Things to Do in Hong Kong, China
Harbour Skylines, Dim Sum and Mountain Trails
- Average daily budget
- $120–$300/day
- Currency
- Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
- Language
- Cantonese / English
- Best for
- Food, Skylines, Hiking, Shopping
About Hong Kong
Hong Kong squeezes one of the world's densest skylines between Victoria Harbour and steep green mountains, and the contrast is the point: you can eat dim sum at a Michelin-starred counter, ride a century-old ferry across the harbour, and be on a ridge-top trail above a beach within an hour. About three quarters of the territory is countryside and country park. Kowloon and Hong Kong Island face each other across the water, the outlying island of Lantau holds the Big Buddha, and the MTR links almost everything quickly and cheaply.
Top Attractions in Hong Kong
Victoria Peak
Ride the Peak Tram, running since 1888, up to the summit for the classic harbour view; the free, flat Lugard Road loop has better views than the paid terrace.
Star Ferry
The green-and-white ferries have crossed between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central since 1888; the ten-minute ride costs a few Hong Kong dollars and frames the skyline perfectly.
Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
The Kowloon waterfront and Avenue of Stars, facing Hong Kong Island's towers, where the Symphony of Lights show plays at 8pm each night.
Tian Tan Buddha
The 34-metre bronze Big Buddha at Ngong Ping on Lantau, reached by the Ngong Ping 360 cable car from Tung Chung, beside Po Lin Monastery.
Temple Street Night Market
Stalls of trinkets, fortune tellers and open-air seafood and claypot rice in Jordan and Yau Ma Tei, liveliest after dark.
Man Mo Temple
The 1847 temple on Hollywood Road in Sheung Wan, hazy with hanging incense coils, honouring the gods of literature and war.
M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum
The West Kowloon Cultural District's two big museums: M+ for modern visual culture and the Palace Museum for treasures lent from Beijing's Forbidden City.
Dragon's Back
A ridge hike on Hong Kong Island's southeast with sea views, ending at Big Wave Bay or Shek O for a swim and a beachside meal.
Tai O
A fishing village of stilt houses on Lantau's west coast, with dried seafood stalls and boat trips that sometimes spot pink dolphins.
Best Neighborhoods in Hong Kong
Central and SoHo
Banks and malls give way uphill to bars, galleries and restaurants along the Mid-Levels Escalator, the world's longest outdoor covered escalator system.
Sheung Wan
Dried seafood and herbal medicine shops, Man Mo Temple, antique dealers on Hollywood Road and independent cafés on the quieter lanes.
Tsim Sha Tsui
Kowloon's harbourfront for hotels, shopping on Nathan Road and Canton Road, museums and the best skyline views.
Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei
Dense, neon-lit Kowloon at its busiest, with the Ladies' Market, street food, Temple Street and specialised streets for goldfish, flowers and sneakers.
Wan Chai and Causeway Bay
Old tenement streets, wet markets and cha chaan teng next to department stores, tram lines and nightlife.
What to Eat in Hong Kong
- Har gow and char siu bao at Tim Ho Wan
- Roast goose at Yat Lok in Central
- Egg tarts from Tai Cheong Bakery
- Milk tea and scrambled egg sandwiches at Australia Dairy Company
- Wonton noodles at Mak's Noodle
- Egg waffles (gai daan jai) from a street stall
Best Time to Visit Hong Kong
October to December is the best season, with clear skies, low humidity and 20–27°C days ideal for hiking and harbour views. January and February are cool and dry, with Lunar New Year celebrations, though some family-run shops close for several days. March and April are mild but often misty. May to September is hot and humid, with heavy rain and typhoons that can shut the city under a Signal No. 8.
Hong Kong Travel Tips
- Get an Octopus card (or add it to your phone) at the airport; it pays for the MTR, buses, trams, ferries and convenience stores
- Take the Airport Express to Hong Kong station in about 24 minutes, and ride the 'ding ding' trams along the north of Hong Kong Island for a flat fare
- Restaurants usually add a 10 percent service charge, so tipping beyond small change is not expected
- Hike early with plenty of water from May to September, and check the Hong Kong Observatory for typhoon and rainstorm warnings
- Taxis are coloured by area: red in the city, green in the New Territories, blue on Lantau; have your destination written in Chinese
Hong Kong FAQ
When is the best time to visit Hong Kong?
October to December is the best season, with clear skies, low humidity and 20–27°C days ideal for hiking and harbour views. January and February are cool and dry, with Lunar New Year celebrations, though some family-run shops close for several days. March and April are mild but often misty. May to September is hot and humid, with heavy rain and typhoons that can shut the city under a Signal No. 8.
How much does a day in Hong Kong cost?
Plan on an average daily budget of $120–$300/day in Hong Kong. The local currency is the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD).
How do I get around Hong Kong?
Get an Octopus card (or add it to your phone) at the airport; it pays for the MTR, buses, trams, ferries and convenience stores.
What should I know about safety and etiquette in Hong Kong?
Restaurants usually add a 10 percent service charge, so tipping beyond small change is not expected.
What are the top things to do in Hong Kong?
Top attractions in Hong Kong include Victoria Peak, Star Ferry, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Tian Tan Buddha and Temple Street Night Market. Hong Kong is best for food, skylines, hiking and shopping.
Similar Destinations to Hong Kong
- More in Asia → Japan or Southeast Asia for a first trip, a 14-day Tokyo, Kyoto and Bangkok route with the Shinkansen and one flight, visas and arrival cards, monsoon seasons and daily budgets.