8 Things Every Teen Should Do in Hong Kong
I'm either in Hong Kong, or I miss it. The city feels like a microcosm of the entire world, and nothing compares to its excitement and energy. There are hundreds of things to keep you busy in Hong Kong, especially when you're 17. Here's a look at some of the best teen-friendly activities that keep me looking forward to each family trip here.
1. Ride the Star Ferry
Crossing Victoria Harbour on Star Ferry, the 120-year-old boat route between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, has to be the quintessential Hong Kong experience. I try to ride it as often as possible, taking in views of the city and enjoying a windy 10-minute break on the way to my next adventure. Tickets cost less than $1 and ferries arrive every few minutes. Each terminal is in a fantastic neighborhood, so a Star Ferry ride makes it easy to explore both sides of Victoria Harbour in the same day.
2. Eat at One of the World's Cheapest Michelin-Starred Restaurants
They're easy to miss if you're not looking for them — Tim Ho Wan's restaurants look like any of the thousands of hectic Hong Kong hole-in-the-wall joints, but this unassuming chain is set apart by its long lines and Michelin star. Stop by for delicious char siu bao (steamed barbecue pork buns) and ha gow (shrimp dumplings) at any of the chain's five Hong Kong locations. Tim Ho Wan is no secret, and its popularity means you could be waiting quite a while before you get a table. The first time I went, it took about three hours before I was sitting down, but eating there was well worth the wait.
3. See the City from The Peak
Get breathtaking views of the entire city by riding the tram up Victoria Peak, the highest mountain on Hong Kong Island, to an outdoor observatory overlooking the downtown area — the views are especially striking at nighttime, when Hong Kong's spectacular lights are in full effect.
4. Wander Along Nathan Road
You won't easily miss Kowloon's main thoroughfare, Nathan Road. Its two miles are covered in countless stores, which feature enough neon lights — and pedestrians — to rival Times Square. Hong Kong teens hang out here (just look for the bubble tea shops!), while couples of all ages stroll together on the sidewalk.
Nathan Road begins in the city's bustling Tsim Sha Tsui neighborhood, home to a number of shopping malls, Chungking Mansions and Kowloon Park, one of the largest green spaces in downtown Hong Kong. As you wind your way through Jordan and Yau Ma Tei, take a detour to the world-famous Temple Street Night Market. Then, immerse yourself in Mong Kok, the city's densest neighborhood. Aside from its crowds, this area is best known for its specialized shopping streets and markets, like the Goldfish Market, for instance. You can easily hop around Nathan Road on the MTR, Hong Kong's metro system.
5. Visit the New Territories
Most visitors to Hong Kong spend all their time in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, but I say no trip to Hong Kong is complete without a trip to the enormous New Territories (NT), a less crowded area that surrounds downtown. There's plenty to see in NT, from urban neighborhoods to serene beaches and hillsides swathed in forests.
6. Have A Meal With a View
The International Commerce Centre — home to the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong — stands out from its neighbors in skyscraper-lined Victoria Harbour, with its 118 floors that make it the tallest tower in Hong Kong. If you aren't staying at the Ritz-Carlton, you can still catch its panoramic views from the restaurants and bars on the highest floors. At the very top is Ozone, a "sky bar" and café with an incredible open-air terrace, where tapas, sashimi and refreshing drinks are accompanied by all-around views of the city — try the octopus with potato foam or the Nutella lava cake. Ozone takes on a more club-like atmosphere in the evening, so be sure to visit in the early afternoon when it's more family-friendly. For a real treat, stop by Café 103 for seasonal-themed afternoon high tea.
7. Head to the Water for a Nightly Light Show
With its opulent skyscrapers, Hong Kong's waterfront loves to put on a performance. On any clear evening during your visit, take 15 minutes to watch A Symphony of Lights, a nightly light show where Victoria Bay's buildings light up, lasers shoot into the sky and fireworks burst in time with the music. If it sounds a little over-the-top, it is — still, don't miss this incredible celebration of the city.
8. Get Lost in Chungking Mansions
There's no place on Earth quite like the frenetic Chungking Mansions, a building complex facing Nathan Road. While the entrance is unassuming against the bright lights of nearby buildings, Chungking Mansions' interior is livelier than any of them. The complex's 17 floors are full of Indian curry restaurants, budget guesthouses, assorted shops and above all, people from around the world. The building, sometimes dubbed the city's informal Indian and African quarter, is one of the most diverse places in the entire city, if not the world. Some Hong Kong residents regard Chungking Mansions as the last haven for lawlessness in an otherwise gentrified area. Despite these local rumors, it is safe to visit. To miss Chungking Mansions is to miss an entire city within Hong Kong, one that runs on its own time and plays by its own rules.
Bonus: Spend a Few Days Exploring Nearby Macau
If your visit is long enough, then a visit to Macau is well worth the hour-long ferry ride. Once a Portuguese possession, Hong Kong's sister city is home to beautiful colonial architecture and fantastic cuisine. Though Macau is known for its casinos, there are plenty of family-friendly activities on the island as well. One of my favorite beaches in the world is Hac Sa Beach, a gorgeous and not-too-crowded black sand beach just a short bus ride from the downtown area. While you're there, visit traditional Portuguese bakery Lord Stow's for pastel de nata (egg custard tart), a classic Macanese specialty.
Bottom Line
Hong Kong is a head-spinning and frantic place, bursting with people from every culture and walk of life. But don't be intimidated — Hong Kong's intensity is what makes it so exciting. The city's fast-moving current of life stops for no one — not even teenagers — so take a deep breath and dive right in!
What are your favorite things to do in Hong Kong? Leave your tips in the comments, below.
Visit Kofi’s travel blog and photo blog for more info or to follow along with his travels.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.