Things to do in Hong Kong – The Complete Travel Guide to Hong Kong

Written By: The Planet D

Looking for things to do in Hong Kong? This comprehensive guide will give you all the tools you need to make the most of your time in Asia’s most exciting city.

We love Hong Kong. It’s exotic, it’s chaotic, and it’s electrifying. The city is just so big and there are so many things to do in Hong Kong, it can be overwhelming. But we’re here to help. When you read this guide, you’ll have a good idea of the top attractions, best tours and suggested itineraries.

Things to do in Hong Kong

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things to do in honk kong | dave kicks bruce lee
Dave kicks Hong Kong Icon, Bruce Lee’s butt at the Sky100

I don’t think there is any city skyline that I love more than Hong Kong. Sure Shanghai has an eye-popping set of buildings but it’s the sheer mass and aesthetic layout of Hong Kong that takes my breath away. And there are a lot more things to do in Hong Kong than you would expect.

1. Sky100

things to do in hong kong | city view from sky 100

For a panoramic view of Hong Kong, visit the Sky100. Located on the 100th floor of the International Commerce Centre, in West Kowloon, The Sky100 is the perfect spot to get your bearings and orientation of the city. From here you can see all the districts of Hong Kong, the harbour and the Mountains. Like all world cities, an observation deck is a great place to start.

When you are staring out the windows of Hong Kong’s tallest building, you really get a sense of just how huge Hong Kong Really is. For prices and information visit the Sky100 website. We recommend purchasing skip-the-line tickets to make the most of your time in Hong Kong. You can purchase them click here. 

2. Peak Tram

things to see in hong kong | peak tram view
Enjoying the view from Victoria Peak

For another high lookout, a trip up the Peak Tram is a must. Opened in 1926, this funicular railway travels 1.4km up to an elevation of 400 metres above the city for a magnificent view of the Hong Kong harbour.

You can spend a day exploring its hiking trails and perusing the indoor shopping centre. There’s even a Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum up there. But it’s really all about the view and scene of the Hong Kong Skyline twinkling its lights at sunset. For tickets and hours of operation visit the Peak Tram website

Lines can be very long at the Peak Tram, Get Your Guide offers Skip the Line Tickets with short notice bookings or easy cancellation. This is a an efficient way to avoid long waits at a reasonable price.

3. Symphony of Lights – Clock Tower Kowloon

free things to do in hong kong at night | skyline from Kowloon
See the Symphony of Lights from Kowloon

After the sun sets, make your way to the harbour and watch the world’s largest continuous light show. There are several great ways to watch the Hong Kong Light Show and I suggest a cruise in the harbour as a fabulous way to see the choreographed light display.

If you are a photographer, head over to the clock tower and line up with the other tripod carrying artists to photograph the spectacle of neon lights and laser beams carefully crafted to music.

Symphony of Lights Harbour Cruise with Drinks is a great option for a tour in Hong Kong. See the Symphony of lights form the water. We did this our first time in Hong Kong and loved being out in the harbor during the faous light show. this 1.5. hour cruise sails along the Hong Kong Harbour while the spectacular symphony of lights play along the skyline. Plus, you get unlimited drinks!

4. 10,000 Buddhas Monastery

what to do in Hong Kong | buddhas
Dave takes in the serenity of 10,000 Buddhas Monastery

For a little culture and serenity, visit the 10 000 Buddhas Monastery in Pai Tau Village. The walk-up is enough to take your breath away. One because it’s a bit tiring after eating all that amazing Chinese food in the city and two because hundreds of golden Buddhas line the path.

Once you reach the top, there are temples and pavilions to explore as well as a nine-story pagoda. A highlight for me was the turtle pond and the gardens. It was a serene escape from the rest of Hong Kong.

