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Erika Na

Hong Kong took centre stage in the first episode of the new season of The Amazing Race, which began airing last week on Now TV.
Fourteen teams – the most in one season of the reality show’s history – charged across the city in search of clues that will take them to their next destination, where more clues await.
This continues until one team reaches the season’s final destination, where show host Phil Keoghan and a grand prize of US$1 million awaits.
The locations they visited in Hong Kong are all of historical or cultural interest. You, too, can set your own challenges at these scenic spots.

Tian Tan Buddha
The contestants first headed to Tian Tan Buddha, also known as the “Big Buddha”, the world’s largest outdoor seated Buddha statue, on the outlying island of Lantau. It is most easily reached by taking the MTR to Tung Chung, followed by a cable car ride.
The statue is 34 metres (112 feet) tall and was inaugurated in 1993, 24 years after the adjacent Po Lin Monastery unveiled plans to erect a symbol of peace and religious freedom in Hong Kong.
While several hiking routes lead to the Big Buddha, we recommend taking the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, which offers views of the countryside and the South China Sea on the way up.
Beyond the statue itself, there is plenty to see and do at Ngong Ping. Do not miss the sight of worshippers praying at Po Lin Monastery, where you can light incense as part of a traditional ritual. The monastery is also home to a vegetarian Chinese restaurant that offers plant-based meals. You can opt for a full meal at the restaurant or grab smaller bites from a snack shop.
The Wisdom Path, featuring 38 wooden columns inscribed with the Heart Sutra, one of the most important Buddhist scriptures, is a 10-minute walk away.
Consider hiking to Lantau Peak, which overlooks the Tian Tan Buddha, for some perspective on its place in the landscape. Reach the summit – the second highest in Hong Kong – and you will be rewarded with breathtaking views.

Cheung Chau
The next stop for the contestants was Cheung Chau, a small yet lively island known for its traditional culture and annual Bun Festival.
Cheung Chau is easily reached by ferry from Central Pier on Hong Kong Island, and the journey takes between 30 minutes and an hour depending on the ferry you catch.
The best time to visit and truly experience Cheung Chau is during the Bun Scrambling Competition, a highlight of the island’s Bun Festival. In this event, participants climb towering bamboo structures covered in lucky buns and compete to grab as many as possible. The only downside to visiting the island during the festival is the large crowds.
Beyond the festival Cheung Chau offers plenty to explore. We recommend seeing the island’s narrow streets, savouring its fresh seafood and unwinding at its beaches for a refreshing contrast to the bustle of urban Hong Kong.
While you may not witness the exhilarating competition to grab them, you can buy the lotus-paste-filled buns from street stalls at any time.

Temple Street’s night market
Speaking of bustle, the Temple Street night market is another of the city locations The Amazing Race featured. Contestants took on challenges and sampled Hong Kong delicacies all while navigating the busy streets.
The market, in the Yau Ma Tei district of Kowloon, is famous for its ambience, fortune-tellers and array of traditional Cantonese street foods such as stinky tofu, siu mai, curry fish balls and rice rolls.

Xiqu Centre
A short walk away from Temple Street is the Xiqu Centre, a modern performance venue dedicated to traditional Cantonese opera. It is part of the West Kowloon Cultural District.
Among the venues in the district, the Xiqu Centre stands out for its architecture inspired by the design of a traditional Chinese lantern.
In The Amazing Race episode, contestants got to experience Cantonese opera, one of Hong Kong’s most treasured cultural traditions.
The Xiqu Centre offers year-round opera performances, workshops and exhibitions, but we highly recommend attending the new season of the Tea House Theatre experience, which is set to begin in July.
The 90-minute show features songs, live instrumental music and performances covering a wide range of genres. Most importantly, it includes a serving of traditional Chinese tea and dim sum, making it a one-stop destination for those wanting to experience Hong Kong’s culture.

West Kowloon Cultural District
The final stop for the contestants was the West Kowloon arts hub itself, a waterfront area of museums, theatres and open spaces. It served as the TV show’s Pit Stop, where competing teams check in after completing their challenges.
Featuring events including open-air performances and with a grandstand view of Hong Kong Island’s skyline, the district is an excellent place to unwind, picnic and enjoy outdoor concerts – especially for those not racing to the finishing line.


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Tourism

Which places in Hong Kong did The Amazing Race teams visit? How you can visit them too

Follow in the footsteps of The Amazing Race teams when they visited Hong Kong, from the Big Buddha (pictured) to a night market. Photo: Nora Tam

Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island, surrounded by fog. Photo: Edward Tin

Tourists queue to buy buns on Cheung Chau. Photo: Elson Li

Temple Street in Yau Ma Tei. Photo: Jonathan Wong

The Xiqu Centre, part of the West Kowloon Cultural District. Photo: Sam Tsang

A view of West Kowloon Cultural District. Photo: Eugene Lee

Is The White Lotus skewering privilege or promoting luxury holidays?

Aimee Lou Wood in a scene from The White Lotus. Despite its critique of luxe travel and the rich, the show has become a powerful marketing tool for tourism. Photo: HBO via AP

Natasha Rothwell in a scene from The White Lotus. Photo: HBO/TNS

Lalisa Manobal (left) and Tayme Thapthimthong in a scene from The White Lotus. Photo: HBO via AP

(From left) Sam Nivola, Sarah Catherine Hook and Patrick Schwarzenegger in a scene from The White Lotus. Photo: HBO via AP

Michelle Monaghan in a scene from The White Lotus. Photo: HBO via AP

A still from The White Lotus season 3 with (from left) Lek Patravadi, Christian Friedel and Walton Goggins. Photo: TNS

5 must-see places in Jiangmen, Greater Bay Area, China, including Ip Man filming location

Chikan Old Town was built by Chinese migrants to Europe and the United States who returned. Photo: Ada Cheng

The exterior of the Xuding Renjia cafe in Jiangmen. The city in the Pearl River Delta in southern China’s Greater Bay Area has many early 20th century buildings as well as lakes, forests and natural hot springs. Photo: Ada Cheng

33 Market Street is in an old city district. Many dramas for mainland Chinese television have been filmed here. Photo: Ada Cheng

Xuding Renjia is a cafe that occupies three old houses that have been knocked together. Photo: Ada Cheng

Chikanzhen was built by people who returned to Jiangmen after having lived in Europe and the United States. Photo: Ada Cheng

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Golden trumpet trees in bloom at the Golden Trumpet Trail near Hong Kong International Airport, Lantau, Hong Kong. Photo: Shutterstock

Shenzhen travel guide: how to get a visa on arrival, which apps to download and cashless payment in the Chinese city

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The simplest option within Hong Kong to reach Shenzhen is to take the MTR East Rail Line to Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau stations. Photo: Erika Na

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Follow in the footsteps of The Amazing Race teams in Hong Kong, from the Big Buddha to a night market to a Cantonese opera venue


Follow in the footsteps of The Amazing Race teams in Hong Kong, from the Big Buddha to a night market to a Cantonese opera venue.


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