Parks and the outdoors in Hong Kong

Parks and the outdoors in Hong Kong

1. BuyCentral

   Cat Street

   Probably the best place to buy souvenirs, lots of Mao memorabilia, porcelain, Buddha statues and "antiques". Lok Ku Rd, walk down Hollywood Rd towards the west, when you see the Man Mo temple walk down the stairs on the right hand side.

2. SeeCentral

   Chater Garden

   Adjacent to the Legislative Council Building, this is the place where disgruntled Hongkongers come to protest. Named after businessman Sir Paul Chater.

3. SeeOutlying Islands

   Cheung Chau

   長洲

   A traditional community based on an active fishing fleet and many thriving seafood restaurants. It has a number of reasonable hiking trails and some usable beaches.

4. SeeLantau

   Discovery Bay

   As a residential district, Discovery Bay is not really a tourist destination. However, it boasts a 400-m beach, a golf and marina club for members and guests, meaning that the area attracts day trippers. It also holds festivals, including most notably, dragon boat races at the beach in May/June and a multicultural festival in November.

5. BuyEastern District

   Fashion Walk

   An indoor street with shops and a range of western and Asian restaurants.

6. BuyKowloon

   Festival Walk

   Festival Walk is another excellent shopping mall in the suburb of Kowloon Tong. A very pleasant place to shop, similar to Pacific Place but catering more to locals.

7. SeeCentral

   Government House

   禮賓府

   Originally the official residence of the British Governors of Hong Kong under colonial rule, since the handover back to China in 1997, it has been the official residence of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong. Only open to the public on specific open days that are usually published on the web-site in advance, usually once in the spring to coincide with the blooming of the flowers in the garden, and once in the autumn.

8. EatKowloon

   Green

   Contemporary cafe and restaurant located within the modern Hotel Icon. Lunch offers set menus with lobster, pasta and more. Nice desserts and wine list. The interior is beautiful, with one of the world's largest indoor vertical gardens.

   7AM-midnight

9. DoSouthern District

   Hike the Dragon's Back

   A 2-3 hour hiking trail with spectacular views of the south of Hong Kong Island. The ridge has little shade and you should take a lot of water and protection in summer. The path then drops into forests and creeks, before emerging at Big Wave Bay, where you can swim, eat, drink and return on the same number 9 bus.

10. SeeEastern District

    Hong Kong Central Library

    Opened in 2001, Hong Kong's main public library looks over the playgrounds of Victoria Park. It is an impressive 12-storey structure that holds a vast collection of Chinese and English resources. Visitors will find exhibitions, wifi access, newspapers and magazines. There is a souvenir shop and a branch of Delifrance where you can relax.

11. SeeLantau

    Hong Kong Disneyland

    Asia's second Disneyland was opened in September 2005 and features some of the Disney favourites. The park is accessible via the MTR. Change at the Sunny Bay station on the Tung Chung MTR line for the Disneyland Resort Line. It has nine themed areas: Main Street USA, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Toy Story Land, Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, World of Frozen and Stark Expo. Tickets are $639 for adults, $475 for children, and $100 for Seniors over 65. There are fewer rides than the other Disney theme parks. A few rides have a slightly different take on them, but there is little unique here. Some rides are simply identical to other parks. If you get there at opening time on a weekday, it would be possible to do all the rides and shows by mid-afternoon. English speakers are well catered for, with all attractions narrating in both English and Cantonese. The Jungle River Cruise, however, which depends so much on the English language delivery of the guide doesn't fare well. There is a choice of Cantonese and American cuisine around the park. The Fantasyland Banquet Hall offering the broadest range of food types and kids meals to keep everyone happy. Meals around $55. There are plenty of drinking fountains in the park. Bring a water bottle to fill, or pay a bottle in the park. On weekends and holidays the tickets are $350 for adults and $250 for children. Children under 3 are free. Visit on weekdays to avoid the crowds.

12. SeeCentral

    Hong Kong Park

    A great place to relax in Central. Head for L16 cafe and bar which is one of the few places where you can eat and drink outdoors away from the traffic.

