Thrift shopping, hiking trails and a Wong Kar Wai-inspired bar: Under-the-radar spots for your next girls’ getaway

Hong Kong’s dynamic food and culture scene is unlike any other. Trendy restaurants spring up week after week amidst stable old guards in gentrified neighbourhoods, adding to the city’s colourful east-meets-west flavour.

The best thing about this, especially in neighbourhoods like Central, Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun, is that you are spoilt for choice in a city that barely sleeps.

The new M+ museum and Tai Kwun precinct are must-sees for an immersive arts and culture encounter, favourites amongst both locals and tourists alike on any day of the week. And if you want a quick respite from the city centre, there is an abundance of quaint islands, golden beaches, lush woodlands and craggy mountain ranges to explore.

With three-quarters of the country deemed protected countryside, this might be a side of Hong Kong you have yet to discover. Switch up your next visit with the girls by adding these places to your itinerary:

Explore hiking trails and go on an adventure

If your favourite group activity is hiking, Tai Lam Country Park, home to the Sweet Gum Woods where you can experience autumnal colours, should be on the list. It is the second-largest country park in Hong Kong, yet remains one of its best-kept secrets.

With 12 hiking and nature trails, you will come across glittering streams and lush greenery amidst the faint scent of incense from temples. Make your way up to the vantage point for the Thousand Island Lake, where its cyan-coloured waters are a spectacular sight at sunset.

End off your hike at Tuen Mun’s waterfront Sam Shing Estate to replenish the calories lost. Known for its daily seafood catch, you’ll want to try their catch of lobsters or crabs, served up freshly steamed, salt-baked or au gratin with a crisp layer of cheese.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city

If a slower pace of life is what you seek, Cheung Chau is a quaint, dumbbell-shaped island that comes with secret beaches, seafood restaurants and back alleyways lined with a variety of food and sundry shops.

The best way to explore the island is on bicycle, which you can rent easily once you arrive. Make time to lounge on the wide, sandy shores of Tung Wan Beach, and navigate the winding passages of Cheung Po Tsai Cave. A newfangled wave of craft shops and trendy cafes on San Hing Street and Pak She Street also make for perfect people-watching spots.

Immerse yourself in cultural and art experiences

The former Nan Fung Textiles factory buildings in suburban Tsuen Wan have been refreshed and converted into The Mills, a vibrant centre for arts, culture and innovation. Here, you can unleash your artsy side and learn more about the history of textiles, and attend art exhibitions or workshops that capture the spirit of craftsmanship, innovative technology and sustainable living.

The Mills’ brilliant curation of local boutique brands, concept stores and dining options also deserves a mention. Check out Fleur for a flower-inspired brunch or Fabrica X, which showcases the latest techstyle and agrifood tech innovations.

Journey through a revitalised artisan district

Wander into the quaint streets of Sham Shui Po and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much the reinvigorated neighbourhood has to offer. Over the years, it’s quietly growing in popularity with the city’s fashion and design stalwarts for its textile influence.

Hop on the ribbon trend at Nam Cheong Street, where you’ll find a myriad of ribbons and lace at wholesale prices. Fans of Taylor Swift may want to stop by Yu Chau Street, which stocks all the beads and sewing supplies you will need for those friendship bracelets.

Go bargain hunting

You are likely to stumble across Upper Lascar Row while exploring the hilly streets of Sheung Wan, and be instantly intrigued by its eclectic mix of antique and thrift shops.

Stroll the airy street where vendors sell Chinese calligraphy, art, vintage furniture, and kitschy paraphernalia such as Mao Zedong alarm clocks and Bruce Lee posters. The vintage clothing stores nearby are also worth popping into, as is Halfway Coffee for a well-balanced cuppa and a delectable slice of cake.

Get lost in a shopping mall haven

Style mavens are drawn to the neon lights of Causeway Bay, which has grown to encompass not just high-end clothing stores, but also streetwear and photography shops.

8five2 is one of the city’s original skateboard and streetwear stores, while Showa Lab is a go-to for anyone keen on analogue photography. If you have a few hours to spare, head to one of Causeway Bay’s buzzing mini-malls. Island Beverley is a hotbed for inspiration, their shelves packed with every trend-setting item from neighbouring Asian fashion capitals, Seoul and Tokyo.

Try local cocktails in a Wong Kar-wai-inspired bar

Looking for a bar with a twist? Kinsman is a beloved gem amongst locals that boasts sexy red leather banquettes and low lighting in a 1980s setting inspired by Wong Kar-wai’s films.

Its selection of local ingredients and traditional Cantonese spirits like yuk bing siu (a rice wine macerated in pork fat) pays homage to Hong Kong’s traditions while being innovative with cocktails.

If that is not up your alley, call for the Kowloon Dairy, a local version of milk punch, a creamy concoction of amaro mix and monk fruit liquor, or the Papaya Van Winkle, a glorious layering of Cantonese papaya wine, gin, roselle liqueur, tomato and ginger.

Indulge in delectable dim sum at a local hotspot

Sun Hing Restaurant is a hole-in-the-wall dim sum shop in the up-and-coming Kennedy Town that is as no-frills as it gets, but its food is delightful. 

Open from 3am to 4pm daily, it is best enjoyed in the wee hours of the morning for its novelty factor – and what is more satisfying than downing a basket of prawn dumplings after a night out with the girls? 

The hot custard buns are also sinfully sumptuous, as are the silky rice rolls and beancurd skin with minced pork.

Get rewarded as you travel

From now till Sept 15, 2024, take part in Hong Kong’s Summer Triple Rewards promotion, which offers all overnight visitors 500,000 sets of rewards. This includes offers for transport and sightseeing attractions, as well as HK$100 worth of dining and shopping coupons when you visit participating merchants.

More hidden gems await in every corner of Hong Kong. Visit Hong Kong Tourism Board for more inspiration on how to jazz up your itinerary.