Hong Kong Life and Culture Day Tour

Highlights Itinerary Inclusions/Exclusions Important Info

Highlights

Wong Tai Sin Temple

Wong Tai Sin Temple is regarded by locals of all socio-economic status or religious denomination as the temple at which all prayers are answered. In keeping with traditional Chinese temple architecture, color, and design, Wong Tai Sin Temple is famous for its red pillars, a golden ceiling and ornate latticework. Locals and travelers alike are known to frequent the temple, particularly at the time of Chinese New Year, as visitors are ever hopeful this, together with a session from one of the fortune-tellers, will guarantee good fortune for the year. Be sure to bring your biggest wishes for granting.

Sham Shui Po

Translated as ‘Deep Water Pier’, Sham Shui Po is considered to be Hong Kong’s most vibrant and distinctive neighborhood. Home to urbanized rural workers, working class families, and the elderly, it is here you’ll find an eclectic array of housing, restaurants, markets, and inexpensive electronic and clothing outlets to pick over and explore. Cheap and cheerful experiences that are only found in Sham Shui Po are yours for the taking. Expect to find Michelin-star noodles, as well as budget-priced street food snacks.

Yuen Po Street Bird Garden

Learn a little about the traditional Chinese hobby of keeping birds when you visit the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden. With around 70 bird stalls showcasing an extensive variety of melodious songbirds, this garden, with its courtyards, moon gates, and vendors is a delight. Enjoy the opportunity to see the beautiful birds – many of them rare – and listen as they mimic each other’s calls.

Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts

Recognizing the importance of its distinct history, Tai Kwun is a Centre for Heritage and Arts, and was intentionally developed as one of the city’s most significant revitalization projects. It maintains a focus on heritage, contemporary art, performing arts and lifestyle experiences in the restored and revitalized Central Police Station compound, which includes the former Central Police Station, the Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison. The art programs on offer through Tai Kwun showcase all media and genre, including contemporary performing, creative, and, visual arts.

Star Ferry

Enjoy the chance to traverse Victoria Harbour between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon aboard an iconic Star Ferry boat. Incredibly, this service has been operational since 1888, and continues to retain its appeal and popularity among locals and international visitors (even as more modern infrastructure is available). A fun and up-close experience of the harbor, Star Ferry boat ride is considered one of ‘50 places of a lifetime’ by National Geographic.

Ding Ding Tram

For another genuine Hong Kong experience, climb aboard a Ding Ding Tram for a ride through the city. Running east-west along the north shore of the island, gain a unique perspective of Hong Kong, while discovering what’s in a name. Ding Ding trams are so named for the fact that their bell is rung twice to warn pedestrians of their approach. Time to sit back and enjoy the ride!

Immerse yourself in the local traditions and culture of vibrant Hong Kong on this unique one day life and culture tour. Enthusiasts for gaining insights into the real heart and soul of any travel destination will appreciate the combination of traditional and modern, history and what’s happening now that is available on this thoughtfully curated tour. Visit icons like Wong Tai Sin Temple, Sham Shui Po and Yuen Po Bird Street, while discovering how modern culture arts are emerging in this city too at Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts. Cross Victoria Harbour on a Star Ferry, traverse Central Hong Kong on the Mid-Levels Escalator and take a ride on a Ding Ding Tram. Capturing the essence of Hong Kong, this one day tour is a must for the traveler wanting to form a deeper understanding of what makes Hong Kong so special. Private and personal with an enthusiastic English-speaking guide, this is a day tour you’ll remember long after it’s over. Book on its own or combine with any other travel arrangements in China. Just ask us how.

Vehicle	Air-conditioned vehicle with licensed driver
Guide Service & Language	Professional English-speaking guide

Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Your day’s adventure commences in the morning when your guide collects you from the hotel.

The first stop for the day is the Wong Tai Sin Temple, where you’ll have the opportunity to experience traditional Chinese culture firsthand. Discover why locals of all religious denominations make their way to the temple to pray and wish for their good fortune. You’ll have the chance to do the same, as you wander among Asia’s largest gathering of fortune-tellers in one location.

Continue on to Sham Shui Po, regarded as Hong Kong’s most dynamic and diverse neighborhood. Here you’ll enjoy the local cuisine, street shopping for bargain electronics, and the chance to get amongst it in the city’s oldest district.

