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Armchair Travel: Macau Movie Locations

Posted on 4 March 202123 November 2021 by greetings

While world travel has taken a backseat, discover Macau movie locations from the comfort of your armchair.

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We’re surprised Macau hasn’t been used as a movie location more often. It has a unique and colourful blend of architecture, with both Chinese and Portuguese influences. Additionally, you will find a cluster of glittering and unique modern buildings along the Cotai strip. And of course let’s not forget the iconic Golden Lotus shaped casino.

You’ve probably seen at least one of these films, but perhaps not realized where they were set/filmed. Nevertheless, here are our top Macau movie locations.

Macau/Macao Movie Locations

Macao

Macao is a 1952 film noir. It is both the oldest film on our list and also the only where almost the entire story takes place in Macau. Starring silver screen legends Robert Mitchum and Jane Russell it’s filmed in black and white and looks a dated to modern audiences.

Three strangers meet on a boat trip from Hong Kong to Macau. Intrigue centres around a casino that is involved in some shady dealings and the two main characters played by Mitchum and Russell have a bumpy road to romance.

Now You See Me: The Second Act

Following the success of the original Now You See Me film, where a group of talented magicians team up to perform an impossible heist in front of a live audience, a second film reunited most of the cast for a second adventure.

Part of this film was set in Macau. Iong’s Magic Shop is an actual magic shop that has been in Macau for the last 30 years. You can visit the shop yourself and stock up on all sorts of equipment to help you practice sleight of hand.

The famous Sands casino, colorful and once infamous Rua de Felicidad and the Macau Science Centre were also used as film locations.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

The opening scene of this family favorite film, supposedly set in Shanghai, was in fact shot in Macau. The hotel used as the Club Obi Wan was the Pensão Sun Sun Hotel, however, the Pensão no longer exists and a newer one stands in its place. In a nod to the film, the current hotel has called its bar the Obi Wan bar.

Harrison Ford stars as Indian Jones, the sometimes mild-mannered tweed jacketed professor of archeology, his alter-ego being the cocky, whip cracking adventurer who heads off on dangerous quests to find lost treasures.

This is the second film in the series, preceded by Raiders of the Lost Ark and followed by The Last Crusade and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull, a fifth instalment is planned for 2022, but where will it be filmed?

The Man with the Golden Gun

James Bond is possibly the silver screen’s most famous spy. In The Man with the Golden Gun, Roger Moore stars as 007.

Sadly, the famous Macau Palace floating casino where the action took place, is no more. It was reportedly towed away in 2007.

Skyfall

Last, but not least, we have Skyfall. This is the second James Bond movie on our list, although its place is a little tenuous.

Here, Daniel Craig stars as James Bond and travels from ancient Istanbul to the glamour of Macau. However, frustratingly the Macau scenes were shot at Pinewood Studios in the UK rather than on location. Again, there is a (different) floating casino in this film, but don’t waste time searching for it, this one never existed in reality and was a studio-built film set.

Did any of those Macau movie locations surprise you?

Learn More about Macau

Armchair Travel Macau and Hong Kong

Check out our other Armchair Travel Posts

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Spotlight on Hong Kong’s Star Ferry

Posted on 5 February 202119 January 2022 by greetings

We are thrilled to help shine a spotlight on Hong Kong’s Star Ferry and iconic skyline, because we are Hong Kong superfans. When ITV approached our founder, Amy Overy, to live stream a short segment for their This Morning show in the UK, she jumped at the chance. Watch her star turn on the Star Ferry below.

Thank you to the Star Ferry team for generously hosting us onboard the Twinkling Star and to ITV’s This Morning for helping us to showcase Hong Kong so beautifully.

Hong Kong’s iconic Star Ferry is ingrained in people’s hearts and minds. As you can imagine, Hong Kong is a very fast-paced place to live. A trip on the Star Ferry offers people a wonderful opportunity to take things a little slower and admire the famous skyline.

History of the Star Ferry

wheelhouse star ferry Hong Kong — Here’s a sneak peek inside the Twinkling Star’s wheelhouse.

A merchant named Dorabjee Naorojee Mithaiwala founded the Kowloon Ferry Company in 1888. His plan was to ferry guests arriving at the old railway station in TST across the harbour to his hotel on Hong Kong Island. Over time, they also started taking paying passengers.

Naorojee was inspired by Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem Crossing the Bar, the first line of which reads “Sunset and evening star, and one clear call for me!” Within a decade he had four ferries in regular operation, the Morning Star, the Evening Star, the Rising Star and the Guiding Star. In 1898, in a further nod to this favourite poem, he renamed his company The Star Ferry.

