Things to do in Hong Kong

Things to do in Hong Kong

1. 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.

2. DoKowloon

   Hong Kong Coliseum

   Multi-purpose indoor arena with 12,500 seats. A famous landmark shaped almost like an upside down pyramid. Used for sport events, concerts and other things.

3. DoEastern District

   Hong Kong Racing Museum

   Artificats and some of the largest exhibits in the world next to the track of the Happy Valley Racecourse.

   Noon-7pm Everyday

4. DoEastern District

   Horse racing

   Horse racing has been taking place at Happy Valley racetrack since 1846. Happy Valley is particularly impressive during the evening meets with the surrounding skyscrapers lit up. Unless you know the right sort of people your best chance of getting into the races is by the public entrance. Entrance will cost you just a few dollars and you will have the advantage of being at ground level next to the race track. Alcohol, especially beer, is sold at cheap prices. Unless you like fast-food, plan to eat before or after gambling away your holiday savings.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. DoLantau

   Lantau Peak

   At 934 m, the second highest point in Hong Kong and the highest point on Lantau Island. You can also stay overnight at the Ngong Ping hostel, and wake up very early to reach the summit in time for the spectacular sunrise. Although not particularly high by international standards, this is a fairly hard climb and you should make full preparations, especially during summer.

8. 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.

9. DoSouthern District

   Middle Bay beach

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

10. 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.

11. 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

12. DoSouthern District

    Repulse Bay Beach

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

13. DoNew Territories

    Sha Tin Racecourse

    Participate in the most popular sport in Hong Kong at games held most Saturday afternoons from September to June. Regular stand seats $10, but a special package available to overseas tourists-only allows box access for $130-190.

    $10 entrance fee

14. DoSouthern District

    Shek O Beach

    石澳

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

15. DoSouthern District

    South Bay beach

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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. DoNew Territories

    Tai Po Waterfront Park

    The Tai Po Waterfront Park is the largest park in Tai Po District. The Park provides a wide range of facilities including a 1.2 long promenade, rest-gardens, sitting-out areas, a jogging trail with fitness stations, a cycling track and a 600-seat amphitheatre. There is also a 32.4-metre-high Lookout Tower in the Park. After visiting the tower, visitors may move on to the Insect House nearby. Take a green taxi instead of bus if you have 4 or 5 people travelling together from Tai Po Market Railway Station.

20. DoCentral

    Wellington St

    Nice street with dried foodstuffs, various restaurants, majong pieces. Also check out Art Jam at 123 Wellington St. They provide you with canvas, paints and materials. From $200 to $500 depending on when you go and canvas size.

21. DoEastern District Not mapped

    Hong Kong Cricket Club

    Private club but one restaurant is open to the public. If you're a cricket player, you can apply to join as a sports member.

22. DoNew Territories Not mapped

    Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course

    Hong Kong's only public golf course, comprising three 18-hole courses. Accessible by ferry from Sai Kung.

23. DoKowloon Not mapped

    Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground

    Mission Road Ground, 天光道遊樂場

    With a capacity of 3500, this is the home stadium of the Hong Kong national cricket team, who play separately from China.

24. DoSouthern District

    Big Wave Bay

    Popular surf and swimming beach with restaurants and bars.

25. DoEastern District

    Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts

    香港演藝學院

    A venue for dance, music and drama.

26. DoCentral

    Sheung Wan Civic Centre

    Theatre and concert venue.

27. DoCentral

    Yan Shang Kee

    嫣裳記

    Rent a qipao to wear for a day while exploring Hong Kong.

    9AM-6PM (reservation required)·$320

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