Things to see and do in Hong Kong, China?

Hong Kong is one of the most modern and populated cities in the world, a continuous chaos of cars and people coming and going. Although the city is part of China, it still retains its own currency and language. While in China the official language is Mandarin, in Hong Kong it is Cantonese. There are plenty of things to do in Hong Kong in the three areas that form it: Kowloon, Hong Kong Island and New Territories. Hong Kong Island is the most emblematic area where all the skyscrapers are located.

If you are planning a trip to Hong Kong you are in the right place. In this post we will tell you everything worth seeing in the city and the main points of interest that you should include in your travel itinerary. We also recommend the best restaurants where to eat at a reasonable price and the most suitable areas to stay. When we travel to such remote destinations we always have a thousand doubts. Well, don’t worry, in this post we answer all your questions.

What are the best places to visit in Hong Kong

1. Victoria Peak

Victoria Peak is the highest mountain in Hong Kong reaching 522 meters high. It is the ideal place to enjoy the panoramic views of the city, especially at sunset, when the whole sky is filled with colors. There is a cable car that takes you to the top and leaves every 15 minutes. It is active between 10:00h and 23:00h at night, and the ticket, which costs 75 HKD, can be purchased both at the ticket office and online.

The main drawback is the queues, you may have to wait up to 2 hours to take the cable car. Another option is to walk up, it is quite a steep hike, but if you don’t mind walking, you will spare the price of the ticket and the queues. Another option is to go up by cable car and walk down.

2. Nathan Road, Hong Kong’s most commercial area

Nathan Road is one of the liveliest shopping streets in the whole city, whether it’s day or night, you will never see this area empty. No matter where you look you will only see waves of people passing back and forth, popping into stores, window shopping or just strolling around. This busy street in Hong Kong is almost 4km long and is located in the Kowloon district. In addition to a variety of stores, there you will find restaurants, shopping malls and hotels.

In the morning the walk is better because there are fewer people. However, we recommend you to go in the afternoon, when there are more people to live the full experience.

3. Tian Tan Buddha, a must-see in Hong Kong

The Po Lin Buddhist monastery is one of the most important in all of China. It was founded in 1906 by three monks, and since that time it has become a pilgrimage destination. The most impressive feature of the temple is the 34-meter-high Tian Tan Buddha, as well as the views around the temple.

The best way to get to the top of Mount Ngong Ping is by cable car. Another option is to go up by bus. Entrance to the temple is free, and opening hours are from 10:00 am to 5:45 pm.

4. Markets in Hong Kong

Throughout the city there are many street markets selling all kinds of products. Be prepared to bargain, though. In general in China there is no bargaining except in these markets, where the price is not fixed. One of the biggest and most impressive markets is Temple Street Night Market, which is open from 17:00h to 22:00h. But it is recommended to go as late as possible because of the lighting. Another very famous market is the Ladies Market, where in addition to buying counterfeit goods you can eat at one of the stalls.

5. Nan Lian Garden in Hong Kong

These gardens are the ideal place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city and relax for a while. Nan Lian Garden is the most beautiful one in Hong Kong and although it is reminiscent of Japanese gardens, it has the Tang Dynasty style. The highlights of the garden are the pond in the center in the form of a lotus flower and a red bridge where you can not help taking a picture.

Within the grounds there is also a set of monasteries; the Chi Lin monasteries, built of wood and representing various Buddhist deities. Admission to the park is free and it is open daily from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Hong Kong

1. Tai O, the fishing village in Hong Kong

The fishing village of Tai O seems like a parallel universe next to Hong Kong. Forget the skyscrapers, in this village everything revolves around the water. The main economic activity of the place is fishing, in fact, in every corner there is a fresh fish stall. The houses are built directly on the water, and the inhabitants move around by boats.

If you visit Tai O you must take a boat ride among the floating houses. This excursion is perfect for getting deeper into deep China. From Hong Kong it takes 50 minutes by car and almost two hours by public transport.

2. Beaches in Hong Kong

In the outskirts of the city we find several beaches to relax at. The best beaches are in the New Territories area, but in Hong Kong we can also find decent beaches. The best way to reach them is by bus and some of the best known are South Bay or Stanley Beach. When organizing a trip to Hong Kong, the beaches are not usually included in the itinerary because, despite being nice and quiet places, they are not one of the most spectacular destinations in Hong Kong.