Interesting Facts about the Star Ferry

Originally, it took up to 25 minutes to cross the harbour on the Star Ferry. However, with land reclamation on both sides, the crossing time has been reduced to 8-10 minutes.
In normal times the Star Ferry carries around 70,000 passengers a day.
One of the main reasons that the Star Ferry remains so popular is the price. A trip on the top deck will set you back just HKD $2.7 (USD $0.35, GBP £0.26). Meanwhile, the lower deck is HKD $2.2 (USD $0.28, GBP £0.21). That’s quite a bargain when you consider the really spectacular views that are thrown in for free!
The quick turnaround time of the service is helped by the clever design of the reversible wooden seats. Passengers can just flip them backwards and forwards depending on which way they are heading across the harbour.
Today, the company runs two passenger routes. One between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui. The other is between Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui, which is where we filmed. Star Ferry also runs a fabulous Harbour Cruise service, which is a great tourist sightseeing route around Victoria Harbour.

Charter your own Star Ferry if you fancy. In fact we think it’s such a lovely idea, that we’ve included it in our list of 7 Cool and Quirky Hong Kong Wedding Venues.
Today, there are ten Star Ferries in daily operation. They were all, quite remarkably, originally built in the 1950s and 60s and have been hard at work ever since.

The Star Ferry is Synonymous with Life in Hong Kong

Finally, we’d like to leave you with this brilliant quote. It encapsulates the importance of the Hong Kong’s iconic Star Ferry.

“Hong Kong fast forwards into the future, but the Star Ferry is like a slow pendulum on the clock of history…back and forth….every 8 minutes.” Bill Sievers of Streets of Hong Kong

We love helping our guests explore Hong Kong. When it’s possible again, we would love to put together a walking tour for you. In the meantime, find out more about our Virtual Tours. Alternatively, if you’re located here in Hong Kong and looking for a fun family friendly activity, discover our new Hong Kong Quests.

7 Cool and Quirky Hong Kong Wedding Venues

Posted on 11 December 202023 November 2021 by greetings

Hong Kong has so many stunning and classic wedding venue options, but if you’re looking for something a little more unique and unusual, here’s our pick of 7 cool or quirky venues for you to consider. These wedding venues range from the breathlessly chic to the uniquely bonkers. Options include a bohemian beach wedding, slightly cheesy themed wedding venues and iconic Hong Kong spots. Which one will you choose?

Celebrate your Wedding Day on Cloud 9

If you want to literally be on cloud 9 on your wedding day, how about a wedding in Hong Kong’s tallest building? Sky100 is located inside the ICC in Kowloon and offers floor to ceiling windows to take in the panoramic views of the city’s skyline.

They offer various packages including a wedding cocktail, luncheon or dinner. Contact Sky100 here for further information.

A Fairytale, or rather a Ferrytale Hong Kong Wedding

In a fast-paced, ever changing city, the Star Ferry is one of the few constants. So, we love, love, love that you can book one of Hong Kong’s iconic Star Ferry boats for your nuptials with Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong’s stellar skyscrapers as your backdrop.

Here’s to plain sailing and years of happiness!

Click here to find out more about our founder, Amy Overy’s star turn on the Star Ferry. She recently broadcast a live segment on UK’s This Morning.

Have you settled on a wedding theme….park yet?

If you’re a fan of Snoopy, Woodstock, Charlie Brown et al, then you’re might be interested in celebrating your big day at Snoopy’s World. This pint sized theme park is located at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin. Alternatively, if you’re not a Snoopy aficionado, you can instead make enquiries with Ocean Park or Disney World Hong Kong, as they also offer wedding packages.

Super Sized Wedding

Go big or go home. At time of writing, Hong Kong is currently the only place in the world to offer a McDonald’s wedding.

Although this quirky Hong Kong wedding venue will perhaps not be to everyone’s taste, it is a cheerful and cost-effective option and it’s certainly unusual.

Find out more and make your booking here. Instead of a Happy Meal, perhaps you can order a Happily Forever After Meal?

White Wedding

If you’re looking for a nice place for a white wedding, consider the the beautiful White Chapel at Auberge. It is located in Discovery Bay on Lantau Island.

You’ll love its’ diamond shaped glass window panes, crisp white walls, clean lines and sea view backdrop. This is a pretty spectacular setting for you to tie the knot. For enquiries, click here.

Life’s a Beach

Hong Kong is surrounded by water, so if you’ve always dreamed of a beach wedding, look no further. Bathers is located at 32, Lower Cheung Sha Village, South Lantau, Hong Kong

With this al fresco wedding venue, you can get married with the wind in your hair and the sand between your toes. And of course there’s always the possibility that a local buffalo may put stroll by and photobomb your wedding photos.

