A cultural hotspot where East meets West, Hong Kong is a region teeming with must-sees and must-dos. Put simply, there’s no place like Hong Kong. Here are just a few experiences that await you.
Seven things you can only do in Hong Kong
1. Hike up a mid-city mountain
In no time at all, you can hike up a majestic mountain where you will be rewarded with views overlooking one of the world’s most densely populated cities.
2. Ride the longest covered escalator system in the world
Hong Kong’s Mid-Levels Escalator is a series of escalators that link the hilly areas to the heart of the Central District. Hop on and off for fab food, shopping, cultural quick stops and intriguing people-watching.
3. Drink at one of the world’s highest bars
Ozone, on the top floor of the International Commerce Centre or ICC building in West Kowloon, offers highaltitude libations with views that will simply floor you.
4. Eat some of the cheapest Michelin-starred food in the world
Sample mouth-watering Michelin-rated dishes for less than A$10 at Tim Ho Wan in Sham Shui Po. The char siu bao borders on addictive, and Hong Kong’s most famous dim sum is sure to please.
5. Hang out with a really big buddha (or a whole lot of them)
The Tian Tan Buddha is the world’s largest outdoor seated buddha and perhaps Hong Kong’s most recognisable tourist attraction. If one big buddha isn’t enough for you, head to Sha Tin Monastery, where you will be greeted by 10,000 buddhas.
6. Ride a double decker tram
Hong Kong is the only place in the world with a working fleet of double decker ‘Ding Ding’ trams. They may be a little slow but are very cheap and a charming way to soak up the cityscape and surrounds.
7. Witness a nightly spectacular lightshow
Skyscrapers and buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour provide the canvas for one of the world’s longestrunning free light and sound shows. Every night from 8pm, A Symphony of Lights showcases the vibrancy of the city, with myriad searchlights, lasers and LED screens working in symphony to create an audio-visual extravaganza backed by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.
While Hong Kong may have a reputation for glitz and glamour, you don’t need deep pockets to have a good time.
Man Mo Temple
A tribute to the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo), Man Mo Temple in Central requires no tribute from tourists. Make sure you bring your camera.
Get lost (in the nicest possible way)
Just outside the city you’ll find hiking trails through majestic mountain peaks and heritage havens, with hikes for all abilities, clearly displayed difficulty ratings and a plethora of pocketfriendly pit stops along the way.
Go wild
Stroll through a pristine park right in the middle of the city for a chance to get close to local wildlife. Hong Kong Park is a real-life Eden where you can visit the jungle-like Edward Youde Aviary or trek to the tropical Forsgate Conservatory – Southeast Asia’s largest conservatory and home to a range of botanical beauties.
Cultural crowd pleasers
Hong Kong’s major museums offer free entry on Wednesdays, with some even offering free guided tours. Venture into The Hong Kong Museum of History, The Hong Kong Heritage Museum or The Hong Kong Science Museum any day of the week for a free culture fix.
Free art galleries
World class galleries and art hubs are linked by back alleys and main streets bursting with colourful street art. Take a tour of Hong Kong’s quintessential street art hot spots including Old Town Central, Sham Shui Po and Mong Kok.
Street markets
While cash may enhance this experience, you don’t need to purchase anything to get a glimpse of Hong Kong life at its most colourful. Try your hand at haggling, sample fresh foods and snacks, people-watch and meet with locals on the go, day or night.
What’s hot in Hong Kong right now
Eat
Gordon Ramsay has opened his acclaimed contemporary steakhouse, Maze Grill, in the stunning new glasshouse extension of Ocean Terminal, Harbour City.
Two bold new culinary concepts have recently opened at Central’s L’Place. Hunter delivers a modern and refined dining experience, while The Chase is a more casual, eclectic space, incorporating American bistro classics with a cool cocktail bar, chic lounge and one of the city’s most coveted outdoor terraces.
Celebrated chef Virgilio Martinez Véliz has launched ICHU Peru in the H Queen’s building, serving contemporary Peruvian cuisine in a modern, bistro-style setting.
Exciting new culinary destinations emerge each month. Visit Discover Hong Kong to find out what’s hot in Hong Kong.
Play
Hong Kong’s only rooftop ‘guinguette’, PIQNIQ, is located at the top of the city’s hottest new arts venue, H Queen’s. Dining, drinking, dancing and relaxation take centre stage while guests enjoy mesmerising views from Victoria Harbour to The Peak.
Located at the eastern edge of the West Kowloon Cultural District, the Xiqu Centre is Hong Kong’s new venue for Cantonese opera and other forms of Chinese traditional theatre. Regular programmes include film screenings, workshops, talks and exhibitions, as well as guided tours.
Getting around
Take the Airport Express Link – only 24 minutes to the heart of Hong Kong, free wifi, air-con and you can checkin luggage at the station upon your return. Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s gateway and hub for multi-destination travel has been strengthened with the recent opening of Hong Kong’s High Speed Rail System and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Check out the new West Kowloon Station, the main Hong Kong hub for the new rail network, which features a pedestrian skywalk delivering views of Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong skyline.
Don’t Miss
Most neighbourhoods offer great self-guided walking tours where you can experience the best of Hong Kong’s street food, markets, galleries, shopping and culture, while also picking up a few history facts.
More
Before planning your trip, check out the Hong Kong 2019 events calendar.
Download your free guide to planning your Hong Kong holiday. Or, if you’d like a printed copy packaged and posted to your mailbox, simply fill out this online form and we’ll send it to you!
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