ASIA: I love HK

Hong Kong is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations for Filipinos. It's often seen as a “shopping haven” thanks to its non-existent taxes. It's also a fantastic place for family trips and gatherings, boasting attractions like Disneyland, Ocean Park, The Peak, and Lantau Island. With Disneyland being more accessible than its counterparts in the US, Japan, and France, many dreams have come true for those wanting to visit.

I genuinely love Hong Kong; it's a place that feels like home to me. I've been there three times, and each trip gets better. My first visit was in 1996 when I was just 5 years old, and I still remember the thrill of it all. We returned in 2012 to ring in the New Year and, of course, do some shopping! My most recent trip was last year with my friend Tina, and it was a whole new adventure. We decided to explore Hong Kong on our own—no tours, no packages, just us and a map.

Like Japan, the main mode of transportation in Hong Kong is the train. The train stations are enormous, and you could easily get lost if you don't know which exit to take. So, having a train route map and a city map is essential—it will save you a lot of hassle!

You might wonder why Tina and I were brave enough to navigate Hong Kong without a solid plan. We wanted to experience travel like "legit" explorers do—venturing into a place with no itinerary often leads to unexpected fun. Don’t get me wrong; it can be challenging at times, and misunderstandings about directions can lead to frustration. But that's part of the adventure! Having traveled to Hong Kong with our parents on guided tours, we felt it was time to try something different.

Here are some of the places in Hong Kong that I've visited.

WHERE TO GO SHOPPING IN HONG KONG?

CANTON ROAD
If you love signature/high end bags or anything, you gotta go here.
You can find H&M here as well

MONG KOK
This is where you can buy cheap and good stuff.
You can bargain if the price is kind of expensive; some of them know how to speak and understand tagalog.
So be careful of what you speak.

WHERE TO GO?

THE PEAK
I would like to recommend you to go here at night.
Not only is it windy up there but the view of the city is just jaw-dropping.

DISNEYLAND
Whether you're a kid or an adult, this place is guaranteed to evoke feelings of nostalgia. It truly allows the child within you to come alive! With a wide variety of rides suitable for all ages, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

You can take pictures with your favorite Disney characters and Disney Princesses.

There are fireworks before Disneyland closes.
The bang of each fireworks is synchronize with your favorite disney songs.

OCEAN PARK
They have crazy rides. Really crazy. (well, for me)

Ocean Park is much larger than Hong Kong Disneyland, requiring you to ride a cable car to access different areas of the park. They offer a sea lion show that's perfect for kids, and similar to the Ocean Park in Manila, you'll find large aquariums showcasing a variety of fish species. Plus, you can spot adorable pandas among other animals!

M goi