Free things to do in Hong Kong

Free things to do in Hong Kong

1. SeeNew Territories

   10,000 Buddhas Monastery

   萬佛寺

   This rather garish but enjoyable modern temple dating from the 1950s in fact contains no less than 12,800 Buddhas lining the walls of the main hall. There's also a nine-story pagoda and some smaller temples above the main complex. Half the fun is getting there, the 500-metre path that climbs up the hill is lined with life-sized golden plastic statues of Buddhas in poses ranging from serene to outrageous. A point of mortal interest is the embalmed body of the Monatery's founder the Venerable Yuet Kai, which is exhibited in the main temple hall.

   Free admission, but donations welcome

2. SeeCentral

   Central-Mid-Levels Escalator

   At 800 m long, this is the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world. The escalator runs downhill from 6AM to 10AM and uphill from 10:30AM to midnight every day. Part of it near the bottom goes along Cochrane Street, and it's hard to miss. It goes from busy areas at the bottom to upscale residential neighborhoods at the top. For tourists it's not all that useful for transportation, but it's an interesting curiosity that CNN declared one of the world's coolest commutes.

   Free

3. SeeCentral

   City Gallery

   A celebration of planning proposals and infrastructure projects. Interactive features and devices give visitors the latest information on planning and infrastructure developments in Hong Kong.

   Free

4. SeeCentral

   Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware

   Museum of teapots and cups, with exhibits ranging from modern to 3000 years old.

   Wed-Mon 10AM-6PM·Free

5. SeeSouthern District

   Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum

   The museum has been extensively renovated with 10 galleries including a mock gallows, two replicas of prison cells and more than 600 separate exhibits including historical documents, photographs and artifacts from the history of Hong Kong's prison system. An annex also displays examples of products made by prisoners at the nearby Stanley Prison.

   Tue-Sun 10:00 to 17:00 except on public holidays·Free

6. SeeKowloon

   Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre

   Housed in former British colonial barracks, which are architecturally interesting in their own right. The centre houses one permanent (Explore our Heritage) and a couple of temporary exhibitions about Hong Kong's and China's history. There are also lectures, workshops and similar events.

   Mon-Wed 10AM-6PM, Thu closed, Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-7PM·Free

7. SeeNew Territories

   Hong Kong Heritage Museum

   For those with a serious interest in Chinese culture, this might appeal to you as one of Hong Kong's best museums. Modern, informative and attractively presented, this museum houses several permanent exhibitions of life in the New Territories, Cantonese opera, and Chinese art, as well as temporary exhibitions of a high calibre.

   Mon Wed-Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat Sun 10AM-7PM (closed Tue plus first ane second day of Chinese New Year)·Free for permanent exhibits

8. SeeEastern District

   Hong Kong Police Museum

   There are five galleries: Orientation describing the history of the force, Triad Societies and Narcotics describing the history of Triad Societies and narcotic problems, Police Then & Now describing the transformation of Hong Kong Police Force over the years, Current Exhibition exhibiting changing themes, and Heroin Factory exhibiting a heroin production site.

   Wed-Sun 9AM–5PM, Tue 2–5PM·Free

9. SeeNew Territories

   Hong Kong Railway Museum

   香港鐵路博物館

   An open-air museum converted from the old Tai Po Railway Station. It has seven railway coaches and two locomotives.

   Open from 10AM-6PM on Mon and Wed-Sunday. Closing is 1 hour earlier (5PM) on Christmas Eve and Lunar New Year's Eve. Closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays) and first two days of Lunar New Year.·Free

10. SeeLantau

    Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre

    迪欣湖

    Inspiration Lake is the largest artificial lake in Hong Kong, and has a 1500-m jogging trail. It also has an arboretum, and rents paddle boats and surrey bikes. It is in Penny's Bay, a 15-minute walk from Disneyland Resort MTR station, or take the R8 bus.

    9AM-7PM, daily.·Free

11. SeeKowloon

    Kowloon Park

    the location of a former British barrack. There, you will find not only pleasant gardens, but aviaries, museums, and sporting facilities, including Hong Kong's best swimming pool complex, which offers both indoor and outdoor pools. A wide range of swimming, diving and children's play-pools will appeal to kids of all ages, and their frazzled parents who are seeking a safe place for youngsters to play away from the traffic.

