Mid-Autumn Festival Food Tour in Yuen Long

The MOONCAKE is not the only signature food for HongKongers during the Mid-Autumn Festival. There are a lot more! Join us this September to Yuen Long, a rarely explored place for tourists (and even locals!), to prepare for the Mid-Autumn Festival like an expert! It is one of the biggest festivals celebrated across Hong Kong!

We will be visiting the lantern street, where you will find yourself surrounded by hundreds of handmade lanterns, sampling and bringing home different traditional Mid-autumn festival food (not only the mooncake) in some of the oldest local bakeries in Hong Kong and learn about how important the Mid-Autumn Festival has been to Hong Kong people! (In the past, people saved money ONE year in advance to get mooncakes for their relatives and friends!)

We will finish the tour with local dim sums handmade in Hong Kong! Have you taken ALL modes of transportation in Hong Kong yet? See Yuen Long through the window of the Light Rail Train, a less mentioned mode of transport but as classic as the other ones. I can assure that we will be exploring Hong Kong like a local!

Date

Saturday, 23rd September 2023

Price

HKD $600  per person

Transportation

Walking 

Meeting / End point

Yuen Long MTR station Exit A

Time

11:00am to 2:00pm (3 – 3.5 hours)

Inclusions

Expertly led by the licensed guide and the owner of the 116K-instagram page @explore_hongkong with dim sum lunch and multiple food stops.

Exclusions

Public transportation and personal spending

Language

English

Tour code

HKG-CHIS-MIDAUTUMN

View more local tours by Explore Hong Kong below

Aberdeen Sampan + Public Housing Estate Tour

Tai Hang Fire Dragon Experience + Teacake Masterclass

When you hear “Tai Hang,” the first thing that comes to mind is the incredible fire dragon dance, a tradition that’s been going strong for a century. But there’s more to this spot than meets the eye – it used to be a bustling Hakka village, and now it’s a hub of cool shops and historical spots that everyone loves. That’s why it’s often called Causeway Bay’s backyard! Join us for this one-off tour of the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Heritage Centre in English, for behind the scenes access ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations.

Tour includes:

  • Hakka Steamed Buns making workshop
  • A rendezvous with Fire Dragon itself
  • ️ Lunch at Hakka Ting
  • A visit to the unique Lin Fa Kung Temple
  • Private transfers (if required)

Workshop (Hakka Steamed Buns):

Next, prepare to tantalize your taste buds with an immersive Hakka Steamed Buns workshop. Learn the art of crafting these delightful delicacies under the guidance of experienced Hakka chefs. Unleash your creativity as you shape the buns, fill them with scrumptious ingredients, and embrace the culinary traditions of the Hakka people.

Fire Dragon Visit:

This one-off visit grants you access to the awe-inspiring Fire Dragon for the last time before the festivities begin. You will be able to see the scale and meticulous craftsmanship of the unique dragon sculpture which is adorned with countless incense sticks, later to be arefired up during the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations. 

Lunch at Hakka Ting:

As the day unfolds, indulge in an exquisite lunch at Hakka Ting, a charming restaurant renowned for its delectable Hakka cuisine. Savor the authentic flavors of traditional dishes, elevating your culinary adventure to new heights. The rich heritage of Hakka food will be a perfect complement to the immersive experiences of the day.

Visit to the Lin Fa Kung Temple:

Immerse yourself in the serene ambiance of the Lin Fa Kung Temple, a place steeped in history and spirituality, and unique lotus shaped architecture. 

Meeting point: City Hall, Edinburgh Place

Time: 9:30am – 2:30pm

Inclusions: Local cultural heritage guide, lunch, Hakka teacake workshop, private trabsfers

Adult ticket: $350

Child ticket: $150

Language: English

Tour code: CHIS-FIREDRAGON

Tai O Hau Wong Festival Tour

Join us on this annual Cultural festival at the charming Tai O, the most well-preserved fishing village in Hong Kong, to experience the Hau Wong Festival like a local!

The birthday of Hau Wong, a loyal general in the Southern Song dynasty, is celebrated in Tai O every year on the 6th Day of the 6th Lunar month. Celebrate the festival with us like a local by joining a Chinese Opera. Learn about the history of Tai O and understand how different Gods are important to the people of Tai O .

Enjoy a small boat ride around the unique stilt houses of Tai O and potentially a chance to see the Pink Dolphin! We will also try tea cakes, maybe more local snacks, prepared by local aunties! Let’s explore Hong Kong like a local!

Secure your place by booking on or before 21st July!

