3 awesome things to seek out at the Hong Kong International Races 2016

This Christmas, it’s not just the turkey, badly-wrapped presents and embarrassing knitted jumpers that you have to look forward to. Any racing fan worth their salt will have at least one eye on the Hong Kong International Races, which take place in early December. With Motive Travel, you can be at this fantastic festival of racing over seven super days, culminating in the International Races themselves on December 11. The legendary Sha Tin Racecourse becomes a temple of equine excellence on this special day, with the Mile, Vase, Sprint and Cup all played out over an action-packed 24 hours.

Hong Kong is packed to the proverbial rafters with things to see and do in between races.

Even though you may think that you have enough excitement going on during the week of 5-12 December, there are bound to be times when you feel the need to get away from the horses – and that’s absolutely fine! We all need a break from time to time, and luckily, Hong Kong is packed to the proverbial rafters with things to see and do between races. We’ve already touched upon the majesty of The Peak and history of the Clock Tower – here are three more things to do when catching a breather!

Get out of your funk in a junk

‘When in Hong Kong, do as the Hong Kongers do.’ Okay, so that may be paraphrasing a slightly more famous saying, but it still rings true when touching down on the runway of this unique place. Hong Kong is wonderful, but its sheer intensity (the city is home to over 7 million people across a relatively small area, according to the government) means that sometimes, it’s necessary to get away from it all.


Behold the Big Buddha

One of the best ways to do this is to rent a ‘junk’ – a term that may sound a little strange to Aussies, but in fact refers to a boat designed purely for leisure, be it sailing, fishing or even diving. Don’t worry if you’ve never been behind the wheel of a boat before – there are no icebergs in the harbour, and most of the time, your junk will be captained by an experienced seaman. A great way to see Hong Kong from a different vantage point.

The sights and sounds of Hong Kong demand attention with every step you take, meaning your camera will be crying out for a battery charge – and perhaps a new memory card! Give it something even more impressive to snap by heading west out of the city centre to Lantau Island. This mountainous, unassuming area is home to towering Tian Tan Buddha, a statue of the god built back in 1993. To see it in photographs is one thing, but to get up close and personal with the 34 metre, 202-ton Buddha is an experience that you can’t replicate anywhere else.

The Tian Tan Buddha faces north, so that it can watch over the Chinese people, and the iconic raised right hand is said to deliver a blessing to all that look at him. Clamber up the 268 steps for the finest views of the sea and mountains that surround the Big Buddha – you can catch your breath later!

Trace the Dragon’s Back

Taking a hike in the Outback is a popular pastime in Australia, and Hong Kong is no different. The Hong Kong Trail snakes through almost 50 kilometres across Hong Kong Island, but unless you’re Usain Bolt, you likely won’t have time to fit it all in during your time here.

Instead, why not take on just a portion of it? The so-called Dragon’s Back can be done in between two or six hours, depending on your starting point, and takes in the soaring Shek O Peak, where you’ll be granted views of beaches, uncharted forests, neighboring mountains and the South China Sea shimmering in the distance.

Be sure to get in touch with our team to book your spot to the Hong Kong International Races 2016 – for the horses, and everything in between!

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