Offbeat Hong Kong: 8 Non-touristy, Cool & Borderline crazy things to do !
Unlike the hidden villages of Seoul, Hong Kong is a very popular and mainstream tourist destination. And with good reason. Its gorgeous , glittering and glamorous. But we are forever on a quest to showcase non touristy and unseen facet of any place. In this post let me whisk you across this land of dragons and show you offbeat Hong Kong!
Mickey mouse ears to be worn at Disneyland. Thrilling roller coasters to be ridden in Ocean park. A thousand secrets to be whispered on sacred Lantau island. You know all the “must do” things in Hong Kong.
There are a zillion fun things to experience in Hong Kong. In fact don’t even bother telling your friends you visited Hong Kong if you don’t try them all.
But after having done it all, walk away from the crowds and discover the real deal. Once you peel off the many layers of glitzy glamor, an eccentric and offbeat Hong Kong reveals itself.
The reason you are reading this is because you enjoy visiting places that are under the tourist radar 😉 ! So lets skip the cliche and head out to discover the hidden gems of Hong Kong!
Offbeat Hong Kong – 8 Non-touristy & Unusual Experiences
If non-touristy & quirky things excite you then you are in the right place. In this post I will show you some shades of Hong Kong that are strangely gratifying. Am sure you will enjoy these as much as we did.
1. Wandering in Neon-lit Nights
The nights in Hong Kong are bathed in pink, blue and every other hue. Fluorescent neon lights illuminate evenings to create an ambience of romance. On the Kowloon peninsula, a saunter along Tsim Sha Tsui to Boundary Street allows you to bask in the fading glow of Hong Kong’s iconic lights.
Just as orchids are the unsaid emblem of Singapore, these vintage lights are of Hong Kong!
These nostalgia inducing noble gas sign boards are rapidly being replaced by LED signs. While many love the buzz of modern malls, we love vintage charms of an offbeat Hong Kong. Catch these before they are completely gone!
2. Enter the Dragon
So what if I cannot kick butt like Bruce Lee or Donnie Yen, I can learn a few moves in Hong Kong’s awe-inspiring legacy of martial arts. If you are a Kung-fu fan like me or Po the panda, then walk down Nathan road. This is where young Bruce Lee learnt his craft from Ip Man.
On Sundays, catch a free Kung Fu show or learn Tai Chi from locals and celebrate the region’s intangible cultural heritage. Take the path less trodden. Escape Hong Kong’s heat and cool off among leafy trees and rosy flamingoes. All of this can be enjoyed at Kowloon Park.
If like me, you are fascinated by martial arts and happen to live in Seattle, then remember Hong Kong’s legendary son rests in Seattle. One of the lesser known and offbeat things about Seattle is the grave of Bruce Lee. You cannot even walk past his cemetery without feeling the sheer force of his energy. It’s a powerful moment for his fans.
Coming back to Hong Kong – I would tell you to take a selfie with Bruce Lee’s statue or place your palms in the hand prints of Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh at Avenue Of Stars, but I promised you offbeat Hong Kong.
Adventurous visitors can go exploring the rural areas outside Kowloon, where Zen philosophy of Shaolin merged with the brute strength of martial arts to give birth to Kung-Fu.
3. Sail Differently
Everyone uses the Star Ferry to cross Victoria harbor. But You are not everyone. Traditional and authentic stuff excites you , doesn’t it? Be different from the rest and cross from Hong Kong island to Kowloon in traditional Chinese sailboats enjoying the cool sea breeze.
A local, unique and memorable way to experience Hong Kong! After a tiring day, cruising between undulating green hills and 200 scattered islands is the perfect way to unwind.
4. Tiptoe in the Typhoon
Remember the heading? Here’s crazy coming at you ! Typhoons hammer Hong Kong frequently. In 2016 when we were trotting across Asia, super typhoon Haima rocked the city. The skies lashed rain and gusts of strong winds threatened to topple the city.
If you are a whimsical thrill seeker like us, then you cannot resist a stroll in this season. Our addiction for everything “authentic” made us experience this common phenomenon which locals brave with a smile.
For an intrepid traveler, its a time to take wind swept selfies with the skyscrapers.
5. Try ear-smoking Cuisine
While the hallmark cuisine of Hong Kong is mild and flavorful Cantonese food, other regional cuisines are very popular too. Like Sichuan cuisine.
