Last week we started our new series to get you more familiar with the Hello Hong Kong Team. We talked about Niya. This week we would like to introduce you Jess! Jess was the third guide to join our team after Laura set the company up. She has been working is tourism since 2008 and has many stories to tell.  She has a great passion for history, Asian culture and food. If you book a food tour with us, chances are high that your guide will be Jess. We had a quick chat with Jess and asked her some questions. Here is what she had to say:

** What was the funniest thing that ever happened on a tour?

-> It’s not one specific moment, but often on private tours when we go for dim sum we share a table with locals. I’ve had great chats with them and they love showing off their favourite foods to our guests (and maybe having a sneaky laugh at the lack of chopstick skills).

** What is your favourite place in Hong Kong?

-> Sai Ying Pun and the Western District. This is where we start our food tours and also my local neighbourhood. I love the mix of old and new here but also that there is a lively bustling community so close to the centre of the city.

** What's your favourite Cantonese word and why?

-> Momontie (no idea on spelling), because it’s the closest thing to the Aussie “no worries"

** What's your favourite Chinese food?

-> Everything dim sum! I love the variety that you get at dim sum, but especially char sui chong fun (flat rice noodle with BBQ pork), hargow (prawn dumplings) and sui mai (pork and prawn dumplings with mushroom).

So, come book your public or private tour with Jess and ask her about Dim Sum and Asian Culture!

 Jess enjoying a local craft beer in Mongkok.

This is Jess trying Stinky Tofu - she didn't like it!

We previously talked about the Hong Kong Sightseeing Tours that Hello Hong Kong offers, but what about the faces behind Hello Hong Kong? Today we start a new series of the Hello Hong Kong Tours Blog introducing our tour guides to you. The friendly people that help you to make your sightseeing in Hong Kong the highlight of your stay. We interviewed all our tour guides to bring the people you meet for your local tours of Hong Kong closer to you. We start with Niya. Niya is one of our youngest guides in our team. When you meet her you will  immediately notice her warm and bubbly personality. She is very knowledgeable and can tell you many interesting stories about pirates that used to live in Hong Kong and their popular hangouts. She loves to travel, which comes in handy being a flight attendant in her other job!

You will meet Niya if you take a Night Tour of Kowloon, a Food Tour or a Private Customised Tour!

When you plan your sightseeing in Hong Kong one of the "Must-See" places is Man Mo Temples. There are several of them around, but the largest one was built in 1847 to worship two Gods: civil or literature God, Man Tai and the martial God, Mo Tai, hence Man Mo. 😉 

The two Gods were worshipped by scholars and students seeking progress in their study or ranking in the civil examinations in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Students ask these gods for some divine help for progress in their study or good examination marks! 

In every temple, you will see lighting incense to worship gods. It means respect, memorial and gratitude to the temple gods. Also, fruits and food that you see in the temples are not snacks - at least not for us mortals!  They are all offerings to the respective Gods in the temple. The belief is that the gods will eat the snacks. However, every snack has its own meaning and your knowledgeable Hello Hong Kong tour guide will tell you about it. 

Why don't you include the visit to this temple into your Private Tour Hong Kong and learn some more about Hong Kong local customs?

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Reaching mid-November means we are entering the last weeks of 2017! WOW! How did this happen?!  Did we not enter 2017 only yesterday? Have we not only recently made our 2017  resolutions? Some of you were successful but how about the others? Maybe you promised to quit smoking, maybe you wanted to learn another language, or maybe you wanted to plan early for a great New Year's Eve Party going into 2018...? Here is where we come into play; here at Hello Hong Kong we have been so busy planning! Besides our walking tours of Hong Kong we crafted a very special event for you.

Lo and behold! The New Year Fireworks Cruise!

Join us for our countdown party onboard our exclusive 63ft junk boat. Enjoy free flow drinks and a dinner buffet against the most amazing backdrop – the Hong Kong skyline at night. Watch the fireworks at midnight at Victoria Harbour. Treat yourself and friends and family to an unforgettable evening saying "Hello" to a new year, new adventures, new you and new goals!So, why not start your new year's resolution on a boat this time?! Book your New Year's Eve Firework Cruise here!

