Here’s a list of Hong Kong’s Top 20+ things to do and see, including attractions, sightseeing, temples, parks, and shopping. This list ticks off the classic attractions, traditional culture, modern Hong Kong, shopping and natural wonders, so let’s kick it off with a map of them to get your bearings and then a brief review of each one.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Sai Kung, Hong Kong
Hong Kong, China
Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong
Wetland Park Rd, Hong Kong Wetland Park, Hong Kong
Sha Tin, Hong Kong
Ngong Ping, Hong Kong
Ngong Ping, Hong Kong
Sha Tin, Hong Kong
Chuk Un, Hong Kong
Sheung Yuen Leng, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
International Commerce Centre (ICC), 1 Austin Rd W, West Kowloon, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
The Peak, Hong Kong
Victoria Peak & Peak Tram – ride the old Peak Tram to the top of Victoria Peak and enjoy the amazing views across the top of towering buildings of Central and the beautiful Victoria Harbour. If it’s a clear day you’ll be blessed with amazing views, and if you can’t catch a clear day you might want to try going at night which is just as amazing. Peak tram opens early, and if it’s a weekend you should get there early to avoid long queues. On the peak, walk around the past the shopping areas to the Lions Park for a free viewing platform. More details.
Star Ferry, Victoria Harbour, and Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade – it’s an enjoyable area just to stroll around, past the clock tower, along the promenade, and along the Avenue of the Stars. And no visit to Hong Kong is complete without a journey across the harbour on the historic Star Ferry.
Symphony of Lights – at 8.00pm every evening the buildings alongside the harbour light up with a spectacular light show. Best of all it’s free. More details.
ICC & Sky100 – take a view of Victoria Harbour from Hong Kong’s tallest building, the International Commerce Center (ICC), also on the 118th floor is the Ozone bar, Aqua Roma & Aqua Tokyo restaurants & Aqua Spirit bar, all of which provide amazing views. More details.
Markets – Hong Kong has numerous markets where you can grab a bargain on all sorts of items ranging from clothes to jewellery and electronic gadgets. See Ladies Market, Temple St Night Market, Jade Market, Apliu Flea Market & Stanley Market. See our list of Hong Kong Markets and Outlet Shopping.
Shopping Mega Malls – Too many to list them all, but the choice picks might be Harbour City, Langham Place, CityGate Outlets and Fashion Walk. See our list of the top shopping malls and guide to shopping in HK or, view all our shopping destination reviews by nearby MTR or district here
Stanley and Repulse Bay – escape the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong and head on a scenic bus ride to Stanley where there’s not only a market selling arts, crafts and copy goods but also a beautiful foreshore and nearby there is the beach at Repulse Bay.
Ocean Park – a massive aqua theme park featuring marine mammals and amusement rides. More details
Disneyland – perhaps not as big as the other Disneylands, but it’s still a hit with the kids and a great value day. A guide to the Disneyland, handy tips and accommodation.
Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden – a large Buddhist complex featuring temples and serene, scenic gardens. More details.
Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple – a vibrant temple which is home to three religions: Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. More details
Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery – statues line the path of many steps that lead to the top where you’ll find a monastery and many Buddhas! See:goo.gl/maps/Z1jdCAiUVRG2
The Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery – Not far from Disneyland on Lantau Island you’ll find a massive seated Buddha and beautiful monastery. More details
Ngong Ping 360 – a 25-minute cable car ride that offers amazing scenic views. The cable car takes you from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping Village where it’s only a short walk to the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. See: np360.com.hk/en/
Hong Kong Heritage Museum – surprisingly enjoyable and if you love Hong Kong, or have an interest in local history then it’s a must visit. More details
Hong Kong Wetland Park – for the most part, visitors to Hong Kong leave with the impression that it’s a hustling, bustling, high-density city but this is only partly true. Escape the hustle and some of the amazing natural attractions such as the Hong Kong Wetland Park. See: wetlandpark.gov.hk/en/
Happy Valley Racecourse – built by the British in 1845 the track is located amongst the high rises of Wan Chai and offers mid-week nightly races. There is also a racecourse at Sha Tin. See: entertainment.hkjc.com/entertainment/
Ding Ding Tram – the double-decker historic trams provide a relaxing and cheap way, to cruise past the modern super towers of Hong Kong’s Central District. See: hktramways.com
Sai Kung Town and Sai Kung Country Park – Sai Kung is a small fishing village featuring a picturesque promenade, golf course, amazing beaches such as Tai Long Wan, and spectacular natural scenery and mountain views. It’s also home to Sai Kung Country Park. See: afcd.gov.hk
Hong Kong Geopark – the geopark is just one location, it actually consists of eight geological unique areas that truly are natural treasures. See: geopark.gov.hk
Cheung Chau Island – offers a more relaxed side of Hong Kong, the small island features beautiful beaches, temples and more. discoverhongkong.com/../
Lamma Island – another escape from the hustle and bustle, Lamma Island offers a mix of Western and Chinese cultures. See: discoverhongkong.com/../
Shek O – another of Hong Kong’s popular beaches and nature escapes. See: afcd.gov.hk/../
Tai O – a traditional fishing village where the houses are built on stilts above the tidal flows. See: discoverhongkong.com/../
Where to Stay in Hong Kong?
I like to be close to the MTR as it is so convenient and saves a lot of walking and a lot of taxi fares. A couple of my favorite places are Metropark Hotel Mongkok and Brighton Hotel Hong Kong.
If you’d like some more options near the MTR see my list of here, if you’d like to splurge check out my picks of the top 5-Star hotels, and if you’d like somewhere comfortable and clean without the frills see my budget hotel and hostel picks.