Hong Kong in Four Days – A Journey Through Old Memories and New Discoveries.

From bustling streets and spectacular skylines to peaceful temples, beautiful beaches and unforgettable food, Hong Kong certainly packs a lot into a small space.

Hong Kong has always held a special place in our hearts. For Andy, it was an opportunity to revisit somewhere he had lived more than 40 years ago, while for Julie it was a chance to discover this fascinating city for the first time.

We had just three and a half days, so we knew we needed to make the most of every minute. And we certainly did!

What makes Hong Kong so special is the contrast. One minute you're surrounded by skyscrapers, crowds and the constant buzz of city life, and the next you're wandering through peaceful gardens, travelling up a mountainside or relaxing beside a beautiful beach.

Here's how we spent our time exploring one of our favourite cities.

Arriving in Hong Kong – Getting Around Couldn't Be Easier

After a rather tiring 13-hour flight, we landed in Hong Kong at around 5pm.

Our first job was to buy an Octopus Card, something we'd highly recommend to anyone visiting Hong Kong.

This prepaid card makes travelling around the city incredibly straightforward. You can use it on the MTR underground system, buses, trams and ferries, as well as in many shops.

We took the Airport Express into Central before catching a short taxi ride up to our accommodation at Two MacDonnell Road, in the Mid-Levels district.

This turned out to be a great choice. We had a comfortable studio apartment with a small kitchenette, were within walking distance of Central and had some lovely green spaces on our doorstep.

Perhaps most importantly, we were close to Hong Kong's extraordinary Mid-Levels escalator system, which became a regular feature of our stay.

Exploring Central – History, Food and the Famous Escalators

Our first full day began with a walking tour of Central.

We always enjoy walking tours when visiting somewhere new. They're a brilliant way to understand the history and culture of a destination while getting your bearings.

Our guide explained some of Hong Kong's fascinating political, legal and economic history, including the changes surrounding the 1997 handover.

We visited St John's Cathedral and wandered through streets where traditional shops sit alongside towering modern buildings.

One of the most unusual attractions is the Central–Mid-Levels Escalator, a covered escalator and walkway system stretching for more than 800 metres.

It travels downhill during the morning commute and uphill for the rest of the day, helping people navigate the city's incredibly steep streets.

We loved it! Along the route are cafés, restaurants, little shops and lively neighbourhoods.

Naturally, we couldn't resist stopping for some local treats, including Hong Kong-style milk tea and an egg tart from Tai Cheong Bakery, once a favourite of former Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten.

Sometimes it's these little experiences that make travelling so enjoyable.

Crossing Victoria Harbour on the Star Ferry

No visit to Hong Kong would be complete without a journey on the famous Star Ferry.

Operating since 1888, this historic ferry service crosses Victoria Harbour between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

The journey takes around ten minutes, but the views are spectacular.

Sitting on the ferry watching Hong Kong's extraordinary skyline unfold around us was one of those simple experiences that reminded us why we love travelling.

And it's incredibly inexpensive, making it one of the best-value attractions in the city.

We returned to Kowloon one evening to watch the harbour light show, another opportunity to appreciate the skyline from a completely different perspective.

Our tip: Make the crossing at least twice, once during the day and again after dark. The city looks completely different when illuminated.

Discovering Hong Kong's Green Spaces

One of the biggest surprises for Julie was just how much greenery exists in the middle of such a busy city.

Close to our accommodation were the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.

Walking through the gardens, listening to birdsong and admiring the trees, it was almost impossible to believe we were surrounded by one of the world's busiest cities.

It's a wonderful place to escape the crowds for a little while, particularly if you've spent the day exploring Central.

We also enjoyed travelling around on Hong Kong's historic double-decker trams, affectionately known as ding dingsbecause of the bells they ring.

They're a fun and inexpensive way to see the city at a slower pace.

Lantau Island – The Big Buddha and a Spectacular Cable Car Ride

One of our most memorable excursions was a trip to Lantau Island to visit the Big Buddha.

We travelled by MTR to Tung Chung, where we'd pre-booked tickets for the Ngong Ping 360 cable car.

We decided to pay a little extra for a Crystal Cabin, which has a glass floor.

The cable car journey is approximately 5.7 kilometres long and takes around 25 minutes, offering spectacular views over the mountains, sea and surrounding countryside.

And yes, looking down through the glass floor certainly adds another dimension to the experience!

At the top, we arrived at Ngong Ping Village before making our way towards the enormous bronze Tian Tan Buddha.

Completed in 1993, the statue stands approximately 34 metres high, and reaching its base involves climbing 268 steps.

It was a warm day, around 28°C, so we were grateful for the breeze as we climbed.

The views from the top were well worth the effort.

We also explored the nearby Po Lin Monastery, with its beautiful architecture, peaceful courtyards and magnificent Buddhist halls.

It was quite a contrast to the bustle of Central and one of the highlights of our trip.

