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45 things to do in Hong Kong

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Doing Hong Kong in a hurry? Here's your first reference point for things to do while you're here.

  1. Take a trip on the Star Ferry Get on at Tsim Sha Tsui and head to Central to get great views of the Hong Kong skyline. This is one of the cheapest and most enjoyable forms of transport in the city. There are 12 boats in the fleet and the crossing only takes seven minutes, so have your camera at the ready.
  2. Take the tram to The Peak Runs continuously from 7am until midnight and gives passengers plenty of time to gape at the views of the city that fall away below as the tram heaves itself up the steep incline.
  3. Happy Valley Races on Wednesday nights If it’s just socialising you’re after, you’ll enjoy hanging out in the beer garden. But if you fancy a flutter, there’s ample opportunity at this famous Hong Kong institution – each evening hosts nine races.
  4. Visit Victoria Park Tranquility in the middle of the urban jungle. Play bowls, tennis, go for a swim, or just sit by the lake and relax. If you’re an early riser, you can catch the old folks doing tai chi in shady corners.
  5. Mid-Levels Escalators at rush hour Enjoy the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world, and consider stopping at all the bars you see on the way up. The walkway also offers a prime viewing point for spotting potential future spouses.
  6. Visit the Zoological Gardens Strike up a friendship with a Giant Asian Pond Turtle, a Chinese Porcupine, or the popular Pygmy Marmoset.
  7. Ocean Park Take the cable car over dramatic cliff faces before reaching the many adrenaline-inducing amusement rides. Opening hours: 10am to 6pm daily; $208 adults, $103 child.
  8. Laze at Shek O Beach  A half-hour taxi ride from Central, or a short haul by MTR and bus, this beach has great facilities and a beautiful outlook. Enjoy a relaxed dinner in the village while you’re there.
  9. Learn at the Science Museum Plenty of great exhibitions and lots of brain food. Not one bit boring and it’s free on a Wednesday.  
  10. Tea at the Peninsula For some posh nosh, visit the lobby of the prestigious Peninsula Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui and order the traditional afternoon tea. Enjoy with the string quartet to keep you calm.
  11. Soak in the Temple Street Night Market Bric-a-brac, fortune tellers, watches, fans, electronics, clothes, street-side karaoke, sex toys, and knock-off paintings – all for brilliant prices. Not to be missed.
  12. Get malled at Festival Walk If you must visit a mall in Hong Kong, it might as well be this one – with a skating rink on the top floor, large glass windows offering views of Lion Rock, and connections to the MTR and KCR light rail, it’s easily the best choice.
  13. Dim sum! Pick one of Hong Kong’s many fine Chinese restaurants and eat till your heart’s content.
  14. Shop for antiques on Hollywood Road Porcelain, Buddha sculptures, Maoist memorabilia, and Ming dynasty ceramic horsemen – Hollywood Road acts as one of the world’s most enticing antiques shopping areas.
  15. Ride the Ding-Ding Hong Kong has many forms of public transport, but the tram is the one that best retains that old-school feel. Get in at the back and pay at the front as you leave by the front.
  16. Jumbo Floating Restaurant This iconic landmark of Hong Kong took over 4 years and millions of dollars to build. With the look of an ancient Chinese palace Jumbo King draws in tourist and locals alike.
  17. Find out Hong Kong's secrets Explore the city behind the city – but keep it to yourself…
  18. Play at an Open Mic Night Grab your gat and jam at one of the many quality Open Mic nights in town; or just get along to check out the local talent.
  19. Catch an indie rock show There are a number of regular lo-fi rock shows that happen from week to week, but the most reliable is The Underground.
  20. Eat one of Hong Kong’s 50 best meals Explore the city the best way – with your mouth.
  21. Take a hike! Find a track and schedule that suits your fitness level – from a multi-day slog over the mountains, to a paved-path jaunt to the beach. This will prove beyond doubt that Hong Kong is more than just a finance centre.
  22. Ladies Market in Mong Kok Find anything here from a fake Gucci watch to a potato peeler – and just you try to leave empty handed.
  23. Take a harbour cruise  Enjoy the nightly light show, the Symphony of Lights, at 8pm, or tuck into a dinner on a cruise ship while the sun sets.
  24. Meet the Big Buddha The massive bronze Tian Tin Buddha is the largest outdoor seated Buddha in the world. Take the MTR to Tung Chung and then hop on the Ngong Ping 360 Skyrail or take a bus to the top of the hill.
  25. Party in Lan Kwai Fong Party hard with tourists, expats, and locals alike in the city’s central point for debauchery…
  26. And continue on Lockhart Road Take it into the wee hours in Wan Chai’s notorious Red Light District.
  27. Eat at Da Ping Huo Excellent Sichuan cuisine in a private kitchen. The chef (and co-owner) sings an opera song from the Sichuan province after your meal. Be sure to book early.
  28. Sing Karaoke Participate in Hongkongers’ favourite nocturnal pastime – and order in food to your private room.
  29. Take a trip to Shenzhen Jump on the train, or a bus, and take a day trip to Shenzhen to hunt out clothing bargains. Get a cheap massage while you’re there.
  30. Yuen Po Street Bird Garden Songbirds are popular pets in Hong Kong and their owners take them for walks everyday. It is a sight to behold. Open from 7am to 8pm daily.
  31. Wong Tai Sin Temple One of Hong Kong’s busiest and biggest temples, Wong Tai Sin Temple is dedicated to a shepherd boy who had special healing powers and came to be revered as a demi-god after his death.
  32. Mosey around Tai O Fishing Village Known as the ‘Venice of Hong Kong’, Tai O is home to traditional bamboo houses supported by stone columns in water.
  33. Go cycling on Lamma Island Jump on the number four ferry from the Central Piers and spend a day in lazy Lamma. Bikes are available for hire on Back Street in Yung Shue Wan, the main village. Finish off the day with a seafood meal.
  34. Stanley Market Plenty of bargains to be found in this beautiful seaside market, and check out the colonial Murray House while you’re there.
  35. Hong Kong Space Museum Sky shows, iMax film, and interactive exhibits. Open Mon, Wed-Fri 1-9pm; Sat & Sun 10am -9pm, closed Tues.
  36. Learn to cook authentic Chinese food Discover the secrets of the wok and soy.
  37. Pink Dolphin Watching  Find out about some of our most curious creatures of the water.
  38. Tour Sai Kung’s deserted beaches Leave the city behind for a day and indulge your senses with white sandy beaches and clear blue waters in the remote East Sai Kung Country Park, where access is restricted to foot or boats.
  39. Check out the gay scene It's a small but vibrant community, and there's also something happening.
  40. Eat a curry at Chungking Mansions An authentic taste of India in the heart of bustling Tsim Sha Tsui.
  41. Take the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum Guided Tour Trace the history of China’s pre-Mao president and his life and times in Hong Kong.
  42. See a show or exhibition at the Fringe Club A beautiful colonial building that sits just above Central’s party district is a great place to find some non-mainstream art, or to catch a play.
  43. Check out a Chinese Festival Check the diary and see if you can catch one of the many Chinese festivals Hong Kong is famous for.
  44. Take in the view from Hong Kong’s tallest building  Perched on the 118th floor of the ICC, Ozone is touted as the highest bar in the world. Come for the view and stay for the master class drinks.
  45. Take a day-trip to Macau Casinos, great eats, historic churches, and great architecture. All you have to do is jump on a ferry and fight your way through the queue at Immigration.

