Hong Kong’s 50 best experiences

For sheer diversity of sights, sounds, attractions and activities per square kilometre, it’s difficult to imagine that any city could top Hong Kong. In a single day, one can smash an early morning mountain hike, lunch on authentic dim sum, hit blue-chip art galleries, catch the sunset from a golden-sanded beach and dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant – and still have time for a rooftop cocktail or three.

The question then is, how best to fill your days in the city? It was no easy feat to whittle this list down to just 50 things you shouldn’t miss. But we're confident that anyone reading it – from first-time visitors to long-serving residents – will find its breadth and depth both inspiring and informative. 

Hong Kong’s top attractions

1. Ride the Star Ferry

Hong Kong’s most iconic attraction is also, conveniently, one of its cheapest. Now priced at HK$5 on weekdays and HK$6.5 on weekends and public holidays, the Star Ferry commute across Victoria Harbour has been a quintessential Hong Kong journey since 1888. Board at dusk for twinkly skyline views. 

2. Stroll the Avenue of Stars

As one of the city’s great legends, Bruce Lee stands loudly and proudly amid Tsim Sha Tsui’s Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong’s answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Visit after dark to catch the nightly A Symphony of Lights show at 8pm.

3. Do The Peak right

How best to reach Hong Kong’s most famous viewpoint? Get your morning workout in with the hour-long climb up to the 396-metre-high Victoria Peak, stroll the Peak Circle Walk and then ride the historic Peak Tram back down again to tick all the boxes. 

4. Munch on a dim sum brunch 

When brunch o’clock chimes, yum cha – meaning “to drink tea” – is the order of the day in Hong Kong. Diners sit down to dumplings like har gow and siu mai, served in piled bamboo steamers. Head to century-old Lin Heung Tea House for the classics. Their new Tsim Sha Tsui branch operates 24/7, delighting hungry diners with freshly made dim sum all day long. 

5. Pay respects to Tian Tan Buddha

Affectionately known as the Big Buddha, this 34-metre-tall, 250-tonne bronze statue regally presides over the peaks of Lantau Island. You can reach it via the 5.7km-long Ngong Ping 360 cable car. While you’re in the area, walk the photogenic Wisdom Path and chomp on plant-based fare at Po Lin Monastery ’s Vegetarian Kitchen . 

6. Check the pulse of contemporary Chinese art at M+

Since opening in 2021, M+ has cemented itself as one of Asia’s leading contemporary art institutions. Rotating exhibits drawn from the 1,500-piece M+ Sigg Collection offer a crash course in Chinese art from 1972 to 2012, alongside blockbuster touring shows and harbour views from its surrounding Art Park. 

7. Bargain in the street markets 

Hong Kong has held steadfastly to its open-air commerce traditions, with bustling street markets offering bargain wares and neighbourhood vibes. Visit nocturnal Temple Street for kooky souvenirs, Ladies’ Market for affordable clothes and the daytime Flower Market for everything in bloom. 

8. Explore old and new in Sheung Wan

There are few more charming parts of the city than Sheung Wan. Begin your exploration by paying tribute to the neighbouring gods of war and words at Man Mo Temple, browse antiques and vintage memorabilia at Upper Lascar Row (also known as “Cat Street”), and walk down memory lane at the hip yet historic Tai Ping Shan Street. 

9. Tackle Hong Kong’s most iconic hike

Among Hong Kong’s myriad hiking trails, anyone will tell you Dragon’s Back is the one you can’t miss. A moderately easy ascent unlocks sublime views of land and sea as you trek along a craggy mountain ridge that resembles a certain fictional reptilian creature. Recover on the golden sands of Shek O Beach, conveniently near the end point. 

10. Take a ride on the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator

Few things are more cyberpunk than gliding upwards into Hong Kong’s buzzing nightlife district, while being suspended a few storeys in the sky. The longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world was immortalised in Wong Kar-wai’s cinematic masterpiece Chungking Express.  

11. Ride the double-decker tram 

There’s no simpler way to get a whistle-stop tour of Hong Kong Island than by hopping aboard the city’s iconic “Ding Ding” . If you have the time, grab an upstairs seat and ride between Shau Kei Wan and Kennedy Town – a single HK$3 ticket is good for the 90-minute journey.