Have a Jumbo Wedding – Maybe?

If a wedding out on the water floats your boat, then check out Jumbo. Although, at time of writing it is closed until further notice, we really hope that Hong Kong icon, Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant will get back on its feet eventually.

Established in the 70’s, this is an incredibly photogenic option, with a side order of nostalgia. Our fingers and toes are firmly crossed that Jumbo will be back in action eventually. Recent media reports suggest it will reopen. Here are links to Jumbo’s website and a recent news article suggesting they will reopen.

If you are interested in arranging a tour for any members of your wedding party in the run up to your wedding, we’d love to hear from you. Otherwise, if you fancy exploring one or two of Hong Kong slightly quirkier attractions, why not check out A Sky Full of Gods and Buddhas or 10,000 Buddhas Monastery.

Ride a Magic Carpet: Hong Kong Children’s Books

Posted on 9 December 202023 November 2021 by greetings

These Hong Kong children’s books will transport your kids, as if by magic carpet, to the hustle and bustle of our great city from wherever in the world you are. Read on for our top pick of Hong Kong books for little readers.

This post contains affiliate links. Should you click through and make a purchase, we may make a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Hong Kong Board & Picture Books

Good Night Hong Kong

Sleep deprived new parents, this one is just for you!

Good Night Hong Kong is a gentle book, designed to help lull your little ones to sleep, which sounds like a winning formula to us.

Along the way, they will ‘visit’ many of Hong Kong’s most famous landmarks treating your favourite younglings to moonlit tour of our city.

Hong Kong ABC

This sturdy board book has to be the perfect Hong Kong gift for the little people in your life and makes a refreshing change from the more standard Apple, Book, Cup kind of ABC books.

As you can see from the front cover, the A B C’s are Hong Kong. Didn’t you know that P is for Panda, J is for Junk Boat and D is for Dim sum?

This is Hong Kong

This is Hong Kong is a classic volume that would be a welcome addition to any child’s bookshelf.

Late author Miroslav Sasek, released a series of This is books featuring various cities. The Hong Kong book was said to be one of his favourites.

In particular, we love the gorgeously nostalgic and colourful illustrations in this hardback.

The Mermaid and the Pink Dolphin

Did you know that Hong Kong’s waters are home to endangered pink dolphins? Although mermaids are nigh on impossible to spot, pink dolphins can often be seen playing in our waters, particularly around South Lantau.

The Mermaid and the Pink Dolphin was Written and illustrated by Theadora Whittington. This story introduces young readers to Hong Kong’s pink dolphins and their plight. As an added bonus, the book is endorsed by the WWF.

The Shadow in the Moon

Every year, Mid-Autumn festival is celebrated across China. The Shadow in the Moon follows a grandmother telling the legend of Chang-E to her grand daughter. Then they enjoy eating traditional mooncakes together. In case you’ve never heard of Mid-Autumn festival, you can read our guide to Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong.

Other children’s books that we love, which are not so widely available outside Hong Kong, included Sarah Brennan’s Chinese Calendar Tales with a hilarious rhyming tale for each zodiac animal and Lost in Hong Kong by Matthew Cooper. Newcomer Suzanne Younan has released two books about Willy the eco-friendly green dragon and last but not least, not to forget Ellen Wy Leou books about Lulu the Hong Kong Cat.

More Magic Carpet Rides to Hong Kong

We are now offering Virtual Tours or if you would rather stick with books, check out our Hong Kong coffee table book recommendations and also Macau book and movie recommendations.

This post contains affiliate links. Should you click through and make a purchase, we may make a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Take a Virtual Tour of Hong Kong with Us

Posted on 25 November 202026 January 2022 by greetings

Yes, you read that right. It’s now possible to take a virtual tour of Hong Kong with Hong Kong Greeters. We always like to think we’re ahead of the curve and in this case we’ve been working on getting this up and running since last year, pre-pandemic. Moreover, we’re thrilled to be offering this top drawer virtual experience through the brand new Amazon Explore. As Amazon Explore is currently only available to the US market, we are able to offer separate virtual tours via Zoom to our customers based elsewhere.

The Amazon Explore Virtual Tour of Hong Kong

This is a live-streamed tour. You will be able to see your guide, chat to them, indicate things that interest you along the way and also take photos. This experience is now available in a group or private tour format.

However, your guide won’t be able to see you, so you don’t need to worry about what to wear! You also don’t need to remember to put on sunscreen or mosquito repellant. Equally, there is no need to carry heavy rucksacks through the humid streets of Hong Kong.

For an Optimal User Experience

Suitable for desktop or laptop (not for tablet or phone).
Internet speed 5 mbps minimum.
Headphone or speakers.

