The best things to do in HONGKONG
Here are my must dos for Hong Kong, a vibrant metropolis where East meets West, is a captivating blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge modernity. This dynamic city-state, known for its stunning skyline, bustling harbors, rich cultural tapestry and beautiful nature, offers an unforgettable experience that seamlessly fuses Chinese heritage with global influences.
1 - PHOTO SPOTS
Hong Kong has nearly unlimited photogenic spots. Incredible skyscrapers, twisty buildings, mountains, beaches and a world famous skyline. Just wander around to find the perfect frame.
Well known and frequently photographed places, for example the Yick Cheong “Monster Building” or the colorful Choi Hung Estate are definitely worth a visit! And don’t forget to go uphill to see this immense city from above. A bus or the peak tram will get you to the Victoria Peak on Hong Kong Island for a little hike and spectacular views.
2 - THE GREAT OUTDOORS
You had enough of the busy and stressful metropolis? Get some rest in the wonderful nature surrounding Hong Kong. No matter where in the city you are, in 30-45 min you will reach a bunch of hiking trails with the MTR, bus and minibus.
From easy trails to challenging adventures: everyone gets their money's worth!
We can highly recommend the “Dragon’s Back” going from Shek O to Big Wave Bay and the trails near “Clear Water Bay”. After some quite exhausting ascend you will be rewarded with beautiful views over green mountains and crystal clear waves splashing in the bays. Try to end your hikes at the beach to cool down in the ocean and enjoy an ice cold beer at the beach! All of the beaches we visited offered public toilets and showers to clean yourself from sand and saltwater.
There are enough hikes and trails to keep yourself busy for weeks going on! Find inspiration on the Official Tourism Website or use apps such as Komoot or AllTrails.
3 - DAYTRIP TO MACAO
Time for some crazy casinos and gambling? You can either take a bus or the ferry to Macao. We chose the ferry, which took us about 1 hour to get to the other side of the Greater-Bay-Area. Definitely book your tickets a day or two in advance to be able to take the ferry at your desired time. The Hongkong Dollar is widely accepted, so you don’t have to change money.
Macao isn’t that big and you probably come here for the old part of the city and the casinos. Get to the Cotai Strip by public bus or use one of the many casino shuttles. You can wander around the huge and beautifully designed casinos for hours, so don’t get lost!
Back on the Macao side you find the old town and you should definitely go up to the Guia Fortress and Lighthouse for sunset and a stunning view over the city. You can easily explore the city by bus (very cheap) and by foot.
4 - HAPPY VALLEY HORSE RACING
Not enough gambling? Get ready for some high speed horse racing in the middle of Hong Kong by night! At the Happy Valley Racecourse you will find sport enthusiasts, first timers and a lot of people coming for a beer or two after work. There is live music, different food and beers. Find someone to explain the betting system and try your luck at one of the many races happening on “Happy Wednesday”.
Admission is just a few dollars and the location is easily reachable by bus, MTR or tramway.
5 - ROOFTOP BARS
Treat yourself with some cocktails! Choose one of the many rooftop bars and enjoy an impressive nighttime view over the bustling streets of Hong Kong.
6 - Shopping and Food
There are shops, restaurants, food stands and stores every few meters! Try out as many tasty foods as possible. Some shops have their menu in Chinese only, but with some help from the locals or image translation you can enjoy some great delicacies. The well known “Temple Street Night Market” and its surrounding streets offer great street food and a lot of different shops.
Temples
Not to forget the city's temples. Beautiful places cramped between the skyscrapers all around Hong Kong.
Visiting the temples is a journey through the city's spiritual, cultural and architectural heritage. Each temple offers a unique experience, making it a must-do activity for anyone looking to explore the multifaceted identity of Hong Kong.
For example, we visited “Wong Tai Sin Temple” and “Man Mo Temple”.
SPECIAL TIPS
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Very useful for public transportation and widely accepted for all kinds of payments.
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A cool experience, but mostly suited for kids. The rides aren’t that thrilling and you better not be too tall! But still an overall great experience.
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You don’t need a visa to travel to China? Great! Take the MTR to the border and spend a day in Shenzhen or take some more time and see more of the Greater-Bay-Area with the 144h visa-free-transit. Check beforehand what regulations apply for your passport!
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If you visit Hong Kong during Chinese New Year you will find a lot of dancing dragons and ceremonies in the temples! Be sure to check out the fireworks and the parades aswell. Be aware that some of the shops and restaurants are closed during the holidays.