From opium port to Cold War enclave to frenetic financial capital, Hong Kong has never been boring. East meets West in high style here, and the results amaze and delight. Prepare to experience one of the world’s most dramatic urban environments.
- The Peak
- Central’s Statue Square
- Happy Valley Races
- Star Ferry
- Stanley
- Temple Street Night Market
- Heritage Museum
- Tai Long Wan Coastline
- Cheung Chau Island
- Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery
1. The Peak
With Hong Kong’s most spectacular views, cooler climes and quiet wooded walks, it’s no wonder Victoria Peak is so popular, in particular with tourists and the super rich, who occupy the exclusive properties clinging to its slopes. The Peak Tram takes under 10 minutes to reach Victoria Gap, pinning you to your seat as it’s hauled up the sheer slope at the end of a single cable (don’t worry, its safety record is spotless).
2. Central’s Statue Square
Standing on the Golden Statue Square in the Central District, you are in the financial, political, historical and social center of the region. Between the steel and glass of the sleek modern skyscrapers around the square are colonial relics, including the handsome neoclassical Court of Appeal, which hosts Hong Kong's usually low-key political demonstrations. Shopping is a more popular activity in Hong Kong than politics, and enjoy it in the many elegant boutiques across the street.
3. Happy Valley Races
Feel the earth move under the thunderous sound of hoofs and cheer on finishers on the ultimate Hong Kong night. Since 1846, Happy Valley has been held on the widest flat land on Hong Kong Island, which was originally a swamp. Today, the race takes place beneath gleaming high-rise buildings and represents one of the most atmospheric horse racing circuits in the world.
4. Star Ferry
One of Hong Kong's most popular institutions, the Star Ferry has been transporting passengers between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island since 1888. Despite the emergence of rail and road tunnels under the port, commuters are still using them. Take the ferry for breathtaking views of Hong Kong Island's towering skyscrapers and jungle-clad hills. Take an evening cruise to the harbour's daily neon extravaganza, a symphony of lights, with light and sound shows on 45 buildings on either side of the harbour.
5. Stanley
Originally a sleepy fishing village, Stanley was the largest settlement on Hong Kong Island before the British moved in. This modern city on the south coast remains a peaceful and pleasant place away from the hustle and bustle of the city. There is little traffic, life is easygoing, there are many great restaurants, beautiful beaches and a large market where you can buy cheap clothes, silks and souvenirs. Stanley is also the place to glimpse colonial Hong Kong and an older Chinese tradition seen at the Tin Hau Temple.
6. Temple Street Night Market
Under the pale light of a thousand bare light bulbs, tourists and locals alike weave between the stalls on the narrow streets of Temple Street in Yau Ma Tei. The wide variety of bargains includes clothes, shoes, accessories, designer fakes, replica CDs, knickknacks and tons of junk. Prices here may be slightly higher than in Shenzhen, the Chinese border, or some of the lesser-known markets in Hong Kong, but you can't beat the atmosphere of Temple Street.
7. Heritage Museum
Located on the outskirts of Sha Tin, New Territories, this modern museum is one of the best in Hong Kong. Opened in 2000, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum has six permanent galleries and six rotating galleries to showcase the culture, art and natural history of Hong Kong and the New Territories. Exciting audiovisual exhibits, a range of temporary exhibits and a well-interactive children's area make for a fun day out for visitors of all ages.
8. Tai Long Wan Coastline
Although only 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Hong Kong Island, the remote and pristine beaches on the eastern edge of the rugged Sai Kung peninsula in the New Territories feel like another piece of land. There's no rail service and few roads, so you'll need to start early, take a bus to Saigon Town, then a bus to Pak Tam Col, and then walk the 6km (4 miles) hills to the beach. Alternatively, rent a garbage truck. The reward for your efforts will be stunning coastlines, magnificent waves, delightful hidden pools and shady cafes.
9. Cheung Chau Island
A half-hour high-speed ferry ride west of Hong Kong, this charming little island is a great escape from the heat and hustle and bustle of the city, and maybe everyone else thinks the same on weekends. In the narrow streets, small shops and temples of this old pirate and fishing port, there is an old and traditional Hong Kong vibe. It’s possible to see most of the island in a day, taking it in with some lovely secluded walks. The seafood is cheap and there are small but excellent stretches of beach.
10. Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery
Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island was once a humble house built by three monks in 1906 to enshrine the Buddha and is now a major temple. Its crowning glory is the giant Buddha statue opposite the monastery, an object of reverence by devotees and one of Hong Kong's most popular tourist attractions. The statue occupies the entire area from a pedestal reached by more than 260 steps. On a clear day, the views of Lantau's valleys, reservoirs and peaks make the climb well worth it.
