What to Do in Hong Kong?

Are you going on vacation soon and unsure of what to do in Hong Kong? The former British colony is primarily known for its liberal and dynamic economy, making it challenging to know the tourist activities available. However, Hong Kong has its charm, and if you travel there, you can discover many beautiful temples, various markets, and enjoy a guided tour to learn more about its history. The food there is also delicious and affordable! To best prepare for your trip, check out this Top 25 list of the best activities, complete with all the information and tips on what to do in Hong Kong!

Hong Kong is divided into two parts: to the north is Hong Kong Island, connected to the Asian mainland, and to the south, across Victoria Harbour, lies Lantau Island. Although now part of China, Hong Kong still has its own legal, political, and monetary systems. Combine this with its history as a British colony for over 150 years, and you get a city with a unique story. Below is a selection of some of the must-see landmarks that will help you learn more about Hong Kong's past

Golden Bauhinia Square is a public square in Hong Kong where you can admire a large statue of a golden flower. As the name suggests, it is a flower of Bauhinia Blakeana, commonly known as the orchid tree.

It symbolizes Hong Kong's handover to China in 1997. You can witness the flag-raising ceremony that takes place every day at 8 AM. If you are in Hong Kong for Chinese New Year, there is a fireworks display organized in the square on the second day of celebrations.

Victoria Harbour, or Hong Kong Harbour, greatly developed during the British colonial period and is now one of the most important maritime trade and passage points in the world. Unsurprisingly, the must-do activity here is a tourist cruise in the harbour's waters! For €19, you can board a boat for a tour in Victoria Harbour, during the day or at sunset. At this price, enjoy a 1-hour tour with unlimited drinks.

For a more unique experience, you can board the Dukling for €23. This vessel is a vintage Chinese junk boat dating back to 1955. During this 45-minute cruise aboard a historic boat, relax with a drink, discover the boat's history, and learn about local fishing practices.

The Clock Tower is another historical landmark in Hong Kong. Standing at a height of no less than 44 meters, it once belonged to the Kowloon Station, which was demolished in 1977. The tower is open to the public, and it is even possible to climb to the top via its wooden staircase. It's a lovely monument to see during your vacation in Hong Kong. Additionally, you will find nearby other attractions to visit, such as the Space Museum and the Art Museum, which I will discuss in more detail later.

If you're unsure how to optimize your time to explore and make the most of the city during your vacation in Hong Kong, I recommend opting for a guided tour. Follow a pre-planned itinerary or take advantage of a professional's advice to create a customized tour, visiting all the must-see locations in just a few hours.

For instance, for €45, you can join a guided tour of Hong Kong's highlights. Lasting 6 hours, this comprehensive tour covers the city's monuments and historic neighborhoods, as well as the best shopping spots, like the commercial district of Tsim Sha Tsui. ️

During this tour, you will visit the Central district, stroll along the Victoria Harbour promenade, and cross the harbour aboard one of Star Ferry's ferries. As a cherry on top, take a lunch break to enjoy some Dim Sum, a type of dumpling, alongside other traditional snacks.

If you have a more flexible budget, you can explore Hong Kong with a local guide on a customized itinerary starting from €88. With this tour option, you can choose an activity lasting between 3 to 8 hours and get the chance to explore lesser-known spots in the city while benefiting from the expertise of a local resident.

Another option for touring the important sites in Hong Kong without wearing yourself out is to navigate the city on a hop-on hop-off bus that will take you to various Hong Kong monuments. For €45, hop on and off at your chosen stops and visit the city at your own pace. Additionally, three routes are available: Hong Kong Island, Stanley, and Kowloon. Between each monument, enjoy a privileged view of the city from the double-decker bus. As a bonus, the price of this activity also includes a ticket to ride a Star Ferry and cross Victoria Harbour. ⛴️

This ultra-modern city of Hong Kong offers an urban landscape with a skyline that will take your breath away. To enjoy it in the best conditions, below is a list of the best viewpoints in Hong Kong.

To get a higher perspective of the city, you should head up to Victoria Peak. This mountain, located just next to the metropolis, is on the western part of Hong Kong Island. This nature escape will provide you with a moment of serenity, away from the vibrant atmosphere of the city, and give you access to an unobstructed panorama of Hong Kong.

Rising to 552 meters, I highly recommend taking the funicular, also known as the Peak Tram. It will take you straight to the Peak Tower, a uniquely designed building with an observation platform renowned as one of the best viewpoints in Hong Kong. To purchase your funicular ticket, please visit the official website of the company.

