21 things To do in Hong Kong: A list Of must-have Experiences

possibly nowhere in the world do you get a better sense of east meets West than Hong Kong. people go to work in towering modern skyscrapers, and numerous residents speak ideal English. Of course, you’ll also find locals chowing down on classic Cantonese food under the glow of red lanterns. 

The former British colony and current SAR (Special Administrative Region) of China is a fascinating city with a complicated history. It’s also an outstanding travel destination with lots to offer visitors.

There are numerous things to do in Hong Kong, from cruising around Victoria Harbour, to hiking to picturesque beaches, to feasting on dim sum, and much more. 

When I lived in China, I always looked forward to the obligatory visa runs to Hong Kong. It’s just such a fun city to check out with so numerous different options. If you’re ready to plan a trip to Hong Kong, read on for some of the best things to do and places to check out in this bustling metropolis that’s known as one of the four Asian Tigers. 

Note: While Hong Kong is a special Administrative region of China, and an autonomous territory, for the sake of redundancy, in this post we will refer to Hong Kong as a “city”. 

1. walk the Avenue of Stars

One of the top things to do in Hong Kong is taking a stroll along the Avenue of Stars. Hong Kong’s answer to the Hollywood walk of Fame, this stunning promenade along Victoria Harbour makes for the ideal introduction to the city.

Along the way, you’ll spot hand prints, plaques, and statues honouring the stars of Hong Kong’s film industry. You’re sure to see some familiar names and faces, such as Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. Make sure to bring your camera, because there are plenty of amazing photo ops here!

In addition to all of the stars, you’ll also get some amazing views of the harbour and Hong Kong Island from here. The Avenue of stars is located on the Kowloon side of the city and can be reached by all modes of public transport. You can find it on the map here. 

2. Take the star Ferry

By far the best and many beautiful way to travel between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon is by riding the star Ferry. skip out on cramming onto the underground and instead feel the breeze and delight in the views on the ferry.

The star Ferry has been operating because the late 19th century and is one of the most popular implies of transportation in Hong Kong.

On average, around 70,000 people take the ferry every day! It runs between central or Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island to Tsim Tsa Shui in Kowloon and is the most picturesque way to travel in the city.

Taking the star Ferry is terrific not only for the views, but also for the value. even the most expensive ticket – an upper deck seat on the weekend – only costs around $0.50. You can find all the information about the hours and fares here. 

3. Feast on Cantonese Cuisine

If you’re ever uncertain of what to do in Hong Kong, just find a local restaurant or street vendor and sample some Cantonese cuisine. It’s regarded as one of the four terrific Culinary Traditions of China, and is possibly the most well-known style of Chinese food around the globe.

Without a doubt, the star of Cantonese cuisine is dim sum. The name can be translated as “touch the heart,” and that’s exactly what a good meal of dim sum does!

Dim sum is essentially a broad variety of dumplings and steamed buns that come with all sorts of different fillings. waiters push carts full of tasty morsels around the restaurant, and you just pick whatever you think looks good. 

There’s a lot much more to eat in HK than dim sum, though. Be sure to try some sweet and sour pork, drunken prawns, and the classic “old fire soup.” Feasting on Cantonese cuisine is certainly one of the tastiest things to do in Hong Kong!

Insider Tip: check out Tim Ho Wan, which is one of the most affordable Michelin Starred restaurants in the world — with dishes from around $3.50, you can’t go wrong!

4. Head to The Peak

One of the best places to check out in Hong Kong is Victoria Peak. typically referred to simply as “The Peak,” this 552 meter-tall hill offers the best views of Hong Kong. 

There are a few different ways you can reach The top to delight in a bird’s-eye-view of Hong Kong. the most popular is riding the top Tram, a funicular railway that makes the steep trip up the hill. It operates from 7AM to midnight each day of the week. You can find the lower terminus of the tram on the map here. 

Alternatively, you can arrive at The top through bus or taxi. You can also hike if you’re up for the challenge! once you’re at the top, there’s quite a lot to see and do, including a 360-degree observation tower and even a shopping mall. For much more information about the opening hours, ticket options, and more, be sure to check out their website. 

5. Go museum Hopping

If you’re wondering what to do in Hong Kong when it’s raining, don’t worry, the city is home to several outstanding museums. Doing a bit of museum hopping is certainly one of the best things to do in Hong Kong, regardless of the weather.

Perhaps the best is the Hong Kong museum of History. It’s full of informative exhibits detailing the fascinating history of Hong Kong. The museum is open from 10AM to 6PM on Monday and Wednesday-Friday and stays open an hour later on the weekend. best of all, it’s completely free! You can find the museum on the map here. 

Right next door, you’ll find the Hong Kong science Museum. This hands-on museum is a lot of fun to visit, covering topics such as robotics and virtual reality. Tickets cost about $2.50, or you can try to check out on a Wednesday when it’s free. It’s open from 10AM to 7PM during the week and until 9 on the weekends, but is closed on Thursdays.

6. check out the 10,000 Buddhas Monastery

If you’re searching for a quick escape from the city centre, a terrific option is heading up to the new Territories to check out the 10,000 Buddhas Monastery. It’s a steep climb up 400+ stairs to get there, but you’re rewarded once you arrive at this spectacular temple with its outstanding 9-story pagoda.

Along the way, you’ll pass by one life-sized Buddha statue after another. Each one is unique, and there are actually closer to 13,000 of them in total! once you finally arrive at the top, you’ll also be treated to panoramic views of the mountains that surround the temple.

