Doha 1) National Museum of Qatar

The National Museum of Qatar was one of the most impressive places I visited in Doha. The building itself is a masterpiece, with its unique design inspired by the desert rose, looking like giant crystal petals rising from the sand.  Taking photo with the building felt like I was in another planet!

Even before entering, I was amazed by its modern and artistic architecture. Inside, the museum beautifully tells the story of Qatar, from its natural landscape and Bedouin heritage to the pearl diving era and the country’s rapid modern development. Walking through the galleries felt like traveling through time, learning how this desert nation transformed into the modern city I see today. The combination of history, culture, and stunning visual displays made this visit both educational and memorable.

2 Days in Doha Impression and Experiences

Doha was not originally part of my itinerary. When I was searching for flights from Johannesburg to Chongqing, ChatGPT suggested flying with Qatar Airways and also mentioned its stopover program. After looking into it, I found the idea very appealing, so I booked my flight with a two-day stopover in Doha. It turned out to be a wonderful decision. Not only did it break up the long journey into more manageable flight segments, but it also gave me the chance to explore a city I had not originally planned to visit. This is exactly the purpose of the stopover program—to encourage tourism in Qatar.

I booked a four-star hotel through the program, and it was surprisingly affordable, which made the experience even better.

Although public transportation in Doha is somewhat limited, Uber was both convenient and inexpensive, so I relied on it for all of my transportation during the stay.

What impressed me most about Doha was how new and modern everything felt. The city looked exceptionally clean, sleek, and well organized. At the same time, many of its buildings and public spaces beautifully reflect its own culture and heritage, giving the city a unique character rather than feeling purely modern.

During my visit, I noticed that there were very few people on the streets, which gave the city a calm and almost serene atmosphere.

Everyone I encountered—including hotel staff and Uber drivers—spoke good English, which made getting around very easy and comfortable.

I visited in September, when the weather was quite hot during the day but much cooler and more pleasant in the evening.

Somehow, by the end of my visit, I found myself wishing I had stayed longer. Perhaps next time I will return and spend more time discovering what Doha has to offer.

Hong Kong -7) Food and Street Shopping

Hong Kong is truly a paradise for food lovers. From Michelin-starred dim sum to humble street stalls, the city takes its cuisine seriously.  XiaoFu took me to a few hidden local spots for dim sum—such a treat. My mouth still waters when I think about it.  

When in Hong Kong, you should experience street shopping at least once.  Going through all the merchandise itself is a joy even if you don't want to buy anything. Some time, there were so much choice, you have hard time to make up your mind.  Just you know I brought Cotton top and shirt for $7 for my visit to Indonesia that were so beautiful, easy to care and photographed nicely!

Hong Kong- 6) Wonders of Hong Kong

After walking along Victoria Harbour, soaking in views of the skyline and the boats crossing its deep blue waters, I hopped on the famous Star Ferry for a short ride across the bay to Central — the business heart of Hong Kong. 

The Star Ferry runs regularly between Tsim Sha Tsui on the Kowloon side and Central on Hong Kong Island, and it’s one of the best ways to enjoy the harbour scenery from the water. From Central Pier, I then caught a bus toward Sheung Wan and made my way to visit Man Mo Temple, where the scent of incense and the quiet calm of the old temple offered a beautiful contrast to the bustling waterfront earlier in the day.

Walking through Hong Kong is like stepping between different worlds at once. The Man Mo Temple feels like a quiet portal to the past, with its fragrant incense spiraling down from the ceiling and the soft glow of red lanterns casting shadows on ancient wooden beams. 

Just outside, the city hums with life as bright red double-decker buses rattle by, giving passengers a front-row seat to the city’s energy. Everywhere you look, towering high-rises soar into the sky, their glass and steel reflecting the sun and making the streets feel both cozy and exhilaratingly vertical. In a single walk, you can experience Hong Kong’s history, its everyday rhythm, and its breathtaking modern skyline all at once.

The Star Ferry

Man Mo Temple

Hong Kong - 5) Victoria Harbour

Victoria Harbour stretches between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, offering sweeping views of the city’s skyline, where modern skyscrapers rise dramatically from the waterfront. It’s famous for its daily “Symphony of Lights” show at night. 

Among many art sculptures, along the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade stands the Bruce Lee Statue, a striking bronze tribute to the legendary martial artist, posed mid-kick in his signature fighting stance. 

 

Hong Kong -4) Big Buddha

The Big Buddha, officially Tian Tan Buddha, is located on Lantau Island in Hong Kong. The usual route to get there is:

MTR (metro) → Tung Chung Station → Ngong Ping 360 cable car → Big Buddha

Take the MTR Tung Chung Line from Central / Hong Kong Station

Ride to Tung Chung Station

Exit the station and follow the clear signs to Ngong Ping 360

The cable car terminal is only about a 2–5 minute walk from the station. Then take the 25-minute cable car ride up to Ngong Ping village. From there, it is a short walk to the Buddha and Po Lin Monastery

My friend XiaoFu backed off at the cable car station as soon as she found out the ride because she was affried of the heights.

I got a single ticket from a local vender at the cable car station and went there by myself (there were two types of cable car: one with glass bottom, one with solid bottom for different experience and they are differently priced)

The cable car ride was one of the highlights of the visit because it offered beautiful panoramic views of mountains, the South China Sea, the airport, and Lantau Island. 

Once you arrive at Ngong Ping village, I followed the crowd walking through a visitor's village to the 268 steps leads you to reach the statue itself. The view from the top is absolutely worth it.

Hong Kong-3) Victoria Peak

A special tour bus takes you from downtown to Victoria Peak, a hilltop offering panoramic views of the city.

We arrived just before sunset, so we were able to watch the sky change into beautiful shades of color. As night fell, we saw the city light up from a completely different angle than when we viewed it from Victoria Harbor. It was such an enjoyable experience!

Hong Kong - 2) A Symphony of Lights

Free to watch. “A Symphony of Lights” is a nightly multimedia show that illuminates the skyline around Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. It’s one of the city’s most famous attractions and celebrates Hong Kong’s energy, creativity, and status as a global metropolis.

The show features synchronized lasers, LED displays, searchlights, and colorful building lights from dozens of skyscrapers on both sides of the harbor—Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. The lights are choreographed to music and narration, creating a coordinated performance across the skyline.

The show happens every night at 8:00 PM and lasts about 10 minutes. On certain days (usually Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays), the show includes narration that highlights themes like Hong Kong’s history, culture, and future development.

Best Viewing Spots: The Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade (very popular and lively atmosphere), A harbor cruise boat on Victoria Harbour (more immersive and less crowded), Near the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, From elevated spots like Victoria Peak (for a wider city view rather than close-up detail)

Frist day when I arrive, after dinner, we walked to nearby Harbor, walked around the harbor and got on one of the cruise boats and watched the show.  It was a great experience.