studying there can enjoy sea views from various locations across the campus.

By chance, I met a student from Zhejiang province on campus. He had passed the civil service exam but was continuing to travel overseas because his passport would be confiscated. He had secured a remarkable job! I was grateful for his help, which allowed me to get a photo.

Visiting M+

The journey from HKUST to the M+ museum took a considerable amount of time. There were numerous intersections where road signs sometimes disappeared, making navigation confusing. I wasn't particularly pleased with the experience of wandering around trying to find the museum, especially since I kept encountering signs directing me back the way I came.

Frankly, I must admit that I couldn't fully grasp the deeper meaning or concept behind all the artworks.

Window Shopping in Mong Kok

After dinner with friends, we walked from Tsim Sha Tsui station to Mong Kok station. Along the way, I noticed an ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption) awareness campaign or presence.

The Third Day: From Worshipping to Home

Visiting Tai O Fishing Village

Again, the weather was hot and sunny. While I felt dehydrated, it did provide excellent lighting for photography. I accidentally lowered my camera’s exposure and forgot to reset it to normal.

Oh well, I was feeling tired and lazy anyway.

Following a local’s advice, I climbed to the viewing platform where I could see the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. To be honest, there weren’t many cars on it at that time. And the intense heat put me in no mood to fully enjoy the view.

Guess what I found in this small village? JDL Express, a mainland courier service!

Worshipping at Ngong Ping Village

Luckily, the buses connecting these attractions accept QR code payments for the fare. However, these buses run on a strict schedule with significant gaps between departures, so please take note.

It seems that worshipping, enjoying the landscape, and taking photos are the main activities suited for Ngong Ping Village. After soaking in the spiritual atmosphere at the Po Lin Monastery, I climbed the steps to see the giant Buddha statue.

To my surprise, most foreign visitors seemed quite knowledgeable about the giant Buddha statue and Buddhism.

Also, on the way to the Ngong Ping viewing platform, I encountered hardly anyone except for a foreign hiker.

Additionally, I saw a memorial to Anita Mui. Photography is prohibited in the memorial section, of course.

Hunting CDs, Going Back Home

For those planning a visit to Hong Kong, I highly recommend spending some time window shopping at Sino Centre, where you can find a vast selection of CDs and vinyl records.

Trust me, the shops there are real time sinks. It’s very easy to spend much more time than you intended.

I returned home via the Lo Wu checkpoint. Even during the evening rush hour, the subway to Lo Wu station was still packed.

Hong Kong Is an International City

During my trip in Hong Kong, I not only saw visitors at the attractions but also observed many non-Chinese workers. However, the language I heard most frequently was Mandarin.