Things to Do in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a small land. Its area is only 2.755 km2; a much smaller lot compared to Bali Island with an area of 5.780 km2. However, Hong Kong is well-known as one of the countries in Asia visited by many tourists from around the world.

In 2014, a total of 27.8 million tourists visited Hong Kong, and their arrival also contributes revenue of US $ 38.376 million, equivalent to Rp512.281 billion. Hong Kong was also ranked 11th in the world’s most popular tourist destinations.

When having a trip to Hong Kong, there’s no need to feel lost at finding the most attractive destination. Hong Kong has an infinite place such as shopping centers, historical sites, and natural tourism with a magnificent view.

If you’re curious about those places, here are the attractive 30 must-visit tourist destinations during your stay in Hong Kong:

1. Victoria Peak

The first and must-visit place in Hong Kong is the Victoria Peak. Here, you will find the Peak Tower which reaches a height of 396 meters above sea level (masl). This place also has The Sky Terrace, a famous building that has a 360-degree view to witness Hong Kong's landscape from elevation.

It’s not hard to reach the place; you can take the MTR to the Garden Road Station and then take the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak. If you don’t fancy riding the public transportation, you may ride taxi, car, or even walk through the Old Peak Road.

To watch the Sky Terrace's magnificent view, visitors must buy the Peak Tram Sky ticket for HK$75 for a one-way ticket, and HK$88 for a return ticket.

2. Peak Tram

Peak Tram is a mode of transportation to Victoria Peak, but it also becomes a popular tourism activity chosen by visitors. Peak Tram is a historical transportation from 1888 and is the first cable car in Asia.

The Peak Tram operation time is starting from 7 a.m to midnight, with a departure duration of every 15 minutes. The ride provides an entry access towards many places at Victoria Peak, such as the Sky Terrace, Madame Tussauds Museum, or The Peak Galleria; an eminent shopping parade among the world’s celebrities.

The ticket entrance price varies; the cheapest one costs HK$32 for a one-way ticket and HK$45 for a round ticket. If you wish to enter Sky Terrace, additional price is charged. There is also a combo ticket with access to Madame Tussaud Museum for HK$249.

3. Madame Tussaud Museum

Still around Victoria Peak, tourists can spend their time visiting Madame Tussaud Museum. Here, you will get the chance to take photographs with the world's famous figures perpetuated in statue form, including the ex-football player David Beckham, Donnie Yen, Queen Elizabeth, and much more.

4. Sky100

Victoria Peak is not the only site in Hong Kong that allows you to have a sight of the city from the height and a 360-degree view. The Sky100 provides the similar experience, located on the 100th level of the International Commerce Centre (ICC) building, West Kowloon. Here, visitors can witness the beautiful overall view of Kowloon Peninsula with the Tai Mo Shan in the background.

The place is open every day, except Sunday, with an entrance ticket price for HK$168.

● Monday-Thursday : 10.00 - 21.00

● Friday : 10.00 - 22.00

● Saturday : 10.00 - 23.30

5. Victoria Harbour

The next tourist destination in Hong Kong is the Victoria Harbour, a port located on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon area. Here, you can see the harbor view with skyscrapers in the background. The sight is more beautiful at night, complete with colorful lights along the way.

There are some perfect locations to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Victoria Harbour, but the most popular one is from The Peak, offering a view from the height. Apart from that, tourists can also see the panorama from Tsin Sha Tsui promenade on the Kowloon side.

6. Avenue of Stars

In Victoria Harbour, you’ll find the Avenue of Stars, a place designed in resemblance of Hollywood Walk of Fame as a form of appreciation to Hong Kong’s film actors. The Avenue of Stars located in the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade area.

The bronze statue of Bruce Lee as high as 2,5 meters marks a unique characteristic of the place. The statue was built in 2005 and becomes a favorite location for tourists who visit the place. Apart from that, there is also hand prints and signatures of other Hong Kong’s celebrities.