Hong Kong’s best off-beat adventures

12. Take a day trip to Macao

It’s only an hour away by fast ferry, so why wouldn’t you visit Hong Kong’s neighbouring SAR? Macao’s Unesco-recognised colonial architecture is exquisite, and its Portuguese-Asian cuisine was fusion before the concept existed. Escape the casino strip by heading to the rustic Coloane Village. 

13. Get lost in Chungking Mansions

Famously described as a “mini United Nations”, Chungking Mansions is a friendly, vibrant gathering spot for many of Hong Kong’s minority communities. Especially noteworthy are the many excellent hole-in-the-wall South Asian eateries.

14.  Explore hip Sham Shui Po

There’s no neighbourhood in the world quite like Sham Shui Po. A gritty slice of city life, it’s a place where hipster coffee shops bump up next to lively market stalls and cheap second-hand electronics stores. Vinyl heads shouldn’t miss White Noise Records . 

15. Browse indie boutiques at PMQ

For the funkiest homegrown fashion, jewellery and design trends, make your way to PMQ . Once accommodation for married junior policemen, the space was repurposed in 2014 as a home to more than a hundred galleries, shops, studios and pop-ups. 

16. Enjoy the great outdoors in Sai Kung

Hong Kong’s 25 country parks come as a delightful surprise to many visitors. For sheer diversity, the lush greenery, looming cliffs and idyllic beaches of Sai Kung’s two sister parks are the ideal place to start. Pack your hiking boots and hit the leisurely High Island Geo Trail, or gear up for MacLehose Trail’s challenging opening stages. 

17. Go way out west on Hong Kong Island 

Multitudes flock to the Sai Wan Swimming Shed for that perfect sunset selfie. But be sure to linger along Kennedy Town’s nearby Belcher Bay Promenade , soaking up the atmosphere as families gather to unwind for the evening. 

18. Meet the legendary lions

Stephen and Stitt – a pair of purportedly lucky bronze lion statues – have kept stoic guard over HSBC’s fortunes for generations, through war and resurgence alike. Visit them outside HSBC’s main branch in Central. To get a bird's-eye view of the city’s high-rise financial district, head to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority ’s 55th floor observation deck inside Two Ifc. Make sure to bring a photo ID.  

19. Dive into the city’s shopping mall scene 

Hong Kong’s oppressive summer humidity makes shopping malls a natural gathering place. There are dozens of appealing air-conditioned escapes, from luxury havens like Landmark Hong Kong and artsy K11 Musea , to the vast Airside and Kai Tak Mall and youth-centric hangouts like Trendy Zone and D2 Place .

Hong Kong’s best outdoor experiences

20. Go island hopping 

Just a ferry ride away from bustling Central are Hong Kong’s outlying islands, from quaint Cheung Chau to teeny Peng Chau. We recommend visiting Lamma Island and walking the leisurely Family Trail from Sok Kwu Wan, enjoying a meal at one of the island’s many seafood eateries, then taking in a waterfront sunset at Yung Shue Wan pier before sailing home. 

21. Bike around the wilds of Mui Wo

Rent a bike and pedal through Lantau Island’s charming time-warp villages and lush surrounding coastline. Sunseekers should head 8km west to the golden sands of Hong Kong’s longest beach at Cheung Sha. Back in town, cool down at the tranquil Silvermine Waterfall.

22. Find peace at Chi Lin Nunnery

An air of serenity encircles the carefully composed elements of Nan Lian Garden, home to the Buddhist sanctuary of Chi Lin Nunnery. Lose yourself amid a landscape of tranquil ponds, traditional Tang Dynasty-style architecture and manicured plants.

23. Explore unique urban parks 

City planners have done much to provide green spaces amid the city’s urban sprawl. In Central, workers flock to the calming environs of Hong Kong Park during lunch hours. Over the harbour, the larger Kowloon Park boasts an on-site aviary and lake, home to around 100 species of birds.

24. Turn back time at Tai O

This traditional fishing village on Lantau’s wild western coastline feels like it hasn’t changed in a century. And in many ways, it hasn’t – Tai O’s local fishing families have lived in these quaint bamboo homes on stilts and ploughed their pasture from the sea for generations.  

25. Encounter the Ten Thousand Buddhas

No hyperbole here – experts have estimated there are in fact closer to 13,000 Buddha statues and figurines peppering the long, lazy ascent to Sha Tin’s Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery. With variations in each pose and expression, don’t expect to look the same Buddha in the eyes twice. 

