When it comes to capturing pretty pictures, the background can help sell the story behind the photograph. I find a lot of inspiration for new destinations on platforms such as Pinterest and Instagram through photos with undeniably gorgeous backgrounds. As with any novel or play or film, the environment helps to share more than just the characters in it. Prior to my visit to Hong Kong, I already knew it would be a very photogenic city (my Apple TV screensavers kept reminding me of that daily), but there were 2 spots I deemed my favorite spots to capture Instagram worthy content. Keep reading to find out more about them.
Braemar Hill Peak
One of the easiest hikes in the entire city provides one of the best views of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Not far from popular Causeway Bay and just south of North Point, Braemar Hill is a heavily residential area with hiking trails through the hills and mountains. Most first-time visitors flock to Victoria Peak for the best overall view of the city, but since it is so overrun with tourists, I was eager to seek out a different, quieter vantage point. I found Braemar Hill via Instagram, and fell in love with the view from the Braemer Hill Peak. I knew from the moment I first laid eyes on the backdrop that this was the first place I wanted to shoot during my visit to Hong Kong. Once I reached this spot, I didn’t want to leave. This was my very first time viewing Hong Kong with my own two eyes and in person, and I couldn’t have picked a better peak to take my breath away.
We took a taxi to the St. Joan of Arc Secondary School (we needed to show our driver our destination via Google Maps), but there’s also a bus from Causeway Bay that will take you across the street to the Braemar Hill Bus Terminus. Next to the school is a walkway that takes you to what looks like a never-ending set of stairs up the hill. Don’t worry, it’s not that bad. This section of the trail and the very end are the only arduous parts of the hike to Braemar Hill Peak. At the junction, follow the path to the right and keep following along path. You’ll pass streams and wind through trees and rocks, but the path is completely flat. After about 5-10 minutes depending on how fast of a walker you are (I’m from NYC… I only know how to power walk), you’ll come across trees on your right with red ribbons. Follow that skinny trail up the rocks. Hold on to the trees along the side for part of the climb, as it gets steep in some parts. Near the top, you’ll come across two rocks that look daunting but there’s a gap in between them to climb through. For the very end of the journey up to the peak, you will literally have to climb the rocks. They’re extremely sturdy, and once you reach the top it’s all completely worth it. We went at sunrise (which I highly recommend), but you could also visit at sunset, although the humidity can be a bit more difficult to endure later in the day than earlier in the day. I would not visit this spot in the middle of the day, especially in the summer, since the heat and harsh overhead lighting from the sun could potentially be troublesome for photo taking. (Don’t worry – when we captured our pics, we hiked up in workout gear before I slipped the gown on at the top.)
Sai Wan Swimming Shed
Another hidden gem for the best photo on Hong Kong Island is the Sai Wan Swimming Shed in Sai Wan. Unlike Braemer Hill, this spot doesn’t provide a view of the city, but it is a tranquil escape from the city that almost looks too fake to be real. Just like Braemar Hill, I found Sai Wan Swimming Shed on Instagram. There was something about the view of the water, as well as the fact that it’s been declared as the cleanest and safest water in Hong Kong to swim in. Upon our arrival, a group of elderly locals were taking full advantage of a good early morning swim and they were quite excited to see we had discovered their little haven. Most visitors come to Sai Wan Swimming Shed in the evening because this a prime viewing spot during sunset, but we went at 7 am when we knew there would be no one else fighting for a spot to take a picture. In fact, once the locals got out of the water, we were the only ones there.
For this spot, we took a taxi by showing our driver on Google Maps our destination of Sai Wan Swimming Shed. Our driver seemed to know where to go and drove us through the bustling streets of Hong Kong Island before we found ourselves winding up the hill through the trees. While it’s legal for a taxi to stop on the road outside the swimming shed gate, be prepared that it can be a busy road and drivers behind your car may not be too thrilled (as was the case with us). The entrance to Sai Wan Swimming Shed is a bit hidden, with a sign written in Cantonese as the gateway to the steep flight of stairs down the cliff. Keep following all the stairs you see all the way down until you come to a literal shed by the water. You’ll hear waves crashing and you may hear some locals chatting as they get ready to dip in the water for their daily swim. Be careful on the dock itself, as it is wet and can get slippery. But the picturesque spot is worth it.
