Ask anyone who has been to Hong Kong would surely include Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, Victoria Peak, Nathan Road among their favorite tourist destinations to visit.  Another tourist attraction that Hong Kong visitors will include in their list of favorites is Repulse Bay.  Yes, Hong Kong has its own beach spots to be proud of.

Repulse Bay is what locals claim as the most stunning bay in the district.  Its name was based on an actual battle that happened back in the nineteenth century when the British soldiers were able to “repulse” pirate attacks.

It is easy to reach Repulse Bay.  From the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong or any other hotel in Central, you have to walk towards the Central MTR Station and proceed to the Exchange Plaza and take Exit A.  From the Exchange Plaza, take the bus that will bring you directly to Repulse Bay.  Other buses that you can take would be Bus Numbers 6, 6A, 6X, 260 or the Minibus Number 40 .  The bus ride costs less than HK$ 10 and you may use either your coins or your reliable Octopus card to pay.   Alternatively, one can just take the taxi to Repulse Bay and the trip can last anywhere from thirty to forty minutes.  Some locals prefer to take their own cars and just go on a road trip as there are available parking spaces near the Repulse Bay Hotel.

The road trip to Repulse Bay is pretty enjoyable.  The bus will depart from Victoria Harbor, which is on the northern side of Hong Kong,, and will travel to the Southern side until one sees the lovely view of the South China Sea.  There will also be sightings for the expensive lodges of the affluent residents a few minutes before actually arriving in Repulse Bay.  This is because the Repulse Bay Area is considered the most expensive residence area in all of Hong Kong with some properties being sold at US$ 3, 000 per square feet.   Mansions that line the mountain side are worth around ten million US dollars because of the breathtaking view.

This area has become a favorite getaway destination of anyone, both locals and tourists, in Hong Kong who would like to escape the scorching heat.  Once you sink your feet in the soft golden sand of the long crescent shaped shoreline, you will immediately be mesmerized by the glistening blue water.  Of course, a lot of people would choose to go for a swim.  The beach is safe for all visitors mainly because there are shark prevention measures that are being employed.

As Repulse Bay is also considered a fitting weekend trip for the entire family, one can find provisions that would allow anyone to cook food like some grilling stations and barbecue racks. There is a Chinese Temple by the shore with a lot of famous olden Chinese sculptures and statues of different sizes.  All these idols give this place a unique personality  that is uniquely Hong Kong.    The Zhenhai Tower Park, also called by some as the Lifehouse Clubhouse, was designed using Chinese inspired elements with its ceiling wonderfully laden with stunning dragons.  The Kwun Yum Shrine is marked by the soaring statues of Kwun Yum, the Goddess of Eternity and Serenity, and Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea, are erected in the area as if  protectors against threats and calamities.  These two goddesses are quite popular in Chinese beliefs and are worshipped by thousands.

There is also a sign in Repulse Bay that reads “Number one bay under the sky.”  It is written in several information materials on Repulse Bay that this statement is based on early Chinese way of thinking that China is the best in the entire world in terms of products, culture, traditions, and ancient culture among others.

Visitors will surely have a pleasurable time in Repulse Bay as one can find everything here.  In addition to the main beach area, there are also a number of restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, and a lot of scenic spots that are perfect as backdrop for all those souvenir photos.  It is also highly recommended to take the trip to nearby called Stanley Market while in the Repulse Bay area.   A mere thirty minute bus ride will get you to this famous shopping area.

As for me, I spend time in Repulse Bay to simply enjoy the place and go on leisure sandy strolls along the beach.  I enjoy listening to the waves as they splash against the shore and I look at them until they disappear into oblivion.

Posted in Attractions, Beaches, Hong Kong

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 at 7:29 am and is filed under Attractions, Beaches, Hong Kong. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.