If you’re anything like me, a day at the zoo is a cheat code for family fun.

But after dozens of trips to zoos over the years, I can’t help shake the feeling that by seeing one animal, I’ve seen them all.

That was until we arrived in Hong Kong and I saw my first panda.

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Even as an adult, watching a big cuddly panda chewing on a stack of bamboo was enough to stop me in my tracks.

Sharing this moment with my wife and six-year-old son at Ocean Park Hong Kong was worth the price of admission alone, and it was just one of many magical moments we had on a whirlwind trip to the Vertical City.

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From the outside looking in, Hong Kong is a corporate hub connecting business in Asia to the rest of the world.

But once we arrived, we realised it’s a melting pot of cultures, cuisine and activities that provide a prime location for family fun.

We were invited on a family-focused holiday in a bid to see how much we could squeeze out of just three days on the ground. This is how we stepped up to the challenge.

Things to do in Hong Kong

We spent our first full day in the city at Ocean Park, which is best described as a combination of our Gold Coast theme parks rolled into one.

There are thrill rides for the big kids, smaller (but just as exciting) rides for younger children, animal exhibits, an aquarium and interactive displays.

The park is split into two parts: one at the base of the mountain, and the other is a fair distance up through the jungle. Getting there involves a long cable car ride, which itself is a fun way to see Hong Kong and get a sense of the city’s scale.

The park’s big drawcard is the panda exhibit, located a short walk from the park entrance. Our guide warned us the pandas would “do clumsy things” and not to startle them by laughing too hard, which we managed (with great difficulty). 

And as we kept the peace, we also saw some of the very cute red pandas in the same exhibit area.

The other animal-related highlight was the penguin display at the other side of the park. It felt as though the penguins were much closer to the audience than similar exhibits in Australia, and my son Charlie had fun watching them splash around up close.

But it’s not a theme park day without some thrills, and there were plenty of them. Although Charlie wasn’t quite tall enough for the big rides, we still had fun on the smaller roller coaster, the dodgem cars and the rapids.

Hitting the streets

With just three full days in Hong Kong at our disposal, there was little time for rest, but so much to see.

Another of our first missions was to get a sense of the city and how it operated. We started with a short train ride east of our home base in Admiralty to the markets in Wan Chai, and walked our way back to the hotel from there.

We browsed a traditional food market to see how the locals shopped and ate, before stopping at a cafe to refuel for the trip back. We recommend Matchali, a coffee shop in Wan Chai that serves delicious matcha drinks and ice cream.

Getting more adventurous as we got a handle on the public transport system, we took a Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour to check out Kowloon.

From clothes and shoes to electronics and even pet fish – if you could think of it, you could buy it.

We were told to check out “Sneaker Street” at Mong Kok, where all the big brands are located in one strip. It was a shoe lover’s paradise and worth seeing up close, but the prices are about the same as Australia, so I wouldn’t come expecting to find many bargains.

Going up

There are a few absolute must-do items to tick off the itinerary in Hong Kong, and visiting Victoria Peak is one of them – and for good reason.

We boarded the historic Peak Tram for the slow ascent up the mountain, which was so steep at points, it felt as though the pedestrians on the street were standing horizontally.

Everyone who visits Hong Kong waxes lyrical about the view, which sits at more than 550 metres above the city and it didn’t disappoint.

We spent a bit of time at the top viewing deck taking in the metropolis, and getting a very fuzzy glimpse of the Chinese mainland. The only problem was jostling for a spot for a good picture.

We also did a bit of souvenir shopping and tucked into some delicious treats during our time at the top, with Backhouse bakery our pick of the bunch. The sourdough egg tarts should definitely be on the menu if you make the trek.

Where to eat in Hong Kong

If you’re a serious foodie, or just want a great meal the whole family can enjoy, the options in Hong Kong are practically endless.

When we wanted to chase traditional fare, a bowl of hot dandan noodles was always close at hand. And when Charlie was looking for something more familiar, a slice of pizza or some fried chicken was easy to find.

One of our favourite places was a Vietnamese eatery called Co Thanh in Pacific Plaza. We picked a banh mi and a beef and noodle dish to try, and they were a hit with everyone at the table.

But for a traditional meal, it was hard to go past the dim sum we were served at Yum Cha in Central Hong Kong. Our tour guide picked some interesting morsels off the menu and I was glad, because it meant I tried jellyfish for the first time.

Where to stay in Hong Kong

Most of our stay was spent at the JW Marriott in Admiralty, sticking us close to the centre of the city with easy access to all forms of public transport.

We were handed the keys to one of the hotel’s Infinity rooms on the second-highest level of the hotel, with views looking back towards the famous peak and out towards Victoria Harbour.

Despite getting to the hotel well past midnight on our first night, we were greeted by kind staff who were incredibly helpful considering the late hour.

The room itself was recently renovated and had that just-finished feeling. It was luxurious and well appointed with almost every household item you could imagine at our disposal.

But it was the little things, such as the international powerpoint adapter already plugged into the wall, that made it easy for three very weary heads to get organised and comfortable immediately.

Our room came with two twin beds, and there was plenty of room for two adults to fit into one. The bedding and mattresses were high quality – perfect after big days of adventuring around the city.

In terms of facilities, the Marriott had everything a young family needs: a pool, a fully equipped gym and various restaurants to take the stress out of meal times.

Although we only dined at the JW Cafe for breakfast it catered to all tastes, from Western staples such as bacon and eggs to dim sum (which this writer appreciated in the early morning).

And if you ran out of food options, it was just a quick elevator ride to Pacific Plaza, a major shopping centre directly below the hotel which had a number of restaurants and coffee shops at hand.

Our last night in Hong Kong was spent at the Sheraton in Lantau.

Overlooking the South China Sea, this upscale hotel is 16 minutes’ walk from Tung Chung metro station and just six kilometres from Hong Kong International Airport.

Festive fun

The timing of our trip meant we were lucky enough to see Hong Kong lit up for Christmas.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board had set up a WinterFest activation at Statue Square Garden in the heart of the city, where the halls have been decked and turned into a little slice of the North Pole.

Charlie had fun getting into the festive spirit early, but it was a battle to see it all with so many people trying to snap pictures.

The verdict

If you were looking for a family holiday in a big city with plenty to see and do, Hong Kong should be at the top of your list.

About a nine hour flight from Sydney, it’s more than a corporate concrete jungle – it’s a playground for young and old.

Whether you are into food, culture, sightseeing or even just the fun of a theme park, “Honkers” has it all.

But most importantly, it has real live pandas – and seeing them up close will have even the most hardened traveller excited.

The writer and his family travelled as a guest of Cathay Pacific and the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

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