Hong Kong Exploration Guide

Check out some of the amazing sights and attractions you can cover in Hong Kong when you visit the impressive cosmopolitan city on your next travels!

Hong Kong is famous for its imposing skyscrapers and iconic harbor. It is completely urbanized and densely populated but amusing in so many ways. While it’s known to be a concrete jungle, the city is renowned to integrate green open spaces into its highly urban environment. You can find terraces, courtyards, plazas, and small parks woven between buildings in various neighbourhoods. There’s also great accessibility of public transport and walkability in this global financial hub.

While there are lots of travel guides available to follow, Hong Kong allows you to wander freely and take in each experience as it reveals itself. There’s always something new about the city! But if you are looking for some inspiration, check out some of the things we found interesting that might tickle your wanderlust too!

🚀 Victoria Peak

They say that if you haven’t been to The Peak then you haven’t been to Hong Kong! If there’s one thing to do when visiting the Peak then that should be to watch the sunrise and/or sunset. You can purchase an entry ticket and witness some stunning views from the Sky Terrace 428. There’s also a tram ride you can hop on from Garden Road Tram Station that stops at Kennedy Road, MacDonnell Road, May Road, Barker Road, and the Peak. The tram’s frequency is every 10-15 minutes. You can skip the tram and choose to drive or catch a cab to the Peak. Public buses also run to the Peak at designated times.

• 🎫 Ticket prices for Sky Terrace 428:
• Adult = HKD 52 (USD 6.6)
• Concession* = HKD 26 (USD 3.3)
  * Eligible individuals include children aged between 3-11 and senior citizens who are above 65 years old

• 🎫 Ticket prices for The Peak Tram (Return Journey):
• Adult = HKD 52 (USD 6.6)
• Concession = HKD 23 (USD 3)

• 🎫 Ticket prices for The Peak Tram (Single Journey):
• Adult = HKD 37 (USD 4.7)
• Concession = HKD 14 (USD 1.8)

• 🎫 Ticket prices for The Peak Tram & Sky Terrace 428 combo:
  Peak Tram Sky Pass (Return Journey)
• Adult = HKD 99 (USD 12.6)
• Concession = HKD 47 (USD 6)

• 🎫 Peak Tram Sky Pass (Single Journey)
• Adult = HKD 84 (USD 10.7)
• Concession = HKD 38 (USD 4.9)

Alternatively, you can walk on Lugard Road for about 15-20 minutes till you reach the lookout point where you can witness the skyscraper-studded skyline of Hong Kong against the rising sun or the sunset. This option by the way, is absolutely free and it lets you witness the sunrise when the Sky Terrace 428 is still closed in the wee hours of the morning.

🚀 Go Hiking

Even though Hong Kong is known for its highly urbanised personality, there are plenty of hiking opportunities in the city that will take your breath away! Many of the hikes start at spots that are accessible via the city’s MTR.

Pro-tip: Purchase a Tourist Octopus Card for HKD 39 (USD 5). This transit pass can be used across numerous public transport options. The tram service is also an alternate way to explore the city.

• 🌄 Devil’s Peak: Devil’s Peak is located in Yau Tong in New Kowloon. The area around the peak was once home to local pirates and a base for military importance. It lies beside Lei Yue Mun, an important nautical passage that leads to Victoria Harbour. A 3km round trip hike takes about one hour to complete without breaks, where you’ll be greeted with some outstanding views!
  

  

• 🌄 Lo Yan Shan: Lo Yan Shan is the highest peak in the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula of Lantau Island. The Pui O Beach is visible from the top of an old trigonometrical station, which is a hill fire lookout in Lo Yan Shan. Gorgeous sights on top await you. Choose between the shorter (3-4 hours) or longer (7-8 hours) routes to explore the Chi Ma Wan trail.

• 🌄 Dragon’s Back: Dragon’s Back is one of the most popular spots for hiking in Hong Kong. The hike is easy and takes 20 minutes before you arrive at the top where you’ll witness fabulous scenery of the Shek O Beach in the east and the magnificent Dragon’s Back in the north-west. You can extend your hike by 2-2.5 hours by taking the trail to Shek O Beach or Big Wave Bay. So what are you waiting for? Tie your laces and hike away.

• 🌄 Lion’s Rock Peak: Lion Rock is 495 meters high and is one of the most recognisable natural landmarks in Hong Kong offering splendid views of the Kowloon side. From the start of the trail it takes 2-3 hours to complete the Lion Rock Peak Hike, depending on your pace and how often you take breaks.

• 🌄 Kowloon Peak: Also known as Fei Ngo Shan, the Kowloon Peak hike offers a different perspective of Hong Kong. The hike takes 2.5 hours but the view from the top is worth every sweat of it.

Pro-tip: Always carry plenty of water with you when going hiking so you’re hydrated the whole time as water isn’t available to purchase on the trails.

🚀 Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) ferry pier and Avenue of Stars

A perfect place to admire Hong Kong’s skyline is the Tsim Sha Tsui ferry pier, also known as Star Ferry Pier. As you walk along the Victoria Harbour, you’ll end up at the Avenue of Stars, which is a fabulous waterfront promenade where people can walk, bike, and jog. It is based on Hollywood’s “Walk of Fame” and celebrates famous personalities of the Hong Kong Film Industry. In the evening at 8pm, hang around for the Symphony of Lights, which is a multimedia light show that further accentuates the beauty of the harbour. You’ll be dazzled!

