From Taipei city, there are different ways to get to Jiufen. The most convenient one would be to take a bus.
First, go to Songshan metro station at the end of the green line, get out of the station and take bus number 1062.
From Songshan station to Jiufen old street takes approximately 50 minutes.
Heres Jiufen on the map, just click on it and follow Google map’s directions on how to get there.
About Jiufen, Taiwan.
Jiufen is a seaside mountain area in Ruifang District, New Taipei city. During the times of the Qing dynasty, it used to be an isolated village consisting of only nine families.
In 1893 a rich concentration of gold was discovered sending the small village into full town development as everybody wanted to be there to get some of the gold.
Gold mining activities started declining around in the late ’60s and the mine was finally shut off in 1971 and for a while became a forgotten town.
In 1989 a City of Sadness -filmed in Jiufen- put Jiufen back in the spotlight as the film was acclaimed around the world.
Year 2001, spirited away by Ghibli Studio was released, its downtown scenery resembles a lot that of Jiufen, making the old gold mining town a must-visit for Japanese tourists.
At Jiufen you’ll find countless stores selling all sorts of souvenirs, drinks, traditional food, gift boxes, clothes, tea and also many hotels and restaurants.
You’ll also get to see one of the most beautiful sea views in Taiwan. Also many beautiful lanterns all over the place.
Here are some photos that for sure will make you want to visit Jiufen ASAP.
Is Visiting Jiufen Expensive?
Doing a one day trip to Jiufen is not expensive at all. By taking public transportation you’ll spend around 130 NTD going there and 130 NTD coming back to town.
Having something like a mango smoothy will cost around 100 NTD. Having lunch, something like fried rice will cost you between 150 NTD to 300 NTD depending on the restaurant you decide to go into.
As for souvenirs and other products, well, there are so many that it all depends on how much you want to spend. You can spend 50 NTD on a simple fridge magnet or 2,000 NTD on a piece of Jade.
Can I Book a Hotel in Jiufen?
Definitely, and I think is something worth doing. During the day you don’t get to see all the lanterns lit up.
If you ask me which is the best hotel to stay at, I’d say that’s Chiu Chu Dint B&B. The location is perfect, you’ll be right at the center of the old street and you’ll have an amazing view.
Hope you enjoyed this post, below I’ll leave some links that might be of interest to you.
Now, depending on what passport you have, every time you travel you’ll have to apply for a visa or maybe not.
I know that last part wasn’t very helpful, but the thing about whether you need a visa or not depends on what passport you have and what country you’re traveling to.
How to get travel visas? Here’s what all beginner travelers and even some experienced ones need to know.
Visa Requirements are Different for Holders of Different Passports.
The passport you have matters a lot. There are travelers that could go their entire lives traveling without even knowing what a visa application form is.
These are usually the holders of passports of developed nations. According to Economictimes, these are the strongest passports as of 2019.
Country of Passport
Number of Countries Allowing Visa Free Entry
Japan
190
Singapore
189
South Korea
189
France
188
Germany
188
Denmark
187
Sweden
187
Finland
187
Italy
187
Luxembourg
186
So as you can see, anyone who holds a passport from the above nations won’t have to worry too much about visas since there are 180+ destinations where they can enter by just showing their passport.
On the other hand, we have the weakest passports. If you happen to have one the passports in the list below, then most likely, you’ll have to constantly apply for visas if you want to travel internationally.
Country of Passport
Number of Countries Allwoing Visa Free Entry
Afghanistan
30
Iraq
33
Syria
37
Pakistan
39
Somalia
40
Yemen
40
Sudan
43
Eitrea
43
Lybia
44
Ethiophia
46
As you can see, your passport matters a lot when traveling internationally. When somebody asks me if they need a visa to visit X country my answer always is: It depends. What passport do you have?
How to Get a Visa?
There isn’t just one answer for this question, it pretty much depends on which country you want to visit.
The first thing you have to do is find out whether you need a visa for such a country. Go to the official immigration website of the country and look for their visa policies.
They’ll usually have a list of the passport holders of specific countries they let in visa-free. If your country is not there then you’ll have to apply for a visa.
In the government websites -immigration- they usually make it clear on how to apply for a visa and the types of visa you can apply for.
They also let you know the procedure and how much you’ll have to pay for it.
Steps on how to apply for a visa
First. Make sure you need a visa. You usually find this info in the country’s immigration website.
Second. If you need a visa then keep on looking in the website for a visa section.
Third. Select the type of visa you need and follow instructions on how to apply.
Fourth. Make the application and wait for the response.
Maybe the previous steps were very vague. The truth is that the process of how to get a visa varies a lot from country to country.
For example.
As a Nicaraguan passport holder, I need a visa to go to enter Hong Kong. Last time I applied for one I had to mail a lot of papers, along with a bank check to an address in Hong Kong.
Once my visa was approved they mailed back a visa sticker which I had to put in my passport.
I also need a visa to visit Japan. To apply for this one I simply have to go to the nearest embassy, present a bunch of paper and pay for the visa fee in cash.
They tell me right away whether I meet the requirements or not. If I do then I leave my passport there and I can pick it up within one week with the visa sticker on.
To go to Australia I also need a visa. For this one I have to do the whole process online. I have to scan a lot of papers and submit an online application and make an online payment.
If approved, the immigration department of Australia will send me a PDF file stating they will let me visit as a tourist, no sticker.
If I want to go to Vietnam I first need to apply for an approval letter, which I have to pay for. Once I arrive in Vietnam I can apply for a visa on arrival without presenting too many papers and just making a payment.
The point I’m trying to make here is that the process of getting a visa will vary from country to country.
Even if two persons with different passports need a visa to visit the same country, the applying process might be different.
For example, someone with a Japanese passport needs a visa to enter India, someone with a Nicaraguan passport also needs a visa to enter India, but there’s a difference.
The person with the Japanese passport can simply get on a plane and pay for a visa on arrival in India.
The person with the Nicaraguan passport can not do that. This person would need to first apply for an electronic visa.
Common Documents You’ll Need to Apply for a Visa.
Even though is true that visa application procedures and requirements vary from one country to another, there are still a set of documents I believe are quite common to be asked to present when applying for any visa.
Bank statement- with a lot of money to support yourself during your stay.
Accommodation reservation.
Flight tickets showing you’ll get out of the country soon.
Travel Itinerary.
Photocopy of your passport and any other relevant ID.
Passport size photos.
Prove of previous travel such as photocopies of previous tourist visas.
Health check or vaccines certificate, depending on which country you’re coming from. For example, Colombians need a yellow fever vaccine certificate to enter Thailand.
A filled out visa application form.
Once you gather all the documents the country requires, you upload them or mail them to them or simply take them to the nearest embassy and you’ll wait for the results. They might let you know if you get the visa right away of after a couple of weeks.
How to Get a Visa Easily?
After reading all of the above you might start feeling like applying for a visa is a little bit complicated and stressful, and you know what, sometimes it is.
I almost didn’t get my Hong Kong visa and I had already paid for my ticket and hotel, both were non-refundable. So how do you make the process easier?
Well, you can ask for advice from people that have experience processing visas for people that hold the same passport as you and that have traveled to the same destination where you want to go.
If you’re looking for an agency that can help you process a visa this is the one I recommend. They have a nice search engine where you can enter your country (country of passport) and your destination.
They’ll tell you whether you need a visa or not, and if they can help you process one they will let you know.
Common Visa Types
There are 3 visa types I consider to be the most common ones anyone might need to apply for.
Tourist Visas
This is the most common one. You can apply either for single entry or multiple entries depending on the country’s regulations.
Sometimes countries will let you in visa-free for a short period of time and then you’ll have to apply for a tourist visa if you want to stay longer. For example, UK passport holders can enter Vietnam visa-free and remain there for 15 days.
If they want to stay longer then they’ll have to apply for a visa in advance, or before the 15 days are up.