Date: Sunday, 23rd July 2023

Price: HKD$ 580  per person

Transportation: Walking and boat ride through Pearl River Delta

Meeting: Tai O Ferry Pier

End Point: Tai O Centre

Time: 11:00am to 2:00pm 

Inclusions:

Expertly led by licensed guide and owner of the 110K-instagram page @explore_hongkong, the tour includes a boat ride in Tai O for a chance to see the Pink dolphin and THREE food stops for traditional food and drinks in Tai O. Join locals for a Cantonese Opera!

Exclusions: Public transportation and personal spending

Language: English

Tour code: HKG-CHIS-TAIO-HAUWONG

Highlights:

  • Enjoy a small boat ride around the unique stilt houses and potentially get to see the pink dolphins which live in the estuary
  • Join a Chinese Opera with locals!
  • Story and traditions of Hau Wong Festival in Hong Kong – including traditional rituals performed by locals during Hau Wong Festival and joining villagers for roasted pork ceremony, roasted pork-sharing ceremony and behind-the-scene of other rituals.
  • Visit the 300-year-old Yeung Hau Temple in Tai O, which has kept people living in Tai O safe for centuries! Plus the Tin Hau Temple for good luck.
  • Enjoy the locally made teacakes handcrafted by the village aunties!

Dragon Boat Festival Tour

Join us on a group tour for this annual Cultural festival at the charming Aberdeen Harbour to experience the Dragon Boat Festival like a local! Aberdeen Dragon Boat Race is one the oldest and most traditional in Hong Kong, with more than a hundred year of history.

Learn about the history and traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival, watch the Dragon Boat Race ON A SAMPAN fishing boat, try the traditional Cantonese Rice dumplings prepared by a local auntie and MORE! Let’s explore Hong Kong like a local!

Secure your place by booking on or before 19th June!

Date: Thursday, 22nd June 2023

Price: HKD$ 400  (Adult)

Early bird: Book before 15 June noon to enjoy 10% off for adult tickets (e.g. HKD$360)

HKD$ 320  (Children between 5 to 12 years old)

Transportation: Walking and Sampan ride on Aberdeen Harbour

Meeting: Lei Tung MTR station, Exit A1

End Point: Ap Lei Chau Market

Time: 9:30am to 11:30pm and 1:00pm to 3:00pm (two sessions x 2 hours)

Inclusions: Expertly led by licensed guide and owner of the 105K-instagram page @explore_hongkong, the tour includes a Sampan ride on the Aberdeen Harbour and 1 food stop for traditional Dragon Boat Festival Rice Dumplings and drinks.

Exclusions: Public transportation

Language: English

Tour code: CHIS-HKGDRAGONBOAT / CHIS-HKGDRAGONBOAT2

Highlights

  • 45-min Sampan ride on the Aberdeen Harbour with Captain Ten, a local fisherman in Hong Kong!
  • Story and traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival in Hong Kong
  • Visit the 250-year-old Hung Shing Temple, which has kept people living on boat safe for centuries!
  • The Shui Yuet Temple, Ap Lei Chau
  • History of Ap Lei Chau and Aberdeen, the birthplace of Hong Kong
  • Enjoy a Cantonese Rice dumplings made by local aunties!
  • We have prepared a Dragon Boat Festival souvenir for you!

Aberdeen Sampan + Public Housing Estate Group Tour

This is a tour where you can appreciate the nature, learn about the history and culture of Hong Kong and experience the life of local fisherman all at once!

Join us on an inspirational group tour, exploring Aberdeen, the cultural birthplace of Hong Kong. This includes Ap Lei Chau, the fourth most densely populated island in the world. During the 3-hour tour, we will be on foot and take a traditional wooden sampan fishing boat, and dive into the harbour’s history.

Enjoy a bowl of boat noodles, traditionally prepared by local fisherman, whilst enjoying the beautiful view of the Aberdeen Harbour on a sampan. You would be able to take photos in front of the iconic Hong Kong Floating Restaurant.

We will then visit one of the oldest public housing estates in Hong Kong to learn about the history of public housing development and understand more about how one-third of Hong Kong population live their lives in this second most expensive city in the world. A small hike around the area allows us to see the hundred-year-old waterfall and the seashore shrine which houses thousands of statues of Gods and Goddess, guarding people in the area for decades.

Let’s explore Hong Kong with us like a local!

Price

HKD$ 580

Transportation

Walking and Sampan ride on Aberdeen Harbour

Meeting

Lei Tung MTR station, Exit A1

End Point

Aberdeen Bus Terminus, Aberdeen

Time

11:00am to 2:00pm (3 hours)

Inclusions

Expertly led by licensed guide and owner of the 116K-instagram page @explore_hongkong, the tour includes a 30-min Sampan ride on the Aberdeen Harbour and a bowl of traditional boat noodles* and local food in one of the oldest cafés in Hong Kong!