 

Four years ago a young, british lady had the idea to share her love for Hong Kong with other people and started taking them on walking tours of Hong Kong that they, too, could experience Hong Kong almost like a local, even if it is for a couple of hours. She was mesmerised by the many facettes of Hong Kong - and she loved the local food too! 😁 So, she started by planning tours for foodies and provided Hong Kong Food Tours choosing some of the most amazing restaurants with Michelin stars and long history. Next were tours for people from any background and we had the Private Customised Tour adjusting them to the specific intersts like history, architecture, nature, etc. However, Hong Kong also has a darker side to it... So, she created a tour that talks about the open secrets of Hong Kong after dark - the Night Tour of Kowloon. Last but not least there are so many islands in Hong Kong but Lantau is the home of Tian Tan Buddha and some beautiful, historical fishing villages. For Laura, the founder of Hello Hong Kong, this was a good opportunity to bring Lantau and its history closer to people and show them first-hand why Lantau is called "the lungs of Hong Kong" on a Lantau Island Tour. Because more and more people started hearing about her tours, Laura started to look for people that share the same passion and the Hello Hong Kong Team was found. All guides have lived in Hong Kong for many years and will be happy to share their knowledge with you. Let's hear what Laura (the lady with the egg tarts in the picture) has to say:

It has been exactly 4 years since Hello Hong Kong set up and we have just hit 1000 reviews on TripAdvisor! It is a monumental achievement and I would like to thank my wonderful crazy team of fabulous tour guides and everyone that has come on a tour with us. We have conducted 1334 tours, had 5114 people come out with us and have been awarded 3 TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence! I couldn't be more proud. Laura (that English bird that set it up)

So, book your tour with us for your next trip to Hong Kong. Even if you have already lived in Hong Kong for several years, there is always a chance that you might hear, see, try something that you did not know before! Give it a go! We will be happy to show you around!

Have you ever wondered how it would be to surprise somebody with a once in a life time present? Have you imagined their happy face? The sparkle in the eyes? Not yet? Well, it might be about time...! Christmas is only 6 weeks away, and the perfect occasion to show someone how special they are by spending time with them and creating unforgettable memories. There are so many opportunities for it but one of the best chances by far, is to go on a trip together! So, why not take a trip to Hong Kong?!?!?! Now, a trip needs to be planned, of course. Maybe you want to do something special? Maybe you want to get to know the culture, the food of the country you are in... Maybe you want to see all the famous landmarks that you saw on TV so many times...? The best way to do that would be to book your Hong Kong Local Tour!

Remember when we said "We will be happy to plan your (romantic) trip" ? We, at Hello Hong Kong Tours, offer vouchers for all occasions. Vouchers are always a good idea and you can give it for any occasion, PLUS it is the least likely present to be regifted😉 You decide which Hello Hong Kong Tour you would like to take and we will send the voucher to you. Of course, these tours can be booked for other people and you do not need to be there with them 😊

You can choose between a Small Group Food Tour, Public Lantau Island Tour or a Small Group Night Tour. All these tours are also available as private tours just for you and your travel partner(s). We also have Private Customised Tours that range from 4 to 8 hours. You can find all information about our Hong Kong Local Tours by simply clicking on the words in blue.

So, why wait? Get your voucher now and organise your gifts early this year! We will be happy to help!

#travel #traveloften #christmas #christmaspresent #present #surprise #wanderlust #discoverhongkong #bbctravel #hongkong #china #hk #adventure #welltraveled #tourism #travelbug #condenast #lonelyplanet #hellohongkongtours #hellohk #ilovehk #hongkongtour #cnntravel #onceinalifetimegift #giftvoucher #christmasvoucher

The centre of Buddhism in Hong Kong is the Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island. The Tian Tan Buddha or more simply the 'Big Buddha' is situated near the Po Lin Monastery and is one of the stops on our Hello Hong Kong Lantau Tour. The Tian Tan translates to Alter of Heaven and the platform that the statue sits on represents that alter. Constructed from over 200 bronze pieces she is 34 meters (112ft) tall and weighs whooping 250 tons! The constructions began in 1990 and was completed on 29th December 1993. The date is very important, as it is believed to be the day of the Buddha's enlightenment!

