After more than a year since the Philippines has been on lockdown due to the pandemic and months of discovering and rediscovering our city-state for fun things to do with our kids, it will come as no surprise if many of us are starting to get itchy feet and crave for some overseas travel. So while we wait for the time that we can pack up our bags and go, perhaps it will be wiser to start planning. Our first destination: Hong Kong
We take notes from former VJs and mums Choy and May as the former—through video call—shows her twin around Hong Kong’s offerings that visitors should check out. Choy, who moved to Hong Kong nearly five years ago, has grown to love more than just the sights, but also the life there. And now, knowing what more it has to offer, Choy sheds light on the other sides of Hong Kong that promises a fun-filled experience for the whole family.
And if you’re like May, who misses Hong Kong and wants to take her whole family there for more than just shopping and chowing down on delicious Cantonese food, you’ll definitely enjoy planning your upcoming adventure based on this guide.
Hong Kong: More than just a cosmopolitan
Hong Kong is known to be a shopping paradise and a thriving business centre. However, many do not know that there are much more than just the typical tourism activities (read: eating, shopping, sightseeing) that can be done there.
“That’s the beauty of being in Hong Kong. You have this vibrant cosmopolitan city, but you also have these pockets of charm around that you just have to dig a little bit deeper to explore,” Choy, who has been living in Hong Kong for about five years now, tells May over facetime.
Showcasing Hong Kong like you have never seen before, the twin’s itinerary sheds light on the outlying islands and new territories that offer family-friendly amenities and activities they encourage visitors to check out.
Hong Kong Family-friendly Travel Itinerary
Hong Kong First Stop: Lamma Island
As your family escapes the buzzing city-state, it would be counterintuitive if you are headed to another busy cosmopolitan. Thankfully, just a short ferry ride from Hong Kong Island is Lamma Island.
Known for its “chill vibe,” a visit to Lamma Island promises a unique charm and relaxation. Contrary to what you can expect from popular tourist destinations like Lantau and Cheung Chau, Lamma Island boasts laid-back scenery and adventurous hiking trails. But don’t think it’s all just nature and rural sights that you’ll find there; Lamma Island also offers a piece of the buzz Hong Kong is known for with various shopping options and restaurants for everyone to explore, including sea-view restaurants serving freshly steamed scallops, crunchy deep-fried squid and juicy lobster at Sok Kwu Wan, and Ah Po Tofu, a little traditional tofu dessert spot, at Yung Shue Wan.
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| Travel Information: Lamma Island |
| Location: South-western region of Hong Kong Island |
| How to get there: Take a 30-min ferry ride from Central Pier 4 |
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| Pro-tip for parents: To make sure you and your family get to experience the most out of Lamma Island, be sure to set aside at least half a day of your trip to spend there. |
Lamma Island must-dos for families:
Have fun at the beaches of Lamma Island.
There are a few beaches on the side of Lamma island, but the most popular ones are Hung Shing Yeh and Lo So Shing. These beaches have plenty of facilities at hand.
Hung Shing Yeh Beach is equipped with changing rooms, showers, toilets, and a few restaurants and accommodations nearby. Families don’t also need to worry while swimming here because a shark net protects the beach.
On the other hand, Lo Shing beach features a beautiful stretch of sand that is ideal for walking or relaxing by the water.
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| Pro-tip for parents: Lo So Shing and Hung Shing Yeh are Lamma Island’s famous beaches. If you want to grab a good spot for your family, be sure to arrive early!
Note that one of Lamma Island’s beaches—Sham Wan Beach—is closed during nesting season (between 1 June to 31 October) for endangered green turtles. |
Go on a hike on Lamma Island’s Family Trail.
This easy, walk-among-nature trail does not have steep inclines and features a path that is all concreted, allowing families with small children—including those in strollers—to have a gentle stroll.
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| Pro-tip for parents: As Lamma Island is famous among Hong Kong locals, it is ideal to visit the island on weekdays. Be sure to pack quick bites to eat and plenty of water and other drinks if you’re planning to take a hike.
Don’t forget your sunscreen! |
For more information on great outdoor activities you can do on Lamma Island, check out the Hong Kong Tourism Board website.
Hong Kong Next Stop: Sha Tin
Though not necessarily considered a top tourist attraction, Sha Tin offers some fascinating sights and experiences for visitors of the town.
This suburban area offers Hong Kong’s countryside flavours with its green spaces, lush hills and historic walled villages.
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| Travel Information: Sha Tin |
| Location: Eastern New Territories, Hong Kong |
| How to get there: East Rail Line and the Tuen Ma Line |
Sha Tin must-dos for families
Cycle along the Shing Mun River.
