00:00Ich bin Lilly Dowse und das ist Grand Voyager.
00:05In dieser Serie, ich gehe die Welt zu erleben,
00:07zu erleben, kulturen, kulturen und kulturen.
00:13Along der Weg, ich besuche die Leute,
00:15taste die flavors und erleben die Momente,
00:18die jeden destination unvergänglich sind.
00:26Today I'm travelling to the southern coast of China
00:29To a city full of vibrant energy, ancient culture and soaring peaks
00:37Leho and welcome to Hong Kong
00:40In this episode I'll be discovering how ancient traditions live side by side
00:45With one of the world's most powerful skylines
00:48And realise how hidden stories can be found at every corner
00:53To start my Hong Kong adventure
00:55I'm meeting a local resident to learn more about the city's history and culture
01:00Today I'm going to show you our temple in the downtown central here
01:05Called Man Mo Temple
01:11Man Mo Temple is one of Hong Kong's oldest places of worship
01:15And is dedicated to the gods of literature and war
01:18Built in the mid-19th century, it stood here for nearly 200 years
01:24One of the traditions performed by visitors is a ritual where gold leaf is placed on a deer statue
01:30Each part of the deer represents a different form of luck
01:34Put it on the deer face means your work will have good luck
01:40This ancient practice has been performed here for centuries and remains a central part of the temple
01:47Candles and incense also play an important role, symbolising prayer and respect for the gods
01:52So Lily, whenever you worship on a god, we usually pick three pieces of incense
01:58Because one for the god, one for the human and one for the underground
02:04The temple also served as a meeting place where local disputes were settled
02:08Today, it's a protected part of Hong Kong's history
02:16From here, we head into a busy district filled with colourful street art and sprawling trees
02:22These enormous roots perform an important function
02:25Actually, we will grow this kind of banyan tree because they have aerial roots
02:31And then to make stable on the slope
02:33So that's why no landslide in Hong Kong
02:36Now it's time to try some authentic local cuisine
02:39So we head to a nearby cafe to taste a few well-known treats
02:43We sample Hong Kong-style French toast paired with classic milk tea
02:48And finish with warm, crispy pineapple buns to complete the experience
02:53This crispy pineapple bun, only the name means pineapple
02:58They don't have pineapple inside
02:59They may not have pineapple in them, but they are truly delicious
03:04Hong Kong is full of steep hills and roads
03:07But it's also home to the world's longest escalator
03:11Stretching over 800 metres, it carries thousands of people each day
03:16There's a lot to see in Hong Kong
03:17So you need the quickest mode of transport to get up the hills
03:20It saves the legs
03:21At the top of the route are colonial-era buildings
03:24That once housed a police station, court and prison
03:28It became a heritage building for us
03:30And we keep the building and then we put all the outlet inside
03:33Let's say some shops and some restaurants as well
03:36It's a great place to finish our time together
03:39And I'm looking forward to seeing more of what this energetic city has to offer
03:46Hong Kong is one of the few cities where nature and skyscrapers sit side by side
03:51And there's no better place to see that than Victoria Peak
03:55I'm meeting a British expat who's spent years in the city
03:58And knows all the best ways to explore the mountain
04:01Really looking forward to showing you Victoria Peak today
04:04So we're going to take the fastest way to get up the hill
04:07Which is the Peak Tram
04:08Dating back to 1888
04:10The Victoria Peak Tram has been climbing the mountainside for over a century
04:15Today it's still a favourite with locals and visitors
04:19We hop on the tram together and head to the summit of the peak
04:22It's a scenic ride and one of the world's steepest railways
04:26It just feels like you're lifting up from the city
04:30It's amazing and you can see why so many people want to come and experience this
04:35To get a better view we make our way to a platform high above the city
04:39The skyline is incredible even if there's a bit of fog below
04:44So Hong Kong of course is known for its skyscrapers
04:46We are the most densely populated city in the world by far, by far
04:51We have over 3,000 skyscrapers
04:54The mountain is surrounded by walking routes like the famous Peak Circle Walk
04:58It's really popular with families, hikers, dog owners
05:03This is such a lovely peaceful nature trail that you've got up here at the peak
05:09Exploring this nature trail high above Hong Kong has been a unique experience
05:14There are stunning views around every corner
05:17And we end our walk at this viewpoint
05:20The perfect place to take in the city
05:23Thank you so much for today Amy
05:25It has been absolutely incredible
05:27The views are breathtaking
05:28My absolute pleasure
05:30It's my favourite place to bring people in Hong Kong
05:32Yeah, I feel very relaxed now
05:34Ready to go back to the hectic city
05:39Another great way to see the city's skyline is the historic star ferry
05:44Founded in 1888, it's famous for its affordable tickets and scenic journey across Victoria Harbour
05:51Today I'm taking a ride with a new friend
05:54Hi Lily, I'm Kaya, nice meeting you
05:56Lovely to meet you too
05:57Welcome to Hong Kong
05:58So today we're going to hop on the star ferry to cross the Victoria Harbour
06:03The 138 year old service has long been a way for people to cross Victoria Harbour
06:07Especially when other transport options were limited
06:14We board the ferry from Hong Kong Island and enjoy the beauty of the skyline as it passes
06:21Since the ferry service started, the city has seen many changes
06:25But the boats still look the same as they ever did
06:29I really love that contrast in Hong Kong where you do have the hectic city
06:34Totally
06:34You have the ancient roots
06:36And then all of a sudden you're in a completely peaceful environment
06:40Yeah, right in the middle of a city
06:42Leaving the boat behind, we head to a district on the mainland known as Kowloon
06:47This was once a separate city but later became part of Hong Kong
06:52We're exploring its famous flower market
06:55It's a busy area full of colours, seeds and potted plants
06:59So how do we bring in a little nature into the tiny apartment?