    Daily 6AM-10PM

13. SeeNew Territories

    Hong Kong Wetland Park

    Is a relaxing park set amidst an ecological mitigation area. One can stroll along a network of board walks built over the marshy area and watch birds from a tower. The park also features a large visitors centre/museum. The museum has many interactive exhibits ideal for children, as well as some live animal habitats. To visit, take MTR West Rail to Tin Shui Wai Station, then the #705 light rail to Wetland Park. The park is pushchair and wheelchair friendly.

14. SeeCentral

    Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens

    A small, free zoo with reptiles, primates, a jaguar, and rare and endangered birds and plants.

15. 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

16. DoNew Territories

    Kam Shan Country Park

    Kam Shan Country Park, also known as Monkey Hill, is famous for its wild monkeys. It is at the north of Kowloon and so can be easily accessed by taking the KMB route 72 or 81 from Kowloon or New Territories. A free barbecue site is available in the country park.

17. 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

18. DoKowloon

    Kowloon Park Swimming Pool Complex

    Offers a wide range of services, including an indoors Olympic-sized pool, a slightly smaller training pool, a diving pool, and a leisure pool for younger swimmers. During the summer months, the indoor pools are air-conditioned, whilst in winter the water is heated. During the summer season, there are four outdoor leisure pools that are popular with teenagers, but all age-groups make good use of the pools. A limited number of sun loungers are available.

19. 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

20. SeeCentral

    Lung Fu Shan Country Park

    Hong Kong newest and smallest Country Park. Its proximity to the Peak makes it highly accessible and one is rewarded by a pleasant hike away from the crowds nearby. A convenient place to make a BBQ with great views over Victoria Harbour. Budding military historians will enjoy exploring Pinewood battery and other remnants of the Second World War.

21. DoNew Territories

    Maclehose Trail

    Stage I is ~3 hours, stage II ~6 hours of walking for a total of 10 stages and 100km. Parts are sealed/concrete road, other parts dirt/rock. if you hike late, take a light as public lights are sparse. Altitude is between 0 and 300m (Sai Wan Shan). Camping sites are available.

22. DoSouthern District

    Middle Bay beach

    Popular with gay men and is a 20-minute walk along the coast from Repulse Bay.

23. DrinkKowloon

    Mody Road/Centennial Garden

    Close to many good hotels, this area of Tsim Sha Tsui offers a more relaxed environment for a drink. Here you will find bars and restaurants spilling out onto the pavement. Leave East Tsim Sha Tsui station at Exit P1, and head past the Kowloon Shangri-La hotel.

24. DoCentral

    Mount Davis

    Walk up Mount Davis to see the abandoned Second World War-era gunnery fortifications. Take the steps up from Victoria Rd just west of Kennedy Town; or follow Victoria Rd until you reach the roundabout (about a kilometre), and take the mountain road up. The climb will take a while, but there are many ruins to explore, and great views. There's also a youth hostel at the top if you are too tired to make it back in one go.

25. SeeLantau

    Mui Wo

    traditional Chinese: 梅窩, Pinyin: Méiwō, lit. "plum nest"

    a rural town on the eastern coast of Lantau Island. The main beach in Mui Wo is known as Silver Mine Bay (銀礦灣). There are fast and slow ferry services from Central to Mui Wo. Central - Mui Wo Ferry The fast ferry costs $25 and takes 30 minutes. The slow ferry costs $15, takes 50 minutes and you can go outside. The 3M bus takes you from Tung Chung to Mui Wo. There are a number of temples and old buildings. There is also a waterfall, an old mining cave (sealed off) and numerous hiking trails. Close to the Ferry Pier there are three bicycle rent shops where you rent bikes from $30 to $150. At the beginning of Silver Mine Beach there is also a place to rent bicycles.

26. SeeKowloon

    Nan Lian Garden

    南蓮園池

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

    7AM–9PM·Free

27. DoSouthern District

    Ocean Park

    香港海洋公園

    A huge Disney-like (in both the good and bad sense) oceanarium. Marine biodiversity in the Atoll Reef and Shark Tank, and thrill rides will satisfy children and adults alike. It is popular with locals as well as tourists from mainland China. It has beautiful views from the cable car over the ocean and hills. The cablecar is an icon and an essential link between the two parts of the park. The view of the South China Sea from the cable car is always terrific. It would be fair to say that many local people would choose Ocean Park if they had to pick a single theme park to attend. For many, the chance to see Hong Kong's pandas would be a deciding factor. There are also large festivals each year, including summer, Halloween and Christmas. You can find out if there are tickets available on any given day from their website.