What you’ll see and learn

Old Hong Kong: Where Trends meet Traditions

Virtually tour the Sheung Wan district and learn about the start of colonial Hong Kong
Visit the Pak Sing and Man Mo Temples
See the Mid-Levels Escalator and Tai Kwun complex

“Let’s show you where it all began on this old town Hong Kong tour. We’ll trace the steps of Hong Kong’s beginnings, where traditional Chinese temples and colonial era buildings have been repurposed, blending trends and traditions. Starting at Possession Point, where the British first landed and raised their flag to take possession of Hong Kong, we’ll move through the low-rise and leafy streets of Sheung Wan where you’ll enjoy learning about the cultural landmarks from the city’s colonial past. We’ll also visit bustling temples heavy with incense smoke, enjoy a few ghost stories, and see how Hong Kong has developed whilst stubbornly interweaving its traditions as it has moved forwards into modern day.”

US Customers

For the time being the Amazon Explore experiences are only available to the US market… That’s right, if you’re in the USA, you can now visit Hong Kong from the comfort of your armchair. Our private virtual tour lasts 75 minutes and takes you through the fascinating old neighborhood of Sheung Wan.

BOOK HERE

Rest of the World

Although our tours via Amazon Explore are only available to US customers, we are able to arrange alternative Hong Kong Greeters virtual tour experiences for customers anywhere in the world via Zoom.

Bookings

See link above for booking via Zoom, you will need to check how many hours ahead of/behind Hong Kong you are to find the equivalent time in your location.

Enquiries

Our zoom-based tours are more flexible and can be customised in terms of location and length. Moreover, they are suitable for both individuals or larger groups such as schools. To discuss options, please get in touch with us directly. CONTACT US

Alternatively, you can armchair travel to Hong Kong with these gorgeous coffee table books, or to neighbouring Macau with our Macau Bookshelf.

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Top Tips for Visiting Victoria Peak

Posted on 20 November 20208 November 2021 by greetings

Victoria Peak (or just “The Peak”) is one of Hong Kong’s most prominent tourist highlights, and a must-visit destination for visitors and locals alike. Towering over Hong Kong at 552 metres above sea level, people have been flocking to its summit for decades to capture one of the world’s most awe-inspiring cityscapes from Hong Kong Island’s highest point. We’ve picked our must-see spots on The Peak for those looking to enjoy a more in-depth exploration of the area with the whole family in tow.

The Peak Galleria

As it also houses the bus station, most guests arriving at The Peak will enter the Peak Galleria shopping mall as they alight. Operated by Hang Lung Properties, the Galleria underwent a huge refurbishment in 2019 and is now (almost!) totally reopened.

It is well worth a visit – if only to use best public toilets available in the area!

Peak Galleria Playground

The state-of-the-art new Peak Galleria playground on level one features slides and climbing apparatus galore. Situated outside on level one, this play area boasts fantastic panoramas across to Cheung Chau and Lantau Island, with ample seating spots for parents to enjoy the views.

Suitable for children aged from four to 12, we’d recommend visiting earlier in the day, as the sun can be pretty ferocious after lunch.

Build-a-Bear Workshop

This famous American toy brand now has its own Hong Kong outpost at the Galleria, where kids can create their very own friend or build a unique Hong Kong souvenir. The Workshop is open daily from 11am-8pm and no advance booking is required.

Observation Deck

There are plenty of viewing points at Victoria Peak, but the Galleria’s newly refurbished rooftop is one of our favourites. Best of all, it’s completely free! Just keep following the escalators upwards. You can’t miss it.

Tai Cheong Bakery

This famous Hong Kong bakery has outlets all around Hong Kong; their newest is located on level two of the Peak Galleria. Their freshly-baked egg tarts really are melt-in-the-mouth and are an enticing pitstop for any visit to the Peak.

Egg tarts are a big deal in Hong Kong, find out more about them here.

Monopoly Dreams

This is a brand new attraction for Hong Kong and an Instagrammer’s dream come true!

You can read all about Monopoly Dreams here in our dedicated blog post.

Peak Tower

The Peak’s most-visited building is home to the Peak Tram station, along with many retail, and food and beverage outlets. You’ll find a Madame Tussauds waxwork museum and one of our family friendly Hong Kong restaurant recommendations. The Sky Terrace is another great viewing spot, however there is a charge to visit this.

Walk a little further

Most visitors stick to the developed area near the bus and tram terminuses and don’t venture further. However, if you’ve got a little time and energy to spare, there are a couple of short strolls that are less crowded and well worth your while. Obviously if you have a lot of time and bags of energy there are more strenuous hikes to enjoy around Hong Kong.

