There is something about Hong Kong that, in my opinion, makes it very special.
It’s like no other city in Asia. It definitely should be in your list of cities to visit if you’re in this hemisphere of the world.
Before we start this list of things all tourists have to do while in Hong Kong, let’s talk a little bit about this small and amazing part of the world.
Is it a country?
No, it’s an autonomous territory, although China is working to change that.
It used to be a British colony up until 1997, when it was given back to China but remained an autonomous territory.
Hong Kong is a global financial hub. The center of the city is highly developed with skyscrapers, shopping malls and foreigners everywhere.
As developed as it is, you’ll still be able to find traditional Chinese night markets and some traditional and picturesque gardens.
Let’s dive in!!
Things to do in Hong Kong
1 Stroll around the avenue of stars.
This avenue is located alongside Victoria harbor. This is the place you’ll also want to go to get a good look at the city’s skyline.
This avenue commemorates all of the iconic movie stars of the Hong Kong film industry. You’ll see some statues around, the most recognizable one being a Bruce Lee statue.
The avenue of stars was under remodeling for the past 3 years.
It was until a couple of weeks ago, late January 2019, that fully opened for the public again.
This is really the time to go there.
The views are really worth it. Plus is a perfect spot to sit down and see the sky turn dark and the buildings coming to light.
Is it easy to get to the avenue of stars?
Yes, it is.
The closest metro station is Tsim Sha Tsui station.
Winter Adventure in South Korea
Once you’re out of the metro station all you have to do is walk for around 9 minutes. Just use Google maps and you’ll get there, or just ask locals to point the way for you.
The exact address: Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
The avenue of stars is on Kowloon island, opposite to Hong Kong island. The best view of the city is definitely from Kowloon side as most of the big buildings are on Hong Kong Island side.
I’ll explain a bit about Hong Kong’s geography at the end of the post.
2 Visit Lantau Island
Why do you want to go there?
Because is away from the city. It’s mountainous, there’s a lot of fresh air, and they have one of the nicest Buddha statues and surroundings I’ve seen.
9 Incredible Buddha Temples in East Asia
But is not just about going there and seeing a Buddha statue, there’s really no fun in that, right?
To get there from Kowloon or Hong Kong island, you’ll have to take the metro and then get on a gondola/ cable car.
This is where the fun starts, you can even choose a gondola with a crystal floor if you want to. It depends on how much you want to pay.
The cable car will drop you off at Ngong Ping Village.
It’s a tiny village full of restaurants and souvenir stores. You can eat there, do souvenir shopping and take some photos.
The Lantau Buddha or Tian Tian Buddha will be just 7 or 8 minutes away, by foot, from this tourist village.
To get to Ngong Ping Village and Tian Tian Buddha, you have to make your way to Tung Chung metro station.
Once you’re out of the station you have to walk for around 8 minutes and get to Ngong Ping Cable Car Tung Chung Station. Just follow your Google map or ask someone to point the way for you.
I didn’t reserve tickets online.
I just got there and bought them. To check prices and many other activities and restaurants on Lantau Island please click here.
3 Go To Victoria Peak
Oh, this is a must, one of the best spots to see Hong Kong in all of its splendor.
And what a better way to get to the top than by using the old and iconic Tram.
Why should you go? well simply because it provides you with the most amazing views of the city.
It doesn’t matter if you go during the day or at night, the view will equally be beautiful, just pray for no fog.
Oh, and it gets the most crowded during the weekends in the evenings because both locals and tourists want to see the sunset.
Have in mind that this place is visited by some 7 million people every year. This is one of the major tourist attractions of Hong Kong.
Will the Tram drop me off directly at the top? No, it will drop you off at the Peak Tower.
The Peak tower is a leisure center and shopping mall, you will be dropped off inside the Peak Tower and then you’ll have to make your way up to the viewing platform.
It’s called Sky Terrace 428.
On the viewing platform there will be some telescopes, so make sure you take some coins with you so you can use them.
How Do I get to the Victoria Peak (Also called Mount Austin)?
If it’s your first time I would definitely recommend you to use the Tram, you will love it or hate it.
The closest MRT station is Central station, use exit J 2, from there you’ll walk for about 13 minutes until you reach the lower Peak Tram station.
Buy a ticket and get in line, wait for the tram to take you up to the Peak Tower.
Here’s a link to the Lower Peak Tram Station, also known as Garden Road Stop.
Other ways to get there
- You can pay for a Taxi
- Take a bus
- You can even walk all the way up if you want to. Here’s a post I found about it How to walk up to the peak in Hong Kong
Price for the Tram
For adults is 13 USD, round trip ticket, it also includes access to the Sky Terrace 428. Round trip tickets for children, with access to the Sky Terrace 428 sell for 6 USD.
