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10 Things to do in Hong Kong

Where will you go 1st?

Welcome to the world’s 1st destination.

You plan to go to Hong-Kong and realize the city is massive.

You quickly get lost & wonder what you will do of the time you have at hand.

This is what you can do.

A quick review of our article’s content:

  • View Hong Kong from the Victoria Peak
  • Go along the City’s stream on the Star Ferry
  • Enter Kowloon’s Temple Street
  • Ride on Lantau island
  • Visit the Tian Tan Buddha
  • Wander around Sham Shui Po
  • Enter the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
  • Dive in Hong Kong Ocean Park
  • Admire Tsim Sha Tsui’s Waterfront
  • Walk along the Dragon’s Back

View Hong Kong from the Victoria Peak

Take a peek at the world’s 1st City (for tourists)?

Welcome to the world’s 1st destination.

  • Start your trip with Hong Kong’s number 1 attraction.
  • Take the Peak Tram, the city’s oldest mode of public transport, all the way to the many vantage points.
  • The regular round-trip ticket‘s price is HK $52.
  • The reduced price (children and seniors) is HK $23.
  • Another option is to take a bus or a taxi to get to the top, since the Tram may be crowded. 
  • 2 of the main bus lines are the bus 15 and the mini-bus 1.
  • The bus 15 starts from Pier 5 or Exchange Square, Central.
  • The mini-bus 1 starts in City Hall, Central.
  • Both will bring you directly to the Peak.
  • You have reached at the top of Hong Kong.
  • Enjoy the view over the city’s dense skyline.
  • Admire the waterway as well as the outlying islands to the south.
  • Or move to the green hills of the distant New Territories. 
  • 3 main vantage points: the Peak Tower, Sky Terrace 428 & the Peak Galleria.
  • The Peak Galleria’s deck is free of charge.
  • The access to the Sky Terrace will cost you HK$52 (Reduced HK$26).
  • It is the highest 360 viewing terrace of the City.
  • Enjoy many of the dining and shopping options. 
  • Don’t forget to check the weather before going.
  • Reviewers on Trip Advisor suggest that when The Peak is foggy you won’t be able to see the city at all.
  • The Peak Tram
    • 7 am to 10 pm (Mon – Sun & Public Holidays)
    • Service frequency: every 15-20 mins
  • The Peak Tower 
    • 10 am to 10 pm (Mon – Fri)
    • 8 am to 10 pm (Sat, Sun & Public Holidays)
  • Sky Terrace 428
    • 10 am to 9 pm (Mon – Fri)
    • 8 am to 9 pm (Sat, Sun & Public Holidays)

Go along the City’s stream on the Star Ferry

Or you could go on the top deck…

Visiting Hong Kong on a boat?
Yes…

  • Ride by night, if you want to take pictures.
  • Or on a sunny day where you can stand on the top deck while moving at a pace where you can capture everything you see.
  • It’s relaxed.
  • The journey frames the entire city’s skyline.
  • The ticket is cheap but not the view.
  • Planning a party trip?
  • You can hire the ferry for a special event:
  • Wedding cocktails, private parties, corporate events, new product launches, etc.
  • 4 options are available : “World Star”, ”Shining Star”, ”Meridian Star” and “Classic Ferry”.
  • Time & Trajet
  • The boats are available every day.
  • The Star Ferry Company shuttles passengers from its pier to Hong Kong Island.
  • Departure : Tsim Sha Tsui pier on the Kowloon Peninsula.
  • 2 arrivals : the Central pier or the Wan Chai pier on the Hong Kong Island. 
  • The Fare displayed is for the top deck.
  • The regular ticket is $2.7 on weekdays & $3.7 on weekends/holidays.
  • The reduced ticket is $1.6 on weekdays & $2.2 on weekends/holidays.
  • Tip for parents: Two children with height less than 95 cm, accompanied by a fare-paying passenger and not occupying a seat can travel free of charge on regular services.
  • It is free of charge for Seniors, under presentation of a senior card.
  • Trip Advisor’s certificate of excellency since 2015.

Enter Kowloon’s Temple Street

Here.
Just under the arch.

