The sprawling metropolis of Hong Kong is a blend of both grit and glamour with an endless list of things to do and places to see. The Special Administrative Region of China lies on the Chinese Southern Coast and whilst Hong Kong shares the Chinese President, it is home to its own government, culture and even its own currency, the Hong Kong dollar. Hong Kong is a magnificent blend of both Eastern and Western influences with the modern city showcasing beautiful traditions. Fabulous food, stunning architecture and incredible shopping all add to the wonder of Hong Kong whilst the fantastic attractions and buzzing nightlife make the city full of excitement.
Cycle from East to West
New to Hong Kong, this incredible 60km cycle track only opened in September 2020 allowing cyclists to travel East to West through Hong Kong. The cycle track snakes through the New Territories taking in magnificent views of lush greenery, the beautiful coastline and numerous neighbourhoods. Running through the backbone of Hong Kong, the cycle track passes by stunning scenic spots and some phenomenal cultural attractions. The track is a big hit with both families and experienced cyclists looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and explore the nature and seaside.
Hours: 24/7
Price: Free (bicycle rental charges vary)
Explore Hong Kong’s coolest neighbourhood
One of Hong Kong’s oldest districts, Sham Shui Po, has a busy textiles industry and an eclectic community. The neighbourhood is home to a dazzling mix of the old and new with historical spots and incredible traditions seamlessly blended alongside quirky stores and hipster cafes. The neighbourhood offers both delectable street food and reasonably priced Michelin-starred eats alongside traditional eateries and a brilliant coffee scene. The neighbourhood is also a crafters and artisans dream with the phenomenal variety and affordability of textiles and craft supplies. Meanwhile, Garden Hill offers magnificent views of the neighbourhood and the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum is a great place of Hong Kong history.
Hours: 24/7
Price: Free
Take the Star Ferry and admire the view
Hong Kong’s Star Ferry is a famous mode of transport in the city as both a passenger service and a tourist attraction. The ferry provides an inexpensive way to cross the harbour but is most frequently travelled on by tourists looking to admire the view. The journey can be enjoyed as a brief ten minute crossing during the day but evenings are particularly popular with the Hong Kong skyline providing a fascinating night view. The evening ferry option is a one-hour circular journey that takes in the incredible Hong Kong skyline and magnificent views of Victoria Harbour.
Hours: Day service runs daily between 6:30 and midnight. Weekends and public holidays run less frequently but still between the hours of 6:30 and midnight. The one-hour evening tour departs daily at 18:55 and 19:55.
Price: Day service is from HK$2.60 for adults and HK$1.80 for children under 12. The one-hour evening tour is HK$200 for adults and HK$175 for children under 12.
Indulge on street food
Asia offers an abundance of incredible street food options and Hong Kong is no exception. Delicious street side snacks can be found in every corner of the city providing a wallet-friendly way to curb any hunger pangs whilst discovering the local cuisine. Everything from curry fish balls to deep fried vegetables are on offer with every mouthful packed with flavour regardless of the dish. Street food is a great way to sample a vast selection of local delicacies in a short period of time allowing you to get an authentic taste of Hong Kong without being limited to meal times.
Hours: Vendors opening times vary
Price: Prices vary by vendor
Discover Tai O
Known as the ‘Venice of Hong Kong’, Tai O is a quaint and beautiful fishing village that has been inhabited by the Tanka for more than 200 years. The Tanka, most commonly referred to in Hong Kong as boat people, live in the stilt and bamboo houses lining the waterfront that is one of the region’s last remaining stilt settlements. The village is also home to a semi-floating market offering an abundance of delicious traditional snacks and dried seafood. Tai O Bakery is a particularly popular and famous establishment within the market serving mouth-watering sugar-dusted Chinese-style doughnuts and whilst the line is long, the wait is worth it.
Hours: 24/7
Price: Free
Visit the Big Buddha
Hong Kong is home to the largest outdoor, seated Buddha in the world, Tian Tan Buddha. Most commonly known as the Big Buddha, Tian Tan is the city’s most iconic and recognisable landmark. Tian Tan lives at Po Lin Monastery, one of the world’s most important Buddhist sanctums and sits at the top of 268 steps. The Ngong Ping 360 Skyrail can save your calves by skipping the steps and taking you to the top via cable car, all whilst taking in the incredible panoramic views of Lantau Island’s natural beautiful.
Hours: Po Lin Monastery is open daily 9am-6pm with Tian Tan accessible daily 10am-5:30pm. The Ngong Ping 360 Skyrail runs daily 10am-6pm.
Price: Free admission. The Ngong Ping 360 Skyrail is from HK$235 adults and HK$110 children under 12 for a return journey.
Ride a ding-ding
Commonly referred to as ding-dings due to their bells, Hong Kong trams are an icon of the city. The public transport system provides affordable travel across Hong Kong island and are a great way to see the sights of the city during your journey. Although the trams are now modernised and fully air conditioned, they retain their retro vibe. There is also the option to take a sightseeing tram, the TramOramic Tour, which takes in the beauty of Hong Kong accompanied by an audio guide.