For more details about the price please visit the official Peak website
While you’re at the peak tower whether it’s at night or during the day, you can also do other entertaining activities, like eating.
Which takes me to the following.
4 Have Dinner at Bubba Gump, by the window.
Dinner or Lunch. What a better way to enjoy Hong Kong’s amazing view than by having a nice meal by the window.
And if you like Shrimp, just like me, then you’ll have even more reasons to visit this place.
Now, since you’re in Hong Kong, one of the biggest and most bustling cities in Asia you might not want to have a full western meal.
I understand that, but the view from this restaurant really is spectacular and the food and the drinks are good.
This restaurant is located in the Peak Tower. So if you’re going to the Sky Terrace to get a good look at Victoria Harbor, you might want to consider paying this place a visit. Here’s the link to their menu
If you’re not in the mood for eating, there’s something else you can do while you’re at the Peak Tower.
5 Visit Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is part of the renowned chain of wax museums that were founded by Marie Tussaud of France.
In this museum you will find a wide arrange of statues, going from sports legends, celebrities, political figures, and European Royalty.
People usually go to the museum to look at how similar the statues and the real persons are, and to take photos of course.
Here’s a link to their website and another one to their reviews on tripadvisor
6 Go to The Gardens
Now let’s go to a place away from the peak and the crowds. This is a place you will surely find to be relaxing. Among all of the huge buildings and noise of the city, you’ll find Nan Lian Garden.
This is a classical Chinese garden. It’s not ancient- it opened its door in 2006- but it definitely makes you feel like you’re in one of those old times Chinese movies.
The garden opens from 7 am to 9 pm every day. It was designed having the Tang Dynasty style in mind. You’ll find rocks, trees, wooden formations, hills, water structures, and little bridges.
The exact address is Nan Lian Garden, 60號 Fung Tak Rd, Diamond Hill, Hong Kong. The closest metro station is Diamond Hill station, once you’re out of the station just walk for 7 minutes.
As you’d expect, anywhere where there are tourists there are souvenir stores, and this place is no exception.
However, even the souvenir stores in here have a very calm and tranquil vibe, you’ll also find a tea house inside the garden.
Something is worth mentioning is that the administration really makes an effort to keep this place calm and quiet.
Even though you can enter free of charge, there is a limit of how many people can enter the park at the same time. For more details click here
7 Visit Jumbo Floating Restaurant
If you’re looking for a special – pricey- place to have a nice Cantonese, seafood focused meal in Hong Kong , then you should definitely check this restaurant out.
This is an iconic spot of the city, floating in the middle of a river, even Queen Elizabeth the second has visited this place. This restaurant opened its doors in 1976.
Getting here, you can either take a taxi, which will take only 17 minutes from central Hong Kong.
Or take the metro and make your way to Lei Tung station on the South Island line.
Whether you take a taxi or the metro, you’ll still have to walk a little bit to get to a small pier, where a small ferry will cross you over to the restaurant.
The ferry ride is free. If you’re wondering how expensive is this place well.
Here’s the menu for you to take a look for yourself menu
And here are some pictures of the food
If you have the time and the budget for it please include it in your list of things to do. It’s a really nice place.
8 Go Hit The Night Life at Lan Kwai Fong
Where is the party in Hong Kong? well, in different places, but if there’s a place in town where a lot of tourists, expats, and locals get together to eat and drink that’s
Lan Kwai Fong.
This is a small square of streets, narrow lanes packed with Bars, nightclubs, and restaurants in the heart of central Hong Kong.
The area starts coming to live at around 3 pm and business close until 6 am. The closest Metro station is Central Station, exit D2.
This place gets crazily crowded during Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
During these celebrations, you’ll encounter Police control -barricades and police force- in the area to control the crowds and avoid another tragic incident like the 1993 human stampede that killed 21 people.
Here’s a post I found about different Bars in Lan Kwai Fong, 15 Bars and Clubs You Need To Check Out in Lan Kwai Fong.
9 Take the Star Ferry from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon.
Or from Kowloon to Hong Kong island, it runs both ways.
You can get from Hong Kong island to Kowloon by car, bus or simply using the metro system, so why take a ferry?
Well, a lot of people like to take the ferry to take a closer look at Victoria harbor. You’ll definitely get a nice view.
And the locals take it all the time simply to get from one side to the other because is reliable and efficient.
There are 3 points in the city where you can get on the Star ferry, Tsim Sha Sui star ferry pier, Central star ferry pier, and wan chai star ferry pier.