  • We recommend to take a look at the whole Kowloon market during the day, not only the temple market.
  • A huge variety of products from all of eastern Asia.
  • Wherever you are looking for practicalities or oddities and are quite price-conscious you will be served well.
  • The Temple Street Night Market takes place at… night.
  • That’s useful.
  • Find all the souvenirs you need.
  • There are lots of restaurants, and a nice variety of dishes.
  • But you’ll be especially in luck if you have a weakness for seafood.
  • Shop through the bazaar & discover items you didn’t know you needed.
  • Anything is good to, at least, look at.
  • Wherever it is electronic gadgets, colorful clothes, or replica of famous art pieces.
  • That’s the place to learn haggling.
  • When you’re done shopping the Tin Hau Temple is waiting for you.
  • One of the temple’s many attractions is the late night fortune tellers.
  • Many of them use unusual & probably unknown methods such as skull shape reading.
  • Try yourself at the street-side karaoke bars.

Ride on Lantau island

That’s fine…
We won’t fall.

  • Before climbing the stairs to the Tian Tan Buddha, travel over Lantau Island on the Ngong Ping 360, a floating creature of metal & glass.
  • Admire Lantau’s luxuriant mantle.
  • In last resort, you could take a bus or a taxi. 
  • Although, you’d miss the opportunity to be suspended high above the ground.
  • It is highly popular since the cable car itself is an attraction.
  • Therefore booking your Ngong Ping 360 ticket in advance is the best choice.
  • You can opt for the Standard Cabin.
    • Regular is HK$235, child HK$110 & senior HK$155.
  • Or extend your point of view with the crystal cabin, which has a glass bottom.
    • Regular HK$315, child HK$190 & senior HK$235.
  • Private cabins are also available.
  • The Standard Cabin fee is HK$3,800 per cabin & HK$4,500 per cabin for the Crystal version.
  • It may be a valuable option if you came as a group.
  • The private cabin formula also includes the Walking with Buddha attraction (detailed in the next section).
  • The other attraction of the NP360 is the Motion 360.
  • The Motion 360 is a senses enhancing cinema experience.
  • The movie projected will immerse all your senses in a seat-wrecking journey.
  • 2 shows are available:
    • Walking with Budha(next section)
    • Learn to fly with  Xiaoding & Taotao in Little Ants Adventure.
      • Ride an invisible spaceship over the head of the Tian Tan Budha down to seas depths to visit the Chinese Pink Dolphin in Discover Lantau.
  • At the end of the ride get some gifts at the Motion 360 Souvenir Shop in the Ngong Ping Village.

Visit the Tian Tan Buddha


I thought he had a 1000 hands…
  • At only 10 min on feet of Ngong Ping Village sits the Tian Tin Buddha.
  • This statue is the depiction of the founder of Buddhism, Shakyamuni Buddha, jewel of Hong-Kong & protector of main land China.
  • It is the world’s second largest outdoor bronze seated Buddha.
  • It reposes on a lotus throne, the “Altar of Heaven”, situated on a mountaintop.
  • Which means landscapes shots for your eyes & cameras.
  • The view is great during the day, but at night the crepuscular views bring a contrasting atmosphere and after night fall the statue is enlightened.
  • The stairs can be a little rough but climbing them slowly gives you the opportunity to admire the landscape, making every break enjoyable.
Attraction : Walking with Buddha.
  • The story of the revelation through which Siddhartha Gautama reached enlightenment.
  • The story begins with a short video in the courtyard.
  • “Who am I and why am I here?” is the question whose this story will answer.
  • You will next walk through a path consisting of 3 steps.
  • The “palace” step is an introductory video projected into the courtyard depicting the palace life of Siddhartha Gautama, his pondering & his departure.
  • The “temple” step is the pondering step.
    • Pick a Bodhi leaf, read the words & think.
    • Then send back the leaf to the Buddha.
  • The last step is the forest & the “Path of Enlightenment”.
    • Here you will be presented the origins of Buddhism & the way it spread through the world.
  • The walk can be a little demanding.
  • Therefore, Ngong Ping 360 Limited advises that you assess if you are actually fit for it prior to the ticket buying.
  • Schedule
    • From 11am to 5pm on Weekdays.
    • And from 10am to 5:40pm on Weekends & Public Holidays.
    • The attraction lasts 20 minutes.
  • Fare
    • The Adult ticket is HK$40.
    • The Child ticket (3-11) is HK$20.
    • The Senior ticket is HK$28.