Transit Visas
For anyone with a not so strong passport, it will be possible for you to need a visa only for transiting a country.
This means that if you have one layover before arriving at your final destination. Please make sure you can transit the country in between visa-free.
For example, when I fly from Taiwan to Nicaragua, I have to go through the USA, in order to do so I need a transit visa, otherwise, they wouldn’t even let me get on the plane.
The same thing goes for Hong Kong since I have a Nicaraguan passport I need a transit visa, but if I don’t leave the transit area of the airport then I’m okay, allow me to explain.
A transit visa allows you to go through customs, get your luggage and go out of the airport, maybe your connecting flight departs in 12 hours and you need a hotel while you wait for your next flight right? Well with a transit visa you can do this.
But what if you have a connection that only lasts 4 or 6 hours, one where you don’t even have to get your luggage and check it in again because the airline will send it directly to the final destination?
In this case, I don’t need to apply for a transit visa because I will never leave the airport. I won’t even go through customs. I’ll just get out of the plane and go to another boarding gate to catch my next flight, with a little security check-in between, this is what is known as remaining in an airport’s transit area.
Visa on Arrival
Some countries offer travelers from certain nationalities the possibility of getting visas on arrival. This means that once you land in the country’s airport or you arrive at some border checkpoint.
All you have to do is fill out a form, present some photos and flight ticket to show you’ll get out of the country and pay a fee and you’ll be granted a visa.
Tourist visas durations may also vary depending on your passport. When I applied for a Chinese tourist visa it was granted to me for a period of 20 days, a friend with a USA passport was granted 5 years I think.
Visa fees are nonrefundable, meaning that if your visa is denied you won’t get your money back.
Not all visas are stickers on your passport, in some cases, you’ll just receive a PDF file with your visa information and you’ll show it before boarding and after landing.
Visa durations vary greatly, you can be granted a tourist visa stay of 1 or 3 months or sometimes up to 5 years.
Some countries will let you know right away if you meet the visa requirements, others will tell you in a month or two.
Visas processing time might take 1 day or 1 month.
Conclusion
Applying for a visa can be a little bit overwhelming, there’s a lot of information on the web right now that it becomes so easy to get lost on what to do.
If you invest the time in doing your research and have the patience to deal with bureaucratic processes then there’s no visa you couldn’t apply for on your own.
But if you don’t have the time nor the patience then I’d recommend you to contact someone who can help you process a visa. Nothing sucks more than having your whole trip canceled because you couldn’t get a visa on time or get the right visa.
One more thought.
Be aware of online scams, no one can guarantee you that they will get you a visa, if someone tells you, pay me 500 USD and I’ll get you a USA tourist visa or Australian visa, that’s most likely a scam.
What most travel agencies can do is help you prepare documents, guide you through the process of applying for the visa, make sure all the data you provide is appropriate and also make sure you select the adequate visa type.
All of this increases your chances of getting your visa approved.
In the video above, you’ll find 10 minutes of Shilin Night Market footage that will give you a good sense of what this market is all about, food, drinks, fruits, clothes, souvenirs, games and a lot more.
Even though some stores and cafes in this market open as early as 7 a.m to serve breakfast to people going to the office, the best time to visit Shilin Night Market is after 5:30 p.m.
After 5:30 p.m is when all stores open and people flock the streets to eat and shop with friends or family.
Some Information About Shilin Night Market
The Night Market is composed of many street food vendors and small restaurants and clothes stores
There are also many adjacent businesses such as Samsung stores or massage places.
There is an underground food court. It’s located under the Shilin Night Market neon sign, minute 9:42 in the video B1美食區
The market is the most crowded from 8 to 9 p.m.
Many stores and restaurants close past midnight
There are many fair like games, if you score many points you’ll get a prize.
The origin of the market goes as far back as 1909 when agricultural products from nearby farms were sold here.
The night market was officially opened in 1913 and many food vendors decided to settle here to take advantage of the affluence f people.
Is It Easy to Get Here?
It’s super easy. This is a very popular area in Taipei city, there are many buses that stop nearby and Jiantan metro station is the closest to the market.
Jiantan metro station on the red line is located right across the street, just take exit 1.
Interestingly Shilin metro station, which is the next station after Jiantan (Going from Xiangshan to Tamsui) is not the closest station to Shilin night market.
Some tourists make the mistake to get off at that station and then have to walk 15 minutes to reach the market.
Something I believe people should talk more about when talking about this amazing night market is the temple in it.
Right in the middle of the market, you’ll find Shilin Cixian temple. If you visit the market during the day, you can take some really nice pictures as it will be quite empty.
Once the market starts working at full capacity, this place of apparent peace and tranquility becomes one with the market and its people.
After 4 p.m. food vendors start setting up outside. They also set up chairs and tables for people to eat, and people also use the stairs in the front of the temple to sit down, eat and drink.
Conclusion
Shilin Night market is a must-see place in Taipei. It’s very easy and convenient to get there as there is a metro station right in front of it.
The choices of food and drinks are endless. There is also a really nice temple right in the middle of the market that will add to the cultural experience of visiting one of the healthiest cities in Asia.
If you’re in Taipei and you’re thinking about going for a Hike, then what’s better than Qixing mountain, the highest mountain in Taipei. In a sunny day, you’ll have an amazing view of the city from the top of the mountain.
There are different ways to get to Qixing mountain and do the mt. qixing hike from the center of Taipei city, I’ll talk a little bit about each one and I’ll focus on the way how I did it, which I recommend.
I first made a one hour long walk through Yangminghshan Park before getting to the entrance of the Qixing Mountain trail, from there it took me another hour to get to the top of the mountain.
This is perfect for a half day trip, if you get up early enough you can be done with all of it before noon. If you still have the energy you could go to the hot springs.
First let me show you a gallery of photos of Yangmingshan and then one of Qixing Mountain, just to completely convince you that you have to go.
Photos of Yangmingshan
Swipe left or right
Photos of Qixing Mountain, Taipei, Taiwan
How to Go to Go to Qixing Mountain?
There are a couple of ways, I’ll give you 3 options
From Jiantan Station to Qixing Mountain
You can make your way to Jiantan station and take bus S15.
In Jiantan station take exit 1 and walk to the bus stop on the left side
Go to Jiantan station and take exit 1 ( You can get here from Taipei Main Station)
Get on the right side and walk straight, cross the street and keep on walking straight on the right side until you find a zebra line to get to the other side, the one on your right.
Cross, you’ll be in front of Ming Chuan Univerity
The bus stops will be on your right-hand side, walk to the furthest one
Take bus Express 223
Get off at Yangmingshan Bus Terminal
The ride from Mingchuan University to Yangmingshan bus terminal will take 30 minutes
From Yangmingshan bus terminal to the main peak of mount Qixing it’ll take you 2 hours.
Crossing over to Mingchuan University
Which is the Best Way to Go?
If you take the short bus ride then you’ll have to walk for almost 2 hours or a little bit less depending on how fast you move. To me, this option was perfect as I like to walk among woods and really anywhere with a lot of green and flowers around.
If you go to Qixing mountain following the same route I did then you’ll have a good time walking for an hour in Yangmingshan park, take a look at the Yangmingshan clock and rejoice on mountain views.
You’ll eventually hit the entrance of the Qixing mountain trail.
If you’re worried about getting lost don’t worry, just follow Google maps, that’s what I did, the minute I got off the bus I followed Google map’s instructions all the way to the top of Qixing main peak, the cellphone reception is great.
Going to Yangmingshan and Qixing mountain are great half-day activities for anyone who loves outdoor activities. There are different ways to get here, some of them require long bus rides and short walks and others the opposite.
There’s no entry fee for Yangmingshan nor Qixing mountain. Don’t forget to take some water with you and some fruits.
Phra Phrom , the Thai representation of Brahma the Hindu God of creation resides in Erawan Shrine.
