Embankment, Promenade, Lookout, Museum

Tsim Sha Tsui, often referred to simply as TST, lies at the southern tip of Kowloon, opposite Hong Kong Island. People mainly visit the waterfront for the views across Victoria Harbour. Just behind the promenade, you’ll find museums, shopping centres and hotels. Start at the Star Ferry pier and continue past the Clock Tower towards the Avenue of Stars. If you only have a short time in TST, this is the walk I’d recommend. You can return here in…

Statue, Monastery, Mountain, Cable car

Hong Kong's Big Buddha is one of the most visited places in the city. The huge bronze statue of the seated Buddha is located atop Ngong Ping Hill on Lantau Island near Hong Kong HKG Airport. You'll also see it referred to as the Tian Tan Buddha in informational materials. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Hong Kong" https://www.booking.com/country/hk.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-hongkong-buddha] The journey to the Buddha statue itself is a great…

Promenade, Lookout

People visit the Avenue of Stars to enjoy one of the most beautiful views of Hong Kong. From the 400-metre-long waterfront promenade in the Tsim Sha Tsui district, you can see the skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island across Victoria Harbour. Along the way, you’ll also come across statues and handprints of Hong Kong film stars. Entry is free and the promenade is open 24 hours a day. Allow about 20–30 minutes for the walk itself. You can combine it…

Lookout, Department store

From Victoria Peak, you can see a panoramic view of the skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island, Victoria Harbour and Kowloon across the water. It is one of the places we wouldn’t miss on a first visit to Hong Kong. Ideally, head here whilst it’s still light and stay until after dark. The view of the city changes completely once the skyscrapers are lit up. There’s no admission fee for The Peak. Some of the most beautiful viewpoints are also free of…

Lookout, Square

The Bauhinia flower not only has its place on the Hong Kong flag, but also in the form of a golden sculpture on one of the most beautiful promenades in the city. [btn "Choose the best accommodation with a view of Hong Kong" https://www.booking.com/country/hk.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-hongkong-bauhinia] Golden Bauhina Square is located in the Wan Chai district of central Hong Kong and is one of the most popular spots for viewing the city's…

Promenade, Lookout

The pier and promenade of East Coast Park in Causeway Bay are among the most beautiful spots overlooking the Hong Kong skyline. [btn "Choose the best accommodation with a view of Hong Kong" https://www.booking.com/country/hk.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-hongkong-ecpark] The 100-metre-long pier has many benches and at the end of it is a ventilation shaft from a road tunnel, which is a work of art and a photogenic spot in itself. Access to…

Lookout, Skyscraper

The Sky100 indoor observation deck is located in Hong Kong's tallest skyscraper, ICC-100, which dominates Kowloon and the north shore of Victoria Harbour. [btn "Choose the best accommodation with a view of Hong Kong" https://www.booking.com/country/hk.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-hongkong-sky100] If you want to enjoy unobstructed 360° views of the whole of Hong Kong, Sky100 is your must-visit. Ticket price and booking The observation deck…

Modern Building

You could easily miss the Monster Building from the bustling King’s Road. However, once you pass through the arcade between the shops, a courtyard opens up, enclosed by walls of windows, balconies and air-conditioning units. Look up and you’ll understand why people come here from the other side of Hong Kong. The Monster Building is situated in the Quarry Bay district on Hong Kong Island. The buildings are still residential: there is no…

Shopping class

Nathan Road is Kowloon’s main shopping and transport thoroughfare. The street, which is almost 4 km long, begins at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, runs through Jordan, Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok, and ends at Boundary Street behind Prince Edward station. It’s a great route for a stroll amongst the shops, eateries and markets – and also one of the most convenient areas for budget accommodation in Hong Kong. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Hong Kong"…

Market

The famous Mong Kok district located at the northern end of Nathan Road in Kowloon attracts visitors especially at night. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Hong Kong" https://www.booking.com/country/hk.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-hongkong-mongkok] Mong Kok is said to be the largest outdoor market in Hong Kong. The few streets in the area around Mong Kok subway station resemble large markets more than anything else. What can you buy at the…

Lookout, Ferris wheel

On the pedestrian promenade just next to the main dock "Central Piers" you will find a popular Ferris wheel among the skyscrapers. [btn "Choose the best hotel with a view of Hong Kong" https://www.booking.com/country/hk.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-hongkong-wheel] The attraction will especially attract families with children, who will find a ride on the slowly spinning wheel overlooking Victoria Harbour a great experience. The height of the…