Wander around Sham Shui Po

Shops and…
  • The sightseeing opportunities are numerous in Sham Sui Po and its vicinity.
  • You can find a diversity of buildings retracing the architectural history of Hong-Kong.
  • As the Maryknoll Convent School, one of the prestigious schools of Hong Kong.
    • Opened in 1920s, this institution is delivering education up to this day.
  • In another vein, you can find many artisans & crafter markets that you can visit just for the sights.
  • In fact, whole streets can be dedicated to a single product such as:
    • The Nam Cheong Street for Ribbon.
    • The Ki Lung Street for Buttons.
    • The Tai Nan Street for Leather.
  • Subsequently, you will find many traditional fabriques.
  • A plethora of shops from historical fabriques to flea markets.
  • You don’t have to buy anything to have a good time around.
  • But the colors & the odors will probably make you want to buy something, like…
  • Computer parts?
  • The Golden Shopping Centre is historically the centre of computer shopping in Hong Kong.
  • If you are looking for latest PCs, laptops, phones and tablets, you’re where you’re supposed to be. 
  • The Golden Computer Arcade’s entry is near Exit D2 of the MTR.
  • The Golden Computer Plaza’s entry is located in Fuk Wing Street.
  • Wholesome food?
  • The Pei Ho Street Market is an illustrative Hong Kong “wet market”.
  • On the lower floors you will find everything for self-catering: fresh fruit, vegetables, meat & fish.
  • On the upper floors you will find the cooked food market: cafe & street food.
  • Only great fast food at budget prices.
  • Clothes & Electronics?
  • Dragon Centre displays electronics shopping, and Hong-Kong brands on its 9 levels.
  • Inside the Dragon Center is embedded a smaller mall, the Apple Mall.
  • It specializes in clothing shops for those who look for the trendiest fashion.
  • A food court and indoor skating ring complete the facilities.
  • It is located next to the Sham Shui Po Police Station.
  • Do you want more trendy products & are ready to go a little further around the district?
  • If so, The Festival Walk is the go-to place for you. 
  • It is one of Hong Kong’s largest indoor shopping malls.
  • You will find all the large brands here.
  • The Walk is located at Kowloon Tong, just above the corresponding MTR station.
Snack-bars?
  • Bath in the food’s Diversity.
  • Looking for the one of the best dim sum shops of Hong Kong?
  • Tim Ho Wan will offer you one of the finest selection of dim sums, or Asian sandwiches as they are also known.
  • Not only it is great, it is also cheap.
  • Your best bet is the baked barbecue pork buns.
  • Want to eat outdoor?
  • The So Kee is a dai pai dong, a rare traditional outdoor food stall.
  • For the best of the street food experience, go for any suggestion or dish you will come across on that day.
  • Or you can have a bowl of instant noodles with steamed or broiled meat and a fried egg as a topping.
  • Really, it’s the occasion to try something you don’t know, since everything will look appetizing.
  • Don’t forget the Hong Kong-style milk tea.
  • Want a steak?
  • The Flying Eagle is an old-school, Chinese-style steakhouse.
  • Get into this European style atmosphere and order yourself a bowl of German soup & a plate of pork.
  • Or a nice steak with fries & cabbage.
  • Don’t forget the bread rolls & the heavy sauce.

…more shops.

Enter the
Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

You don’t need a 3rd eye.

  • Located in Sha Tin.
  • The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (萬佛寺) is composed of 5 temples, 4 pavilions & 1 pagoda.
  • Along the path, composed of hundreds of stairs, you will be accompanied by a myriad of statues.
  • The path is long, you can take your time admiring each of the unique statues’ features.
  • Watch the various poses & facial expressions.
  • The path is located in Po Fook Hill Mountains of the New Territories area.
  • Therefore, taking short breaks just for the view is a good idea.
  • The hills & mountains are also the home of small monkeys.
  • So if your walk is mildly paced they may approach you.
  • Arrived at the monastery, have a look at the surroundings.
  • The valley is beyond you.
  • Walk around the peaceful pavilions.
  • Walk along the nine stories & the veranda surrounded by the golden statues.
  • The monastery is situated in a mountain area.
  • Which means the rainfall is more frequent than usual, and the weather is globally more humid.
  • Therefore, the monastery can be closed in case of heavy rainfall.
  • Time & Fare
  • The monastery is open from 9 am to 5:30 pm.
  • Except special event or particular measures the monastery is open to the public every day.
  • The restaurant opens from 10:30 am to 4 pm.
  • It is closed on Thursdays.
  • The admission to the monastery is free.