26. Beach hop along the southern shores

It’s genuinely astonishing how many sandy beaches there are in Hong Kong. You could easily bounce from local hangout Deep Water Bay to the chic, restaurant-lined Repulse Bay, before hitting the village community of Shek O for a late lunch and taking in the sunset from the surfers’ haven of Big Wave Bay Beach.

27. Take a red sail junk tour

Amid freight ferries and commuter vessels sauntering in and out of Victoria Harbour, traditional Chinese junk boats still bob along – anomalies that appear peeled straight out of a history textbook. Best of all? You can ride one of these red-sailed throwbacks yourself.

28. Unlock the Unesco Global Geopark 

The northeastern escape of Sai Kung is your entry point to the Unesco Global Geopark  and its staggering rock formations. The park encompasses Hong Kong’s most remote island of Tung Ping Chau – take a weekend- and public holidays-only ferry over to admire the patterns and shapes of these geological wonders up close.

29. Relive the legendary Kowloon Walled City

An ungoverned enclave that existed until 1993, the lawless Kowloon Walled City is fondly remembered in popular culture. Learn about its history on a walking tour from the peaceful Qing dynasty-style Kowloon Walled City Park, which stands along the former city lines. Don’t miss the stone sculptures in the Garden of Chinese Zodiac.   

30. Go bird-spotting at Mai Po Nature Reserve

To the northwest of Hong Kong lies the sprawling wetlands of Mai Po Nature Reserve . Managed by WWF since 1983, this protected area is rich in biodiversity, with five distinct habitats, 60,000 birds spanning more than 400 species, as well as numerous fish, reptiles and mammals.

Hong Kong’s best nightlife experiences

31. Head to the Happy Valley night races 

Gambling is absent from Hong Kong, but for one notable exception: the horse races hosted by Hong Kong Jockey Club. Even those with no interest in playing the odds will enjoy the weekly Happy Wednesday spectacle, when the Happy Valley Racecourse comes alive with music and merriment. 

32. Bar hop through the city’s neon nights

Hong Kong’s nightlife is legendary. Ease into your big night out with happy hour in expat-friendly Soho, before heading down the hill to witness the madness of the Lan Kwai Fong party strip. Then it’s time for karaoke: get the full KTV experience at Red MR or go grassroots at low-key Filipino hangout Junels Restobar. 

33. Party aboard a junk boat

In the summer months, a boat ride around Hong Kong’s blue waters while enjoying copious refreshments – known as a “junk party” – is an annual rite of passage. If you’re keen to make new friends, check DJunk on MeetUp  for upcoming open-to-all parties. Kayaking and waterslides are often included. 

34. Attend a secret living room concert

In high-rent Hong Kong, many of the best gigs take place behind closed doors in quasi-legal “living room concerts”. Jazz fans shouldn’t miss the almost-daily shows and jams at Central’s Chez Trente , while boutique hairdressers Visage One hosts “secret” shows every Saturday. Less out of view, vinyl listening space Coda also puts on intimate gigs regularly. 

35. Visit Mickey and friends at Disneyland 

Celebrating its 20th birthday in 2025, Asia’s second Disneyland attracts millions of visitors every year from across the region. When you’re dosed up on Mickey and co., theme park junkies should double the fun with a visit to homegrown institution Ocean Park . 

Hong Kong’s best cultural experiences

36. Gallery-hop through Central

Aside from its excellent public art museums, Hong Kong hosts dozens of private galleries, catering to collectors but freely open to visitors. Tick off five of the best at H Queens tower, which houses (top to bottom) David Zwirner, New Art Est-Ouest Auctions, Whitestone Gallery, Tang Contemporary Art and Pace Gallery all under one roof.

37. Admire glittering Imperial Chinese gems 

At the Hong Kong Palace Museum , you can get a taste of the grandeur of Imperial China. Its permanent collection features more than 900 gems from the Beijing Palace Museum – modern site of the glorious Forbidden City – alongside interactive exhibits and attractions to keep children’s interests piqued. 

38. Get lucky at Wong Tai Sin Temple

Locals and tourists alike flock to Chuk Un for the huge Wong Tai Sin Temple, a Taoist shrine dedicated to the titular “Great Immortal Wong” who is said to bring visitors good luck. Take some time to admire the temple’s ornate latticework and multi-coloured carvings, as well as the imposing Nine-Dragon Wall.

