Doha 3) City walk: Old Port and The Pearl Monument

September in Doha can be intensely hot, so early in the morning I took an Uber to the Old Port to begin my walk.

Doha’s Old Port, now beautifully revitalized as Mina District Doha, offers a completely different atmosphere from the glass towers of West Bay Doha. This area was once the heart of Qatar’s maritime life, where fishing boats and traditional dhows set out for pearling—an industry that sustained the country long before oil and gas transformed its economy.

Old Port is also a good spot to see the entire downtown line (see my photos)

After taking a couple of photos around the harbor, I set my GPS to the Pearl Monument Doha and decided to walk part of the Corniche. The route showed about a 36-minute walk.

Along the way, I stopped at a spot lined with national flags. While taking pictures, I met a man in uniform and asked if he could take a photo for me. We started chatting—he told me he was a park ranger responsible for the area and that he was from the Philippines. When he learned I was walking to the Pearl Monument, he kindly offered to drive me there to help me avoid the heat.

By the time I reached the monument, the sun was already strong and glaring—it was so bright I could barely see while trying to take photos.

Afterward, I took a short break at a nearby building to cool off, then continued on foot to the Museum of Islamic Art Doha, just a seven-minute walk away. I arrived right at opening time.

Old Port

The Pearl Mounment

The Museum of Islamic Art

Doha 2) West Bay, Downtown Doha

After visiting the National Museum of Qatar, I took an Uber to West Bay, Doha’s modern downtown. This area, once a stretch of largely undeveloped coastline, has transformed over just a few decades alongside Qatar’s rapid growth fueled by oil and natural gas wealth. Today, West Bay stands as the city’s central business district, filled with high-rise towers designed by leading international architects. Walking through the area, every turn revealed a new and striking building—each with its own distinct style—creating a skyline that feels both futuristic and constantly evolving.

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.