The Peak Circuit

Leave the Peak terminus behind you and take a right onto Lugard Road. You’ll find that this circular walk is pleasant, easy, mostly in the shade. Approximately 4km long, this leisurely walk takes around 1.5 hours. There are several view points, some crazy banyan trees and you’ll also pass the supposedly haunted Dragon Lodge.

Mount Austin

Walking uphill from The Peak’s main piazza area, head up to Mount Austin for a family friendly picnic spot and playground. This area was redeveloped in 2007 and encompasses the gardens of the former Mountain Lodge, which was the Governor of Hong Kong’s summer house up until 1946. You’ll also find the excellent Mount Austin playground just here.

Mount Austin Playground

Something of a rarity in Hong Kong, Mount Austin Playground features a safely enclosed space in which you can spend time as a family. The park has play equipment for children from two to 12 years, and plenty of paths for scooters and bikes. Another rarity – plenty of inviting lawned spaces that are perfect for picnics or even an alfresco birthday party!

Victoria Peak Gardens

Right at Victoria Peak’s summit – also known as Mount Austin – you’ll find Victoria Peak Gardens. These include beautiful landscaped gardens that once formed part of Mountain Lodge, the Governor’s summer residence which was demolished in 1946.

Some remnants such as steps and tiles remain from the 2007 refurbishment, and the striking Gatehouse is an original feature.

Barker Road

If you fancy a change of scenery, a walk down Barker Road definitely offers an experience that is a little off the beaten path. Accessed via Findlay Path, which is next to the Peak Tower, descending via this road takes you past one of Hong Kong’s most prestigious neighbourhoods. Look out for Headquarters House, home to the head of the People’s Liberation Army in Hong Kong.

Next door to Headquarters House you’ll see Victoria House. Formerly a maternity hospital, it is now the official residence of the Chief Secretary for Administration – at time of writing, Matthew Cheung. Currently under refurbishment, is 22 Barker Road, Jack Ma’s Hong Kong property, which he paid in excess of HK $1.5 billion for back in 2015.

Following Chatham Path, you’ll take a zig-zag route down to May Road where you can pick up the Peak Tram from its steepest station for a fast-track ride back down to Central.

Other Hong Kong Highlights

Check out our other Hong Kong guides.

Guide to Mong Kok’s markets,

Guide to Hong Kong’s Best Parks

Guide to Repulse Bay.

Alternatively, if you’d like a little help exploring Hong Kong, book a fabulous private tour with Hong Kong Greeters.

The Best Hong Kong Christmas Events 2020

Posted on 16 November 2020 by greetings

Here’s our pick of 2020’s Hong Kong Christmas Festive Fun and Events. Our list is a little different to last year’s as many of the usual events have been cancelled or scaled back. Nevertheless, we have family friendly events, Christmas markets, charity fundraisers and also tips on where to buy your all important Christmas tree. Also, a sure sign of the times, is that for the first time ever, we have several virtual events on our list.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, events could be cancelled at short notice.

Family Friendly Christmas Events

Bedtime Stories with Santa

This is the first virtual experience on our list. Let Santa read your children a bedtime story, on Fridays from 4-18 December 2020.

Prices range from HK$200-600 depending on the number of stories you book. Find out more here.

Nutcracker Ballet

In Hong Kong, Christmas almost isn’t Christmas without the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. At time of writing, this event is still going ahead. Enjoy this timeless Christmas classic, set to Tchaicovsky’s famous score, at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from 17 December – 27 December 2020.

UPDATE 11.12.2020 VENUE HAS TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO CORONA RESTRICTIONS. THE NUTCRACKER WILL NOT BE GOING AHEAD.

Ticket prices start at HK$180 and range up to HK$1000 per person.

Going Viral: The Online Pantomime

Hong Kong Players have been entertaining Hong Kong audiences with their Pantomime Christmas gold for years. This year, they’re going digital.

If you’re unfamiliar with this seasonal genre, Pantomime is a completely family friendly, slapstick show based loosely on our favourite fairy tales, with plenty of audience interaction, smoke, mirrors and magic. The humour tends to work on two levels, with a combination of child friendly jokes and hidden double entendres for the adults to chortle at.

Tickets are available now and range from HK$150-500 and the show will be available 10-13 December 2020

Have yourself a Disney little Christmas

Obviously, The Magic Kingdom is already sprinkled with fairy dust, but with Christmas coming, there is even more sparkle. This year A Disney Christmas – Treasure your Traditions runs between 14 November 2020 and 1 January 2021. Plenty of Christmas fun is planned, but please check the official Hong Kong Disney website for up to date booking and event information. UPDATE 11.12.2020 DISNEY HAS TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO CORONA RESTRICTIONS

Pacific Place Santa’s Grotto

Pacific Place in Admiralty is THE place in town to visit Santa. However, this year, this lynchpin of Hong Kong Christmas has also gone virtual. According to their website tickets go on sale from 11am on 19 November 2020. Normally, these tickets are like gold dust, so if you’re interested, we recommend booking as soon as it opens to avoid disappointment.

