250 Things to Love About Hong Kong
We celebrate The List's 250th issue by looking at everything we love about Hong Kong.
This month at The List, we’re celebrating our 250th issue by looking at everything we love about Hong Kong and what makes it so special. Here are 250 things that we can’t get enough of in this crazy city of ours.
Flavors
An essential part of Hong Kong is food, glorious food
The unique taste of Cantonese dim sum
Lin Heung Tea House has been here since the 1920s to cure your dim sum cravings. Tsang Chiu Ho Building, 160 Wellington St, Sheung Wan, 2544-4556
The slightly bittersweet taste of local iced lemon tea
Ki Kei Cafe replaces lemon slices with lemon peel and fresh lemon juice. G/F, 8 Kut Hing Street, Tai O
Black herbal jelly
While best eaten with just a sprinkle of sugar, Kei Kee Dessert serves the dessert with heaps of fresh cut fruits. 33 Kam Fai Path, Yuen Long, 2479-4743
The herbal tea craze in the hot summer months
Chau Ka Yuen supposedly sells a bowl of their ”Chicken bone grass” tea (雞骨草涼茶) every five minutes. G/F, 52 Ap Lei Chau Main St., Ap Lei Chau
Eating a hot peanut butter waffle in cold weather
Lee Keung Kee North Point Egg Waffles serves up piping hot waffles with your choice of topping—think Nutella or condensed milk. 492 King’s Rd., North Point
Navigating the maze at Chungking Mansion to eat like you’re in India
Crowned as the King of Curry, Khyber Pass Mess Club is a Chungking gem. Flat E2, 7/F, Block E, ChungkingMansion, 36-44 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui
Silk stocking milk tea
You can’t go wrong with Lan Fong Yuen’s legendary milk tea. 2 Gage St., Central, 2544-3895
Warm and wobbly straight-out-of-the-oven egg tarts
The hardest decision is choosing between the puff pastry and the shortcrust variety. Violet Cake Shop, 94A Electric Rd., Tin Hau
Black market cookies: Jenny Bakery
There are always long lines outside the shop, with people aiming for their prized “teddy bear” butter cookies. Why so popular? Try a box for yourself. Shops 24, G/F & 42, 1/F, Mirador Mansion, 54-64 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2311-8070, jennybakery.com
Creamy scrambled eggs at Australia Dairy Company and the hivemind service there
One of the top cha chaan tengs in town—but be prepared for an intimidating (-ly fast) dining experience. 47 Parkes St, Jordan, 2730-1356.
Freshly baked pineapple buns with a cold slab of butter
Kam Wah Café claims to be the inventor of this guilty pleasure—and they do take their buns seriously. 47 Bute St., Prince Edward, 2392-6830.
Next level desserts seem to get crazier every summer
Try this honey toast-ception: a toast box filled with sweet honey-flavored mini toast pieces, garnished with fruit and ice cream. Dazzling Café, Shop 22, 3/F, The One, 100 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2312-6099
Expensive food items that still get customers because of the hype
I Cremeria’s signature soft serve cream parfait is served in a sweet green melon half—and will set you back $220 a pop. Shop F-9, 1/F, 11-19 Great George St., Fashion Walk, Causeway Bay
Sipping a locally made craft beer
Hong Kong Beer Co. was the first micro-brewery in Hong Kong. Get a pint at Inn Side Out. 2/F, SCAA, 88 Caroline Hill Rd., Causeway Bay
Chowing down on humble seafood in a sampan
Shun Kee Typhoon Shelter Seafood, Typhoon Shelter, Causeway Bay, 8112-0075
Old school, almost extinct street snacks always make a welcome cameo
Psst... We often notice an elderly man selling authentic sugar “scallion” wraps near Kowloon Tong’s Festival Walk.
