Two Days in Hong Kong: Night Markets, Neon Streets, and Temple Smoke

Arriving in Hong Kong (香港 – Pronounced [Heung Gong]) by air gave me a brief but colorful introduction to a city known for its contrasts. I flew in the night before embarking on the NCL Spirit cruise, giving myself time to explore both the modern buzz and traditional corners of this dynamic port.

Hong Kong blends Chinese heritage with British colonial history, layered across high-rise skylines and incense-heavy temple courtyards. It’s a city of motion and mood, where bamboo scaffolding still lines the streets and double-decker trams glide between holiday-lit shopping districts.

Even in just two days, the city’s personality came through in full color. From glowing night markets in Kowloon to Qing-era mansions in the New Territories, I managed to catch a glimpse of both the old soul and fast-moving pulse that define Hong Kong.

On my first night, I checked into Hotel Stage in Yau Ma Tei, a sleek boutique hotel nestled in one of Kowloon’s older neighborhoods. After settling in, I headed out for a solo walk through the nearby streets. The area buzzed with life—market stalls closing for the night, apartment towers wrapped in bamboo scaffolding, neon signage blinking to life. I didn’t have a destination in mind, but Hong Kong made that unnecessary.

Later that evening, I met a local friend who took me to Central, where Christmas lights draped luxury storefronts in glitter. We boarded one of Hong Kong’s iconic double-decker trams and rode up top, slowly cruising through the city under glowing arches of holiday cheer. The ride was short but atmospheric, a low-cost way to see the city move past at eye level.

The next day, after boarding the ship, I joined a shore excursion that started at Tai Fu Tai Mansion, a beautifully preserved Qing Dynasty residence. Its open courtyards and intricate woodwork stood in stark contrast to the skyline we had left behind. We continued on to Man Mo Temple, where spirals of incense filled the air and golden light shimmered through centuries of devotion. The final stop was Tai Po, where we wandered through local markets thick with color, sound, and the scent of street food and spices. It was an honest slice of everyday life, far from the polish of the city center.