Hot Tip: Get around Hong Kong on the Big Bus Hop on Hop off Tour. It includes ferries between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon and fast track up the Peak Tram and Sky 100. Choose from 1-2 days starting at $77.66

5. Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car

places to visit in Hong Kong | Ngon Ping Cable Car
Ngon Ping Cable Car

This 25-minute scenic ride up to Ngong Ping village is considered one of the great cable car rides in the world. The cable car is located on Lan Tau Island starts in the village of Tung Chung and ends at the top at Ngong Ping Village. This themed village is kitschy fun with 5D theatres, multimedia events, shopping, dining, and even a martial arts show. When you get to the top grab a Starbucks coffee

  • Lantau Island and Cable Car Tour – This is a very cool tour and you must get out of downtown Hong Kong at least once. while you stroll around the village and take in the sights.
  • Visit the Tian Tan Big Buddha statue at Po Lin Monastery. Then travel by boat to see Tai O, a quaint fishing village where the houses are built on stilts. Check for tours here

6. Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery

things to see in hong kong | temple monastery
Monks practicing at the Monastery

Ngong Ping Village is located just five minutes from the Tian Tan Big Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery. The energy changes to a serene setting as one of the world’s largest Buddhas looms overhead while you explore the still working monastery. If you are lucky, you may witness monks chanting their morning prayers.

The 40-meter high Buddha statue can be viewed by walking up 262 steps to take in its magnificent size. Want to learn more about Lantau Island? See Our Hong Kong Day Trip

  • Lantau Island and Cable Car can also be booked through Get Your Guide. This is a very cool tour and you must get out of downtown Hong Kong at least once. Visit the Tian Tan Big Buddha statue at Po Lin Monastery. Then travel by boat to see Tai O, a quaint fishing village where the houses are built on stilts.

7. Wine and Dine Festival

things to do in hong kong in September | wine festival
Dave drinks sake at the Wine and Dine Festival

Each Year There’s the Wine and Dine Festival where wine and spirit makers from around the world come to Hong Kong to show off their best brews.

  • Plan your trip around this event, you will love it!

8. Sai Kung

adventure things to do in hong kong | Hiking in Sai Kung
Hiking in Sai Kung

For a bit of nature, Sai Kong is a great day excursion. There are some great hikes along the coast and you can even have your boat driver drop you off to hike back. Sai Kung is great for a boat ride, paddling and hiking and once you’ve worked up your appetite, you must try one of the seafood markets.

Taxis are cheap in Hong Kong and we took a taxi out to Sai Kong where we hopped on a boat to explore the surrounding islands.

must do in hong kong | fish markets
Fish markets of Sai Kung

Sai Kung is famous for its seafood street where seafood restaurants line the waterfront. There’s even a Michelin Star seafood restaurant in the village if you really want to try something amazing. Enjoy more China Travel Advice: The Best Things to do in China

9. Use the Subway

getting to hong kong points of interest | by subway
The Hong Kong Subway is affordable and easy to use

The best way to get around Hong Kong is by using the subway. It’s cheap, it’s efficient and it goes everywhere. Get an Octopus Card and use it to get around the city.  Subway signs are in English and it’s very fast and orderly.

Note: Taxis are very reasonable in Hong Kong as well. Between the Subway and a cab, you can explore the city with ease. 

10. Stay at the Mira Hong Kong

things to do hk | mira hotel room
Mira Hotel Suite

We loved our stay at the Mira Hong Kong in Kowloon. It was walking distance from everything located in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui. We were just a short walk from the Harbour City shopping center and waterfront.

They even gave us a cell phone complete with free data, international phone calls and preloaded maps and information on Hong Kong to use during our stay. And a very cool fact: Everyone gets a cell phone with data to use when staying at the Mira Hong Kong

11. Habour City

what to do in hongkong | harbour city mall
Crowds getting on to ferry from Harbour City Mall

It is Hong Kong’s largest shopping mall with all the top name brands in the world. There is a lot more than shopping. It has everything from dining to the ferry terminal. It’s a great escape from the outdoors.

A trip to Hong Kong is not complete without stopping into people watch, window shop or to grab some food. You must visit here for shopping and dining!

12. Take a Ride on the Star Ferry

what to see hong kong | night light show
See Hong Kong from the water

If a cruise is too much to splurge on, take a trip on the Star Ferry either to Kowloon (if you are staying downtown) or the other way if you are staying in Kowloon.

The Star Ferry is a great way to get back and forth through the Hong Kong harbour and it lets you see the skyline from the water, which is a must. Traveling to Hong Kong? Check out our China Travel Guide

13. SoHo

what to see in hong kong | SoHo Street Signs
Don’t miss the trendy area of Soho when visiting Hong Kong

Hollywood was once the main street of Hong Kong, and today, everything South of Hollywood (SOHO) is where it’s at.

