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.

Small, but well loved neighborhood temple with unique coiled incense hanging and wafting through…read morethe air. There's a small public outside courtyard, smaller inner courtyard with incense shop and reception, and three different altars. Two other people were doing devotion while I was there, a lady was washing the floor, and a man was attending the reception/shop. I almost missed it because the pedestrian street has so many things that could easily distract you and make you miss it if you aren't looking for the simple white arch along the alley.

Temples can often be overkill to those of us from the Western world, because it is simply unknown…read moreand abundant in this area of the world. But I believe with three "Man Mo" temples around Hong Kong and the SAR, this one is a worthy stop if you find yourself in the area. Because it is in Tai Po, it is void of tourists and quaint. It feels very local and peaceful. It was built in 1891 and was declared a historical monument in 1984. More so than other temples I have seen, this place is very well taken care of. The small courtyard was so exceptionally clean and manicured. The temple is also small and dedicated to the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo). We were the only two people there, other than the one man who was attending the temple reception desk. This temple is located about mid way down Fu Shin Street, which is a small market street for shopping (less tourist trinkets and more designed for locals) and also around the corner from the Railroad Museum.

I've been here to walk around and look at the shops and also for a few events. This is mostly a…read morereview for the place as an event venue. It's a lovely old building from the outside and a great space to have an event. Opens up unexpectedly, with a stage and setup that feels bigger than most places in Hong Kong. I've been to a YoungLife fundraiser and the Got Balls circus themed bingo night and both were well set up with mini bars on the side and sound and lights and all that. I'd love to learn more of the history and culture that is found in the fabric stalls during the day time.

Western Market opens at 10AM. I proceeded with the Walking Tour around Sheung Wan starting off with…read morethe nearby Cafes to grab a breakfast. Inside the 1600 old building, we see textile and fabric stalls reflective of Hong Kong's culture and history.

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!

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.