Sky100 is the tallest building in Hong Kong. This very modern skyscraper offers a viewing platform to visitors who ascend to the 100th floor. Although indoors, the observation deck provides an uninterrupted 360-degree view of Hong Kong. Expect to pay €24 for a skip-the-line single ticket. ️

Beyond its 100th floor, Sky100 is also known for its French-style café restaurant. For €23, you can enjoy a meal or drink at the famous Cafe100 while taking in an incredible view of the city. ️

If you enjoy a carnival atmosphere, you can take beautiful photos of Hong Kong's business district by boarding one of the cabins of the Central Harbour Wheel. Standing 60 meters tall, expect about 15 minutes for a ride. For more information on ticket prices, I recommend checking the official site of the Hong Kong Observation Wheel

One of the must-see markets during your vacation in Hong Kong is the discovery of local markets. One area is particularly famous for its markets: Kowloon. Kowloon is one of the northern districts of Hong Kong. This area was once known as the Kowloon Walled City, an enclave that functioned as a self-contained Chinese city within the British colony until 1860.

Today, Kowloon is known for its commercial activity. Strolling through the streets of this area, you'll have the chance to mingle with locals and explore the vast variety of products offered at the stalls of various markets.

In a completely different vein, the Lei Yu Mun market focuses on fish and seafood sales! Located at the eastern tip of Hong Kong, this market operates daily in a small fishing village, providing an ambiance that sharply contrasts the nearby city's main avenues. Besides food stalls, you can also find some shops selling traditional snacks to enjoy on-site or take away.

The Yuen Po Bird Garden is the perfect spot to observe a multitude of birds from various exotic species. If you choose to visit this market, you will see dozens of stalls laden with bamboo cages housing birds of all colors. While it seems unlikely that you'll bring a feathered companion home, the unique atmosphere of this market still justifies a short stop during your vacation in Hong Kong.

For €61, you can explore several of the most iconic markets in Kowloon, accompanied by a local guide. This tour includes visits to the flower market and the bird garden before meandering through the stalls at the Fa Yuen Street market. Expect this tour to last between 3 to 4 hours, and the price includes public transport costs and food sample tastings.

Temple Street Market is perhaps the most famous market in Hong Kong. It opens in the afternoon and runs until 11 PM; I recommend visiting after dark! Indeed, the large traditional arch that marks the start of the street and the lights from the stalls provide a particularly pleasant sight after sunset.

Temple Street Market is the ideal spot to taste a variety of street food and culinary specialties from Hong Kong and beyond! As you walk through the stalls, you can try fish balls or Siu Mai, a type of steamed dumpling.

If you are looking for athletic shoes and sportswear, Fa Yuen Street Market is the place for you! Specializing in sporting goods, especially sneakers, Fa Yuen is sometimes referred to as Sneaker Street Market. In this street, you will find major sports brands like Nike, Adidas, and Puma. While it's possible to find low-priced items, Fa Yuen isn't technically a flea market compared to the previous markets I've described. Thus, while brand-name items can be pricey, it's the extensive range of sports products that makes Fa Yuen one of Hong Kong's must-visit markets.

A visit to Hong Kong's Flower Market is the perfect activity to feast your eyes on colorful stands offering flowers of all kinds for sale. While it's unlikely you will want to buy a plant during your vacation in Hong Kong, visiting this market is a delightful experience for those interested in strolling through a somewhat unusual setting while enjoying various floral scents.

The market is open every day of the week, and vendors generally operate from 10 AM to 7 PM. Moreover, besides the flowers themselves, some shops offer cute pots for photography opportunities.

The Space Museum was inaugurated in 1980. It is easily identifiable due to its architecture with a semi-spherical planetarium. If you enjoy science or are traveling with family in Hong Kong, the interactive exhibits at the Space Museum will engage both young and old.

Several workshops are also offered to visitors to immerse them further in the world of science. For more information on ongoing exhibitions, opening hours, or museum fees, please consult the official website.

The Art Museum opened to the public in 1962 and focuses on the fields of painting, calligraphy, and sculpture. The museum's collection now comprises over 17,000 pieces, including several artworks from the Chinese dynasties of Han, Ming, and Qing. For more information on the museum's fees and hours, please visit the official website.

Wong Tai Sin Temple, or its full name Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin, is one of the main places of worship in Hong Kong. It represents a coexistence of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. The temple is known for its practice of Kau Chim, a Chinese divination method, where you will find no less than 160 stalls offering such services! Covering an area of about 18,000 square meters, the temple was built in accordance with traditional Chinese architecture, and you can see several buildings like the Bronze Pavilion or the Archives Hall.

Chin Lin Nunnery was founded in 1934 and houses several Buddhist temples built according to Tang dynasty Chinese architecture. It's a massive religious complex spanning over 33,000 square meters, consisting of no less than 16 buildings.

Initially built to accommodate Buddhist nuns, it is now a very popular spot for tourists visiting Hong Kong. One reason for this popularity is the presence of Nan Lian Garden, located just across from the nunnery, which offers a traditional, beautifully serene setting ideal for enjoying a peaceful atmosphere and relaxing while taking a stroll away from the city's hustle and bustle.

Located in the western part of the Central district, Man Mo Temple is dedicated to the god of literature, Man Tai, and the military god, Mo Tai. In truth, there are various temples named Man Mo in Hong Kong, but the one on Hollywood Road near Central is the most well-known. The building is listed as a historical monument, and its ceiling adorned with coils of incense provides a lovely setting to enjoy a moment of calm during your vacation in Hong Kong.

