Recently, I went digging through my collection of several thousand photos looking for one specific picture. Naturally, I did not find it. It was a classic needle-in-a-haystack situation. Instead, I stumbled upon a bunch of photos from my trip to Hong Kong, one of my very first long travels in Asia. Clearly the haystack won and it took me back to that very first time I visited this city.

Touching down at Hong Kong International Airport felt like a small miracle, considering it is one of the world’s most challenging airports for pilots, with planes weaving through mountains and skyscrapers. As a first-time visitor, I was glued to the window, mesmerized by the glittering cityscape, completely oblivious to the pilot’s high-stakes maneuvering. The runway, built on reclaimed land, seemed to rise out of the sea, adding to the surreal experience. I stepped off the plane, heart racing, exhausted after 9hour flight but still curious about this vibrant city. The humid air wrapped around us like a cloak, thick with the scent of sea and smog. Even in the arrivals hall, the energy was palpable, people were rushing, lights were blinking, several languages were overlapping. It was a thrilling to arrive to a place that my Other Me had always talked about. It had been and still is his favourite place in Asia. I did not know it yet, but this was not my only trip to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is deceptively tiny. You could probably cross it in a day if you had the stamina and were not constantly sidetracked by shiny distractions. Despite its size, it is home to over 7.5 million people. You will ask how come? Well, people were packed into a space that makes you wonder how they all fit. Skyscrapers towered over narrow streets, and every corner buzzed with activity, from markets to malls. Every little free space was taken over. The density was overwhelming but weirdly exhilarating. It felt like the city was daring us to keep up. Apartment blocks rose like dominoes, tightly packed one next to the other, with neon signs squeezed in between. Alleyways that looked uninviting at first often lead to hidden noodle shops or shrines. I quickly learned that personal space was a luxury here. Yet it all worked in perfect, very chaotic harmony. It was as though the city itself had figured out a way to breathe in tight quarters.

To understand Hong Kong today, you need to glance at its layered history. Once a quiet fishing village, the territory became a British colony after the First Opium War in 1842. Over the next century and a half, it grew into a global trading hub, shaped by both British colonial influence and Chinese heritage. In 1997, sovereignty was handed back to China under the “one country, two systems” principle. It gave Hong Kong a unique political and economic status. This complex legacy is still felt today in the architecture, in street names, in its laws, and even in the trams that continue to rattle through Central. The past and present constantly overlap, making Hong Kong feel both familiar and foreign, historical and hypermodern, all in one.

Then the exploring of the place begun. We decided The Victora Peak was the place to start. Taking a tram to the Peak was an adventure in itself. First, you take a seat with other many excited tourists and then you chug up a slope so steep I half-expected us to tip backward. The tram, a charming relic of Hong Kong’s history, creaked and swayed as it climbed through lush greenery. It was originally opened in 1888. It was the first funicular railway in Asia and served as a luxurious mode of transport for the colonial elite. Over the years, it has evolved into rather tourist attraction, modernised several times but retaining its vintage soul. Riding it felt like stepping back into another era, even as glass towers peeked through the trees on our ascent. At the top, once you step out of the relic of the past, the view of the city and the bay was mesmerising; skyscrapers were glittering below, framed by mountains and sea, like a scene from a futuristic movie. And the boats sailing across the bay. I stood there, camera in hand, probably looking like a total newbie with open mouth. It was worth every nerve-wracking moment of the ride, a memory that made me feel on top of the world. Quite literally.

Another ride I absolutely loved was the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour. For just a few bucks, you get a front-row seat to Hong Kong’s insane skyline. As we chugged across the water, traditional junk boats with their bright red sails floated past modern ferries like they were showing off. It was the amazing mix of old-time charm and shiny new city. We kept looking at the locals who were completely chill in that weather, and us searching for every tiny breeze that may appear out of nowhere. Honestly, it was like stepping into a living postcard – the one with the Aqua Luna (the iconic red sail junk ships of Hong Kong).

Despite the ridiculous heat, I absolutely loved wandering through Hong Kong’s streets. I got completely swept up in the local rhythm of daily life – vendors sweating over sizzling woks, while locals weaved through the crowds like pros playing real-life strategic video game. The markets were pure sensory overload: an explosion of colour and chaos, with fresh fish dramatically flopping about and exotic fruits practically winking at every passer-by. The smells hit from every direction like an overly enthusiastic perfume attack. I tried my best to blend in and look like I belonged, but my head was spinning left and right faster than a doner kebab on a Friday night. I was equal parts fascinated and slowly melting into a puddle of humidity.

Hong Kong has long been one of the most important hubs in the movie industry. For decades, it was known for producing high-energy action films, martial arts classics, and gripping crime dramas. The city’s unique style of fast-paced fight scenes and daring stunts has influenced countless movies around the world. No other than Bruce Lee played a huge part in making Hong Kong cinema famous internationally. His incredible speed and screen presence in films like Enter the Dragon turned him into a global superstar. Today, a bronze statue of Bruce Lee stands proudly on the Avenue of Stars along the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, where fans often stop to take photos and pay tribute. Jackie Chan later followed in his footsteps and became another worldwide icon, known for blending comedy, impressive stunts, and charm in movies such as the Rush Hour series and Police Story. Michelle Yeoh also rose to fame from Hong Kong cinema, earning international acclaim for her powerful performances in films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Crazy Rich Asians and Everything Everywhere All at Once. Even now, many action stars and filmmakers still draw inspiration from Hong Kong’s golden era of cinema.

Hong Kong’s food scene is a love letter to taste buds, and I was ready to write volumes after my first morning noodles. Instead of having a boring hotel breakfast, we decided to go full local and hunt down food. We found the perfect spot: a no-nonsense noodle truck that basically only offered one thing and it was morning noodles. Around it were scattered tiny tables and even tinier plastic chairs with cups filled with reusable chopsticks, like they had been borrowed from a kindergarten. Still heavily jetlagged, I attempted to sit down and immediately discovered I was far too tall for this setup. My knees were practically hugging my face as I slurped my noodles like a confused giraffe. It was awkward, slightly undignified, and absolutely awesome meal.

Steamed buns, siu mai, har gow, and delicate dumplings seemed to appear everywhere we looked, arriving in endless waves of bamboo steamers, each one releasing a fragrant, mouthwatering cloud. But the real showstopper was the Peking duck, proudly hanging in restaurant windows with its glossy, lacquered skin. When served with paper-thin pancakes, fresh scallions, and sweet hoisin sauce, it was pure perfection. The skin was so incredibly crisp that it gave a satisfying crunch with every bite. Yummm….

The noodle stalls offered another delicious adventure. We slurped bowls of beef noodles, enjoyed plump pork wontons floating in fragrant broth, and watched stir-fried ho fun come alive on smoky, sizzling woks right in front of us. There was always something new to chew on. We definitely ate very well in Hong Kong. For me, the food was not just fuel to keep walking; it was more like a vibrant theatre performance, a warm ritual, and a delicious little rebellion all rolled into one unforgettable mess.

Hong Kong was absolutely amazing. I wandered through its streets, slurped noodles on tiny stools, and watched the city sparkle from the Peak. I also understood why my Other Me loved this place so much and really wanted to show it to me. What started as a slightly overwhelming first trip to Asia turned into a city, we went back there few more times. With its wild energy, incredible food, and that special mix of chaos and noodles.