3. Dragon’s Back

The city of Hong Kong is surrounded by nature and in the surrounding hills there are several hiking trails for us to choose from. One of the most famous is the hike up the Shek O Mountain, which is called the Dragon’s Back because of the shape of the ridge it climbs. The route is 7km long and is not particularly complicated.

To get there you will have to take the blue metro line to Shau Kei Wan and there take bus 9 to Shek O, which is a really nice village that is also worth visiting.

What to see in 1 day in Hong Kong?

It is common to spend a minimum of three days in the city. However, if you do not have that time, here we leave you this one-day itinerary with the essential things to see in Hong Kong and enjoy a pleasant experience of the city. If anything distinguishes Hong Kong it is its skyscrapers, the hustle and bustle of its streets and population density. Therefore, to see the city in its essence we recommend walking through the main streets like Nathan Road, or climb to the highest point of the city to enjoy the views at Victoria Peak.

Other monuments not to be missed are the Tian Tan Buddha and Nan Lian Garden along with the many temples it houses. And of course, you must find time to try Cantonese food, such as noodle soups or dim suns.

Where and what to eat in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities in the world, so it is often recommended to eat at fast food restaurants if you are on a budget. Another more affordable option is to eat at street stalls or markets. If we are fortunate enough to have a slightly bigger budget, you can not miss the Cantonese food in one of the typical restaurants in the city where you will taste dishes like Din Sums, roast goose or fish balls. Here we leave you this list with some suggestions of places to eat in Hong Kong.

• Tim Ho Wan: it’s the cheapest michelin-starred restaurant in the world. It specializes in dumplings filled with different flavors and prices range from 18 to 34HKD.
• Mak’s Noodle Shop: this is a place frequented by tourists and locals alike. Its specialty is noodle soup with shrimp wanton, which costs €6.5 and is delicious.
• Komune: a somewhat more modern restaurant serving both Cantonese and Western food. The daily meal they offer costs about 16€ and includes a drink, a starter and the main course.

Where to stay in Hong Kong

The best area to stay in Hong Kong is in Kowloon, as this is where there is the widest choice of accommodation and the most affordable prices. Some of the most convenient neighborhoods are Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei o Mong Kok  (the most commercial area of the city) or Central. You have to know that the price of the night usually oscillates the 100€ in the hotels. Although it is also possible to find more affordable accommodations. Here are some examples.

• The Mahjong : this is a nice hostel located in Kowloon next to the MTR Mong Kok station. Starting at 20€ you can sleep in one of its shared rooms equipped with a safe and air conditioning. In addition, the establishment offers its customers a kitchen and lounge.
• The Harbourview: in the heart of Hong Kong, this 4-star hotel offers all the comforts at a great price of €52 a night. The rooms are spacious and modern and the hotel has a fitness room, offers breakfast and organizes excursions.
• EAST Residences: apartments are another good option for lodging. These particular ones are located 900 meters from City Plaza and offer a fitness center and terrace. They also have room service. The price per night ranges from €140.

How to get to Hong Kong

The best way to get to Hong Kong is by plane, in fact, from the mainland there are quite a few direct flights. Once there, there are two ways to get to the center of the city:

• Airport Express: this is the fastest and most comfortable way, but also the most expensive. It is a train that departs every 10 minutes and stops at Hong Kong Central Station, Kowloon Station and Tsing Yi Station. Depending on where we get off the price ranges between 60 HKD and 100 HKD.
• Bus: it is a cheaper option but it takes more time, almost an hour to get to the city center. We should take the bus A21 that costs 33 HKD. Tickets can be bought at the ticket office at the airport.
• Taxi: this is by far the most expensive option. The price ranges between 50€ and 100€ depending on the neighborhood where we go to.

What should I consider before traveling to Hong Kong

• In the city, rain is common, so it is recommended to bring waterproof shoes and clothing.
• The official currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD).
• The best time to travel to Hong Kong is in autumn, when the days are still long and it doesn’t rain as much.
• It is best to avoid exchanging money at the airport, as their prices are high.
• In Hong Kong we can bargain in places where the price is not fixed. Like in the street markets or in some sweets or presents shops.
• The Cantonese language is spoken in Hong Kong, but most people speak English so you should have no trouble communicating.
• No visa is required to go to Hong Kong from Spain, a passport is enough.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Hong Kong

Sign up or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers the things to do in Hong Kong.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Hong Kong