 | | | Running out of ideas of what to give your parents on Parents' Day? Or perhaps you're planning to treat them to another Chinese restaurant you found in town? It is, nevertheless, a sweet gesture, but I am sure you can do better than that for your beloved parents! So... why not surprise them with a short trip to Hong Kong? If you start planning today, you would probably be in Hong Kong even before you can say "Happy Parents' Day!". Imagine savoring the delectable local food and indulging yourself with a shopping spree. Pamper your mother while you enjoy a well-deserved break, paradise is just a few hours away!
Hong Kong is the one of the easiest place to travel in. With easily accessible buses and Mass Transit Railway (MTR), getting to places will be really fast and convenient. Here are my top 5 picks of the places you should visit if you are going there on a free and easy trip, be it with your friends or family, but best to go with your parents, because it will make them very happy. | | | Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree |  |
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Somewhere in Hong Kong, there stands a tree that grants people wishes, well at least that is what the locals believe. This place is exceptionally crowded during the Lunar New year, as tourists and locals alike gather to worship and make their wishes. But since you will be travelling during the month of May, you can rest assure that no one will be there to stain their body sweat on your clothing.
Of course, wishes don’t come for free. You will have to purchase the “Bao Die”, a large yellow paper, which your wishes will be written in. Then, roll the paper up and hang it on the wooden boards placed beside the tree. Who knows that making wishes can be so simple right? Do remember to wish for good health and happiness for your loved ones! But whether your wishes come true, that is another story.
Nevertheless, you should still bring your parents here Remember it is always the thoughts that count. | | Location: Lam Kam Road, Fong Ma Po Village
How to get there: Take the MTR to Tai Po Market station (East Rail Line). Head to KMB bus interchange via Exit A3. Board bus 64K and alight at Fong Ma Po (Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree) stop. Attractions Nearby: Tin Hau Temple -built during the Qing Dynasty for the worship of the Goddess of the Sea | | |
| | | Ladies'/Women's Market | | |
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A must go if you want to look for cheap stuff! If you think that this is a place only for the ladies, then you are wrong! There are rows and rows of stalls selling souvenirs, clothing, bags, shades, DVDs, cosmetics, posters, mahjong sets, basically anything you can find in a night market. You will probably take the whole night to finish browsing through all of them. As long as you love shopping, you would not want to miss this place.
And what is shopping without bargaining right? Like what all mothers do best, bargain with the shop keepers and you might be able to bag home stuff at 50% off the market price. Best place to bring you mother to, where she can flaunt her mighty bargaining skill! We all know this skill comes with experience, so... watch and learn, children!
Do note that it is especially crowded, especially during the weekends. So do remember to take extra care of your belongings and beware of pick pockets! Prevention is always better than cure. | | | Location: Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon
How to get there: Take the MTR to Mong Kok station (Tsuen Wan Line). Head to Argyle Street via Exit D3. Walk to Tung Choi Street.
Attractions Nearby:
Fa Yuen Street Market - wide variety of sports gears to choose from
Sai Yeung Choi Street - expect lots of chain stores selling consumer electronics | |
| | | Citygate Outlets | |
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Do you like brands like DKNY, Burberry or Armani Exchange? I know I do, but unfortunately, they come with a pretty heavy price tag. So when I found out about Citygate Outlets, I fell in love with the place almost instantly! They carry more than 80 international brands with up to 70% discounts all year round! Yes, 70% off the items! You are bound to get something you like without burning a big hole in your wallet! And when you feel tired after waltzing and browsing through one store after the other, you can check out their wide range of restaurants and cafes to recharge yourself for another round of hard-core shopping!
Location: 20 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung, Lantau
How to get there: Take the MTR to Tung Chung station (Tung Chung Line). Head to Citygate Outlets entrance via Exit C.
Attractions Nearby:
Ngong Ping 360 cable car - enjoy the scenery as you enter into the misty heights of Lantau
Giant Buddha - world's tallest outdoor bronze seated Buddha
Vegetarian Restaurant at Po Lin Monastery - go green with a vege meal at only HK$60
Hong Kong Disneyland - need I say more?