Our tip: Book the cable car in advance and aim to arrive early. We managed to explore before the largest crowds arrived.

A Trip Down Memory Lane – Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay and Stanley

For Andy, one of the most special days was returning to the southern side of Hong Kong Island.

He had lived in Hong Kong around 1980, and this was an opportunity to show Julie some of the places that had played an important part in his younger years.

Our first stop was Unicorn Gardens, where Andy had once lived.

Although the buildings were looking a little tired, returning after more than 40 years brought back plenty of happy memories.

From there we continued to Deep Water Bay, a beautiful beach that Andy remembered well.

It was a public holiday, and the barbecue areas were packed with families enjoying themselves. The wonderful smells of food cooking made us rather hungry!

We also took a ferry across to Middle Island, where Andy was able to revisit the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, thanks to temporary guest membership.

It was clearly an emotional and enjoyable return, with memories of happy times flooding back.

We continued along the coast towards Repulse Bay before catching a bus to Stanley.

Stanley has a completely different atmosphere from Central, with its waterfront, market, beach and relaxed seaside feel.

We even revisited the Smugglers Inn, another blast from Andy's past.

It was a busy day, but one that meant a great deal to us.

Hong Kong's Food Scene – An Adventure in Itself

We love trying local food when we travel, and Hong Kong certainly didn't disappoint.

From simple noodle restaurants and bakeries to bustling street food stalls, eating here is part of the adventure.

One particularly memorable experience was a private street food tour in Kowloon.

Friends had given us a voucher, so rather than joining our usual group tour, we booked a more personal experience through Withlocals.

Our guide, Matteo, an Italian expat living in Hong Kong, was excellent.

He introduced us to different foods as we wandered through the lively streets and markets.

We tried honey-marinated barbecue pork, tea-infused boiled eggs and various local snacks.

Some dishes were rather more adventurous than others, particularly when intestines appeared on the menu!

Let's just say we were happy to try most things, but perhaps not absolutely everything.

The tour was one of the highlights of our visit.

It wasn't simply about tasting food. We learnt about the people, the neighbourhoods and everyday life in Hong Kong.

For anyone visiting for the first time, we'd thoroughly recommend including a food tour in your itinerary.

Chungking Mansions – A Completely Different Side of Hong Kong

Another memorable stop was Chungking Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui.

This enormous, bustling building contains a fascinating mixture of budget accommodation, restaurants, currency exchange businesses, tailors and shops.

It's busy, chaotic and unlike anywhere else we visited.

Julie described it as "totally bonkers", which probably sums it up rather well!

It certainly gives you a glimpse of a different side of Hong Kong, away from the gleaming shopping centres and luxury hotels.

Victoria Peak – Saving One of the Best Views Until Last

On our final morning, we made an early start to visit Victoria Peak.

We'd booked tickets for the famous Peak Tram, including access to the Sky Terrace.

The Peak Tram has been operating since 1888 and climbs steeply up the hillside, offering increasingly impressive views as you ascend.

It's quite an experience.

After reaching the upper terminus, we made our way to the Sky Terrace, where the panoramic views over Victoria Harbour and the city were absolutely breathtaking.

We were lucky to have a beautiful clear morning, and it was the perfect way to finish our visit.

Standing high above the city, looking out across the skyscrapers and harbour, we couldn't help reflecting on everything we'd managed to see and do in such a short time.

Our Reflections – Why We Love Hong Kong

As we prepared to leave, we talked about what had stood out most during our visit.

For Julie, somewhat unexpectedly, it was the escalators!

Not just the famous Mid-Levels system, but the sheer number of escalators throughout the city, combined with the constant movement and energy of everyday life.

We also seemed to walk around 25,000 steps a day, despite using public transport whenever possible.

For Andy, the experience was more personal.

So much had changed since he lived here in 1980, and even since his more recent visit in 2017.

Yet somehow Hong Kong still felt familiar.

In his words, "It still feels like coming home."

And perhaps that sums up why this trip was so special.

We weren't simply ticking off tourist attractions. We were rediscovering old memories, creating new ones and sharing experiences together.

Hong Kong is an extraordinary destination, and three and a half days only scratched the surface.

We would happily return tomorrow.

Our Top Tips for Visiting Hong Kong

• Get an Octopus Card: It makes using public transport incredibly easy.

• Use public transport: The MTR, trams, buses and ferries are excellent ways to explore.

• Stay somewhere central: Our Mid-Levels accommodation worked particularly well for us.

• Book popular attractions in advance: Particularly the Ngong Ping cable car and Peak Tram.

• Explore beyond the skyscrapers: Lantau Island, the southern beaches and green spaces reveal another side of Hong Kong.

• Take a food tour: It's a wonderful way to discover local dishes and neighbourhoods.

• Wear comfortable shoes: Hong Kong is a city best explored on foot, even with all those escalators!