A change of pace is evident when you visit Yung Po Bird Garden – a menagerie of beautiful birds and all things bird related – and then Shanghai Street – one of Hong Kong’s oldest streets. Discover every conceivable (and inconceivable) kitchenware item here and enjoy your own selection for lunch.

Your time in Kowloon comes to an end when you board an iconic Star Ferry boat across Victoria Harbor to Hong Kong Island. On arrival, enjoy a ride on the Mid-Levels Escalator, which at around 800-metres in length, is the perfect way to navigate Hong Kong’s Central district. The collection of escalators and walkways is the largest of its kind in the world as it extends from the central market in Central to halfway up Victoria Peak.

While you’re in the district, pass by the Man Mo Temple, one of the earliest Chinese Temples in Hong Kong. Although now surrounded by modern buildings, there’s a sense that history and the contemporary have been seamlessly blended here.

Gain insights into Hong Kong’s dynamic artistic endeavors at the Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts, which has been built into the revitalized area where the Hong Kong Central Police Station and prisons were once located.

A final adventure for the day is to be had along the bustling northern corridor of Hong Kong Island aboard one of the city’s historic trams, affectionately named the Ding Ding Tram. At the end of your tram ride, call upon the assistance of a “Chinese grandmother” who can assist with a traditional Villain Beating. A ritual steeped in tradition (and just a little superstition), you’ll have the chance to clear off any bad luck associated with bad people or situations in your

Enjoy the return trip to your hotel, savoring the many unique insights from the day.

Notes: Your guide will contact you in advance to confirm the hotel pick up time. Lunch is at your own arrangement, although your guide is happy to assist with recommendations and order, if required.

Inclusions / Exclusions

Inclusions:

Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities specified
Activities specified in the itinerary
Excellent professional English-speaking guide
Ground transport in the air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed driver
Pick up and return to your hotel
One-way star-ferry ride from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island
Ding Ding tram ticket and cost of Villain Beating
Travel agency liability insurance during the tour
Government taxes and fees.

Exclusions

International flights to/from Hong Kong
China visa
Gratuities to guides and drivers and any expense of personal nature
Hotel accommodation
Meals: Meals are excluded. Your guide will make recommendations and order for you, if required.
Our tour package does not include travel insurance. Please purchase travel insurance before your trip to protect for any unforeseen circumstances.

Important Information

This is a private tour for your group of family or friends. No other travelers will join you. It’s always available for your schedule.
Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Prices based on twin occupancy.
The prices shown above are not valid during China’s Official Holidays (such as National Day and Chinese Spring Festival etc.).

Select Tour Options

Small Group

Private Tour

Adults

123455+

Children

0123455+

Infants

0123455+

Dennis Yip wrote a review Written 3 November 2024

Singapore

Exceptional Experience with ChinaTours!

We recently booked a private family vacation with ChinaTours.com for a week-long adventure in Xi'an and Luoyang, and it was nothing short of exceptional! The itinerary was perfectly crafted, allowing sufficient time to explore the iconic sites like the Terracotta Warriors and the breathtaking Longmen Grottoes and many more. Kudos to Ms. Lora of ChinaTours, everything was tailored to our interests, allowing us to explore hidden gems and local favourites. Our English-speaking guides, Felix (方洪杰) for Xi'an & Shirley (周丹丹) for Luoyang, were very knowledgeable and engaging, making history come alive for us. They were not only knowledgeable but also passionate about their cities, sharing stories and insights that enriched our experience beyond the typical tourist narratives. We had the opportunity to witness a few spectacular and mesmerizing cultural and historical performances at a grandeur scale, which added a personal touch to our understanding of the culture and history. The guides were very accommodating in the dining options, which allowed us to savour the delicious local cuisines of the Shaanxi and Henan provinces. The seamless transportation via the minivan and high-speed trains added to our travel experience, making everything relaxing and stress-free. ChinaTours truly thought of everything to ensure our family had an unforgettable trip in China. We highly recommend ChinaTours to anyone looking for a seamless and memorable visit to China!

