Hong Kong 香港

Written By Maggi

Hong Kong was the start of a three city journey I took to recreate the route that my parents took when they adopted me. I flew from Shanghai to Hong Kong, took a train to Guangzhou, and finally ended up in Nanning, where I was adopted from. However, one of the biggest mistakes I made was thinking that Hong Kong would be like the rest of China and boy, was I wrong.

Travel

Flight

I flew in from Shanghai (PVG) to Hong Kong (HKG) with China Eastern Airlines. It was relatively cheap at CNY 695 (roughly $100).

Transportation to the hotel

Took the metro

Accommodations

I stayed at the YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel

  • Chinese Name: YHA美荷樓青年旅舍

  • English Address: Block 41, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Sham Shui Po District, Hong Kong, China

  • Room Type: 1 Bed In 8-Bed Female Dormitory Room · 1 Room

  • Cost: CNY 1,323.25 for 5 nights

  • Booking Link: https://www.trip.com/t/5wH8p80cqS2

  • Overall Rating - 4/5

Pros

  • Decent location

  • Lockers available

  • Items for sale if needed (locks, drinks, slippers, etc.)

  • Clean

Cons

  • Took a hill to walk up to to get to

  • No laundry area

  • General cons of staying in a hostel: people snoring, lights on, noise from others

Attractions

Below is an overview of the attractions I went to and how I’d rate them.

  • Chinese name: 太平山顶
    Address: The Peak, Hong Kong Island
    Cost: Free (tram extra)
    Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

  • Chinese name: 维多利亚港
    Address: Between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon
    Cost: Free
    Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

  • Chinese name: 天星小轮
    Address: Central ↔ Tsim Sha Tsui
    Cost: HKD 3–5
    Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

  • Chinese name: 尖沙咀海滨长廊
    Address: Kowloon
    Cost: Free
    Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)

  • Chinese name: 昂坪360
    Address: Lantau Island
    Cost: HKD 235–360
    Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)

  • Chinese name: 天坛大佛
    Address: Lantau Island
    Cost: Free
    Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)

  • Chinese name: 大澳渔村
    Address: Lantau Island
    Cost: Free
    Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)

Budget Breakdown

These numbers are approximate. I don’t track every expense in real time, and sometimes I pay in USD instead of yuan.

  • Flight (place to place) - ¥695

  • Accommodation (5 nights) - ¥1,323.25

  • Transportation - ¥

  • Food - ¥

  • Activities - ¥

  • Souvenirs - ¥

Total ~ ¥

Some thoughts

Final Thoughts

Hong Kong was probably one of my most challenging solo trips. One thing after another kept happening and it honestly threw off the rest of my travel. However, looking back at the experiences, I honestly can say that while I may at face value say I won’t go back, I truly did still enjoy the city.

If you found this article helpful or interesting, you might want to check out these others that I did for the other cities.

*Disclaimer: This post might include a few affiliate links. If you end up booking or buying something through them, I’ll earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do, thank you! It really helps support me and this journey I’m on.

Maggi
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Chengdu 成都