Curry fish balls are an emblematic food of Hong Kong
Wong Lam Kee Chiu Chow Fishball Noodles makes them fresh every morning. Shop A, 10 Shau Kei Wan Main St. East, Shau Kei Wan, 2886-0068
Cantonese soups from home or a quick fix on the MTR
We love the nourishing teas and soups at Healthworks in most MTR stations. Shop W7, Central MTR Station (Exit A near Worldwide House), 2840-0518
Eating fried food and getting told you’re too “hot air”
Get some “24 herbs” tea or “gweilo herbal tea” aka ice cold beer, stat!
A double dose of caffeine in a milk tea-coffee hybrid, yuan yeung, to start a morning off right.
China Café offers an extra icy variation. G/F, 1077A Canton Rd., Mong Kok, 2392-7825
Eating dai pai dong grub while watching the world pass by
Sing Heung Yuen has the most amazing tomato soup noodles 2 Mei Lun St., Central, 2544-8368
Chinese New Year puddings get crazier every year, from coffee-flavored ones to cakes decked out in gold leaf
Indulging in comforting hot pot with a huge group
Want some trendy hot pot? Check out The Drunken Pot in Tsim Sha Tsui 2/F, 8 Observatory Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2321-9038
Soy sauce western cuisine
Sammy’s Kitchen is a sure-fire classic. 204-206 Queen’s Rd. West, Western, 2548-8400
Hiking across Lamma to get to the seafood restos
Lamma Hilton Shum Kee Restaurant (no relation to the hotel) is a strong favorite. 26 Sok Kwu Wan Second St., Lamma Island 2982-8290
The city’s silkiest Tofu Fa
Ah Por Tofu Fa, 1 Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island
Getting your wonton noodle fix anywhere, anytime
Wing Wah Noodle Shop’s hand-kneaded egg noodles make them extra delicious. 89 Hennessy Rd., Wan Chai, 2527-7476
The 4pm after school rush for Indo Mie garlic noodles at any nearby 7-Eleven
Weird starchy cream of mushroom soups in local restaurants
Dunking chinese fried donuts into a steaming bowl of congee
Dak Fat Congee (德發粥品) is popular for their fried donut sticks wrapped in rice rolls G/F, 9B & 11 Sze Pei Square, Tsuen Wan, 2498-8404/2408-7368
Steamed minced meatloaf with a salty egg yolk—the comfort food served in a typical Hong Kong home
Man Sing Bing Sut (民聲冰室) or “People’s Voice” offers homey huge meatloaf 16 Wun Sha St., Tai Hang
The unique intense flavor from tea (and soy sauce) poached eggs, mostly found in herbal tea shops.
Farm Milk Company uses farm-fresh eggs. Shek Kong Kap Lung, 78 Lui Kung Tin, Yuen Long, 2832-9218
The crazy following for anything matcha-flavored in Hong Kong
Get your matcha ice cream fix at Via Tokyo, which just opened a new TST branch. 29 Cameron Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2385-6388
Being able to get the daintiest, softest chargrilled char siu and the toughest construction worker tier grilled pork both in Central
Get the fancy version at Mott 32, which uses Iberico Pork. Basement, Standard Chartered Building, 4-4A Des Voeux Rd., Central, 2885-8688
The sweet and salty, tart flavor of dried wah mui prunes
Get them: Yiu Fung Store, Shop A, G/F, 2 Pak Sha Road, Causeway Bay
A freshly made bowl of bouncy fish ball or fish cake noodles
Tak Cheong Noodle (德昌魚蛋粉), G/F, 75 Electric Rd., Tin Hau, 2510-8783
Scents
Smells and odors of the Big Lychee
Medicinal aroma of herbal tea at traditional herbal tea shops
Sam Bo Fong, Shop 4B, 55 Dundas St., Mong Kok, 2781-0728
The citrusy scent of potted kumquat trees adorning building lobbies during Chinese New Year
The fresh verdant smell of the Flower Market in springtime Flower Market, Prince Edward
The smell of Aberdeen near the floating restaurants
The unique mishmash of fresh vegetables, sweet fruits and ferrous smell of live produce at the wet markets Want a high tech wet market experience? Head to Siu Sai Wan Wet Market, revamped with wifi, phone chargers, and online live chicken orders. G/F, Siu Sai Wan Market, Siu Sai Wan Plaza, Eastern
The floral scent of the lobby at Kowloon Shangri-La
64 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui East, 2721-2111
Pungent diesel engines of the Star Ferry
The humidity on your nose especially during April-May or upon return from a trip abroad
