< Previous24 THE BUZZ 22 WANDERING OFF THE BEATEN TRACK IN HONG KONG It is best known as Asia’s shopping and gastronomical destination, but its busy shopping malls and restaurants are not the only wonders that Hong Kong has to offer. 28 SANCTUARY FOR THE SOUL In addition to the very enchanting ambience of the resort, the Banyan Tree Spa Krabi deserves a visit when one is in Krabi. UZZ22 THE BUZZ WANDERING OFF THE BEATEN TRACK IN HONG KONG It is best known as Asia’s shopping and gastronomical destination, but its busy shopping malls and restaurants are not the only wonders that Hong Kong has to offer. If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, Hong Kong has a few surprises up its sleeves that will make your visit an even more memorable one. These places, off the beaten track, will allow you to immerse yourself into a different side of Hong Kong filled with serenity and culture. Text by Penrapee Ram-Indra | Photos by Khan Ram-Indra 23 1. SOAK IN NATURE AT WAN CHAI GREEN TRAIL Hong Kong is blessed with dozens of in- credibly lush and scenic hiking trails across its islands, but little did we know that there is one hidden trail right in the middle of the city ideal for a short getaway – Wan Chai Green Trail. The hike starts at the corner of Queen’s Road East and Wan Chai Gap Road which is only 10 minutes’ walk from MTR Wan Chai. It is a well-paved and yet challenging 1.1 km. uphill trail thanks to the steep climb but trust us, it is worth the sweat as the trail is beauti- fully shaded by a canopy of trees though a lovely view of the city can still be seen through the dense greenery. Once you reach the end, you can either catch the bus back and call it a day or continue on to Aberdeen Reservoir Road for another scenic walk toward Aberdeen Country Park.24 THE BUZZ 2. GO BACK IN TIME AT TAI KWUN CENTRE FOR HERITAGE AND ART If you are looking for some history and culture, you should definitely check out Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Art. It was es- tablished over 180 years ago by the British on the former Central Police Station and Victoria Prison compound and comprises of 16 historic buildings and tranquil courtyards in the midst of Hong Kong’s buzzling financial district. The compound has recently been beautifully re- stored into a cultural centre with two additional new buildings constructed for exhibitions and performing arts. As one of Hong Kong’s most significant remaining heritage sites, it is the go-to place to spend a quiet afternoon admir- ing historic buildings while learning about the fascinating history of Hong Kong’s culture, law and sustainable urban development. 3. HAVE SOME “ME” TIME AT CHI LIN NUNNERY Need a little solitude during your visit? Head over to Chi Lin Nunnery and you will not be disappointed. Constructed following traditional Tang Dynasty architecture without the use of a single nail, this beautiful Buddhist temple complex is renowned for being one of the larg- est hand-built wooden structures in the world. The moment you step inside the Nunnery, the welcoming well-pruned bonsai and serene lotus ponds will envelop you in calmness and peace of mind, making it the perfect place to take a break from the towering skyscrapers and to find your inner peace. 25 4. TREASURE HUNT AT HONG KONG PALACE MUSEUM Newly opened in July 2022, this world-class museum is not to be missed for the treasure hunters out there. Apart from being the home of more than 900 priceless artefacts from the Palace Museum in Beijing’s Forbidden City, as well as precious artworks on loan from the Louvre Museum in Paris, the building itself is a work of art in contemporary design. Plus, the Museum offers a spectacular Instagrammable background with panoramic view of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong’s skyline. A visit here can easily take a whole day so do not forget to grab a bite to eat at one of the Museum’s charming waterfront cafés and food joints. THE BUZZ 26 5. APPRECIATE ART AT M+ If you are an art lover, your bucket-list destination in Hong Kong will surely include M+, located in the up-and-coming West Kowloon Cultural District. It is one of the world’s largest museums of contemporary art and so what better way to indulge yourself than by taking a stroll in the vast exhibition space covering 33 galleries? These house modern and contemporary art of the 20 th and 21 st centuries with the highlight on Hong