Occupy Central, Umbrella Revolution – whatever you call it; Hong Kong’s huge protest for universal suffrage is all over the news. We couldn’t help but be sentimental about our last visit in this vibrant city 3 years ago and wonder if that would be our last visit of Hong Kong as a democratic region. We certainly hope not.
We follow the development of the protests with great interest. Keith’s parents came from Hong Kong. He still has an aunt and few cousins who call Hong Kong their home. Our hope for them and for all the people of Hong Kong is that they maintain the democracy that they have enjoyed for so long.
Hong Kong is amazing and so are its people. We look forward to soon return in this amazing city where modern culture beautifully blends with the traditional. By then, we hope that the political situation has simmered down and everything would have returned to how it was. For now, join us as we virtually revisit Hong Kong through our images from our last visit.
Hong Kong’s skyline and harbor are always spectacular even on a foggy day.
No trip to Hong Kong is complete without taking a ride on its iconic Star Ferry. It’s a great way to take in the scenic view of the harbor.
The Central Pier where most ferries from outlying islands depart and arrive.
Enjoying the vista of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island. Even though the visibility was not clear during our visit, the view was still dramatic.
View from Victoria Peak
Looking out from IFC, one of Hong Kong’s glitzy malls.
Popular as a shopping mecca, Hong Kong’ boasts of many modern shopping malls and they are getting even more shinier and swankier. 
Inside the posh mall where people not only shop for designer labels but also wine and dine in upscale bars, cafes and restaurants.
The MTR, or Mass Transit Railway, is a very efficient means to travel around the city.
If underground travel does not appeal to you, there’s always the double decker tram. It is a system of transport that has been in used in the city for more than 100 years.
Prefer to travel on foot but don’t want to deal with street traffic? You will enjoy the Central Escalator, the longest covered walkway in the world spanning 800 meters. It makes traveling from Central Hong Kong to Mid-Levels very easy.
The bright and vibrant skyline at night.
As much as we enjoy the modernity of Hong Kong, we find its true charm in its traditional part.
Locals enjoying no-frill meals in one of the alleys of Sheung Wan.
Not too far, but seemingly a world away, from the glitz of Central Hong Kong is Sheung Wang, the old heart of Hong Kong, where you can get a fascinating glimpse of traditional Hong Kong life.
One of the food stalls in Sheung Wan
We followed our nose to the street of Wing Lok in Sheung Wa and discovered that the sources of the fishy aroma in the air were the dried seafood shops that lined the street.
Wing Lok Street is also filled with traditional medicine wholesalers. The sight of this man who was using an abacus to calculate his sale fascinated us. So old world – and so cool!
If you find the smell and sight of the dried fish shops revolting, you may find yourself delighted at Cat Street Market. It is Hong Kong’s traditional hunting ground for antiques and bric-a-bracs.
The trinkets and antique items for sale in Cat Street Market.
Colorful Gage Street depicts old-fashioned character of Hong Kong.
The Graham Street Wet Market, where you can shop for fish that are still blinking and jumping as well as other exotic produce.
A row of textile stores.
The Jade Market, where you can find jade trinkets in all shape and sizes.
Some of the tems at the Jade Market.
The Temple Street Night Market is the liveliest night market in Hong Kong where you can find anything kitschy under the moon.
Temple Street Night Market is also a place for good local dining and entertainment.
The neon lights in Temple Street area.
An apartment building in Aberdeen district with clothes hanging in every balcony.
Traditional Sampan boats on Aberdeen Harbor. We took one of them to take us to a floating restaurant.
Keith checking out the cocktail menu at Top Deck at the Jumbo, a floating restaurant that is a Hong Kong institution.
Jumbo Floating Restaurant beautifully lit up at night.
People from all walk of Hong Kong society frequent the atmospheric Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple to pray for good fortune or to have their fortunes read.
Locals offering incense in Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple.
And of course, a Hong Kong trip is not a trip without indulging in its exceptionally fresh and delicious Dim Sum.
We hope that you enjoy our postcards from Hong Kong. Have you been to Hong Kong? Do you have a favorite part of it that you would like to share?
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Linking to: The Weekly Postcard, Travel Photo Discovery and Reflection Enroute.