The aroma of home cooking from the neighbors traveling into your living room
The unique sweaty scent of food boiling away at a congee or noodle shop
Sang Kee, 20-22 Cleverly St., Sheung Wan, 2541-8199
Charcoal-fired claypot rice and oily deep fried oyster cakes in Yau Ma Tei
Four Seasons Claypot Rice, 46-58 Arthur St., Yau Ma Tei
Incense burning in oldw apartment hallways and shrines
Pak Kung Temple shrine, Peel Street
The cold steely scent of the mist from the sprinklers while picnicking on IFC roof
Eye-wateringly acrid burning incense at Chinese New Year’s celebrations at Che Kung Temple
7 Che Kung Miu Rd., Tai Wai, 2603-4049
Milky and sweet scent of Bubble Tea
You can smell the aroma of TenRen Cha for Tea’s bubble teas from a block away. TenRen Cha for Tea, Eslite, 10/F, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Rd., Causeway Bay, 3419-6780
The sweet smell of of fruits at the Yau Ma Tei Wholesale Fruit Market
The smell of dried seafood on Wing Lok Street
Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan
Pungent stinky tofu in Mong Kok
Kai Kee Snacks, 41 Dundas St., Mong Kok
The smell of wet tofu and fish fading into greens and fruits as you walk up Graham Street
Graham Street, Central Smelling wet fresh cut grass, Victoria Peak Garden, Mount Austin Road, The Peak
The sweet smell of freshly cooked eggettes or egg waffles
Oddies’s got next-level chocolate eggettes. Shop 1F, G/F, 149 Wan Chai Rd., Wan Chai, 9551-7972
The intoxicating smell of Bee Cheng Hiang dried meat jerky outside the MTR in Causeway Bay.
Kong Mansion, 2-6 Yee Wo St., 2833-0128
The perfumed air when you step into the elevator lobby to get to Vibes at The Mira hotel
Vibes, 5/F, The Mira, 118 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2315-5599
The salty smell of dried seafood and shrimp paste still in the making in Tai O
Tai O, Lantau Island
The smell of charcoal and honey at a Hong Kong-style barbecue
The salty sea smell that sticks to the whole bus when you’re heading home from the beach
Citybus no.9 runs between Shau Kei Wan (close to the MTR) and Shek O beach
The scent of fear when you’re locked in a room at Freeing HK
freeinghk.com
The smell of the inside of a face mask when you have the slightest cold
Sounds
Noises and sound bites we like to hear
The wailing and singing and percussion sounds from Cantonese opera
Gushing sound of fountains at Hong Kong Park
19 Cotton Tree Drive, Central, 2521-5041
Flapping of pigeon wings over our heads outside the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry pier
People oohing and aahing at Pui Pui the celebrity crocodile
Hong Kong Wetland Park, Tin Shui Wai, New Territories, 3152-6666
Haggling with market vendors, and hearing them beg you to come back when you do the “walk-away” technique
Ladies Market, Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok
The boisterous sounds of the Cantonese dialect and other native dialects like Hakka and Chiu Chow
Punters tuning into radio broadcast with rapid Cantonese commentary on horseracing
The “ding-ding” noise that you hear on trams
The nonsensical restaurant terms and secret lingo used in local cha chaan tengs
The Cantonese accent while speaking a foreign language
The sound of Star Ferry’s rattling engine noise
The jingle of the TVB newscast
Eating at the night market at the noisy junction in Temple Street
Corners of Battery and Woo Sung Streets
Gym salesmen chasing you down the street yelling their promotions at you
Large groups of domestic helpers dancing on Sundays
MTR staff holding up stop signs during rush hour telling people to queue
Beyond’s song in every protest, “Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies” (海闊天空)
The annoying sound of motorcycle engines speeding on the highway in the middle of the night
Parents’ Asian-style disciplining in public
People yelling “where are you?” at the meeting point under Times Square’s huge TV
The annoying sounds of Candy Crush on the MTR
Novice-level recorder skills for every kid who went to primary school here
The rapid beeping sound when the green light flashes: run!