The official name of Erawan Shrine is Thao Maha Phrom Shrine which translates into English as Shrine of Lord Brahma the Great.
This a religious shrine where Thai people come to express their faith for one of their Gods, it’s also a place for curious tourists to take a look at, as long as you do it respectfully.
It was built to eliminate bad Karma around the Hotel premises
The Brahma statue was built by the Department of Fine Arts of Thailand
Erawan Hotel was demolished and the Grand Hyatt was built in its place
Entry fee: None
Closest BTS station: Chitlom
When it comes to religion Thai people are really intense and cannot stand seeing the figures of their Gods disrespected or worst destroyed.
The Erawan Shrine Vandalism and Death
It was an early morning of March 21st of 2006 when a man, Thanakorn Pakdeepol, destroyed the statue, he grabbed a hammer and broke the statue into pieces.
And just like the statue, his life encountered the same fate, destruction. Thanakorn was beaten to death by bystanders that watched the whole ordeal take place.
Why did Thanakorn destroy the statue? At first, people thought, due to some Arabic tattoos on Thanakorn’s body, that there was involvement from Muslim extremists
Later it the police proved that such a horrible action was simply the act of a mentally ill person.
A new statue was built and placed in Erawan Shrine on May 21st, 2006.
Erawan Shrine Bombing of 2015
Another unfortunate event taking place in a shrine that’s supposed to be a place of prayers and faith.
It was the evening of August 17th, 2015, at 06:55 pm, when a device made of 3 Kg of TNT inside a backpack exploded Killing 20 people and injuring 125
Among the dead, Thais, Malaysians, Chinese, Singaporeans, Hong Kongese and Indonesians
The Thai police arrested two suspects, one of them confessing to being the bomber. People believe the bombing was a retaliation attack because Thailand deported some Uyghur terrorist to China, instead of letting them go to Turkey to look for asylum.
The investigation never finished, which has made people come up with different theories, including government involvement.
What is Visiting Erawan Shrine Like?
At the beginning of this post, I put a video I made that gives you a good look of what visiting Erawan Shrine looks like.
When you visit, it will be full of locals and some tourists. You’ll see people on their knees around the statue praying to the God of creation and placing yellow flowers on the surroundings of the statue.
There will be yellow flowers all over the place. People put so many around the statue that the staff has to almost immediately remove them.
You’ll also see some elephant statues on the sides of the Shrine premises.
At the back, a group of Thai dancers and musicians playing traditional music and dancing for the one and only God of creation.
People line up to kneel right in front of the dancer facing Phra Phrom and saying a prayer.
Is Visiting Erawan Shrine Worth It?
Totally, plus it’s not gonna take you long to get there and hang out for 20 to 30 minutes. The shrine is located walking distance from Chitlom station and there are 2 malls nearby.
If you’re staying in the Intercontinental Hotel all you have to do is cross the street and you’ll get there.
If you happen to visit Erawan Shrine during Songkran, you’ll even find a whole street food set up nearby.
If you’re in Taipei and you’re looking for a fun hike near the city then look no further, just make your way towards Elephant Mountain, one of Taipei’s most visited mountains.
Take a look at the 6 minutes video I put together for you.
How to get to Elephant Mountain, Taipei?
Well that’s super easy, just get on the MRT and go to Xiangshan station, is the last stop on the red line opposite to Tamsui station.
Take exit number 2 and as soon as you walk out of it you’ll see signs directing you towards Elephant mountain.
As you can see in the video, the iconic 101 building of Taipei is super close to Elephant Mountain, so if you happen to be staying somewhere near the 101 area then this is perfect, it will take you no time to get there.
No matter in which part of Taipei city you are, if you take the metro it won’t cost you more than 45 NTD.
How Much Do I Have to Pay?
You don’t have to pay a single penny, that’s good right, no one likes to pay to go sweat their heart out, because ….that’s right you’re gonna sweat a lot.
The climb is very steep at points and Taiwan’s weather is usually hot and humid, so yeah you’ll sweat.
You can go up and down as many times as you want and no one will stop you. You can even take your pet with you if you want to, and as you saw in the video, you can even climb in a reverse four legs position and no one will say a word.
Make sure you take a bottle of water with you as water fountains are not present as often as you’ll need them in case you forget to take water with you.
What is the Best Time to Go to Elephant Mountain?
If you want to stay away from the crowds then try going on a day from Monday to Friday. If you want to see the sunset and the city lights coming to life then go on an evening from Monday to Friday.
Why avoid Saturday and Sunday? well because that’s when all the families and rest of people who are not working decide to go to Elephant Mountain, and it can get really crowded.
Once you make it to the top of Elephant mountain, you’ll see some other trails, the longest one is the one leading to Jiuwu peak, it would take you around 2 hours to get there.
Most people just climb to the top of Elephant mountain, they stay at one of the viewing platforms and that’s it. If you decide to do the Jiuwu trail then it will definitely be more of a peaceful hike as there won’t be many people around.
Conclusion
Elephant Mountain is perfect for a half-day trip from anywhere in the city. The mountain is easy to get to by metro and there is no entry fee of any kind.
If you want to avoid the crowds is best to go on a day from Monday to Friday when most people are working.
Once you make it to the top of elephant mountain you can just chill there and then head back down, or you can continue on one the connecting hiking trails such as Jiuwu.
We all like watching movies right? whether they’re super hero movies or horror, drama, comedy or something else, we all have a specific movie genre we look for when we sit on our couches on a weekend night.
Me, I have a thing for alien movies, whether I’m using Netflix or looking for Blue rays to buy on Amazon I always find myself looking for some outer space beings story.
But this post will be about Travel Movies, I’ll list a total of 12 that are related to traveling and I’ll speak my mind on why you should watch them.
Some of them are sad though, let’s begin.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Go to the office every day, do the same repetitive job over and over again, and to get away from all of it all you can do is daydream, do you relate?
If so then for sure you’ll be interested in this story. The first one in this Travel Movies list is a story about an office worker who is stuck in a repetitive office job until he gets the chance to actually travel the world in the search of the perfect photo.
Now, doesn’t that sound cool? In a way is pretty similar to my life, I have a very boring average routine and from time to time I travel a bit on a search for relaxation and nice pics too.
Here’s the trailer of the movie, starring Ben Stiller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD6cy4PBQPI
And even though the movie did not get much love from the Rotten tomato critics, the audience did show more love for it.
In my humble opinion, this is a movie you must watch if you like travel adventures, and I don’t think is a bad movie. If you watch and you don’t like it please let me know in the comments.
Under the Tuscan Sun
Have you ever read the following travel quote before?
Well, this movie fits in the second part of the previous quote. If something bad happens, travel to forget it.
When France Mayes finds out her husband is cheating on her, her whole life falls apart and in order to get out of her state of depression she….you guessed it!!! She travels
But she doesn’t just travel. While she is in the Tuscan country side she impulsively buys a house and decides to start her new life there, and well I don’t blame her.
Will France Mayes get over her divorce while living in such a beautiful place? There’s only one way for you to find out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdJGMZDY0-8
Eat Pray Love
What is better than an around the world trip, that’s right Nothing!!!! Seriously I can’t think of anything better than that.
Well, perhaps winning the lottery and doing many around the world trips, yeah that’s better.
In this movie we get to know Liz Gilbert, she has a nice home, a husband and a successful career, but for the sake of drama everything falls apart and she decides she needs to start a journey to reconnect with herself.
Her journey takes here to Italy, India and Bali
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjay5vgIwt4
What a trip, 3 countries with totally different societies, culture, and cuisines. I’m sure we can all agree that we’d love to do the same trip right?
And if you’re wondering about the critic’s reviews about this one, well let me save you the search and tell you that it got a lot of hate in Rotten tomatoes.
This movie is based on a book which many critics claim was way better than the movie, they claim the movie failed by a lot to take the story to the big screen.