Very beautiful postcards from Hon King, Marisol. You have a good eye for street photography. It’s not something that anybody can do, believe me. I’ve never been in Asia before but I’m hoping to visit it someday. I didn’t know there was a revolution in Hong Kong (didn’t watch the news lately).
Anda recently posted..The Weekly Postcard: Pelisor Castle in Sinaia, Romania
Thank you, Anda. Coming a great photog like you, it’s such a great compliment. I really hope you make it to Asia soon.
Marisol, I love your Hong Kong photos, with the fog. They seem so other-worldly, just like Hong Kong can feel with its mix of cultures and languages…and food. Thanks for linking up with Weekend Travel Inspiration!
Corinne recently posted..Rendezvous with Catherine
I’m glad you enjoyed the photos, Corinne. Foggy scenes can be indeed otherworldly and so is HK.
This looks amazing. Hong Kong has been on my list for years. I’d love to visit. Maybe after it calms down a bit more, I will.
Found you through the weekly postcard!
Esther recently posted..Take a trip: Viñales vanuit Havana
Hi Esther, HK is truly an amazing city. I hope you make it there soon.
Your photos remind me of my time in Hong Kong last year. It was such a magical place that I fell in love with. I still have thoughts of moving there every now and then. It has been interesting watching the protests and such, as I still have friends there and my wishes reflect your own. I hope they are able to continue their way of life. Thanks for the dual trip down memory lane!
Adrian of Adrian’s Travel Tales recently posted..Blogger Interview: Diary of a Serial Expat
Hi Adrian, my pleasure. I hope you get to return and reconnect with your friends
I just love your photos, but especially the views from the ferry, the skyline from there looks awesome! Gage Street is so cool, very Hong Kong! Dim Sum is on my (long) list of foods I must try. looks incredible! I haven’t been to Hong Kong yet, but I love cities and I’d love to visit one day!!
Katie recently posted..Affordable Luxury in Bali at Alaya Ubud
Hi Katie, thanks. if you love cities you will definitely enjoy HK.
Hi Marisol. Your photos bring back some good memories of my two-week visit to HK earlier this year, and your last photo particularly makes me salivate!
I remember walking around the neighborhood at Sheung Wan, and it was quite photogenic. It’s both sad and encouraging to see what’s happening in HK right now, as the city’s democracy is constantly eroded but the people decided to stand up and fight for their rights.
Bama recently posted..Dance of An Eternal Battle
Hi Bama, We really loved Sheung Wan. It was like stepping back in time. I guess being from a big city we tend to look beyond the modern facade when we visit a city. It’s true that’s what happening in HK now is both sad and hopeful. We just wish for the best outcome.
Oh I can almost smell the aromas and hear the sounds from these photos. Hong Kong was our first travel destination . . .w-a-y back in the early days and it still holds such a magnetic pull to bring us back. The ferries, the streets, shops, food, oh you’ve captured it magically! Will keep my fingers crossed that the current unrest is settled peacefully and that Keith’s family members remain safe.
Jackie Smith recently posted..Something to Crow About: Kauai’s Birds of Paradise
Hi Jackie, wow your early days experience of HK must be truly amazing. I bet it was much more exotic and romantic back then. Thanks for keeping your fingers crossed.
A fabulous tribute to my hometown, Marisol. I can almost feel the winter chill from your photos! My favourite is the one of worshippers at the temple in Wong Tai Sin – it could well be printed large inside a travel magazine. It’s a shame the skies weren’t clear while you were up on the Peak… but the fog does add a certain sense of mystery. I see that you even ate chicken feet!
As much as I enjoy the buzz of the city, my favourite parts of Hong Kong are out in the countryside. I particularly recommend the beach and village at Shek O – it’s a lovely stretch of natural sand (unlike Repulse Bay) and you can take a walk through it all, across a narrow bridge and onto a rocky island with a pavilion at its summit. Shek O is off the general tourist trail though it’s very accessible, being only 30 minutes by bus from the nearest MTR station.
There are also plenty of hiking trails around the New Territories; Sai Kung has some surprising rock formations and Hong Kong’s best beaches. They are never too crowded because you can only get there on foot or by boat. Lantau has a fantastic trail across the tops of its mountains – it’s more arduous but completely worth it for the views and solitude. I wouldn’t recommend it in the heat and humidity of the summer, but winter is the perfect season to go hiking around Hong Kong.