Kong. Without a doubt, M+ has transformed Hong Kong into a true paradise for art enthusiasts. Whether you are a nature lover, a history buff or an art fan, these are just a few of the many hidden gems Hong Kong has to offer. Make sure you explore these lesser-known attractions and you may rest assured that the next time you are in town, you will discover even more delightful off-the-beaten-track experiences around the dynamic city. Strolling through the elegant setting of the resort with its sleek design and amazing view of the limestone islands is already a treat for the senses. If you think this is as good as it gets you’ll be wrong, however. Just wait until you step into the legendary Banyan Tree Spa Krabi! The spa is situated discretely among the flora of the resort’s grounds, and once in its lobby the spa manager Bussayawan Chanchai and a well-trained receptionist received us and started the consultation to determine In addition to the very enchanting ambience of the resort, the Banyan Tree Spa Krabi deserves a visit when one is in Krabi. The spa here offers a seamless philosophy and practice that is well-applauded by the industry and undisputed in its merit, and its treatment rooms are second to none with colour therapy in use. our goals for our visit. There were questions regarding our present feelings as well, as colour therapy is used to enhance the health benefits from other treatments. “Someone who has come from a cold climate may well be recommended red lighting, which boosts energy and increases warmth. Those who have just had a long flight or have not been sleeping well could be offered blue. We also have white, green and yellow lighting, and each helps to immerse the guest in an ambience that will create positive energy and benefit their health,” explained Bussayawan. In addition to eight ensuite treatment rooms with colour therapy, the spa also offers a spacious pavilion in the Mini Rainforest (which did not look “mini” to me at all!) and this was a part of my spa programme designed to heal and soothe holistically. Once I entered the Mini Rainforest, my hydrothermal circuit started with a Rain Walk, after which I moved on to the Steam, Sauna, Ice Fountain and the Text by Urasa Chittamvanich Vitality Pool with hydro massage. After those it was time to enjoy the Outdoor Cold Plunge Pool and Outdoor Hot Plunge Pool, which I needed to dip into alternately to receive the maximum benefits for both my muscles and my complexion. By the time I stepped into the Jet Pool I was in a state of complete relaxation and when I reached the Heated Bed for my last stop, I told myself that Banyan Tree Spa Krabi is heaven on earth indeed! SANCTUARY FOR THE SOUL 28 THE BUZZ BANYAN TREE KRABI 279 Moo 3 Tambon Nongtalay, Amphoe Muang, Krabi 81180, Thailand T. +66 75 811 888 E. spa-krabi@banyantree.com W. banyantree.com/spa/banyan- tree-spa-krabi29 "At Shangri-La, we understand that each guest has a unique version of what it means to "Find Your Shangri-La. We have a rich legacy of more than 50 years of delighting customers and wanted to take this opportunity to highlight something that has always been part of us" says Shangri-La Chairman Hui Kuok. For Bangkok diners, the "Find Your Shangri-La" promotion takes the shape of a delectable limited-time set dish developed by Executive Chinese Chef Tan Kwang Aik at the Shang Palace Chinese Restaurant. The menu features a culinary adventure with Cantonese dishes as well as cooking techniques at tableside. The Whimsical Set Menu (THB 4,288++ per set) at the Shang Palace includes the Magic Octopus, an aromatic braised octopus spiced peanut crumble and charred Jalapeno peppers; Scallops and Caviar; WHAT IS YOUR ‘SHANGRI-LA’ ? Sichuan Braised Wagyu Short Rib; and Koi bird's nest soya milk pudding. Available from today until 15 August 2023. At the Lobby Lounge, a specially prepared 'Daydreamer' beverage complements the one- of-a-kind set meal. This inventive concoction combines London dry gin, Maraschino, fresh lime juice, and butterfly pea flower for a delectable and vibrant purple-blue tint that creates a moment worth dreaming about. DWELLING IN THE WHIMSICAL IDEAL ATMOSPHERE WHEN VISITING THE SHANGRI-LA BANGKOK AND BEING PART OF THE "FIND YOUR SHANGRI-LA" GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE. SHANGRI-LA BANGKOK T. 02 236 7777 E. restaurants.slbk@shangri-la.com W. www.shangri-la.com/bangkok SPECIAL PROMOTIONNext >