Soho (South of Hollywood) is the hot and trendy part of Hong Kong. It’s here that you’ll see the upper class business people flock for after work drinks while dressed in only the best fabrics money can buy.

Soho is filled with boutiques, bars and fine dining. If you want to do some shopping, here’s the place to do it. There’s a mix of antique markets with high-end fashion and everything in between. What we loved most was just people watching while enjoying an afternoon cocktail.

14. Ride the World’s Longest Escalator

what to do in hong kong | world's longest escalator
The World’s Longest Escalator in Hong Kong

Soho used to be a run down area where getting around was difficult since it was built on the side of a steep mountain. Since the world’s longest escalator was installed it all changed. Spanning nearly 1km the escalator runs up the side of the mountain connecting all the streets of Soho making it easy to explore.

You never have to walk up, only down. Take it all the way to the top and start your walk down to really check out all the little nooks and crannies of Hong Kong’s hottest district. Love our Hong Kong photography? You’ll enjoy our China At Night: A Photo story. 

15. Man Mo Temple

things to do in hk | man mo temple
You must visit the Man Mo Temple when in Hong Kong.

Located in the Soho District is a quiet unassuming temple that should not be missed when visiting Hong Kong. The Man Mo temple is located on Hollywood Road and pays tribute to the God of Literature and the God of War. Money tight? Read: 5 Tip to Travel China on a Budget

The Man Mo temple is famous for its giant hanging incense where visitors buy red ribbons to leave a wish or a prayer on the end of a giant coil letting the smoke carry their dreams to the Gods above.

16. Tai O Fishing Village

things to do hong kong | tai O fishing village boats and canal
Tai O Fishing Village

Located on Lantau Island, the Tai O Fishing Village is as close as you’ll ever get to historic Hong Kong. Where once all of Hong Kong lived and operated as this village does, today the fisherman’s way of life is giving way to skyscrapers and big business.

Tai O takes you back to a simpler time where people shopped daily for their fresh catch of the day and made traditional meals by hand. It’s a charming village to walk through and you can visit one of the stilt houses to see how village life has remained unchanged for decades.

17. Pink Dolphins

non touristy things to do in hong kong | Junk Boat at Tai O Fishing village
The Disappearing Junk Boats of Hong Kong

While in Tai O Village, book boat tour out to spot pink dolphins in the bay. Sightings are not guaranteed, but this is one of the few places where you get a chance to view these rare creatures.

Boat tours are short, but affordable and let you see a bit of the coast while searching for these elusive creatures. The dolphins are fast so we didn’t get any photographs, but we did see them…honestly!

18. Sham Shui Po Food Tour

things to do in hong kong food tours and dim sum tasting
Explore the markets of Sham Shui

Food is a way of life in Hong Kong. From fine dining and dim sum to street stalls, Hong Kong residents take their cuisine very seriously. A great way to learn about Hong Kong food is to take a food tour and there’s no better place to do it than in Shan Shui.

Here you’ll try traditional street stalls, shop in the markets and eat in local favourites. Ask all the questions you want and get to know as much as you can. It makes dining out much more enjoyable once you know what to order. Sham Shui is a great district to visit with street markets, old shops and lots of typical Hong Kong apartments.

It’s a huge contrast from the downtown district’s modern skyscrapers. Check out Hong Kong Foodie Tours to book your own food tour of Hong Kong.

19. Kowloon

things to do in hong kong | street night market
Explore the streets of Kowloon

Kowloon is a really cool district of Hong Kong. It is also where we stay when visiting Hong Kong. There are pedestrian-only streets free from traffic and filled with vendors and storefronts.

Mong Kok is Hong Kong’s most popular walking street; located on the Kowloon side of the city, it’s famous for the Ladies Market, which is a popular spot to haggle for bargain clothing and souvenirs. Here you will find everything from clothing and knock-off name brands to souvenirs and luxury jewelry. The best time to visit is at night.

Temple street night market is one of the more famous night markets in Hong Kong selling everything you can think from clothing to trinkets, antiques and seafood. There is also the huge shopping mall Harbour City in Kowloon that you really cannot miss.

  • Kowloon Guided Market Tour – Kowloon is a bustling district and this tour takes you through the back streets to explore its markets and landmarks.
  • Street Food Tour – Hong Kong is known for its street food. Get to know the best food stalls, learn about Hong Kong Cuisine and get local insider tips. Duration: 2 Hours.

