Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong can be overwhelming. If you know the right things to do, this city can also be pretty awesome! I was here for almost a week so I'll list some cool things to do in Hong Kong.

The Skyline

Hong Kong more skyscrapers than anywhere in the world almost double of that of New York City which has the 2nd most skyscrapers in the world. No wonder it is said to have one of the best skylines in the world. 

Victoria Peak

One of the most famous views of the skyline can be seen from Victoria Peak which is one of the most popular touristy things to do while your here and is a must. You can take the tram or walk up a steep path.

(The tram is a cool experience)

It was pretty cloudy/rainy when I went but it was still a lovely experience

(View from Victoria Peak)

Ferry

Another way to view the awesome city and to get to and from Hong Kong Island is to take the ferry. this only costs you less than 50US cents or 3.50HKD which is cheaper than taking the train and much more scenic. 

( IFC2, the 2nd tallest building in Hong Kong seen from the ferry)

Symphony of Lights

Every night at 8pm many iconic buildings participate in a light show attracting tons of people along Victoria Harbor.

Nature in Hong Kong?

Tired of looking at tall buildings? Hong Kong includes tons of little islands with beaches for during the summer, fishing villages, and tons of places for great hiking with scenic views.

Sunset Peak

My friends Tom and Alex took me to Sunset Peak as it is the best around this time of year. This is another very cheap thing to do since the train and bus will cost about 5USD round trip. 

Tram

A great way to explore the city for cheap is by taking the trams since they cost less than .50USD and can bring you all over Hong Kong Island. 

Nightlife: Lan Kwai Fong

Lan Kwai Fong Street has become iconic for a drinking in Hong Kong. On Friday and Saturday the bars overflow and the street is packed. Go to 7-11 and get some cheap beer to drink in the street. Everyone clusters in the outdoor seating and in the middle of the street anyway so it seems like a waste to sit in the corner of a bar and pay four times the price for a beer.

(This is only Thursday night)

Chungking Mansion

Stay at one of the many guesthouses of this once dangerous building full of many shops, indian food, and accommodation. A line of hagglers line the front gate harassing everyone to buy watches, suits, and anything else your heart desires. Many people from Hong Kong still consider this place dangerous. Besides people in the stairway selling drugs and many immigrants trying to sell things it didn't seem like anyone would harm you.

Protests at Admiralty

See the magic of the Hong Kong movement for electoral reform, crucial for deciding the fate of Hong Kong in the near future

(thousands of post-it notes with thoughts and wishes)

Food

Ofcourse the only way to experience a new place is to eat all of the food!

Dim Sum

Duck, duck, goose!, and Chicken

Wonton Soup

Street Food

Wet Market

(Seafood market is below us)

(Cheap meals with meat and rice)

Egg Tarts

Other things to do:

Check out the many temples

Admire the bamboo scaffolding 

(Used to make many skyscrapers)

Explore different neighborhoods

(Temple Street is good for shopping, eating, drinking)

Rent a Junk Boat

I didn't do this because it is a bit expensive and the ferry does just fine. But if you want to spend some money and try something new, this looks fun. Also a helicopter tour could be cool too. 

One of the longest escalators in the world is also here!

Seoul, Korea

Seoul

Seoul gives me the feeling of a less dense New York City. There are tons of amazing places to eat, drink, have coffee, and party. Seoul has an amazing eating and drinking scene. There are also many nice parks and sights to see.

Food

 Many Korean style meals are interactive with cooking meats and veggies in the center where everyone can grab different foods and wrap them up in lettuce and munch away. Meals are very social and often include either soju (korean liquor) or beer making each meal loud and full of laughs and fun.

(Steak)

(Sam Giap Sal)

(Homemade Kimchi Stew)

There are tons of street food stalls and many are open late for the drinking customers. This type of stall has everything tempura: shrimp, hard boiled eggs, squid, corn dogs, hot peppers and much more. Everything is about .50USD-1USD and is served with a free cup of soup which is priceless when it's cold out. The warmth of the hot oil and food brings fellow drinkers huddled together around endless food and is a must try korean experience. 