UPDATE 11.12.2020 THIS IS STILL GOING AHEAD, HOWEVER DUE TO CORONA RESTRICTIONS ONLY TINY GROUPS ARE ALLOWED TO UNDERTAKE THE EXPERIENCE WHICH MAY AFFECT YOUR PLANS

Hong Kong Christmas Lights

The annual Christmas lights on Hong Kong’s skyscrapers are free, just take an evening stroll along Tsim Tsa Tsui promenade for a spectacular view. Nearby Harbour City and 1881 Heritage are also known for impressive Christmas displays, so we suggest starting or finishing your promenade walk here. Alternatively hop aboard the Star Ferry for just a couple of dollars and see the lights from the water.

Christmas Shopping in Hong Kong

Christmas Markets

Handmade Hong Kong

Christmas markets are mighty thin on the ground this year in these Coronatimes. Nevertheless, Handmade Hong Kong still has markets pencilled in for 22 November and 6 December 2020 showcasing many local vendors. We’re crossing our fingers that they will go ahead, please check their website for updates before setting off. UPDATE 18.11.2020: Market on 22 November has been cancelled. Please check to the Handmade Hong Kong Facebook Page – links to vendors are provided so that you can shop online. Tentatively, the 6 December market may still go ahead.

Hong Kong Living Christmas Getaway

Currently, there is also a Hong Kong Living Christmas Getaway planned at the Pulse in Repulse Bay on 12 and 13 December 2020. For further details and ticket prices, check here.

Treasure Island Christmas Market

Visit Pui O on Lantau, for their annual Christmas Market Festival on 12 and 13 December. Find out more here.

Gift Suggestions

We’ve put together a Homegrown Hong Kong Gift Guide with plenty of ideas to help you with any last-minute seasonal shopping. This year in particular, we are keen to support local Hong Kong businesses. We’ve included, our brand new Hong Kong Quests, which make perfect stocking fillers and also our popular veggie food tour, which will run on selected dates during the Christmas holidays.

Charity Events

Christmas Concert

The Fayre of Maggie’s is going to be a virtual event this year and will take place on Thursday 10 December at 7pm. The event includes Christmas carols, festive readings and special performances. Additionally, there will be a “live” (virtual) auction and raffle. Individual tickets are HK$1500 and family tickets are HK$5000. Funds go towards Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre .

Secret Santa

Christmas is the season of giving and their are plenty of wonderful charities helping the less fortunate. You could give a Secret Santa gift which will go to an underprivileged child in Hong Kong, through local charity Angels for Children.

AWA Christmas Charity Bazaar

The usual physical bazaar cannot go ahead, instead there is a virtual Silent Auction, Lucky Lai See Prize Draw or you can donate to the Giving Tree. For further details, visit the American Women’s Association website.

Where to Buy a Christmas Tree in Hong Kong

With limited travel options over the 2020 Christmas period, be sure to order your Christmas tree well in advance.

Sophie’s trees has been supplying Hong Kong residents with Christmas foliage for 20 odd years.
Sai Kung’s Wah King Garden is ready for Christmas shoppers, supplying Christmas trees and a beautiful crop of poinsettia plants.
Head to Mongkok’s flower market for your Christmas tree and decoration needs.
Ikea sells affordable real and artificial Christmas trees and also supplies decorations, gift wrap and a few edible festive goodies. Outlets are in Causeway Bay, Kowloon and Shatin.

Seasonal Offers

We love visiting Hong Kong’s Victoria Peak. Until mid December there are discounts if you have 1 or more of the following letters in your name P E A K. Also, from now until the end of January, take ride up on the Peak Tram and receive vouchers to spend at the shops at the top. More details are here.

Other Festive Fun

Santa Tracker

There are several great Santa Trackers to choose from in the lead up to Christmas Day. Check out the following to find out what Santa’s up to, where he is and to discover fun games and activities for younger kids. Google Santa Tracker, Santa Update and Norad are all great options.

Elf Yourself

After such a serious year, we all need a good laugh. In case you’ve never heard of it, the very silly Elf Yourself enables you to put the faces of you and your loved ones on the cartoon bodies of dancing elves. It’s childish, but weirdly hilarious.

If you know of any other special events taking place in Hong Kong during the 2020/2021 Christmas and New Year festive season, please let us know so that we can update our listings: CONTACT US.

