When you want to get a taste of authentic Asia, Hong Kong is the place to be. Hong Kong is the closest you can visit – and it is also more accessible to many tourists worldwide compared to traveling to mainland China – if you want to experience true Chinese culture. There are several things to do in Hong Kong. 

Hong Kong began as a tiny fishing village located on China’s southeastern coast. Over the centuries, the Chinese city has been ruled by various dynasties, serving as a trading hub and strategic port for its business partners locally and around the globe. 

Today, Hong Kong is divided into four parts: Hong Kong island, the Kowloon peninsula, the New Territories, and the numerous outlying islands – each offering experiences you can cherish for a lifetime. The many things to do in Hong Kong are the reasons why it is hailed as “Asia’s world city.” Let’s go and explore. 

Best Things To Do In Hong Kong

Let’s take you on a journey around 10 of the best things to do in Hong Kong. 

1. Stroll Around The Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Celebrate Bruce Lee At The Avenue Of Stars, And Watch The ‘A Symphony Of Lights’ Show

If you just landed in Hong Kong, you may be tired from the long flight you had from your home country. Or even if you are just flying to Hong Kong from a neighboring country, you still need some time to relax. What better way to refresh your energy than visiting Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. Tsim Sha Tsui is one of the star attractions in Hong Kong, and it is on its promenade where people take photos of the iconic Hong Kong skyline.

The Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade stretches from the equally iconic colonial-era Clock Tower to Hung Hom. During the day, you can relax your eyes, at the same time feast them, with the views of the boats moving in and out of Victoria Harbour. During the day, you can be mesmerized by the popular lights show in Hong Kong, the “A Symphony of Lights.”

“A Symphony of Lights” holds a record at Guinness as the “world’s largest permanent light and sound show.” It is a spectacular light show that lasts 10 minutes, featuring orchestral music performed by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra playing as the light installations and LED displays dance and move on both sides of the harbor. 

Plus, it is also here at the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade where you can stroll around the Avenue of Stars. One of the main attractions here in this landmark modeled after the Hollywood Walk of Fame is the statue of Bruce Lee. He was a martial artist whose name is revered in Hong Kong and around the world. 

2. Reconnect With Your Childhood At Hong Kong Disneyland

The Disneyland in Hong Kong is one of the youngest Disneylands around the world. Opened in 2005, Hong Kong Disneyland may generally be patterned after the rest of the other Disneylands worldwide – think of the castle, Main Street, Adventureland, and Tomorrowland, just to name a few. 

However, there are features and attractions in Hong Kong Disneyland that can make your visit to “The Happiest Place on Earth” more worthwhile. These include Mystic Point, one of the most recent attractions at Hong Kong Disneyland that you won’t find at any other Disney park. Here, you can ride the Mystic Manor. Though its style is somewhat similar to the famous Haunted Mansion ride, it offers an entirely different storyline and much more high-tech special effects. After all, you are in Hong Kong. 

Another thing that makes Hong Kong Disneyland unique is its food offerings, Hong Kong-style. For instance, at Crystal Lotus, the theme park’s Chinese restaurant, you can get a taste of authentic Wok-fried Wagyu Beef Cubes and a Dim Sum lunch set. After your entire Hong Kong Disneyland adventure, don’t forget to catch the stunning fireworks show by the castle. 

3. Ride A Classic Tram To Victoria Peak, And There, Enjoy Majestic Views Of The City

You may have perhaps heard from other tourists who have already visited Hong Kong that Victoria Peak is a must-visit, and we would agree. Situated atop the highest point on Hong Kong Island, Victoria Peak, or simply “The Peak” is as scenic as how these tourists would tell you so. You won’t just be treated to a majestic view of Hong Kong’s skyscrapers and the city’s fragrant blue waterways, but when the sun is up, you can see the green hills of the distant New Territories. 