I think the movie is not that bad. If you watch and hate it please let me know in the comments.
Beyond Borders
This is not a love story, this is not a happy story, this is not a trip to find yourself or get over depression with a romantic ending.
This is one of those Travel Movies that takes you on a trip through a war-torn country so we, the viewers, have a better understanding of the struggles of what ordinary people in third world countries go through.
And how will this movie inspire you? Well, even though I wouldn’t expect most people to drop their job and go into a war zone to help people.
There are still many touristic places like Thailand, Cambodia, Peru, among others, where there are people living in precarious conditions.
Instead of just passing by the popular tourist landmarks taking photos for our social media, we could all make an effort to research in what way we could help someone while we travel through a certain country.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C98QNRlQgZ8
The Bucket List
Have you ever seen a quote on social media about traveling while you’re young, something like the following
Well, I totally agree with that. Actually is one of the things travelers regret the most, not traveling more while they were young.
In this list of Travel Movies, The Bucket List takes us through the journey of two older men who after being in the hospital due to their advanced age and illnesses, realize that there’s still so much they want to see before their time is up.
This movie, beyond being a trip all around the world that any person would kill for, it tries to give us the viewer a moment to reflect on life and death, is what we’re doing with our lives right now really worth it?
Just remember that nothing is more precious than time, it never comes back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc3mkG21ob4
Wild
The real-life story of Cheryl Strayed brought to the screen by Reese Witherspoon. In this inspiring movie, we see Chery trying to get rid of the demons of the past by doing the hike of a lifetime.
She did the Pacific Crest Trail, a hiking trail that expands for 4,270 Km from Mexico to Canada. On the way, she encounters threats of different kinds. She gives us a glance at what loneliness on the road feels like.
The average time it takes to finish the whole trail is 5 months. It’s needless to say that you must be in a decent physical condition and have experience doing long hikes to finish this trail without any major issues.
I wouldn’t even know how to pack for such a trip, should I pack power bars??
But hear this, Rachel Strayed – the real person behind this story- did it with no previous hiking experience at all, isn’t that amazing?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn2-GSqPyl0
This is one of my favorite Travel Movies. The landscapes are breathtaking and the acting is great, Reese Witherspoon makes one of the best performances of her career.
The best exotic Marigold Hotel
You think it’s gonna be alright?
I Think it’s gonna be extraordinary
A group of retirees decides to live out the rest of their days in an exotic destination. Lured by good advertising they decide to go to India and stay at the beautiful Marigold Hotel.
But here’s the thing, the hotel is actually a shell of what it used to be. Their journey quickly becomes one full of new experiences, new food, new adventures and old feelings they thought they were too old to feel again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzxpbWfCvjk
This is one of those Travel Movies that does a great job at exploiting India’s best cultural side. The music, dance, the colors, the smiles, the food is all there, making you want to get on a plane to India right away.
This movie is definitely more on the dramatic comedy side. It’s colorful and cheerful enough to entertain you for a couple of hours.
One Week
A Canadian movie that will make you realize that life can have bad news for you at any time and sometimes there’s nothing you can do.
A young man receives a dire medical diagnosis, but instead of going into an immediate medical treatment to try and saves his life, he decides to take a motorcycle trip from Toronto to Vancouver.
Along the way, he meets people that will make him reflect upon the current relationship with his fiancée, his job and his dreams.
The amazing Canadian landscapes are prevalent throughout the whole movie.
What would you do If you knew you had one day, one week or one month to live?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL-PbsZKGfw
The Beach
The reason why we all want to go to Maya Bay. Before this movie, the island of Ko Phi Phi and Maya bay were very underdeveloped and it was not common to see tourists.
After the release of The Beach, Maya bay became a huge tourist destination in Thailand and is completely understandable as the place is beautiful a true paradise on earth.
The movie follows a young American backpacker who is in the search for adventure. After arriving in Thailand he decides to go on an adventure to find the secret beach, once he gets there is a story of drama that ends up becoming a thriller.
Unfortunately Maya bay is far from being a secret place. For the past 18 years, tourists have been visiting the island non-stop. All the boats and trash carried by tourists have severely damaged the island’s ecosystem.
Maya Bay has been closed by the Thai government and is expected to open to tourists again in 2021.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqDoxUxpobg
Into The Wild
This one is another classic. This is a movie that makes us reflect on the way we live life.
Commute to work every day, get a mortgage, work non-stop in an office to pay our debts, retire when you’re old and if you’re lucky you’ll have saved some money to live out the rest of your life decently.
But what if it doesn’t have to be that way?
This is the story of a rich boy who graduates top of his class and as a good athlete, but instead of getting a job and become part of the system, or use his money to travel and be a tourist, he decides to leave it all behind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7ArZ7VD-QQ
He gets rid of all of his possession and donates his money to charity, then he embarks himself on a journey to the Alaskan Wilderness.
Let’s see one more movie in this Travel Movies list
Jungle
This movie is all about survival. A group of 4 travelers goes into the Amazon rain forest looking for adventure, but things go down south and it ends up being a nightmare.
Based on a true story, we see a group of people fighting to stay alive, this story for sure will keep you at the edge of your seat.
Needless to say that the cinematography is amazing, the landscapes of the Amazons are breathtaking making you want to visit ASAP without the getting lost part of course.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJYJmYQ0AGw
Conclusion
This Travel Movies list has a good variety of movie genres. From drama and romance to comedy and thrillers, all of them revolving around one thing, traveling.
Some of these stories are more fun and romantic. Others are a little darker and raw, those are the ones based on true stories.
Okay, so before I start telling you about the really nice places you have to visit in Baguio.
Plus where to go for traditional and international cuisine, and also where to stay in Baguio.
Let’s start by talking a little bit about this nice town.
Where is Baguio?
Baguio is situated on Luzon Island, Philippines, it’s only a 4 hours drive away from Manila, if you take public transportation it might be 5 to 6 hours.
The time it’ll take you to get there will also depend on the traffic.
The nearest airport to Baguio is Clark International Airport, from this airport’s location you’d still need to get in a car for another 2 hours.
What is Baguio Famous For?
People call it the city of pine or the summer capital of the Philippines. It definitely has a cool weather that is not normal in the rest of the country.
Some spots people like to visit are
Baguio Cathedral
Burhham Park and Lake
Session Road, full of restaurants and shops
Baguio is also known for the many excellent universities and colleges across the city, here’s an interesting fact, half of the population of Baguio are students.
Places to Visit in Baguio
Mines View Park
One place I think you shouldn’t miss in this town is Mines View Park.
It’s located around 5 km away from the center of the city, and there is a nice view deck from where you can catch a really good view of the city.
On the way from the gates to the viewing deck, you’ll encounter many street vendors selling flowers and food.
You’ll also find people dressed in traditional Filipino costumes and taking pictures.
There is no entry fee, outside the gates of Mines View Park you’ll find many souvenirs, food, and other varieties of street vendors and shops.
Good Shepherd Convent
Here’s another place I think you must visit while you’re in Baguio
This is a convent of the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd.
This place is walking distance from Mines View Park, and there are two reasons why you’ll want to visit this place.
The first one is because you can buy strawberry or blueberry jam, and the second one is because you can get another amazing view of Baguio.
Jams and marmalade are not all they make. The nuns also make other preserves and even cookies.
They use the money to sponsor different charities.
The money gathered is also used for the maintenance of the convent, there is no entry fee here.
Wright Park
This is another place where you can get a nice view. Wright Park is quite big, it’s good to go for a run or just chill.
On one of the sides of the park, you’ll find its main attraction, along pool/pond with decorative lamps and big pines on the sides.
You’ll see a lot of people taking pictures here as the scenery is quite fantastic.
If you entered the park through the pool of pines section, then head all the way to the end and you’ll find the park circle, turn to the left and walk straight.
You’ll find a nice spot to see the sunset, and if you go downstairs you’ll find a stable.
