Family fun: Hong Kong with kids
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Although your life may not be the same as it was before children came along, that doesn’t mean you need to relegate yourself to the all-inclusive, kids club, six pm bedtime crowd.
The flop and drop resort stay is perfect for some, but if your travel inclinations are more on the adventurous side I have a recommendation that might just set your next travel plans on fire: Hong Kong.
The perfect blend of east meets west, where you can rummage through colourful markets trying your hand out at bargaining, safely eat street food that will redefine your standards of what good food is, spend a day letting the kids chase Mickey at Disneyland and come home enriched from a holiday packed full of fun and culture.
Stay
Despite the fact that there is a Disneyland in Hong Kong, I would not recommend staying there. If there is one thing Disney knows how to do well it is to empty your pockets, and that is the last thing you need in a city with so many better experiences to spend your money on. When travelling with children your first priority after value for money is location, and the Disney resort doesn’t win out on that side either.
Hong Kong is spread out across the mainland and a number of islands that are connected by ferries and trains. Despite the transportation network being world class, I would recommend situating yourself near the bulk of the attractions you have come to see and for me, that is the mainland location of Kowloon. Kowloon has one primary road which the Metro (MTR) runs down, called Nathan Road, and if you are located somewhere along here or on a nearby side road you will be all set.
My recommendation would be the Royal Plaza Mong Kok. It is a well appointed 4 ½ star property in a good location near MTR stations and walking distance to Nathan Road that will set you back half of what a similar hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui will.
They offer rooms with bedding configurations to suit families with kids, and with space in Hong Kong a premium getting a room with more than one bed is a major coup.
When to travel
If you want to avoid hot, tired and ratty children, travel in the cooler months. October and November are best, followed by March and April. It is recommended to avoid May till September. Hong Kong is affected by the monsoon season, so unless you want to risk being drenched in a monsoon then stay clear. In saying that prices can be better in the hot, wet season so if you are on a budget then you could weigh up the risks.
All about kids
What I love about Hong Kong is that there is so much to do and something for everyone. When travelling with kids there are going to be days that 100% cater to their desires, but a day or two at Disneyland will satisfy the child in all of us. Disneyland Hong Kong is located on Lantau Island which is easily accessible via the MTR. I would recommend purchasing a two-day pass, although this park is the smallest of the Disneylands and can be done in one day the kids will still likely hassle you to go back! A two-day pass will give you a heavily discounted second visit, so it’s well worthwhile. Also, visit on a weekday if your timeframe allows for smaller crowds.
Ocean Park is another must for families. Located out on Hong Kong Island it is also easily accessible via the MTR. Ocean Park offers a wide range of animal attractions including giant pandas as well as rides, a cable car and live shows.
Experience
Walking around Hong Kong by day or night is an experience in itself. It is very safe, it has a wonderful fusion of east and west and you have a never-ending array of sights intermingled with the smells from street food stalls and noodle and dumpling houses.
There are many outdoor markets dotted all over Kowloon where you can wander between the tables and buy anything from handbags to art. My favourite is the Temple Street Night Market, which kicks off every night at 6 pm and will have your shopping and snacking needs sorted. Be sure to grab some buns stuffed with a variety of fillings. They’re cheap, filling, tasty and the kids will love them.
Every night at 8 pm down on the harbourfront you can view the sound and light show called the Symphony of Lights. The laser light show takes place on the buildings of Hong Kong Island across the harbour and if you set up near the cultural centre you will also hear the soundtrack performed by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.
For panoramic views of Hong Kong you have two options, and I would recommend both. The Sky 100 observation deck will give you 360-degree views from an indoor observation level of the tallest skyscraper in the city, or head up Victoria Peak by a tram that has been running for more than 120 years to look out across the harbour and surrounding mountains. The top of the peak also has fun activities such as Madame Tussauds.
For a longer day trip, a day spent getting to and experiencing the Big Buddha on Lantau is well worth it. You can catch the MTR to the Ngong Ping 360 cable car terminal which will then take you up over the mountains to the location of the Po Lin Monastery and the 34 metre-high Big Buddha.
In this case, the journey is as good as the destination. Pay a little extra for the cable car with a glass floor and the kids will be thrilled. You can also have a vegetarian lunch at the monastery or even stop in at Starbucks. There are plenty of hiking trails on Lantau, so if the 268 steps up to the Buddha aren’t enough for you, you can head out on a little exploration of the more remote paths around the island.
For more time spent out of the city, a day trip to Lamma Island will take you to the fishing villages where you can eat fresh seafood and walk the Lamma Island Family Trail. The trail runs between two villages, is fully paved and will have you stopping in at lookout points and beaches in a world far removed from the pace of the city.
The star ferry that runs regularly between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island offers the perfect (and very cheap) opportunity to get the family out on the harbour. Once there, you will have views looking back towards both islands and see the cruise ships that are in port.
Eat
Hong Kong is well known for its food, and with the thousands of street stalls, hole in the walls, noodle houses and restaurants all vying for customers, the prices are very good. It’s hard to go wrong, but to be sure go where the locals go and eat at the places that are buzzing. An empty restaurant in Hong Kong is a warning sign.
It may feel like the safe option with kids to eat at the hotel but trust me, the food standards out on the street are good and the atmosphere of sitting down in a bustling outdoor seating area and filling up on dumplings and noodles can’t be replicated anywhere else. Plus, the pricing will be much better. Hong Kong is all about new experiences and the food scene must be experienced first-hand.
As always, see your local travel agent to discuss prices, more options for accommodation and tours and to get yourself a great deal. Purchase your fare to Hong Kong through to a second destination like Bali, and you have yourself two holidays for not much more than the price of one!
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