10 Best Things To Do in Hong Kong

Star Ferry

The Star Ferry is an absolute must when you come to Hong Kong. Think of it as the most scenic (albeit slow) way to get between the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island. Onboard, you'll discover amazing photo ops of the skyline, particularly at night. OneTripAdvisor user remarks, "The ferries are cheap, quick, clean, and stable (so it should be fine for even those who tend to get sea sick)." So, you really have no excuse to avoid it.

Every day, the Star Ferry Company shuttles passengers from its Tsim Sha Tsui pier (near the promenade) on the Kowloon Peninsula to either its Central pier or its Wan Chai pier on the Hong Kong Island side. The short voyage costs between $2 HKD and $3 HKD (about $0.25 USD and $0.40 USD) for adults. The company also operates an hour-long tour of Victoria Harbour. You can hop on this circuitous route at any of the three piers. A variety of ticket types are available, but standard single-ride, round-trip tickets cost $70 HKD (about $9 USD) during the day and $140 HKD (about $18 USD) at night. For more information, consult the Star Ferry Company's website.

Victoria Peak

Victoria Peak, or simply "The Peak," is one of the most popular tourist attractions and definitely worth battling the crowds to enjoy. "The peak allows you to see and grasp the size of the city," says one TripAdvisor user. But getting to the peak via the tram is an attraction in itself. To reach the Peak Tower at the mountain's apex, you'll take the scenic red tram, which has been operating since 1888. Don't worry: Perfectly safe, modernized cars now run up and down the steep incline. 

You can reach the base of the Peak Tram by walking from the MTR's Central station. Every day, the tram opens at 7 a.m. and closes at midnight. Cars depart every 10 to 15 minutes. Round-trip tickets cost $40 HKD (about $5.15 USD) for adults and $18 HKD (about $2.30 USD) for children and seniors. For more information, consult the Peak's website.

Street Markets

Chances are you'll accidentally stumble upon one of these shopping frenzies on a tour of the city. But don't just stop at one. Hong Kong's street markets are diverse, catering to various clienteles with different merchandise. For instance, the Ladies' Market on Tung Choi Street in the Mong Kok neighborhood specializes in (you guessed it) women's clothing and accessories. Plus, each bazaar also has its own ambience. The best example is the Temple Street Night Market—a traveler favorite. This nocturnal marketplace in the Jordan neighborhood bursts with activity as vendors hawk clothes, electronics, and local culinary snacks from brightly lit stalls. Another bazaar of note is the Stanley Market. Occupying an old fishing village on the southern coast of Hong Kong Island, this marketplace boasts artwork, silk garments, and colorful souvenirs.

Each market operates on different hours. Reaching most of them is usually quite easy as they tend to be close to subway stops.

Happy Valley Racecourse

Nearly every Wednesday, thousands of Hong Kong residents flood the stands of the Happy Valley Racecourse. It's the city's only legal place for gambling, and many take full advantage. You should visit this local institution even if you're not the betting sort. The atmosphere is electric, quite literally—the city skyline sparkles once the sun goes down. One TripAdvisor user says, "The giant track in the middle of the city is amazing, and the whole experience is pretty delightful and surreal." Plus, you can snap some great pictures of the horses.

Standing-in room admission costs just $10 HKD (about $1.30 USD), and tickets for the seated area start at $20 HKD (about $2.60 USD). You can purchase tickets the day of at the track or up to 10 days in advance from several outlets throughout the city. Only visitors 18 years or older are permitted inside the track. Located on Hong Kong Island, you can walk to the track from the MTR's Causeway Bay Station or simply take a taxi from either one of the Star Ferry piers on Hong Kong Island. The races usually last from 7 to 11 p.m.

Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

On the edge of the Kowloon Peninsula's popular Tsim Sha Tsui neighborhood, the promenade is the quintessential Hong Kong locale for many visitors. On a casual waterfront stroll, you'll have an uninterrupted view of Hong Kong Island. During the day, you can watch the boats stream in and out of Victoria Harbour as you admire the handprints of famous Hong Kongese film stars along the Avenue of the Stars (the equivalent of the Hollywood Walk of Fame). But at night, there is even more to see: From 8 to about 8:20 p.m., the Symphony of the Stars (a sound-and-light show) projects dazzling lights onto the Hong Kong skyline. Day or night, consider taking in the atmosphere at one of the many restaurants and bars located here.

Many travelers remark that the promenade is undeniably touristy, but they still recommend visiting. One TripAdvisor user says, "It looks just like in the pictures (in a good way)."

Beginning near the Star Ferry Pier, the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade is easily reached via MTR's East Tsim Sha Tsui Station on the West Rail Line. The shops, bars, restaurants, and museums that stand along the promenade maintain varied hours of operation.

Ocean Park

Competing with Hong Kong Disneyland for family travelers, Ocean Park pulls out all the stops. Spectacular natural scenery right on the coastline? Check. A diverse zoo that includes pandas and dolphins? Check. An aquarium with sharks and rays? Check. Electrifying rollercoasters and carnival games? Check. Next thing you know, Ocean Park is going to have a cable-car ride and an underground funicular… Oh wait, it already does!

