M+ located in West Kowloon is a contemporary modern art museum where you can easily spend half a…read moreday there admiring all the works. I am no expert in contemporary art but the space, exhibitions, and museum building provides a unique and neat experience to check out if you want to explore and see a different side of Hong Kong. Moreover, you get great views of Hong Kong Island from M+ as well. You are able to purchase tickets at the museum and the exhibitions are clearly labeled with both Chinese and English explanations. Some of the works are pretty neat and thought provoking, challenging society's norms. The entire M+ building architecturally beautiful to look at and be in as well. It makes for a great unique experience. The museum also has temporary exhibitions as well that change time to time - so interesting to see. Overall, a must visit if you love art and architecture. A great way to spend an afternoon!

M+ Pavilion / West Kowloon (Hong Kong) -- It's not every day that you can visit a world-class…read moremuseum that's also a political lightning rod. Open just three years ago, the space is as modern and expansive as you would expect it to be with 33 galleries spread over 700,000 square feet. Jamie W and I decided to come here after seeing several young vloggers praise its architecture and collection. The art on display is specifically from the 20th and 21st centuries. Don't expect ancient artifacts here. We had the foresight to buy the Special Exhibition Dual Passes for HK$240 each well in advance. This allowed us entry to the popular museum on a pre-selected day within a certain timeframe. It included access to two special exhibitions, an overview of the work of revered architect I.M. Pei called 'Life Is Architecture', and the stylized work of trendsetting fashion designer Guo Pei called 'Fashioning Imagination'. They're not related. However, both figures reflect vast imaginations translated into stunning designs. Coincidentally, I had seen Guo Pei's meticulously ornate gowns at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco two years ago, but this was a nicely condensed version of that collection. I.M. Pei's work turned out to be a vast display of buildings and structures well beyond the glass pyramid at the Louvre. Especially interesting was archival video where the architect shared his approach and philosophy. The other galleries showcase contemporary Chinese art with some pieces quite revolutionary in their messaging. Even before it opened, the museum has been under scrutiny from Beijing with the pending threat of censorship from the Communist Party. Due to its unique administrative status, Hong Kong has managed thus far to maneuver the treacherous political waters to create a museum comparable to the Tate Modern and MoMA. Who knows how long it will last? RELATED - Exploring Hong Kong? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3AGgadg

Meandering along Hollywood road from Lan Kwai Fang towards Sheung Wan unveils a myriad of…read moretreasures, sights and smells, making it a wonderful lazy afternoon stroll. The journey starts with hip and stylish shops, art galleries, bars, restaurants and clubs. As you approach the escalator area, the scenes explodes up the mountain into Elgin St and the immediate neighborhood, transforming the entire area into a very hot bar, global restaurant and bar scene. Further down, the street transforms again into a Mecca for high quality Chinese antiquities such as furniture, calligraphy, stone, ceramic, porcelain, jade and other treasures. Just past the Famous Wen Wu temple you can jog down the stairs to yikes I think it's Lee St where you'll find a several block lane filled with Chinese Bric-a-brac, but it's still a fun browse for tourists. The point of my photos (and Reggie) is that as you meander through the modern art galleries, shops, restaurants and dealers, keep an eye out for the fleeting yet still present remnants of bygone Hong Kong, which still exist in the cracks, shadows and crevices of this modern, urban, sophisticated city. Enjoy!

Still wondering why it's called Hollywood Road, but it is a quintessential place to visit and a…read moremust -see when you have visitors in town. Everything from the old quirky antique shops, murals, coffee spots, hipster vibes, huge tree roots, to the international cuisine and wet markets in every corner, you gotta go. Art galleries, insta-worthy photo shoots happening, but don't get hit by a taxi!

Tai Kwun is a well renovated prison yard (Victoria Prison), the Central Police Station, and…read moreMagistracy that it once was, transformed into a large cultural hub with rotating exhibitions. They also have some shops, restaurants, and even guided heritage tours for ad additional cost. Otherwise, the place can be explored for free. It is accessible right off the Mid-Levels escalator and timing of the escalator's direction is crucial so that you don't wear yourself out before the exploration itself. The area is not extremely handicap friendly, so knowing that may help your travels. Tai Kwun is on top of the hill so it is steep as you walk down back to Central MTR Station. I got to visit all of the buildings on a self-guided tour and discovered that one of the prison cells housed Vietnamese revolutionary Ho Chi Minh amongst other historical inmates. Whether you're a history buff or just a curious explorer, Tai Kwun is a unique place to visit.

