Get a taste of Hong Kong's true local flavour on a backstreets adventure beyond the tourist trail. Start your journey with a trip on a Hong Kong commuter classic, the Star ferry. As one of the oldest forms of public transportation in the city, your view on board is the perfect front row seat to witness Hong Kong's iconic skyline unfolding as you chug across Victoria harbour. After docking, hop off of the ferry and onto one of the city's famous double-decker trams - the only tram system run exclusively on these two-level carriages.
Whiz through the city by tram before meeting up with a Dai Siu Yan practitioner, or "villian hitting", a bizarre local custom that's sometimes described as Hong Kong's own voodoo black magic. With the help of your guide and Dai Siu Yan expert, partake in a bit of villian hitting for yourself - but be careful, it's believed to curse your enemies as well as welcome good fortune!
Afterwards, take a short stroll to Shau Kei Wan, a historic fishing village in the north-eastern corner of the island that retains a timeless aura, immune to the rapid modernisation in the rest of the city. Follow your guide through narrow alleyways to the frenetic wet market for a glimpse at how locals swap stories and stock up on their morning groceries. Then, walk to Main Street East, a once-infamous hangout for pirates that's now filled with chic bars and trendy restaurants. Stop by the Shing Wong Temple, dedicated to the guardian god of the city and built in 1877, before wrapping up your tour with a visit to a local family at nearby Ming Wah Dai, the oldest existing public housing estate in the city. Square up for a game of Hong Kong mahjong and a friendly chat.
