I escaped for four months

Justin here. Do you ever get tired of your day-to-day? Want to pack it in and get away from it all? I'm jet-lagged but here with some good news from Asia. [View in browser]( [Bloomberg]( Nei hou, [Justin Ocean]( here. For the past four months, I’ve been living in Hong Kong, covering the fast-moving world of finance and real estate. (That China outlook? [Not pretty.]() Now I’m back in action on Team Pursuits and happy to be home in bustling Brooklyn. At the end of my job swap, I had my first extended vacation in years: Singapore, Philippines, South Korea, skiing and New Year’s Eve in Japan and a return stop-over in Tahiti. Glorious. Solo adventures at 42 may hit differently than backpacking at 22 (i.e. I’m exhausted), but having the time and the freedom to do this was [a true luxury](. As was the time spent making friends and building a life—however brief—in Asia’s “World City.” After a few rough years of political strife, strict Covid lockdowns and mass emigration, Hong Kong is on the rise again, albeit with a marked reorientation toward mainland China. Lighting the incense to create the Tai Hang Fire Dragon, a Hong Kong Mid-Autumn Festival tradition that dates back to the 19th century. Photographer: Justin Ocean/Bloomberg Don’t just take my word for it. Hong Kong is one of the 24 destinations in our annual [Where to Go special]( for 2024. It remains an incredible place to visit, with [best-in-class luxury hotels](, nightlife that [honors Cantonese culture]( and billions in investment to bolster its culture credentials. When you make the trip, I’ve got a few favorites to add, too. The following recommendations all made me feel, if only for a season, like a local. EAT THIS It’s been around for 60-some years. There’s always a queue. The servers are surly. You’ll likely be seated with random strangers at a cramped booth. And Michelin Guide posters paper the windows. But I ate at [Tsim Chai Kee]( at least once a week—so much so my new [coworker]( eventually forbade me to stop gushing about it. Springy noodles, golf ball-sized shrimp wontons, musky (in a good way) homemade fish balls, all for under $5 a bowl. Heaven. A busy Sunday at Lin Heung Kui. Photographer: Justin Ocean/Bloomberg Of course, you’ll want to [eat some dim sum](, and there’s no shortage of amazing places that run the gamut from homey to refined. The most fun I had was at [Lin Heung Kui]( in Sheung Wan. It’s loud, chaotic, and there’s no English menu; seat yourself then point and pantomime your way to deliciousness as steaming carts roll by. All aboard the Ding Ding! Photographer: Justin Ocean/Bloomberg RIDE THIS There’s much faster ways to traverse Hong Kong Island than taking the tram. (See: a multitude of buses, the hyper-efficient and clean MTR subway system, absurdly cheap taxis that offer a Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride thrill of their own.) But for a couple coins [the “Ding Ding”]( is a charming throwback that lets you grasp how the city is stitched together, best viewed from the upper deck. BUY THIS High-quality tailors may be a dime of dozen in the city, but my go-to for bespoke apparel was [Jantzen](. It’s not flashy or posh—finding it on the fifth floor of a random office building in Central had me double-checking Google Maps more than once—but the prices are fair, the options endless, the turnaround quick and the no-nonsense sales associates have a sixth sense for the style you’re seeking. Plus, once your measurements are on file, you do new orders via WhatsApp and they’ll ship them to you. The ultimate souvenir: [Jewel Trading Co.]( created a custom gold charm in the shape of Hong Kong’s ubiquitous pawn shop neon signs engraved with my name in Chinese. Source: Jewel Trading Co. You can’t not find yourself in a mall in Hong Kong. (They’re basically pedestrian throughways.) While every major luxury brand is represented many times over, for something truly unique, hit up [PMQ]( in SoHo. The two-building warren of shops converted from police housing offers pop-ups, independent artisans, and rotating festivals in its courtyard. Don’t skip the metalwork jewelry at [the Little Finger](. For more traditional bling and a scruffy [Uncut Gems]( vibe, family-run [Jewel Trading Co.](in Causeway Bay offers fair prices, stellar sourcing, and above-and-beyond service. SKIP THIS The [Victoria Harbour light show]( in one word? Lame. Just trust me. On the other hand, [Happy Wednesday]( at the Happy Valley Racecourse [is an institution](—and a very fun scene. Even if you could care less about horse racing, don’t miss it. Off to the races for Happy Wednesday Photographer: Justin Ocean/Bloomberg SEE BEYOND THE SKYLINE Hong Kong island’s topography is wild: a dense forest of skyscrapers is sandwiched between lush green mountains and a busy harbor. I couldn’t get enough. For a penthouse-eye view of the cityscape out over the water to Kowloon, walk the [Bowen Road Fitness trail]( that hugs Mid-Levels hillsides past waterfalls and shrines. A view from walking along the Bowen Road Fitness Trail Photographer: Justin Ocean/Bloomberg I