The bustling metropolitan could be a wonderful destination for you and your kids too, we tell you how!
Being the most densely populated area in the world, Hongkong was never an ideal place to bring your kids on a family trip. It has always been one of the most popular shopping destinations for women across Asia, but it is never known for its hospitality. That is, until Disneyland made its first Southeast Asian stop back in 2005. It only took a while before parents flocking with their kids to the world’s most affordable ‘happiest place on earth’.
The recent family trip (with minimalized shopping schedule) has got me thinking – whether other family-friendly places exist in Hongkong. I went there clueless, for all I had in mind was Causeway Bay. I came back informed, to help you plan the next family trip to Hongkong!
1. Madame Tussaud’s at The Peak
Time needed: 1-1.5 hours
Transportation: The Peak tram / bus from Central Ferry Piers (no. 15) or Tin Hau (no. 15C)
Admission tickets: HKD170 (adults) and HKD100 (kids)
Official Website: Hongkong Madame Tussaud’s
Trust Hongkong for being a pioneer. Madame Tussaud’s Hongkong is the very first in Asia. The fun starts way before you enter the wax museum for you can take the scenic ride on the 120-year-old Peak Tram up from Hongkong city. The tram departs every 15 minutes.
Hongkong Madame Tussaud’s is quite uncomplicated if a tad maze-like in its small area, which makes it ideal for parents to keep an eye on the kids. While women would be delighted to hear Andy Lau’s heartbeat and have tea with the retro icon Audrey Hepburn, the kids can tease Spiderman and Astroboy.
2. Jumbo Floating Restaurant at Aberdeen Harbour
Time needed: 1 hour
Transportation: bus from Exchange Square Bus Terminal in Central to Aberdeen Shuttle Ferry Pier (no.70) or Exchange Square Bus Terminal in Central to Shum Wan Shuttle Ferry Pier (no. 75) then free shuttle ferry to Jumbo Floating Restaurant
Admission ticket: -
Official website: Jumbo Kingdom
It is a novelty restaurant established in 1976 that has been visited by big names like Queen Elizabeth II. Chow Yun Fat brought Tom Cruise for a dinner in Jumbo, too. The floating restaurant offer fancy Chinese cuisine with signature dishes like drunken shrimp. Jumbo could be the kids’ first unique dining experience, but parents, do remember to check the pricing before deciding on a dinner trip there for the legendary restaurant is costly.
At the same time, you can satisfy kids’ natural craving for water, without endangering their safety. While other fishing boats in Aberdeen Harbour are without proper windows, the Jumbo free shuttle is safely closed.
3. Repulse Bay Beach, Southern Island
Time needed: 30 minutes
Transportation: Bus 6, 6A, 6X, 66 or 260 from Exchange Square Bus Terminus (MTR Hong Kong Station Exit D) and alight at Repulse Bay.
Admission ticket: -
Official website: Discover Hongkong, Repulse Bay
The white sand crescent beach is a clean place for children to run around or for you to take a quiet morning stroll. Located in an upmarket area, the beach is generally quiet – a perfect getaway indeed. For the cultural and religious travelers, you can also visit Tin Hau temple by the beach – where people walk through longevity bridge for long life.
4. Hongkong Disneyland, Lantau Island
Time needed: 6-10 hours
Transportation: MTR Disneyland Resort Line
Admission ticket: 1 day ticket for HKD399 (adults) and HKD 285 (kids)
Official website: Hongkong Disneyland
Disneyland brings out a child in almost everyone of us. True story: I went with two parents who barely knew Disney characters and came out as Disney supporters. Hongkong Disneyland is a budget theme parks, compared to the grand lands in Anaheim or Tokyo. Listening to Mickey and Minnie talking in Cantonese could be a deal breaker for some, but it still is an undeniably joyful park to visit.
To maximize your one day in Hongkong Disneyland, we have rated a few attractions and a ride to ensure equal fun for both parents and kids.
- It’s a Small World. A great ride to function as a tool to ensure your kids are not culturally blind. The cute moving dolls from all around the world spark curiousity that you can further encourage with Discovery Channel once you are back home.
- Mickey Philharmagic. A fun 4D experience to tickle your senses! It is a 3D movie with pleasant surprises like water splashes and sweet cookie smells.
- The Golden Mickeys. It’s a pity that the name is nowhere near self-explanatory. The Golden Mickeys is a wonderful walk down the Disney memory lane in the form of a live show – featuring Mickey & Minnie, Mulan, Belle to Lilo & Stitch. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself tearing.
- Disney in the Stars Fireworks. It is a daily firework show featuring the iconic Sleeping Beauty castle (although Hongkong holds the smaller version). The whole park is deemed, while the castle shining in dreamy lighting. Throughout the 15 minutes show, rare-shaped fireworks appear in sync to Disney anthems namely ‘A Whole New World’. It is beyond a perfect closure to mark the end of a day in Disneyland. If Disneyland hasn’t caught your heart already, this show will definitely seal the magical deal.
- Festival of the Lion King. While the movie might be a Disney classic, the fire and rather loud African-inspired music could appear scary to kids. Throughout the shows, quite a few parents with toddlers quit the theatre. It is a stunning experience with oriental elements such as acrobats incorporated to it – but only if your kids are older than 10 years old. Besides, getting into the venue is a rather long walk where you can easily lose your kids.
- Jungle River Cruise. It is supposedly a taste of Africa, where you brave through the jungle and see exotic animals. However, the amateur-looking manmade animals are not worth the long queue.
Top 10 tips for women & kids traveling to Hongkong:
- Grab a copy of Hongkong 360 at the Hongkong Airport. It is a monthly official Hongkong tourism bulletin. That way, you will know the current events in Hongkong
- Purchase Octopus Card at Hongkong Airport. It would safe you time and money from single tickets messy purchasing process at MTR and bus stations
- Prepare kids for not-so-friendly locales. No offense, but the locales in Hongkong are not the most patient people on earth. Hence, warn your kids to stay calm especially in restaurants
- Do explore laneways in between big streets in Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui for delicious and pocket-friendly street food, namely curry fish ball and pork ball hor fun
- Tsim Sha Tsui (major shopping area) gets extra crowded after dinner time, hence it is best if you finish your shopping before the peak hours
- Symphony of Lights, the multimedia light attraction along the Avenue of Stars every night, is not such a good idea if you are traveling in packs. The place gets crowded more than 30 minutes before the show starts, which makes the attraction barely visible for kids
- Do look for local brands like Esprit for the best prices, and other major retails such as H&M and Uniqlo in Hongkong which offer significantly cheaper prices than Malaysian outlets
- Macau is just a ferry ride away from Hongkong, which makes it very convenient to make a daytrip out of it. However, the generally harsh waves could be challenging for the kids. Give the kids seasick pills 30 minutes before the ride if you are planning for a quick Macau getaway
- Always arm your kids with tissue packets, to get ready for any condition of public toilets
- Let your kids know their shopping budget in Disneyland Hongkong before the trip, because the eye candy souvenir shops filled with Disney goodness can be a major temptation both for the kids and you!
Hongkong: Friendly Places For Women & Kids: http://t.co/qgNsEaTn AWESOME HK GUIDE by @ninahidayat
Thank you Joey! Appreciate it