🚀 Chill at Tamar Park or Kowloon Park

Feel like relaxing on the grass and having a picnic while admiring Hong Kong’s skyline? Tamar Park is the place to go to! There’s a large grass area where you can sit and laze around. You can also hop into the Hong Kong Observation Wheel and ride in it for 15 minutes to enjoy a breathtaking view of both Hong Kong and Kowloon side.

• 🎫 Ticket prices for Hong Kong Observation Wheel:
• Adult = HKD 20 (USD 2.6)
• Concession* = HKD 10 (USD 1.3)
  * Eligible individuals include children aged between 3-11, senior citizens who are above 65 years old, and visitors with disabilities

Hong Kong is also home to the Avenue of Comic Stars, where you’ll catch glimpses of sculptures of local comic characters and bronze hand prints of local comic artists – all of them located in the gorgeous Kowloon Park.

🚀 Chase views of the city from the city centre

Sunsets in Hong Kong are worth chasing despite the city’s dense scenario. The good thing is that you don’t necessarily have to hike up a mountain to watch the sunset. Head to The One Shopping Mall in Tsim Sha Tsui and take the lift up to the 16th floor. There is an open roof top where you can watch the sunset and it’s completely free.

You can also enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Victoria Harbour from a different angle from the sky100 Observation Deck.

• 🎫 Ticket prices for sky100 Observation Deck Online vs Walk in
• Adult = HKD 169 (USD 21.6) vs HKD 188 (USD 24)
• Child (3-11) and Senior (65+) = HKD 115 (USD 14.7) vs HKD 128 (USD 16.4)

Note: Save 10% when you book online!

🚀 Big Buddha, Lantau Island

Just like the Peak, no trip to Hong Kong is complete without seeing the Big Buddha located on Lantau Island. You can reach the island by taking a ferry to Mui Wo Pier from Central then Bus No. 2 from the pier. Alternatively, an enjoyable way to reach the Big Buddha is with the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car from Tung Chung MTR station. While the entrance to Tian Tan Buddha is free, a round trip in the Ngong Ping cable car costs HKD 185 (USD 23.6) for an adult and HK 95 (USD 12) for children up to 11 years of age.

🚀 Have fun at a Theme Park or two

Spend a full day at Hong Kong Disneyland or Ocean Park, or both! These theme parks are home to thrilling rides, mesmerizing parades, animals and characters interaction. You can opt to cover both the theme parks if you have a lot of time to spare, or simply choose which one of the two suits your preference and budget. Hong Kong Expats has outlined some very useful comparison points to help you choose between a dreamland fantasy and a real-world interactive experience!

🚀 For the nerdy, visit the Science and Space Museum

The Hong Kong Science Museum is my favourite place to visit whenever I am in Hong Kong. It is a fabulous place to learn through interactive exhibits that captivate curiosity and imagination of those who are fond of a range of scientific topics such as food science, home technology, transportation, telecommunications, mathematics, electricity and magnetism, motion, light, sound, mirrors, life sciences, biodiversity, and environmental conservation. If you are into astronomy, you’ll be glad to know that there is the Hong Kong Space Museum in Salisbury Road for you to check out!

• 🎫 Ticket prices for Hong Kong Science Museum:
• Standard Ticket: HKD 20 (USD 2.6)
• Concessionary Ticket* : HKD 10 (USD 1.3)
  * People with disabilities (and one accompanying-carer) and senior citizens aged 60 or above
• Free admission for children under 4 years old accompanied by an adult with ticket
• Sodium cool fact 😉: FREE admission on Wednesdays!!!

🚀 Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark

If you’re looking for a place to go on a day’s adventure, you should definitely head to the Hong Kong Geopark located in the East and Northeast New Territories. Being listed by UNESCO as part of its Global Geoparks Network, the site is famous for its volcanic rock region and hexagonal rock columns that were formed by a series of violent volcanic eruptions in Sai Kung 140 million years ago. The MacLehose Trail that is 100km long offers not just fresh clean air but also stupendous views!

Also part of the Hong Kong Geopark, Sharp Island located in Sai Kung is an underrated attraction in Asia and is just a ferry ride away from the city. While you’re there, hike for about 2 hours and have a dip at the Hap Mun Bay Beach or Kiu Tsui Beach. Continue the trek through Hak Shan Teng hill for a breath-taking panorama of the coastline. Then along the way check out the beauty of the tombolo that connects to the nearby Kiu Tau islet where you will find unique rock formations and “pineapple bun” rocks inspired by one of Hong Kong’s famous bread!

🚀 Make a trip to Macau while you are in Hong Kong

While you are in Hong Kong, if you have a day or two to spare, hop on a ferry and get to Macau that is also known as the Las Vegas of Asia. All you have to do is choose a ferry route and operator, purchase a ticket, and bring your passport along with you as immigration clearance is required.

Ferries leave from the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal (located at Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan), China Ferry Terminal (in TST, Kowloon), Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal (in New Territories), and SkyPier Terminal (in Hong Kong International Airport). The red TurboJET ferries arrive at the Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal (Downtown) and the blue Cotai Water Jet ferries arrive at the Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal (Taipa). Next Stop Hong Kong has shared a very useful guide to travel between Hong Kong and Macau!

When in Macau, you can explore and check out the iconic Ruins of St. Paul’s, The Venetian, Senado Square, Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Center, watch the House of Dancing Water Show at City of Dreams, go bungee jumping at AJ Hackett Tower.

Hong Kong is so much more than a financial centre and there’s plenty of things to discover in this vibrant city while also discovering its natural wonders. When do you plan to visit?