4 Of The Weirdest Things You Can Do In Hong Kong
Few cities embody the adage “East meets West” better than Hong Kong. The city is packed with a lifetime of things to see, do and, of course, eat.
But look past the acres of skyscrapers, and you’ll find experiences that are truly out-of-the-ordinary — and as multifaceted as Hong Kong itself.
[related_articles]53917,51844[/related_articles]#1 Ikari Area
Catering to the very human urge to smash a bunch of stuff when angry, Ikari Area gives you the tools to do just that. Ikari means “anger” in Japanese, and Ikari Area’s ethos is to help people let go of their rage in a safe, controlled environment.
Staff have created a space where you can pick up a baseball bat and smash the heck out of washing machines, furniture, televisions and refrigerators. It’s the perfect stress-reliever to start your Hong Kong holiday.
Where: 16–18 Hing Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong
#2 Chungking Mansions
If anywhere in Hong Kong symbolises its melding of cultures, it’s Chungking Mansions. Known variously as the city’s “ghetto”, “jungle”, and “Little United Nations”, it’s comprised of five rundown tower blocks that house all manner of things — from guesthouses to market stalls and restaurants.
[related_articles]55872,53917[/related_articles]Beginning its life as a high-end residential precinct in the ’60s, it’s since become a favourite among backpackers, thanks to the fact that it offers Hong Kong’s cheapest accommodation. While it used to be a hotbed for crime, the installation of hundreds of CCTV cameras and acceptance by locals means it’s seen as more of a curiosity.
Where: 36–44 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
#3 Mingle Farm
Hong Kong is famous for its cityscapes, but it actually boasts some pretty incredible green spaces, as well. And, sure, you could sleep in one of Hong Kong’s many towering skyscrapers (or go mega-budget at Chungking Mansions), or you could sleep in a bubble.
Head out of the city to Mingle Farm, an eco-farm where you have the option of staying in an inflatable bubble. There is an entirely transparent option, but semi-transparent is your best bet if you want to watch the stars without being watched yourself.
[related_articles]55492,39576[/related_articles]Each bubble comes with inflatable beds and the bathrooms are shared. If the bubble doesn’t tickle your fancy, the retreat also offers inflatable mushroom lodgings and a jumping castle that you can sleep in.
Where: 30 Fung Ka Wai, Tin Tsz Road, Tin Shui Wai, Hong Kong
#4 Waterfall Bay Park
Many Hong Kong residents believe it’s unlucky to discard statues of deities. So, rather than commit worn-out icons to the trash, they leave them on roadsides and in public spaces in the hopes that another worshipper will give their statues a new home.
In Waterfall Bay Park, hundreds of these have been stashed, thanks to Wong Wing-Pong, who scours the streets for Buddhist, Taoist and other religious icons, fixes them up, and places them on the hillside. The statues look out towards the sea, and some are even cemented to a rock off the shore.
It may be a coincidence, but the public housing estate next to the park is said to be the luckiest in Hong Kong.
Where: 8 Waterfall Bay Road, Waterfall Bay, Hong Kong
[related_videos]30086[/related_videos](Lead image: @hellokitty_chinesecuisine / Instagram)
