Stride and Seek

Day 1

Cable car to the Big Budda

On our first day, we started our adventure by taking the cable car to Ngong Ping Village on Lantau Island.

You can reach the cable car station easily via the metro. Once you arrive at Tung Chung station, just follow the signs for the Ngong Ping 360 cable car.

To book your tickets, visit the official website: www.np360.com.hk.

While booking, we accidentally chose a One-way Crystal Cabin and a One-way Standard Cabin ticket without realising it until we arrived! On our journey up, we rode in the Crystal Cabin, which features a transparent glass floor. I was a bit nervous at first, as you can see right through to the ground below. But once I got used to it, it actually heightened the thrill of the ride. It’s an amazing spot for some unique photos and offers stunning views of both the city and the surrounding mountains.

Victoria Peak Tram (The Peak Hong Kong)

After visiting the Big Buddha via the cable car, we thought nothing could surpass those breathtaking views. But then we took the metro to the Victoria Peak Tram to see what the peak had to offer.

We bought our tickets on-site, and luckily, the queue wasn’t very long. There are only two trams running, so there’s a wait of about 20 minutes each time one departs.

Once aboard, the tram ride is a pleasant and relaxing experience, giving you the sensation that you’re about to journey through a lush jungle.

When you reach the top, it almost feels like stepping into a shopping center. Continue making your way up until you’re greeted with the stunning, panoramic views from the peak.

There are also a few scenic walking trails around the peak, along with some fantastic spots for food and drinks.

Day 2

Kowloon hike to Suicide cliff

This hike was one of the most exhilarating and frightening experiences I have ever had. I wouldn’t recommend it for inexperienced walkers or hikers.

After all, it’s not called Suicide Cliff for no reason! There’s even a sign on the way to the top advising against proceeding (see sign below).

This hike is not for the faint of heart or for those with acrophobia!

We opted for one of the shorter paths, known as the Kowloon Route.

It was a scorching hot day, and by the time we finished the hike, we were absolutely drenched in sweat and covered in mosquito bites! It was quite foolish of us not to apply any mosquito repellent, which, in hindsight, was very naïve.

Despite the challenges—and moments of anxiety since we were the only two hikers on the trail—it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life.

Victoria harbour – Avenue of the stars

The Avenue of Stars, located along Victoria Harbour, offers more than just handprints and statues of Hong Kong’s film stars; it also provides a spectacular view of the city’s skyline.

We were looking forward to a relaxing evening where we could conduct some travel research on our laptops while soaking in the breathtaking views and enjoying the warm sea breeze.

At 8 PM each night, the Symphony of Lights performance takes place, and it’s truly an impressive sight. This spectacular show illuminates the harbour and showcases the vibrant energy of the city, making it a must-see during your visit.

Gym used in Hong Kong

12 Gym 
Price: 800 HK dollars (£8)

This gym is great if you are located within the Tsim Sha Tsui district. You can easily reach them via WhatsApp at +852 5680 1752. We received an immediate response and were given a code to access the gym. When we arrived at 5:30 PM, we were thrilled to find the gym completely empty—just us and the weights!

Although it’s a smaller gym, it had everything we needed for a solid shoulders and chest workout. Equipped with dumbbells, benches, and a squat rack for barbell chest presses, it was perfect for our training session. For cardio, they had one treadmill and a step machine.

The only downside was that my partner typically lifts 34 kg per dumbbell, but the gym’s weights only went up to just under 30 kg. However, we adapted by using the squat rack for the barbell chest press, ensuring we still had an effective workout.

Overall, the experience was fantastic, and having the whole gym to ourselves made it even more enjoyable. If you’re in the Tsim Sha Tsui district, 12 Team Gym is definitely a good place to workout for weight training.