This article is one in a series of articles reviewing travel locations around Asia. Comment your suggestions below as well! One great spot to visit during any of the upcoming breaks is Hong Kong. In addition to being relatively close Hong Kong has a lot to offer in terms of sites. After traveling there last semester for spring break here are a couple places I recommend if you have a chance to hop on over: 1. The Walk of Stars This is a very touristy attraction. Essentially the Hong Kong version of the Hollywood walk of fame it may be a bit underwhelming unless you are familiar with the Hong Kong/Chinese entertainment industry. However it does have two things going for it: 1) it is free! and 2) it offers a beautiful view of the city from across the water. We visited once at night and again the next day. This is a really great spot to get some stunning panoramic pictures of the HK skyline or some nice photos of you on location with the city in the background. 2. Repulse Bay No island trip is complete without hitting the beach. Repulse Bay is a quite spot where you can see the juxtaposition of human development alongside Hong Kong’s natural beauty. Depending on the weather taking a dip may or may not be an option but relaxing and walking along the beach is still nice. The place is easy to access by bus but the road is a bit windy and drivers go fast so be prepared and be careful when you’re on board. Right next to the bay is Tin Hua Temple. It stretches right out into the water of the bay, so when you’re checking it out be weary of waves crashing up onto the deck. 3. Disneyland Now maybe Disneyland sounds a bit childish, but come on it’s the happiest place on earth! The park is fun for all ages. Disneyland Hong Kong is certainly one of the smaller Disney parks but you certainly won’t run out of things to do. I find the park is actually a perfect day trip vs. the Disneyland in California which needs at least two days to see everything. I recommend going on a weekday because it will be less crowded, and remember it is Disneyland so things can get a bit pricey. 4. Tian Tan Buddha (aka Big Buddha) The Big Buddha is a huge bronze Buddha sitting on top of a mountain in Ngong Ping. You can easily catch a bus up the mountain or take the Ngong Ping 360 degree cable care. Seeing this statue in person is a really awe-inspiring experience regardless of one’s religion or beliefs. And while looking up from the base of the stairs is amazing, with the Buddha towering over you, I suggest taking the walk up the stairs to get an up close look. It may look daunting but it’s really not that bad. And a random but relevant note, at the bottom of the Buddha there are many little stands and shops. If you see someone selling apples and oranges, while they usually make a delicious snack most people are buying them to leave as an offering once they get to the top. If you buy one and stand outside and eat it you may get some funny looks and feel embarrassed once you realize why. Not speaking from personal experience or anything, but this has happened. 5. Tai O Infinity Pool In addition to the bustling city there is also a lot of nature in Hong Kong, quite a contrast to the concrete jungle of Shanghai. I highly recommend getting out there and taking a hike. The Tai O Infinity Pool can be found at the end of a relatively easy hike. The whole journey offers beautiful view of the forrest. At the end you can take a rest on the rocks between the waterfall and the infinity pool before heading back down. It is illegal to swim in the pool but if you visit you may catch some visitors taking a dip anyway. VERY IMPORTANT TIP: Check the ferry schedule before you set off. Missing the last ferry is a sentence to standing in a terribly long line waiting for bus after bus to come so you can pack on with a 100 other tired and sweaty people for a ride back to civilization. 6. Lan Kwai Fang If you are any sort of night owl Lan Kwai Fong is an interesting spot. It is a small square of streets that becomes the city’s party hub at night. Lots of bars, lots of expats, and as the night goes on more and more drunk people. If you’re not really into that but want to check it out there’s some really great pizza right on the corner. Grab a slice, people watch, then head home if that’s what you’re feeling.

This article was written by Maya Williams. Send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Abel Hegyes