Hong Kong is an unforgettable city, from the grand buildings to the even grander mountains. Dive into what secrets this place holds.
When I stepped off the plane in Hong Kong for the first time I had no idea what was about to happen. All around me were gorgeous green mountains and in the distance I could see towering skyscrapers. I’d never seen anything like it! I hauled myself and my luggage into a little red taxi and began my year long adventure discovering the ins and outs of Hong Kong.
Most people imagine Hong Kong to be a giant bustling city, and it is- to some extent. What you may not know about Hong Kong is that it also offers some of the greatest scenic spots in nature that I’ve ever experienced. I would go as far as to describe Hong Kong as the Hawaii of Asia!
Hong Kong is one of the only places in the world that offers such a dueling duality of concrete jungle and lush forestry in the mountains, as well as countless beaches. This means there is an endless amount of activities to keep you busy, so I highly recommend adding this spot to your list of travel destinations.
I’ve been lucky enough to have spent about a year on exchange in this incredible city, and throughout my time there I compiled a list of what I considered to be the best things to do. Keep reading for some guidance in planning your future trip, or just to learn about this magnificent place.
Impressions of Hong Kong
Before I jump right into the ins and outs of what to do in Hong Kong, it’s essential to know about the general vibe of the city as well! Hong Kong is captivating, every nook and corner looks like a scene from a movie. It’s very busy, so if you don’t like crowds, I’ll immediately warn you that this is not the place for you. Also, it’s VERY hilly, so start prepping on your stair master beforehand.
Hong Kong is a fascinating blend of the East and the West, with influence from its English colonial past combined with its Chinese customs and heritage. Walking around Central, the most international hub on the island, you will surely find a mixture of cute modern coffee shops and adorable traditional Hong Kong canteens and dumpling restaurants.
Hong Kong is split into three regions: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, and New Territories. Some places can be quite a good distance from each other, but luckily, it’s home to what some consider the best public transport in the world.
The further you travel out of the city, the better the nature becomes. There’s a plethora of MTRs, buses, and ferries to take you anywhere you’d like to go. I recommend getting a tourist Octopus Card to make getting around easy peasy!
In the city
Diving into the list of To Do’s! Victoria’s Peak, depicted in the photo above, is one of the most touristy spots in Hong Kong, but I don’t think it’s overrated at all! You can take the Peak Tram up the hill from the bottom which is full of large windows on the sides and the ceilings to allow you to get the best view of the city as you go up.
At the top, you can grab a bottle of wine from the 7/11 and find a nice scenic spot to picnic. I suggest skipping the rooftop view that costs money to get onto because there are a quite a few places to get a similar view for free. Take some time and explore!
Moving onto the artsy side, there are plenty of art museums in the city. The one I recommend the most is the M+ Museum, located in the Cultural District of West Kowloon. Each room offers a different themed exhibit, the highlights for me being the one about contemporary world politics and another that appeals to the senses using light and sound. Keep an eye on the internet because they sometimes offer free admission!
Another great thing to do in the city is to hop on the Star Ferry after riding the Central Ferris Wheel. The Star Ferry costs only about two USD and it’s a great way to see both sides of the famous fragrant harbor at the same time. You should also hit up Temple Street Market or Ladies Market for some inexpensive shopping and a good feel for the city.
The Nightlife
As well as all the day-time activities, Hong Kong has a very vibrant nightlife. One of the best I’ve witnessed in my adult life, where I’ve lived on three continents!
I would suggest starting your night at the Feather Boa, a cake and queen-themed cocktail bar that sets the vibe for the perfect girls night out. They make a mouthwatering strawberry daiquiri. You could also hit up Top Town, a rooftop bar that does super cheap happy hour deals!
For some dancing, the bar Iron Fairies has never been a miss. They have live music every night, and everyone in the place is always up and moving. Just don’t steal any of the tiny iron decorations- it’s bad luck. Even though they’re out in the open and very tempting. Another good spot for dancing is the club Faye. It has an open rooftop with an incredible view of Hong Kong from right in the center of it.
The star of the nightlife show, however, is the Happy Valley Horse Races. This is the spot to be! Every Wednesday, the people of Hong Kong- young and old, international and local- gather around to drink beer and bet on horses. It’s such a lively activity and even if you’re not a better (like me), it’s so much fun to watch and hang out with your friends.
The eating scene
I’ve gotten to the most important part: THE FOOD! Hong Kong food is something I’ll dream about for many more years. Let me put you on to some of the best places, according to me.
Happy Lamb Hot Pot
There are a couple locations for this one, but the best I found was in Mongkok. Hot Pot is a whole experience in itself where you get to cook your own meat in different flavored broth. I’ve truly never tasted anything better.
