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“Want to see the real Hong Kong? Just a grab a seat up on the upper deck and watch the world go by” has long been our favorite sightseeing recommendation for friends visiting town. The “ding-ding” might be a bit clunky but the slow pace and vintage charm make it the most relaxed and cheapest way to see the city.
The journey from Kennedy Town to Happy Valley takes about an hour and costs just HKD2.30. But where to get off? And then what? How to keep from getting lost in the bustling, meandering streets?
A hop-on hop-off route along the tramline from Kennedy Town to Happy Valley
Prompted by the success of their popular TramOramic tour, the clever people from HK Tramways have realized there is demand for a guide that recommends the best places to see, eat, drink and shop along the tramway line. We couldn’t agree more!
That’s why they teamed up with the urban explorers of iDiscover to curate a special route from Kennedy Town to Happy Valley, aptly named iDiscover Ding Ding.
For a refresher on all the cool local knowledge that iDiscover offers, check out our articles about their apps and maps for Yangon, Hong Kong, Bali, Jakarta, Manila, and Singapore.
The iDiscover team chose their favorite destinations from their series of neighborhood guides. The route features lots of typical hole-in-the-wall eateries, humble dai pai dongs and small shops that are so uniquely Hong Kong. We tried a few and were not disappointed. Indeed, we fell in love with the dragon city all over again.
In Sai Ying Pun we found Kwan Hing Kee’s tofu pudding made a refreshing snack on a hot day and right opposite was Arona where they bake their egg rolls fresh every day at the back of the store.
The App & Map feature shops and eateries that are uniquely Hong Kong
But more than that, iDiscover Ding Ding also features some unique places that embody the Hong Kong spirit in a completely different way: playful re-interpretations of century old trades inject new life in traditional neighborhoods. In Wan Chai we tried a deliciously light Lemongrass-tini at Tai Lung Fung, a retro Hong Kong-themed neighborhood cocktail bar and feasted on Asian inspired tapas at Mrs. Pound, a cool eatery disguised as a traditional stamp shop.
A remote cargo pier along Victoria harbor – better known locally as Instagram pier – is one of the hidden gems in the iDiscover app.
iDiscover Ding Ding is a nifty combination of handy fold-out maps designed by Tania Willis that beautifully illustrate all the iconic places along Victoria Harbour and a GPS app that ensures you can actually find those cool places without looking like a lost tourist. Even better, the app gives you detailed background stories and helps you order like a local.
The beautifully illustrated map by Tania Willis comes with a GPS app to ensure you can easily find each of the cool places without getting lost.
Grab a copy of the map at the TramOramic tour or simply download the iDiscover Hong Kong App for the Ding Ding route and a selection of walking routes in the city’s most authentic neighborhoods. The best thing about it? It is all for free. But don’t take our word for it. Download the app at the App Store or Google Play and find out for yourself!
We can’t help but wonder, after unraveling the secrets of Sheung Wan, Wanchai, Aberdeen, Sham Shui Po, Sai Kung, Kwun Tong and Kowloon City which neighborhood is next?
Wonder no more. iDiscover is going west! To the streets of Sai Ying Pun, to be exact. iDiscover will work hand in hand with local NGO Caritas to find old favorites and new gems and put this historic hood on the map. And guess what, you can now be part of it! A first for Hong Kong, the Sai Ying Pun guide will not just be community curated but also crowd funded. Check the details here.
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