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| | | Avenue of Stars |  | | | | Have you been to Hollywood? Now you can visit Asia's very own Hollywood at Hong Kong's latest attraction, the Avenue of Stars. If you love Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee, show your support by dropping by their commemorative plaques and hand prints along the promenade. Also, you will get to learn how Hong Kong's film-making industry has evolved over the past 100 hundred years. And make sure you wait till the sun goes down before you make your way there, because that is when all the fun begins!
Named as the 'World's Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show' by Guinness World Records, the Symphony of Lights is a must-see! Imagine dazzling lights, laser beams and searchlights dancing along with the lively music above the 44 handsome buildings! You don't get to see that elsewhere for sure. And while you are being captivated by the spectacular multimedia show, don't forget to get your camera ready and snap some pictures with your parents!
Location: 20 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
How to get there: Take MTR to East Tsim Sha Tsui station (West Rail Line). Walk to the harbour via Exit J.
Attractions Nearby:
Victoria Harbour - one of the world's busiest and most impressive natural harbours
Harbour Night Cruise - cruise along the harbour in a Chinese-style tour boat with free-flow complimentary drinks
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| | | Good eateries in Hong Kong | | | Everybody loves good food! When you are in Hong Kong, be sure to indulge in their extremely yummilicious local food! Other than the cheap and savory dim sum, you might also want to try these local well-known eateries! Highly recommended by both the tourists and locals! | |  | Lan Fong Yuen
They are famous for their silk stocking/pantyhose milk tea. Sounds disgusting? Don’t worry! The “silk stocking” which is used for making milk tea is actually a tea bag made of white muslin. But as it gets tinted by the tea, the shape and color made people think of stockings, and thus, its name.
Also try their pork chop bun! Tender, juicy pork chop stuffed between 2 fluffy buns! Looks like just a normal pork burger? Then you will have to find out whether it tastes like one yourself. Trust me it tastes better than normal burgers!
Location: 7 Gage Street, Central
Attractions Nearby:
Gage Street Wet Market - see the locals shop for live fish, meat and fresh vegetables | | |
Yee Soon Milk Company
Steamed milk puddings! You don't want to miss this, especially after a day of walking under the heat. They serve cold and warm milk curds that melt in your mouth! Super soft and smooth! Absolutely perfect for filling your tummy during tea-break!
If milk is not something you like, then try the other desserts and snacks like sandwiches they have to offer in their little cosy cafe.
Location: 513 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei
Attractions Nearby:
Temple Street - another shopping street to exhibit your bargaining skills
Jade Market - expect lots and lots of jade on sale
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Jumbo Floating Restaurant
Wondering where to feast on fresh seafood and Cantonese cuisine? Think no further, Jumbo Floating Restaurant has to be the first restaurant you should think of when in Hong Kong. In fact, many international celebrities including Tom Cruise and Chow Yun Fat have patronised this renowned restaurant before. Now you too, can enjoy good food just like how they did it, celebrity-style! And what's more fascinating about this restaurant is that it floats, literally! Because of that, you will have to take a short boat ride to get there, so take the time to enjoy the breeze and prepare your tummy for some glorious food!
Location: Shum Wan Pier Drive, Wong Chuk Hang Aberdeen
Attractions Nearby:
Aberdeen Fishing Village - take a look at how the locals fish on their boats as a living
Ocean Park - a theme park filled with exciting family rides and home to several animal exhibits, plus a four storey aquarium displaying more than 2000 fishes | |
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Itacho Sushi
You might think that this restaurant’s name sounds very familiar. Yes! There are actually 3 outlets in Singapore currently. But do you know that this restaurant is originally founded in Hong Kong? With over 10 successful outlets all over Hong Kong, it is not surprising how good their food can be. Their premium sushi might probably taste even better than the ones in Singapore’s outlets!
Location: 9 - 11 Ashley Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Attractions Nearby:
Park Lane Shopper's Boulevard - yet another shopping paradise along Nathan Road
Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre - a testimony to Hong Kong’s unique past and their cultural identity
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