A very much underrated museum…read more Railway has been an integral part of the life of a lot of people, especially on the Kowloon side. Despite the fact that the original KCR (Kowloon-Canto Railway) served less people and had less stations than her little brother underground, they certainly had a much longer and richer history (KCR started operating since 1910, MTR started operating since 1979), and this place is a perfect spot for showcasing a snippet of it. The museum was the original Tai Po Market Station, as you could see the main part of the station entrance was preserved. It somehow shows the significant of the old stations, as there are only four stations in the whole KCR system that haven't changed their the locations nor names in the last 100 years. One of the other notable change was the Kowloon station, which was originally located at the Clock Tower you can see now in TST. Now other than walking on the railway and pretending you are in Taiwan, you can also hop on to some of the old, discommissioned trains. Some were meant to be coal-powered, and some were meant to be diesel-powered (me think). I do remember that when I was young (like VERY young, okay?), KCR replaced all the trains to be powered by electricity. But I was so confused (remember? I was young!) why the hell you'd like to have 電器化火車 (as in, "household appliance-ified" trains) which it actually meant 電氣化火車 (railway electrification system). Oh boy. I could totally imagine my kids would ask why do we even call it 火車 (like, "fire car"). Anyway, you are free to take pictures here, exceptional for events, commercial purpose, or wedding. I'm sure the "wedding" part was added later on as it was a overly popular place to take wedding pictures, and people practically affect the normal operation of the museum.

The Hong Kong Railway Museum is the site of the original Tai Po Market Station, built in 1913…read more When the Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) went from 'choo choo' to 'swoosh' in 1983, Tai Wo and Tai Po Market station opened up to the north and south of this site, thus making it redundant as a working station. (Historical note: the KCR went 'doot doot' in 1997.) Now, the site is for people like me who love a bit of history, and who love their locomotive 'choo choo' trains. And it's all free! To be honest, the site looks a little fake because everything is restored in its full, vibrant colour, including the entrance of the station which is designed with the Chinese temple architecture. I guess I prefer a little more of the 'crumbling walls and cobwebs' history, but it was good fun walking down the old railway tracks in the open-air. The exhibition room has examples of train tickets and models of the KCR train, including a ticket office that has been restored and refurnished so you can see how it all was back in the day. It won't take you more than an hour to get around the whole museum. It does seem a bit strange that this relatively untouched piece of railway history is rather isolated from other tourist attractions, so I'm not sure how one could make a day of it. Being right next to a hectic local Tai Po street market, you could do a little food market shopping after, I guess? Or you could walk another 15 minutes to Man Mo Temple (in Tai Po). I guess Tai Po in itself is full of other less-touristy stuff to do, but if you're around the area, this little gem might be worth checking out.

If there is any "best sunset spot in Hong Kong", High West would be it. Be prepared to climb up…read moreearly to secure a spot. Don't just stop at the lookout point, but go a bit further, near the rocks to get a closer look. You'll have some more space and won't need to stand while waiting for the sun to set. Be sure to bring some snacks while you wait, and a handy head torch or flashlight. Once the sun sets, it will be hard to see in the dark, especially when descending down the stairs. Simply stunning views of the eastern side of Hong Kong, from Sheung Wan, West Kowloon, Kwai Chung, Tsing Ma Bridge, Lamma Island, Pokfulam, Cyberport and Aberdeen. Definitely a bucket list item for HK. Locals and visitors should not miss!

If you have a pet in Hong Kong then chances are you have been here…read more Victory Avenue is a street that stretches from Argyle Street to Waterloo Road; in this short street there are upwards of 10 different pet stores and shops selling pet accessories. Other than that there are a number of vets on this street which gives it a very unique feel in the middle of town. This is a dog lover's heaven as you will find that most of the shops are selling dogs (note: I'm very much against buying breeder dogs) and some sell cats too. On my visit I was actually looking for a new leash for my mongrel at home and to be honest when I had that little teacup toy poodle in my hand I was tempted to bring it home too. Nope, I told myself I must stick to my principles and left that poor thing back in the shop. I sort of felt like I let him down by not taking him away... There are a number of eateries along the street- a dim sum place, a place that does really good Hainan chicken and a number of cha charn tengs that would be good for an afternoon tea set. Would I recommend any tourists coming here just for a look-see? No, there's nothing special about it in all honesty. Would I recommend parents with kids to come here to have a look? Yes, the kids will love it but just make sure you don't go home with a dog/ cat. Go adopt.