During Choy’s call with May, while exploring Sha Tin, she and her family were cycling along the Shing Mun River.
Cycling is a great way to see the river. There are plenty of options for rental shops for bicycles for solo riders and family-type bicycle tourist carts. Along the river is a dedicated path that remains flat throughout, making it easier to trail from Sha Tin all the way to other new territories like Tai Po and Tai Mei Tuk.
Throughout the ride on this traffic-free bike path that spans about 22 km, families will get to enjoy the scenic views of Tolo Harbour and the view of the beautiful lake near the main dam of Plover Cove Reservoir.
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| Pro-tip for parents: Cycling from Sha Tin To Tai Mei Tuk? Plan your route ahead and know when and where to refuel your energy (especially if you will be pedalling the family-type bicycle tourist cart yourself.) There are places along the trail where you can buy food and beverages—with some sites where you can also enjoy barbequing. |
If you are not looking at going too far from Sha Tin, you can opt to end your journey along Tao Po, where you can make a detour along Lam Tsuen River.
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| Pro-tip for parents: There are bike rental shops in Tai Wai, Sha Tin Park, Tai Po Waterfront Park, and Tai Mei Tuk. Select a shop near your starting point and ask the staff if the bike can be returned at your destination. Most rental shops will let you return your bikes at a shop at your destination, which means you don’t have to ride back to return your bikes. |
Visit the historic Hakka Village in Hong Kong
One of Hong Kong’s best-preserved Hakka walled villages, Tsang Tai Uk, can be found in Sha Tin. Meaning “Big House of the Tsangs”, the village was built in the 19th century. Today, the village remains true to its form amidst land development and urbanisation, allowing visitors to be transported into a whole new world.
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| Pro-tip for parents: Take your kids to see a piece of Hong Kong’s history as you pay your respects at the ancestral hall, where photos of the village founders and those who came after them are enshrined. |
For more insider favourites in Sha Tin, check out the Hong Kong Tourism Board website.
Final stop: Aberdeen Fishing Village
A stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong is the very picturesque Aberdeen Fishing Village. Here, the old and the new coexist with old-fashioned junks, sampans, and houseboats (where fishers and their families still live) on one side and modern yachts on the other.
Families can take a ride on sampans for sightseeing and get a close-up look at the floating restaurants or hop on houseboats for fresh seafood meals, each with a unique Cantonese cuisine flavour.
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| Travel Information: Aberdeen Fishing Village |
| Location: Southern end Hong Kong Island |
| How to get there: Take the Hong Kong Station MTR Exit D to get to Exchange Square Bus Terminal, take Bus 70 to the Aberdeen Promenade. |
Aberdeen Fishing Village must-do for families
Take a ride around the harbour on a Sampan boat.
A great way to see Aberdeen up close is riding a Sampan boat. Similar to the tour Choy and her family were on, each ride takes about 25-30 minutes and allows visitors to see scenic points of the areas throughout the ride.
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| Pro-tip for parents: On the boat, look out for the famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant, an iconic landmark. The structure Imperial Chinese-style art murals, dragon statues and pagoda structures. While dining services are no longer available at this traditional Cantonese banquet venue, its legacy continues, so do not miss the opportunity to snap some photos! |
Join cultural tours along the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter.
Embark on a boat ride that will help you dive deep into the harbour’s remarkable history with insights on different landmarks en route. Be sure to set foot on a houseboat and experience the daily life of Hong Kong’s fishermen and enjoy a sumptuous meal such as the traditional boat noodles as part of the tour.
Hong Kong Bonus stop: Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront
Offering the most classic view of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour is the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. What better way to end your holiday in Hong Kong than marvel at the magnificent skyline?
Here, you and your family can take pictures with the architectural spectacle of this iconic skyline and admire how the lights from the skyscrapers reflect on the waves—a fitting end to an unforgettable journey for the whole family.
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| Pro-tip for parents: While at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, head towards the east and check out “A Symphony of Lights” at night. Both kids and adults can enjoy this sensational multimedia light show that is a feast for the eyes of locals and tourists alike. |
Experience Hong Kong Like No Other
Apart from the typical tourist attractions we all know and love in Hong Kong, a new adventure awaits families in new territories around the main island. Just like Choy and May, look forward to an experience like no other when you visit Hong Kong in the future with this itinerary on hand.
Get started with planning your upcoming trip to Hong Kong. Check out the Hong Kong Tourism Board website for more.
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