Check out these top 4 picnic spots in Hong Kong

A picnic is a fun way for you and your family or friends to enjoy the nice weather and spend some quality time together. It’s a relaxing way to change the pace of everyday life and just slow things a little in the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong.

But sometimes, the preparation can stop people from following through. So, we’ve got a list of what to bring, how to prepare and where to go for a fun picnic afternoon in the city.

What to bring to a picnic

Picnics literally bring a breath of fresh air to your life. You can relax outside, away from home – but that also means you need to have everything you need with you. Everyone has their own favorite foods, and you may need some extra utensils and tools for comfortably eating outside. Here are some of the essentials for a successful picnic:

• A picnic blanket – Even if you are going to a picnic spot with a table, a picnic blanket gives you extra space to spread out!
• Sunscreen – Hanging out in the sun can be super relaxing – just make sure that you don’t end the day with sunburns, though.
• Hand sanitizer – Depending on where you go, you might not have easy access to a hand-washing station, so ensure that your hands are clean before you dig in.
• Baby wipes – Hand sanitizer kills germs, but baby wipes are perfect for cleaning up messes or if sitting on the ground gets dirtier than you expect.
• Utensils – Don’t forget to bring all the forks, knives and spoons that you need to enjoy your meal. Also, wooden chopsticks are light and easy to carry around, and they are more eco-friendly than plastic utensils.
• Garbage bag – Having a garbage bag makes it easy to clean up after yourself without searching for a trash can.
• Games – Bring something to do as a group! A picnic day is a perfect opportunity to play Frisbee, football or other outdoor games. You could also bring cards or a board game like chess or checkers.
• Camera – Don’t forget to capture the fun day with a camera or use the camera on your phone.
• Carriers and coolers – Use a picnic basket to carry everything and a cooler with ice packs to keep your food nice and cool until you’re ready to eat.

Make sure to pack your food neatly and efficiently, ideally in some reusable containers. Or, look into some eco-friendly disposable containers so you have less to carry around afterward. Bring a cooler with ice packs to keep your food cold and safe to eat. Also, bring food and snacks that are easy to transport and don’t take a lot of preparation so that you can relax once you lay out the picnic blanket.

What makes the best picnic food?

It can be hard to choose the perfect picnic foods. If you make something hot, it could be cold by the time you reach your destination. You also have to find ideas that make everybody happy. We’ve got some picnic food ideas that may spark some inspiration.

Snacks

The fun of picnics is that they break away from the day-to-day routine of eating a meal and moving on with daily errands, work or school. You can add more novelty to the event by curating a picnic full of snacks. When else do you get a chance to eat a whole meal of snack foods?

A charcuterie board is a winning combination of meat, cheese, fruit, bread and nuts that adds up to a yummy meal – and one that isn’t something you’d eat on a regular day. Pair it with chips and dip or chopped-up vegetables like carrots and peppers. Hong Kong wet markets are a great place to find fresh fruits and vegetables to include in your charcuterie board. You could also have everyone bring their favorite snack to share.

Sandwiches

Sandwiches are a classic picnic food for a reason. They are easy to make and easy to transport to your picnic destination. You can prepare them before you go, or you can bring the supplies for everyone to make their own sandwiches just how they like them. Picnickers can also make their own before the picnic, so everyone has their perfect choice, whether it be peanut butter and jelly, turkey and cheese, ham and swiss or some other combo.

Wraps

Wraps are a bit adjacent but have the same convenience as sandwiches. Chicken Caesar salad wraps are always a hit, as well as buffalo chicken wraps or a build-your-own-wrap. The possibilities are endless.

Salads

There are so many different ways to go the salad route. Chicken Caesar salads and Cobb salads are popular choices that are easy to prepare. There are also tons of pasta salad recipes to experiment with online. Pasta salads are perfect for picnics because you don’t have to worry about the lettuce getting soggy or bringing the extra components to put it together once you get there.

Dessert

You can’t forget a sweet treat at the end of your meal. If you have enough ice packs, a refreshing picnic treat on a warm day could be Popsicles, frozen lemonade or shaved ice. These are great for cooling off while hanging out on a sunny day. Or, opt for something more decadent by making brownies or cookies beforehand. A pan of double chocolate brownies or a container of chocolate chip cookies is easy to transport and adds a delicious final touch to your picnic.

Where are the best picnic spots in Hong Kong?

So, you have what you need, and you have your meal sorted out – but where should you go? There are plenty of beautiful parks in Hong Kong that offer the perfect environment and ambience for your picnic. Take into account any specifications that you need as well. Does it need to be pet-friendly? Do you need a picnic table? These questions can help you narrow down the best picnic spots in Hong Kong.

Victoria Peak Garden

Victoria Peak Garden is a popular picnic spot in Hong Kong with beautiful lawns to picnic and meander around. This park was originally the gardens and grounds of the Hong Kong governor’s summer residence, and it is now open to the public. There are picnic tables for you to enjoy the 360-degree views of Hong Kong, and you can bring your furry companion along too!

Cyberport Waterfront Park

Full of green grass and trees, Cyberport Waterfront Park boasts a waterfront view for you to enjoy during your picnic. This park is quite active, so it’s great for people watching and interacting with the community. It’s also pet-friendly, but you may have to rely on a picnic blanket for a seat. If you’re into kite-flying, this is a top choice for your picnic because of the steady breeze and flat, open spaces.

Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park

Also waterfront, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park provides a large grassy area for spreading out your picnic blanket and taking in the view of the skyscrapers as well as the Harbour. There is plenty of space for walking around after the picnic or playing a game of Frisbee. You can make a full day of it here as well by taking advantage of the park’s many amenities including basketball courts, football pitches, children’s playground, reflecting pond and swimming pool.

Tamar Park

Tamar Park is the place to go for an ocean view. Filled with vast patches of green grass and winding roads in between to stroll along, this is an Instagrammable picnic spot with a variety of backdrops. Spread out your blanket in one of the landscaped gardens or near the park’s various water features or floating platform. Close to Central and Admiralty station, you can easily pick up some food nearby and head over.

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