Why Hong Kong is the perfect summer destination

With its soaring skyscrapers, bustling streets, and abundant cultural treasures, Hong Kong is a must-visit destination for any traveller seeking an adventure. But it’s in the summer that the city truly comes alive. From hidden beach hikes and mouth-watering Cantonese cuisine to exciting museum openings, Hong Kong has something for everyone. 

To help you discover the very best of our home, we asked some of Hong Kong’s leading figures in art, food, culture and sport to reveal their vision for an unforgettable summer in the city.  

Suhanya Raffel

Museum director, M+ museum of visual culture  

Summer for me in Hong Kong is going on a very early weekend morning to Shek O Beach , having a lovely long swim, a late breakfast, then a walk in the country park. It’s the most beautiful thing to do.  

Another wonderful part of Hong Kong is taking the ferries to the outlying islands and discovering what they mean to the culture of this city. I also love walking through the backstreets of Wan Chai, going into small shops and grabbing dim sum.  
M+ is leading Hong Kong’s cultural transformation by establishing a global museum of visual culture, and it’s exciting to see people from around the world start to visit. It’s a must-go in Hong Kong. 

Brendan Fitzpatrick 

Painter and portrait artist  

As well as the Cheung Chau Bun Festival this month (23 to 27 May), I’m excited for the next edition of Clockenflap. The music festival returned in March after a four-year absence, but will be back in its original wintertime slot (1 to 3 December).  

Hong Kong has some of the most picturesque views in the world, and I love what you can see from the city’s public transport. Take the Star Ferry from Tsim Sha Tsui to Wan Chai, walk along the rejuvenated harbour promenade, then end with a drink in Central. Or take the new Peak Tram up the mountain: after you’ve ridden the funicular, amble down the paths that flank the Peak and make your way down to Central, admiring the views along the way.  

Summer in Hong Kong is all about keeping yourself refreshed in the high heat and humidity. I love taking a speedboat to Ham Tin Wan or Sai Wan beaches from Sai Kung, then returning to the town in the evening to quench my thirst at the many waterfront drinking spots.  

Spending a day in the new air-conditioned galleries and museum spaces of the M+ and the Palace Museums refreshes you both physically and culturally. The West Kowloon Art Park itself has one of the best views of the Hong Kong skyline that I know of. For me, that’s a perfect weekend. 

Danny Yip

Owner of The Chairman, No.5 restaurant on the 2023 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list

If you’re visiting Hong Kong, don’t miss out on the food. My favourite places are Moon Bay Chinese Cuisine in Wan Chai for suckling pig and dim sum; Neighbourhood in SoHo for creative Western cuisine; Sushi Shikon in Central for authentic Edomae sushi; and Kamcentre Roast Goose in Causeway Bay for the best Cantonese barbecue.  
My summer is a combination of sun, beaches, islands and hiking. On a day trip to Lantau, you can find all of this and more. Set aside a day for the trails: the hiking is world-class. 

As a restaurateur, there’s no better feeling than seeing our customers’ smiling faces. The Chairman has moved to a new location, on Wellington Street in Central, and we are very happy with its cosy ambience. 

Max Woodward

Captain, Hong Kong Rugby Sevens team

Anyone visiting Hong Kong should take a ferry from Central to one of the outlying islands. Cheung Chau is my favourite; it’s like taking a time machine back to old Hong Kong. However, there’s a group of young Hongkongers setting up cool stuff on the island, like coffee and craft beer shops and local art spots. 

Summer in Hong Kong looks like hikes over the hills in Sai Kung to find the hidden beaches. Tai Long Wan is my favourite beach in Asia, as it’s quiet and the water is amazingly clear. Stop off at the restaurant at the beach just before it, Ham Tin Wan, for noodles or fried rice and an ice-cold fresh coconut. 

This is a massive year for rugby in Hong Kong. We had the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens again at the end of March, and the postponed 2022 Asian Games is on the cards for September. We also have a chance to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which would be a dream come true. 

Vicky Lau

Head chef and owner, two-Michelin-starred Tate Dining Room

I love to walk around Sheung Wan, especially Upper Lascar Row , known for its antiques market selling everything from Chinese sculptures to old movie posters. From here, you can also explore Man Mo Temple , an incense-filled tribute to ancient gods in the heart of the city. Summer is synonymous with an abundance of fresh, vibrant ingredients, and excitement in the air as the city comes alive. Seafood on Lamma Island takes centre stage as the warmer waters bring an influx of fish and shellfish to the region.  

Summer is also a time for celebration. The Dragon Boat Festival (22 June) is an opportunity to showcase traditional, seasonal dishes like zongzi, glutinous rice dumplings with savoury or sweet fillings, wrapped in bamboo leaves.  

This year at Tate , I’m excited to be further exploring the soybean. Through research and experimentation, I will develop new creations which celebrate the flavours and textures of soy that will also honour Hong Kong’s rich culinary heritage, while pushing the boundaries of contemporary cuisine. 

Septime Webre

Artistic director, Hong Kong Ballet  

People think of Hong Kong as a shopping town, but it’s really a city bursting with amazing food and world-class culture. You’re missing out if you aren’t exploring our amazing eats and new museums.

Summer means early morning hikes up High West; rosé all day at Shek O or Big Wave Bay beaches; sundowners on the roof with my husband and our three-year-old son; and ordering in pho from BEP . It also means occasionally holing up at home and not changing out of our pyjamas for 36 hours straight on typhoon signal number eight days.

The HK ballet is presenting a thrilling explosion of new work this year: for young audiences, we premiere a high-tech production of Sam and Her Amazing Book of Dinosaurs in July; in October, we revive my jazz-infused The Great Gatsby; in November, we’re celebrating Cantopop at a free, outdoor music project; and in December we dance The Nutcracker, a unique production set in 1915 Hong Kong. 

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