Joanna James
Shopping is quite awesome in Hong Kong but leaving this aside one cannot ignore the other fascinating aspects of this culturally rich nation. Do read on and plan your schedule.
Declared a national monument this is one of Hong Kong's oldest temples. The temple is dedicated to the gods of literature, and the name denotes the fact. 'Man' is depicted as a man holding a writing brush, while 'Mo; is symbolic of war and is depicted as a man holding a sword. The temple was constructed by wealthy Chinese merchants in 1847 at the time of the Qing Dynasty. The place served as both a shrine for prayer and a court for settling local disputes in an era when Chinese trust of the colonist was low. If you are a guest at The Murray Hong Kong, this temple is a mere 6 minutes' drive away, leaving you ample time to explore the place in its entirety.
This is Hong Kong's highest point, standing at a height of 552 metres; Victoria Peak is one of the nation's iconic attractions, drawing hundreds of visitors daily. You are well-rewarded from the summit of this mountain, which promises a bird's eye view of the bustling metropolis below. Enjoy invigorating walks along, challenging but enjoyable designated trails, explore the verdant woods and visit the war memorials, as well as, a range of vintage attractions. You can reach the summit via the Peak Tram which is 125 years old and seems to defy gravity. Best of all the place is mere minutes from Hong Kong luxury hotels.
From the promenade, you can relish uninterrupted views of Hong Kong Island's skyline, but that is not the only lure. The place is a relaxing precinct to enjoy leisurely strolls and quite magical by night. Once the sunsets, you can catch the 'Symphony of Lights' show which is an awesome show of lights and sounds, which spreads across 44 buildings lining the Hong Kong Island skyline.
Po Lin is a large Buddhist shrine and monastery which was constructed in 1924. Today the place, apart from its religious aspect, is an iconic tourist attraction. The biggest lure is the humongous bronze statue of the sitting Buddha. Make sure to check out the vintage structures, hidden at the back of the newer buildings for a taste of ancient culture and architectural styles.
Located inside Plover Cove Country Park, Lai Chi Wo is a 400-year-old village, which is tipped to be one of the country's best preserved Hakka Walled villages, which as a bonus house a feng shui woodland. The rustic village is made up of 200 traditional houses, two temples, three ancestral halls and a lovely little square framed by banyan trees. The village apart for its vintage lures is also, one of Hong Kong's biologically distinct freshwater swamps.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