7. A Symphony of Lights

While you visit Victoria Harbour, make sure you don’t miss out the Symphony of Lights show. It is the biggest lights and music show ever recorded by the Guinness World Records. The show is held by using the skyscraper's lights, and you can watch it for free, starting at 8 p.m to 8.14 p.m.

To enjoy the show, it’s better to choose the right spot. The Avenue of Stars, promenade around the Golden Bauhinia Square, or the Ferry are among the best places.

In this show, the narrator will speak in 3 different languages, depending on the day. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the narrator will speak English; on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, the narrator will speak in Mandarin; on Sunday, the narrator will speak Cantonese.

8. Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

The promenade does not only provide an excellent spot to enjoy the Symphony of Lights, but also a great location to enjoy the view of Hong Kong’s skyscrapers. It’s no wonder that Tsim Sha Tsui promenade is visited by thousands upon thousands of tourists.

The Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade also makes a fun site for the shopaholic. Here, you’ll find some branded shops that sell high-quality products. The location is easily accessed using MTR or bus.

9. Causeway Bay

Causeway Bay is every shopper’s paradise. Located in the Wanchai District, visitors will find an abundant place for shopping, starting from the roadside shops, malls, boutiques, and various types of shopping centers.

You’ll find products at the varying price here. For a pricey fashion apparel, visitors can find it at the Hysan Palace, Time Square, or Fashion Walk. For a less pricey stuff, you can come to SOGO Department Store. Besides, there is also Jardine’s Crescent, a shopping place where you can make a bargain.

10. Tsing Ma Bridge

While in Hong Kong, you may want to visit the Tsing Ma Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. Built in 1997, the Tsing Ma bridge reaches 1.377 meters long and 41 meters wide. Interestingly, this bridge can not only be traversed by car, but also by MTR train.

To provide a better convenience, there are some information boards around the bridge. In particular, views of Tsing Ma Bridge look awesome at night; the sparkling lights will increasingly show the grandeur and beauty of this bridge.

11. Lan Kwai Fong

For a party enthusiast, there is no better place to visit than Lan Kwai Fong in Hong Kong. It’s an L-shaped street famous as a gathering place for expatriates, where you will find many bars, clubs, cafe, and other entertainment venues.

Because Lan Kwai Fong is in the central district, the transportation access is not that difficult. Some types of transportation that you can use to reach the place include the MTR and public buses. In fact, there is also a transportation service that connects this area with the airport.

12. Repulse Bay

Repulse Bay is the next destinations with beautiful natural scenery located in the south part of Hong Kong. This beach is famous as an exclusive residential area with land prices up to millions thousand dollars per square meter. It's blue seawater, and white sandy beaches provide the utmost comfort and serenity.

You can relish in the Repulse Bay’s scenery anytime. In the afternoon, the atmosphere is quite warm, with temperature up to 26 Celsius degree, while the evening at Repulse Bay is also beautiful. You’ll witness an exquisite panorama with the city lights reflection on the sea surface.

It’s not hard to reach the beach. There is bus transportation from the 6, 6X, 6A, 260, and the 66 bus which can be found in the bus Exchange Square terminal.

13. Kowloon Walled City Park

The next place to visit is the Kowloon Walled City Park, a historical park in Hong Kong that once became a home to notorious gangsters, but ended in 1987.

In the 1980s, Hong Kong government demolished the Kowloon Walled City. However, some buildings are retained and are now part of the Kowloon Walled City Park.

This park is designed in the Qing Dynasty style and divided into eight areas with different unique characteristics. One of them is Yamen, the only old building in the style of Qing Dynasty that still survives. There is also the Old South Gate, a heritage from Kowloon Walled City and Chess Garden with four giants’ chess boards.

14. Jumbo Kingdom

Located in the Aberdeen area, the Jumbo Kingdom is among Hong Kong’s exciting culinary attractions. In this place, visitors can find the Jumbo Floating Restaurant and Tai Pak Floating Restaurant. Apart from tasting the delicious dishes, you’ll find the different sensation of eating in a large ship.

The Jumbo Kingdom is known as a popular tourist attraction in Hong Kong. More than 30 million of people have visited the place, including the famous personalities around the world such as the Queen Elizabeth II, Tom Cruise, Choi Yun Fat, and David Bowie.