Just a 30-minute transport ride north of Hong Kong, you can visit the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery. You will need to exert a little effort to enjoy the surroundings this Buddhist temple offers, as it is located up a path that counts no less than 400 steps.

This monastery is a must-see for first-time visitors to Hong Kong. While visiting, you will discover several temples and pagodas that provide ideal settings for taking some memorable photos. You can roam the pathways of the complex, which also host rows of Buddha statues. However, it is the main hall of the monastery that offers the most impressive display with its hundreds of miniature golden silhouettes lined up on the walls.

If you love theme parks, know that Hong Kong has two amusement parks! The first is Ocean Park. Opened in 1977, this park boasts over fifty attractions.

There's something for everyone, including roller coasters, log flume rides through tropical waterfalls for those who don't mind getting wet, as well as aquariums filled with jellyfish and sharks for marine animal lovers. Expect to budget around €52 for an entry ticket to Ocean Park.

Less surprising, Disneyland is also present on Hong Kong Island. For €80 per person, you can access the 8 theme parks included in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, while enjoying skip-the-line access at the main park entrance. Among the latest major updates is the opening of the Frozen area in November 2023. While this may not be the most authentic experience offered in Hong Kong, it will still delight Disney fans!

With all the activities available in the city, sometimes the presence of the sea in Hong Kong and its advantages might be overlooked. Thus, if you are traveling to Hong Kong in summer, know that you can spend a day at the beach! ️

On Hong Kong's southern island, you will find several sandy beaches like Shek O, Turtle Cove, Stanley, Big Wave, or Repulse Bay. If you are visiting Lantau Island, you can also lay your towel on Mui Wo Silvermine Bay, Tong Fuk beach, Cheung Sha beach, or Pui O beach. One thing's for sure, there is plenty of choice!

A waterfront urban walk is possible in Hong Kong if you head to Tsim Sha Tsui. There, explore the Avenue of Stars, inspired by Hollywood's Walk of Fame; this modern promenade offers stunning views of the Hong Kong skyline. ️

Along the way, you can also photograph three statues: first, that of actor Bruce Lee, who passed away in Hong Kong. Then, the statue of Anita Mui, a famous singer and actress in the Chinese entertainment world, and finally, a much cuter statue representing McDull, the main character in Brian Tse and Alice Mak's comics.

Lan Kwai Fong is a collection of streets in the Central district of Hong Kong. They are famed for their numerous bars and nightclubs. In short, it's the perfect spot to go out for a drink or dance the night away. The area hosts various events, including concerts. To learn more about the shows available during your trip to Hong Kong, I recommend checking the official site.

The city is not short on activities to do; however, if you stay long enough on the island, you should test one or two excursions departing from Hong Kong! Indeed, the region has mountains perfect for hiking, and the sea offers ideal terrain for observing marine animals or discovering small typical fishermen's villages. Below is my small selection of 5 excursions to try during your vacation in Hong Kong.

Like many Asian countries, Hong Kong experiences both a dry season and a rainy season throughout the year. To avoid the rain during your trip, do not visit Hong Kong between May and the end of September. ☔️

The months of October to December correspond to the peak tourist season. To travel to Hong Kong during the dry season while avoiding tourists, you should plan your visit from January to April. You will also enjoy relatively mild temperatures during this time of year. For a general idea of the temperatures experienced in Hong Kong throughout the year, you can check out the chart below

Finally, if you plan to enjoy the beach during your vacation, I recommend the months of October, November, April, and May. October and April are best for avoiding crowds in one case and the rainy season in the other.

Hong Kong is a very popular destination in Asia. Thus, the city has a substantial offer of hotels where you can stay during your trip. To find accommodation at the best price that meets your needs, I recommend using a site that lists all available lodging offers, such as Booking.com.

If you don't have much time for your accommodation search, you can also consult my complete guide on the best places to stay in Hong Kong. Otherwise, I'll provide you with two hotel options for your stay right now.

Across Victoria Harbour, you can choose to stay in the Kowloon area during your Hong Kong vacation. There, I recommend the OTTO Hotel. This 3-star hotel offers comfortable family rooms with air conditioning, flat-screen TV, and daily housekeeping service. You can stay there starting at about €130 per night.

In the Sheung Wan district to the west of Central, you will find the One-Eight-One Hotel & Serviced Residences. This 4-star establishment offers numerous services such as a 24-hour reception, a gym, two restaurants, and room service. You can stay in apartments with a stunning sea view. Expect to budget about €240 for a night.

From the United States, your best option to reach Hong Kong quickly is flying. Expect a direct flight between JFK and Hong Kong International Airport to take between 12 to 14 hours. For a direct round-trip flight, budget starting from €1100 for your ticket. To find a flight at the best price, I recommend using a flight comparison site like Ulysse. ✈️

And that's it! We've reached the end of my guide on the places and activities to do in Hong Kong if you're unsure what to do during your vacation. I hope this article was helpful and that you now have plenty of ideas to make the most of your days there!