never considered myself outdoorsy but a welcome surprise was how easy it is to escape the urban jungle for an actual jungle. Or beach. Or mountain. The city center is but a tiny speck compared to the breadth of the whole region, and it’s all accessible by public transit. Definitely take a ferry from the Central Piers to [one of the city’s islands]( (car-free Cheung Chau and bite-sized Peng Chau were my faves), but also take time to explore the New Territories on a rented bike. There’s inexpensive, easy pick-up and drop-off points along [a 60 km (37 mile) contiguous cycling path]( that takes you past seaside vistas, working farms, skyscrapers sprouting from rolling hills, and if you pedal the northern leg, Shenzhen sparkling like Oz in the distance. Atop Lantau Peak you can forget you’re in the middle of a city with 7.5 million people Photographer: Justin Ocean/Bloomberg For hikes, [Lantau Peak]( is take-your-breath-away beautiful. It’s best to tackle Hong Kong’s second highest summit on a weekday when crowds are thinner; the [Ngong Ping 360 cable car]( to the starting point near the massive [Tian Tan Buddha]( lets you off in a fake historical village (another mall!) and is a tourist trap trial in theme park-esque lines and patience—but absolutely worth the hassle. The hike up is strenuous and very steep (bring water, go slow). But from the top, WOW. Continue from there down the ridge to Pak Kung Au and grab a bus back to the MTR station. AND FINALLY, TAKE A BREAK The city’s subtle secrets unfold best when explored on your own two feet, so treat them right at [Gao’s Foot Massage Co.]( The new location is off Queen’s Rd. on the 14th floor of a nondescript office building near the Central Mid-Levels Escalators. (The Caine Road address is old, so careful when you map it.) They give a pretty mean shoulder massage and pedicure, too. Connect with Justin via [Instagram]( or [X]( or [e-mail](mailto:askpursuits@bloomberg.net) A Home Abroad I like scrolling through Zillow and thumbing through fancy real estate listings as much as the next guy. But my colleagues abroad have been doing mansion porn one better. The [Open House series]( celebrates the city’s history through the most interesting homes on the market. The exterior of 23 South Bay Road, and one of the bathrooms. Source: Habitat Property [$77,000 a Month Rental Shows Depth of Hong Kong's Luxury Downturn]( The chill in Hong Kong’s property market is prompting owners of luxury homes to rent out their properties instead of selling. One home is a 4,000-square-foot house on the Peak with a rich history. Hong Kong's Property Downturn May Yet Save Century-Old Townhouse Listed for $18 Million]( Tumbling home prices are reducing redevelopment pressures on a historic property in a city with the most high-rises in the world. [Mansion Built From Ruins of War Lists for $70 Million]( The low-rise apartment block above Repulse Bay reflects the area’s rich history from Japanese occupation to reconstruction during Hong Kong’s boom. [Rare Five-Story Luxury Home Near Central Lists for $9 Million]( In a city of skyscrapers, an American expat decided to recreate a New York-style brownstone in Hong Kong after buying and renovating a dilapidated 1970s tenement building. [Sea View Mansion Eyes Ambitious $281 Million Sale]( The 18,000-square-foot mansion with 11 bedrooms represents a former era when wealthy mainland Chinese buyers flocked to Hong Kong for trophy properties. If all this is too much Hong Kong for you, head over to CityLab, where their ongoing series [“The Iconic Home Designs That Define Our Global Cities”]( can scratch your wanderlust itch for other locales with deep dives on world architecture. [How Corporations Created the Prototypical Seoul Apartment]( [Australia’s Timber Homes Are Where the Suburbs Meet the Frontier]( [How ‘Chawl’ Tenements Helped Mumbai Become a Megacity]( [Vienna Launched a Public Housing Revolution in the 1920s]( [How Reykjavik's Sheet-Metal Homes Beat the Icelandic Winter]( All fascinating reads, even if you’re not planning a move and are a forever renter like me. Illustrator: Josh Kramer/Bloomberg VIP access If you’re a fan of whiskey, wine, beer and spirits, Bloomberg Pursuits has a club just for you. We’re sharing exclusive spirits news, building a tasting community and offering access to special cocktail events and bottle releases. Subscribe to the [Top Shelf newsletter](, for free, [here](. And if you love luxury timepieces, [Watch Club]( and its free [monthly newsletter]( might be for you, too. So you had some questions... We put out the call for questions weekly on [our Instagram account](. You ask, we answer. Where should I definitely go if I’ve never been to Asia? Only you can answer this, @dagoedanny: Asia is a huge, diverse region with something for everyone depending on their interests. Do you want beaches? Hiking? History? Cities? Luxury? Shopping? Adventure? Nightlife? Seclusion? Hidden Beach in El Nido, Palawan, in the Philippines. Photographer: Justin Ocean/Bloomberg Thailand and Vietnam both have extensive, well-developed tourist infrastructures that make them