Hong Kong: 5 of the Best Travel Ideas

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Photography by Lucas Stoffel can be licensed on Shutterstock and Getty Images

Kowloon District by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

Hong Kong is vibrant and full of wonder, even in the rainy season. I love tripping along the streets and finding new haunts. This time we stumbled apon a golden pagoda with a tea house in the middle of a koi pond and couldn't have been blessed with a better time.

“A New York minute is a Hong Kong second” is a saying you’ll hear from expats who live in this thrilling, idiosyncratic city of 7 million residents, and it’s not hard to see why. Hong Kong teems with energy from the moment you arrive, and it never lets up. Shopping is on the list, as are dim sum, sightseeing, and the latest, hippest crop of restaurants and bars. Landmarks and skylines need to be photographed, there are countless street markets to explore or get lost in, and ferries and boat rides are waiting. Needless to say, it’s impossible to do everything, but there are some experiences that simply shouldn’t be missed. Whether you’re visiting Hong Kong for the first time or the tenth, here are 20 things you absolutely can’t miss.

Hong Kong Street Life by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

See the view from Victoria Peak

If there’s only one thing you must do in Hong Kong, it’s to take in the famous view from Victoria Peak, arguably the city’s most famous attraction. Rising 1,805 feet above sea level, the summit affords breathtaking views of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, Victoria Harbour, and, on very clear days, Kowloon’s eight mountains. There are several ways to reach the top, but the classic method is a seven-minute ride on the Peak Tram, the world’s steepest funicular railway. There’s an ongoing argument about whether the view is better during the day or at night—see both if you have the time and decide for yourself.

Charter a Junk Boat

A popular weekend activity for locals is to escape the city center by renting a “junk,” a term which used to apply to Chinese fishing boats but now refers to any motorized water vessel designed for leisure. But just because you’re a visitor doesn’t mean you can’t partake in this tradition. Castelo Concepts offers seven-hour rides, including food and open bar, for up to fourteen adults (approximately $1,260), while Traway’s eight-hour charters are less than half that price (their website is in Chinese, but if you call them, you can arrange something in English). Another option is to consult with your hotel concierge for the best rates. No matter what, riding a junk is a wonderful way to enjoy the water and see some places off the beaten path.

Temple Gardens by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

Ride the Star Ferry

The Star Ferry, which transports 20 million riders across Victoria Harbour every year, has been around since 1888 and shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon. Even though the MTR, Hong Kong’s public transportation system, is one of the best in the world and a more efficient way to travel between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, you don’t want to miss a ride on the ferry. For a nominal fee, you’ll be treated to one of the most scenic boat rides in the world, allowing you to simultaneously gaze at the skylines on both sides of the water. If you’re riding it for the views alone (as opposed to trying to get from point A to point B), go at night and feel free to disembark and immediately hop on another ferry going back to your starting point.

Gaze upon the Big Buddha

West of the city center lies the mountainous terrain of Lantau Island, home of the Tian Tan Buddha, a 202-ton statue of the deity. Commonly referred to as the “Big Buddha,” the massive bronze statue is the main attraction here, but there are some other touristy attractions nearby that you can skip. The best way to get to the Big Buddha is to hop on the Ngong Ping 360 gondola, which offers impressive views of North Lantau Country Park, Hong Kong International Airport, the South China Sea, and the surrounding countryside.

Temple Gardens by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

Relax in the park

Hong Kongers like to escape to beaches, small islands, and the countryside to unwind, but that doesn’t mean there’s no green space in the city center for visitors to enjoy. Offering respite from the frenetic streets of Central, Hong Kong Park offers a sprawling mix of rock gardens and leafy pathways, making it a popular place for locals to practice tai chi or read in a secluded spot. On the edge of Causeway Bay, beautifully landscaped Victoria Park is the largest urban green space on Hong Kong Island, and it has recreational facilities for soccer, basketball, swimming, lawn bowling, and tennis. Perhaps the prettiest escape in the city is Nan Lian Garden, a 35,000-square-meter retreat designed in Tang Dynasty style, with traditional Chinese architecture and landscaping. All three parks are easily accessible via public transportation.

