Explore_Hong Kong Lunar New Year Preparation Tour

Discover the Essence of Lunar New Year in Hong Kong! 2026 dates coming soon!

Lunar New Year, for the Year of the Horse, will fall on 17th February 2026.

Inclusions

Embark on a guided journey through the heart of Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year preparations with Angel, the passionate owner of @explore_hongkong. As a licensed guide, she shares her family traditions and insights with her 128K devoted followers. This immersive experience includes:

Dim Sum Delight: Indulge in a dim sum break at a charming old tea house, savoring traditional dim sums and sampling diverse New Year snacks along the way.
Insider’s Knowledge: Learn the ropes of Lunar New Year preparations from a local perspective. Angel will guide you to the places her family frequents for their New Year essentials, making this a comprehensive journey into the heart of local customs.
Lai See Etiquette: Unravel the mysteries of giving and receiving Lai See. Discover the significance of the practice and gain valuable insights on how much to give and to whom.
Q&A with Angel: Have all your Lunar New Year curiosities answered by Angel. From the “WHYs” behind various traditions to becoming a Lunar New Year expert, this tour promises a wealth of knowledge.

Highlights of the Tour

Explore key landmarks and experiences that make this Lunar New Year tour unforgettable:

1. Dried Seafood Market: Delve into the world of Chinese reunion dinner ingredients, exploring the symbolism behind the most expensive components.

2. Chinese Temple Visit: Understand the cultural significance of locals visiting a temple before Lunar New Year, gaining insights into age-old traditions.

3. Lunar New Year Market: Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of one of Hong Kong Island’s busiest markets. Learn the art of selecting the best decorations and snacks for a festive celebration.

4. Lai See Mastery: Receive expert guidance on the art of giving and receiving Lai See. Learn the top 5 Chinese New Year greetings to enhance your interactions.

5. DOs and DON’Ts Guide: Ensure good fortune in the New Year by understanding the cultural do’s and don’ts. Angel’s expertise guarantees a seamless and auspicious celebration.

Logistics

Dates: Sunday 14th January, Sunday 21st January & Saturday 27th January
Price: HKD $680
Language: English
Duration: 4 hours (dim sum lunch included)
Meeting Point: Sai Ying Pun MTR Station Exit A1
End Point: Wan Chai Market
Transportation: Public transportation (Please prepare your Octopus Card)

Join us on this enlightening adventure as we Explore Hong Kong like true locals, immersing ourselves in the rich tapestry of Lunar New Year traditions!

Big Buddha & Tai O – private Lantau car tour

Lantau Island Car Tour: Discover the Hidden Treasures

Comfort, Convenience, and Exclusive Access

Make the most of your visit by taking a Lantau car tour with your very own driver and guide.
Enjoy door-to-door service, collecting you from and returning you to your hotel, airport, or cruise ship, ensuring a seamless and memorable day out.
Experience comfort and convenience as we navigate Lantau Island’s attractions in a private car.

Choose from our car options:

Premium Toyota Alphard: Ideal for groups of up to 5 passengers, offering spacious and luxurious travel.
Luxury Mercedes V-Class: Perfect for larger groups of up to 6 passengers, providing a sophisticated and comfortable ride.
Benefit from our exclusive license to access the restricted zone of Lantau Island, offering unique opportunities not available with other tour companies.
Our knowledgeable and friendly guides, fluent in English, will ensure you make the most of your time in Hong Kong.

Flexible Itinerary and Tailored Experience

Choose from a variety of options to include in your itinerary based on your interests and time constraints.
Enjoy the flexibility to customise your tour and create a personalised experience.
If you have a specific destination in mind that is not listed, simply inquire, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Lantau Island Attractions: Unveiling the Gems

1. The Big Buddha: Visit the iconic Big Buddha statue and Po Lin Monastery.

- Explore the importance of Buddhism and its representation in the hearts, minds, and belief system of the people of Hong Kong.
- Ascend the 268 steps to the Tian Tan Big Buddha, a magnificent statue rising 34 meters into the air, offering panoramic views and attracting pilgrims from across Asia.

2. Tai O Fishing Village: Immerse yourself in the charm of the traditional fishing village.

- Wander through stilt houses inhabited by fishermen and their families.\Experience the relaxed atmosphere and slow pace of life in one of the best-preserved places in Hong Kong.

Additional Options to Enhance Your Experience

Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car: Take a breathtaking ride on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, offering stunning views of the landscape surrounding the Big Buddha.
Cheung Sha Beachside Lunch: Indulge in a delightful beachside lunch at Cheung Sha, savouring the flavours of Hong Kong.
Tai O Waterfall and Rock Pool: Discover the natural beauty of Tai O with a visit to the waterfall and rock pool, immersing yourself in the tranquility of the surroundings.
Hong Kong DolphinWatch Experience: For nature enthusiasts, embark on the Hong Kong DolphinWatch experience and encounter these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Unlocking the Charms of Lantau Island

As one of the only tour companies licensed to access the restricted zone of Lantau Island, a car tour with us opens the door to this fascinating part of Hong Kong.
Lantau Island, known as Hong Kong’s green lung, offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and explore its captivating beauty.
Let us craft a personalised Lantau Island car tour that exceeds your expectations and creates memories to last a lifetime.
Contact us today to embark on an unforgettable journey through the hidden treasures of Lantau Island.