There is no entry fee, in this park, you’ll also find people selling souvenirs and other items.
Without a doubt, this is another must-visit place in Baguio
The Mansion
While you’re at wright park, just cross the street -from the pool of pines side- and you’ll find the mansion.
This is simply the summer house of the president of the Philippines, it was built in 1908.
There are times when they’ll let you in, but most of the time you’ll just be allowed to cross the gates and look at it from afar.
Is this worth it? well is just across the street from Wright park, so there’s really no problem with just taking a look at it.
It was amazing for me to see a lot of local tourists taking photos and selfies with the mansion as the background.
I personally thought that the mansion wasn’t a big deal at all, but hey people were having such a good time, I guess we should all learn how to enjoy life more.
Burnham Park and Lake
This is a place that should definitely be on your list, there are a lot of pines, flowers, locals having fun, there’s such a good vibe here.
The main attraction here is the lake, they have different pedal boats you can get on and pedal away.
The rooms were clean and the staff was nice. They have a bar with live music which can be very entertaining.
The buffet breakfast doesn’t have many options though.
Something you might dislike about this hotel is the many animal heads in the restaurant area.
Where to eat in Baguio?
Baguio is a developed city. The restaurant options are endless, from traditional Filipino food to Pizza and Greek food, there’s something for everyone.
Dencios
This restaurant is located inside Camp John Hay and is a good option to get some local food.
I really liked the spicy tofu and their halo halo, food prices are very affordable.
A big meal for 5 was around 2,500 Pesos
Lemon and Grass Greek Restaurant
This restaurant is beautiful. In the entrance you’ll see colorful flowers and pines, when you enter the restaurant you’ll see is nicely decorated.
And the most amazing part is that you can have your meal overlooking the mountains, it’s such a beautiful view.
Since this is not local food it’s a little bit more expensive. A meal for 5, including desserts, was around 3,900 Pesos.
The view is so worth it though.
Cafe by the Ruins
This is a nice cozy cafe where you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner, prices are very affordable.
I loved their curry shrimp with mango sauce, their smoothies are also to dies for.
Is Baguio expensive?
The short answer is: No. Baguio, just like the rest of the Philippines is very affordable in comparison to countries like the USA, western European countries and Asian countries like Taiwan, South Korea or Japan.
Here’s some data about prices for different items in Baguio.
Expenses by Category
For transportation in Baguio, you can use taxis or Jeepneys, walking is also okay as the city is pretty safe.
At the hotel, we got 2 rooms. One family room and one single room, but actually the family room is big enough to fit 5 persons.
But this town has so much to offer. Even though is very well developed by now, you can still enjoy the green of nature and the color of flowers in this city.
If you happen to be in Manila and have some days to spare please visit Baguio, you’ll like it.
You are going to be in China and you only have a couple of days, around 8 days maybe, to explore some parts of this huge country. I recommend Shanghai and Beijing in One Week
Or maybe you want to spend most of your time in other cities in the south and center of China, rather than the most mainstream and international cities, you know the most touristy ones.
But. if your issue is time-related, I would say go visit Shanghai and Beijing.
These are the 2 major cities most airlines fly to, chances are you’re going to one of them already, and they are well connected to each other.
And if you do have a lot of time, and you want to explore many parts of China.
I’d still recommend you to visit Shanghai- the city with the best skyline in Asia- and Beijing because THE GREAT WALL that’s why.
You just have to see it.
What comes now is a list of the different things you can do in these cities. Shanghai and Beijing in One Week
I’ll also share information about, where to stay, and other data that will make you want to go, hopefully.
Shanghai-The Bund
This is the most modern and the biggest financial hub in China. The heart of the city is located at the Bund, a waterfront area with colonial buildings facing the modern Skyline of Shanghai.
The Bund was originally a British settlement, that’s why there are many colonial buildings.
This place is perfect for walking around at night time or in the morning. You can enjoy both the beauty of the traditional European side of the Bund as well as the modern side of the city just right across.
Rooftop Bars-Shanghai
If you’re looking for a nice rooftop bar in Shanghai to go and have one or two drinks and get a really good look at the Skyline of the city you can go to the Peninsula Hotel.
Just go to their rooftop bar, relax and take some pictures.
Closest metro station to the Peninsula and The Bund is Nanjing East Road on Line 2
Since I just talked about rooftop bars, here’s another rooftop bar in Shanghai you can go to get a different look of the city.
Go to the Ritz Carlton Shanghai PUDONG, do not mistake it with the Portman Ritz-Carlton.
At the rooftop bar of the Ritz Carlton Pudong , called Flair Rooftop Restaurant and Bar, click here for their website, you’ll be able to catch a cool close look of the pearl tower.
I couldn’t help to take a selfie
Closest metro station to the Ritz Carlton Pudong is Lujiazui on line 2
What else can I do or see in Shanghai?
Yu Garden and Bazaars-Shanghai
The exact address of this place is 218 Anren St, Huangpu Qu, Shanghai Shi, China, 200000
The closest metro station is Yuyuan garden station, you can walk around the shopping areas free of charge. There is a small fee to pay to enter the garden area.
What is exactly this place? a nice and beautiful garden with a big shopping area around it.
But to be honest, they should call it Yu Shopping center, I think that’s more suitable.
First of all this place is crowded most of the time, like seriously crowded, so is it still worth going there and take a look? I say yes, every traveling experience is different.
I must say that I did like the design of the buildings, there are many details in every angle you see.
And the pond area is quite nice too. If you’re looking for souvenirs this is also the right place for it, as it is full of stores selling Chinese everything.
There’s a lot of history to this place. The garden was built in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty. It went through different wars that destroyed its original structure and has been restored a couple of times.
Maybe the nicest and most interesting spot in these 2 hectares garden is Huxinting Tea House.
A tea house that first opened its doors in 1855, is located at the yu garden pond.
If you decide to go inside and have tea please be aware that the prices here are high.
You won’t be paying just for tea, you’ll also be paying for the whole old tea house experience with many tea options and old ladies playing Chinese music instruments.
But if you get a table by the window, you’ll get to relax having a cup of tea while watching the crowds of people walking around and you’ll say to yourself, Thank God I’m not down there.
Tianzifang- Shanghai
The exact address is 210弄 Taikang Rd, DaPuQiao, Huangpu Qu, China, the closest metro station is Dapuqiao station on line 9, take exit 1.
This is another shopping area where you’ll find different boutique shops and some bars and restaurants as well.
Oh and also small coffee shops, it was crowded when I visited but I must say it was more likable than the Bazaars at Yu garden.
The lanes in this area are very small. It used to be a residential area in what once was the French Concession.
This touristy area is picturesque and also quite big. There are hundreds of stores. Here’s a post I found about stores to visit while in Tianzifang, from cake shops to cat cafes, check it here
I visited the cat cafe and it was nice- I like cats- but it’s a bit annoying when you’re trying to eat or drink something and then a cat jumps on the table. After a while it got old for me.
Another place tourists in Shanghai go to is
Nanjing Road-Shanghai
Sometimes referred to as China’s premier shopping street. In this area, you’ll find European designer brands as well as traditional food vendors, is kind of like a mix of the old and the new.
If you go during night time, when is the most lively, you’ll encounter a busy street full of people shopping and enjoying themselves among the bright neon lights.
You can reach this road by metro, you can get off at East Nanjing Road station or West Nanjing road station.
Just so you have an idea of what you can find here, well there are around 500 stores offering different luxury brands that include Prada, Channel, Tiffany, Omega, Mont Blanc and more.
There are also around 100 stores that carry more traditional products such as jade, silk, wood, clocks and more.
So if you’re looking for good quality products and you’re willing to pay the price for it then Nanjing road is the place to go.
Oh, and you can also find many food stores selling traditional Chinese food. Here’s a list of 5 food stores on Nanjing Road that stand out from the rest.