To get to The Peak, you can take a bus or ride a taxi. But what’s the use of being in Hong Kong if you are not going to get the full experience, right? So, we recommend that you take the Peak Tram. It is probably one of the most classic things you can do while you are in Hong Kong. The Peak Tram is designed after Hong Kong’s trams that have been plying around the city since the 1900s, when Hong Kong was still under British rule. Truly one of the most fascinating things to do in Hong Kong. 

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4. Be In The Middle Of This Beautiful Skyline By Taking The Star Ferry Cruise 

Amazed by the beautiful skyline that Hong Kong offers from Victoria Peak? You can find yourself in the middle of this beauty as you ride the Star Ferry cruise. It’s one of the best things to do in Hong Kong tourists love. 

This cruise is a must-try when you visit Hong Kong. Think of it as not missing Times Square in New York when you are in New York. The Star Ferry cruise transports tourists between the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island, providing the most scenic route through the city. 

Right as you cruise, you will be at the center of Hong Kong’s famous skyline, providing a romantic setting if you are with your special someone, and a great subject for photo opportunities, especially when the buildings start to light up as the night falls. You may also catch a cruise during the night if you want to watch the famous lights show from the vessel.

5. Take A Kowloon Street Food Tour With A Local

Just across Victoria Harbour is Kowloon. Kowloon is one of the main thoroughfares of Hong Kong, encompassing the city’s northern part. Once a separate city, Kowloon was acquired by Britain in 1860 and returned to China with the rest of the colony only in 1997. Today, it is a shopping, arts, and entertainment hub. 

Kowloon is also one of the best places to explore Hong Kong food. Travel marketplace Viator offers a street food tour around Kowloon where you can immerse into the streets for a feast of six to eight separate tastings. Prepare your appetite. Eat your way around the area’s night markets, street food stalls, and late-night coffee shops. Then, learn where to continue the party once the tour is over. Definitely one of the best things to do in Hong Kong that you should include on your list. 

6. Get A Taste Of Authentic Hong Kong Food

Hong Kong’s culinary scene is a smorgasbord of experiences. There are so many things to do in Hong Kong when it comes to its food. The city is renowned for its diverse range of flavors that reflect its rich history and multiculturalism, fusing traditional Cantonese cuisine with international flavors. 

The most famous would probably be Hong Kong’s dim sum, consisting of steamed dumplings, barbecue pork buns, and shrimp dumplings, just to name a few. The city is also known for its seafood, and its wide range of street foods. Some of the local favorites when it comes to street food are curry fish balls, egg waffles, stinky tofu, and skewered satay. 

Some of the best restaurants in Hong Kong include Yee Shun Milk Company, Yat Lok, Kam’s Roast Goose, and Dim Dim Sum. 

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7. Experience Sleepless Shopping – And Bargain – At Hong Kong’s Night Markets

If there is one thing that Asia is known for, it has to be night shopping. You may perhaps be familiar with the Shilin Night Market in Taiwan, the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar in Thailand, and the Mangal Bazaar in India, to name a few. In Hong Kong, they take pride in the Temple Street Night Market located in the Jordan district. There are several things to do in Hong Kong here.

A true traveler’s favorite, this night market bursts with activity as the sun sets, with vendors selling everything from electronics to clothing, to local food and kitchen accessories from brightly lit stalls. Want some entertainment? They got you covered. There are even opera singers and fortune tellers in the area. 

But if you don’t have the knack for some night shopping, there are more shops in Hong Kong to head over to. If you don’t want the crowd and want really original products, there are several posh malls in the city you can visit. However, if you are looking for more shops where you can bargain, you can try shopping at Mong Kok. 

8. Treat Your Family To An Undersea Experience At Ocean Park Hong Kong

If you are traveling with the kids, know that there is more for them to see than just Hong Kong Disneyland. Drum rolls, please. Take them to Ocean Park Hong Kong. 

