Things to do in Hong Kong
Victoria Peak offers breathtaking views of Hong Kong's skyline. In financial hub Central, the iconic HSBC Building gleams at night. A Star Ferry Cruise sails to busy Tsim Sha Tsui and the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Sail to peaceful Lantau Island for the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, and Po Lin Monastery & Big Buddha. Kowloon has incense-filled Wong Tai Sin Temple. Most attractions open daily 10am-6pm. Museums have free entry Wednesdays.
Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Museum of local culture
The well laid-out Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Sha Tin has exhibitions on
local history, clan culture, and Tibetan Buddhism. A popular highlight
includes applying computer-generated virtual make-up for Cantonese opera.
Recent temporary exhibitions included the enigma of Cantopop.
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Cost
HK$10; concessions HK$5; Wed free
Opening Hours
Wed-Mon 10am-6pm (until 7pm Sun)
Address
1, Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
Telephone
+852 2180 8188
Hong Kong Museum of Art
Calligraphy and landscapes collection
The vast brick Hong Kong Museum of Art on Tsim Sha Tsui's waterfront is a
serene collection of Chinese calligraphy and delicate landscapes. Highlights
include 17th-century flowing calligraphic poems, huge Qing dynasty statues
and temporary collections by local artists.
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Cost
HK$10; concessions HK$5; Wed free
Opening Hours
Fri-Wed 10am-6pm (until 8pm Sat)
Address
10, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Telephone
+852 2721 0116
Chi Lin Nunnery
Tang Dynasty nunnery
The wooden Chi Lin Nunnery in Diamond Hill, built in Tang Dynasty style, has
lotus-covered pools in the courtyard and golden statues in the four halls of
Celestial Kings. The adjacent Nan Lian Garden, also Tang-inspired, opened in
2006.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-4.30pm
Address
5, Chi Lin Drive, Diamond Hill, Kowloon Hong Kong
Telephone
+852 2354 1888
Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
Statue-lined monastery staircase
The uphill hike to Sha Tin's Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is lined with
golden Buddha statues, with different postures and expressions. At the
summit is another huge Buddha atop an elephant, several temples, and the
corpse of the monastery's founder.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-5pm
Address
221, Pai Tau Village, Sha Tin, New Territories Hong Kong
Telephone
+852 2691 1067
Transport
MTR to Sha Tin, then a 45-minute walk
Tai O
Stilt village
Tai O's aluminium stilt houses on Lantau seem an antitheses to Hong Kong's
innovation. Most residents of this traditional fishing village prefer these
tiny boxes perched above the water, boats moored outside. Take a motorboat
to look for pink dolphins.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
24 hours daily
Address
Tai O, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Transport
Bus 1 from Mui Wo (Lantau)
Victoria Peak
World-famous view
Victoria Peak on Hong Kong Island is perennially popular for leafy walks and
360-degree views. Ascend steeply by the Peak Tram, operating since 1888, or
the winding bus. At the summit, the Sky Terrace has dazzling wow-factor
harbour views.
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Cost
Sky Terrace HK$20; concessions HK$10 (combined ticket with Peak Tram single journey HK$37; concessions HK$16)
Opening Hours
Peak Tram daily 7am-12am; Sky Terrace Mon-Fri 10am-11pm; Sat & Sun 8am-11pm
Address
Victoria Peak, Lugard Road, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
Telephone
+852 2522 0922 (The Peak Tram)
Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple
Spiritual fortune telling
In Kowloon, the red-and-gold Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple demonstrates
spiritual Hong Kong, albeit crowded. A noisy gathering of incense smoke,
prayers and offerings, hoards of locals come to learn their future by
shaking the fortune sticks.