Exclusions

Public transportation

Highlights

  • Explore Aberdeen, the birthplace of Hong Kong. Learn about Aberdeen’s earliest role as a vital port of trade, incense manufacturing and fishing.
  • Explore Ap Lei Chau, the fourth most densely populated island in the world, including the culturally significant Hung Shing Temple and Shui Yuet Temple
  • Continue the journey on a Sampan and take photos in front of the iconic Hong Kong Floating Restaurant.
  • *Enjoying a bowl of traditional boat noodles on a Sampan
  • Learn how important the God and Goddess of the Sea are to fishermen in Hong Kong
  • Visit one of the oldest public housing estates and understand about how one-third of Hong Kong population live their lives in this second most expensive city in the world.
  • A small hike to see the hundred-year-old waterfall and the seashore shrine which houses thousands of statues of Gods and Goddess, guarding people in the area for decades.
  • Visit one of the oldest Hong Kong cafés for local snacks and drinks

*tasting might change due to availability

Tour code: CHISABERDEEN

We also provide this tour virtually if you are unable to join in person. Check it out here.

Lunar New Year Group Tour of Mong Kok

Learn everything about the Lunar New Year with @Explore_hongkong, a Hong Kong Travel Instagram page sharing everything about Hong Kong to her dearest 91K followers. She will bring you to the places where her family goes to get everything they need for the Lunar New Year!

Ask her all the WHYs about the Lunar New Year and you will be a Lunar New Year expert after the tour!

Price: HKD$ 520 (includes lunch)

Group Size: 3-5

Transportation: Walking

Meeting: Mong Kok MTR Station Exit C4

End Point: Flower Market, Prince Edward

Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm (3 hours)

Inclusions: Expertly led by licensed guide and owner of @explore_hongkong, lunch at one of the oldest Noodle Shops

Lunar New Year Group Tour of Sheung Wan

 

Learn everything about the Lunar New Year with @Explore_hongkong, a Hong Kong Travel Instagram page sharing everything about Hong Kong to her dearest 91K followers. She will bring you to the places where her family goes to get everything they need for the Lunar New Year!

Wondering how and to whom to give Lai see? How much to give? You will learn these in the tour!

Ask her all the WHYs about the Lunar New Year and you will be a Lunar New Year expert after the tour!

Price: HKD$ 580 (includes dim sum break)

Transportation: Public Transportation

Meeting: Sai Ying Pun MTR Station Exit A1

End Point: Wan Chai Market, Wan Chai

Time: 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm (3 hours 30 minutes)

Inclusions: Expertly led by licensed guide and owner of @explore_hongkong, dim sum break at an old tea house for traditional and rare dim sums

Exclusions: Public transportation (bus ride to wan chai – an Octopus card is recommended)

Big Buddha & Tai O – private Lantau car tour

Make the most of your visit by taking a Lantau car tour with your very own driver and guide. With our door-to-door service, collecting you from and returning you to your hotel, airport or cruise ship, we can make this the most memorable day out.

As well as offering comfort and convenience, we are one of the few tour companies licensed to access the restricted access zone of Lantau Island by car. Our knowledgeable and friendly guides all speak excellent English and will ensure you make the most of your time in Hong Kong.

Listed below are some of the options we could include in your itinerary depending on your interests and time constraints. Your itinerary is completely flexible and can be tailored to suit your needs. If you have a destination in mind that is not listed, please enquire and we will accommodate your request if possible.

    Lantau Island:

  • The Big Buddha
  • Po Lin Monastery
  • Tai O Fishing Village
    Additional options:

  • Ngong Ping 360 cable-car
  • Cheung Sha beachside lunch
  • Tai O Waterfall and rock pool
  • Hong Kong DolphinWatch experience

Lantau Island Car Tour

As one of the only tour companies licensed to access the restricted access zone of Lantau Island, a car tour with Hong Kong Greeters opens the door to this fascinating part of Hong Kong. Lantau is known as Hong Kong’s green lung, and you can imagine stepping back in time 50 years when you visit.

We will visit the Po Lin Monastery and Big Buddha statue, where we will help explain the importance of Buddhism and how it is represented in the hearts, minds and belief system of the people of Hong Kong. We will also be walking the 268 steps up to the Tian Tan Big Buddha, which was erected in 1993, rises 34 metres into the air and faces north, to look over the people of China. It is a magnificent statue and pilgrims flock to it from across Asia.

A visit to Lantau Island can also incorporate a visit to the traditional fishing village of Tai O, which features stilt houses inhabited by fishermen and their families. This relaxing village is one of the best-preserved places on Lantau, indeed the whole of Hong Kong, largely owing to the efforts of the local community and it is a place to just really slow down.

We can also weave in a trip on the Ngong-Ping cable-car for you to experience the breathtaking landscape surrounding the Big Buddha.