Just a stone's throw from some of the most prestigious commercial and residential sky scrapers in…read moreHong Kong, there is a two-storey red brick building, that juxtaposes these Wan Chai high rises, and the hustle and bustle of the area's notorious bar scene. This building is officially known as Nam Koo Terrace, but less officially known as "The Wan Chai Haunted House". From WW2, when it was used as a military brothel by the Japanese, it is alleged that local Chinese women were being kidnapped and killed by the soldiers, before being dumped back on the streets of Hong Kong, through to it's current day reputation as a suicide house, where as many as 30 people have ended their lives there, Nam Koo has a pretty scary history. The most popular story is of a group of curious students who tried to stay the night there and play on a ouija board. They failed, and their attempt ended up with the police being called to rescue them, and some of them being hospitalised for mental breakdowns. All pretty gruesome stuff. Nam Koo is closed off now, but you can go and have a look at it from the outside. It is actually a very beautiful building, and if there wasn't such a horrific reputation, it would make an outstanding home. If you want to get more information on the house, there are a number of tour companies that include it on ghost tours or local history walks, as well as a plethora of information on-line. Personally, I pass by occasionally to just have a look from the outside, and during the day! The prospect of seeing headless women, or the alleged shadowy figures in the windows, is enough to make me stay out on the road side of this infamous building!

While wandering around Wan Chai, I came across the Blue House and the Hong Kong House of Stories…read more The Hong Kong House of Stories (香港故事館) is a tiny museum that is packed with nostalgic old items from Hong Kong's past, giving you a quick glimpse into the city's history and how much it has changed over the years. The space is small, so it doesn't take long to explore, but it was fun to poke around the exhibits and appreciate the effort that went into curating them. I also liked that there were some handmade souvenirs that I could pick up! It was a charming and worthwhile stop, especially if you're in the area already.

This is an old restored building with a little shop in the bottom floor. The shop keeper tells the…read morestory of the history of the building, which was cool to hear, as well as sells different handmade items from the shop (technically they are for donation). The shop also has other strange and curious things to browse through.

Good for family , especially those with kids. They have a room with this sorta jungle playground,…read morewhere kids can climb here and there , basically to exhaust their energy. There are 3 sessions of opening in the afternoon, and sometimes it can get busy, so I would say talk to the staff and get a ticket and a rough idea when you should bring the kids there. Otherwise, you can miss it and your kids might get grumpy. lol It has a beuatiful lotus pond, and the flowers are budding and only a few has opened. There are other fishes and insects from nature to look at as well. In the butterfly garden, a speaker will explain to you the life of a butterfly and the features of them. But it is in Cantonese only. Must bring Hat, sunscreen and mosquito repellent! srsly I got bitten even with mosquito repellent on.

When I was working as a kindergarten teacher in Yuen Long, we would come up with fun field trips…read morefor the children. Hong Kong Wetland Park in Tin Shui Wai was probably one of our highlights: the park being a huge open area with ecodiversity that few Hong Kongers ever get to truly appreciate. If I hadn't worked in Yuen Long, I'm not sure I would've ever heard of the Wetland Park, which would have been a shame since the project site has been designed so well, architecturally and educationally. There's a butterfly garden, and a few trails that pass by mangroves, fishponds and streams - all seemingly miles away from the urban Hong Kong hustle and bustle. So, strap on your fanny packs, rock your sun visors, and dip in a bath of sun screen, because the Wetland Park is a day-trip of eco-friendly fun. Down with the 18 degree aircons! Well, down with the 18 degree aircons for a little bit: there's an indoor exhibition area, the Visitor Centre, where you can learn about animals that live in the wetlands - including Pui Pui the crocodile, who has a home at the Wetland Reserve. The viewing gallery also gives you a good view of the Wetland Reserve too from an indoor site. Admission is $30 for a standard ticket, while concessionary tickets are half price. The Park is a great place to take the kids, to get some fresh air, or to learn more about conservation in Hong Kong.

I've visited this exhibit twice in my life now (more than a decade apart) and would go back with…read moreothers who want to learn more about Dr. Sun Yat Sen. The location is sort of difficult to reach as it is high up the hill especially if you have mobility issues or other restrictions that prevent walking easily. There is basically no other way to get here but by foot (of course after being either dropped off by taxi nearby or from the MTR Station at Central). The location used to be a mansion owned by a dear friend of Dr. Sun Yat Sen but had been bought and renovated to be a place of history dedicated to and in the memory of the father of China. The exhibit is staffed well by very knowledgeable personnel who are able to answer any questions you may have during your self-guided tour. The building spans a few floors and there is an elevator inside as well as the stairs so you can explore at your own pace. It is well air-conditioned and there is so much to learn about Dr. Sun Yat Sen's life from his very beginning as a child to how he became a doctor and a political leader, and to his death. If you're a history buff, I think it is a well-rounded and enjoyable experience. There is a video room that takes roughly 20 minutes to watch and has a handful of seats which is great to take a rest at before heading back on the streets. There are also well-maintained restrooms on the ground floor. Best of all, this remains free to the public. No photo or video is allowed inside the property.

The museum in my opinion was "so-so" as it pertains to the historical information and installation…read moreregarding Dr. Sun Yat-Sen. Mostly photographs and informational displays with stories and words (probably not as good as other museum installations I have seen on Dr. Sun Yat-Sen in Taiwan or elsewhere), plus a few items of clothing, a short video and such. The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen installation is on the top floor. The restored building dating back to 1914 that houses the museum was really quite special. I am glad when I see Hong Kong or private entity saves historic buildings like this. It is a former residence that is a blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles. They show a 10 minute video on the restoration that was involved. It really is a beautiful building and for $10HKD, worth a pop into see.