easy to plan and navigate. Philippines can be a hassle (the Manila airport, oy!), but it pays off with easy-going natural splendor, especially if you make it Palawan. Cambodia’s [Angkor Wat temples]( are like nothing else on Earth. Singapore, Mongolia, South Korea, China, Indonesia, India, Bhutan—each unique and rewarding. Only you can choose! But if what you’re seeking is an Asian destination that feels really “foreign,” [pick Japan](. You can’t read the signs. The cultural differences are stark. It’s very much not the West. It hits you in the face with its Japan-ness. And yet, it’s actually very easy to access. There’s deep, rich history; exceptional service, and I can’t think of one bad meal I had. (Just go with friends; solo travel here is quite isolating.) And if you like skiing or snowboarding—seen here, Furano in December—it’s no secret that Japan has the fluffiest bordering on unreal powder around. Photographer: Justin Ocean/Bloomberg Japan is also incredibly safe and locals truly will go out of their way to help, despite language barriers. So while you will most likely be marked as a tourist with a capital T, you’ll never be a mark and get taken advantage of—it’s a very great place to feel out of place. What are some credit cards that offer the best travel perks and airport lounge access? In the forever-escalating arms race of premium travel cards, the terms of engagement keep changing. Obviously our [Best Credit Cards for Travel]( article is old—we’ll be updating it soon—but as you’re weighing your options for new plastic, @[gingerskhan](, the basic offerings still stand. AmEx is planning a Centurion Lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport, and you’ll need a Platinum Card ($695 annual fee) to access it. Source: Business Wire The key to picking the most beneficial card for you is having a firm grasp of your spending habits and what categories they fall into (e.g. shopping, dining at restaurants, travel, etc.) so you can maximize points in addition to the perks—which can include [much more than lounge access and upgrades](. Also consider some of [these hacks]( and [hotel loyalty programs](. And if you have some cash to invest, turns out [buying stock in travel companies]( can pay out much more than dividends. What surprised you the most on your travels? The [Google Translate app](. That’s probably not the kind of epiphany you were after, dear colleague @[SarahRapp](, but it truly opened up the world. I could converse with locals using dictation. And being able to point my phone’s camera at foreign text and have it translated into English (or any other language for that matter) felt like witchcraft. Whatever startup wants to turn this tech into an ear or brain implant, sign me up! When is the cheapest time to see cherry blossoms and in what part of Japan? I hate to break it to you, @[sarahjennvega](, there’s no real cheap time to see cherry blossoms in Japan. You’re contending not only with foreign tourism which is reaching all-time-highs but also domestic travelers soaking in sakura season—[it’s a $4.7 billion boom]( in economic activity. Plus Mother Nature can be fickle, so committing yourself to one place won’t guarantee you’ll see blooms on your travel dates. My tip is to remain as nimble as you can and fine-tune your travel plans as your departure date approaches. “Cherry Blossom Flowering Forecast Map” shows dates of flowering but not of full bloom. Source: Japan Meteorological Corporation Big popular cities (Tokyo, Kyoto) will always be more expensive that smaller ones (Fukuoka, Sapporo), so consult a [cherry blossom forecast]( to find a lesser-touristed area that works for your schedule. Take advantage of the current weak yen and book hotels now in various cities you’d be willing to travel to should the blooms not yet be full where you land. Pay in yen and don’t forget to set calendar notifications to adhere to the various cancellation/refund policies. Then, watch those forecasts and once the pink wave starts sweeping up the nation, you can keep only the reservations you need. And unless you’re planning to do lot of city-hopping for other sightseeing, skip the [Japan Rail Pass](. A 70% price increase in October drastically reduced the chances you’ll save any money at all, if not end up paying more. Here’s a [rail pass calculator]( to check. Having just spent two weeks over Christmas and New Year’s there, another high season, spur-of-the-moment logistical planning in Japan can be maddening. Pre-planning contingencies now may ultimately only save you a little yen, but it will maximize your zen. New for subscribers: Free article gifting. Bloomberg.com subscribers can now gift up to five free articles a month to anyone you want. Just look for the "Gift this article" button on stories. (Not a subscriber? Unlock limited access and [sign up here](.) Follow Us Like getting this newsletter? [Subscribe to Bloomberg.com]( for unlimited access to trusted, data-driven journalism and subscriber-only insights. Want to sponsor this newsletter? [Get in touch here](. 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