Dive in Hong Kong Ocean Park

If you want something different from Disneyland.
  • Hong Kong’s 1st marine theme park.
  • Thrill rides, family memories & beasts from the seas and the land are all waiting, in Ocean Park.
Thrill rides
  • The Wild Twister situated in Marine World | Summit.
    • One of the newest rides combining the properties of many other arm-based devices namely extended arms, twisting seats, independent axes pushing you away from the other participants & back to them.
  • Rides’ Requirement: height between 137 cm (54″) and 195 cm (77″).
  • Arctic Blast situated in Polar Adventure | Summit.
    • Traverse Ocean Park’s snows-cape wonderland on a sleigh!
    • Bring back photos of the fantastic frozen environment on a roller coaster!
  • Rides’ Requirement: height above 100 cm (39″), age 4 or above.
    • Children under 6 must be accompanied by a 15 yo or above person.
  • The Abyss, VR Space Voyage, situated in Marine World | Summit
    • A beyond the pale voyage up to Titan and then back to the blue planet.
    • Dive into the pitch black vista.
    • Gather alien resources & defend your ship from the asteroid tempests.
  • Rides’ Requirement: height above 132 cm (52″), age 13 or above.
    • Virtual Reality’s Requirement:
    • The Park advises that any person with a serious medical condition, particularly eye-related, vision-related or epilepsy dizziness, to not use VR headgear.
    • All items affecting the VR headgear safe use must be removed.
  • Complete consignes can be found on the Abyss page.
  • Animals
    • The Giant Panda Adventure introduces you to different types of… Panda.
    • The giant pandas, you may already have seen everywhere, but also the smaller red pandas.
    • When you’re done, why not have a snack at the nearby Club Panda?
  • The Grand Aquarium, situated in Aqua City | Waterfront, will bring you to the depths of the oceans.
    • Exposing before you a plethora of living beings.
  • Marine Mammal Breeding and Research Centre situated in Marine World | Summit.
    • The animal care & ecological research center of the park.
    • The park motto being, ‘Connect people with nature’, this facility does a crucial part of the job.
  • Time & trajet
    • The park is vast and you may not want to go through all of it on foot.
    • You can move from one attraction to the next via a Cable Car or by using the Ocean Express.
    • Both the Cable Cars & the Express are adapted for wheelchairs.
    • Ocean Park is opening from 10 am to 6 pm on weekdays, and 10 am to 7 pm on weekends and public holidays.
  • Fare
    • The Adult ticket (aged 12 or above) is HK$498.
    • The Child ticket (aged 3-11) is HK$249.
  • Others

Admire Tsim Sha Tsui‘s Waterfront

‘World’s Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show’ – Guinness World Records

  • Better arrive at the Waterfront in the evening, before the show begins.
  • If you happen to be there at dusk then you’re in for some amazing pictures of the Sunset.
  • You’ll also be able to catch a glimpse of Hong Kong skyline across the waters.
  • If you are there really early there is a shopping plaza nearby as well as many restaurants.
  • You can also get to the Museum of History and discover this Waterfront’s story.
  • Lose yourself in a Symphony of Lights.
  • At 8 pm, a wall of over 40 skyscrapers will display a myriad of sounds & lights.
  • The show combines visuals, music & narration representing the spirit of Hong Kong. 
  • The rain of light pours in synergy with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra performance.
  • Light installations and LED displays on both sides of Victoria Harbor.
  • After (or before) the show you can get to one of the many restaurants nearby.
  • Looking for sweets?
    • Get to Yuk Yip Dessert.
  • Need more Dim Sum?
    • Then let’s go to Bo Innovation.
  • Want a warm beverage?
    • Lin Heung Tea House is next to you.
    • Try their Lotus seed paste bun.

Walk along the Dragon’s Back

Scratch the back with your feet…
  • Walk under the Sun and over the green mantle of the hills.
  • A trekking journey with amazing views, on a Dragon’s spine.
  • Dragon’s Back is the most popular portion of a larger urban hike.
  • Easily accessible, in the city and offering a diversity of panoramic views on the sea.
  • May be the time to take some panoramic pictures.
  • Glance at the bays, beaches & peripheral islands as you walk along the mountain ridge.
  • Multiple tracks are available in function of your experience with trekking :
  • The circular hike around Shek O is the shorter: walk for half the trek & take the bus back.
  • The linear hike to Big Wave Bay is 8 km long, and takes in average 4 hours to complete.
  • The full ride is a little longer, but you end up on a beach.
  • At the end of the hike, you can have a snack at Big Wave Bay or Shek O beach. 
  • Better start early in the morning.
  • Do check the weather, because it could affect the difficulty of the journey.
  • You can rest at one of the multiple viewing points.
  • Guided tours are available.
  • You jave the possibility to do some paragliding.
  • Alone or in tandem.
  • X-Fly Hong Kong proposes this service as well as training courses in paragliding. 
…down to the blue bottom