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Header image courtesy of Kateryna Hliznitsova (via Unsplash)
Originally published by Ching Yuen. Last updated by Alisa Chau and Celia Lee.
Summer is here and so is the heat! And when we say heat, we are talking about the sun as well as the flush of blushed cheeks and fluttering heartbeats signalling love, love, love. Make the most of your summer holidays in the city this year with our summer date ideas and suggestions for both outdoor and indoor activities across Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is a renowned concrete jungle, but people seem to forget that half the city is actually covered in greenery, too. New Territories, in particular, has a lot of farms and eco-parks where you can soak up Hong Kong’s natural beauty and the whimsical pastime of fruit-picking. Go ahead and pick your own fruits with hauls that are not just limited to strawberries, either! We’ve got Muscat grapes from Japan, pineapple patches, sugar canes, and a wide variety of vegetables for you to take your pick.
Do remember to dress appropriately and be mindful of the heat, but take the time to enjoy plucking the firmest and juiciest fruits from the vines. Pop some into each other’s mouths to share the romance! Here are some of the best fruit-picking farms in Hong Kong.
Gentle caresses, a sneaky pinch here, and a heartful squeeze there... Woah, what are you thinking about? Just to be clear, we’re talking about an inspiring trip to a pottery and ceramics studio and having a go at clay manipulation. Book a class with your date for a hands-on bonding session with wet clay and spinning wheels, and make something together with love to take it home with you. Unlike children, your creations won’t require constant feeding. Click here for pottery and ceramic studios in Hong Kong.
Grab your partner and run away from the hustle and bustle to immerse yourselves in the stars of the night sky. (Honestly, that sentence sounds more romantic than most of our previous love expeditions!) If you get far enough away from Hong Kong’s skyscrapers and glistening towers, you will notice that there are many astronomical hotspots for stargazing.
You can even download a star map or astronomy app and try to find stars for each other. Click here to discover the best stargazing spots, and wish upon a shooting star by heading over to one of the gorgeous locations on one of these special dates.
Are you feeling the travel itch after months of being confined to Hong Kong? Well, here’s a globe—point at any country in the world and we will take you there! Are you in the mood for Japan, Italy, Laos, or maybe Tasmania? They say Hong Kong is a world city, so why not take your date travelling without a passport?
Surprisingly enough, there are plenty of places around the city that will make you feel like you’ve been transported to another country. Plus, you’ll be saving money on flights! Click here to discover bucket-list places worth visiting in Hong Kong and once you’ve exhausted that list, here are some more.
It doesn’t matter if you are five years old or well into your seventies—board games are fun for anyone. Most people will be familiar with Uno or Monopoly, but there are a hundred different kinds of board games out there worth exploring with your partner. Board game cafés provide a comfortable haven for you and your date to relax in and have a go at a range of games in-store. Here are some of the best board game cafés in Hong Kong.
Hongkongers are all about the beach life and poolside hangs come summertime but sadly, our beaches are famous for their waste and litter problems, especially if you coincide your visit with an incoming tide. It’s precisely why you have to use our guide to the cleanest beaches in Hong Kong if you are seeking pristine sand and waters with your date.
As a side note, everyone should clean up after themselves after their trip, so make sure you do your part and don’t leave any rubbish. If you are looking to get your heart rate going, here is our list of unusual water sports to try in Hong Kong. If all that activity is too much for you and your date, how about a simple bout of sunset-watching?
If you’re tired of hiking around Hong Kong’s peaks and are now in search of a more active (and faster) way to take in the natural beauties of New Territories and beyond, why not try cycling? Your choice of cycling trails decides how effortless or challenging your day trip is going to be, and you don’t even have to put on full cycling gear to prepare for your leisurely ride! It‘s the perfect opportunity to put your well-coordinated athleisure attire to good use. Here are some of our favourite cycling trails in Hong Kong.
With travel still a difficult endeavour, we have to make the most of the city we live in. Hotels everywhere are doing staycation deals, with benefits such as complimentary afternoon teas and dinner, and creative twists such as cinema screenings in bed and wellness retreats. Since we have been saving on flights and trips, why not splurge on a weekend stay in one of the many hotels in Hong Kong's most scenic spots?
If you are chasing the perfect sunrise and sunset, start with one of these hotel bars to prime for a palatial stay in one of their comfy rooms. Or if you are looking to update the feed with your memories from the wonderful weekend getaway, give one of these gorgeously designed and decorated spots a try.
Home to over 100 beaches, Hong Kong is one of the only places in the world where you can be surrounded by skyscrapers one second, and the next, you’re dipping your toes into the sand and surf. Since there is absolutely nothing fun about going to beaches that everyone knows about, how about impressing your date with a day trip to some of the best off-the-beaten-path beaches in Hong Kong? If you’re curious about where to find these sandy spots, click here to see the best secret beaches in Hong Kong.
Wading through rock pools, dipping your feet into pristine waters, snapping a few pics for your social feeds, and most of all, getting a true sense of nature in Hong Kong—how is a waterfall adventure not romantic? Most of Hong Kong’s waterfalls—of which we have many—will require a hike of some sort, so you get to combine outdoor activities with an epic cooldown. Better polish up your photography skills to make the most of these picturesque waterfalls! Here are our favourite secret waterfalls across Hong Kong.
Another clichéd but undeniable favourite amongst summer activities is the timeless picnic—just because hikes and anything else that requires constant movement is a bit too much in the summer heat. Why not invite your date to a picnic spot instead and get a picnic hamper for the occasion? Do keep in mind to pick the perfect spot with plenty of shade, in case you and your date can’t handle the glaring sunlight.
Another good thing about picnics is that most Hong Kong picnic spots double as dog parks, so that’s some extra furry fun you can throw in! Click here for more information on where to have your picnic and here for some tips on where to picnic hampers.
A tried-and-tested conversation starter, the act of admiring art is always a good way to flex your creative muscles. Plus, you can impress your other half with your sharp eye for aesthetics and dive deep into passionate discussions about your artistic revelations.
For some extra excitement, take your appreciation for the arts outside at one of these outdoor art and mural villages. Aside from exploring some eye-catching works, you can also take the time to stroll around a quaint little location or neighbourhood as well.
Having lived in Hong Kong, Beijing, and London sure is a fun fact whenever people try to guess Ching’s accent. She loves switching between all these language channels and her “mother tongue” is just determined by how many drinks she’s had for the night! She loves movies, travelling, and exploring cities, from hidden alleys to gourmet dining, so feel free to hit her up if you need any suggestions for dinner!
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