By Olivia Bennett for Wonders of the World
“There are cities we visit, and there are cities that stay with us forever. For me, Hong Kong became the latter.”
When I told my friends I was going to spend an entire month in Hong Kong, almost everyone asked the same question: “What are you going to do there for a whole month?” To be honest, I thought I’d probably see everything worth seeing in just a few days. Skyscrapers, shopping malls, Victoria Harbour, and a handful of famous landmarks—that was pretty much what I expected.
By the end of my very first week, I realized just how wrong I had been.
Hong Kong isn’t just a city. It’s a collection of countless different worlds, all existing in perfect harmony. One moment you’re walking through a futuristic financial district surrounded by glass towers, and the next you’re standing inside a century-old temple, listening to the soft crackle of burning incense, or gazing out across the sparkling South China Sea from the top of a mountain.
Every morning felt different. Some days I woke up to the sound of ferries crossing Victoria Harbour, while on others it was the familiar ding of the city’s historic double-decker trams. I loved heading out early, just as the city was waking up. Business professionals hurried toward their offices, elderly locals practiced tai chi in neighborhood parks, and family-run restaurants were already serving steaming baskets of fresh dim sum to their first customers.
It didn’t take long to realize that Hong Kong isn’t a city you should rush through. It reveals its true character only to those willing to wander beyond the obvious tourist attractions.
One of my favorite daily routines was simply walking. I’d begin among the skyscrapers of Central before making my way through the lively streets of Wan Chai and eventually arriving in Causeway Bay. Every side street seemed to offer another surprise—tiny tea houses, traditional herbal medicine shops, colorful street markets, and family-owned restaurants where hardly anyone spoke English, yet everyone welcomed me with a warm smile.
Of course, Hong Kong’s skyline is every bit as spectacular as people say it is. I visited Victoria Peak several times during my stay because I simply couldn’t get enough of the view. During the day, an endless forest of skyscrapers stretched out before me. At night, millions of lights reflected across Victoria Harbour, creating one of the most breathtaking cityscapes I’ve ever seen. Every visit felt different as the changing sky transformed the entire panorama.
While many travelers come to Hong Kong for its impressive architecture, I was equally captivated by its natural beauty. One weekend I hiked Dragon’s Back, widely considered one of the world’s finest urban hiking trails. Less than an hour earlier I had been navigating one of the busiest subway systems in Asia. Suddenly I found myself surrounded by rolling green hills, dramatic coastlines, and peaceful bays overlooking the South China Sea. It’s hard to believe you’re still in the same city.
Throughout the month, I also explored several of Hong Kong’s islands. On Lantau Island, the enormous Tian Tan Buddha radiated peace and serenity, while nearby fishing villages felt as though time had slowed to a different rhythm. I enjoyed fresh seafood beside quiet harbors where locals greeted visitors with the same warmth they showed one another.
And then there was the food.
Even now, it’s difficult to describe just how diverse Hong Kong’s culinary scene truly is. Dim sum, wonton noodles, crispy roast duck, freshly steamed dumplings, and the city’s famous milk tea quickly became part of my everyday life. Some of my most memorable meals came from tiny neighborhood restaurants where generations of chefs had perfected the same recipes for decades.
I especially fell in love with the energy of Mong Kok and Temple Street Night Market after sunset. As darkness settled over the city, the streets came alive with aromas, conversations, glowing neon signs, and endless streams of people. I could spend hours simply wandering, taking in the incredible rhythm of everyday life.
Yet what made my month in Hong Kong truly unforgettable wasn’t a famous landmark or an incredible meal.
It was the people. The café owner who greeted me every morning with my favorite coffee already waiting.
The elderly gentleman in the park who patiently introduced me to the basics of tai chi.
The market vendors who began recognizing me after only a few visits and always insisted I try a new fruit or local specialty.
Hong Kong taught me that a city isn’t defined by its iconic buildings. It’s defined by the ordinary moments that can never be planned.
When it was finally time to leave, I looked back at the city from the same ferry that had welcomed me a month earlier. The skyline slowly disappeared into the distance as the morning sun climbed above the mountains, and I realized something inside me had changed.
I’ve been fortunate enough to visit many incredible cities around the world, and there are still countless more waiting to be explored.
But very few places manage to be this modern while remaining deeply connected to their traditions.
This energetic while still offering moments of complete peace. If someone asked me today how long they should spend in Hong Kong, my answer would be simple: as long as you possibly can. Three days will let you see the highlights. A week will help you understand the city.
But only when you slow down and begin living at Hong Kong’s own pace will you truly discover its soul.
I was lucky enough to spend an entire month there. And as my plane lifted off the runway, I realized I wasn’t simply leaving another destination behind.
I was saying goodbye to a place I already knew I’d return to. But this is only the beginning.
Over the course of that unforgettable month, I collected countless stories about hidden cafés, remarkable restaurants, peaceful temples, mountain trails, and those little moments that no guidebook could ever capture.
One day, when we step aboard the Victoria Cruises Residential Ship, I’ll share many more of those stories with you.
And when we finally sail into Hong Kong together, I’m certain we won’t be arriving as strangers.
We’ll be greeting this extraordinary city like an old friend. I hope you’ll join me for the adventure.
The best stories are still waiting to be written.