Old people and their pet caged birds in parks
Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, Prince Edward
The sound of clinking china when Hongkongers rinse their tableware before a dim sum meal
The firecracker and drumming sounds at the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance during Mid Autumn Festival
A tranquil nighttime walk along TST waterfront to Hung Hom, hearing nothing but the harbor and distant cars
The trickle of water when hiking at Bride’s Pool
Get there: Take KMB bus no.75K from Tai Po Market MTR Station to Tai Mei Tuk, get off at the green pavilion
The origin story of “Swiss Sauce” chicken wings— how “Swiss” was a mispronunciation of “sweet” soy sauce.
Tai Ping Koon’s famous variety has plenty of aromatic sesame oil and huadiao wine. G/F, 60 Stanley Street, Central, 2899-2780
The mass of people crossing the road at Sogo, the busiest intersection in the city
Sogo, 555 Hennessy Rd., Causeway Bay, 2833-8338
People swearing on the football/basketball pitch at Victoria Park
Local farmers showing off their wares at farmers markets
Tong Chong Street Markets, every Sunday through Jun 12, 2016, 11am-5pm. Taikoo Place, Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay
The difference in the sound of an adult and a concessionary octopus card on the MTR gates
The sound of mahjong shuffling when walking past a mahjong school
...which are actually licensed gambling businesses. Intimidated? Learn the basics from mahjongtime.com
Uncles gathering to play chinese chess in park pavilions
Iconic Hong Kong birds chirping and hooting in the early evening and early morning
The MTR PA telling people to stand still on the escalator, and to not look at their mobile phones
One of a kind Cantonese slang terms and swear words
The music coming from Mr. Softee ice cream trucks
Middle aged men discussing the latest races while yum cha
The tantalizing drilling sounds coming from construction sites
Long, drawn out annoying horns by impatient drivers
Poor reporters shouting against the howling typhoon winds while doing live reports outdoor
Classic TV ads that are still playing after 30 years
The Sze Hing Loong peanut commercial, anyone?
The chuckles at TakeOut Comedy
B/F, 34 Elgin St., Central, 6220-4436, takeoutcomedy.com
The sound of flipping pages in the City Hall study room before public exam periods
5 Edinburgh Place, Central
The delightful end-of-school-day chimes instead of jarring school bells
Sights
Things we see on the streets
The iconic Victoria Harbour skyline
Grab a drink at the Ozone for an unblocked view: 118/F, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, ICC, 1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon, 2263-2270, ritzcarlton.com
Cascades of long dark locks in whatever crowds you go through.
The perennial traffic jam outside the Cross Harbour Tunnel.
Beat the traffic with the HK Road Info app, free on the app store.
The evening light show along the waterfront.
A Symphony of Lights, 8 pm daily.
Getting squashed like sardines during rush hour on the MTR
The iconic green trams
Ride all the way from the Shau Kei Wan Terminus to the Western Market for a full experience.
Dim sum trolleys
Metropol Hong Kong is one of the few places that still serve dim sums in trolleys. 4/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty, 2865-1988
The impressive ridges of Lion Rock
For great views of the iconic mountain head to Lion Rock bar. 3/F, 193 Prince Edward Rd. West, Mong Kok
Rusty Signboards
Check out the neon signs on Nathan Road.
