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Alina Mcleod returns to Hong Kong after 15 years and compares Kowloon with Central. She has a chaotic dim sum lunch with warm coconut pudding, explores Hollywood Road and Man Mo Temple, and rides the Central Mid-Levels escalator. A hike to Braemar Hill, recommended by her mother, leads to a sunset viewpoint she prefers to Victoria Peak. She ends with the Star Ferry and Avenue of Stars after walking 25,000 steps. She also says the city felt safe during her visit and reflects on how it has evolved while keeping its own energy and character.
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Returning to Kowloon and Central
Alina Mcleod comes back to Hong Kong after 15 years and finds a city shaped by Chinese culture, British colonial history and what she describes as Singaporean vibes. She stays in Kowloon, which feels busy and welcoming to tourists, and compares it with Central, which she finds quieter and more relaxed. A friend recommends a dim sum restaurant, where the meal is chaotic but enjoyable. Alina goes to the sellers and tells them what she wants; they mark the choices on her form. Warm coconut pudding turns out to be a surprise favorite.
She walks along Hollywood Road among antique shops, galleries and cafes in colonial-era buildings, then visits Man Mo Temple, where incense fills the interior. The Central Mid-Levels escalator gives her a way to travel uphill through the city without walking the full slope in the heat. These stops let her revisit familiar places and notice how the city has changed since her previous visit.
Braemar Hill, the ferry and the skyline
The main view of the day comes after a challenging hike to Braemar Hill. Alina follows a recommendation from her mother, Leanna, and says the sunset viewpoint is more rewarding than Victoria Peak. Her advice is to follow the trail to the viewpoint rather than a sign marked Braemar’s Point. The route includes a metro ride and minibus up the hill, followed by a walk of about 20 minutes to the main lookout.
After the hike, Alina takes the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour and walks along the Avenue of Stars, watching the skyline from the water and waterfront. At the end of the long day, she reflects on a return visit that included dim sum, colonial-era streets, a temple, an escalator ride and the sunset. She counts 25,000 steps and describes Hong Kong as changed since her last trip while still retaining its distinctive energy.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What was the dim sum experience like?
- A: Alina found it chaotic but fun. She went up to the sellers to tell them what she wanted, and they marked her choices on a form. Warm coconut pudding was an unexpected favorite during the meal.
- Q: How do I get to the Braemar Hill viewpoint?
- A: Take the metro and then a minibus up the hill. Alina advises against following the Braemar’s Point sign; ask locals for the trail to the main viewpoint, which is about a 20-minute walk away.
- Q: Is Hong Kong safe to visit now?
- A: Alina says Hong Kong felt very safe during her visit. She also notes that the city has changed since she was last there 15 years ago, while retaining a distinctive and welcoming energy.
