Hong Kong is one of the most thrilling places in the World, filled with incredible views and contradictions. Read my ultimate list of 20 things to do and see in Hong Kong, so you do not miss out on any of the amazing things it has to offer.
Hong Kong is one of the thrilling places which take your breath away from the very first moment. Everything seems to move incredibly fast and the streets are always full of life and energy. Hong Kong is also a city of hundreds of contradictions. The posh and classy Hong Kong Island is a total opposite of the wild, dirty and overpopulated, yet charming Kowloon on the other side of the Victoria Harbour. Similarly, the supertall skyscrapers (there is 303 of them in the city, the largest number in the whole World) stand against beautiful parks and gardens, with amazing trees breathing fresh oxygen into the cluttered city. Check out my ultimate list of 20 things to do and see in Hong Kong, so you do not miss any of the amazing experiences the city has to offer.
How to survive in the overpriced city
Hong Kong is not a cheap city. While the prices for transport are sometimes surprisingly low (Star Ferry or Double-decker trams!), the costs of food, accommodation or entertainment can go sky high. Luckily, when it comes to entry fees and prices of tours and adventures, here in Asia, you can find a lot of discount providers to help you save a lot of money. My favorite ones are definitely Klook and Veltra, with each of them being stronger in different countries. In Hong Kong, Klook is the one to go. It is not only providing great discounts, but it also has its own counters on the busiest spots to help you skip the lines. After this great experience I had with them, I am glad to share with you some recommendations for their great deals over this post.
20 things to do and see in Hong Kong
We spent 9 days in Hong Kong in total and even when leaving, we still felt like we have not crossed everything off our bucket list. I can imagine 3-4 days are what most travelers will be aiming at, but try to aim at least for 4 in order to include a trip to Macau and to Ngong Ping 360 on your schedule.
1) Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
Hong Kong skyline is undisputably the symbol of the city and THE number one sight you want to see during your visit. The best view on the skyline is then definitely across the Victoria Harbour from the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. It is a look you will never get enough of! If you come at 8 in the evening, you can enjoy about 10 minutes long light show known as the Symphony of Lights. The beautiful buildings on both sides of the harbor start playing with colors and lasers into the rhythm of music coming from loudspeakers along the harbor. If you want to try an unusual experience, you can book an evening cruise in the harbor and see the Symphony of Lights from your boat in the middle of it.
2) Ngong Ping 360 and the Tian Tan Buddha
I was actually tempted to place this as number one, but I just couldn’t do it to my favorite skyline. However, that doe’s not make the trip to Ngong Ping 360 any less impressive. A hill located on the Lantau island, it is a home of the famous Tian Tan Buddha, the largest outdoor bronze sitting Buddha in the World. The 34m tall Buddha is quite impressive, but the best part of the trip is actually the cable car ride which takes you up the hill. Stretching over the bay and peaks covered with tropical bushes, it for sure belongs among the most breathtaking cable car rides in the World. However, be sure to get your ticket in advance to skip the horrible lines at the counters, taking even several hours in the peak times.
3) Victoria Peak
The Peak is definitely another must-do activity when visiting Hong Kong. Already the ride up the hill with the historic Peak Tram (costing 45 HKD for a return trip) is an experience on its own. It is known as the World’s steepest tram ride, reaching a slope of 27 degrees. But the real deal is the view from the top. During the daylight, but especially after the dark, the view from the Peak offers sceneries unmatched by any other on the Planet. The only downfall is the long waiting lines for the Peak Tram tickets. It can take even 2 or more hours if you arrive during the peak hours (4-7 pm). Be sure to arrive early enough or you may miss the sunset, as it happened to us. Luckily, we managed to come earlier again the next day and enjoy the Peak at its best.
4) Double-decker Tram
Cruising along the harbor side of the Hong Kong Island, the beautiful slim double-decker trams (known as Ding Dings) are one of their kind. Once popular in Europe in the past, these days, Hong Kong maintains the only full fleet of them in the whole World. With a price of 2.30 HKD per ride, they offer a fairly cheap mean of transport on the Hong Kong Island.
Double-decker tram “Ding Ding” cruising the streets of the Hong Kong Island
5) Crossing the Victoria Harbour on a Star Ferry
The green Star Ferry vessels, operating since 1888, have been the symbol of Hong Kong long before the current skyline even started to be constructed. Taking only 5 minutes for a ride and costing just 3.40 HKD one way, it’s not just an economic and fast mean of transport, but most of all it offers an authentic local experience and a great view of the skyline.
6) Nathan Road
The beating heart of the Hong Kong’s mainland part and a one beating really fast! The Nathan road, where you probably end up living anyway if you are a low/mid ranged budget traveler, is one of the most energetic places I have ever been to. Filled with shops, hotels, and guesthouses, overflowing with a mix of locals, tourists and red double-decker buses, it symbolizes all the good and bad that Hong Kong stands for.
Observing the rush of the Nathan Road
7) Day trip to Macau
Even if you are visiting Hong Kong just for few days, be sure to spare one for visiting Macau! The former Portuguese colony lies just an hour-long ferry ride away and it presents a unique combination of Chinese and Portuguese culture, crossed with the opulence of Las Vegas. Yes, being the only place in China where gambling is allowed, Macau is known as the Las Vegas of Asia and it offers unbelievable 33 casinos for you to spend your money.
8) Dim Sum in one of the cheapest Michelin Star Restaurants in the World
For several years, the Tim Ho Wan restaurant was known as the cheapest Michelin Star restaurant in the World. Now surpassed in this category by the Liao Fan Hawker Chan in Singapore, it still offers delicious food for the best prices in the city. I am not a big fan of Chinese cuisine, but this one I just couldn’t ignore. Tim Ho Wan, offering several locations across the city, is probably also the best place to try Dim Sun, the most popular local dish. However, be sure to try also their signature BBQ Pork Bun, which earned them the Michelin Star a few years ago.
