When new students arrive at Q Language from overseas they are often keen to learn about the various things to do in Hong Kong aside from studying English, Chinese or Korean. As mentioned in an evocative description of Hong Kong on the lonelyplanet website, Hong Kong is a place you can delight in. In a nutshell, there are a multitude of things to do in this unique world city.
The following Youtube videos, produced by the Hong Kong Tourist Board, will give you a great overview of what to do in Hong Kong when you are not working hard on your language studies or otherwise.
Underneath each video is a transcript in case you don’t quite grasp everything that is said. As a listening exercise, you could try watching and listening first without reading the text to see how well you do understand the three different British English accents. Then listen again whilst reading the transcript to get a full understanding.
Vocabulary Check
overview – a general review or summary of a subject
grasp – understand; comprehend fully
delight in – to take great pleasure in something
in a nutshell – in the fewest possible words.
evocative – bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind.
multitude – a large number of something.
ranscript – a written or printed version of material originally presented in another. medium.
Day 1 – The Peak, Stanley Market, Aberdeen & Temple Street Night Market
View this video on YouTube
Hong Kong is one of the world’s top city destinations. We’ve come to Hong Kong for four days to see what this famous destination has to offer and we’re going to do it in style. We’re going climbing and sailing, shopping and racing; all in four fun filled days. So spend a few minutes with us and get to know this amazing city.
The first stop on any visit to Hong Kong is the Peak. If you’re a first time visitor, the only way to go is by tram. The 100 year old Peak Tram climbs a pretty steep angle so you get some spectacular, skewed views on the way up. At 396 meters Victoria Peak is the perfect spot to enjoy a magnificent view out across Victoria Harbour and beyond the Kowloon Peninsular. This is one of the best views in the world. It’s easy to see why Hong Kong is called the Pearl Of The Orient.
Back at ground level the next stop is Stanley Market. Stanley Market is famous for open fronted shops and stalls selling silk, art, jewellery and souvenirs at bargain prices.
We dragged Sanjay away from the shops and we’re heading to the south-western side of Hong Kong Island. A visit to Aberdeen is a must and it’s Hong Kong’s original fishing port. The typhoon shelter at Aberdeen is a haven for fishing boats of all sizes. We’re taking a tour in a sampan. It’s like a paddle boat with a shelter but it’s a bit wobblier. It’s a great experience.
When the sun goes down, Hong Kong Island becomes a symphony of lights. At 8 o’clock every night of the week you can see the worlds largest permanent sound and light show. The city comes to life at night and you don’t get livelier than the Temple Street Night Market. That’s it for today, I’m now going to have my fortune told to see what tomorrow brings.
Vocabulary Check
steep – rising or falling sharply.
skewed – inclined or twisted to one side; crooked.
perfect spot – the best possible place.
drag – to pull (someone or something) forcefully, roughly or reluctantly.
a must – a necessity; a requirement.
typhoon – a tropical storm in the region of the Indian or western Pacific oceans.
haven – a place of safety or refuge.
sampan – a small boat of a kind used in East Asia, typically with an oar or oars at the stern.
Day 2 – Lantau Island, Tai O Village, Ngong Ping Village, The Big Buddha & Causeway Bay
View on YouTube
It’s day two and today we’re exploring Hong Kong’s traditional and spiritual side, so what better way to start the day than with a Tai Chi class.
The next stop is Tai O Village, a traditional stilt house community. The north-western tip of Lantau Island is home to the Tanka people who build their homes on stilts above the water. Known as the Chinese Venice, 200 year old traditions are preserved along with local delicacies like Salty Fish, Tea Dumplings, Shrimp Paste and Fish Stomach
Every visitor to Hong Kong should make the journey to come and see this Big Buddah. Tian Tan Big Buddha sits serenely in the mountains of Lantau Island on the Ngong Ping plateau. Are you ready to take the 268 steps to the statue? Come on! The giant buddah weighs a massive 250 tons and at 34 meters tall it can be seen from Macau on a clear day. A short walk from the Big Buddha is the Po Lin Monastery, a world famous Buddhist retreat. Buddhist devotees and followers come from far and wide to pray and enjoy vegetarian meals prepared by the monks.
Close to the monastery is Ngong Ping Village. Wandering around the village, you’ll find some great souvenirs. Getting up to and down from Ngong Ping is an experience in itself. The 25 minute cable car journey offers spectacular views over viridian valleys and mountains and out to the South China Sea. It’s incredible, it’s amazing how much greenery there is in Hong Kong, you just don’t expect it to be like it. It’s beautiful.
It’s 7 0’clock, the sun’s going down, we’re on the famous Star Ferry and making our way across the harbour. It’s one of the best places to see Hong Kong’s incredible skyline.
We’ve left the ferry at the Hong Kong Island stop and we’re heading on to Causeway Bay. The journey on the old tram or ‘Ding Ding’ costs less than 20p.