39. Explore the rich legacy of Chinese opera

It’s worth visiting Xiqu Centre for its angular architecture alone. Since its 2019 opening, the sleek performance space has hosted the Tea House Theatre Experience , an atmospheric 90-minute primer on Cantonese opera, enjoyed alongside tea and dim sum in an intimate 200-seat venue. 

40. Check out tradition and pop culture at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum

Movie buffs head up to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum for the excellent “A Man Beyond the Ordinary: Bruce Lee ” exhibit – featuring 400 artefacts relating to the kung fu maestro. But there’s a long list of other reasons to visit, including six permanent galleries – celebrating Chinese art and opera, Hong Kong pop culture, and more – plus timely temporary thematic showcases.

41. Soak up culture in a former prison

Opened in 2018, Tai Kwun consists of a historic former police station, magistracy and prison compound, revitalised into an artsy hub of shops, eateries and exhibition spaces. The al fresco Laundry Steps host regular live performances  and movie screenings, while the centrepiece is the excellent JC Contemporary  gallery, presenting a revolving door of thought-provoking exhibitions. 

Hong Kong’s best culinary experiences

42. Raise a glass to Asia’s best bars 

Hong Kong’s bar scene has rapidly evolved in recent years – a fact not ignored by the tastemakers behind the annual Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards, who in 2025 nominated no less than nine venues from the city, including top-placed Bar Leone . For a full sweep, hit the top 10 entries including Coa, Argo and The Aubrey.

43. Chow down on delicious roasted meats

Walk down any street in Hong Kong and you’re likely to see rows of siu mei barbecued meats hanging in a shop window. We especially recommend the affordable Michelin-starred Yat Lok in Central, as well as Dragon State Kitchen Restaurant in Sheung Wan for char siu pork.

44. Discover a galaxy of Michelin-starred restaurants

Hong Kong is home to an impressive 76 Michelin-starred restaurants. Special mention goes to newly elevated French eatery Amber , joining the three-starred club alongside established heavy hitters Caprice, Forum, Sushi Shikon, Ta Vie, T’ang Court and 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana.

45. Slurp up cart noodles

For those who like to know exactly what goes in their food, cart noodles are a delight. Choose what you want bobbing in your broth from a tick sheet listing dozens of ingredients: classic inclusions are beef brisket, pig skin and fish cakes. We’ve never had a bad bowl at neighbourhood institution Wing Kee Noodles.

46. Check out wonton noodles made the old-school way

Prawn and pork wonton dumplings are Hong Kong staples, typically served floating in a clear broth atop thin, al dente egg noodles. Kwan Kee Bamboo Noodles in Cheung Sha Wan still makes its noodles on-site using the bamboo pole method, a dying practice traditionalists claim makes all the difference. 

47. Wash an egg tart down with milk tea

Hong Kong’s most ubiquitous sweet treat is the egg tart – ideally served spongy on the inside and crumbly on the outside. Enjoy them in an old-school cha chaan teng like Sun Wah Cafe – established 1966 in Cheung Sha Wan. Watch your brew being repeatedly strained through a large cloth bag, a theatrical spectacle affectionately known as “silk stocking milk tea”.

48. Snack through the city on street food 

Street food snacking is both a popular pastime and a second-saving necessity. Must-try favourites include curried fish balls, grilled mixed skewers, toasted egg waffles, cheung fun (rice noodle rolls) and the divisively pungent “stinky” tofu. Head to the ground-floor snack shops at Tai On Building in Sai Wan Ho or Kwai Fong’s Kwai Chung Plaza.

49. Dine al fresco in a dai pai dong 

At last count, there were only 17 licensed dai pai dong – traditional open-air eating spots – remaining in Hong Kong, but that’s no reflection on their enduring popularity. It’s not uncommon to wait for an hour or more for a table at these lively, down-to-earth eateries – like Sham Shui Po’s historic Oi Man Sang, where garrulous diners wile the night away.

50. Soak up the city from a rooftop bar

Officially home to more skyscrapers than any other city on the planet, Hong Kong’s skyline deserves to be absorbed from up high – ideally with a cocktail in hand. Soak up a sunset at the Cardinal Point sky terrace , ever-popular Aqua Spirit , or Kowloon’s artsy hangout Terrible Baby .