00:00I'm Lily Douse and this is Grand Voyager.
00:05In this series I travel the world to discover incredible places filled with culture, luxury and adventure.
00:13Along the way I meet the people, taste the flavours and experience the moments that make each destination unforgettable.
00:26Today I'm travelling to the southern coast of China, to a city full of vibrant energy, ancient culture and soaring
00:34peaks.
00:37Leho and welcome to Hong Kong. In this episode I'll be discovering how ancient traditions live side by side with
00:45one of the world's most powerful skylines.
00:47and realise how hidden stories can be found at every corner.
00:53To start my Hong Kong adventure, I'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 called 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.
01:19Built 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.
02:09Today, 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.
02:26Actually, we will grow this kind of banyan tree because they have aerial roots and then to make stable on
02:33the slope.
02:34So that's why no landslide in Hong Kong.
02:37Now it's time to try some authentic local cuisine.
02:40So 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 and finish with warm, crispy pineapple buns to
02:52complete the experience.
02:53This crispy pineapple bun, only the name means pineapple. They don't have pineapple inside.
03:00They may not have pineapple in them, but they are truly delicious.
03:04Hong Kong is full of steep hills and roads, but 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, so you need the quickest mode of transport to get up the
03:19hills.
03:20Save the legs.
03:21At the top of the route are colonial-era buildings that once housed a police station, court and prison.
03:28It became a heritage building for us. 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.
03:40I'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.
03:52And there's no better place to see that than Victoria Peak.
03:55I'm meeting a British expat who spent years in the city and knows all the best ways to explore the
04:01mountain.
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, which is the Peak Tram.
04:09Dating back to 1888, the 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.
04:23It'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.
04:47We are the most densely populated city in the world, by far, by far.
04:51We have over 3000 skyscrapers.
04:54The mountain is surrounded by walking routes like the famous Peak Circle Walk.
04:59It'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 and we end our walk at this viewpoint.
05:20The perfect place to take in the city.
05:23Thank you so much for today, Amy. It has been absolutely incredible.
05:27The views are breathtaking.
05:29My absolute pleasure. It's my favourite place to bring people in Hong Kong.
05:32Yeah, I feel very relaxed now, ready to go back to the hectic city.
05:40Another 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 Kayan. 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.
06:02The 138-year-old service has long been a way for people to cross Victoria Harbour.
06:08Especially 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, but the boats still look the same as they
06:28ever did.
06:29I really love that contrast in Hong Kong where you do have the hectic city.
06:34Totally, yeah.
06:34You have the ancient routes and then all of a sudden you're in a completely peaceful environment.
06:39Right in the middle of the 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 colors, 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 flavor.
07:25It doesn't seem like there's going to be loads of flavor, but there is.
07:28To end our time together, we try steamed dumplings and curry fish balls.
07:33They're both delicious, but the dumplings are definitely my favorite.
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 to Fleming. 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.
08:11The rooms are full of Star Ferry inspired details.
08:14It 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.
08:30Hong Kong is more than just a skyline.
08:32And to see a different side of it, I'm heading to the largest island in the region.
08:36Just beyond the city, the pace truly changes.
08:40This 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. This is Lantau. You're going to come biking with us today.
09:02Just press that button.
09:03This 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, I get a sense of how peaceful Lantau
09:25Island 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.
09:58I 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.
10:15Yes, 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 Islands.
10:53It really is something very, very unique.
10:56Next 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 six kilometers, it passes over the island's mountains and forests.
11:36I've experienced so much here and this final ride feels like the best way to end my trip.
11:41Hong Kong's a city that never stands still.
11:44It's a place where tradition and ambition collide.
11:48I've had such an incredible time here exploring nature and the city.
11:52But now, time for my next adventure.
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