Causeway Bay is the most popular shopping area on the island. Malls, department stores, boutiques and street markets are everywhere. There’s some great local snacks round Jardines’s Bazaar, Tang Lung and Matheson St. It’s a vibrant place to end our second day in Hong Kong.
Vocabulary Check
stilts – set of posts or piles supporting a building above the ground.
preserve – maintain (something) in its original or existing state.
plateau – an area of relatively level high ground.
retreat – a quiet or secluded place in which one can rest, relax or connect with one’s spirituality.
devotee – a person who is very interested in and enthusiastic about someone or something.
viridian – bluish green colour.
vibrant – full of energy and enthusiasm
Day 3 – Hong Kong’s Cuisine, Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sa Tsui, Ladies Market, Soho & Lan Kwai Fong
Watch on YouTube
It’s a new day and we’re in search of the best of Hong Kong’s famous cuisine. We will travel and sail on the Duk Ling a restored 19th century Chinese junk. Our first stop is a Dai Pei Dong to try a local favourite; a 50-50 mix of tea and coffee called Yuan Yang. It’s really nice! Yum! Dai Pei Dong, or food stalls, are part of the fabric of the city. Hong Kong street food is a unique experience; traditional tasty food at bargain prices enjoyed in the buzz of the city. Fresh food is around every corner of the city; like in this market, Yau Ma Tei.
Hong Kong is the culinary capital of Asia and a trip to this city is a great opportunity to feast on some fantastic foods. The Tsim Sa Tsui area of Hong Kong is world famous for its cuisine and we’re tucking into some delicious Dim Sum and Chinese tea. Dim Sum is eaten for breakfast or lunch with pots and pots of Chinese tea. These delicious snacks are served in steaming bamboo baskets. If you know a budding chef, they even do Dim Sum cooking classes. I’m happy just to eat them!
Hong Kong is home to the brilliantly titled, Ladies Market. This is my kind of town. As the name says, Ladies Market has over two hundred street stalls selling everything a lady needs. Haggling is positively encouraged at the Ladies Market and here are two Cantonese phrases that will help: Nieh go Gei dor chin? (How much is this?), Peng di Dak mm day a? (Cheaper, okay?) You may get some funny looks at first but practise makes perfect and soon you’ll be glad you’ve learned a bit of Cantonese.
Our journey through the culinary capital of Asia ends in Soho. Soho is a contraction of south of Hollywood Road and it’s a foody paradise with over 40 international restaurants.
And after dinner, Lan Kwai Fong is where the in crowd gather to party the night away.
Vocabulary Check
cuisine – a style or method of cooking, especially as characteristic of a particular country or region.
a junk – a flat-bottomed sailing vessel typical in China and the East Indies
culinary – of or for cooking.
to feast – to eat or drink in large quantities sumptuously.
to tuck in – (to food) to eat food heartily.
budding – (of a person) beginning and showing signs of promise in a particular career or field
haggling – bargaining or arguing over the price of something.
Day 4 – Sha Tin Racecourse & The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Day four and we’re off to the races. This is the way to see the city. We’re at Sha Tin Racecourse and a Come Horseracing Tour. The tour includes admission to the members enclosure and visitors box and a buffet lunch. Racecourse staff provide guided tours where you can join in the fun and have a flutter. If you’re wondering where all the mass of punters’ money goes, the Hong Kong Jockey Club is a non-profit making organisation an is actually one of the biggest charity donors in the world. So if your thoroughbred is more like a donkey then your money is going to a good cause.
And that really is the end of our trip. We’ve had an amazing experience. Bye.
Come to Hong Kong to experience an enchanting fusion of East and West. Immerse yourself in history and culture. Enjoy world class shopping and dining and discover hidden treasures of heritage and nature.
To find out more about travelling to Hong Kong visit the Hong Kong tourist website.
Vocabulary Check
enclosure – an area that is sealed off with an artificial or natural barrier.
punter – person who gambles, places a bet, or makes a risky investment; or a member of an audience.
charity – an organisation set up to provide help and raise money for those in need.
donor – a person who gives something, esp. money to a fund or charity.
thoroughbred – (of a horse) of pure breed, esp. of a breed originating from English mares and Arab stallions and widely used as racehorses.
donkey – a member of the horse family with long ears and a braying call; an ass.
enchanting – delightfully charming or attractive.
fusion – the process or result of joining two or more things together to form a single entity.
immerse – involve oneself deeply in a particular activity or interest.
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We hope you learned a little more about this amazing city by watching these videos and hope too that you have picked up a few words and expressions that you didn’t already know.
Please leave a comment below and tell us what you like to do most when you are not working or studying in Hong Kong. And don’t forget to share and “Like” this post (if you did) by clicking the Facebook icon on the left. Thanks 😀
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