MONKEY MOUNTAIN

Sure, you could go hiking along the coast or up a regular mountain, but why bother with them when this one is covered in monkeys? Macaques to be specific, and they litter the paths of Monkey Mountain (or Lion Rock Mountain near Kowloon Reservoir if we’re going by what the squares say, i.e. maps and signs).

The walk around the mountain takes 1-2 hours, is easy, clear and littered with man-faced beasts and friendly wild dogs. Not only is there this draw; scaling the mountain provides some of the best views of Hong Kong you’ll ever find, allowing you to take in the whole of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.

It’s easy to get there too. Take the MTR to Prince Edward, leave out of exit E2, turn left and check the bus stops until you see the number 80. Stand there, hop on the bus and after 5 minutes when you see a big car park on your right scattered with furry friends, ding the bell and hop off. Stroll over the bridge and begin.

TAI LONG WAN BEACH

Hong Kong’s lovely, with its big city buildings and serene beaches within a stone’s throw. Repulse Bay’s not a great beach but is one of the most well know. Shek O’s the nicest of the easy to get to beaches and offers surfing but if you’re looking to go the extra mile, Tai Long Wan beach is the ultimate reward. Secluded, serene and with surfing and an amazing waterfall pool, this perfect getaway lies in the middle of the Maclehose Trail in the New Territories. You can get there via a Sunday-only shuttle bus or a cab from Sai Kung town centre. The $85 cab ride can be shirked if you’re feeling fit and want to make a day of it as it’s about an hour and a half along the trail. Once you’ve soaked up the sun, get away in style by hiking to Chek Keng and taking the $20 boat to Wong Shek pier where you can catch the 94 bus back to Sai Kung town centre or the 96R to Diamond Hill (weekends only). The waterfalls are a detour but worth every minute. Between Tai Long Wan and Sai Wan beaches, take a left before you go uphill and within ten minutes you’ll be staring at a little paradise in Hong Kong.

CHEUNG CHAU

Cheung Chau, one of Hong Kong’s outlying islands, boasts a reputation greater than its unremarkable name might suggest. Cheung Chau translated to English reads “Long Island”, but it might be better to describe Cheung Chau as dumbbell-shaped, the narrowest point being a mere three minute walk from coast to coast.

Famous for its observance to tradition, Cheung Chau is a throwback to older times, with housing bunched bravely together and streets so narrow that even a Mini would have trouble negotiating them. Dotted with small stores replete with some of Hong Kong’s more traditional food items, the abundance of salons is something curious.

The annual Bun Festival, held on the 21st of May, attracts tens of thousands from HK and Kowloon and is a spectacle as hundreds of young men climb 20ft high bun towers; steel structures with bagged buns loosely attached, to tear off the buns and spread them among the crowd.

The Mini Great Wall (!) is somewhat unspectacular but an expensive path with railings was built so it is a must see to gain insight into where the HK Government spends its money. The Human Head Rock is far more remarkable for its resemblance to, well, a human head.

The Cheung Po-tsai pirate cave is, as legend would have it, where the pirate of the same name stashed his worldly treasures. The cave is not much more than a slim tunnel through the rock. Pitch black, claustrophobic and beneath the waterline so you can hear the waves crashing against the rock beside you, it’s a mini-rush and what mobile phone lights were made for.

Finally, like Lamma Island, Cheung Chau boasts great seafood. Cap off a day out with a group seafood dinner – the more the better as you can try more dishes.

SAI KUNG SQUID FISHING

Summer is here and apart from bringing out mosquitos and scantily clad women, it also brings out squids. If you’re up a spot of fishing for your dinner, head to Sai Kung and arrange for a junk (boat) to take you and your friends out to sea (Recommended as it’s pricey otherwise. Also, it’ll get rather lonely out there in the dark on a boat by yourself). Once you’re there, plop your bait-on-hook into the water and wait diligently until you see the squid and luminous cuttlefish wander stupidly towards your set trap. All catch will then be cooked up and served either on the boat or at a seafood restaurant if you so wish. The man to call is Tony, on 2792 4553 to book a yacht and squid fishing session. Bonus points if you catch and cook a mermaid using only a small frying pan.