All 3 piers are reachable from metro stations, Tsim Sha Sui Station, Central or Hong Kong Station and Wan Chai Station respectively.
For information on the timetable and the fares please click here and you’ll see their official website
10 Relax at Hong Kong Zoological And Botanical Gardens
Maybe, during your stay in Hong Kong, there will be a day when all you’ll want to do is relax, no lines, no crowds, no going up and down the metro system, just relax.
That’s exactly what you can do at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.
And if you’re staying near the central station, all you’ll have to do is walk a bit and you’ll get there.
This garden has historic value, it was founded in 1864 and then it opened its doors to the public in 1871.
You can walk around the Magnolia gardens, Bamboo gardens, Azalea gardens and more.
The garden opens every day from 5 am to 10 pm and you can enter free of charge. For more details about the garden please visit their official site, click here
The closest metro station is Central Station, take exit D1 and then walk for 9 minutes, just follow your Google maps.
The Zoological and Botanical Park is near the lower tram station.
11 Visit The WWF Hong Kong Visitor Center
Would you like to cooperate with a nice cause? The worldwide fund of nature has been working to preserve animal lives and reduce the impact of humans in the environment for years.
There is a WWF visitor center near the lower terminal of the tram to Victoria Peak.
This is pretty much a store. It sells different products of every day use like, pencils, notebooks, supermarket bags, candles, towels and more.
All done from recycled materials, as they state it in their products, they focus on giving consumers a sustainable choice.
If you have 15 minutes to spare when you’re coming down the peak stop by, maybe you’ll find something you like.
12 Get on Hong Kong’s Observatory Wheel
Looking for a different angle to see the city? if that’s the case then you might wanna check this out.
Very touristy indeed but fun, unless there’s a huge line to get on.
If you’re lucky you’ll just have to wait a couple of minutes to get on.
The Wheel is located in central Hong Kong, it has 42 gondolas, including a VIP one with leather seats, all gondolas have air conditioning.
Here’s the exact address, Hong Kong Observation Wheel, 33 Man Kwong Street, Central, Hong Kong.
Prices, for adults, is 2.55 USD, for children aged 3-11 years old is 1.30 USD, for more details on prices please visit their official website.
Where To Stay in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong can be divided into 4 different areas, Hong Kong Island (Central, East, South), Kowloon, Lantau, and New Territories.
As you can see on the map, the whole area is very well connected with metro lines, roads, and ferries.
But of course, there are some areas where it makes more sense to stay than on others.
The most convenient area would be Hong Kong island, preferably near central or Hong Kong metro station.
You’ll be in the heart of the city, near Victoria Peak, Lan Kwai Fong, the botanical garden and many shops and restaurants.
Kowloon is also a good area to stay, it will all depend on your budget.
I found a nice cheap hotel near central station called Mini Hotel Central. This is the exact address 38 號 Ice House St, Central, Hong Kong. The location is perfect, but the rooms are very very small.
Are The Visa Requirements the Same as China’s?
No, Hong Kong is an autonomous region. It has its own set of Visa requirements and has a whole different immigration system to the one of Mainland China.
Shanghai and Beijing in One Week
You can check for visa requirements details here
It’s possible for you to need a visa to enter Mainland China, but not for Hong Kong.
So, is never a bad idea to make sure you’re not gonna get your flight ticket denied at the Airline counter.
As of March 3rd, 2019 these are the countries that require a tourist visa to enter Hong Kong Territory.
And f*** me there is my country among the countries that need a visa(Nicaragua).
Having a third world country passport is a little bit of work, but every hour I put into that application was worth it.
I can’t wait to go back, even if that means I have to apply for a Hong Kong Visa.
Cost of Living in Hong Kong
It’s no secret that Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities in the world. That’s why I’ll show you a list of different average prices for different items in Hong Kong.
- The average daily price for traveling in Hong Kong is USD 126
- USD 26 is the daily average you’ll spend on food
- A room for a couple goes for around USD 116
In the following tables, you’ll find more information about the cost of transportation, food, and accommodation in Hong Kong, these are just average costs, it will all depend on what type of traveler you are.
Conclusion
Hong Kong is beautiful, vibrant, safe, expensive and totally worth it.
If you have the time and money and please consider it as one of your next destinations.
The best area to stay at is central, in Hong Kong island. Even though you’ll find yourself surrounded by crowds of people, there are still some spots in the city where you can enjoy some quiet time surrounded by nature.
Oh and, getting a Hong Kong visa – in case you need one- is a bit of work but not impossible to get.
A Different South East Asia Destination. Baguio.