Read the responses to this week’s Write to Win prompt and vote for the answer you like most using this form. The deadline for voting is 12pm on Tuesday, September 29.
Milky Way: I have many places in mind to take aliens during their visit. Our first stop will be The Peak, a popular tourist destination in Hong Kong, known for its stunning views of Victoria Harbour. Next, I will take them to the Avenue of Stars, where they can see the signatures of many famous film stars. After that, we will head to Ocean Park, an exciting theme park where they can enjoy thrilling roller coasters. Finally, I will take them to Stanley Market, a great place to buy souvenirs. Those are all the places I plan to show them.
Earth: I would take aliens to Kowloon City if they visited Hong Kong. Firstly, it offers them a first-hand look at human adaptation, starting with the site of the former Kowloon Walled City – a self-organised, lawless megastructure that was once the densest residential area on Earth. This experience would show them how humans transformed that chaotic space into a peaceful park while preserving the vibrant, sensory-rich environment of street markets and distinct cultural communities surrounding it.
Venus: I would take the aliens straight to a street stall in Mong Kok to try some stinky tofu. These extraterrestrial visitors likely travel the universe in search of new weapons or creatures, so introducing them to a crispy snack that smells terrible but tastes amazing would be a complete shock. If they can survive that olfactory challenge, I would then make them drink a bowl of bitter herbal tea to give them a taste of our local healing methods. If their alien stomachs can handle Hong Kong’s ultimate street food, they’ll be left craving more. They might even forget about invading Earth and realise that our food could easily conquer the universe!
Jupiter: If aliens were to land in Hong Kong, I would introduce them to the ultimate mix of human culture, local traditions, and the city’s vibrant diversity. Our journey would begin with a short but lively ride on the MTR to the Mong Kok Ladies’ Market, where they could explore the bustling stalls and pick out local outfits to blend in with the crowd. Next, we would ascend Victoria Peak aboard the historic Peak Tram, revealing the city’s iconic skyline. To conclude the experience, I would take them on the Big Bus panoramic night tour, showcasing humanity’s ability to illuminate the universe.
Mercury: Firstly, I would like to take them into the neon chaos of Tsim Sha Tsui, where they can see the dazzling signs. Next, we can enjoy a ferry ride across Victoria Harbour, taking in the iconic skyline and the spectacular views. I highly recommend trying some dim sum as well. We can conclude our afternoon by walking along Fa Yuen Street, which is lined with affordable clothing shops. I’m sure the visitors will fall in love with it. Lastly, we could take a sightseeing bus that offers an open-top experience, allowing us to fully enjoy the sights, sounds and street-level smells of Hong Kong’s bustling neighbourhoods without any glass windows obstructing our view.
Mars: I would take the aliens straight into a classroom at a secondary school in Hong Kong during exam season. Introducing them to our heavy backpacks, countless assessment books and strict teachers would undoubtedly blow their minds! Aliens might think their lasers are powerful, but witnessing how Hong Kong teenagers endure 10 gruelling hours of school each day, plus extra tutorials and studying for endless exams from sunrise to sunset, would absolutely terrify them. These exhausted creatures would quickly pack up, escape back to space and warn their alien king never to mess with the unbeatable students of this city.
Neptune: Hong Kong has a rich and ancient heritage, so I would take aliens to various museums, starting with the Hong Kong Museum of History. Since we haven’t always been this cosmopolitan metropolis, it would be fascinating to show them our evolution rather than just the skyline views they could likely see from their ship. From a humble fishing village to an international hub, I believe the aliens would find our history as captivating as I do.
