How 4 Hong Kong hotels help guests discover city’s culture, history and stories

Forget the usual tourist hotspots, these hotels are among those that help guests experience a more authentic Hong Kong

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The Park Lane, Ovolo, Mandarin Oriental and Heritage Lodge are among Hong Kong hotels offering activities like temple visits and other heritage tours to help visitors discover the city’s culture, history and stories.
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Published: 12:45pm, 15 Jul 2024Updated: 2:59pm, 15 Jul 2024

Today’s travellers are more interested in immersing themselves in local culture and having unique experiences than simply ticking off tourist hotspots, according to many in the travel industry.

Hotels in Hong Kong are meeting this demand by crafting heritage trails or compiling suggestions that allow visitors to venture beneath the skin of the city. The experiences each hotel suggests differ based on their brand identity and the type of guest that typically stays.

Here we look at four hotels and their suggestions for visitors, some of which may also be of interest to local Hongkongers.

1. The Park Lane Hong Kong

Next to Victoria Park and near Victoria Harbour, The Park Lane Hong Kong has published a digital guide that lists 50 “unique” experiences guests may enjoy in surrounding Causeway Bay and nearby Tin Hau and Tai Hang.

General manager Luc Bollen says the “50 Wonder Trails” guide was compiled in response to an increasing interest from overseas visitors who seek local experiences.

Among the many cultural and historical sites in the area and included in the guide is Lin Fa Kung, a temple in Tai Hang that was built in 1863.

Worshippers pray for good fortune and wealth during the Kwun Yum Treasury Opening Festival at Lin Fa Kung, Tin Hau, on March 6, 2024. Photo: Elson Li

The temple has a beautiful facade and an intriguing origin story: villagers said they kept seeing Kwun Yum, the Goddess of Mercy, appearing on a rock by the sea, so felt compelled to build a temple on the spot.