Hong Kong's Hidden Gems: Volcanic Wonders, Retro Singalongs, and Modern Monasteries
Hong Kong's global buzz makes true secrets rare. Its residents jet-set worldwide and share stories freely, thinning the divide between this world city and the rest.
Yet, a select few exceptional experiences fly under the radar, often due to limited access or fading from memory.
For an authentic dive into this Asian powerhouse, explore these insider Hong Kong treasures.
Hexagonal Volcanic Rocks from the Dinosaur Era
Among Hong Kong's most breathtaking yet lesser-known sites, Sai Kung's hexagonal volcanic rock columns shine in the UNESCO-recognized Hong Kong Global Geopark (geopark.gov.hk). These formations, dating 140-160 million years ago, showcase volcanic and sedimentary wonders from the Cretaceous period.
The prime volcanic highlights demand a boat view. Opt for a guided tour or private charter lasting about three hours to witness sea- and wind-carved spectacles: towering sea stacks, sheer cliffs, hidden bays, arches, and caves.
Marvel at honeycomb-patterned columns—tilted like skyward fingers, organ-pipe clusters on cliff faces, or chaotic urban metaphors. Their luminous yellow hue, from silica-rich acidic rock, contrasts vividly with sea and sky blues, unlike typical dark gray basalt elsewhere.
These remnants formed inside a 20km-wide supervolcano caldera, where lava and ash cooled post-eruption, later eroded by rising seas. For tour options, check the Recommended Geopark Guide System (hkr2g.net).
Retro Singalong Parlours
In Yau Ma Tei, spot faded 'restaurant' entrances adorned with glamorous women's portraits—these are nostalgic singalong parlours. Once a hub for nightclubs and mahjong, the area hosted street opera pioneers. From the 1970s-80s, rain-proof venues with stages and festive lights emerged. A few endure, preserving grassroots entertainment with organists and versatile singers tackling Cantonese opera to The Carpenters.
HK$20 entry includes tea and peanuts. Sing for tips (HK$50-100/song) or request tunes (HK$50). Regulars—eccentric locals, whisky-toting elders—dominate. Tip generously (min HK$20/singer via stage box), as performers keep 60-80%. Evenings post-9pm peak; bring delivery food and nearby convenience store drinks. Try Canton Singing House on Temple St or budget Jyut Wan Go Zo next door.
Daipaidong with Maritime Roots
Overlooking Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter, Ap Lei Chau Cooked Food Centre offers unique hawker-style daipaidong (open-air stalls). Nearby Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau host Hong Kong's largest Tanka fishing community, boat-dwellers until the 1980s. The downstairs wet market brims with rare seafood like wild yellow croaker and goose barnacles—buy fresh, then have stalls cook your catch (Pak Kee: 2555 2984; Chu Kee: 2555 2052; dinner hours). Prices beat Sai Kung or Lamma; confirm costs upfront.
This lively spot draws dragonboat elites for post-practice beers and banter—expect noise from boisterous fishermen.
Hong Kong's Underappreciated Photographers
Hong Kong's layered contrasts—density vs. void, light vs. shadow—fuel masterful photography. Standouts include award-winning street maestro Fan Ho (1931-2016), famed for cinematic flair; Nancy Sheung (1914-1979), master of space, form, and female subjects; and rising star Gavin Au (b. 1982), blending socio-political edge with art.
Catch exhibitions at Lumen Visum (lumenvisum.org), AO Vertical Art Space (aovertical.com), Blindspot Gallery, La Galerie (lagalerie.hk), plus Asian talents. Biennial Hong Kong International Photo Festival (hkipf.org.hk) runs August-November (annual November edition off-years).
Affordable Stays: Heritage or Hip
For history amid fruit trees, Heritage Lodge on a verdant hillside adjoins Jao Tsung-I Academy (jtia.hk) with galleries and lily pond. Once coolie quarters en route to South African mines, later a prison and hospital, its Victorian-Chinese brick gems feature themed rooms evoking ancient Chinese arts: music, chess, poetry, calligraphy, painting.
Cheaper and trendier: Wontonmeen, a design haven for backpackers. Spacious dorms, cafe/shop, retro lounge with cinema seats and HK memorabilia. Enjoy movie nights, neighborhood tours, bike rentals.
Contemporary Buddhist Monastery
Experience cutting-edge Buddhist design at Tsz Shan Monastery (tszshan.org), a Li Ka-shing-commissioned marvel blending tradition and modernity. This 500,000 sq ft sanctuary uses steel-framed African zitan wood for pillar-free spaces, gray-tile roofs echoing Tang minimalism. Statues, halls, and courtyards convey doctrines. Book ahead (limited slots); alternatively, view the 76m Guan Yin statue—twice Lantau's Big Buddha—from afar.