Delicious BBQ Pork Bun in the Tim Ho Wan Michelin Star restaurant
9) Victoria Harbour Cruise
The Victoria Harbour is the undeniable center of Hong Kong, being surrounded by beautiful cityscape from both sides. The best way to enjoy it (and not just via the rather limited regular Star Ferry ride), is getting on a harbor tour. They are provided by several companies, you can pick for example the Star Ferry itself or one on a retro Chinese-style boat. Again, if you chose to take it around 8 pm, you can enjoy the Symphony of the Lights in a different perspective.
*Follow the link to Booking.com and book as usually. You will receive the 10% off as a refund once you pay the accommodation.
10) Relax in the Nan Lian Garden and the amazing Hong Kong parks
One of the things I liked the most about Hong Kong was definitely the big amount of beautiful parks, gardens, and greenery. They really feel like refreshing oases of peace in the huge forests of skyscrapers. The most beautiful of them is truly the Nan Lian Garden, with its signature golden pavilion. Showing really the best of Chinese gardening, it made me remember the Yu Garden in Shanghai. The Nan Lian Garden is located just next to the Chi Lin Nunnery, another example of classical Chinese architecture, often selected as one of the top 10 most beautiful buildings in the city. If you prefer parks rather than gardens, you should definitely pay a visit to the Hong Kong Park or the Peak Tram, each located on a different side of the harbor.
11) Avenue (Garden) of Stars
Hong Kong has been long known as the Hollywood of the East, despite recently losing its positions to mainland China. Nevertheless, in the last 60 years, it had produced numerous movie stars and similarly to Holywood, they received their own star on a walk of fame called Avenue of Stars. However, the Avenue is currently undergoing reconstructions and the display has been partially moved to the so-called Gardens of Stars. Unfortunately, the stars themselves stayed at the old location, but you can still take a photo at least with a palm print of your favorite Chinese actors as Jackie Chan or Chow Yun Fat.
12) Get spiritual in one of the Hong Kong temples and monasteries
Similarly to the gardens and parks, the Hong Kong temples spread across the whole Hong Kong feel like in a completely different time and space compared to the rest of the city. For the most beautiful interior, head to the Man Mo Temple, the most beautiful exterior then belongs to the Wong Tai Sin Temple. If you do not mind taking a longer ride, check out the Wong Tai Sin Temple or my favorite Po Lin Monastery on the Lantau Island.
Spiral joss sticks in the Man Mo Temple
13) Helicopter ride over Hong Kong
If you are willing to spend the money, definitely go for the helicopter tour. I have not tried it myself, but I have seen the pictures and the birds-eye view over the city is breathtaking. None of the beautiful viewpoints in the city can offer you the same experience. The ride prices start at about 250 USD for a 15 minutes tour, but you get save up to 5% if you book the ride in advance with Klook.
14) Hong Kong Disneyland
Oh, I love Disneyland so much and the Hong Kong one is no exception. You will especially enjoy it if you are a fan of Iron Man and Star Wars, as they have special attractions dedicated to them.
15) Night Markets
It would not be a proper visit to Hong Kong without an evening stroll through the pulsating rush of a nigh market. If you are looking for great food and cheap gadgets, the one at the Wong Tai Sin Temple is your place to go. Alternatively, if you are looking for clothes and female accessories, check the Ladies’ market on Tung Choi Street.
Delicious Food on the Temple Street Night Market
16) Ride on the World’s longest outdoor escalator
You probably did not hear about this one, but the Central Mid-Levels Escalator on the Hong Kong Island is actually the World’s longest outdoor covered escalator system. Constructed in 1993, it covers over 800 meters distance and elevates over 135 meters. Being actually rather a travelator instead of a classical escalator, it is still an unusual experience how to shorten your walk over the city.
17) View from the tallest building in Hong Kong
Located on the top of the International Commerce Centre in Western Kowloon, the Sky 100 Observation Deck offers a good alternative if you do not want to burn your money on the helicopter tour. The 484m tall building is currently (December 2017) the tallest one in the city and the 10th tallest in the World. Given its location, it offers a 360-degree view of both the Victoria Harbour and Kowloon (which you can’t enjoy from the Peak). Again, you can get a nice discount of up to 47% on the entry fee.
18) Junk boat cruise along the islands
The beautiful historical Junk boats do not just look great on your photos of the Victoria Harbour, but you can actually board them and head out the city for a cruise. Day tours around the outlying islands as the Cheng Chau Island or the Lamma Islands are the ideal way how to escape the cluttered city. Seems like AquaLuna company is the place to go.
A Chinese style Junk boat in the Victoria Harbour
19) Sip a drink in stylish sky bar
It is no surprise that city with the World’s highest number of skyscrapers offers a great variety of great sky bars. The Ritz-Carlton is famous for being the highest bar in the World, but even the others are amazing. Check out the therooftopguide.com for the best tips.
20) Wear a classical Chinese Qipao
I am a big fan of traditional Asian clothing, being it Japanese Kimono, Korean Hanbok or Chinese Qipao. Even though on one hand they are cliche as hell, you always enjoy a lot of fun wearing it and they look great in your photos. Unfortunately, the options for Qipao rental in Hong Kong are a bit limited, on the other hand, the city offers hundreds of great spots for the photoshoot.
Let me hear from you
So this is it, my 20 things to do and see in Hong Kong. I know it is probably quite a lot for one visit to this great city, but you can use it as an inspiration and put together your own schedule. What are your own top things to do and see in Hong Kong and how did you like it? Let me know in the comment section below.
