Photos by Ellie Dyer
disappoint. Escalators carry city residents up and down the hillside’s mid-levels, allowing some to hop off at the bustling Soho district, where expats can be seen making the most of Happy Hour cocktails in sleek, modern bars. A trip to the party district of Lan Kawi Fong is a must-do for partygoers and people-watchers alike. A bevy of small bars line winding hillside streets, pumping out music and catering for businessmen and women who want to unwind after a hard day’s work. Those searching for a less boozy side to the city also have much to experience. A ride on the star ferry from Hong Kong Island to Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) — where designer fashion
brands such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton are housed in luxury surrounds — provides an opportunity to examine the iconic skyline from afar, while bobbing up and down on the waves. Near the TST ferry hub, visitors can attend free nightly light-shows where lasers beam from atop buildings accompanied by music, for a spectacular, if somewhat surreal, sight. Just a 20-minute walk away lies the tallest building in town, the International Commerce Centre. Visitors can ascend 393 metres in around a minute to see dizzying panoramic views of Hong Kong at the building’s Sky 100 observation deck. By night or day, it offers a spectacular bird’s eye view of the city’s surrounds.
Those searching for a less boozy side to the city also have much to experience
Tranquillity can be found at Hong Kong’s botanical and zoological gardens. Manicured flower beds and refreshing fountains feel a world away from the traffic-dense streets. Only the whooping call of the Siamang gibbons, one of many animals housed within the grounds, breaks the peace. With so much to see and do, a proper exploration of Hong Kong could take a lifetime. Even a few days in the city are enough to get a taste of a metropolis that has a personality all of its own. How To Get There: Emirates fly five daily flights from Bangkok to Hong Kong. The airline currently has fares for B9,000 net. For more information, visit: emirates.com. asialife Thailand 41