    5:00AM-midnight·Free

12. SeeKowloon

    Kowloon Walled City Park

    The Kowloon Walled City began as an enclave that remained under Chinese sovereignty when the New Territories and the rest of Kowloon were ceded to the British. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912, its legal status became disputed, and there was no effective government within the walled city as a result. The massive influx of mainland Chinese refugees after the communist takeover led to haphazard construction of high-rise buildings, resulting in a horrendous convolution of maze-like alleys, darkness, cramped space, unsanitary conditions and fire hazards. There was no effective police presence inside the city, and it was a hotbed of triads, prostitution and unlicensed doctors and dentists. The Walled City was notorious for drugs, vice and many things shady and criminal. In 1994, after so many years of being beyond the reach of the law, the colonial government struck a deal with the Beijing authorities and razed the place to the ground. The park that replaced it is very tame in comparison to its distinctive history, but it does offer a few clues and remnants from its colourful past, including the former yamen dating back to the Qing Dynasty. As of 2026 there is an exhibition within the park that has some simulacral recreations of the walled city.

    6:30AM-11AM daily. Exhibitions room: 10AM-6PM, closed Wed·Free

13. SeeKowloon

    Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum

    Tomb from the Eastern Han dynasty (AD 25 - 220) discovered in 1955. Exhibition hall displaying pottery and artifacts from the excavation of the tomb.

    Mon-Wed Fri Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun 1-6PM·Free

14. SeeKowloon

    Nan Lian Garden

    南蓮園池

    A Tang-dynasty-style garden, part of the Chi Lin Nunnery complex.

    7AM–9PM·Free

15. SeeEastern District

    Noon Day Gun

    Noonday Gun

    The historic gun is fired every day at noon and once a year at midnight on New Year's Eve. To access the Noon Day Gun, enter the underground tunnel between the World Trade Centre and the Excelsior Hotel and follow the signs. Finding this tunnel is difficult and you might need to ask staff for directions. The tradition of firing a gun into Victoria Harbour everyday at noon dates back to the 1860s. It is believed that this is the gun referred to in Noel Coward's song "Mad Dogs and Englishmen".

    Free

16. SeeNew Territories

    Sha Tau Kok Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall

    沙頭角抗戰紀念館

    Opened in September 2022, this is the first comprehensive museum about the Second World War in Hong Kong. The museum is at the former home of the Luo Family, which was the first base of operations for Communist-led guerrilla fighters from the Mainland who came across the border to help resist the Japanese. At the present time, the museum is only accepting group visits and bookings are essential. As the museum is outside the Frontier Closed Area, visitors do not need a permit to visit the museum.

    Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00, closed on Mondays·Free

17. SeeSouthern District

    Stanley Ma Hang Park

    Opened in January 2011. This 50,000-m² park is set into the cliffside near Murray House. It features boardwalks, a butterfly garden, a fitness deck, bird watching platforms, an educational trail and the cliffside Pak Tai Temple.

    07:00 to 20:00·Free

18. SeeNew Territories

    Tao Heung Museum of Food Culture

    Museum displays cooking utensils, cutlery, spices from different time periods around the world and the food culture of Hong Kong. Advance online reservation is required. Each session lasts 75 minutes. Guide will narrate in Cantonese for 45 minutes followed by 30 minutes of free tour.

    Tours Sat Sun holidays from 9:30AM to 5:15PM·Free entry

19. SeeNew Territories

    The Art Museum, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

    M-W F Sa from 10AM-5PM, Sunday and public holidays from 1:00-5PM, closed Th (except public holidays), New Year, Lunar New Year, Easter, and Christmas holidays. Admission is free.

20. SeeEastern District

    Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery

    Exhibits firefighting stuff.

    Mon Wed-Sun 10AM-5PM·Free

21. SeeNew Territories

    Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change

    Yasumoto International Academic Park, 8th Floor, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin

    Mon Tue Thu-Sat 09:30-17:00. Closed on Wednesdays, Sundays, public holidays and university holidays (including Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve)·Free

22. SeeEastern District

    Law Uk Folk Museum

    18th-century Hakka village house.

    Mon-Wed Fri Sat 10AM-6PM; Sun 1-6PM·Free

23. SeeNew Territories

    Tsz Shan Monastery Buddhist Art Museum

    慈山寺佛教藝術博物館

    No. 88, Universal Gate Road, Tai Po

    10:00-13:00 (last admission at 12:30), 14:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30), closed on Mondays (except Mondays that fall on a public holiday)·Free

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Hong Kong (CC BY-SA 4.0).