As for the Umbrella Revolution, I’m deeply impressed by the courage, political awareness and the general conduct of the student protestors. It is sad that they are sitting out in the streets while we adults are bogged down with less lofty things, like paying the bills.
A political analyst once said that these protests were a natural result of problems that have ballooned over the past few years. He’s right. Our government cares only for the mega-rich tycoons, and is merely a puppet of the higher powers in Beijing who have no understanding of Hong Kong’s needs or aspirations.
We are seeing increasing interference from the Communist Party in the business world, attacks on our freedom of speech, and threats to the independence of our courts. Our students from kindergarten to college level are being crowded out by those from mainland China, and our neighbourhoods are being swamped by over 40 million shopping tourists from across the border each year. With all this in mind, China’s decision that we cannot directly elect our own leader is really the final straw.
James recently posted..Beyond the barricades
Hi James, I’m glad that you felt that we’ve given your hometown a nice tribute and pleased that you enjoy the photos. The chicken feet were Keith’s:) Thank you for recommendation for places to check out in the countryside. We definitely love to venture out next time we visit. Most of all, thank you for sharing your insights and thoughtful comments about the current events in HK. We appreciate how you fight for your rights and aspirations and we hope that you achieve a positive outcome.
Lovely pictures
Muza-chan recently posted..Mount Hakodate, one of the Three Major Night Views of Japan
Thank you, Lili!
I have only been once for a few days to Hong Kong but totally loved it. Your photos are spectacular Marisol. I hope it will all turn out well.
Freya recently posted..Unique Luxury Getaways in Santorini
Hi Freya, I hope so, too! Glad you enjoyed the photos.
I like the Hong Kong in your pictures better. They capture its charm and spirit. Your pictures tell a story that others can’t. You do have the eye for beauty.
HI Gabby, thanks. Coming from an HK resident, I’m happy to hear that.
I like the Hong Kong in your pictures better. They capture its charm and spirit. Your pictures tell a story that others can’t. You do have an eye for beauty.
It’s also been about 3 years since I last visited the streets of Hong Kong. We didn’t get to the non-glitzy, non-touristy parts, so I really enjoyed peeking into that part of the city through your photos. It was a dream of mine since childhood to ride the Central elevators. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize they were one-way, direction depending on the time of day. The taxi driver dropped us off at Mid-levels which was the end, so we only got to walk down the stairs alongside the elevators instead of riding them as I had always imagined.
My friends in Malaysia are still visiting Hong Kong for fun. I guess the lure of Dim Sum and good shopping overrides any fears from the Occupation.
When my family is counting up the number of countries we have visited, we sometimes discuss whether or not to count Hong Kong and Tibet separately from China. My hubby visited both East and West Germany as a child and insists that those add 2 to his country count even if they are now unified. However the dissolution of the USSR after his childhood visits has enabled him to add a few more countries to the list.
Arriving back in the USA after living abroad, I got quite an earful from my Republican parents and father-in-law about how broken the USA is and how much the Democrats have ruined it. After living in Malaysia where key members of the Opposition parties get arrested for sedition when criticizing the main ruling party during the election process, I began to appreciate how much better the USA is at an actually fair, democratic election process. The options that China is giving Hong Kong for their election are deplorable. No wonder the people are protesting. I hope that this all works out in a way that is fair and just.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} recently posted..Wild Color and Good Eats on Burano
Hi Michelle, that such a bummer about the missed direction on Central Elevators:(
Ha, interesting about the country count. For a while, I was counting HK as separate but I still personally count Tibet as its own independent county – being an avid supporter of Free Tibet. During the recent referendum in Scotland, I was selfishly rooting for its independence–so I can count it as another country. Ha! Ha!.
I’m glad that you time in Malaysia gave you a better appreciation of US election process. Coming from the Philippines, I certainly do myself, believe me. We also really hope that things work out in HK.
Marisol recently posted..Varanasi: Evening Rituals on the Ganges River
Wow! What a city and what beautiful shots of the places you saw ~ Love the one with Keith looking at the menu ~ Beautiful and colorful and creative photos!
Happy Week to you.
artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)
artmusedog and carol recently posted..THROUGH THE LENS 30
Thank you Carol and Artmuse! Glad you enjoyed the photos.
