Hong Kong fascinates. However, the surroundings are attractive too
Big cities are like a magnet to me, but I always try to
find some green spots to get away from them again when I visit. So also in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong island
Big cities have always fascinated me, ever since the first time I came up the stairs from the subway in New York in 1987 and saw the high skyscrapers above. It has a huge fascination on me, these highly tall buildings and all this architecture made to impress. However, sometimes it goes wrong, and in Hong Kong, you could find some examples of this. There is a backside behind the fancy facades where poverty is visible. One good example of this is the so-called Monster Building.
Hong Kong park
In the middle of Hong Kong island, you find Hong Kong Park. It is not a huge park, and it is pretty hilly, but it is very charming. It also has giant conservatories where tropical birds fly “quite freely” around. It is a lovely retreat in the middle of town. I met this man and his cat in the park.
Tian Tan Buddha and Tai O
I wanted to go out of town and see Tian Tan Buddha, the world’s most giant seated Buddha. I took the Ngong Ping 360 Cable car with a glass floor to get there. I will not say it was scary, but still a special feeling to look down.
Since I already was on Lantau Island, I visited a small fishing village called Tai O. There is a bus service between Tian Tan Buddha and Tai O. Tai O is a charming small fishing village; I had a lovely lunch here before hiking the one-hour round on the outskirt of the town to the Fu Shan Viewing Point.
The Dragons back and the Lion Rock
Around the city, you find some hikes in the forest. I tried out two of them; Dragons back and Lion Rock. The contrasts are so significant when you stand in the middle of the green, and at a far distance, you see these highly high buildings towering up close to each other, like standing matches.
There is a bus taking you to the start for the Dragons back. It is not a very long hike. For Norwegians, it is an easy walk. However, I guess it is excellent for the local people to get out of the city to feel the nature around them. You find a bus back to the town again down by the beach.
The last outing I did was up to the Lion Rock. You have to take the underground to the place where the hike begins. Here you have to work harder because it is steep uphill. I read some warnings about not attending this if you have heart problems. However, it is not that bad, and the view here is impressive. Unfortunately, Lion Rock is north of the city, and you have the sun behind the city at midday, so challenging to take good photos. I guess it must be fantastic at sunset.
