Choi Hung

Day Trips

Start your day at Choi Hung MTR station, where the iconic rainbow staircases await. Wander through the estate’s colorful mosaic murals and vibrant corridors, perfect for immersive street photography. Grab a pineapple bun and milk tea from a nearby cha chaan teng to fuel up for exploration.

Join a local photographer for a guided walk around the estate’s hidden alleys and graffiti walls. Learn about the community’s history from friendly residents who often pause to share stories. Sample egg waffles from a street-side stall as you move between photo spots.

Enjoy a home-style Cantonese dinner at a neighborhood dai pai dong, chatting with regulars over spicy fish balls and skewers. Head back to the Rainbow Staircase at dusk to capture the glowing pastel hues under the evening light. Cap the night with a refreshing sugarcane juice from a late-night vendor nearby.

Begin at the Choi Hung wet market where vendors sell fresh produce and live seafood. Sample a steaming bowl of congee topped with preserved eggs and youtiao while chatting with smiling stallholders. Admire stacks of tropical fruits and locally made pickles on display.

Cross to the adjacent indoor market to browse handmade snacks, dried mushrooms, and herbal teas. Pick up a bargain of fresh prawns or squid to try later and learn about traditional Chinese ingredients. Stop by a tofu stall to taste silky beancurd drizzled with fragrant soy sauce.

Wander outside the market to the open-air stalls selling skewered meats and curry fish balls under festive red lanterns. Join the lively queue at a famous egg-waffle stand, then taste a bowl of sweet tofu pudding from a nearby cart. Enjoy the bustling night-market atmosphere as neon signs flicker overhead.

Catch a local bus to Wong Tai Sin Temple and witness devotees lighting incense and making wishes. Observe intricately carved dragon pillars and colorful murals depicting Taoist legends. Pick up a fortune stick and learn its ancient interpretation from a kindly temple elder.

Stroll through the serene Nan Lian Garden just a few minutes away, admiring lotus ponds, rock formations, and traditional pavilions. Visit Chi Lin Nunnery’s elegant wooden halls and inhale the fragrance of jasmine incense. Relax beside flowing streams and ornate bridges in this oasis amid the urban sprawl.

Dine at a vegetarian restaurant in Diamond Hill, savoring bamboo-shoot soup and crispy sesame tofu. Return to the garden’s Sky Corridor after dark to witness subtle lighting that highlights the architecture. Sip a jasmine tea on a stone bench while gentle music drifts through the lantern-lit pathways.

Set off early for the Temple Hill Trail, ascending through lush greenery and rocky outcrops above Choi Hung. Pause at scenic viewpoints to catch glimpses of Victoria Harbour and the Kowloon skyline. Refuel with trail mix and fresh fruit from a local vendor at the summit.

Descend into San Po Kong, stopping at small tea shops along the way to sample iced lemon tea. Explore hidden staircases and graffitied underpasses in this up-and-coming creative zone. Photographers will love the contrast of natural light filtering through concrete structures.

Treat yourself to a hearty bowl of beef brisket noodles at a nearby hawker stall. Watch the sunset paint the skyscrapers in warm hues while sipping a tall glass of herbal tea. Wind down with a leisurely stroll through a neighborhood park dotted with lantern-lit pavilions.

Begin at Ngau Chi Wan Village to explore its colorful mural-lined lanes and heritage shopfronts. Chat with local artisans painting traditional murals depicting lion dances and dragon boat races. Pick up a hand-painted postcard as a unique souvenir.

Head to San Po Kong’s street-art alley to see large-scale murals by Hong Kong artists. Drop into tiny studios tucked behind residential blocks and watch creative workshops in progress. Stop for a pair of freshly steamed custard buns at a hole-in-the-wall bakery.

Visit a cozy craft brewery nearby to sample award-winning ales brewed with local ingredients. Sit on repurposed wooden stools as live acoustic music drifts through the industrial-chic space. Share tasting notes with new friends under strings of Edison bulbs.

Walk to the former Cattle Depot Artist Village in Diamond Hill to explore avant-garde exhibitions in repurposed slaughterhouse buildings. Chat with resident artists about their latest installations and multimedia projects. Marvel at the way nature reclaims the red-brick facades through cracks and vines.

Browse independent galleries in San Po Kong, admiring contemporary paintings and mixed-media sculptures. Pop into a ceramics studio to try throwing a basic pot under the guidance of a local master. Refuel at a minimalist café serving single-origin coffee and handmade pastries.

Attend an experimental theater or dance performance at a community arts center in Wong Tai Sin. Experience Hong Kong’s vibrant independent scene as performers interact with stage lighting and projection. Discuss the evening’s highlights over bubble tea at a nearby shop.

Indulge in a leisurely dim sum brunch at a local tea house, sampling har gow, siu mai, and fluffy char siu bao. Watch steaming baskets being ferried around on traditional trolleys as you soak up the lively atmosphere. Pair each plate with freshly brewed pu’erh tea served in tissue-wrapped pots.

Join a small-group cooking class focused on classic Cantonese pastries like egg tarts and wife cakes. Learn rolling, filling, and baking techniques from a third-generation pastry chef. Enjoy your homemade treats with a pot of fragrant chrysanthemum tea.

Embark on a food crawl through Choi Hung’s best-known takeaway stalls, tasting curry fish balls, tofu skin skewers, and bubble waffles. Round off the night with a bowl of silky custard pudding from an unassuming alley cart. Mingle with late-night diners over cups of warm soy milk.

Sleep in slightly then head to a quiet café near Kowloon Tsai Park for artisanal coffee and pancakes. Review your camera gear and battery levels while watching the neighborhood come to life. Collect local tips on the best vantage points for urban sunrise photography.

Scout alleyways around Choi Hung Estate for hidden gems of street art and architectural details. Chat with residents who often paint or decorate their own stair railings. Grab a light lunch at a nearby noodle shop to stay energized.

Return to the Rainbow Staircase just before dusk to capture the shifting pastel hues under LED lights. Experiment with long exposures as lanterns glow and traffic blurs in the background. Finish with a nightcap of sweet ginger tea at a 24-hour herbal shop down the street.

Take the MTR to Kowloon Bay, rent a bicycle at the promenade, and pedal along the water’s edge. Feel the breeze off Victoria Harbour as you pass art installations and open-air reading corners. Stop midway at a lookout point to admire the city skyline and busy container ships.

Continue your ride toward the Kwun Tong waterfront, pausing at mangrove walkways to spot shorebirds and dragonflies. Pack a simple picnic of char siu sandwiches and fresh fruit to enjoy on a grassy knoll. Watch local families fly kites and play tai chi in the late afternoon sun.

Cycle back to Kwun Tong Town Centre for dinner at a waterfront open-air food court, sampling spicy Sichuan skewers and tangy cold noodles. Gaze across the harbor as city lights flicker to life. End the night with a leisurely stroll under the illuminated bridge.

Attend a traditional Chinese tea ceremony workshop in Wong Tai Sin, learning to appreciate oolong, pu’erh, and green teas. Practice graceful pouring techniques and understand the art of tea appreciation. Sip each fragrant brew slowly while inhaling its subtle aroma.

Visit a calligraphy studio nearby to learn basic brush strokes and character formation from a local master. Dip your brush into black ink and try writing auspicious phrases on rice paper. Receive personalized feedback as you develop a steadier hand and deeper respect for the craft.

Experience an outdoor Cantonese opera performance in a neighborhood square, complete with colorful costumes and melodic percussion. Sample sweet osmanthus jelly and glutinous rice balls from nearby dessert stalls during intermission. Immerse yourself in the rhythms of classic ballads as lanterns sway overhead.