Weekend Plus Desk :
ong Kong, Asia’s ‘World City,’ is famed for both its modern metropolitan setting and its deep ties with its cultural roots.
While this deeply-embedded contrast can be explored during the day time, there is a lot post dusk, from after-dark shopping, all-night clubbing to high octane entertainment.
One can also catch the magical Chinese melodies at a Chinese orchestra performance, or hit the bars and clubs around SoHo for a change of pace. Apart from these, here are a few key attractions that one can explore in a night in Hong Kong:
Ladies Market
The Ladies Market is one of the three parallel lanes, a part of the shopping hub in the Mong Kok district. As the name suggests, the vehicle-free Ladies Market, is a shopping paradise for women. The kilometre long stretch features over 100 stalls retailing clothing, accessories, cosmetics, home decor products and souvenirs at irresistible prices. You can flex your haggling skills to get good deals here. Once you are done with the entire shopping, refill at one of Mong Kok’s fantastic street food stalls.
Temple Street Market
Temple Street Night Market, named after a Tin Hau temple located nearby, is another market that remains open late into the night. The market retains its local charm and has a lot more to offer than just shopping; groove with the opera singers, an experience that offers a piece of Cantonese opera through an open-air performance. The best time to shop is 7:00pm onwards when it is bustling with people. Watch out for stalls tucked a little off the main street to strike a good bargain. Fortune-tellers and herbalists are another common feature of the street. If sampling local food is on your list, then do get your hands on some scrumptious Chinese street food and seafood for some surprisingly low prices.
Symphony of Light Show
Another night-time attraction that has put Hong Kong on the world map is the Symphony of Light Show. The spectacular multimedia show has been setting the harbour ablaze every night since 2004. Declared as the World’s Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show by the Guinness World Records, the show depicts various themes with the help of an array of dancing lights and extensive laser beams.
To view this stunning spectacle of lights splash across the skyline, head to the promenade at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, the Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront nestled outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, or jump aboard a ferry from the Victoria Harbour.
Aqua Luna Cruise
The best way to view the locales of Hong Kong is through a boat ride. Aqua Luna, one of the city’s last remaining Chinese junk boats, adds an authentic touch to such an exploration. A 45-minute journey on the traditional wooden junk boat navigates through Central or Tsim Sha Tsui Pier to Stanley. Relax on the deck and enjoy the beautiful views of the coastline unfold as you pass through the bustling heart of the city to the lush tropical coastline of Hong Kong’s southern end, across the South China Sea. You can choose from a single journey or a round trip, which allows you two hours to explore the waterfront neighbourhood of Stanley before hopping back onboard for a journey back to the city. n
