Have you ever watched a popular movie or TV show from another country and felt an uncontrollable urge to explore that country for yourself? I feel this all the time when watching movies starring Jackie Chan or the latest arthouse wonder from Korean directors Bong Joon-ho (Parasite) and Park Chan-wook (Oldboy). The lucky thing is, I can. Hong Kong and South Korea are waiting for me. All I need to do is jump on a flight over the Pacific and I can explore these East Asian destinations for myself. But if I do, there are a few things I should keep in mind to get the most out of such a trip
If you’re driven to uncover the destinations behind your favourite movies and TV shows, want to eat your way through some of the world’s most popular food cities, or simply want to soak up the history and culture of two dynamic locations, Hong Kong and South Korea are great places to visit. But keep the following tips in mind if you want to get the most out of your Hong Kong and South Korean vacation.
1. Combine both Hong Kong and South Korea on a single itinerary.
When you fly across the Pacific Ocean to East Asia, you want to get your money’s worth. That’s why combining several destinations on a single trip makes so much sense. For one, it’s a more efficient use of your airfare. It also doubles the amount of fun you can have on your trip.
Take advantage of the proximity between these destinations to combine Hong Kong and South Korea on a single trip. Connecting from Hong Kong to Seoul only takes three to four hours by air. You’ve already flown the majority of the distance when crossing the Pacific Ocean, so it makes sense to take advantage of the long-haul flight and go beyond a single spot on your East Asian vacation. In particular, Hong Kong works well as a stopover destination en route to South Korea. It has abundant air connections from North America and you can see a few of its most popular sights, including Victoria Peak, in a few days before flying onwards to Seoul.
2. Take full advantage of the culinary opportunities.
If you’re searching for great food, you’ve found it in Hong Kong and South Korea. The food scenes in these destinations are next level, with a non-stop assortment of restaurants to explore catering to all manner of local delicacies and international favourites. If you’re a foodie, you’re in for a treat.
Hong Kong is the home to dim sum and one of the most dynamic food scenes on the planet. Spend your mornings feasting over siumai (minced pork dumplings) and har gow (shrimp dumplings) at a teahouse providing yum cha (Hongkonger brunch) and your evenings hitting up one of the city’s 79 Michelin-starred restaurants. You’re by no means limited to Cantonese cuisine in Hong Kong. Many of its most acclaimed restaurants cater to international styles, from Andean fusion to French haute cuisine. If you’re looking for a more modest food experience, visit local cafes on your tour of Hong Kong. Small stalls and cafes offer some of the best local treats, including lao po bing (wife cakes) and world-famous egg tarts. And don't forget to try roast goose, the iconic Hongkonger dish that is perhaps the best reason to visit.
For its part, South Korea is home to one of the most popular cuisines on the planet. Korean barbecue, bibimbap, and kimchi have become familiar to most diners in most parts of the world, but there’s nothing like enjoying the real thing when you visit Korea for yourself. In Jeonju, you can feast on the world's original bibimbap at Hankook Jib, which introduced the dish in 1952. In Chuncheon, you’ll enjoy the best versions of dakgalbi, a stir-fried spicy chicken dish that is the working man’s version of more expensive and opulent galbi (rib) dishes. But these are just two local favourites. No matter where you go on a trip to South Korea, from Seoul to Jeju Island, you’ll find local flavours that are worth flying across the world for.
3. Don’t just stick to the most famous spots in either country.
Hong Kong and South Korea have their fair share of famous landmarks, but they’re by no means monolithic destinations. Don’t just stick to the obvious spots and experiences in both places, because there’s so much to discover if you go a little off the beaten path.
Hong Kong is relatively compact as far as international destinations go, but there’s a shocking amount of variety within its borders. You’ll absolutely want to hit up some of its iconic spots. Head to Lantau Island to see the Tian Tan Buddha on the hilltop and ride the Ngong Ping 360 cable car. Take an evening cruise along Victoria Harbour and visit the remains of the Kowloon Walled City. But also go to some of the city’s emerging spots and lesser-known highlights. Hit up the museums of the West Kowloon Cultural Central. Explore the former Police Married Quarters (PMQ) to see installations from some of the city’s emerging artists. Go for a hike to Lion Peak and visit Aberdeen floating village. There’s so much to discover beyond the obvious in Hong Kong.
In South Korea, you might be tempted to stay in Seoul during your entire Korean vacation, but there’s much more to the country than the supercity. Go beyond the Korean capital to Gyeongju to explore Korean history and traditions at some of the expertly preserved heritage villages; the city is almost like a living museum. Head to coastal Busan to ride the Songdo Cable Car (you can compare it to Ngong Ping 360 in Hong Kong) and enjoy the ocean views. Add on a stop to Jeju Island, where you can enjoy a subtropical climate and learn about the haenyeo, the iconic female divers who have harvested seafood sustainably for generations. Seoul continues to marvel with its collection of shopping arcades, palaces, and museums, but it’s not the only highlight on a trip to South Korea.
If you combine Hong Kong and South Korean on your East Asian vacation, you’ll take advantage of convenient air routes, enjoy some of the world’s best cuisine, and have your pick of fascinating landmarks (famous and lesser known) to explore. What are you waiting for? It’s time to explore Hong Kong and South Korea for yourself.
You might say that Aren was destined to become a globetrotter after his family took him to Germany two times before he was four. If that wasn’t enough, a term spent in Sweden as a young teenager and a trek across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand confirmed that destiny. An independent writer, director, and film critic, Aren has travelled across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. His favourite travel experience was visiting the major cities of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, but his love for food, drink, and film will take him anywhere that boasts great art and culture.
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