 

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28 Comments Add your comment

  • Salsa should be included in this list or elsewhere in this website coz salsa is one of the fastest growing dance forms in the world and Hong Kong also has intoxicated by this craze with top clubs in LKF and Wanchai holding regular weekly salsa club nights.

    Posted by Javed on November 5, 2008 at 08:00 PM

  • Would be great if someone created a Google Map pointing where all those 44 are - anybody with a spare hour or two...?

    Posted by Migao on December 5, 2008 at 05:59 PM

  • Everyone should go and blow out at almost any of the 5 star hotels for a fixed price Sunday brunch buffet. It's not a tourist thing, mostly it's locals who go as its the best quality food from all over the world at a fixed price. Most include free flowing champagne and as many oysters and lobsters as you can eat. The choice is unbelievable. Enjoy!

    Posted by Sarah on September 11, 2009 at 01:25 PM

  • Hong Kong is the GREATEST city in the world, other than Istanbul... get yr groove on around Soho and check out the bars & restaurants, the walks etc.

    Posted by Jessica Parker on September 14, 2009 at 05:57 PM

  • i will visit to Hong Kong in Jan with my boyfriend.never been there before but sure there is very nice place for my speacial time.

    Posted by Amara on October 9, 2009 at 05:14 AM

  • HongkoNg is marmar hoo hoo, I like beiJing better.

    Posted by Peter J Lambert on November 8, 2009 at 03:48 PM

  • HongkoNg is marmar hoo hoo, I like beiJing better.

    Posted by Peter J Lambert on November 8, 2009 at 03:48 PM

  • Great partaaay at Lan kwai Fong! Best recommended for my international friends. :-)

    Posted by Anjie Cale on November 13, 2009 at 02:43 AM

  • It is very good information for our secondary school students!

    Posted by octopus on November 15, 2009 at 04:13 PM

  • Can anyone suggest a place to have dinner and drinks on New Year's Eve in Hong Kong? Possibly a restaurant with a view of the river. I appreciate your help!

    Posted by Lorian on November 26, 2009 at 12:49 AM

  • tram is the best

    Posted by sam on December 21, 2009 at 08:03 AM

  • In order to save time and frustration, the iPhone app TMAP is a free HK public transport navigation system. It has been really helpful so far!

    Posted by Crys on April 7, 2010 at 08:25 PM

  • I am arriving at hong kong airport on december 21st at 7 ;30am and i am leaving at 4:15pm and take my flight so I need to now if you can set me a day trip to hong kong tour from airport thank you

    Posted by arvind patel on December 13, 2010 at 02:07 AM

  • I off to watch the gays. The question is why was this considered to be part of the things to do in HK? Mummm Gay watching.

    Posted by Tony on April 6, 2012 at 04:59 AM

  • what about monkey hill in kam shan country park. go and see the monkeys in the park

    Posted by johno on October 6, 2012 at 02:32 PM

  • Great -- but where is the place that blindfolds you for a weird sensory experience?

    Posted by Ricky Arce on November 5, 2012 at 06:39 AM

  • Great List -- but where is the place or club where you get blindfolded and have a sensory deprivation experience...?

    Posted by Rebecca A. on November 5, 2012 at 06:41 AM

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  • To busy to really do anything round new year. Fireworks is great over the bay but found going to any major attractions very difficult or even sold out (ocean park 13/2/13).

    Posted by Sparkymarky on February 14, 2013 at 02:18 PM

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