    Mon-Fri 9AM-7PM, Sat-Sun 9AM-9PM·Adults $206, children (up to 11) $103, under 3 free

28. SeeOutlying Islands

    Peng Chau

    坪洲

    Although it has a reputation for being dull and lacking in tourist attractions, you may be nevertheless be pleasantly surprised. Restaurants here are cheaper than the other islands and you get the feeling you are off the 'beaten-track' of mass tourism. Perhaps it is the place to go at the end of your holiday when you are weary of the fast-pace of the big city and just want to slow down, have a drink and chat with friends. From Peng Chau you can easily take the dilapidated ferry over to the Trappist monastery on Lantau island and walk, for a couple of hours, along the hilly footpath to Mui Wo. From Mui Wo you can take another ferry back to Hong Kong island. It is located 8 km to the west of Hong Kong Island. The size of the island is 1km square. Peng Chau, as the name suggests, is mostly flat land.

29. SeeNew Territories

    Ping Shan Heritage Trail

    This is a kilometre long trail enabling you to take in the most important buildings in this historical area, including the ancient pagoda of Tsui Sing Lau, the Tang Ancestral Hall and the Kun Ting Study Hall.

30. SeeEastern District

    Quarry Bay Park

    A good place to walk that provides an alternative view of the eastern end of the harbour, instead of the familiar one of the west. It also serves as a connection between SOHO east (a reasonably attractive restaurant and pub area) and Cityplaza shopping centre.

31. DoSouthern District

    Repulse Bay Beach

    Biggest and most popular beach and is suitable for families with small children.

32. SeeKowloon

    Shanghai Street

    runs north-south parallel to Nathan Road and offers an easy to navigate urban transect. Start at the north-side of Kowloon Park and wander up to Langham Place, a modern shopping and hotel complex which is next to Mong Kok MTR station. Along the way you will experience Kowloon in its raw authenticity. This is not your regular tourist trail, but crumbling tenements and small-scale industrial and commercial outfits blur to form an urban landscape that will make you wish that you had brought your camera along.

33. SeeKowloon

    Shek Kip Mei Estate

    Built in the 1950s, this is one of the few remaining places where you can grasp the living conditions of Hong Kong during the 50s and 60s. Despite the march of progress promulgated by the Urban Renewal Authority, there are still a few blocks of flats remaining from the 1950s, which are still occupied. Walk from Shek Kip Mei MTR Station.

34. DoSouthern District

    Shek O Beach

    石澳

    Attracts a young Chinese crowd, especially older teenagers and young adults.

35. DoSouthern District

    South Bay beach

    Never too busy, even on weekends, but you will need to take a taxi from Repulse Bay.

36. EatSouthern District

    Spices Restaurant

    香辣軒

    Serves pan-Asian food with style. Excellent location, only a few minutes walk from the beach. You can choose to dine outside on the patio and enjoy superb views over Repulse Bay.

    $150-300

37. DoSouthern District

    St Stephens Beach

    Much quieter and more secluded beach that Stanley Main Beach, but still includes a beach café, changing rooms, public toilets and showers. A barbeque area is available up the hill from the beach, and is accessible via stairs.

38. 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

39. DoSouthern District

    Stanley Main Beach

    A popular beach for wind-surfing, and hosts annual dragon boat races. Facilities include a café, changing rooms and showers, shark nets, public toilets and a barbeque area.

40. DoNew Territories

    Tai Mei Tuk

    Tai Mei Tuk is famous for the natural view of Pat Sin Leng and Plover Cove Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Hong Kong. You can also make use of the free barbecue site in Tai Mei Tuk and the adjoining country park. Get off from Tai Po Market Railway Station and take bus 75K or green minibus 20C.

Browse all 331 places in Hong Kong

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