Cancun, Mexico: A Top 5 Hidden Beach Get-Away

Cancun, Mexico

Photography by Lucas Stoffel can be licensed on Shutterstock and Getty Images

Photgraphy by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

Jaclyn and I came to mexico on a Tuesday. We left NYC late ... Jaclyn got sick on the first day in Tulum sleeps for 20 hours... but the next day she wakes up well enough to go out. Its a sunny morning i am drinking coffee and we head out on the way to the ruins. We get there and no shit its raining... not raining pouring. Jaclyns first day out of bed and its pouring. we take shelter from the rain on the beach in the water... we meet some people from kansas and wait out the strom. we quickly take a few photos and leave after the storm. We want to swim with the dolphins we got free from the car rental. We get there its starting to rain but we go anyway.. we pull up the free dolphin ride actaully u have to pay 70 to get into the park before you can ride the dolphins busted. WE goto some underwater cave to swim and escape the rain before heading back to the hotel.

Tulum Ruins by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

Myan Ruins

This is arguably the biggest cultural pull Tulum offers and it’s clear to see why year on year tourists continue to flock to these superbly located Mayan ruins. Perched high on a cliff with sweeping vistas of the jewel toned ocean below, you come for the culture but stay for the view at Tulum’s ruins. Does the view look familiar? That’s because it’s become one of the most emblematic images of Mexico in recent years, even serving as the cover for a Lonely Planet guidebook. Top tip: arrive early and beat the hordes of tour buses.

Tulum Ruins by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

Cenotes

I had no idea until arriving in Mexico that there are roughly 1 billion cenotes to choose from. Well not really, but there are so many cenotes scattered just about everywhere that you could spend weeks only going cenote hunting. Each has a unique selling point as well – some are best for diving, others are deep in caves, and they vary in color as well. So how do you pick and choose? I asked a few of my friends who are familiar with the area to make recommendations before I went and ended up visiting five different cenotes:

Suytun is quite a drive away from Tulum but out of all of the cenotes I visited, this one was the dreamiest-looking. The platform is partially submerged under the water and walking out to it to be illuminated by a hole in the ceiling feels like you’re walking on nature’s cat walk.

Gulf of Mexico by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

I woke up at 6 AM to get to the cenote right when it opened so that I could get photos without anybody in them. I’m still not clear on whether it opens at 8 or 9 AM. They opened the gate for us at 8:20 and we were the first ones there. I think with even one or two other people in the shot it wouldn’t be nearly as special. Also, if you want to swim in the cenote you are required to wear a life jacket, which takes it off of the swimming list for me! Can’t stand wearing those orange abominations.

There are dozens of other cenotes in the vicinity of Tulum, and if you expand to the entire Yucatán peninsula, surely there are hundreds. However if you only have time to visit the ones I’ve mentioned here you will see a nice variety. Other honorable mentions include Jadin de Eden, Sac Atun, and Casa Cenote.

#Mexico #Tulum

Tulum, Mexico: Number 1 Place To Relax

Tulum, Mexico

Photography by Lucas Stoffel can be licensed on Shutterstock and Getty Images

Photography by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

So we check in its beautiful hotel. I am over the moon and happy we chose this place. we goto the restarunt before it cloese and order food. Myan chicken ists awesome. We get bananans for dessert with chocolate sause... awesome. Jaclyn eats it all... even the decorative fig on the side fo the plate.

Tulum has been a firm favourite for national and international travellers for many years and will undoubtedly continue to be so, not least because of its prime location on Mexico’s azure blue Caribbean coastline. Even though it will forever play second fiddle to the infinitely more tourism driven Playa del Carmen and Cancún, there’s so much on offer; here’s everything you must see and do when in Tulum.

Tulum Mexico by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

Due to the peculiar layout of Tulum – the coastline, its principal attraction, is separated from the centre of the town by a short drive or a rather much longer walk – it’s advisable to rent bikes for at least a couple of the days you’ll be there. This gives you far more freedom to explore the area without a reliance on taxis; plus, with the wind flowing through your hair as you cycle around, you’ll practically forget about the often humid climate.

If you’re into all things ecological, then this is undoubtedly one of the most unmissable things to take part in when visiting Tulum; each year, from May to October, most of this coastline sees the arrival of turtle nesting season. After the sun sets each evening, the mother turtles slowly make their way up the beach to lay their eggs, before carefully journeying back to the surf. If you want a more hands on turtle experience, day trip to Akumal instead, where you can snorkel with these magnificent creatures!

Gulf of Mexico by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

#Mexico #Tulum