Lost on where to go for your next adventure? This AI tool curates the perfect travel itinerary based on your personality, allowing you to discover unexplored gems
With the holidays just around the corner, it is never too early to plan and book for your next vacation. What better place to visit than Hong Kong, the cultural hub of South Asia? On top of being visa-free for Filipino travelers, there’s also so many places to explore for the entire family–from traditional tourist spots to vibrant shopping districts. It offers a myriad of enriching experiences for each of your niche interests. But perhaps the best part is how easy it is to navigate, even for first-time travelers. It’s no wonder that it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia.
However, for all its popularity, it seems like most people only know it for its popular attractions–DisneyLand, for example. But there’s actually more to Hong Kong than what most people are aware of. And these underrated wonders deserve as much attention as the popular attractions. This begs the question–how do you even find these hidden gems?
Places to Visit
Your personality definitely influences your interests, which may affect how likely you are to enjoy visiting certain destinations. The Hong Kong Travel Board introduced this A.I. tool that recommends places for you to visit based on your personality.
If you’re a cultural connoisseur–an aficionado of culture, arts, and beauty–like the people at MEGA, you would definitely appreciate Hong Kong’s creative and cultural hubs. And there are certainly many places for you to explore beyond the mainstream. These are the best places to immerse yourself in Hong Kong’s culture, based on the A.I. tool and MEGA’s own top picks.
Police Married Quarters (PMQ)
PMQ, located along Aberdeen Street, was initially the site of the first government school in Hong Kong. It then became a police dormitory, before turning into a designated place for artistic events. It’s home to many galleries, fashion boutiques, and restaurants. What sets it apart is it frequently hosts free creative workshops for tourists. For instance, this September, it is hosting the “Piece by Piece, Memories Unveiled”, a two-hour photo collage workshop. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re seeking to create art out of the many pictures you’ll undoubtedly be taking on your Hong Kong trip.
The Mills
In the Philippines, it’s customary to bring back trinkets and souvenirs from your trips–whether as a personal memento or as a gift to others. The Mills is the perfect place for that.
Formerly the Nan Fung Textiles factory, it has since been revitalized into a retail area and non-profit cultural institute. As home to the Centre for Heritage, Arts & Textile–a heritage conservation project–it features many exhibits about the history of Hong Kong’s textile industry. It will certainly enlighten you on the significance of fabrics in fashion, its cultural and environmental impact, and the current technologies being made to make it more sustainable.
The Mills is also home to many specialty shops. This includes sustainable brands such as Pimary, which sells eco-friendly household items and decor. It also features other shops that sell handicrafts and clothing items made by local designers, making it the ultimate shopping destination. It’s only a short walk from Tsuen Wan MTR Station and it’s also pet-friendly.
Ying Kee Tea House
Drinking tea is an integral part of Hong Kong’s culture–stemming from Chinese influences. It has integrated itself into the locals’ everyday lives. There’s so much care put into the process of brewing tea, giving birth to unique tea ceremonies. These techniques and traditions are now celebrated in many Hong Kong tea houses, such as the Ying Kee Tea House.
Established in the Qing Dynasty, the tea shop has over 140 years of history, making it one of the best places to enjoy Hong Kong’s tea culture. It offers a wide selection of traditional Chinese tea leaves, which are prepared by experienced tea masters. After walking around the bustling streets of Hong Kong, the Ying Kee Tea House is the best place for you to unwind, relax, and simply savor the richness of Hong Kong’s culture.
Sai Kung Hoi Art Festival
Like the Philippines, Hong Kong is made up of multiple islands–thus creating a multi-faceted culture. The Sai Kung Hoi Art Festival is a three-year celebration of these islands. Its newest iteration will run from November 13 to January 12, 2025.
The event features many art installations and public programs inspired by the history and culture of Sai Kung Islands–like the Sharp Island, High Island and Kau Sai Chau, which will host the event this year. Some of the artworks to be showcased include bamboo artist Inkgo Lam’s “Sails”, which interprets Kau Sai Chau’s fishing culture.
This festival is certainly worth checking out, as it goes beyond celebrating creativity and aesthetics. Instead, it delves into the personal narratives of the local people, allowing you to immerse yourself completely in Hong Kong’s culture.
As the cultural hub of South Asia, Hong Kong offers so much more than diverse tourist hubs. Beyond being a destination, it also coaxes you into a world of new and unforgettable experiences, just waiting to be discovered.