Shore Excursions

While your ship is in port, make the most of your visit by taking a private car shore excursion around Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula with your very own driver guide. We take all the stress out of your visit with our door-to-door service, collecting you from and returning you to your cruise ship terminal.

As well as offering comfort and convenience, we are one of the few tour companies licensed to access the restricted access zone of Lantau Island by car. Our knowledgeable and friendly guides all speak excellent English and will ensure you make the most of your time in Hong Kong.

We have a number of shore excursion car itineraries. The first is a classic Hong Kong Highlights tour taking in several better-known destinations. We often recommend this to first time visitors as it takes in many of Hong Kong’s best known and most iconic spots.

However, if you would prefer to go further off the beaten track to see another side of Hong Kong, we would recommend our Explore the New Territories tour. There are plenty of fascinating spots that are difficult to access by public transport and also tend to be a little less crowded.

Listed below are some of the options we could include in your itinerary depending on your interests and time constraints. Your itinerary is completely flexible and can be tailored to suit your needs. If you have a destination in mind that is not listed, please enquire and we will accommodate your request if possible.

Hong Kong Highlights Shore Excursion

Hong Kong Island:

Kowloon:

  • Wong Tai Sin Temple – Make a wish at Hong Kong’s most vibrant temple
  • Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery – Enjoy a beautiful garden and tranquil retreat
  • Mongkok’s Markets: Bird Garden, Flower Market, Goldfish Market, Ladies Market

You can view our tour booking page here for a shore excursion of Hong Kong and Kowloon 

Lantau Island for Big Buddha & Tai O Shore Excursion

Lantau Island:

  • The Big Buddha
  • Po Lin Monastery
  • Tai O Fishing Village
  • HKZM Bridge

You can view our tour booking page here for a shore excursion of Lantau Island for Big Buddha and Tai O

Explore the New Territories on a Shore Excursion

  • Sai Kung for the National Park or the seafood promenade.
  • Tai Po District: Wet market, floating fishing village in Sam Mun Tsai, Tsz Shan Monastery* and Guan Yin Statue.
  • Kadoorie Farm.
  • Abandoned villages and fortified walled communities in Sha Tin.
  • The 10, 000 Buddhas Monastery in Shatin.
  • Monkey Mountain the native (and very tame) Macaques monkeys. *Please do not feed the monkeys under any circumstances.
  • Jat’s Incline: An amazing panoramic view.
  • Shopping at Sum Ngai Brass Factory or Yuet Tung China Works

*A visit to the Tsz Shan Monastery must be booked at least four weeks in advance.

You can view our tour booking page here for a shore excursion of the New Territories

Lantau Island Full Day Tour

Lantau Island is known as Hong Kong’s green lung, and you can imagine stepping back in time 50 years when you visit. Most of this stunning island is untouched and can only be accessed by public transport. I will navigate you seamlessly through the highlights in this 8 hour private tour. Highlights include, a private car transfer from your accommodation to the cable-car, skip the line access at the cable-car (I am a licensed guide and so you will avoid the long lines), the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery and Tai O fishing village.

I will help you to understand the meanings of the stories that make this place so special, and how the teachings weave their way into Chinese culture and society on this experience. We will arrive by cable-car via skip-the-line access and enjoy the stunning and dramatic landscapes of Lantau on the 24-minute panoramic ride. Once we arrive to the top of the mountain, we will continue by foot to explore all corners of this uniquely different part of Hong Kong. Many times travellers visit this area as a first introduction to Buddhism, let me open it up for you! There are many things to see, but not that easy understand, such as Buddha’s story, a visit to the memory palace connected to the Big Buddha statue, and the word “emptiness” in relation to the faith – perhaps the most misunderstood word in Buddhism. I can also show you a hidden place where you will be able to “speak” directly to the Buddha. These are the things that you will not learn from a guide book.

This is an in-depth look at Tai O village. This is a must-see for anyone interested in visiting the real Hong Kong. This relaxing village is one of the best preserved places on Lantau Island, indeed the whole of Hong Kong, largely owing to the efforts of the local community… and a place to just really slow down. Situated at the end of the Pearl River Delta, where it meets the South China Sea, its history and culture are intrinsically linked to its geographical location. We will take a small boat ride to view the stilted houses for a close up look at how people live in this small enclave. There is a chance to view the Hong Kong- Macau – Zhuhai bridge from the open estuary and maybe a pink dolphin or two. Then we will visit the Tai O Heritage hotel, a former colonial police station which was converted in 2013. This has a story all on its own. Finally, we will wander through the market streets, say hello to the villagers who live there, and see all the home-made produce (much of which is linked to the preservation of fish).

Read more on this unique corner of Hong Kong on our blog – Tian Tan Buddha