To get here, you must depart to Aberdeen Promenade or the Sham Wan Harbor. In both places, there is a free boat service that will take you to the Jumbo Kingdom.

15. Ladies Market

Located in the MongKok area known as the most crowded in the world, Ladies Market is a must-visit place while you’re in Hong Kong. As the name implies, the Ladies Market is a market selling women’s stuff sold at affordable prices.

Besides the Ladies Market, there is also a roadside market that’s interesting to visit in MongKok. One of them is the Flower Market that is always crowded during the New Year’s Eve or Chinese New Year. Another popular night market in Hong Kong is Temple Street Night, where you can shop or enjoy the roadside show.

If you want to visit the place, you can ride an MTR from various stop points. Some of them are MongKok Station, MongKokEast Station, and Yau Ma Tei Station. For other alternative, tourists can take a bus to get there.

16. Disneyland Hong Kong

You would not miss a trip to Disneyland Hong Kong when having a family vacation. The place is considered as one of the most popular amusement parks in the world. In 2013, there were 7.4 million visitors came to visit the place. With an area up to 27.5 acres, Disneyland Hong Kong can accommodate 7.92 to 8.92 million people per year.

Various rides are available in the location, ranging from the Toy Story land, Adventureland, Main Street, U.S.A, and much more. The Disneyland Hong Kong also plans to add more playgrounds, including the Frozen-themed playground, and marvel Area that’s purposely designed for visitors to experience the fun of Iron Man.

The transportation access to this tourist destination is quite easy. The simplest one is by taking an MTR via Disneyland Resort Line. In this track, you can ride the MTR carriage that runs automatically without a driver. You can also use the public buses serving a trip to Disneyland Hong Kong.

To go to Disneyland, you need to pay HK $ 589 for adults, HK $ 419 for children and HK $ 100 for senior citizens.

17. Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is the next must-visit tourist destination in Hong Kong. The attraction is in Pai Tau Village, Sha Tin. Here, visitors will find a complex of Buddhist temple with more than 12.800 Buddha statues in various postures.

In this location, you will find 5 Buddhist temples, four pavilions, and a pagoda. To get to the peak of Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, visitors must climb 430 staircases. Once you are up there, you could go to the highest floor of the pagoda.

To visit the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, tourists can take an MTR East Railine to the Sha Tin station. If you depart from the Tsim Sha Tsui station, the trip will only take 9 minutes with a ticket costing HK$9. From the station, you can continue the journey by taking a taxi to the temple location.

Once you arrived at the temple, there’s no need to worry about the ticket. Every visitor can come to the place free of charge. The temple is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

18. Ocean Park Hong Kong

Apart from Disneyland, tourists can also spend their family holiday in the Ocean Park Hong Kong. This tourist attraction was established in 1977, but now its popularity has faded compared to the sparkling Disneyland Hong Kong. Even so, this amusement park located in the Southern District is still a place to see.

In this place, you can enjoy various rides, including The Dragon, well known as the biggest roller coaster in Hong Kong, with the trail up to 842 meters. Not only that, the visitors can have the chance to watch attraction of various types of marine mammals.

The transportation access to this place is also easy. People can ride the MTR South Island Line service and get off at the Ocean Park Station. Another choice is taking the Citybus Ocean Park Express that departs from the Central Ferry Pier to Ocean Park. Last, you can also take a taxi or personal vehicle.

To enjoy the various rides and attractions, visitors must purchase an entrance ticket for HK$385 for adults and HK$193 for children. On weekdays, this place is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. while during the weekend and public holiday; Ocean Park is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

19. The Tian Tan Buddha Statue

The next celebrated tourism destination in Hong Kong is the Tian Tan Buddha statue, or also known as the Great Buddha Statue. The giant sculpture is made of bronze and is 34 meters high with a total weight of 250 tons.

The statue is in Ngong Ping hills, Lantau. The visitors must firstly climb the 268 staircases to watch the statue closer. Once you get at the hill, tourists will find other smaller bronze statues around the giant Buddha – also called as The Offering of Six Devas.