Shen Da Cheng: Sells moon cakes with meat fillings
Shao Wan Sheng: Sells wine cured crabs and mud snails
Shanghai First Food Hall: Sells various snacks including traditional cakes
Wangjiasha Pastry Shop: Sells wontons, desserts, and special snacks for traditional Chinese festivals
Zhen Lao Da Fang: Sells smoked fish and moon cakes with meat fillings
If you’re excited about visiting Nanjing Road and want to know more details please click here.
oh, and if you’re looking for a more religious place in the middle of the city, to go and see how locals express their faith.
You’ll be glad to know that at the end of West Nanjing road you’ll find the famous Jing an Temple.
Jing An Temple-Shanghai
This is the last Shanghai Spot in this Shanghai and Beijing in One Week post.
This temple will definitely catch your attention. There is a 4 sided statue of golden lions at the doorway which is very impressive and unique in style.
I’ve never seen anything like it before in my almost 4 years traveling throughout Asia.
Jing an temple is also the oldest temple in Shanghai. It was first built around 800 years ago, but I say this is debatable.
The temple was first located by the bank of Wusong River and later moved to its current location. It was also burnt down to the ground and then completely rebuilt.
So, I think is fair to say that this current version of the temple is not the real original one, but is still beautiful and interesting.
Opening hours: 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Entrance fee: RMB 50
Closest metro station: Jing An Temple on line 2 or 7
Other places you can visit in Shanghai include, Disneyland -The biggest Disneyland in the world.
They have an area called Disney Town, full of restaurants and souvenir stores, you don’t need to enter the park, Disneytown is outside the park.
They have a cheesecake factory there in case you wanna have cheesecake.
To get to Disney town get on the metro, line 2 and get off at Shanghai Science Station.
You can also make a day tour to Zhujiajiao Water Town. You can reach this ancient town by taking the metro, go to line 17 and get off at Zhujiajiao Station. For more details about this water town please click here
For an updated map and full details of Shanghai metro line please click here
Before we move to Beijing there is one more thing I want to talk about and is where to stay in Shanghai?
Where to stay in Shanghai?
Whenever I travel to a city with a big metro line, I try to stay in a central location within their metro map.
That way I know that anywhere I want to go, using the metro line will be somewhat convenient.
I recommend you to look for a hotel near Jing An station on line 2.
If you stay around this station, you’ll be only minutes away from the west and east Nanjing station, yu yuan garden station, people’s square station and Lujiazui station.
That last station is the one you need to get off at to go see Pearl Tower.
So as you can see, getting a hotel near Jing An station or any of the stations mentioned above is a good idea.
View from Hotel Room, Portman Ritz Carlton
And here’s a good hotel deal I want to share with you. If you’ve ever wanted to stay at a high-end hotel, you know super luxurious, this is your chance.
One night at the Portman Ritz Carlton goes for around 170 USD a night. That is cheap when you compare it to the other Ritz Carlton in Shanghai (340 USD a night) or The Ritz at Tokyo (1000 USD a night)
The hotel is super clean and nice, is a 5 stars hotel after all, oh and is located near Jing An station, the location is super convenient.
How to Go from Shanghai to Beijing?
The easiest and most reliable way to get from the beautiful city of Shanghai to the ancient capital of China is by train.
You can book your ticket using Ctrip – this is the site I used- change the language to English if needed and choose the train option, here’s the link
I booked a ticket from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Beijing South. First class tickets sell for around 140 USD and the whole ride takes around 5 hours.
Once your booking is successful you’ll receive a confirmation email with a booking number. Print that out and take it with you on the day you go to the Railway station, show it at the ticket booth and you’ll get your tickets.
Why didn’t I take a flight? well, a lot of friends advised me to not do it. Apparently, domestic flights have a tendency to be delayed or canceled, and also, I think traveling on a train is more entertaining, so I went for the train.
Hongqiao Railway station is accessible by metro. If you happen to be staying near line number 2 just get in the metro and head towards Hongqiao Railway Station, is that easy.
After you get out of the metro you’ll still have to walk for around 8 minutes.
If you’re carrying many suitcases and traveling with children then maybe a Taxi is a better option.
Just make sure the taxi driver understands you’re going to Hongqiao Railway Station and not Hongqiao International Airport
So after 5 hours, you’ll arrive in Beijing. Let’s begin with the second part of this Shanghai and Beijing in One Week post.
Where to Stay in Beijing?
I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, Beijing Dongzhimen. The nearest metro station to this hotel is Dongzhimen station, which is still a 13 minutes walk away but the area is nice and safe.
As you would expect this is a very affordable hotel, for a total of 4 nights I paid 305 USD, a room for 2.
Also, Dongzhimen station is directly connected to terminal 2 and terminal 1 of Beijing Capital International Airport. In case you decided to take a flight, they’re connected by the Airport line.
If you’re getting to Beijing through the Beijing South Railway Station then once you’re there take line 4 and go to Xuanwumen station, here you have to transfer to line 2 and go to Dongzhimen station.
Line 2 of Beijing’s metro system is the ring line. This means that it moves in a circular direction.
This makes it super convenient as you’ll be able to transfer to many of the other lines with ease.
If you want an updated map of Beijing’s metro/subway system and many other details about all the lines please click here
If this is your first time in Beijing for sure you’re gonna want to go and see
The Great Wall- Beijing
So as you know the Great Wall of China is huge. There are quite a few different spots people like to go to.
Some sections are very steep and challenging to climb. There is even one section that is lit up at night time and people can visit during and after the sunset.
Take your time to figure out what area of the wall best fits your needs and physical condition.
Also how much time you want to spend traveling to the spot, some of these spots are 1 hour and a half drive away from the center of Beijing. Others are 3 hours and a half.
How exactly do I get there?’
The easiest and most convenient way is to book a tour when you get to your hotel. Don’t worry you don’t have to get on a big bus and follow someone with a flag all day long.
The tour I joined was smaller. At the lobby of the hotel, I took a look at some Great Wall tour brochures and asked the receptionist to help me book a tour.
The next day I was picked up by a minivan and they took me to the wall. The tour I joined also had the option to have a traditional Chinese meal in a restaurant in a different location.
They also took us to some tea and souvenir shops.
The Tour I joined also included a visit to the Ming Tombs.
What are the Ming Tombs?
They are a Unesco World Heritage site. Just like the name states it these are the tombs where emperors of the Ming dynasty were buried. The first tomb was build in 1409 by Zhu Di, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
Not every tomb is open to the public. There is a museum of old relics and just like in any other tourist site, you’ll also find a souvenir shop.
I visited this place as part of a tour, but if you’re feeling adventurous and want to go there on your own by public transportation is also possible. Click here for more info.
The Forbidden City- Beijing
A highlight of this Shanghai and Beijing in One Week adventure.
It was called the Forbidden city because during the Qing and Ming dynasty commoners -like you and me- were not allowed to enter this Palace. This place was only for royalty and high officials.
People also call it the Palace Museum. This place was home to emperors and their house halls. It was also a center for political and religious ceremonies, it was occupied this way for around 500 years.
The forbidden city stopped being the house of emperors and the center of political power in China in 1912, when the last emperor of China abdicated.
Later in history -1933- the Japanese invasion would force the evacuation of most of the treasures in the Forbidden City.
The treasures would eventually return to the city, only for half of them to be taken to Taiwan amid the civil war of China events in 1948.
The closest metro/subway station is Tian anmen East, take Exit A, from there you have to walk 16 minutes.
The Forbidden City opens from 8:30 AM to 5 PM
The ticket price is 60 CNY from April to October and 40 CNY from November to March.
You can also rent an audio guide that works with a GPS, so as you’re walking the device will recognize in which area of the Forbidden City you are and will start explaining the history behind it.
For more details about the Forbidden city please click here
Another place you can visit on the same day as the Forbidden City is Tiananmen Square, they are next to each other.