LONG KWU TAN BEACH BBQ BUFFET

Long Kwu Tan – or Lung Kwu beach – in Tuen Mun is famous for its all-you-can-eat BBQ sites. That’s right – for just a mere $78, you get access to a variety of free-flow meats at a BBQ pit site complete with staff who even light the fire for you. You can cook the night away eating charcoaled spare ribs and too-tough beef steaks as you while away the hours on the beach listening to the chatter of other patrons and the gentle lap of sea and muck against sand. Just take the K52 bus from the Tuen Mun MTR station. A mere 30 minutes later and you’ve arrived at Long Kwu Tan and presented with a few choices of which BBQ service to patronise. Brouhaha recommends Dragon Restaurant and Sunshine Cafe for their repeated and valorous endeavors, going beyond the call of duty to provide better quality meat and friendlier staff.

YUEN PO STREET BIRD GARDEN

Apparently it’s good luck when a bird makes a mess on you. If that’s the case then we should all love birds and thank them for pooping on our nice clothes or fancy hair-dos. In fact, we can thank a whole bunch of them at the Yuen Po Bird Garden. The place is littered with delicate Chinese cages, caging little feathery blobs of colour. It also includes wise old men showing off their favourite beasts of flight and young tourists wandering around, looking to be shat on. You can even buy your own lucky poo blob. There are also bigger birds in bigger cages: the majestic Cockatoo and the intelligent red or green Macaws. To get there, take the MTR to Prince Edward and to exit B1. Just walk east along Prince Edward Road West. The garden isn’t particularly big so once you’re done plucking feathers, why not head to the neighbouring flower market to see if he or she loves you/loves you not.

Hong Kong. A city where you can live in a bubble, doing the same things week in – week out. It’s easy to go to Lan Kwai Fong and Wan Chai. It’s where you were first shown when you arrived and it’s where your colleagues were shown first too. So on a Friday night you head there, again, and spend a small fortune on expensive drinks and retread the same small square footage.

Here’s a short guide that offers alternatives. Alternative places to drink, alternative places to shop, a change of scenery for sightseeing and information on all the Facebook groups you need to sign up to in order to know these things are happening in the first place. Here is A Design for Life.

Words: Brouhaha with Michelle Kwan & Henry Mullins • Illustrations: 1kstyles

HOME ENTERTAINMENT – 188 MALL

If you think CDs, DVDs and video games are expensive in Hong Kong you’ve obviously not ventured away from the high street chains. The best place for all of these under one roof is the 188 mall in Wan Chai. Here you can find two floors of the latest music, games, DVDs and Blu-Ray at a snip of the retail price. They’re all legit and also have shops selling classics, imports and collectors items too, as well as clothes, import magazines and snacks for if you get peckish. To get there take the MTR to Wan Chai, leave out of exit A2, walk right for a few minutes and where the road forks stick to the right side on Wan Chai Road, walk a little further and pass an old instrument shop. A few paces further you’ll see number 188, an entrance with a man selling torches, batteries and the like. Head in and up and shop. You’ll never go back to the big boys once you’ve been here. 188 Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai.

MAGAZINES – FENWICK PIER

Brouhaha’s free, so we’ve got that covered. If you can’t wait another month for some more quality reading matter they you no doubt head to the high street stores to get the best international magazines. Go to a bookstore or music shop and you’ll pay $70-100 per publication. However, if you want the world’s best magazines at a direct price conversion from US$ or GBP to HK$ then head to Fenwick Pier, between Wan Chai and Admiralty. The second floor has shops for visiting American servicemen but if you’re in there picking up GQ, Horse World and Playboy at great prices they’re not fussed about your US Navy credentials. When you’ve got your mags, head to the luxury hot chocolate bar, Vero, in the same building and blow the money you saved on the best hot chocolate in Hong Kong whilst thumbing Poodles Monthly.

CLOTHES – BANG BANG! 70

Vintage clothes, vintage décor, two wonderful cats and a classic Gran Turino parked outside. If that doesn’t tickle you pink then you might as well die. Sat comfortably on the first floor of 16/A Aberdeen Street in SoHo, the cosy and homely store sells vintage stuff from clothes to sunglasses to jewellery and many more. Originally situated in TST, Bang Bang! is a gem in the rough when it comes to authentic vintage items. There are a few vintage stores dotted throughout this fair city but what makes this place unique is the fact that it’s got lovely, soft cats that rub your ankles as you browse the store’s wares. Also the fact that what they sell is pretty neat. Oh and also that it’s run by brothers which for some reason makes it all the better. So if you’re in need to dress like a disco diva, a disco slimeball or a disco ball, head on over.

