Top 10 Things to Do in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is an autonomous territory of China, a former British colony, and a global financial hub.
Rich history, modern skyscrapers, and beautiful nature are just some of the reasons to visit.
Discover 10 best places to visit in Hong Kong plus two bonus tips. Just read further.
10: Yick Fat Building
Yick Fat Building is a public housing apartment building with a pop culture relevance. The building has long been a gem for photographers. It represents the typical life of Hong Kong residents.
9: Victoria Peak
Victoria Peak is the 1,811 ft (552 m) hill overlooking Hong Kong. We recommend buying Peak Tram Sky Pass that includes the return ticket for The Peak Tram and the viewing platform Sky Terrace 428 for 99 HK$.
There is also The Peak Tower that features the highest 360° viewing platform. The price is 52 HK$. The Peak Tram & The Peak Tower also offer free Wifi. Buy tickets here.
The Peak Tram was Asia’s first funicular railway and began operating in 1888. It remains one of the oldest and steepest tramways in the world.
You can return from Victoria peak by double-decker bus to avoid the crowd waiting for the tram and to experience beautiful views towards the sea, islands and the city.
8: Hong Kong Park
Hong Kong Park is a public park and an oasis in the middle of Hong Kong Central District right under Victoria Peak.
It provides a relaxing environment with its Tai Chi garden, aviary, artificial waterfall, a sports center, and many other surprises. It is hard to believe you are in a big city when you are in the park.
7: Wong Tai Sin Temple
Wong Tai Sin Temple is primarily a Taoist temple, but it also has Buddhist and Confucian worshiping halls. It is said that if you make a wish here, it might come true.
There are many points to see there, for example, Main Altar, Good Wish Garden, the two-story fortune telling arcade, etc.
6: Tian Tan Buddha
This 34-meter Tian Tan Buddha Statue known as The Big Buddha was built in 1993 and is a major center of Buddhism in Hong Kong.
Usually, Buddha statues face south, but this one faces north, supposedly to look over the Chinese people.
There are 268 steps to reach the platform of this remarkable statue.
There are also six smaller bronze statues knows as “The Offering of the Six Devas.” They are kneeling and offering Buddha the flowers, incense, lamp, ointment, fruit and music symbolizing Six Perfections – which are: generosity, morality, patience, zeal, meditation, and wisdom. According to Buddhism, these are necessary to enter nirvana.
Don’t miss Po Lin Monastery nearby.
5: Fishing village Tai O
Tai O is one of the few remaining fishing villages in Hong Kong. It is also called the Venice of Hong Kong because of its stilt houses from the 19th century with unique settings.
Tai O is known for its fishing culture with the seafood market, and salted egg yolks salted dry fish and shrimp paste, which they dry under the sun. You will experience a very different Hong Kong from high rises and city life.
4: Kowloon Walled City (Park)
After the Second World War, an influx of immigrants occupied Kowloon. The city was well known for drugs, prostitution, criminal hide-outs, small shops, dentists and doctors without a license, etc. The police would rarely enter the city because it had secret staircases and maze of passages with their own laws.
An estimated 33,000 people lived within the Walled City, and it was the densest populated area in the world. In 1987 the authorities decided to demolish it. They started in 1993. Two years later they opened a park.
3: Noonday Gun
Noonday gun is located on the first plot in Hong Kong to be sold by public auction in 1841 and was purchased by Jardine Matheson.
The origin of the Jardine’s noonday gun salute is shrouded in the mists of time, but the story goes that on one occasion, the salute annoyed senior naval officer, who was new to HK and had not heard of the practice. It is said that as a penalty Jardine was ordered to fire a noonday gun as a time signal to Hong Kong.
The gun is still fired every day at noon.
2: Symphony of Lights
The symphony of lights is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's 'Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show' that celebrates the energy, spirit, and diversity of Hong Kong.
This multimedia show involves more than 40 buildings on both sides of the Victoria harbor. It starts at 8 p.m. every day.
You can also experience the Symphony of Lights from one of numerous bars and restaurants with a view such as Ozone, a rooftop bar or Felix.
1: Bruce Lee Statue
Bruce Lee Statue is a memorial figure to honor the deceased martial artist, Bruce Lee.
The statue is located in the Avenue of Stars that pays tribute to the names that helped make Hong Kong the ‘Hollywood of the East.’
The statue shows a classic 'ready to strike' Bruce Lee pose, as seen in the 1972 movie Fist of Fury.