Cafes

Seoul has tons of cafes with many different themes and decor. My favorite cafe was Cafe Comma which has a library theme with bookshelves and ladders. Comfy library like chairs are good for hibernating in the cafe and getting school work done or working on your blog. The most popular cafes with the tourists are cat and dog cafes.

Cat Cafe

Dog Cafe

More Fun!

JSA and DMZ Tour

This is probably the most popular tourist attraction in South Korea and while it is very much a tourist thing and not so cheap it is a must do in my opinion. The DMZ is the demilitarized zone 2 kilometers thick that runs along the boarder of south and north korea. JSA is the joint security area where diplomats from the south and north have peace conferences and negotiations. North Korea invaded South Korea sparking the North Korean war in 1950 which lasted 3 years and resulted in 5 million lives lost. After this tensions have spiked and eased between the two countries. 

JSA

Highly trained soldiers stand ready to act on anything that could happen

(North Korea on the other side)

I'm technically standing in North Korea taking this picture in the building where diplomats have and still do meet to talk

(Microphone wires divide north and south korean border)

Propaganda village in North Korea where no one lives. This place has fake houses and lights that come on at night. Sometimes North Korean propaganda can be heard from south korea from loud speakers giving way to the name of this village. When South Korea put up a giant flag on it's side of the border North Korea responded by building a larger one. This flagpole is the third largest flagpole in the world at 160 meters high and a flag weighing 270 kilograms.

DMZ

(Third largest flag in the world)

(Bridge of no return where refugees crossed before the borders were sealed)

Tunnels

Four tunnels have been discovered as attempts by north korea to launch surprise attacks on South Korea. The first tunnel was discovered in 1974, then 1975, 1978, and the fourth as recent as 1990. There are believed to be many more tunnels and South Korea continues to drill looking for more tunnels. 

Third Tunnel

(Pictures are not allowed here)

War Museum

This is one of the best museums I have been to in a while and the best part is that it is free. There is no excuse not to visit this place if your in South Korea. Not only is this place super informative and interesting but it also gives you a sense of being in an action/war movie with special effects, installments, and short 4D movies. 

(early battle ship, the original is 2.5 times larger)

Sit in the drivers seat of an old tank

Visit the many temples and palaces 

Gyeongbokgung

This is the most popular Palace and is famous for the changing of the guards ceremony

More old villages and palaces

I can't remember the names but I think they are all pretty similar so just pick some and explore the pretty gardens and architecture

Climb some nearby mountains

Bukhansan

This is especially beautiful in the fall

Seoul Tower

Couples but locks here and throw away the key to resemble their love. This comes from a korean drama and many touristy neighborhoods get their fame from Korean dramas

Cheonggyecheon

This is a very scenic little creek that runs through soul with a park built around it. A perfect place for a stroll with many couples holding hands and kissing

Jimjilbang

Jimjilbang is the traditional sauna and bath house of Korea. These cost only 10,000 won or about 10USD. You get a comfy change of clothes, get naked and relax in the many different bathes and saunas, then meet your friends in the male/female mixes section with more saunas to enjoy together. The best part is that you can stay the night there sleeping on little bads which can save you a nights accommodation. To get the full experience you have to eat hard boiled eggs that you must crack on your head and enjoy a sweetened rice drink.  Many of these places have restaurants, arcades, and gyms. The next day you come out of this place feeling like a new person!

More things to do

Explore more parks and neighborhoods!

Many parks are located on slopes with amazing views of the city. I took an afternoon playing badminton in one of these parks with an amazing view and would recommend this. 

Kimchi Sinchon Guesthouse!

I stayed at this place for more than three weeks and it became my home. The staff become family and your room mates quickly become friends. The rooms are the cheapest and your located in Hongdae which is really cool university area with great food and nightlife all around. The common area allows a 24 hour hangout where you can eat, drink, nap, watch TV, play darts, and much more. 

Cross dress and go to a show

It's not very common to cross dress and my friend Frankie had some serious balls to go out that night. I admire his courage. We went to Homo Hill and ended up stumbling upon a live show!

Hang out with friends!

Eating and drinking with friends is the best way to experience Korea! Drink Soju and learn the customs while eating from some Korean people. You will love it.

 Catch up with an old friend :)

 Halloween!

I'm a cyclopes by the way

I was eating KFC and thought this was a pretty strange sight