By Shereen Shabnam
Hong Kong has always fascinated me with its contrasts, where glass skyscrapers rise beside incense-filled temples, where bustling markets live harmoniously alongside Michelin-starred restaurants, and where luxury is not just about indulgence but about experiences that enrich every sense.
During a business trip where my actual destination was Macau via Hong Kong, I discovered a city that isn’t just a destination, but a curated lifestyle. For all its high-octane pace, Hong Kong also embraces wellness. After my long flight, I indulged in a holistic spa ritual blending traditional Chinese medicine with modern therapies.
My highlight was a sunrise Tai Chi session along the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, watching the city awaken to the soft rhythm of movement and breath. I was so taken by it, my next purchase was a book on Tai Chi which still remains on my bookshelf. These moments of balance became the perfect counterpoint to the exhilarating rush of the city.
Hong Kong is every food lover’s dream. I dined at every opportunity trying dim sum and savoured innovative Cantonese flavours around the city – as I was eating halal, I ate meat only in one place but still had a wholesome food experience based on seafood and vegetables. The charm also lay in street-level discoveries with bowls of steaming wonton noodles in tucked-away eateries, egg tarts still warm from the oven, and aromatic teas poured with reverence in traditional tea houses. Dining here is theatre, indulgence, and culture served on every plate.
I also immersed myself in the city’s creative pulse at M+ Museum, a contemporary art destination that rivals any in the world, and at Tai Kwun, a former colonial police compound reimagined into a hub of galleries, design shops, and cafes. Between exhibitions, I explored the boutiques of Central and Causeway Bay, where international luxury houses blend seamlessly with Hong Kong’s own design talent. Shopping here isn’t just retail – it is discovery, expression, and an adventure in style.
No trip to Hong Kong would be complete without a taste of its outdoors. After taking in breathtaking views of the South China Sea, I found myself on a luxury junk boat cruising Victoria Harbour at sunset as the city’s skyline lit up in a spectacle of light and colour.
One of the highlights of my trip was a short ferry ride to Macau, often dubbed the “Las Vegas of the East.” I had some work there which only took a day and then I set exploring. Beyond its glitzy casinos, I discovered the charm of its Portuguese heritage, pastel-coloured colonial squares, cobblestone streets, and UNESCO-listed sites. Between a decadent Portuguese lunch and a stroll along Senado Square, Macau proved to be the perfect complement to my Hong Kong journey.
As the ferry crossed back from Macau and the skyline of Hong Kong reappeared in the distance, I knew this was not just a trip, it was a journey of indulgence, discovery, and connection with a city that feels alive in every sense.
Hong Kong surprised me in how it balanced so many worlds with luxury and simplicity, tradition and modernity plus serenity and adventure. From wellness mornings to culinary nights, from art-filled afternoons to spontaneous escapes, the city unfolded like a symphony, each note adding depth to my experience.
