Hong Kong's Underrated Destinations Take the Spotlight in Under Parallel Skies
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Hong Kong remains among the top five destinations for Filipino travelers, according to a media briefing by Klook on April 25 at Disney's Hollywood Hotel. The travel app also saw a 302 percent growth in gross sales for Hong Kong destinations, tours, and experiences in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023. This growing demand led Klook to launch more products in Hong Kong, including a day tour based on the filming locations of the romantic drama film Under Parallel Skies.
"Revenge travel is very much felt within the company, and this, we believe, is going to continue throughout 2024," explained Michelle Ho, General Manager of Klook Philippines and Thailand. "The trends include experience-first holidays. This is something that we're only starting to see post-pandemic, wherein people book experiences before they fly. And I think this is a new phenomenon for customers." An example of this is the travel-centric experience of TV shows and films.
Under Parallel Skies stars Janella Salvador and Win Metawin
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Under Parallel Skies tells the story of Parin (played by Thai actor Win Metawin), a Thai bachelor who arrives in Hong Kong on a quest to find his missing mother. His journey takes a turn when he meets Iris, a Filipino hotel receptionist played by Filipino actress Janella Salvador. Through their interactions, the film explores themes of love, cultural differences, and personal healing, set within the cosmopolitan confines of Hong Kong. It is directed by Sigrid Bernardo (Kita Kita, Ang Huling Cha-cha ni Anita, Untrue) and produced by 28 Squared Studios and Two Infinity Entertainment.
Hong Kong's vibrant cityscape and rich cultural tapestry are captured in the cinematic spotlight throughout the film. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of not only the tourist traps, like the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, but also of underrated destinations like the Tai-O Fishing Village.
Here's what to expect from Klook's Under Parallel Skies-inspired tour of Lantau Island:
The tour starts at 9:45 a.m. at the MTR Hong Kong Station in Central. The first stop is about one hour away by private car, but the guided tour takes you on a train ride through the Tung Chung Line for less than two hours.
1| Tai O Fishing Village
Tai O Fishing Village is often celebrated as a quaint, picturesque destination. With its traditional stilt houses and vibrant local culture, the village is frequently dubbed the "Venice of the Orient."
The houses above tidal flats, which are now made from modern materials like steel sheets and plywood, are handed down from generation to generation among Tanka people. Beside the homes in stilts are motor boats and traditional boats used for fishing, which remains to be the town's main livelihood.
This exhibition center showcases the traditions of Tai O
Tourism has also become the village's source of income, even though Tai O is still an underrated stop for tourists. Local stalls selling dried seafood and shrimp paste, a delicacy in the region, add to its charm.
Dried seafood is being sold at the local stalls.
However, not to be ignored is the environmental impact of increased tourist activity. Like in most waterways around the world, single-use plastics float aimlessly underneath and between the stilt houses in Tao O Village. This also poses a threat to the population of the Chinese White Dolphins, which are found in the open water beyond the town's canals.
Despite the challenges, Tao Fishing Village endures as a living museum of Hong Kong's maritime heritage, with festivals like the Dragon Boat Water Parade and the Lantern Festival highlighting its rich culture.
2| Ngong Ping Big Buddha
The Big Buddha, which was completed in 1993, stands as a monumental bronze statue in Ngong Ping. It's known for its challenge of having to climb 268 steps to reach Buddha.
The statue itself is divided into two parts: the body, towering at 26.4 meters, and the lotus throne on which it sits, bringing the total height to an impressive 34 meters. Crafted with 250 tonnes of bronze over a 12-year period, the statue depicts Siddhartha, who reached enlightenment and became the Buddha beneath the Bodhi tree. The right hand of the statue is raised as a gesture of compassion and a promise to save all beings from suffering. Meanwhile, the left hand rests open on the lap, symbolizing a vow to bring blessings and happiness to all.
Near the Big Buddha is the Po Lin Monastery, which is a 10-minute walk from Ngong Ping Village. The compound also houses a vegetarian restaurant where tourists can enjoy tofu- and bean-curd-based meals.
3| Ngong Ping Cable Car
If vegetarian meals are not your thing, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants when you walk away from the Po Lin Monastery and towards the site of the Ngong Ping Cable Car. Then, you can enjoy the ride from Ngong Ping Station to Tung Chung Station.
Bask in the view of Lantau Peak, the 5.7-kilometer Ngong Ping 360 Rescue Trail Hike cutting through trees and small streams. If you're lucky, you can watch the fog descend from the mountains and clear up once you get to Tung Chung Bay. From above the water, you can take in the landscapes of the Hong Kong International Airport, the tall buildings of Yat Tung Estate, and the highways. The ride ends at Tung Chung Station, which is adjacent to the Citygate Outlet mall.
Under Parallel Skies Day Tour in Hong Kong starts at P3,090. You can book through Klook. Under Parallel Skies premiered in the Philippines on April 17.
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