I know. We all like the feeling of independence, but when it comes to touring a destination do you really want to take on the task of figuring it out yourself? True, there is that moment when you tell your friends you did it all by yourself but it may have involved tons of research, and did you really want to lose that time? Sometimes it’s best to just hand over the reins to a professional and do a tour. You could be hoofing it around a bustling city in no time if you’d already been around the block with a licensed guide. And you’ll be surprised what you learn along the way.
Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. What could be better to help you navigate its unknown expanses than getting help from the locals? That’s exactly what’s compiled here – some tours of the city and its suburbs that allow visitors to get to know it a different way, from the food to Kung Fu.
“Wing Chun” Kung Fu Experience
When it comes to Kung Fu don’t you immediately think of Bruce Lee? After all, he practically made this martial art seem trendy on the big screen. He’s the focus of our first tour not only because of his success on screen but because he was a Kung Fu master. This tour is named after a technique that he learned and adapted and includes a Wing Chun lesson from Master San Lau, who was taught by Lee’s own mentor, Yip Man. Following the hour long class the tour takes you along the Hong Kong Avenue of Stars to see Bruce’s statute and then to a dim sum lunch. The tour ends at the Kung Fu*Art*Life exhibition at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. The exhibit, put together in collaboration with the Bruce Lee Foundation, looks at Lee and his life not only as a movie star and martial artist, but as a significant cultural phenomenon. On a trip to Hong Kong this is one experience that a Kung Fu fan cannot pass up.
Six Senses Heritage Experience
Who doesn’t enjoy an immersive experience when traveling? With that in mind, the Six Senses Heritage Experience organized by Tourasia is definitely measuring up. This guided hands-on experience lets all of your senses experience the culture of Hong Kong.
You’ll first get a feeling of calm after a morning of tai chi; then breathe in some fresh air on a bicycle ride; then gaze in awe at Hong Kong’s oldest pagoda, Tsui Shing Lau, on the Ping Shan Heritage Trail; then taste Poon Choi, the Traditional Cantonese Big-Bowl-feast, and lastly test your paranormal abilities through the ancient Chinese fortune telling practice, Kau Cim. There is no better way to get to know Hong Kong’s energy. Did we mention this tour is eco-friendly? Participants maneuver around Hong Kong riding bicycles and taking public transportation. And dining options and stopovers are chosen with the aim of supporting local shops and restaurants.
Sham Shui Po Foodie Tour
Among the best things about traveling are the new culinary experiences lurking round every corner. But finding a good local eatery takes lots of research and footwork. So, why not be taken straight to it when you arrive? The Sham Shui Po Foodie Tour does just that, taking you on a tasting tour of local foods from Hong Kong’s foodie hot spot, Sham Shui Po. Chow down like a local on this breakfast and lunch tour that visits six different family-run eateries, all offering the flavors of Hong Kong, from sweet to savory. The spots chosen are all favorites and with good reason. Each of their specialties has been perfected over time, so you get a taste of the heritage of Hong Kong’s past. The tour’s setting has a traditional feel because Sham Shui Po’s charm has survived despite Hong Kong’s ongoing development. This tour is a complete cultural experience.
Different Taste of Hong Kong
Skyscrapers and markets are what come to mind when thinking of Hong Kong, but there is a whole other side to the city that most tourists don’t see. HS Travel International offers the “Different Taste of Hong Kong” tour that takes participants to see the local side of Hong Kong. You’ll experience what it’s like to live in Hong Kong by commuting on a boat, tram, and even on the world’s largest outdoor escalator. The boat ride on the renowned Star Ferry travels between Hong Kong and Kowloon, named one of National Geographic’s 50 places of a lifetime. The “Ding Ding” tram is a vintage tram line, with cars that have been maintained in their original 30’s and 40’s design. The tram runs through various districts, like Sheung Wan, the Western District, Central, and Admirality. The most unusual experience on this tour, and perhaps the most interesting, is participating in the “Da Siu Yan” ceremony. This folk ritual from Hong Kong and the Guangdong Province of China is believed to enact a curse on your enemies. After you name a person or group to curse, the villain-hitters will beat a paper figurine with a shoe, an act which is meant to hurt the enemies you named. Even if you don’t believe in magic or sorcery it’s a great cultural experience. After this experience, you’ll never think of Hong Kong in the same way again.
Cycling the Castle Houses of Southern China
Grant it, it’s tough to leave Hong Kong, but this tour will make you want to come back. It allows you to see Hong Kong and the surrounding countryside like nothing else. By cycling through the trails of South China, Mountain Biking Asia takes participants on a journey through the history of the region. Beginning in Hong Kong, the tour transports you by ferry to Jiangmen where you are then taken by a coach to Kaiping for lunch. Then the cycling begins. You bike to Chi Kan village to explore the history of the Chinese exodus to the west. The first day involves about 25 km of biking. On the second day the tour bikes to Li Yuan and Zili Village. This 10 km ride lets participants explore Zili Village. From there the tour moves on to view the castle houses of Jin Jiang Li. Altogether the tour bikes about 70 km On the last day the tour returns to Kaiping to view the castle houses of that area. This tour takes only local paths through the villages and the forests, giving participants a unique experience. If you’re looking to save some dinero Mountain Biking Asia offers an option with a stay at a two star Chikan Hostel and roundtrip bus travel rather than a ferry ride. This tour is a phenomenal option for the culture hungry tourist.