The name may sound like it, but Ocean Park is more than just showcasing the undersea world. Aside from getting spectacular views of Hong Kong’s coastline and spending some time right by an aquarium with sharks and rays, this theme park also houses a diverse zoo that showcases pandas and dolphins, an electrifying roller coaster ride, a cable car ride, an underground funicular, and so much more. 

Ocean Park is definitely a hit among the kids, and a day is not enough to enjoy everything that it offers.

9. Immerse In A Star-Studded Exhibit At Madame Tussauds Hong Kong 

You may have perhaps been to The Met in New York or to the Louvre Museum in Paris, but nothing is as unique as seeing an exhibit filled with people, such as celebrities and politicians, but wait – in wax? 

That’s right. Perhaps the most renowned wax museum in the world is Madame Tussauds. Madame Tussauds is a chain of wax museums founded and named after Marie Tussaud, a French artist known for her wax sculptures. 

To date, this wax museum chain already has over 23 locations worldwide, such as in London in the United Kingdom (its home), Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Delhi in India, Las Vegas in the United States, and so much more. 

Its branch in Hong Kong, located at the Peak Tower on Hong Kong Island, is where you can find wax figures of prominent personalities such as Taiwanese singer Jam Hsiao, Hong Kong rapper Jackson Wang, and international pop star Ariana Grande, among many others. Hop into the fun. This is among the best things to do in Hong Kong you shouldn’t dare miss. 

10. Take A Cable Car Ride To Lantau Island Where The Big Buddha Is

Hong Kong’s religious heritage is pretty loud. Many of the Hong Kongers are Buddhists, and this is evident in the several Buddha sculptures around the city, the most famous of which would be the Big Buddha at Lantau Island. Even non-practitioners of the religion will appreciate this as one of the best things to do in Hong Kong.

Aside from the Big Buddha, Lantau Island is also where you can enjoy a casual stroll along Cheung Sha Beach, the longest beach in Hong Kong, and where you can feast on seafood (lots of them!) at Tai O Village market.

You can get to Lantau Island by taking the train or the ferry. But for first-timers, we recommend that you take the Ngong Ping 360 cable car that can treat you to gorgeous views of the area’s greenscapes. 

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Know How To Get Around Hong Kong, So You Can Make The Most Out Of The Best Things To Do In Hong Kong

Did you know that only recently, Hong Kong topped the list of the best public transportations in the world? With this, you can say early right now that getting around Hong Kong will not be a hassle. You should know how to get around a place like Hong Kong if you want to enjoy the best things to do in Hong Kong to the fullest. 

Being where the world’s best public transportations are, there are several ways to get around Hong Kong. You can take the taxi, train, ferry, bus, or tram – even cable cars! The city is where some of the world’s safest and most efficient public transportations are found. 

Plus, there are multiple convenient payment methods, whether you like it cash, eWallet, or via the Octopus Card, a card originally launched in 1997 to collect fares for the city’s mass transit system. Today, it has grown into the widely used system not just for transport but also for retail transactions in Hong Kong. Be sure to keep these in mind so you won’t miss out on enjoying the things to do in Hong Kong. 

Hello, Hong Kong!

Hong Kong is quite a popular city for tourists, even more popular than Beijing at that. According to statistics, the number of international visitor arrivals to Hong Kong reached around over 600,000 in 2022. This incredible demand from tourists, both from the locality and abroad, has prompted the city’s tourism department to launch remarkable campaigns. You may be familiar with the “Discover Hong Kong campaign,” and today, among its offerings is the “Hello Hong Kong” campaign. 

Driven by support from both public and private sectors, “Hello Hong Kong” is a massive publicity campaign that is the city’s first worldwide promotional drive since the lifting of the pandemic-related travel restrictions. Not only does this new campaign attract tourists and business travelers from all over the world, but it also gives away airline tickets to interested travelers who want to visit Hong Kong. And when they are here, with so many things to do in Hong Kong, they will really say “Hello, Hong Kong!” over and over again.

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