07:02I think pot plants and flowers, this is the best solution
07:05After admiring the flowers, we stop for some local street food
07:09Here we try some authentic snacks made from simple ingredients
07:13So this is the Hong Kong steamed rice rolls or we call it chung fun in our language
07:17So it's actually steamed rice roll paper
07:20These rolls can be enjoyed plain or stuffed with a variety of fillings
07:24There's a lot of flavour
07:25It doesn't seem like there's going to be loads of flavour but there is
07:28To end our time together, we try steamed dumplings and curry fish balls
07:32They're both delicious but the dumplings are definitely my favourite
07:37These are the winners
07:39The perfect snacks before I jump into a taxi and return to my hotel
07:45For my stay in Hong Kong, I'm checking into a hotel inspired by the iconic Star Ferry
07:51The Fleming Hotel celebrates the city's boating heritage and has a real retro feel
07:57Good morning, welcome on the road for me, welcome on board
08:00Thank you very much, it's a pleasure to be here in Hong Kong
08:04Located in the famous Wan Chai district, it's perfectly placed for exploring the heart of Hong Kong
08:10The rooms are full of Star Ferry inspired details
08:13It almost feels like you're on board a luxury steamboat
08:18And that same retro style carries through to the hotel's dining space
08:22A great place to relax before heading out to discover more of the city
08:29Hong Kong is more than just a skyline and to see a different side of it
08:34I'm heading to the largest island in the region
08:37Just beyond the city, the pace truly changes
08:41This is Lantau Island, where sea, mountains and spirituality meet
08:47The island is popular for outdoor activities, especially mountain biking, thanks to its rugged terrain
08:55Welcome to the adventure capital of Hong Kong
08:59This is Lantau, you're going to come biking with us today
09:02This is my first time cycling off-road, so I definitely need a few tips before heading out onto the
09:09trail
09:09And then eyes at the top of that hill, pedal towards the top of that hill
09:13The more I cycle, the more I start to find my rhythm and enjoy the ride
09:19The scenery is absolutely breathtaking and as we head along the paths
09:23I get a sense of how peaceful Lantau Island really is
09:32After my two-wheel adventure, I head deeper into Lantau Island to visit a historic fishing village
09:41Known as the Venice of Hong Kong, Tai O is famous for its stilt houses, quiet waterways and local delicacies
09:49I'm meeting a local guide who knows this village well
09:52There's fresh fish balls and then the shrimp paste that they've been making here in Tai O
09:57I think it's definitely worth a try
09:59The oldest fishing village here in Hong Kong right now is Tai O
10:03It definitely is worth a quick stop before heading on to our final location
10:12So here we are at the big Buddha
10:14Yes, it's actually the world's tallest seated Buddha statue
10:20Wow, it is pretty high up there and how many steps have we got to go up there?
10:23So there's about 268 steps
10:27Standing 34 meters tall, the statue was completed in 1993
10:32And has become a symbol of Hong Kong
10:37As we reach the top, its size and beauty really stand out
10:42It's one of the largest seated bronze Buddha statues in the world
10:46Wow, it is incredible to be able to look up at the scale of it
10:49And then look down at the incredible views on Lantau Island
10:54It really is something very, very unique
10:57Next door is Polin Monastery, one of Hong Kong's most important Buddhist temples
11:04The monastery is a great example of Buddhist culture and architecture
11:08The detailed carvings and painted woodwork really leave a lasting impression
11:18As my time in Hong Kong comes to an end, I say goodbye to the friends I've made
11:22And head for one last adventure
11:26The cable cars are one of Hong Kong's most popular tourist attractions
11:30Running almost 6 kilometers, it passes over the island's mountains and forests
11:36I've experienced so much here
11:37And this final ride feels like the best way to end my trip
11:42Hong Kong's a city that never stands still
11:44It's a place where tradition and ambition collide
11:47I've had such an incredible time here exploring nature and the city
11:52But now, time for my next adventure
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