Magistracy Dining Room is a British restaurant located in an over 100-year-old historical monument…read morein Tai Kwun, Hong Kong. Once a judicial house, this majestic space was transformed into a fine dining room. The red leather dining booths and candlelit settings made it a perfect spot for date night or anniversary celebration. Starters: ＊Gillardeau Spéciale No.3 ＊Steak Tartare** ＊Scottish Razor Clams ＊Heritage Tomato Tart*** Out of all the starters we got, I enjoyed the steak tartare and tomato tart the most. The steak tartare was made table side in front of us. The tomato tart was a sleeper hit. Topped with fresh tomato, the flower-shaped shell was filled with crème fraiche that tasted like a fresh and light dessert. Mains: ＊Grilled Boston Lobster ＊Slow-Steamed Atlantic Cod ＊Roasted Ora King Salmon Sides: ＊Japanese Hen-Of-The-Wood Roasted Mushrooms ＊Creamed Spinach Every course was exquisitely crafted with the finest and the most luxurious ingredients. I picked the lobster and it was delectable. I preferred lobster bisque more as I found the lobster soaked in brown butter hollandaise too heavy for my liking. Dessert: ***Baked Alaska*** The highlight of the night was absolutely the Baked Alaska. The tableside flambé left us in awe, and it was fun to see the server put off the fire with chinese folding fan. The pistachio ice cream and cherry sorbet gave the dish a refreshing touch to balance out the heaviness. Be mindful that the portion is HUGE and it is impossible to takeaway, so I highly suggest sharing it with at least 3-4 people.

The HK Museum of Art is one of the best museums to visit. It has a good size collection of classic…read moreand modern art. We especially loved the representation from local artist, amazing pieces capturing the history and richness of Hong Kong's past. The exhibits were well laid out and not overwhelming and offered a distinct and engaging experience. We also found out that the museums in HK are totally free thanks to an endowment. We would have paid for admissions tickets but it's really nice that they make art free for all. The next time you're in HK in the TST area, I highly recommend paying a stop at the Museum of Art.

Our second visit here. We decided to splurge on the Special Exhibit. Well worth it - and the view…read moreof Victoria Harbour/Kowloon Bay from the building is breathtaking. Recommended. PRO-TIP: Bring a shawl or jacket. The exhibition rooms are extremely cold.

Great spot to see the city from high up. One section was blocked off for renovation, so we got…read morediscount price. Very clean and spacious. Information board shows what you are looking at. Overall great place for first time visitors.

In just one minute, the elevator rushes directly from the ground to the sky, experiencing 60…read moreseconds of ascending 100 floors at extreme speed. Standing on the Hong Kong Sky100 Observatory at an altitude of 393 meters, I think you will enjoy the overlook the panoramic view as much as I do. Be sure to come here during a crystal clear day, the cost for adult is HKD 200 / $25 approximately, and I think it's totally worth it. The tip for best time is coming before sunset, so you will enjoy both day and night views of Hong Kong Island and Victoria Harbour.