Pungent garlic marries spicy chilly peppers in your mouth and creates sensational flavors of southwestern China. Don’t let the chili laden picture intimidate you.
Tradition says, in Szechuan chicken, you need to search the chicken among all the chilli peppers. Your efforts to find the meat will pay off, for its utterly delicious.
You don’t end up with peppercorn-numbed tongue and chilli-scorched tastebuds, if you pay attention to what you are biting into!
We savored countless delectable dumplings at Hong Kong’s fine dining restaurants. But that is the most popular and well known dish. Want something more off-the-beaten path from Hong Kong’s kitchens ? Then dig into this fiery delicacy. It is outstanding.
Delicious dining at Intercontinental Hong Kong
From refined upscale restaurants to no-frills family kitchens, we loved them all. No matter where you go in Hong Kong , delicious food is never far away.
6. Pick Heirloom Trinkets – Truly Offbeat Hong Kong
Buy local souvenirs that will remind you of your time in this fast growing Asian metropolis. We love exploring markets worldwide, from Ben Thanh Market in Saigon to the souks of Morocco, we’ve done it all! Clustered stalls selling local handicrafts? – yes please!
The frenzied pace of Hong Kong can be overwhelming so we suggest navigating Mongkok with a local guide, who showcased a hidden and intimate side of this lovely harbor city for us.
Collect heirloom trinkets , exotic souvenirs or antiques from colonial times. Buy colorful tropical fish in goldfish market or visit a fortune teller in the night market after the sun goes down!
Skip the fancy malls and head to hidden markets selling traditional handicrafts. By exploring secret alleys in Hong Kong, you will help keep the heritage of local artisans, alive.
One such tradition is the hand carving of Mahjong Tiles. You can watch this old fashioned craftsmanship in Temple Street night market in Hong Kong. Hand carving and hand painting Mahjong tiles is a dying industry. Without the right patronage this art will become extinct. But people like you and me will ensure it doesn’t, by spreading the word!
7. Luxuriate While Watching Rainbows
You can gaze at psychedelic colors dancing on the water, while luxuriating in your pool. Like us, sip on delicious cocktails and watch a rainbow of lights unfold along a 250 degree view.
Being a humid destination, your swimming pool is your best friend here, so pick your hotel wisely.
We chose the Intercontinental Hong Kong, because of the stunning harbor views it offered, its central location and great restaurants.
It felt great to cap an entire day of shopping & sightseeing, by relaxing in the rooftop infinity pool of this luxurious hotel. Savor Hong Kong’s typical beauty in this unique style.
Every evening a free light and sound show dazzles visitors to this former British colony. A sight of traditional sailboats gliding past stunning backdrop of skyscrapers, makes for unforgettable memory in Hong Kong.
The views from the edge of our table
8. Try a Roast Goose
Our favorite way to enjoy offbeat Hong Kong is to try a roast goose. Its very similar to a roast Peking duck, only richer and more expensive.
Tender, succulent slices with a crisp skin are served with a side of slightly tart plum sauce. The gorgeous caramel color of the glazed bird and musty smoky flavor given by the charcoal oven makes roast goose an unmissable dish of Hong Kong.
Kam’s Roast Goose is our choice. The wait in this restaurant is terrible but the delicious bird was worth it !
Hope you enjoyed reading the list of unique and offbeat things to do in Hong Kong.
What are the quaint, quirky and the quintessential charms you loved the most? Let us know in comments below. Here on Three Tickets Please, we don’t just stop at secret spots from one city. We uncover the hidden gems from around the world! So go crazy exploring 🙂
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6 thoughts on “Offbeat Hong Kong: 8 Non-touristy, Cool & Borderline crazy things to do !”
I live in Hong Kong and can attest to the facts that you mentioned..Awesome insight.
Thanks a ton Souvik ! It means so much to me when locals and residents like yourself add positive comments and hence credibility to my articles. Hope you liked other destinations on the blog too 🙂
Superb info , u r right about those lights ,always have been associated with hong kong, and that chicken dish looks fiery!
Thanks a bunch 🙂 Hope you enjoy the upcoming Posts too !
Hey deepti, beautifully described …love to read your family tour experiences… 🙂
Hey Disha,
so lovely to hear from you ! Thanks a bunch.