Tiananmen Square- Beijing
Tiananmen Gate in the Background
Make your way through the Tiananmen square and you’ll find the Forbidden City.
The name -Tiananmen- translates to English as Gate of Heavenly Peace. It’s pretty much a huge square in the middle of the city. It has strong historical importance as many events that have defined China as we see it today have taken place here.
This place has also seen many wars go by, it’s been partially burnt and destroyed and then rebuilt a couple of times.
Maybe the biggest threat Tiananmen and the Forbidden city faced was when the French and British, during the second opium war of 1860, threatened to burn the gate and the whole city down.
Fortunately, the Europeans decided not to and instead burnt down the old summer palace.
Here’s a panoramic view of Tiananmen Square.
I think is totally worth it to take a couple of hours of your day to walk around this place and learn a bit of Chinese history. Don’t forget your sunscreen if you go during the summer.
You can reach the square by metro, just get off at Tiananmen east or west station.
Don’t be surprised if you run into a police checkpoint and they search your belongings. This is pretty common in any tourist attraction in Beijing, and they don’t only search foreigners, also locals.
Actually I heard that they are more strict with local visitors as they don’t want anyone starting any protest in the square.
It’s also common to go through a security checkpoint when you enter metro stations.
I had a bottle of water in my backpack and they asked me to drink a bit in front of them to prove it was water.
It didn’t bother me at all, I actually felt safe to know that there are a lot of policemen around to make sure no one creates trouble.
Would you like to explore more of Beijing? Then head to
Temple of Heaven- Beijing
The place where emperors would come and pray to heaven for a good harvest.
Hall of Prayers for Good Harvest.
This magnificent temple is located in the southeastern part of central Beijing.
The closest metro station is Tiantan Dongmen station on line 5, take exit A and you’ll find the east gate of the temple of heaven.
Inside this religious complex, you’ll find one specific building that steals the show. I’m talking about the Hall of Prayers for Good Harvest.
This is the building where the emperor would get on his knees and pray for a good harvest. This circular building is completely made out of wood with no nails.
Unfortunately, a lightning strike burnt the original building in 1889. The building was rebuilt after that.
Another structure that most likely will catch your attention is the circular mound Altar. An empty circular platform with beautiful Chinese details, this is where the emperors would come to pray for good weather.
For details about ticket types and prices please click here
The last major tourist spot I will mention in this Shanghai and Beijing in One Week post is the Lama temple.
I really want to encourage you to go and see this Temple. It really is one of the most interesting ones I’ve seen around Asia so far.
This temple also goes by other names like The Yonghe temple or Yonghe Lamasery temple.
It’s a temple of the Tibetan School of Buddhism, the design of this religious building is a mixture of Han Chinese and Tibetan style.
The closest metro station is Yonghegong Lama Temple on line 2
Opens from 9 am to 5 pm
Entrance dee is 25 Chinese Yuan per person
Conclusion
Shanghai and Beijing have a lot to offer. Rooftop bars, shopping streets, convenient metro systems, and beautiful temples.
Going from Shanghai to Beijing or vice-versa is super easy using High-Speed Trains. If you decide to visit both cities you’ll have a good time for sure.
Do you think there’s something else I should include in this Shanghai and Beijing in One Week post? Let me know in the comments
There is something about Hong Kong that, in my opinion, makes it very special.
It’s like no other city in Asia. It definitely should be in your list of cities to visit if you’re in this hemisphere of the world.
Before we start this list of things all tourists have to do while in Hong Kong, let’s talk a little bit about this small and amazing part of the world.
Is it a country?
No, it’s an autonomous territory, although China is working to change that.
It used to be a British colony up until 1997, when it was given back to China but remained an autonomous territory.
Hong Kong is a global financial hub. The center of the city is highly developed with skyscrapers, shopping malls and foreigners everywhere.
As developed as it is, you’ll still be able to find traditional Chinese night markets and some traditional and picturesque gardens.
Let’s dive in!!
Things to do in Hong Kong
1 Stroll around the avenue of stars.
This avenue is located alongside Victoria harbor. This is the place you’ll also want to go to get a good look at the city’s skyline.
This avenue commemorates all of the iconic movie stars of the Hong Kong film industry. You’ll see some statues around, the most recognizable one being a Bruce Lee statue.
The avenue of stars was under remodeling for the past 3 years.
It was until a couple of weeks ago, late January 2019, that fully opened for the public again.
This is really the time to go there.
The views are really worth it. Plus is a perfect spot to sit down and see the sky turn dark and the buildings coming to light.
Is it easy to get to the avenue of stars?
Yes, it is.
The closest metro station is Tsim Sha Tsui station.
Once you’re out of the metro station all you have to do is walk for around 9 minutes. Just use Google maps and you’ll get there, or just ask locals to point the way for you.
The exact address: Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
The avenue of stars is on Kowloon island, opposite to Hong Kong island. The best view of the city is definitely from Kowloon side as most of the big buildings are on Hong Kong Island side.
I’ll explain a bit about Hong Kong’s geography at the end of the post.
2 Visit Lantau Island
Why do you want to go there?
Because is away from the city. It’s mountainous, there’s a lot of fresh air, and they have one of the nicest Buddha statues and surroundings I’ve seen.
But is not just about going there and seeing a Buddha statue, there’s really no fun in that, right?
To get there from Kowloon or Hong Kong island, you’ll have to take the metro and then get on a gondola/ cable car.
This is where the fun starts, you can even choose a gondola with a crystal floor if you want to. It depends on how much you want to pay.
The cable car will drop you off at Ngong Ping Village.
It’s a tiny village full of restaurants and souvenir stores. You can eat there, do souvenir shopping and take some photos.
The Lantau Buddha or Tian Tian Buddha will be just 7 or 8 minutes away, by foot, from this tourist village.
To get to Ngong Ping Village and Tian Tian Buddha, you have to make your way to Tung Chung metro station.
Once you’re out of the station you have to walk for around 8 minutes and get to Ngong Ping Cable Car Tung Chung Station. Just follow your Google map or ask someone to point the way for you.
I didn’t reserve tickets online.
I just got there and bought them. To check prices and many other activities and restaurants on Lantau Island please click here.
3 Go To Victoria Peak
Oh, this is a must, one of the best spots to see Hong Kong in all of its splendor.
And what a better way to get to the top than by using the old and iconic Tram.
Why should you go? well simply because it provides you with the most amazing views of the city.
It doesn’t matter if you go during the day or at night, the view will equally be beautiful, just pray for no fog.
Oh, and it gets the most crowded during the weekends in the evenings because both locals and tourists want to see the sunset.
Have in mind that this place is visited by some 7 million people every year. This is one of the major tourist attractions of Hong Kong.
Will the Tram drop me off directly at the top? No, it will drop you off at the Peak Tower.
The Peak tower is a leisure center and shopping mall, you will be dropped off inside the Peak Tower and then you’ll have to make your way up to the viewing platform.
It’s called Sky Terrace 428.
On the viewing platform there will be some telescopes, so make sure you take some coins with you so you can use them.
View of Victoria Harbor from The Peak
How Do I get to the Victoria Peak (Also called Mount Austin)?
If it’s your first time I would definitely recommend you to use the Tram, you will love it or hate it.
The closest MRT station is Central station, use exit J 2, from there you’ll walk for about 13 minutes until you reach the lower Peak Tram station.
Buy a ticket and get in line, wait for the tram to take you up to the Peak Tower.
Here’s a link to the Lower Peak Tram Station, also known as Garden Road Stop.
For adults is 13 USD, round trip ticket, it also includes access to the Sky Terrace 428. Round trip tickets for children, with access to the Sky Terrace 428 sell for 6 USD.
While you’re at the peak tower whether it’s at night or during the day, you can also do other entertaining activities, like eating.
Which takes me to the following.