Streetside karaoke along Temple Street
(Or is it just noise?)
Talkative fortune tellers in Temple Street
Wait til it’s dark before venturing into the rows of tents—go in and try your luck!
Hawker carts touting their delicious street snacks
We all have our favorites, ours is at Tsim Sha Tsui late at night.
Wong Tai Sin Temple brimming with people during Chinese New Year
2 Chuk Yuen Village, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon, 2327-8141
Making a wish at Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree
Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, New Territories, 2638-3678
“Mahjong School” signboards
Kai Kee Mahjong School, Shop 3, Cambridge Building, 25-39 Hong Ning Rd., Kwun Tong
Fishing boats in Aberdeen
The tallest floors of skyscrapers hidden in the mist
Old ladies “villain-hitting” with a slipper under the Canal Road flyover
Gazing at bokehs of street lamps and neon signs through a window on a rainy night
The observation elevator at Hopewell Centre 183 Queen’s Rd. East, Wanchai, Hong Kong.
Standing along the piers at night, between two distinct skylines
See it: Hung Hom Ferry Pier
Local hair game: Strong
The fake sky above Sky Bar at Langham Place
It feels a little like the final scene of Jim Carey’s “The Truman Show” Langham Place, 8 Argyle St., Mong Kok
Seafood with a view in Sai Kung
Chuen Kee Seafood Restaurant, 87-89 Man Nin St., Sai Kung, 2792-6938
Beautiful scenic hikes just a stone’s throw away
The old juxtaposed with the new in our architecture
The cartoon-driven cafes where fans queue for hours
Gudetama Cafe by Izumi Curry, Yata, LG/F, apm Millennium City 5, 418 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong
The lively protests in Causeway Bay on important public holidays
Labour Day’s coming up, so prepare yourself for the parade of workers.
Pristine, lesser-visited beaches, such as Hap Mun Bay.
Get there: Take bus no. 92 from Diamond HIll MTR station and get off at Sai Kung Town, then rent one of the sampans by the waterfront.
Our city not being one flat boring terrain
The exploding street art scene everywhere you look
Our favorite is the colorful staircase in Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
More shopping malls per square mile than probably anywhere in the world
Having hot pot in Sham Shui Po beneath the neon lights
Wo Kui Hot Pot (鍋居火鍋專門店), G/F, 191 Fuk Wan St., Sham Shui Po, 2780-1618
Dragon boat racing at Stanley Beach
Catch the annual Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships on Jun 9. 8am-6pm at Stanley Main Beach
The temple fairs at Tai Kok Tsui, and foreigners dressed up like ancient emperors
The record-breaking big fish on Lamma that’s worshipped at the Tin Hau temple in Sok Kwu Wan
Tin Hau Temple, Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island
Getting lost around the brown Ma On Shan line—because no one really gets it, still
Dispensary cats and social media pages for dispensary cats
Brother Cream, we love you! creambrother.com
The first five and last three episodes of TVB soap operas.