This was the fourth year that I attended the VIP Preview of Art Basel Hong Kong as a guest of my…read moredaughter, who's a VIP of the world-class exhibition since it was launched in 2013.  She was invited to the VIP Preview and could bring 1 guest with her.  We had also been to Art Basel in Basel, Switzerland, and twice to Art Basel Miami.  Art Basel HK is as good as all the Art Basel shows, if not better.  It had successfully propelled Hong Kong into an art capital of Asia. Art Basel HK 2026 featured 240 galleries from 41 countries and territories, with a particular focus on Asia-Pacific.  The exhibition took place on Level 1 and 3 of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center and was truly huge.  If you like modern or contemporary art, this is the show for you.  It is also a perfect place for people-watching, as some attendees are very fashion-forward or very innovative with what they wear.  No matter what you wear, remember to wear comfortable shoes, as people usually spend 3 to 4 hours walking through the entire 2 levels of show. This year we were also invited to the Opening Reception celebrating the launch of the Ray-Ban Lounge in the foyer of the Collectors Lounge.  There was a live performance by artist Kwonny painting on the mural of her artwork. There were passed hors d'oeuvres and champagne.  The friendly hostesses who checked us in were amazed that we'd come all the way from the US! Food and drinks inside Art Basel are pricy as expected. We didn't buy anything this year as we attended the Ray-Ban opening reception, but we had made purchases each year in the past inside the exhibition hall or in the collectors lounge. Expect street food like egg tarts and egg waffles to be like 3 times the price outside, so was bubbles, wine and other drinks. If you would like to go to Art Basel Hong Kong, please plan ahead and purchase tickets well ahead of time.  If you book an Uber ride, make sure that you get dropped off or picked up at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center HKCEC Phase 1 Entrance. I enjoyed the exhibition and would like to return again.

Nice acquainted quiet little town with a lot of small or tinny shops and restaurants and markets…read moreand temple. It's more of a fishing village with nice folks and the seafood foods are cheap and fresh. It's a perfect getaway from the big city. Very peaceful and lovely place to be.

It's clearly a tourist trap, but it was a good way to spend a few hours, especially if you're…read morealready making the trek to see Big Buddha. The village has some souvenir shops, some restaurants, and some "attractions". The souvenir shops were cool and probably had stuff that you couldn't find at other landmarks' souvenir shops. I only ate at the more traditional/localized restaurants like a tofu fa (sweet tofu pudding) shop and small stalls selling fish balls and shui mai. Skip the fish balls and shui mai if you see them at small stalls; they tasted so bad. Since I came here a bit after Chinese New Year, I got to see a wishing tree for the first time in person!

My second review in Hong Kong happens to be another establishment concerning history through the…read moreeyes of artists, this time with an emphasis on music, film, and literature. If you are familiar with any of Hong Kong's offerings over the years, a visit to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum is a must. To get there, ride the MTR to Che Kung Temple station and take Exit A. It was a rainy weekday in mid-May when I visited. Clear signages showed the path towards the museum, a large, somewhat imposing orange and red-bricked building. The exhibit I wanted to check out first was "Timeless Diva - Anita Mui" which showcased a collection of records from the famed songstress, a number of which were autographed. Other items on display included a selection of her concert outfits, magazine covers, and a rotation of video clips showing her singing prowess, quick-witted banter, and diverse acting chops. At one point, an announcement was made for the opportunity to watch a documentary on Sam Hui. It turned out to be a delightful, self-narrated autobiography of the man's childhood days playing around Diamond Hill, the Hui brother's comedic endeavors, and the inner workings of his mind when composing songs. Did you know the opening of "半斤八兩" was inspired by Eagles' "One of These Nights"? After the movie, the large exhibition of music and film was next door. One recorded conversation on display worth mentioning was a talk regarding the current state of Hong Kong pop compared to that of K-pop, our current generation's obsession. As for the other parts of the museum, the "Jin Yong Gallery" consisted of all the wuxia author's literary works readily available to pick up and read as well as beautiful illustrations of the characters. Naturally, Bruce Lee's exhibit was magnetic and powerful, which included personal photographs throughout his life as well as his teachings. There was also an emphasis on 3D models of his likeness for an immersive experience. Didn't really impress me too much, but I did appreciate the intent. There was a lot to explore and plenty I probably missed by lingering too long on select areas. I spent a whole afternoon here and would gladly do it again.

If you're into pop culture, this is the museum to visit!! Honestly HK has so many museums, each…read morewith its own flavor, but this museum features topics/themes that people are more familiar with such as HK's entertainment industry history, Bruce Lee, Jin Yong's popular martial art stories, Cantonese opera, and others. As a museum nerd, I was drawn by a visiting exhibition on ancient Chinese women and their daily life (as most history records focus on men). Although tucked in the northern New Territories in Sha Tin area, this museum is actually accessible by 3 different MTR stations and other minibus/buses. It was actually so much bigger than I thought! Loved how everything had great descriptions (in both Chinese and English). Tickets are pretty cheap and definitely worth it because I could easily spend 2-3 hours here!