Discovery Bay in Hong Kong is one of the most popular spots to live on Lantau Island. Before you decide to take a look, we’ve asked RENU MALANI, a Hong Kong local and the owner of AvonInDB and The Gift Showcase By Renu, for some tips. Here are her recommendations for restaurants, transport and things to do in Discovery Bay!
The Specifics
Your Hong Kong ’hood is in: Discovery Bay! I grew up in Happy Valley, then Tai Hang, Old Peak Road, Pok Fu Lam and Soho when I eventually moved out of the family home.
You’ve been in this area since: 2009 – fifteen years.
You moved here because: I wanted a fresh start in a place I had a strong support network in place. At the time, I was moving back to Hong Kong after almost five years away in Dubai and London.
Living in Discovery Bay in Hong Kong
Transport options in your suburb include: Transport is a sticky subject in DB. We have a twice-per-hour ferry throughout most of the day. There are internal buses within the confines of DB and three external bus routes that go from DB to Tung Chung, Sunny Bay and the Airport. Taxis are allowed here but cannot go beyond a certain designated area in the North Plaza. When I take a taxi from Central to DB North Plaza, besides it costing about $300, I still have to get on a bus once back in DB to get home.
When you walk out of your house, the first thing you see is: A quiet driveway and lush greenery all around. I love it. It’s extremely dog-friendly for walks.
The closest store to your front door is: The DB main plaza – it’s less than a two-minute bus ride or a ten-minute walk away. The plaza houses many restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, a supermarket, bank, post office, medical and dental clinics, convenience store – and, of course, lots of property agencies!
The unofficial uniform of your suburb is: Anything goes! It’s an eclectic group.
Things to do in Discovery Bay
Your hands-down favourite neighbourhood joint is: The Thai restaurant Koh Tom Yum in DB. Consistently excellent food and lovely staff.
You won’t find better local food than: In DB? Peony Restaurant has very good dim sum and is always consistent. But there’s better local food to be found outside DB. We went over to Peng Chau yesterday for dim sum and it was excellent and a fraction of the price of DB. It’s a beautiful journey out there on the Kai To ferry and only takes about 15 minutes.
The strangest thing you’ll ever see in your neighbourhood is: When it comes to strange things, you’ll be spoilt for choice… One of my favourite sightings is all the cleaners and gardeners in the plaza wearing Mexican sombreros as they sweep the leaves! Bless them though, they do an outstanding job of keeping DB pristine and well-manicured.
If a celebrity moves in, it would likely be: I would wish for George Clooney… but I think Lake Como trumps DB somehow.
When you’re in need of a dose of culture you: Tell a friend and hope she organises something, as I am terrible at that! I work all the time and have become very bad at organising social events. I enjoy a good art show though.
A mandatory stop for taking out of town guests is: So many to choose from. I love showing off my hometown of Hong Kong. It would have to be something based on the harbour that showcases our incredible skyline. A junk trip is one of my favourite things to do and it shows HK life at its best.
You can also organise a junk to pick you up in DB, which is super convenient. I love going to The Grounds for the outdoor cinema. The setting is spectacular, nestled in a beautiful space with our magnificent skyline in full view. It’s a special night out and always reminds me why I love this city so very much.
A common myth about Discovery Bay in Hong Kong: Some of the rumours about DB are rather uncomplimentary but suffice it to say, I’ve seen no evidence to corroborate those rumours. But I also keep my head down and mind my own business!
If you wake up at night it’s usually because of: My dog.
A massive late-night rager in your suburb involves: I stopped having ragers a long time ago! I’m 57 now, and my raging daysare in my rear-view mirror… I think. But that’s okay with me – I did plenty of it growing up in HK and I think I am done!
The best bargains in the neighbourhood are: The only great bargain I feel there is to be had in DB is the breakfast buffet at the Auberge Hotel where they offer DB Residents an extremely preferential price of $88 a head. I feel we pay a “DB Tax” on most things – it’s a bit frustrating. But then I pay considerably less rent here than I would for the same size apartment on the HK side, so it’s a trade-off I’m happy to make. I love my flat so much.
The city gives you $5 million to soup up your area, you: Invest in more internal transport options!
The guiltiest local pleasure is: Life is too short to feel guilty. Be a decent human being, share nicely, look out for each other, treat people with respect.
One thing you’d never change is: If I have my way, I’ll never change the spectacular sea view I’m lucky enough to have from every window in my home. It brings me peace and happiness and reminds me of how hard I have worked to get here. I never take that effort for granted as it hasn’t been easy or without sacrifice.
Do you love your neighbourhood?
Share it with others – just email us at info@expatliving.hk with “Street Talk” in the subject line. Include your name and street, and we’ll be in touch.
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