Do you have any favorite Instagram spots in Hong Kong?
Lol, why did you delete my comment ?? I said I didn’t like your Asian style. Also I said too sponsor post , what is wrong with that?? It’s not hateful. It’s a fact I also love your European tour style. Mature people will have adult like conversation. Just replying to people you worship you all the time shows me you are immature stuck up princess. I never thought you are immature. Wow!!! Go ahead and delete this too which only proving my point that good content writer won’t sell out for money. If they do , then it’s writing is not honest.
I deleted your comment because it was, in fact, hateful and aggressive. I read your comment aloud to some friends of mine who suggested I remove your hateful comment from my site, despite me being open to discussing your criticism of me. However, you could have simply messaged me via email or on social media to air your grievances, but instead you chose to do so anonymously underneath my blog post. I even tried to email you to discuss this as an “adult”, but it seems you have supplied a fake email address.
In case you aren’t aware, I’ve gone through massive, major life changes this year. I got a sudden divorce from my husband, which threw my entire life upside down and caused me to take a step back from my website (which he was heavily involved with). Unless you have been through a divorce, I don’t expect you to understand what that feels like and how that deeply affects your life.
When I choose to work on sponsored posts, I only work with brands I vouch for, brands I use naturally on a daily basis, and brands I do and would use as a customer if I did not have a website. That has been my rule from the very beginning of this site and I have made that extremely clear on my website and social media. When I was officially on my own after the divorce, I needed to support myself. Most sponsored campaigns require a blog post due to social media being temporary and the internet being more permanent, and so that is what I did per our contracts even though I wasn’t actively posting other blog posts like I used to. However, everything written in those posts are my own thoughts and words. Like I said, I only work with brands or hotels I genuinely like if I did not have a blog. I have actually turned down a lot of sponsored posts this year because I a) wasn’t familiar with the brand or b) didn’t think they would be a good fit with my audience.
I appreciate your comment that you liked my fashion in my Europe posts. I even appreciate your criticism of my style in Asia. To be fair, my style is changing just like we do as people every day. My style is evolving as I grow older. On top of that, I am also trying to find my new footing in life and with my website as I move on from these big, sudden life changes. That includes my style. I am not the same girl from 2016 or even 2018.
I knew I wasn’t going to get kindness and compassion from everyone during this time in my life, but I hope you can take a step back and be a little bit more forgiving as I am only human. I don’t expect you to continue being a reader or a fan of mine, but I do hope you have a little more insight as to what has been going on behind the scenes.
Have a good day.
Hi Alyssa,
Would you write about Taiwan in your next travel blog? I was so happy that you came to Taiwan! I can’t even believe it’s true.
As I followed your twitter, it seems that you’re not well recently. First, What happened to you and Tor? I thought everything between you and him was all perfect. As a fan of you I really want to know the details. It’s ok to me that if you don’t want to tell. Second, I want you to be defined by the things that you love, not the things that you hate. I read lots of bloggers’ blog, apparently I think you are the best blogger ever. Because most of the bloggers only care about money. They don’t care about the products are good or bad. They just take the money and post it. But you’re different! That’s why I like you. As a public figure, I know it’s impossible to avoid haters, but I just want you to know that you’re doing very well. Don’t get depressed by those childish people!
Hello Alison! Yes a Taiwan blog post is coming! I’ve been a bit delayed since I am currently in the middle of a move into my temporary home until I move to my new, official home. There’s a lot happening in my personal life at the moment that needs to take precedence. Once everything calms down, I’ll be posting a ton of new blog posts!
Details of my split will never be made public and will remain private within my ex-husband, myself, and our families out of respect and privacy. But we all remain on very good, close terms which is what matters the most to us all.