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Cost
Free; some areas charge a small fee
Opening Hours
Daily 7am-5.30pm
Address
2, Chuk Yuen Village, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon Hong Kong
Telephone
+852 2327 8141
HSBC Building
Futuristic tower
In skyscraper-filled Hong Kong, Central's HSBC Building is iconic. Costing
billions of dollars, with Feng Shui consultation, the criss-cross steel and
glass is guarded by lions Stitt and Stephens. Ride the escalator to the tiny
exhibition of the building's history.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 9am-5.30pm (until 1pm Sat)
Address
1, Queen's Road, Central, Hong Kong Island Hong Kong
Transport
MTR or Star Ferry to Central
Po Lin Monastery & Big Buddha
Huge bronze Buddha
On a Lantau Island hilltop sits Po Lin Monastery & Big Buddha in
serene lotus position, 26 metres high and weighing 202 tonnes. Walk up the
long staircase and around the base, then inside the small museum. Avoid
overcrowded Sundays.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-6pm (Big Buddha from 10am)
Address
Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Ping, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Telephone
+852 2985 5669
Transport
Bus 2 from Mui Wo (Lantau) to Ngong Ping
Hong Kong Park & Aviary
Feathers and foliage
A serene oasis in noisy Central, Hong Kong Park & Aviary is
spectacularly surrounded by skyscrapers. Inside its gardens is an artificial
lake inhabited by turtles and fish, a tai chi garden and walk-through aviary
with 150 species of bird life.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 6am-11pm (Aviary 9am-5pm)
Address
19, Cotton Tree Drive, Central, Hong Kong Island Hong Kong
Telephone
+852 2521 5041
Reflexology at Happy Foot
Traditional Chinese foot massage
For rejuvenating weary feet, plus all-encompassing health benefits, try
traditional Chinese reflexology at Happy Foot in Central. Lie back on the
reclining chairs and let the professionals pummel and prod your feet for a
relaxing hour.
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Cost
HK$198 for 50 mins
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-12am
Address
11/F Jade Centre, 98-102, Wellington Street, Hong Kong Island Hong Kong
Telephone
+852 2544 1010
Transport
MTR to Central
Ngong Ping 360
Sky high transport
Perfect for reaching Lantau's Big Buddha, the Ngong Ping 360 cable car
travels between urban Tung Chung and rural Ngong Ping, and reopened in 2008.
A smooth journey of almost 6km, it is worth waiting for a clear day.
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Cost
HK$63 (return HK$96)
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 10am-6pm; Sat & Sun 9am-6.30pm
Address
Ngong Ping Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal, Tung Chung MTR station, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Telephone
+852 3666 0606
Star Ferry Cruise
Cruise around the harbour
The famous Star Ferry shuttles between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central across
Victoria Harbour. The nine-minute journey is most spectacular at night,
especially arriving into Central during the laser show at 8pm. Take a Star
Ferry cruise around the harbour too.
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Cost
HK$2.30-HK$6children HK$1.40-HK$3Varies depending on route
Opening Hours
Please see Star Ferry website for full timetable
Address
Star Ferry Pier, Salisbury Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Hong Kong
Telephone
+852 2367 7065
Hong Kong Tram Ride
Old-fashioned public transport
One of the oldest, cheapest and most charming journeys, the Hong Kong Tram
Ride runs the length of the island from traditional Kennedy Town to Shau Kei
Wan. For the best view of crowded streets, take a top deck seat.
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Cost
HK$2; concessions HK$1
Opening Hours
Daily 6am-12am
Address
Kennedy Town, Hong Kong Island Hong Kong
Telephone
+852 2548 7102
Tai Chi Class
Relaxing traditional exercise
Novices can learn the ancient Chinese art at a Tai Chi class in Tsim Sha
Tsui. The fluid motions help develop ying and yang, healing mind and body, a
popular exercise for older Hong Kong residents. Loose clothing is
recommended.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Mon & Wed-Fri 8am-9am
Address
Sculpture Court in front of Hong Kong Museum of Arts, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Hong Kong
Telephone
+852 2508 1234 (HKTB Visitor Hotline)