Date of experience: Oct 2024 • Family
Excursion06754325819 wrote a review Written 31 October 2024

Perfect trip in every way

This was a perfect trip in every way. Beautiful hotels, wonderful guides and drivers, sightseeing with explanations! I chose a private tour and the entire 3 week trip was exceptional . The itinerary was adjusted due to weather or unique museums exhibitions! All the hotels were excellent - clean ,modern and great locations with breakfast. New cars and excellent drivers. China Tours is my first choice as an exceptional tour company. They are number one! Very personalize travel , attention to detail and available 24/7. I will rebook with them!

Date of experience: Oct 2024 • Solo
Robert N wrote a review Written 28 October 2024

China Tours review

If you’re going to China on a vacation, China Tours is the Company you must go with. Their tour guides are knowledgeable, efficient, courteous, and giving. The itinerary we chose was amazing and we were guided through the entire trip by these wonderful tour guides. They were always on time and greeted you with a smile. Once again, I highly recommend China Tours.😊👍😁🤩

Date of experience: Oct 2024 • Friends
norm T wrote a review Written 28 October 2024

China trip dated August 27, – September 16, 2024, seven cities in 3 weeks

China Tours did an excellent job of accommodating and coordinating the necessary paperwork, tickets, guides, setting up WeChat for direct communications such that I could communicate with my guides prior to my arrival, etc. for me to enjoy a relaxing adventure filled with new information. Regarding the guides, each one is very special, they are open to questions. Willing to adjust schedules, share personal information that we can compare to my western experience. Have a sense of humor about them, explain changes that need to be made, and each shares a perspective of China and its 5,000-year-old history and how it is a nation of tribes that work together resulting amazing functional society with the most sophisticated infrastructure the world has ever seen. China can be proud of each guide; each is an asset for changing the wests perspective and embracing all that China is doing to improve the world. I congratulate each of you for your dedication and work ethic to make my experience one I will always appreciate.

Date of experience: Aug 2024 • Solo
deblau59 wrote a review 26 October 2024

Fantastic Trip Down Memory Lane

Excellent Taiwan tour from China Travels. We found this company on the web and was super pleased with the communications and arrangements through Martha. I was traveling with my sister and 10 friends who had previously lived in Taiwan so we wanted to revisit our childhood. We started in Taipei, then went to Sun Moon Lake, Alishan and Tainan. Taroko Gorge was on our list due to the earthquake damage from last year, we changed places. Our tour guide, Cathy Lin, was great as she added some activities and places to our itinerary that were hidden gems. Very responsive to our needs throughout the tour. My friends were super pleased with the trip. Highly recommend for future travel arrangements.

Date of experience: Oct 2024 • Friends
kraig l wrote a review 7 October 2024

A Day in Xi’an with Cathy

I really enjoyed my recent private tour with China Tours! I remembered I took a China Tours about 13 years ago in Beijing and since I had a long weekend during a recent business trip, I decided to take the chance on them again and booked on-line. Working with Martha via email on short notice and right before the National Holiday, she was able to arrange a 1-day private trip for me to the Terracotta Warriors, Mosque, and the Xi'an Wall with Cathy K. as my tour guide. Even before my tour began, Cathy reached out to me and gave suggested a few sites to visit in the city the afternoon I arrived.
Morning of, pick up time was confirmed via WeChat and Cathy picked me up in a nice minivan and was escorted all day by a VERY knowledgeable tour guide in Cathy. She knew the tour well, the sites visited and their history, shared many welcoming stories and information. Her English was almost perfect and welcoming after a long business trip. More importantly, she knew her city well and made several great food recommendations - local lunch was amazing and so were the pomegranates! She even helped me purchase some jade necklaces as gifts.
Although it rained all day long, Cathy kept the tour upbeat and engaging - cannot say that about my sneakers that did not make the trip home.
The next day, Cathy went the extra mile by making sure I made it to the airport and my flight chatting me Chinese phrases for both the taxi driver and check in counter to ensure if needed I would not miss my flight.
I would like to give a BIG "XIE XIE" to CATHY K - an outstanding tour guide (and food connoisseur)! I very much enjoyed my day (wishing I had longer) and look forward to my return and another China Tours tour with hopefully Cathy K again.

Date of experience: Sept 2024 • Solo