4 Have Dinner at Bubba Gump, by the window.
Dinner or Lunch. What a better way to enjoy Hong Kong’s amazing view than by having a nice meal by the window.
And if you like Shrimp, just like me, then you’ll have even more reasons to visit this place.
Now, since you’re in Hong Kong, one of the biggest and most bustling cities in Asia you might not want to have a full western meal.
I understand that, but the view from this restaurant really is spectacular and the food and the drinks are good.
This restaurant is located in the Peak Tower. So if you’re going to the Sky Terrace to get a good look at Victoria Harbor, you might want to consider paying this place a visit. Here’s the link to their menu
If you’re not in the mood for eating, there’s something else you can do while you’re at the Peak Tower.
5 Visit Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is part of the renowned chain of wax museums that were founded by Marie Tussaud of France.
In this museum you will find a wide arrange of statues, going from sports legends, celebrities, political figures, and European Royalty.
People usually go to the museum to look at how similar the statues and the real persons are, and to take photos of course.
Now let’s go to a place away from the peak and the crowds. This is a place you will surely find to be relaxing. Among all of the huge buildings and noise of the city, you’ll find Nan Lian Garden.
This is a classical Chinese garden. It’s not ancient- it opened its door in 2006- but it definitely makes you feel like you’re in one of those old times Chinese movies.
The garden opens from 7 am to 9 pm every day. It was designed having the Tang Dynasty style in mind. You’ll find rocks, trees, wooden formations, hills, water structures, and little bridges.
The exact address is Nan Lian Garden, 60號 Fung Tak Rd, Diamond Hill, Hong Kong. The closest metro station is Diamond Hill station, once you’re out of the station just walk for 7 minutes.
As you’d expect, anywhere where there are tourists there are souvenir stores, and this place is no exception.
However, even the souvenir stores in here have a very calm and tranquil vibe, you’ll also find a tea house inside the garden.
Something is worth mentioning is that the administration really makes an effort to keep this place calm and quiet.
Even though you can enter free of charge, there is a limit of how many people can enter the park at the same time. For more details click here
7 Visit Jumbo Floating Restaurant
If you’re looking for a special – pricey- place to have a nice Cantonese, seafood focused meal in Hong Kong , then you should definitely check this restaurant out.
This is an iconic spot of the city, floating in the middle of a river, even Queen Elizabeth the second has visited this place. This restaurant opened its doors in 1976.
Getting here, you can either take a taxi, which will take only 17 minutes from central Hong Kong.
Or take the metro and make your way to Lei Tung station on the South Island line.
Whether you take a taxi or the metro, you’ll still have to walk a little bit to get to a small pier, where a small ferry will cross you over to the restaurant.
The ferry ride is free. If you’re wondering how expensive is this place well.
Here’s the menu for you to take a look for yourself menu
And here are some pictures of the food
If you have the time and the budget for it please include it in your list of things to do. It’s a really nice place.
8 Go Hit The Night Life at Lan Kwai Fong
Where is the party in Hong Kong? well, in different places, but if there’s a place in town where a lot of tourists, expats, and locals get together to eat and drink that’s
Lan Kwai Fong.
This is a small square of streets, narrow lanes packed with Bars, nightclubs, and restaurants in the heart of central Hong Kong.
The area starts coming to live at around 3 pm and business close until 6 am. The closest Metro station is Central Station, exit D2.
This place gets crazily crowded during Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
During these celebrations, you’ll encounter Police control -barricades and police force- in the area to control the crowds and avoid another tragic incident like the 1993 human stampede that killed 21 people.
And the locals take it all the time simply to get from one side to the other because is reliable and efficient.
There are 3 points in the city where you can get on the Star ferry, Tsim Sha Sui star ferry pier, Central star ferry pier, and wan chai star ferry pier.
Source: http://www.discoverhongkong.com
All 3 piers are reachable from metro stations, Tsim Sha Sui Station, Central or Hong Kong Station and Wan Chai Station respectively.
For information on the timetable and the fares please click here and you’ll see their official website
10 Relax at Hong Kong Zoological And Botanical Gardens
Maybe, during your stay in Hong Kong, there will be a day when all you’ll want to do is relax, no lines, no crowds, no going up and down the metro system, just relax.
That’s exactly what you can do at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.
And if you’re staying near the central station, all you’ll have to do is walk a bit and you’ll get there.
Fountain Terrace Garden
This garden has historic value, it was founded in 1864 and then it opened its doors to the public in 1871.
You can walk around the Magnolia gardens, Bamboo gardens, Azalea gardens and more.
The garden opens every day from 5 am to 10 pm and you can enter free of charge. For more details about the garden please visit their official site, click here
The closest metro station is Central Station, take exit D1 and then walk for 9 minutes, just follow your Google maps.
The Zoological and Botanical Park is near the lower tram station.
11 Visit The WWF Hong Kong Visitor Center
Would you like to cooperate with a nice cause? The worldwide fund of nature has been working to preserve animal lives and reduce the impact of humans in the environment for years.
There is a WWF visitor center near the lower terminal of the tram to Victoria Peak.
This is pretty much a store. It sells different products of every day use like, pencils, notebooks, supermarket bags, candles, towels and more.
All done from recycled materials, as they state it in their products, they focus on giving consumers a sustainable choice.
If you have 15 minutes to spare when you’re coming down the peak stop by, maybe you’ll find something you like.
12 Get on Hong Kong’s Observatory Wheel
Looking for a different angle to see the city? if that’s the case then you might wanna check this out.
Very touristy indeed but fun, unless there’s a huge line to get on.
If you’re lucky you’ll just have to wait a couple of minutes to get on.
The Wheel is located in central Hong Kong, it has 42 gondolas, including a VIP one with leather seats, all gondolas have air conditioning.
Here’s the exact address, Hong Kong Observation Wheel, 33 Man Kwong Street, Central, Hong Kong.
Prices, for adults, is 2.55 USD, for children aged 3-11 years old is 1.30 USD, for more details on prices please visit their official website.
Where To Stay in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong Map
Hong Kong can be divided into 4 different areas, Hong Kong Island (Central, East, South), Kowloon, Lantau, and New Territories.
As you can see on the map, the whole area is very well connected with metro lines, roads, and ferries.
But of course, there are some areas where it makes more sense to stay than on others.
The most convenient area would be Hong Kong island, preferably near central or Hong Kong metro station.
You’ll be in the heart of the city, near Victoria Peak, Lan Kwai Fong, the botanical garden and many shops and restaurants.
Kowloon is also a good area to stay, it will all depend on your budget.
I found a nice cheap hotel near central station called Mini Hotel Central. This is the exact address 38 號 Ice House St, Central, Hong Kong. The location is perfect, but the rooms are very very small.
Are The Visa Requirements the Same as China’s?
No, Hong Kong is an autonomous region. It has its own set of Visa requirements and has a whole different immigration system to the one of Mainland China.
And f*** me there is my country among the countries that need a visa(Nicaragua).
Having a third world country passport is a little bit of work, but every hour I put into that application was worth it.
I can’t wait to go back, even if that means I have to apply for a Hong Kong Visa.
Cost of Living in Hong Kong
It’s no secret that Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities in the world. That’s why I’ll show you a list of different average prices for different items in Hong Kong.
The average daily price for traveling in Hong Kong is USD 126
USD 26 is the daily average you’ll spend on food
A room for a couple goes for around USD 116
In the following tables, you’ll find more information about the cost of transportation, food, and accommodation in Hong Kong, these are just average costs, it will all depend on what type of traveler you are.
Conclusion
Hong Kong is beautiful, vibrant, safe, expensive and totally worth it.
If you have the time and money and please consider it as one of your next destinations.
The best area to stay at is central, in Hong Kong island. Even though you’ll find yourself surrounded by crowds of people, there are still some spots in the city where you can enjoy some quiet time surrounded by nature.
Oh and, getting a Hong Kong visa – in case you need one- is a bit of work but not impossible to get.