Visitors will not be charged when seeing the Tian Tan Buddha. However, those who wish to enter the room under the statue must pay for an entrance ticket for HK$60.

While you are visiting the Tian Tan Buddha, you also have the chance to visit other two attractions nearby namely the Po Lin Monastery and Ngong Ping. The Po Lin Monastery is in the same complex, while the Ngong Ping is located 400 meters away from the site.

20. Po Lin Monastery

Still in the area of Ngong Ping, travelers can witness the Po Lin Monastery, a temple complex built in 1906. It is said that the Po Lin Monastery is one of the oldest Buddhist temples throughout Hong Kong. Here, 3 Buddha statues characterized Po Lin Monastery, stand as the representation of Buddha in the past, present, and future.

People will find the majestic Po Lin Monastery gate. Also, there is also a new building called The Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddha, which stood in the area of 6.000 meters’ square. In this place, tourists will discover 10.000 Buddha statues and other historical objects.

There are many ways to get into the Po Lin Monastery and Tian Tan Buddha. First, travelers can take the gondola of Ngong Ping 360. The second option will be taking an MTR and get off at the Tung Chung Station to continue the trip using the New Lantau Bus from Tung Chung Town Centre. The last choice is taking a ferry from Central Pier to MuiWo and continues the trip by the New Lantau Bus heading to Ngong Ping.

21. Ngong Ping 360

Ngong Ping 360 is a gondola train that is used as a mode of transportation to Ngong Ping in Lantau Island. This gondola connects Lantau Island with Central Hong Kong, and become the primary transportation, especially for the visitors who want to visit Po Lin Monastery and the Great Buddha Statue.

The tourists will spend 25 minutes riding the Ngong Ping 360 gondola. During the trip, you will be able to see Lantau Island's view from the height through its four large windows that provide a clear and broad sight.

When riding this gondola, there are two cabins to choose; the standard cabin and the crystal one. The crystal cabin equips a glass-made floor, so you can experience the thrill of watching the scenery right under your feet from the height. As for the ticket, the standard cabin ticket costs HK$150, while the crystal cabin ticket costs HK$235.

To go to the Ngong Ping 360 station, you can take the MTR Tung Chung Line that connects Hong Kong Island and Tung Chung. The trip will take about 30 minutes, but if you are up to other options, take a public bus or a taxi.

22. Tai O

This exceptional tourism destination has often been referred as the Venice of Hong Kong. Tai O is in the west part of Lantau Island and known as a fishing village. Here, you will find interconnected wooden houses of the fisherman.

Besides watching the unique fishing huts, you can also visit historical buildings in Tai O. Among these are the Old Tai O Police Station which was built in 1902, Yeung Hau Temple founded in 1699, and Tin Hau Temple, an old temple established in 1772.

The easiest way for tourists to reach Tai O is to take the MTR to Tung Chung Station and continue by riding New Lantau Bus 11 to Tai O. Alternatively; you can also continue the journey from Tung Chung by taking Ngong Ping 360 until you arrive at Ngong Ping Village. From the Ngong Ping Village, take New Lantau Bus 21 to Tai O.

23. Silver Mine Bay Beach

When visiting the Great Buddha Statue, be sure to stop by the Silver Mine Bay Beach located in Mui Wo, Lantau Island. This beach was formerly known as a gathering place for pirates, but the condition was drastically changed since 1930. The pirates are gone, and this beach is turned into a tourist attraction.

The atmosphere in Silver Mine Bay Beach is practically deserted. With the white sandy beaches, you will feel calm and peace. Not far from the beach, some restaurants serve international meals. With a special request, visitors can taste noodle, seafood, and duck dishes.

To get into the Silver Mine Bay Beach, tourists can take the ferry from the Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo. The trip will last 35 to 50 minutes. Once arrived at Mui Wo, you can walk down the Ngan Shek Street until reaching the Tung Wan Tau Road and finally get to this beautiful beach.

24. Sunset Peak

For the adventure geek, Sunset Peak can be the perfect place to spend a holiday. Sunset Peak is a hill with a height of up to 869 meters above sea level located in the Lantau Island. From the height, and you can witness an amazing sunset view.