Armchair Travel: Macau Bookshelf

Posted on 3 November 2020 by greetings

If you’re looking for books about, or set in Macau, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll be honest, this has been a tough list to pull together as relatively little has been written about Macau in English. Nevertheless, here are our top recommendations.

This post contains some affiliate links. Should you click through and make a purchase, we may make a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Macau Fiction

As you’ll see from the list, the majority of books are thrillers with storylines featuring gambling, gangsters and prostitution. There is of course more to Macau than this, but with casinos being the main draw it’s not surprising that most books fall into the thriller/noir genres .

The King of Macau

Jake Needham’s The King of Macau is book 4 in the Jack Shepherd series. From his Hong Kong base the main character heads to neighbouring Macau to investigate possible money laundering at one of the many casinos.

It turns into a thrilling fast-paced adventure as he realises that he has become entangled in something far more sinister and dangerous than he imaged with North Korean hitman and a defector added into the mix.

Each book in the series is a standalone novel, so you could read this with or without reading the others which are set in various locations including Hong Kong.

City of Broken Promises

Published in the late 60’s, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s a little dated. However, as one Amazon reviewer (N.Madsen) put it, City of Broken Promises by Austin Coates is: “The Best (only?) attempt to portray old Macau in fiction…” This rags to riches tale is set in the late 1700’s and follows Martha Merop, a baby abandoned at birth, who is later sold into prostitution before eventually becoming tremendously weathly.

Martha da Silva Merop was a real person, but the story woven about her in City of Broken Promises is mostly fiction.

The Red Pole of Macau

In the Red Pole of Macau by Ian Hamilton, a multimillion-dollar real-estate deal in Macau goes South, it gets even worse when it turns out the developers are gangsters.

Ava Lee is a dauntless forensic accountant. She steps in to try and untangle the subsequent mess that her half-brother and his business partner find themselves in.

The stakes are raised even higher, when her brother’s business partner is kidnapped.

There are several other ‘Ava Lee’ books in the series.

Heart of Glass

Heart of Glass by Malaysian author Ivy Ngeow is set in the 1980’s. Con artist Li-An is ready to move on from her shady existance where she lingers in bars with her partner in crime, first drugging and subsequently robbing wealthy men that they meet. She is also a talented musician and when she is offered the opportunity to relocate to Macau to work as a piano-player she grabs the opportunity.

However, things don’t go smoothly when she meets compulsive gambler Ben, who hatches a plan to kill her boss….

The Ballad of a Small Player

Lawrence Osborne’s The Ballad of a Small Player is described as “A riveting tale of risk and obsession set in the alluring world of Macau’s casinos, by the author of the critically acclaimed The Forgiven.”

Although this is a slim novel, Osborne expertly employs his background in travel writing to bring Macau to life.

Main character Doyle is in self-exile in Macau. He’s there to avoid prosecution for embezzlement and is burning the candle at both ends. As he steadily gambles away his ill-gotten gains at the baccarat tables his past returns to haunt him.

The Living Room of the Dead

This is the first book in the Ray Sharp series, by Eric Stone. Essentially, The Living Room of the Dead is a detective thriller and seemingly is based on real events. American detective Ray Sharp gets caught up in murky underworld of the Russian white slave trade, so much more than he bargained for when trying to do a good deed and help someone out. The story starts in Hong Kong, before moving to Macau and finally to Vladivostok.

Macau Guide Books

As Macau is so small, a little over 115 square kilometers with a population of around 650,000 souls, it has been a challenge to find a dedicated Macau guide book.

Generally, Macau guides are included in Hong Kong Guide Books as a small chapter towards the back, nevertheless we’ve found two options for you.

Explore Macau: A Walking Guide and History

Happily, after much searching, we’ve discovered Explore Macau: A Walking Guide and History by Todd Crowell. Although the title sounds a little dry, the reviews are quite encouraging.

If you are looking for a guide book that exclusively covers Macau, this is a solid contender.

Published in 2011, it’s still recent enough to be relevant.

Strolling in Macau: A Visitor’s Guide to Macau, Taipa and Colane

Alternatively, you could try Strolling in Macau: A Visitor’s Guide to Macau, Taipa and Colane by Stephen K. Bailey. Reviews are mixed. This book provides several walking routes, primarily in the World Heritage area, but is seemingly light on instruction detailing how to get to the start point.

Discover our favourite Hong Kong Coffee Table Books and Hong Kong Children’s Books.

Book a private tour of Macau or Hong Kong.

Understand the difference between Hong Kong Egg Tarts and Macau Egg Tarts.