You don’t really need to watch the rest…
Long lines of parents and children on kindergarten registration days
People reselling iPhones right outside Apple stores
The Toy House, 100 Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
Kids doing homework in practically every café
Long queues outside newly opened restaurants
Long queues outside ladies’ restrooms
Girls with horizontal Korean-inspired brows, whether it looks good on them or not
Get the look: 3CE, 42 Sai Yeung Choi St. South, Mong Kok, 2387-4577
People carrying UV-protective umbrellas on a sunny day
Men helping their female partners carry their handbags
Buses so packed the doors can barely shut
People pushing their dogs around in carriages
Schoolgirls wearing sweaters over their cheongsam uniforms in 30 degree weather
Older people running into MTR carriages to hog seats
People sprinting across the platform at Admiralty MTR
Pole-leaners on the MTR
Domestic helpers picnicking on pedestrian walkways
Shoe shiners on Theatre Lane, Causeway Bay
The Aqua Luna’s red sails
aqualuna.com.hk
Elaborate shopping mall Christmas decorations
Funny, badly phrased words on T-shirts
People taking selfies with the lazy pandas in the background at Ocean Park
Aberdeen, 3923-2323
Cruising to the top of Central on the Mid-Levels Escalator
Peering into each bag of tropical fish at the goldfish market
Bute Street and Tung Choi Street North, Mong Kok
Watching the sun set at Ha Pak Nai
Get there: Take green mini bus No. 33 at Tai Fung Street in Yuen Long Town and get off at Tai Kok Miu
The view out onto the water at the “Instagram Pier” in Shek Tong Tsui
The Sai Wan Swimming Shed
This photogenic jetty at the western end of K-Town was once popular with early morning harbor swimmers. Kennedy Town
Walk-up overpasses
Annoying to some, but you can cross the street safely, get a mini-workout, and enjoy an elevated view
Dog-friendly hipster cafés are everywhere, if you know where to look
The Barking Lot Café is a café, adoption center as well as an education center. 14 Stanley Main St., Stanley
Happenings
Funny observations, icons, and daily occurrences
Forget your wallet? Your Octopus card’s got you covered
Road Beers from “Club 7/11”
Grab a 7-Eleven drink and hang out at a park. Hollywood Road Park, Sheung Wan
Food delivery is magical
Deliveroo (deliveroo.hk) and FoodPanda (foodpanda.hk) are here to bring your favorite meals to you in less than an hour.
Tsui Wah at 4am in LKF
Nothing beats a warm, crispy butter bun splattered with sweet condensed milk after a crazy night out. G-2/F, 15-19 Wellington Street, Central
Feeling like you’re taking a mini trip when you jump on a ferry
Great leisure biking trails are easily accessible
The Tai Wai to Tai Po route (14-20km) gives you a gentle, 2.5-3.5 hour workout.
The affordability of public transport
$2.30 gets you across Hong Kong Island on a tram. We’re not complaining.
Big events to look forward to each year
Art month and the Rugby Sevens in spring, Clockenflap and Beertopia in fall.
The relief you feel when you can snag a reluctant cross-harbour taxi at 2am
Navigating the maze at the Wan Chai Computer Centre for all of your dorky needs.
130 Hennessy Rd, Wan Chai, 5826-3698
Hikes on the Southside and Tai Tam
Get there: Take bus no. 14 from Sai Wan Ho MTR Station
Being able to get your shoes fixed just about anywhere
The cobblers just outside Central MTR Exit D1 and D2 are your best friends.
Convenient laundry services
Too lazy? The recently launched Washie app will get your laundry done— without you moving an inch. washie.com.hk
Striking up a random conversation about politics with the taxi driver while stuck in traffic
Heated conversations about reluctant taxi drivers.
Still find it difficult to get cabs? Try Hopsee, a ride-sharing platform. hopsee.me
Superstar tutors posing on the backs of buses
Bananas flying in Legco meetings
Having a good laugh browsing through the limitless creativity by netizens on Golden Forum
hkgolden.com
Browsing Shanghai Street for hotel-quality kitchenware
Shanghai Street, Mong Kok
The fondly named “Li’s field” during typhoon season preventing work days off for bad weather
(Named after Li Ka-shing.)
Junk parties in the middle of sweltering August
Check out fully equipped boats from hongkongyachting.com
Ice-cold office climates
People racing for the $1 deals at the annual Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo in Victoria Park
The “camera eats first” trend
Trend, or shall we say rule?
Browsing all the art galleries and curios shops on Hollywood Road
Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan
Four firework shows a year against the stunning skyline
Dressing up for high tea at The Pen
The Peninsula, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2920-288
Praying with joss sticks at a temple
Man Mo Temple, 124 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan, 2540-0350
Paying homage to the great Bruce Lee at the heritage museum
Heritage Museum, 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, 2180-8188
Happy Wednesdays at the Races
It’s just $10 to get in at the public enclosure for awesome mid-week fun. Happy Valley Racecourse, Happy Valley
Hong Kong Chic: innovative fashion startups based on local elements
Social enterprise Handsome Bag Co. makes bags out of discarded taxi seats. handsomeco.com
Chilling at Chi Lin Nunnery
5 Chi Lin Drive, Diamond Hill
Hong Kong cinema is something to be proud of.