The best way to reach the monastery is by taking the metro to the Sha Tin station. From there, it’s just a short walk to the start of the path. Be sure you wear comfortable shoes and bring some water for the hike up. You can find the monastery on the map here.

7. Day trip to Lantau Island

While there’s plenty to see and do on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon to keep you busy, you’ll certainly want to be sure to fit in a day trip out to Lantau Island. It’s hands down one of the best places to check out in Hong Kong and full of amazing things to do.

For starters, Lantau is home to Hong Kong Disneyland. That’s best – the happiest place on earth is best here in Hong Kong! It’s open from 10:30AM to 8:30PM every day, with tickets costing about $78 for adults and $58 for children ages 3-11. 

There’s a lot much more to see and do on Lantau Island than hang with Mickey Mouse. one of the best things to do here is taking the cable television automobile across the island to check out the Tian Tan huge Buddha. While you’re over here, you might as well take a serene stroll along the wisdom path as well.

You can also head over to the Tai O fishing village to eat some delicious seafood or go chill out on Pui O Beach. just keep in mind that Lantau is actually quite big and the various attractions are spread out, so you may want to consider staying a night or two here to see it all. 

8. get lost in the Chungking Mansions

Without a doubt, one of the most interesting places to check out in Hong Kong is the Chungking Mansions. Don’t let the name trick you, as this isn’t exactly a glamorous place. Rather, it’s a substantial building full of electronics vendors, ethnic restaurants, money changers, local apartments, and low-cost guesthouses. 

Wandering around the maze-like Chungking Mansions is like taking a quick trip around the world. That’s because numerous immigrants and asylum seekers live and work here, from Bangladesh to Nigeria and all points in between. I’ve had some of the best curry in my life in a tiny, cramped restaurant in the Chungking Mansions.

It’s a backpacker rite of passage in Hong Kong to stay in the infamous Chungking Mansions. Your room may be the size of a closet if you stay here, but at least it’ll be affordable! even if you don’t decide to stay here, be sure to add a trip around the mansions to your list of things to do in Hong Kong.

9. See the Symphony of Lights

Wondering what to do in Hong Kong at night that doesn’t involve drinking? If you’re like me and love the combination of music and lazer lights, then be sure to check out the Symphony of Lights while travelling in HK. Every night at 8PM, Victoria Harbour is illuminated in a sea of neon lights along with music and the occasional fireworks. It’s certainly one of the coolest things to see in Hong Kong.

To take in the Symphony of Lights, you can just head down to the Avenue of stars and find a good spot. The show only lasts for 14 minutes, so you’ll want to makesure to get down there a little early. There are now quite a few buildings participating on the Kowloon side, so you can also view from over on Hong Kong Island.

While it’s perfectly fine viewing the show from land, it’s even better out on the water. There are plenty of people running cruises around the harbour during the show. We even managed to get on one that included an open bar. You can sign up for a trip in advancement or just go down there early to shop around.

10. Hang Out in local Parks

Walking around the city, you’ll rapidly see why some refer to it as “Hong Kong-crete”. While it’s true that Hong Kong is full of skyscrapers, shopping malls, and constant construction, you’re never too far from a park where you can escape it all.

As a matter of fact, around 70% of Hong Kong is actually classified as countryside. once you get out of Kowloon and up into the area known as the new Territories, there are several substantial country parks that make for terrific day trips.

Even in the busy city centre, you have plenty of options for local parks. Both Hong Kong Park and Kowloon Park are outstanding choices for spending a few unwinding hours away from the hustle and bustle. If you’re ever uncertain of what to do in Hong Kong, just find a local park and chill out for a while as you plan your next move.

Note: want to know what it’s like being a digital nomad in Hong Kong? Be sure to check out this amazing and informative post!

11. ride the Escalators

Riding escalators may seem like an odd item to have on a list of the best things to do in Hong Kong, but hear me out. HK is actually home to the world’s longest outdoor escalator system, which connects central to the Mid-level.

The escalators go down during the morning rush hour and up the rest of the day. Taking them is a terrific way to explore some of Hong Kong’s oldest neighborhoods while giving your weary feet a rest. just wait until after 9AM when all the locals are already at work.

Along the way, you can hop off the escalators whenever you see something interesting. There are tons of terrific shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars in this area, so you can easily spend half a day just taking it all in. 

12. cruise on a Junk Boat

By far one of the coolest things to do in Hong Kong is cruising on a junk boat with your mates. Riding on these conventional boats with their bright red sails while taking in the scenery of this modern, cosmopolitan city is a should when going to HK.

There are numerous different options for taking a junk boat in Hong Kong. Some just cruise around Victoria Harbour, while others include check outs to beaches and outlying islands. Some are even all-inclusive with an open bar and food!

If you don’t have a big group and can’t rent an entire boat out, you’ll want to choose either the Duk Ling or the Aqua Lung. Both boats have a few different options, including evening cruises that take in the Symphony of Lights. check out all the options for them on this website.

13. explore the night Markets

I don’t know about you, but I love a good night market. I especially love night markets in Asia, and Hong Kong is home to several of them. There’s just something special about taking in the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of these bustling markets. 

Perhaps the best choice is the temple street night market. This bustling market is full of vendors selling just about everything – jade, antiques, tea, electronics – you name it, they probably have it here. Haggling is expected here, so be sure to work out a good price.

In addition to all the shopping, this is an amazing place to eat. Take your pick from numerous stalls selling various snacks and classic Cantonese dishes. get a street beer from 7-11 and you’ve g