The VIP Hong Kong Experience

Embark on an unforgettable VIP experience as we pick you up from your hotel and take you on a mesmerising 18-minute helicopter ride above the world-famous Victoria Harbour skyline, granting you panoramic views of the picturesque beaches and bays of South Hong Kong Island.

Next, we’ll journey to the majestic and vibrant Wong Tai Sin Temple. A place where you can connect with the divine and make offerings to fulfil your heart’s desires. You’ll even have the opportunity to have your palm read by skilled fortune-tellers, adding an intriguing twist to your day.

For lunch, we’ve secured a table at a two-Michelin star restaurant, three options available subject to availability.

Our adventure continues as we ride in the private cabin of the Ngong Ping cable car, treating you to breathtaking panoramic views of the countryside and the bustling Hong Kong International Airport. The journey leads us to the serene Po Lin Monastery and the iconic Big Buddha, where you can immerse yourself in the tranquility and grandeur of this sacred site.

As the day gently transitions into evening, we’ll make our way back to Hong Kong Island for an enchanting sunset cruise on a private cruiser. Savor your preferred beverages as you bask in the breathtaking panorama of Victoria Harbour, where the city’s towering skyscrapers come to life against the canvas of the setting sun. This exquisite experience serves as the perfect crescendo to a day brimming with extraordinary moments.

Please note that this tour is completely bespoke and above is a sample of what we can do during your VIP experience in Hong Kong. Feel free to customise this tour with additional elements, including the Jewish Heritage of Hong Kong.

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:

Victoria Peak
Man Mo Temple
Stanley Market
Aberdeen

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

Cruise ships we receive booking for 2023-24: Celebrity Solstice, Westerdam, Costa Delizoiza, Costa Serena, Celebrity Millennium, Diamond Princess, Queen Mary II, Serenade of the Seas, Mein Schiff 6, Insignia, Royal Princess, MSC Bellissima, Norwegian Spirit, Quantum of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, Coral Princess, Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Sojourn, Seven Seas Explorer, Silver Muse, Silver Nova, Viking Orion

Lantau Island Full Day Tour

Discover the timeless beauty of Lantau Island, Hong Kong’s green lung, on an immersive 8-hour private walking tour that takes you back 50 years. This largely untouched island is accessible only by public transport, and we’ll guide you effortlessly through its most iconic highlights and hidden treasures.

Tour Highlights

Big Buddha & Po Lin Monastery  – Explore the spiritual heart of Lantau with a detailed walk around the enormous Tian Tan Buddha and the serene Po Lin Monastery. Gain deep insights into the stories and teachings that shape Chinese culture, including the meaning behind Buddhism’s most misunderstood concepts like “emptiness.” Experience skip-the-line access and enjoy a stunning 24-minute panoramic ride on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car (optional), or opt for a scenic bus ride.
Tai O Fishing Village –  Step into the authentic, slower pace of traditional Hong Kong life at Tai O, one of the best-preserved fishing villages in the region. Discover its rich history and coastal culture as you stroll through the market, meet locals, and observe the unique stilt houses from a private small boat ride. Enjoy views of the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai Bridge and keep an eye out for elusive pink dolphins. Visit the Tai O Heritage Hotel—once a colonial police station—now a place full of stories of its own.

Detailed Itinerary

Meet your guide at Tung Chung MTR (optional hotel pick-up and transfer available)
Travel to Ngong Ping Village for an insightful tour of the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery
Journey by public transport to Tai O fishing village
Enjoy a small boat ride around the stilted houses and explore quiet village streets
Return by public ferry to Tung Chung
Tour concludes at MTR station or back at your hotel with private car transfer (optional)

Inclusions

Private Guide
Tai O Small Boat ride

Exclusions

Hotel pick-up and car transfers
NP360 cable-car tickets (one-way ticket, class optional)
Food and drinks
Public transportation (an Octopus card is recommended)

Additional Options to Enhance Your Experience

Hotel pick-up by guide and private car transfers: add this on for an additional HK $480 per transfer
Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car: Take a breathtaking ride on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, offering stunning views of the landscape surrounding the Big Buddha. Standard, Crystal and Crystal PLUS options available.
Tai O Waterfall and Rock Pool: Discover the natural beauty of Tai O with a visit to the waterfall and rock pool, immersing yourself in the tranquility of the surroundings.

Every Sunday we are now able to offer a Full Day Lantau Tour and Dolphin Watching Experience for groups. This is great for nature enthusiasts as it includes an extended morning of dolphin-watching to encounter these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat…. plus a guided tour of Tai O, Big Buddha and Po Lin in collaboration with NP360 Holidays. More details here: https://www.hkgreeters.com/tours/hong-kong-dolphin-watching-lantau-island-full-day-tour/

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