Avenue of the Stars

what to do in Hong Kong today and any day | Visit avenue of stars
Deb does her best acting moves

Hollywood has their Walk of Fame but Hong Kong has a huge movie industry and their A venue of Stars is a must visit. Not far from the clock tower in the Kowloon district on the waterfront,  the Avenue of Stars showcases several famous Hong Kong film stars.

Each person has dipped their hands in cement leaving their prints handprints and signatures into the promenade. Famous hands you will see include Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh and more. It’s also a great evening stroll.

While in Hong Kong, you may want to visit the mainland and see Macau. Get Your Guide offers day trips from Hong Kong

Our #1 Money Saving Tip in Hong Kong

The best way that you can save money and see all of the sites is to get yourself a Hong Pass Pass. You can get it for 2, 3 or 4 days and it includes entrance to all top Hong Kong attractions plus Fast Track access including:

  • Peak Tram Sky Pass
    • Ngong Ping Cable Car and Guided Tour (aka the Big Buddha)
    • Ocean Park
    • Sky100 HK Observation Deck
    • Airport Express Return Ticket
    • Aberdeen Sampan Ride
    • Cotai Jet: Hong Kong Macau Ferry
    • Macau Tower
    • Star Ferry Harbour Tour
    • Aqua Luna Stanley Cruise (Aqua Luna is a traditional red-sailed Hong Kong junk boat)
    • Hong Kong Walking Tour
    • Macau Hop on Hop off Bus Tour

With only having a short amount of time this will help you get around quickly and skip the line at a bunch of places. Definitely worth it. Get Your Hong Pass Pass here

We could go back to Hong Kong again and again. It truly is a world city. As a matter a fact Hong Kong is Asia’s World City. It’s no wonder there is so much to see and do in Hong Kong, it’s a city that needs to be visited again and again.

Suggested Hotels Kowloon

Mira Hong Kong – Wonderful stay, luxurious, Michelin Restaurant, indoor pool, connected to Miramar Shopping Centre. Check out Availability & Prices Trip Advisor / Booking.com

Kowloon Shangri-La – Luxurious Kowloon Shangri-La overlooks Victoria Harbour. The luxurious hotel boasts 7 dining option. Check out Availability & Prices Trip Advisor / Booking.com

Plan Your Hong Kong Vacation

things to see in Hong Kong | buddha statue
Hong Kong culture
  • 1USD = $7.80 Hong Kong Dollars. Get the XP currency Converter App for currency calculations
  • Invest in an Octopus card – an extremely versatile stored-value electronic card that can be used for most public transport, as well as purchases in convenience stores, fast food shops, supermarkets, cake shops, vending machines and more.
  • Use your octopus card to take a ferry to Macau, the Las Vegas of Asia, to explore, wager a little bit of money and take in a show.
  • Get Your Guide offers day trips to Macau
  • They drive on the left in Hong Kong so when crossing the street be sure to look right before crossing the street.
  • When going upstairs or standing on the escalator going to the right.
  • Taxis are cheap in Hong Kong, so take them!
  • There’s a lot of parks and greenery in Hong Kong. It’s not just a concrete jungle so get outside
  • Don’t expect things to open early in the morning, things open late in Hong Kong
  • Pick up your Lonely Planet Travel Guide – This is our go-to city guide and country guide when traveling the world. We’ve used Lonely Planet since 2000.
  • For electronics, we use the Eagle Creek Travel adapter in conjunction with the Belkin Mini Surge Protector. It’s all we need to charge 5 devices at once. Three plugs and two USB Chargers.

When is the Best time to Visit Hong Kong?

There really is no bad time to visit Hong Kong. It’s an international city that is open for tourists year round. Like many Asian destinations, the high season for Hong Kong is from October through May. However, tourism ramps up for tourism and crowds are larger and prices are higher.

Shoulder season is always a good time to visit to avoid the crowds and save money. Shoulder season is considered June and September.

The summer months of July and August are very hot and because Hong Kong is an international city, deals are not as big as you would hope.

When traveling to Hong Kong try to avoid national holidays like May 1, July 1, and October 1.

