As I mentioned in my last article, Hong Kong’s streets are best explored at night. For daytime adventures Hong Kong has a wide variety of options on offer, including several family ones such as the Ocean Park.
Divided into two main areas (The Summit and The Waterfront) it offers a number of activities suitable for all ages.
Animal lovers will definitely adore the Aqua City and Marine World sections, along with specialised Polar and Rainforest sections (the aquarium is just breathtaking, and so is the penguin corner).
But what tops it all off is the Amazing Asian Animals and Adventures in Australia attractions featuring koalas, wallabies and… a giant panda!
One really must be absolutely stonehearted to resist the charm of a giant panda.
Those willing to test their bravery can take a ride or two in the Adventure Land and on the Thrill Mountain. These two entertainment zones boast various roller coasters, some of them will literally make you scream and shout with both fright and excitement.
My personal favourite is The Hair Raiser, which loops and plunges you so high, giving you unforgettable views of the island. Trust me, you won’t forget the view.
The two major parts of the park are connected with a cable car and an underground express line, each of them worth trying. I loved the former more, but I assume kids would be equally happy with both. The express is designed to resemble Captain Nemo’s submarine and simulates a journey through the ocean’s depths.
Ocean Park’s all-inclusive one day is priced at HKD 345 for an adult visitor (HKD 173 for kids) and it’s really worth planning a full day visit. If anything, it reassures that I didn’t miss out by not going to Disneyland.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Getting there
HK Express is Hong Kong’s first and only low-fare airline, offering return tickets from Phuket to Hong Kong and back for as low as B5,000, and even less if you book in advance or catch a promo offer.
The flight takes around 2.5 hours. I took the UO 764 flight, departing at 2:55am and arriving to Hong Kong at around 7:30am. A nice option for those willing to start exploring the city straight after arrival (just remember to sleep in advance). Tickets can be booked online at hkexpress.com.
HK Express can boast an impressive 85 per cent on-time performance and the highest safety rating from airlineratings.com. The company operates a fleet of 10 modern Dim Sum-Themed Airbus A320 aircrafts each named after a specific dim sum dish.
Accommodation
For your stay in Hong Kong you can choose between Kowloon peninsular and Hong Kong Island proper (the latter being a more ‘historical’ place though with challenging hillside landscapes). The choice is up to you, just bare in mind that nearly all affordable local hotels are limited in space and a small room means something really small. According to booking.com, prices for hotels and guest houses start from B500 per night. I stayed at the 4 -star BP International Hotel priced at around B2500 per night with quite humble rooms but a good central location, and an absolutely breathtaking view of the city and Kowloon park.
Transportation
Hong Kong boasts well thought about public transportation systems including MTR, buses, trams and, of course, taxis. You can get nearly everywhere by MTR, so this option is highly recommended. For MTR fares and additional information please visit mtr.com.hk. For taxi rates please visit taxihongkong.com. Exploring the city on foot is also an attractive option. The weather in Hong Kong is not as hot as in Phuket or Bangkok.