Hours: Trams run daily 6am to midnight, tram stops vary. The TramOramic Tour departs daily at 10am, 1:45pm and 4:15pm.
Price: Tram fares are HK$2.60 adults, HK$1.30 children under 12 and under 4’s travel free. The TramOramic Tour is HK$150 adults, HK$95 children and under 4’s travel free.
Experience the culture at Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Art
The Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Art is a huge, independent art space where art lovers can immerse themselves in culture, taking in world-class exhibitions, phenomenal theatre performances and magnificent art work. The centre is set within a 150-year-old police station consisting of sixteen heritage buildings transformed to art galleries, performance spaces and restaurants. The space also retains interesting elements of the police station with restored prison cells and other areas that are fascinating to explore.
Hours: Daily 8am-11pm
Price: Vary by exhibition
Find hidden gems at Temple Street Night Market
The nightly street bazaar of Temple Street Night Market is home to hundreds of pop up stalls. Selling everything from colourful bric-a-brac and quirky clothes to magnificent antiques and electronic gadgets, Temple Street Night Market is a great place to make some unique purchases to remember your trip to Hong Kong. The market also showcases hilarious street performers and intriguing storytellers to make your evening one to remember.
Hours: Daily from 4pm
Price: Free
Experience the magic at Hong Kong Disneyland
As one of the six Disney resorts across the world, Hong Kong Disneyland is one of the happiest places on Earth. It is a common misconception that the castle parks are all carbon copies of each other but whilst they retain similar elements, each park has it’s own twists and traits offering a special touch of magic. Hong Kong Disneyland has recently undergone a huge renovation with the refurbishment of the iconic castle transforming into Castle of Magical Dreams to celebrate the park’s 15th anniversary and inspired by 13 Disney princesses. Whilst Hong Kong is the smallest castle park, Hong Kong Disneyland is worth a visit for unique versions of attractions, delicious snacks and Asian influence.
Hours: Open daily, hours vary.
Price: Day tickets from HK$639 adults and HK$475 children
Hike Dragon’s Back
The most picturesque hike in Hong Kong is a simple trek with unbelievably rewarding scenery. Dragon’s Back takes in the incredible landscape of Tai Tam, Shek O and Big Wave Way showcasing panoramic mountain, coastal and island views. For those looking for more adventure than just a hike, paragliding opportunities are also offered from the peak of Dragon’s Back.
Hours: 24/7
Price: Free. Paragliding costs vary.
Enjoy the panoramic view from The Peak
Victoria Peak, also known as simply The Peak, is the most famous location in Hong Kong. Victoria Peak offers the best views over the city and Victoria Harbour whilst there are also woodland paths to explore, manicured lawns to wander through and great dining options to enjoy. The Peak can be reached by hiking, bus or even cable car, all options allowing you to enjoy the view on the way up.
Hours: 24/7. Transport options vary.
Price: Free. Transport options vary.
Get spiritual at Wong Tai Sin Temple
Tai Sin Temple is the biggest and busiest temple in Hong Kong with elegant buildings and grand décor. Home to three religions, Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism, Wong Tai Sin Temple is jam-packed with spirituality. The temple is an exceptionally popular place for worship and large celebrations with rituals of incense and prayer inviting visitors to soak up the atmosphere.
Hours: Daily 7:30am-4:30pm
Price: Free but donations are encouraged
Relax in Sai Kung
The neighbourhood of Sai Kung is a seaside location with something to offer everyone. Sai Kung has beautiful beaches offering incredible water sport options in addition to quiet areas for relaxation and the neighbourhood is a great place to escape the city and chill out. Sai Kung also features a wealth of independent shops and excellent eateries, in particular, establishments offering exceptional seafood and the Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant Loaf On.
Hours: 24/7
Price: Free
Meet the monkeys at Kam Shan Country Park
Also known as Monkey Hill, Kam Shan Country Park is tucked away in the hills behind Kowloon and Sha Tin. Showcasing a wealth of magnificent landscapes, the park offers incredible scenery with the stunning nature inhabited by mischievous primates. The monkeys are the reason the park is well known as Kam Shan is full of them, hanging in the trees, chilling by the beach or just wandering through the pathways. As well as the monkeys, numerous wartime ruins are well preserved within the park and are also fascinating to encounter.
Hours: 24/7
Price: Free
Hong Kong is a city that has it all from exciting modern attractions to beautiful, traditional neighbourhoods. The dazzling city has an endless list of things to do and an extraordinary amount of beauty to discover. The beauty of Hong Kong truly lies in its culture that is a fabulous blend of East meets West, ancient meets modern and novelty meeting traditional. The city is a truly unique destination, one that can be enjoyed by all ages and all walks of life.