Any random canteen for spicy soup
If you walk around the island, particularly Mongkok and you see people eating soup in silence at a tiny shop, duck into any one of those. You can choose your ingredients and the level of spice to best suit you. I’m currently trying to learn how to make this soup myself because I miss it so much.
Mr. Wong’s Restaurant
This place is full of students and although it may not be Michelin Star, it is certainly worth the experience. You pay 100 Hong Kong Dollars, roughly 12 USD to have unlimited food and beer. It’s a good place to go with a large group of friends, especially for students, and the awesome man that owns it is such a character.
One Dim Sum
This is a small Dim Sum spot, a bunch of little plates of dumplings and other small treats usually for brunch. One Dim Sum has the best of everything and a very large menu to chose from.
Madame Fu-Grand Cafe Chinois
This place is a little more high end, but wow is it amazing. It’s in a beautiful location where you can eat on the balcony when the weather is nice and the menu offers a wide variety of modern Cantonese food.
The Nature
Now let’s talk about some exercise after all that food! I know I’ve already sold you on Hong Kong based on the city activities but believe it or not, it gets better. Hong Kong is home to some of the best hikes in the world, and endless amounts of waterfalls and ocean adventures.
The greatest hikes
A personal favorite of mine is Dragon’s Back, seen in the video above. It’s a decently easy one that offers jaw dropping views. I recommend stopping at Shek-O beach afterwards for a swim and then grabbing a bite at the neon green Thai restaurant right down the street. If you’re lucky and it’s a nice day that’s not too windy, maybe you can find someone to take you paragliding too!
Another good one is taking a walk to Sheung Luk Stream waterfall. You have to taxi to Sai Wan Pavilion and the trail begins there. Once you’re at the beach, keep walking until you find a little bridge and climb over that. After scaling some rocks, you’ll reach the waterfall! It’s the best one to swim in, especially in the summer when cold water is much needed and hard to come by. Afterwards you should stop by Sai Kung village and have a look around, it’s very cute.
Another good hike is the one up to the Big Buddha. You better like stairs though! It takes around five hours, so get a good early start and you’ll have some time to look at the Buddha statue as well. At the top of the mountain there are a lot of restaurants and some souvenir shops, as well as a gorgeous monastery that you should check out. If you’re feeling too tired to walk back down, the cable cars provide a well needed rest and a super cool view.
Beaches
I could write forever about how beautiful the beaches in Hong Kong are! The one that immediately comes to mind is Sharp Island beach. I haven’t seen clearer water or a sandier spot EVER. A ferry can be taken from Sai Kung Village for a few dollars, but pack everything you need because the island doesn’t offer much besides the beach. When you’re ready to get back, there are ferries from the island every hour or so. You’ll probably end up staying all day like I did!
Repulse Bay is also good spot known for its convenient location on the island. It’s stunning, but super popular so make sure to get there early to snag a spot. This beach offers some more activities, with volleyball nets and canteens right on the sand.
Are you a surfer? Well, Tai Long Wan is the best spot for you. This place gets the best waves, and there are many opportunities to rent out a board if you don’t happen to travel with yours. If you go camping on this beach, keep an eye out at night; you might get lucky and see some bioluminescent plankton in the waves.
So many options! Sometimes you can do a hike and some beach swimming in the same day if you time it right. But make sure to give yourself enough days in Hong Kong to really get to experience it!
An inside peek
Now let’s hear from Chloe, a Hong Kong local. She’s lived in the city for her whole life, and I asked her a bit about her experience. As a local, her favorite thing to do is go to Cheung Chau Island to “escape the hustle and bustle” of the city life. She stated “it’s completely contrastive to contemporary Hong Kong, with the preservation of its maritime culture and ecocentric lifestyle.”
In addition to recommending Cheung Chau Island, Chloe and I chatted about the best food in the city. She informed me that her top choice in all of Hong Kong is Ho Choi Seafood Restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui. Chloe said her family eats there when everyone is craving an affordable dim sum.
She also mentioned that the culinary scene in Central is “pretty impressive, directly reflecting Hong Kong’s cosmopolitanism.” Also, according to her, you should check out Zuma, Maison Libanaise, Pici, and Santorini. Thanks Chloe!
Finally, I asked what she thinks a tourist HAS to try while they’re in Hong Kong, specifying something less touristy. Chloe told me that she recommends visiting the Argyle Center, located in Mong Kok, to “truly get a taste of the local culture.” “I would also recommend trying local dessert spots,” Chloe said, “There are many located in Jordan and Yau Ma Tei. My personal favorite is the black sesame soup.”
Doesn’t it all sound incredible! Start booking those tickets fellow travelers, Hong Kong is waiting for you!
