Discover Experience Hong Kong City

The territory is full of events and attractions. Below are a some of Hong Kong City things to do and must see.

Up the Peak at Night

Hong Kong city at its best when seen from above on clear night. Ride the Peak Tram to the top station, find the best vantage point and meditate the city lights and beautiful harbour. Don't forget your camera and stand. Enjoy a meal at the many restaurants at The Peak. Sit beside the picture windows so you can eat while embibe the view.

Star Ferry Harbour Ride

The Star Ferry has been making the trip across Victoria harbour for over 100 years and the magic of the crossing is still there. It's best at dusk, when Hong Kong City starts to light up with neon on both sides of the water. As an alternative, take a harbour tour. The extended routes give you different perspectives of Hong Kong's greatest natural asset.

Aboard the Tram Ride Across the Island

See up close Hong Kong from the top deck of a rattling, clanking old 'ding-ding' (as Hongkongers call them). A tram ride is a steal at just $2. Trams come continuously run so just jump into the first one that is not too crowded and get up to the upper , just wait for the next to ensure you get that all-important front seat upstairs.

Symphony of Lights Delight

The waterfront at Tsim Sha Tsui has a panoramic view of Victoria Harbour, and it's the best spot to enjoy the multimedia light show which takes place nightly at 20:00. Over 30 buildings on both sides of the harbour are lit by laser beams during the spectacle. While you're there, check out the Avenue of Film Stars.

Big Buddha Enlightenment

Lantau Island's major cultural attraction sits atop a hill beside the Po Lin Monastery. Thanks to the new Skyrail cable car, it's now even easier to reach the heights of enlightenment. Visit the exhibition gallery underneath the Buddha and round off with a vegetarian lunch at the monastery.

Sailing Out on Junk Trips

Get some mates together and hire a pleasure boat for the day. Your choice of seaside destination is limited only to your understanding of the map - and the captain will be able to make suggestions. Head for an outlying island, a sheltered cove or simply enjoy the sunshine on the water as you sail away from Hong Kong City.

Traditional Seaside Villages

Hong Kong City history has been defined by the sea, and its waterfront settlements are some of the oldes. A visit to Tai O, Mun, Shek O, Cheng Chau or any such seaside town gives you an insight into how people have lived on the south China coast for generations. The devoted upkeep of Tin Hau temples demonstrates an enduring connection to the ocean.

Alfresco Seafood Restaurants

Sai Kung, Lamma Island, Cheung Chau Island, Lei Yue Mun - these outlying districts all possess seafood restaurants on their waterfronts. Chili prawns, squid, clams and steamed fish all taste better when eaten alfresco to the sound of swishing waves. A cold beer is the standard accompaniment.

Unique Dragon Boat Races

The dragon boat races take place in bays and harbours all over the territory, usually in June. Fiercely competitive teams train up for months ahead of the event. Admire the elaborately carved and dressed dragon boats, enjoy the drum-thumping excitement of the final push to the finishing line, or get in on action by joining a team.

Get Your Horse Racing Fix

Horse racing runs in the blood of Chinese people. Prior to the handover. Deng Xiaoping found it necessary to reassure Hongkongers that the races would continue after 1997. You can visit the racecourses at Happy Valley or Sha Tin. Have a flutter while watching from the terraces, or get close to the track to see hooves pounding turf.

Street Markets

Air-conditioned shopping malls spring up like weeds but the street markets still survive. Whether you're on the lookout for souvenirs, jade, flowers, clothing, collectibles, electronics or art, you'll find a vendor who has it. Don't accept the first price quoted, keep cool and enjoy the bargaining.

Finding Mickey at Hong Kong Disneyland

The new and popular destination. Nestled on a bay against a backdrop of green hills on Lantau Island in the South China Sea, the 310-acre park is 10 minutes by light rail from the international airport and 24 minutes from Central.

Finding Nemo at Ocean Park

Taking the cable car over the headland is just one highlight of a day at Ocean Park, the marine-themed amusement park. You can see pandas and dolphins, sharks and sea lions, and take some wild rides on roller coasters and motion simulators. It's both entertaining and educational for the kids.

Country Park Trekking

Close to 40% of the territory protected by country parks, and a good proportion of the rest is rural and undeveloped. Discover some of the SAR's natural treasures by taking a walk over the mountains or along beach-fringed shorelines. It's the best way to see the other side of Hong Kong. Trails are well signposted.

Dim Sum Dinners

Going for Dim Sum - whether for breakfast or lunch - is a Hong Kong City institution. These little snacks, both savoury and sweet, arrive at your table in steaming bamboo baskets. Try rice-flour rolls, steamed pork dumplings, fried taro cakes, lotus paste buns or any of the numerous other choices on offer, and wash it all down with Chinese tea.

Noisy Chinese Festivals

Ching Ming, the Bun Festival, Tin Hau's Birthday, the Hungry Ghost Festival, Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival: the calendar is chock-a-block with age-old events. It seems there's always some excuse to thank the gods, ask them for favours, or simply get together with family. Whichever one it is, you can guarantee there will be noise, colour and food involved.

Visiting Museums

The Hong Kong City's museums are varied, focusing on history, railways, medicine, traditional, heritage, coastal defence, science and art, among other subjects. They make a good fallback option in case of rainy weather, but are well worth visiting in their own right to give greater depth to your travel experience.

Red Chinese Temples

Chinese religion is a complicated affair: Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, animism and ancestor worship all play a jade-bangled hand in it. Find out what goes on by paying a visit to one the many places of worship. Wherever you are, Hong Kong City street or village harbour, there will be a temple near you.

Lazying in Hong Kong Beaches

You're never far from the sea here, and beaches are easy to reach. Some are close to the Hong Kong City, others are located on offshore islands or in remote parts of the New Territories. Choose between busy beaches backed by hotels and restaurants and deserted sweeps of sand, miles from the nearest road.

Macau Trip

Macau SAR has a character all of its own. Settled by the Portuguese over 400 years ago, it boasts fine colonial architecture, great food and a slower, more relaxed atmosphere. It's now in the process of reinventing itself as Asia's Las Vegas with new hotels and casinos opening at a fast pace.

Nocturnal Hong Kong Night Life

Nightlife is part and parcel of Hong Kong City's identity. Lan Kwai Fong, SoHo and Wan Chai are preferred watering holes for the expat crowd; locals go for karaoke in Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay. Happy hours run round the clock and there are no restrictions on closing times, so you can happily party until the sun rises.

Top Hong Kong City Experiences

 

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