I love big cities, so it’s no surprise that Hong Kong is one of m favorite places on the planet. I love the energy of the city, and the food—oh! The food!—was just so, so good. I don’t think I ever thought a big city was beautiful before I visited Hong Kong, but now I know they can be. It was such a pleasure to revisit it through your eyes!
Steph (@ 20 Years Hence) recently posted..Chewing the Fat with the Cultural Xplorer
Hi Steph, I have no doubt that you and Tony enjoyed the food in HK. and not surprised that it was one of your favorite places. I’m glad you enjoyed revisiting the city through this post.
What a truly exceptional set of photos Marisol. My son and his wife were recently in Hong Kong and loved their visit but said they couldn’t live there – not for political reasons but because they felt the crush of humanity – even though they live in downtown Toronto.
I hope Hong Kong stays democratic. I would still love to get past the airport!
Leigh recently posted..Driving the Highwood Pass Loop – One of the Best Drives in Canada
Hi Leigh, thank you! Coming from New York City, we didn’t’ think that the crush of humanity in HK is too bad at all, definitely nothing like Beijing. Still, I guess its not for everyone. Keith and I also hope that it stays democratic. I hope you can visit it someday.
Lovely shots of this teeming city.
Thank you Fiona!
Lovely shots of this teeming city.
Wow, I loved this post. Apart from the worry about Hong Kong losing their democracy that is. Photo wise, I loved the ferry shot and the sampans. Character wise the old man and abacus and locals eating in the alley are two favs. That 800m covered walkway – I bet it gets a lot of use. Whenever I see incense offerings like that I really feel like I am in Asia. Thanks for introducing me to Hong Kong.
jan recently posted..The Thrill of Discovery in Turkey
Hi jan, thanks! Your two favs are mine, too! Glad you enjoyed the introduction.
I’ve never been to Hong Kong (yet 😉 ) but I believe that Sheung Wang is the true spirit of Hong Kong. Not skyscrapers or shopping malls, but narrow streets, tiny, little shops, bars and of course people. People who really LIVE there, not spend their whole lives in offices and expensive shops and above-the-sky apartments 😉
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Hi Isabella, we also found Sheung Wan the true heart of HK. It truly embodies the traditional spirit of HK.
I have definitely enjoyed the virtual tour, I especially love the blend of the modern and traditional and hopefully Hong kong will overcome it’s current political challenges.
Hi Rachel, I’m pleased that you enjoyed the tour and thank you for sharing our sentiment about HK’s current challenges.
Can you believe I’ve never been to HK? For some reason, it never appealed to me haha Maybe I should go visit one weekend or something. Your photos are so convincing 😀
HI Aleah, Really!? Somehow I don’t blame of for not having much interest – because HK is portrayed in the Phils more as a shopping city and without much character. There’s definitely more to HK beyond the glitzy facade and shopping stops. If you seek for its traditional core, you will find it fascinating. I hope you can visit soon; it’s just a short hop away for you:)
Marisol recently posted..Varanasi: Evening Rituals on the Ganges River
We’ve been blogger friends for a year THIS week! Oh my gosh as I’ve said so many times – I’m always head over heels in love with your photography, Marisol! I felt like I was THERE…looking at the skyscrapers or out over the city fogged over, the hustle and bustle of the market and people or the commutes of many options. I like that Central Escalator…how cool! And Keith looks soooooo stressed out lol
Trust me, that would be my favorite seat too at the Top Deck of the Jumbo. Hong Kong is most definitely on my bucket list but this is one of those unique destinations where I would want a person guide(s) versus a tour. GREAT post, my friends!
Hi Mike, can’t believe it has been a year! I’m so glad you enjoyed the photos and the tour of HK. It truly is unique destination. whihc I’m sure you will love. Your right, that you’re better off going with personal guide or even on your own (it’s easy to get around) vs a tour. I hope you can visit HK sometime soon.
What a great set of images Marisol! There are definitely areas I missed on my recent trip. You really have a great eye for street photography. I tried to do it, but I couldn’t get past the awkward feeling of taking photos of other people. What time of the year did you visit? The smog / fog in those first photos are shocking!
Adelina // Pack Me To recently posted..I’m Going on an Adventure! Hong Kong Here I Come!