Amusement park

Hong Kong is one of many global cities that will delight children, adults and, quite simply, all fans of Disney films and fairy tales. Since 2005, Lantau Island has been home to Hong Kong Disneyland, a large theme park where you can easily spend the whole day. [btn "Find the cheapest hotel in Hong Kong" https://www.booking.com/city/hk/hong-kong.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-hongkong-disneyland] Attractions and things to see at Hong Kong…

Sandy beach, Resort, For kids

If you fancy spending a few hours on the beach whilst visiting Hong Kong, but don’t want to travel to the outlying islands just for that, head to Repulse Bay. The wide beach lies on the southern coast of Hong Kong Island and can be reached by a direct bus from the city centre. In Stanley, I particularly enjoyed the laid-back seaside atmosphere and a stroll around the market. However, if I had to choose a spot closer to the city centre for a…

Sandy beach, Market, Resort

We set off for Stanley first thing in the morning. There was a direct bus from our hotel in Wan Chai, and at around 9.30 am we got off in the seaside neighbourhood, which felt much quieter than the centre of Hong Kong. Stanley Market was just opening, and we had the place to ourselves for a pleasant stroll along the seafront. I’d set aside 2–4 hours for Stanley. Within a small area, you can explore the market, the coastal promenade and several…

Sandy beach, Forest

Sai Kung Nature Park is located in the east of Hong Kong and is one of the least populated areas of Hong Kong. The park is protected and, with the exception of bus and taxi services, vehicular traffic is prohibited. [btn "Book a discounted hotel in advance" https://www.booking.com/country/hk.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-hongkong-sai-kung] Sai Kung is an area spread over many peninsulas in the New Territories away from the hustle and bustle…

Street

On the corner of Graham Street and Hollywood Road, you’ll be surprised to find a blue wall full of colourful windows and balconies nestled amongst the buildings. The Graham Street Wall is one of Hong Kong’s most famous street art spots, but it only takes a few minutes to see it all. The mural was created by Hong Kong artist Alex Croft for the G.O.D. shop. It depicts old Hong Kong ‘tong lau’ tenement blocks. Each window looks slightly different;…

One of Hong Kong's largest islands. In addition to Disneyland, tourists often visit the larger-than-life Big Buddha statue and the Tai O fishing village to see what Hong Kong looked like decades ago. Start your journey to the Buddha at Tung Chung Subway (Orange Line) and continue from there by bus (cheaper option) or cable car. From the Buddha to Tai O, take the regular city bus again. After walking around Tai O, you can take the bus back to the…

Amusement park, Water Park, Aquarium

Ocean Park, on the southern coast of Hong Kong Island, combines an amusement park, a large aquarium and animal pavilions. Here you can see pandas, go on a rollercoaster and take a cable car between the two parts of the park, enjoying views of the sea. Compared to Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park has a less fairy-tale-like atmosphere, but more animals and views. It’s great fun for families with children as well as adults who enjoy aquariums or…

Kowloon is a famous district north of the main Hong Kong Island. Ideal for shopping, visiting restaurants or local markets (such as aquarium fish or exotic birds). Probably everyone will visit the Tsim Sha Tsui site at the very southern tip of Kowloon, from where the daily evening light show is best seen, when the skyline of skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island lights up every night at 8pm, accompanied by music.

Park, Zoo

Hong Kong Park is a pleasant place to relax amongst the skyscrapers in the Central and Admiralty districts. The main attraction is the large bird aviary, which is free to enter. Allow about 30 minutes for a short visit. We were drawn to the park by a tip my girlfriend spotted on Instagram. We’d only intended to stop here on our way to the Peak Tram, but in the end, the park pleasantly surprised me. If you’re in the area, do pop in even if you…

Museum, Square

Parade Ground in central Hong Kong is not a standalone attraction. It is the main courtyard of Tai Kwun – the site of the former police station, courthouse and Victoria Prison. We stopped mainly at this open square. Police ceremonies and celebrations used to be held here; today it serves as a public space and an occasional venue for cultural events. If you simply walk through the courtyard, you will only see part of the former police complex. …

Museum

Two decommissioned Hong Kong MTR carriages stand on a small jetty on the Wan Chai waterfront. Harbour Station looks like a miniature railway station by Victoria Harbour, but no trains run from here. We stopped here briefly whilst walking from Causeway Bay to our hotel, the Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View. Personally, I wasn’t particularly impressed by the place and wouldn’t go out of my way to visit it. However, if you’re passing by, feel…

Market

Flower Market is not a large market with a single entrance. It is Flower Market Road and several surrounding streets in the Prince Edward district, where florists are situated right next to one another. You’ll find yourself strolling amongst bouquets, orchids and plants, which the locals come here to choose. [btn "View hotels in Hong Kong" https://www.booking.com/country/hk.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-hongkong-flower] We really enjoyed it…