Selected Hong Kong Tours

Get Your Guide – is a great site for tours and discount tickets. We have used it around the world. It offers last-minute tickets and easy cancellation.

Symphony of Lights Harbour Cruise with Drinks – Seeing the Symphony of lights from the water is magical. This 1.5-hour cruise sails along the Hong Kong Harbour while the spectacular symphony of lights display plays in front of you. Plus you get unlimited drinks!

Hong Kong Disneyland – Who loves Disneyland. Check out this surreal experience. If you’ve ever been to Disneyland or Disneyworld in the States, you gotta go to Hong Kong to compare the two.

Hong Kong After Dark Tour – Sometimes you just want to go out late at night, but feel a little insecure doing it alone. So join the Hong Kong After Dark tour to visit the night markets, parks, neighborhoods and Peninsula Hotel and the Chung King Mansion. Then top it off at one of Hong Kongs popular bars.

Enjoy all these things to do in Hong Kong? Save this post to Pinterest for future reference.

19 of the best things to do in hong kong

We’ve barely scratched the surface of all the things to do in Hong Kong and we look forward to going back to tell you more! Have you been to Hong Kong?

What did we miss and what should we do on our next visit? Please let us know other ideas for what to do in Hong Kong

For more information about things to do in Hong Kong check out the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Website

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Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO. 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

  • Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
  • Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine, the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

Leave a Comment

28 thoughts on “Things to do in Hong Kong – The Complete Travel Guide to Hong Kong”

  1. One of the great article i have read for HongKong. There is lots of details given by Dave and Deb to us. Specially stay location mira hong kong hotel those provide cell phone to visitor with uploaded map.

    Reply
  2. Awesome blog and very beautiful places to visit in Hong Kong. I would like to visit with my friends and enjoy. Thanks for sharing as it will be very helpful for the travelers.

    Reply
  3. Nice article,after reading you will be curious to visit Hong Kong . The best thing that i have planned after visiting are go cable car ride and to go harbour city for shopping this are my favourite and a lot more…

    Reply
  4. Hong Kong for me was a dream come true, I fell in love with the neon glow of the city when watching it in movies, the mood, the texture, I feel I can reach a different reality in my mind and find inspiration and clarity. So when last month finally I could experience it in real life I was totally blown away by the full experience.

    Reply
  5. This was really helpful post, Taxis are cheap in Hong Kong and we took a taxi out to Sai Kong where we hopped on a boat to explore the surrounding islands. Thanks for the knowledge.

    Reply
  6. Great post.
    Hong Kong is definitely one of the most attractive and fascinating tourist spots in the world, and if you love travelling, a vacation to Hong Kong will certainly be an integral part of your bucket list!

    Reply
  7. Tai O is still one of my favorites. It’s just such a different vibe in this village. And still so interesting to see how Hong Kong once looked like back in the days.

    Reply
  8. Woow, this looks really amazing,
    This is really on my have to do list before i get into my 40’s

    Keep posting,
    Kind regards
    Stefanie

    Reply
  9. Nice article and great photos. We have been thinking about taking a trip to Hong King and this helps a lot in our planning. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  10. Hong Kong has been on our to do list for years and we have never made it there. However, we are hoping to spend Christmas in Hong Kong this year – so thank you so much for your recommendations!

    Until recently, I didn’t realise how much nature surrounds Hong Kong. Tai O Village and Sai Kung look absolutely beautiful!

    Reply
  11. It is pretty incredible. We didn’t make it to the 10,000 Buddhas until our second visit. I’m glad we went to some of the outer areas of Hong Kong this time around. Dim Sum was fantastic. The food tour that we did really gave a sense of trying traditional street food. Noodles, dumplings…there are so many great dishes in Hong Kong. I think you just gave me an idea. I am going to have to do a best of Hong Kong food post. I am sure that Mark of Migrationology.com has some great suggestions. He specializes in Asian food.

    Reply
  12. I have always been nervous about travelling to Hong Kong. Thanks to your blog I think I will give it a try. It’s next on my list. :).

    Reply
  13. Absolutely fantastic posting! Great Info about things to do in Hong Kong Especially I would like to visit 10,000 Buddhas Monastery in Pai Tau Village It looks so amazing…Thanks for sharing your Experience at Hong Kong…..

    Reply
  14. Just, an awesome photography. Really amazing this place. I would love to go there. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply