DDHK. ORG – First long vacation Hong Kong since the lifting of Covid restrictions has made people enthusiastic. So what to do?
Reporting from SCMP, the Easter weekend that started on Friday marks the first long holiday in Hong Kong since the lifting of all restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Without a hitch, there are plenty of activities across the city to enjoy over the holidays, with some returning for the first time in years.
The Post explains what to do and how around di Hong Kong between 7 and 10 April.
- Find Out Weather Forecast?
Gray weather over the final week is expected to extend into Friday, with rain likely earlier in the day and a high of 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit).
The weather is expected to improve over the weekend. Starting on Saturday, there will be intervals of sunshine throughout the day, and on Monday it will be mostly sunny. Temperatures are expected to hover between 19 and 24 degrees for three days.
- What's the Best Way to Get Around the City?
Those looking to get away with exploring the city by train will pay a little more this weekend. MTR Corporation is having Thanksgiving Day on April 8 and 9. MTR Corp passengers, including those on the light rail and its buses, who pay with an Octopus card with stored value can enjoy up to 50 percent discount.
The deal does not apply to first class tickets on East Rail lines operating between Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau and Hung Hom or the Airport Express connecting Central and Hong Kong International Airport.
- What Can Children Enjoy?
There are several Easter themed events for kids this holiday weekend. At Kwun Tong Promenade on Saturdays, there is an egg hunt for children aged 6 months to 4 years. Kids will be provided with egg hunting kits and bunny costumes, and there will also be dancing, yoga and other activities for an additional fee. This event requires prior registration.
For cruises in Victoria Harbour, the Chinese junk Aqua Luna is holding a special Easter edition of Pirates and Mermaids Cruise over the weekend. On top of the usual package activities, kids will also get a chance to decorate Easter baskets and look for eggs and other gifts across the boat.
In terms of indoor options, Plaza Hollywood on Diamond Hill will have a carnival for kids by turning 8.000 square feet of space inside the shopping center into a playground, filled with castles and ball pits.
- Shop until Tired?
A number of shopping malls in the city currently have installations and ongoing Easter and spring themed sales events to attract shoppers.
The A Spring into Joy promo by Citygate Outlets in Tung Chung kicks off this week, with sales up to 90 percent off select lifestyle and beauty brands like Adidas and cdf Beauty. Members of the central membership program, Club CG, who spend up to HK$2.000 in a single transaction can get a HK$200 cash coupon.
Online shopping platforms also create themed offers. Lee Gardens is having a Discover the Elegance of Spring promo at Hy! online platforms. Lasting until April 16, shoppers will save HK$100 on select purchases over HK$1.000, and HK$250 when spending over $2.000.
- Activities in the City?
For the first time since 2019 in the city there is a Songkran festival on April 9. Thai new year celebrations will take place at Carpenter Road Football Stadium in Kowloon City, with activities such as dance performances, Muay Thai competitions and the famous splashing water.
Food and other products will also be available for sale. D2Place in Lai Chi Kok is also hosting a Songkran festival from now until April 10, with lots of activities including Thai massages, fortune-telling, water fights and a pet-oriented pop-up market.
Apart from Songkran, residents can also enjoy the Tai Kwun In Bloom event which lasts until April 10. The parade ground of the former central police station hosts exhibitions, workshops and botanical themed products from local brands.
The Palace Museum also exhibits a number of newly arrived artefacts, five of which are considered first class national treasures. Most of these can be seen in the exhibition “From Dawn to Dusk: Life in the Forbidden City” in gallery two.
- Outdoor Activity?
Hong Kong's famous hiking trails are an option as the weather improves over the weekend. From Mount High West around Victoria Peak to Dragon's Back, there are trails for all skill levels.
There are also more than 41 dedicated campsites scattered throughout Hong Kong that families can enjoy. While the bookable Twisk Campsites are sold out through May, there are plenty of other places like Lau Shui Heung and Chung Pui that don't require reservations.
So, those were some recommendations that can be done during the long holidays after the lifting of the Covid-19 restrictions. Any other ideas? [DDHK News]