Hong Kong. A city where you can live in a bubble, doing the same things week in – week out. It’s easy to go to Lan Kwai Fong and Wan Chai. It’s where you were first shown when you arrived and it’s where your colleagues were shown first too. So on a Friday night you head there, again, and spend a small fortune on expensive drinks and retread the same small square footage.

Here’s a short guide that offers alternatives. Alternative places to drink, alternative places to shop, a change of scenery for sightseeing and information on all the Facebook groups you need to sign up to in order to know these things are happening in the first place. Here is A Design for Life.

Words: Brouhaha with Michelle Kwan & Henry Mullins • Illustrations: 1kstyles

	BROUHAHA Hong Kong’s coolest magazine and most on the pulse peddlers of quality local insights, so we’ve heard….
	SONGS FOR CHILDREN The premiere indie night in Hong Kong, Songs for Children have recently branched out into live music promotion, bringing Theoretical Girl and The Bobby McGees to HK and also billing the best local band we have, The Yours. Become a fan for the latest updates.
	THE PEOPLE’S PARTY The People’s Party are heavyweights in quality live music promotion. This year alone they’ve brought Hong Kong OK Go, The Secret Machines, Andrew Bird and Glassjaw. They’re a necessary force in this city so join up and get behind them.
	KONCRETE BASS Drum and bass and dubstep nights a’plenty from Koncrete Bass who know what a party is and provide with aplomb.
	PIMPIN’ AINT EASY Dayglo and a disregard for the rules of dance music are on offer at Hong Kong’s most innovative dancenight. Dance, rap, rock and indie mix in flurry of blistering beats and bass.
	HYPE NASTY From the Pimpin Ain’t Easy stable, Hype Nasty’s the Volar party which doesn’t favour suits and arrogance.
	SUPERSONIC Another indie night that’s branched out into live music, Supersonic caters for the harder edge of indie, with stomping mod sounds and Manchester classics late into the night.
	TAKEOUT COMEDY Did you know Hong Kong boasts the only full time dedicated comedy club in Asia? Well it does and it’s in Soho. Takeout Comedy has regular shows from acclaimed international comedians as well as weekly local English and Cantonese comedy nights. Host Jami Gong also offers improv nights and comedy classes and is building a comedy community on our doorstep. Go to a show and try a turn on stage.
	WHITE NOISE A great record shop in Causeway Bay, White Noise is also on the pulse for the best in truly alternative and avant garde live music in Hong Kong.
	MAGNETIC SOUL More drum and bass magic with these long-time servers of dirty goodness.
	THE OUT CROWD New to the scene of indie music nights in Hong Kong is The Out Crowd, another collective who appreciated the finer points of indie music and happily share it with the dancing world.
	I LOVE SOHO If you’re anything like us you like SoHo but you also like not spending loads of money. This Facebook page posts regular special offers and events that’ll let you feel like an earner whilst knowing you’re a bum.
	HK CLUBBING Catering for the more commercial side of dance, HK Clubbing is still hugely on the pulse and if it’s happening, they’ll tell you about it.
	METAL POSTCARD RECORDS Hosted by our review contributor Sean Hocking, these are another in the know set of clevers with their eye on events and produce a weekly podcast.
	DESTROYED HK These bring you parties on the beach and in the finest clubs and are becoming a formidable force in Hong Kong’s finally diversifying nightlife.
	UNDERGROUND HK A long running live music night, Underground HK is the best place to catch all the best local groups at all stages of their career. Regular nights on the Island mean there’s always a show coming up.

Hong Kong. A city where you can live in a bubble, doing the same things week in – week out. It’s easy to go to Lan Kwai Fong and Wan Chai. It’s where you were first shown when you arrived and it’s where your colleagues were shown first too. So on a Friday night you head there, again, and spend a small fortune on expensive drinks and retread the same small square footage.