Have you watched “Ten Years,” the recent Best Picture win at the Hong Kong Film Awards?
The “Ting Hai” Effect (丁蟹效應)
Also known as the “Adam Cheng effect,” this urban myth refers to the sudden drop in the stock market Hong Kong actor Adam Cheng is onscreen. Rollercoaster-style buses when sitting on the top deck
The legendary “Four Heavenly Kings” of 90s Cantopop
Andy Lau, Jacky Cheung, Aaron Kwok and Leon Lai
Proximity to all of Asia—perfect for wanderlusters
Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui’s legacy stretching from stage to screen.
Check out their duet “芳華絕代”(Fong Wa Juet Doi) and their 1988 film “Rouge”.
Walking along Sai Yeung Choi Street in Mong Kok on a Friday night
Crossing the border from Hong Kong to Shenzhen in literally the same building
Lo Wu Station, East Rail Line, MTR
The obsession with whitening skincare products
Old people working out on playground facilities
Vendors selling anti-government fai chun banners at the Chinese New Year fair
The vain attempts to create patterns in fireworks displays
Quoting Stephen Chow movies that everyone grew up with.
That version of “Only You” in “A Chinese Odyssey II: Cinderella”? Nailed it.
Hong Kong’s beloved cartoon pig, McDull
Stepping up and down Pottinger Street in Central, also known as “stone slab street”
Being deathly afraid of the monkeys at Shing Mun Country Park
Plush toys given as presents for university graduates.
The narrowing harbor and all the nostalgia that comes with it
Beautifully sculpted parks
Tamar Park in Admiralty is the perfect spot for spring picnics.
Red, white and blue canvas bags
Banyan trees adorning old streets
Flocks of mainlanders at Sheung Shui station hoarding pharmacy essentials
The elderly doing tai chi in public parks
Feeling like you’ve left the city with a quick staycation to the Southside
We love: Ovolo Southside, 64 Wong Chuk Hang Rd., 2165-1000
Ducking into air conditioned shops every 30 seconds in the summertime
Spending a chill sunday in half air-conditioned, half seaside breezy goodness at The Pulse
Limewood, Shop 103-4, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay, 2866-8668
Shopping on “sneaker street” in Mong Kok for all the newest kicks
Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok
Sipping a cheap cold beverage at the top of Pier 3 for a million dollar view
New Discovery bar, Central Pier 3, Man Kwong St., Central
Rooftop bars never get old here
We love: Sugar, 32/F, EAST, 29 Taikoo Shing Rd., Quarry Bay, 3968-3738
Being able to hop across mini islands when kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding at the beach
Ah Kwok Water Sport Center, Sai Sha Beach, Sha Ha, Sai Kung (Opposite Beach Resort Hotel), 9170-7513
All you can eat cha chaan teng food? It’s not just a dream
An all-you-can-eat meal of CCT classics starts at $88 at Cafe Hong Kong, 18 Hollywood Rd., Central, 2806-0220
Couples sneaking around love hotels and averting eye contact
Paying our bills at 7-Eleven
Squeezing all the fruit in the market before you buy it
Learning how to play “Big Two”
Taxi doors that open for us
Getting your $2 discount for the MTR fare
The Mid-Levels Escalator, Central
The “boat” that takes you across the river at the Yuen Long biking trail
MTR Yuen Long Station, Exit B
Gallery-hopping on opening nights
Usually Thursdays
Weird Asian-inspired pizzas with unusual ingredients
The fear of not being heard when you yell for your stop on a mini-bus