Recent visitors can't get over how many attractions are packed into Ocean Park. One TripAdvisor user attests, "Ocean Park has [a] lot of things to do and surely, by the end of the day, it will be difficult for you to move your legs (due to tiredness)."

Located on the southern coast of Hong Kong Island, the park is easily reached by taking the Ocean Park Citybus 629 from the Central Ferry Pier no. 7 or Admiralty Station. Consider buying your park tickets at the MTR's Admiralty Station for a slight discount and in some cases, included round-trip bus fare. At the park, general admission costs $280 HKD (about $36 USD) for adults and $140 HKD (about $18 USD) for kids. Visitors are welcome between 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. every day.

Nan Lian Garden

When you're exhausted by Hong Kong's fast pace, retreat to the Nan Lian Garden. This nearly nine-acre green space was built in the style of the Tang Dynasty, which ruled from 618 to 907 AD. Walking along the paths, you'll find several gurgling brooks, tree groves, and quiet ponds.

While the Nan Lian Garden is beautiful in its own right, most visitors come to see the Chi Lin Nunnery. Set within the park, this stunning complex is an active nunnery. You may even hear the nuns chanting Buddhist hymns. Although the wooden architecture leads you to believe that the buildings are quite old, construction of the nunnery was, in fact, completed in 1998. Admiring the structure is only half the fun. You can also stop in for a cup of tea and meal. As one TripAdvisor user exclaims, "There is also a vegetarian restaurant serving varieties of Chinese food... It is a must try!"

Nan Lian Garden is open to the public every day from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the nunnery welcomes guests from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. If you arrive by MTR, take the C2 exit at the Diamond Hill MTR Station and you'll pop up right near the park. 

Hong Kong Museum of History

From dinosaurs to Disneyland, the Hong Kong Museum of History showcases the geography, cultures, and artwork of this urban metropolis. Over 185,000 square feet in size, this large complex boasts exhibits—like "Prehistoric Hong Kong" and "Folk Culture in Hong Kong"—that attract all types of visitors, including families, history buffs, and art connoisseurs. One recent TripAdvisor user remarks, "I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation of artifacts [...] I also like the sense of continuity of the museum, giving you a feel that you are travelling through time."

You'll find the Hong Kong Museum of History in the Tsim Sha Tsui neighborhood on the Kowloon Peninsula. Consider pairing a visit here with the Star Ferry Pier or the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. The complex is a short walk from the Hung Hom and Tsim Sha Tsui MRT stations. The exhibition galleries are open Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until 7 p.m. on Sundays and public holidays. Admission costs $10 HKD (about $1.28 USD).

Lantau Island

Like Singapore's Sentosa Island, Lantau Island is a tourist's playground. You've got historical sites, amusement parks, sunny beaches, and more. Families love Hong Kong Disneyland and the Noah's Ark theme park. Active travelers enjoy paddling along Cheung Sha beach and clamming in the Shui Hau mudlands. Even history buffs have their pick of the Big Buddha (it's massive!) and the Po Lin Monastery. Regardless of your interests, you must take a ride on the Nong Ping Cable Cars. Recent travelers rave about the bird's eye view from these gondolas. One TripAdvisor user says, "If you have no fear of heights, take the 'crystal cabins'—cable cars with a see-through glass floor."

You can reach Lantau by taking the Star Ferry, which departs from the Kowloon Peninsula's Tsim Sha Tsui district. If you don't have time for this scenic route, take the MTR's Tung Chung Line from downtown Hong Kong. Once you're on the island, use the New Lantao Bus to get around. A one-day ticket for unlimited bus rides, plus one-way on the cable car, costs $104 HKD (about $13.50 USD) Monday through Saturday and $116 HKD ($15 USD) Sunday and on public holidays. For more information about transportation, consult the New Lantao Bus's website, the MTR's website, or our guide to Getting Around Hong Kong. The different attractions on Lantau maintain different hours and charge varied admission prices. Be sure to check their individual websites before visiting. 

Hong Kong Disneyland

"It's a small world after all" has never been more true than at Hong Kong Disneyland. If you've been to either Disneyland or Walt Disney World, you might be disappointed by the relatively petite size of this park. The Hong Kong iteration has many of the same attractions as the American parks—like Space Mountain and Sleeping Beauty's Castle—only they've been scaled down. One TripAdvisor user says, "I was originally expecting to stay in Disney for most of the day, but ended up finishing the park in about 3 [hours]." Generally, visitors have more positive remarks for Ocean Park, but that doesn't mean travelers didn't enjoy their time spent in "the happiest place on earth."

Positioned on Lantau Island, Hong Kong Disneyland is easily accessible via the MTR's Disneyland Resort Line. The park welcomes visitors from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Admission costs $399 HKD (about $51 USD) for adults and $285 HKD (about $37 USD) for kids.