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Armchair Travel: Hong Kong Coffee Table Books

Posted on 20 October 2020 by greetings

Although we’d prefer to show you around Hong Kong in person, it’s simply not possible right now. For the moment, the only way to travel to here is from your armchair. So, if you are hankering for Hong Kong, why not treat yourself, or gift a friend one of these ‘tickets’ to our fair city.

Here is our top 5 favourite Coffee Table Books.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Should you click through and make a purchase, this means that at no additional cost to you, we may make a small commission.

History and Culture

Sunset Survivors

Lindsay Varty’s Sunset Survivors is a unique book. It captures traditional craftspeople and small business owners working in industries that are fast fading from Hong Kong. When these people retire, it’s unlikely that they will be replaced. Varty tirelessly tracked down each person in the book and interviewed them giving a very personal insight into the lives and disappearing skills.

These intimate and fascinating snapshots capture a unique slice of Hong Kong life, preserving it for posterity. Author Lindsay Varty grew up in Hong Kong and is one of our famous rugby stars.

Hong Kong Then and Now

Hong Kong Then and Now captures the city’s breakneck speed of development, from a collection of sleepy fishing villages, to a skyscraper thicket.

Author Vaughan Grylls has achieved this temporal juxtaposition by presenting contrasting old black and white photographs of well known Hong Kong locations alongside contemporary photographs.

Architecture

Hong Kong Corner House

Alongside the glittering and famous skyscrapers of Hong Kong, there is the more utilitarian and often brutal architecture of dense public housing. Michael Wolf documented this in his brilliant Architecture of Density, sadly this book is not easily available and has become rather pricey.

Instead, his Hong Kong Corner Houses book is a cosier alternative and is both more affordable and readily available. We love these curved and aesthetically pleasing buildings.

We love the interesting story behind how Hong Kong’s corner houses came to exist. You’ll have to buy the book or come on one of our tours to find out more.

Trope

Trope brings together a smorgasbord of modern images by emerging photographers both from Hong Kong and further afield. You’ll find dense skyscrapers, neon lit streets and instagram hotspots.

Furthermore, the images are accompanied by maps and location details should you want to explore any of the locations in person.

Food

Hong Kong Diner

For all you home cooks craving a taste of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Diner by Jeremy Pang will enable you to recreate classic Hong Kong comfort food from your own kitchen. Technically, this is a recipe book. Nevertheless, we think it would look great on any coffee table and provide a mouthwatering talking point.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Should you click through and make a purchase, this means that at no additional cost to you, we may make a small commission.

Hong Kong & Macau Gifts and Souvenirs

Garrison Kellior famously quoted, “A book is a gift you can open again and again”, if you’re looking for a gift for a young reader, see our top recommendations for Hong Kong children’s books. Alternatively if you have a soft spot for Hong Kong’s neighbor Macau, check out our Macau Bookshelf.

However, if books aren’t your bag and you’re after Hong Kong themed gifts or goodies for yourself or a loved one, hop on over to our Hong Kong gift guide featuring several homegrown brands.

How to Count on one Hand in Hong Kong

Posted on 14 October 2020 by greetings

When you’re abroad and don’t speak a language, you may have to rely on pointing, smiling, body language and gestures to get by. Although not foolproof, pantomiming can be a surprisingly effective way of communicating. Nevertheless, even innocent gestures can get lost in translation causing confusion, embarrassment or even offense. Can you imagine that something as (seemingly) easy as holding up 3 fingers to order 3 cups of coffee can get be misunderstood depending where in the world you are?

That’s right, different parts of the world have different ways of counting to 10 or beyond using their hands or even other body parts.

Mind blown.

We’ve put together this handy infographic to help our Hong Kong visitors. Although many Hong Kongers speak excellent English, these hand signals could still come in very useful in a local market or crowded restaurant.

Finger Counting Across the World

Mainland China has a similar, but slightly different finger counting system to Hong Kong. Meanwhile, in Japan, fingers are folded down to represent a number, so to outsiders a thumb tucked in and four fingers raised could be mistaken for 4, when the counter is in fact only counting 1. Interestingly, in some parts of Asia, different sections of the fingers or knuckles are counted to allow for higher numbers.

Equally, in the west people tend to use fingers to count to 10, but how they do that is quite different from China and Hong Kong. Furthermore, there are even slight differences between the UK/US and Western Europe.

Finally, in places such as Papua New Guinea, body counting (which involves pointing to various parts of the body) allows for even higher counting.

Demystifying Hong Kong Food and Culture

Now that you know how to count in Cantonese, let us share some other useful infographics with you. We’ve put them together based on questions our guests in Hong Kong often ask us:

What is the difference between Cantonese and Peking Duck?

Are Macanese and Hong Kong Egg Tarts the same?

Are the terms High Tea and Afternoon Tea interchangeable?