Here’s a short guide that offers alternatives. Alternative places to drink, alternative places to shop, a change of scenery for sightseeing and information on all the Facebook groups you need to sign up to in order to know these things are happening in the first place. Here is A Design for Life.

Words: Brouhaha with Michelle Kwan & Henry Mullins • Illustrations: 1kstyles

SENSE 99

Have you ever dreamt about rocking with your cock out to a bedazzled audience but never had the courage to? Now you can. Sense 99 is a fantastic little bar (that’s in a pre-war building!) that not only serves one of the best bottled beers in the world; Beer Laos, at the right price but also facilitates in drunken noise pollution with its late night open-mic band station. For all the instruments you’ll need to form a makeshift band, head on up to the second floor to either slap the bass, break the guitar, hammer the drums or play a power ballad on the keyboard. Its underground vibe comes from the fact that you have to push the buzzer to be let in, and once up the stairs to the first floor, sit comfortably in the art deco get-up they’ve got going on, or like mentioned, go to the second floor to either bottle whoever is making that stupid racket or make it yourself. There are also two delightful fairy-lit balconies suitable for relaxed al fresco drinking and smoking. To get there, all you need to do is go to 99, Wellington Street, Central. Oh yeah, it’s only open on weekends by the way.

BASSMENT

This place should be a hit. Though it’s a small space, its practically begging to take off. You’ll always find good service, a great selection of club nights (including Supersonic and The Out Crowd) and on a regular night if you and your group of friends have an iPod on them, they’re more than happy to throw it on. Bassment is also a good place for you and yours just to relax and get close. Drinks have gone up from their student bar prices under the old management but they are still affordable and less than LKF. If you need a little fresh air or want to make it less fresh with a cigarette, they also have a sizable and comfy outside area with seats. Ask for Dawn, she’s the business.
L/G 13 Lyndhurst Terrace, SoHo.

CLUB METOO

TST has not had much luck with attracting the LKF crowd over, lets face it. But the truth is, TST has some really fun places to cut some rug and Club MeToo is one of them. They play the latest Top 50 and compared to the bars in LKF, this place won’t have you running to the ATM for more cash if you want a few beers. The ambience is dark but there’s a nice area with lights at the corner if you want a really good look at who you’ve been dancing with for the past few songs.
9 Chatham Court, TST Kowloon. 3107-0008

VISAGE ONE

Do you like jazz and blues music? Do you have hair? If you do then we love you. Also, you might enjoy this hidden gem tucked away in an ally in Soho. Visage One is a barber shop by day (women will need to shave their beard elsewhere, I’m afraid) and a live jazz, blues and bluegrass venue at night, two nights a month. Intimate and cozy, it’s the perfect opportunity (excuse) to press arms against that hot date you have. Let the smooth music tingle and lift your arm hairs, each strand stroking the other’s arm. Then, on the next day, head back and get it all shaved off. What fun. The narrow shop/venue has a split-level loft, enabling some top-down views of the bands and crowd. Drop an egg and get beaten up. So don’t. Instead, have yourself a drink and enjoy the bedroom jam style gig. Wine and cigarettes, music and wooden furniture. It’s all very pleasant. This little shop of wonders can be found at 93, Hollywood Rd, LG/F, Po Lung Building, Central.

JOYCE IS NOT HERE

With regular live music and poetry nights, Joyce is not Here is a true creative haven in SoHo. Home to the city’s arty souls in the know, the varied events on offer are as enriching as they are entertaining. A great hangout for a coffee in the day and a relaxing and intimate bar at night, Joyce is not Here has the perfect reasons for you to be. 38-44 Peel Street, Central.

Hong Kong. A city where you can live in a bubble, doing the same things week in – week out. It’s easy to go to Lan Kwai Fong and Wan Chai. It’s where you were first shown when you arrived and it’s where your colleagues were shown first too. So on a Friday night you head there, again, and spend a small fortune on expensive drinks and retread the same small square footage.

Here’s a short guide that offers alternatives. Alternative places to drink, alternative places to shop, a change of scenery for sightseeing and information on all the Facebook groups you need to sign up to in order to know these things are happening in the first place. Here is A Design for Life.

Words: Brouhaha with Michelle Kwan & Henry Mullins • Illustrations: 1kstyles