To get here, people usually take a ferry to Mui Wo and then continue the trip by taking the bus 3M to Pak Kung Au. After that, you must head to Lantau Trail, an exploration path to Sunset Peak.

25. Hong Kong Railway Museum

The next interesting place to visit is Hong Kong Railway Museum, a home to some old locomotives that once operated in Hong Kong. This museum has existed since 20 December 1986, located in the former home to the Old Tai Po Market Railway Station.

Here, visitors can watch the well-preserved old wagons and locomotives, including the diesel wagon of EMD G12, the first electric diesel wagon ever existed in Hong Kong. This diesel is built in 1955 and earned the nickname of Sir Alexander—named after the former governor of Hong Kong Alexander Grantham.

Located on the On Fo Road, Tai Po, this museum has easy access. You can take the MTR and get off at the Tai Po Market Station to visit this place for free.

26. 1811 Heritage

1881 Heritage is a historical site, which used to function as Marine Police Headquarters Complex. The old building was built in1884 and located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The 1881 Heritage buildings complex is also known as one of the four oldest buildings, owned by the government, which is still standing strong in Hong Kong.

Currently, the 1881 Heritage is functioned as a historic tourist attraction, where visitors can also find shops selling branded fashion products. One place not to be missed in the 1881 Heritage is the Time Ball Tower.

The Time Ball Tower had a significant role for the sailors in the past. From 1885 to 1907, the Time Ball Tower served as a guide for the sailors in Victoria Harbor. Besides that, there are also the Former Fire Station and Stable Blocks to visit.

Visitors can also get a free tour guide by the administrator of 1881 Heritage. To get here, people can take the MTR and get off at the Tsim Sha Tsui Station. After that, walk through the Salisbury Road, YMCA, and then you'll arrive at 1881 Heritage.

27. Clock Tower

The Clock Tower, located in the south of Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, has become the only remaining building of the Kowloon Station complex that was established in 1915. The Clock Tower is 44 meters’ height, a popular tourist destination, and is a historical witness of the arrival of millions of immigrants from mainland China.

There is a wooden staircase used by the visitors to climb to the highest part of Clock Tower. Only, the access is currently closed due to an ongoing renovation. You can witness the grandeur of this building at night, when it is bombarded with the town light.

To get here, you can take an MTR and get off at the Tsim Sha Tsui Station. Continue your trip by walking down to Salisbury Road and through the subway line until you reach the Clock Tower area. Another option is by taking a ferry from Central or Wan Chai. Once you arrived at the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier, you can just walk for some minutes to reach the place.

28. Stanley Market

Another roadside market you’ll find in Hong Kong is the Stanley Market located in Stanley New Street. Here, you’ll get to shop various stuff, ranging from fashion apparel, jewelry, accessories, souvenirs, and much more. Not only that, but tourists can also try many different cuisines.

To go to this place, you can take the MTR ad get off at the Causeway Bay Station. After that, visitors can walk to the Jardine’s Bazaar and take the mini bun 40, or ride the 973 bus from Canton Road Tsim Sha Tsui.

29. Hong Kong Park

If you wish for a cheap tourist attraction in Hong Kong, one of the choices will be down to the Hong Kong Park. In this place, visitors can find a beautiful park with a green environment. There is also a giant bird’s cage, the Edward Youde Aviary; a home to more than 80 birds’ species from around the world.

Accessing the place is quite easy, where you can take a tram and get off at the stop – just 25 meters away from the park.

30. Chungking Mansions

The Chungking Mansions is not a tourist destination, but a favorite place for backpackers who visit Hong Kong. Located at 36-44 Nathan Road, you can find many cheap hotels, restaurants, and clothes shops.

To get here, visitors can take the MTR and get off at the East Tsim Sha Tsui Station not far from the Chungking Mansions. If you come to Hong Kong by plane, you can directly take the airport bus to the location.

Visiting this country won’t make you bored since there are many places in Hong Kong you’ll find interesting to visit.