The Insider's Guide to Budget Travel

For our next 48 hour city guide, our guest blogger Nikolas Tjhin goes far east to hectic Hong Kong, an island city combining colonial charm with ultra modern skyscrapers and a traditional taste of the Orient…

Day One

Visitors to the island of Hong Kong always agree that this place is hectic! People are always rushing off somewhere, all while grabbing a snack, talking on the phone or catching up on the latest news and gossip. But even in the hustle and bustle of this metropolitan city, one can still enjoy a relaxing trip to Hong Kong on a backpacker’s budget, and there are plenty of Hong Kong hostels to crash in after a tiring day on the city streets.

City Tour on the Tram: For a cheap city tour, minus the guide, board the double-decker city trams on the North Coast of Hong Kong island. This Hong Kong icon takes you through various places of interests such as the Western Market, Causeway Bay, Happy Valley and finally ends at Shau Kei Wan, all for a mere HK$2 (US$0.20)!

Lunch at SOHO East: At the end of the tram line is the MTR station Sai Wan Ho. Walk along the tourist trail through to SOHO East, an area overlooking the coast with a wide variety of restaurants and cafes. This is a great place to enjoy a relaxing lunch accompanied by a gentle sea breeze and the peaceful sound of crashing waves.

Catch a Ferry and see the Symphony of Lights: After exploring Sai Wan Ho, go back to the Star Ferry terminal and hop on the ferry towards Kowloon (HK$0.50) at around 7:45-ish. This way you’ll get to enjoy the daily laser light show from the best possible seat, on the ferry at sea! The free show, the Symphony of Lights, is the world’s largest permanent light and sound show. The ferry drops you off near the Avenue of Stars, so take a leisurely stroll along Hong Kong’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Dinner at Mongkok: Mongkok at night is always crowded with people, but if you know where to go you’ll be able to keep yourself from being crushed by the throng of bargain-hungry shoppers. Parts of the street in the area is closed at night, and turned into street-side make-shift restaurants serving various local delicacies. Hong Kong has hundreds of unique local dishes to choose from, but try the drunken clams, hot-pot rice and oyster eggs!

Nightlife at Lan Kwai Fong: Finally, if you still have the energy, hail a cab and head towards Lan Kwai Fong, a hip hangout spot for both locals and tourists. You’ll find various pubs, cafes, bars and nightclubs in the area, playing anything from live music, hip hop and R&B to techno and trance.

Sleep Well: When you’re all partied out, head to Nathan Road’s Golden Mile – not to hit the stores and shops, but to bed down in the Lucky Hotel. Situated in Chung King Mansion, this hostel is slap bang in the center of Hong Kong, close to Victoria Harbor and the Star Ferry Terminal, and the beds are said to be the chicest and comfiest in the city…

Day Two

Street Side Breakfast: Breakfast is my favorite part of the day, and Hong Kong’s version is undeniably sweet. A serving of egg-tarts with an order of teh-peng (tea with sweetened milk over ice) is a great way to start the day. Add to that an order of hot and sour soup to go – sea cucumber, roasted duck, and pig’s blood all mixed in a flavorful broth.

Explore Lantau Island: For a fresh perspective of Hong Kong, head towards Lantau Island for a day of hiking and exploration in this island getaway. Start with a 30-minutes cable car ride towards the cultural village at Ngong Ping, before heading towards the Giant Buddha Statue by the Po Lin Monastery. For the more fit and adventurous, there are also various nature and hiking trails that lead you to mesmerizing scenic views of Hong Kong Island!

A Sweet Pick-Me Up: After a day of hiking and trekking, head back to the comfort of Hong Kong Island to enjoy the sweet and tasty treats at one of the many desserts stalls around Hong Kong (the famed franchise Hui Lao Shan is extremely popular with the locals). Try the Mango Sago with Pomelo for a quick pick-me up, and perhaps grab an extra order to go!

Stanley Town: End your day at Stanley Town in South Hong Kong Island, and while away the evening in the fine restaurants. Near the area there is also Stanley Market, a large open-air market that is similar to Mong Kok, but nowhere near as crowded. It’s a great place to find that last-minute souvenir for friends and relatives.

There’s loads more things to do in Hong Kong, of course, but I think you’d need an extra week to fit all the sights in…

Nikolas Tjhin is the editor of UnearthingAsia, a travel blog-zine focusing on culture, lifestyle and attractions all around Asia. When not Twittering away, he reads, writes and dreams about travel!