Welcome to Wallaroo Wanderlust, a monthly series that invites you to come along and travel the world with Wallaroo!
In October of 2024, Stephanie and members of her design and development team visited Hong Kong to work on new hat styles for 2026. It was their first time back to Hong Kong since 2019, and they are happy to report that the city is as alive and vibrant as ever.
Let’s explore Hong Kong and Kowloon, and find out Stephanie’s biggest takeaways.
First…a bit about Hong Kong and Kowloon: Hong Kong translates to “fragrant harbor” because of its location on the southeastern coast of China, at the mouth of the Pearl River Delta and border by the South China Sea. Hong Kong is known for its street markets, amazing street food, and its blend of Eastern and Western cultures that can be seen in the architecture, food, and lifestyle of its residents. Visitors can find everything from traditional temples to modern shopping malls, enjoy diverse cuisine, and take in gorgeous city views of Hong Kong’s beautiful skyline. (It has the highest number of skyscrapers in the world.)
Kowloon is an urban area of Hong Kong with the highest population density. It is located north of Hong Kong Island, and is easily accessible from Hong Kong via bus, subway, taxi, or foot. Known for its Cultural District, Kowloon has a variety of world-class venues including museums such as M+ Museum and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, and famous markets like the Temple Street Night Market and the Ladies Market. Each of Kowloon’s districts has its own character and appeal. Mong Kok is the spot to visit for local markets and street life while Tsim Sha Tsui will provide Victoria Harbour views and is a hub for luxury shopping. In addition, be sure to come at night for Tsim Sha Tsui’s Symphony of Lights - multimedia show illuminating over 40 buildings.
When to visit:? It is best to visit Hong Kong from October to December, when the temperatures are comfortable, skies are clear and the city is buzzing with cultural events. Christmas and New Year celebrations are a big draw. March and April are also great months for tourists, as the weather is mild and dry, whereas the summer months, (June to August,) can be hot and humid. However, even though the temperatures can be hot, it helps to dress in layers, as the air-conditioning may be cold inside for shopping and site-seeing.
Stephanie’s Hong Kong:
Where to stay: The Kowloon - Hyatt Regency Tsim Sha Tsui is conveniently located for shopping, sightseeing and relaxing.
What to eat: The local cuisine is amazing. Be sure to try the Peking Duck, dumplings, and Dim Sum.
What to do: Day or night, there is so much to do in Hong Kong, including shopping, dining, and sightseeing. Hop on the Star Ferry for stunning views of Victoria Harbour and the skyline, or the Peak Tram for views from above.
What to bring: Be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes as you may spend a lot of time wandering the streets checking out the sites. Also, it is smart to take a small umbrella or light jacket for rainy weather, and don’t forget to pack a Wallaroo hat!
Food/Restaurant: Aqua is an unforgettable Italian and Japanese dining experience with the best panoramic views of Hong Kong. It is located on the 17th floor of H Zentre.
Hutong offers glamorous dining with award-winning Northern Chinese cuisine and bespoke cocktails, located above Aqua (18th Floor). Be sure to try the chili soft shell crab!
At The Greater China Club, come for the artistically designed dim sum and pot stickers or choose from a variety of other dishes, each prepared in distinct ways. This restaurant is located in Cheung Sha Wan.
Shopping: Hong Kong is a great place to shop for local jewelry, and our favorite spot is Mariane Jewellery & Watches Co. on Hankow Road in Kowloon. But, shhhh… don’t tell anyone. This store is a well-kept secret with amazing prices on top quality jewelry. Mariane is always there to greet her customers and provide deals you just can’t pass up. She is an expert in diamonds, gold rings, necklaces, bracelets and watches. We also enjoyed shopping at the Harbor Mall, the city's premier shopping destination, where we received great service and found unique items from popular brands like Adidas, Zara, and Descente.
Historical site or hot spot: Take the cable car to the top of Victoria Peak, a historic hilltop district where you can enjoy a flavorful lunch at The Peak Lookout.
Where to stay: The Kowloon Hyatt Regency-Tsim Sha Tsui is located next to the K11 shopping center and has many amenities including a great gym, an outdoor swimming pool overlooking the city, three dining experiences, and one bar with local live performances.
Hot tips: The Star Ferry is an iconic attraction that can take you across Victoria Harbor from the Kowloon side to the Hong Kong side.
Hop on the local double-decker bus to Stanley Market and discover all of the local shops and restaurants while looking out to sea.
Another well-kept secret is the foot and body massage offered on the Kowloon side at the Tai Pan Reflexology Parlour. This massage parlor is located downstairs on Nathan Road in Kowloon and offers a variety of combination foot and body massage. They provide you with some shorts and a t-shirt to wear during the massage and you can select the type of massage you want ranging from simple foot massage to more complex body treatments. Definitely worth a visit!
Wallaroo Hat Recommendations for Hong Kong: I love traveling with The Charlie in our new pewter colorway. Another packable hat is The Stevie. It is one of our newest styles and features a wind-resistant chin strap - perfect if you decide to take one of the many ferry rides offered in Hong Kong and Kowloon. When you’re traveling with hats, The Klipsta Hat Clip is a useful travel accessory to bring along - it attaches easily to a bag or belt so your Wallaroo is always nearby.
Biggest Takeaway: Despite what I had been told about how much Hong Kong has changed since the pandemic, I found it to be relatively the same but with fewer tourists and far fewer expats living there. While many of the restaurants we used to frequent have closed post-pandemic, there is no shortage of other amazing restaurants to try.
I hope I have triggered a sense of wanderlust in you and maybe inspired you to add Hong Kong to your bucket list. If armchair travel is more your style, please remember to check back for our next Wallaroo Wanderlust adventure.
In the meantime…
Remember… It's a sunny life. Wear your hat.