Something very interesting one notices going up 268 (two hundred sixty eight!!!) steps to see the Buddha closely, is not only the disbelief how on earth one did not faint going up 😉  but also that every feature of the Buddha is a symbol of religious relevance. For example the positioning of the right hand means "fear not". The left hand rests on the Buddha's lap, palm facing up to heaven which represents "fulfilling wishes", implying the vow to grant blessing and happiness to all.

Take a Private Lantau Island Tour with us and you will come across more interesting details about the people of Hong Kong and their beliefs. Ask your Hello Hong Kong Tour Guide about the big fire of Tai O many hundreds years ago and the miracle that put it out... it's a very interesting story!

#hongkong #china #hk #lantau #instatravel #adventure #welltraveled #tourism #travelbug #condenast #natgeotravelpic #lonelyplanet #hellohongkongtours #ilovehk #hellohk #bigbuddha #taio #hongkongtour #hktravel #tiantan #ngongping #nationalpark #buddhism #islandtravel #islandtour #lantautour #cablecar

There is no doubt that Hong Kong is a city full of contrasts! Buildings of the 19th and early 20th Century are in midst of skyscrapers built in the 21st century. You get the leisure tourist crossing the road next to the stressed businessman. You find tranquilty in the Hong Kong Park right in the rush hour. Then you decide on your Private Customised Hong Kong Tour to observe this world from a bird's angle. To fulfil this wish, your brillant Hello Hong Kong Tour Guide will take you up Victoria Peak! But not to the regular observation desk... Oh no... Your guide has a much better idea... You will be brought to a little known lookout point and be amazed by the view, knowing that you don't have to share this stunning view with thousands of other tourists! You are so astonished by this moment that your romantic side takes over control and you create YOUR very own Best Hong Kong Tour Moment on your day tour in Hong Kong! Lucky for you, your Hello Hong Kong Guide is there for you and takes an unforgettable picture while you fell in love again with your partner! We will be happy to help you plan your romantic trip ❤️  

#romanticgetaway #romanticmoment #valentinesday #yourmoment #love #travel #traveloften #wanderlust #discoverhongkong #instacool #photooftheday #bbctravel #hongkong #china #hk #instatravel #adventure #welltraveled #tourism #travelbug #condenast #lonelyplanet #hellohongkongtours #hellohk #ilovehk #hongkongtour #cnntravel

There are many cities in the world that you will recognise by looking at a picture of their skyline. For example the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, the skyline of New York, the skyline of Sydney with the famous opera. However, Hong Kong, home to Hello Hong Kong (the name gives it away 😉), has one of the most breathtaking skylines in the world! It is so impressive, that even the international building database Emporis named it number 1 out of 25 best city skylines that included New York, Bangkok, and Sao Paolo, according to Business Insider! Hong Kong has approximately 7840 high rise buildings and over 150 are standing taller than 150m (492ft). On your next sightseeing tour in Hong Kong ask your Hello Hong Kong Guide to take the famous Star Ferry over to Tsim Sha Tsui where you will be able to take a picture of this magnificent skyline.   

#design #photooftheday #hongkong #china #hk #lonelyplanet #hellohongkongtours #ilovehk #hellohk #skylineofhongkong #wanderlust #buildings #hklife #famousskyline #impressivesight

Thinking of Hong Kong, the first thing that comes to mind might be the hustle and bustle of the city. You might think of tall buildings, or you might still think about the fabulous Dim Sum Breakfast you had on your last Hello Hong Kong Food Tour! Did you know that in mid-2014 the land population stood at 6 690 persons per square kilometre? That makes Hong Kong one of the most densely populated places in the world!  With over 7 million people in a city it is hard to find tranquility and take a break from everyday life. On your next Hong Kong Private Tour, let us take you to Long Ke Wan Beach in Sai Kung and see the contrast to Hong Kong City for yourself! Ask your Hello Hong Kong Guide to take you up the mountain or to the beach and take a break from the city life! #hellohongkongtours #hellohk #hk #tourism #travelbug #natgeotravelpic #lonelyplanet #takeabreak #ilovehk #hellohk #hongkongtour #peaceandquiet #tranquility #hikehk #beautifulhk #hiking #nature #beaches #saikung #longkewan