Go on a Virtual Scavenger Hunt through Hong Kong

The last time I was in Hong Kong was in 2018 for a solo 3-day trip, I enjoyed walking around the gardens in the city, navigating through the city to hunt for IG-worthy spots and street art, and chowing down on amazing street food and craft beer. Before that, it was on a family trip to Hong Kong Disneyland with my mom, sister and nephew. Hong Kong is just one of those destinations that you don’t mind visiting again and again because there’s always something new to discover.

While the pandemic may have put a hold on most of our international travel plans this year, it’s still possible to spark that sense of adventure even when you’re stuck at home. For those looking for a unique way to catch up or celebrate a special occasion with friends, the online virtual mystery hunt Hong Kong Heist by Mystery Manila takes you around various spots around the harbor city.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has collaborated with Mystery Manila to design this game so visitors can experience and virtually tour Hong Kong’s famous landmarks at a time where travel is not yet possible.

About Mystery Manila

Mystery Manila is a Philippine-based company known for their live escape room games and pop-up scavenger hunts. With current restrictions on social gatherings, the company has taken the escape room experience online through fully hosted virtual murder-mystery parties and online scavenger hunts via video chat.

The company hosts the socials via Zoom, setting the background story and assigning guests to play the victim, suspects, and killer or providing clues in various scenarios. Their other Escape Zoom games include The Murderous Meeting, Revenge at the Reunion, The Missing Masterpiece, The Wicked Webinar, and Train to Busan: Peninsula.

I previously tried playing The Missing Masterpiece with my sister and friends for her birthday celebration and Halloween activity, which involved figuring out why a million-dollar masterpiece went missing right before an art auction, and we all enjoyed it. Their latest offering will appeal mostly to travel junkies.

Hong Kong Heist

In Hong Kong Heist, you and your friends need to use detective and travel-related skills to decipher clues and find the missing Bruce Lee statue. Starting at the Avenue of Stars, you get to travel through the vibrant streets of Hong Kong, talk to locals, and search for more clues. A game master facilitates the entire game that runs on Zoom for 45 minutes.

Bruce Lee Statue at the Avenue of the Stars (2014 family visit)

The game is best played on a desktop or laptop and not a smartphone because throughout the game you will need to click links leading to photos, specific tourist destinations, and zoom in on clues sent via chatbox which will lead to your next destination all the while chatting with friends. This particular scenario is ideal for a minimum of five and maximum of 15 players.

How to Book

Go to Mystery Manila’s Website: http://booknow.mysterymanila.com
Select “Hong Kong Heist” from the drop down menu
Choose a date and time
Select group size and settle payment online (this game costs P399 per head)
Mystery Manila will send a link to the Zoom Game on your chosen date and time
Log in with friends and enjoy the game
A stable internet connection is a must!

It was fun to catch up with fellow travel blogger friends Yosh of The Poor Traveler, Ferdz of Ironwulf and Mica of Senyorita and other players who joined in to figure this mystery out. Of course, it’s not the same as actual travel, but the game offers a quick escape and something fun and new to do just to switch up your usual FB chats.