Best attractions in Hong Kong: Top 36

Hong Kong is both a city in China and a state within a state, with its own laws, traditions and customs. It is a place of striking contrasts, where cutting-edge technology meets centuries-old traditions, skyscrapers piercing the clouds are flanked by simple fishermen’s cottages and huge shopping malls with chaotic rows of floating markets. Hong Kong’s sights blend the flavor of Eastern culture with the extreme contrast of antiquity and modernity. Population density here is fantastically high - about 6,400 people per square kilometer, which explains the special beauty of the city’s panoramas - a tight jungle of skyscrapers aspire upwards not only in the business center of Hong Kong, but even in its suburbs. And now we’re going to talk about the many sights in Hong Kong. Here’s a list of the most interesting things to see in Hong Kong. There are so many of them here that a multi-day trip will not be enough to cover all the memorable places.

What to see in Hong Kong first

Planning a trip to a city with a huge number of attractions is always difficult, but there are a couple of secrets any tourist should know. First, guides in Hong Kong are willing to show most places of interest for a reasonable fee, and second, you should combine sightseeing of historical monuments and natural wonders for a change.

1. Victoria Peak (West of Hong Kong Island)

When planning what to visit in Hong Kong, be sure to check out Victoria Peak. It’s probably the most must-see attraction in Hong Kong for anyone coming here for the first time. It is the highest point on Hong Kong Island at 0.552km above sea level. In the 19th century this peak was even used as a lighthouse for incoming ships. Today, there are several ways to climb to the height to enjoy the excellent views.

• One way is by bus. To do this, you must first get to Metro Central, where you walk to Pier 5 or 7, where there is a bus stop. The bus goes from the pier to the top, but the travel time will be considerable - from 30 minutes to an hour. The road is winding, but on the way there are interesting views.
• The most budget way, difficult but also full of experiences, is to climb the peak on foot. To do this, go to the metro station Central or Hong Kong, go up the escalator and climb to the top. Once up, turn left onto Conduit Road, walk up Old Peak Road and watch the city views gradually change to forest views. In all, it takes about half an hour to walk up.
• The best and easiest way is to take the Peak Tram, which has been in operation since 1888. The only drawback is that there are a lot of people who want to go up, and you will have to stand in a long line. The actual walking time is about 7 minutes.

At the top of the mountain there are several viewing platforms with stunning views of the bay, green suburbs, and a view of the city with its skyscrapers and colossal infrastructure here opens up like the palm of your hand. There are also plenty of restaurants and cafes with dizzying views from the windows, as well as stores, an exhibition gallery, and the Madame Tussauds wax museum.

2. Disneyland Hong Kong (Lantau Island)

Since 2005, children and adults alike have been enjoying another, relatively new Hong Kong attraction - Disneyland. Here function the most exciting attractions and entertainment in the best traditions of Disneyland.

The peculiarity of Disneyland in Hong Kong is that it is built according to local traditions and rules of Feng Shui. The park includes several zones of different themes:

• Main Avenue USA;
• Adventure World;
• Future World;
• Fantasy World.

Despite the fact that the park itself is relatively small in size - 27.4 hectares, the most extreme and exciting attractions are concentrated here, there is something interesting and exciting at every step, there are a lot of small restaurants, souvenir shops, and every evening there is a bright show with fireworks. On national holidays, there are special themed events.

Among the attractions worthy of special attention are the following:

• Grizzly Gorge, an attraction that only Hong Kong Disneyland has. Here you go on a fascinating journey in a wagon through wild landscapes and various unexplored areas of land, and on the way there are various surprises waiting for you, as well as grizzly bears.
• Toyland is the land where everyone’s favorite cartoon characters “live”. There are three thrilling rides - the 27-meter arc race car, the Toy Soldier Parachute Drop flight attraction and the Slinky Dog Spin zigzag ride.
• Other attractions include Magic Characters Holidays, 3D entertainment, alien shows, a train ride through the park, a Broadway musical and more.

Hong Kong Disneyland is one of China’s most popular attractions.

Official website: https://www.hongkongdisneyland

3. Qim Sha Tsui Avenue (South of Kowloon Peninsula)

You don’t have to choose what to see in Hong Kong if you decide to visit Tsim Sha Tsui Avenue - this street passes by some of Hong Kong’s most popular and important landmarks. The avenue begins at the Clock Tower and runs along the entire cultural center of the city. Each and every one of the points of interest along it is worth a visit. This is why Tsim Sha Tsui attracts so many tourists, especially shopaholics. After all, this is a paradise for shopping fans - a lot of stores, malls, and restaurants are located on Tsim Sha Tsui.

• Hong Kong Museum of Art - houses about 16,000 exhibits about Hong Kong painting, sculpture, and art in general.
• Space Museum - huge exhibition hall devoted to the exploration of space and space exploration;
• Hong Kong Cultural Center - A multipurpose center that hosts a host of cultural events, exhibitions, festivals and theatrical productions.
• Avenue of the Stars - a 400-meter-long avenue along Victoria Harbor, built in the likeness of the Hollywood original. The main theme of Star Alley is the history of Hong Kong’s movie industry, so the sidewalk and pedestrian area here are lined with stars that bear the handprints of Hong Kong’s most popular actors.

There are plenty of tourist hotels and accommodation for all tastes and budgets along Tsim Sha Tsui Avenue.

4. Ocean Park (South of Hong Kong Island)

If you’re a fan of entertainment, you’re sure to find something to visit in Hong Kong. At the southern end of Hong Kong Island is a huge amusement park that’s as much fun for adults as it is for kids. This is the Ocean Park, with an area of 880,000 square kilometers, built in 1977 and reconstructed in 2005. This fantastic park is one of the most visited attractions in Hong Kong and the whole world, and every year it is visited by about 5 million people.

The famous park, in addition to the main part - the oceanarium, includes a theme park with different animals and an amusement park, where it is fun not only for children but also for adults. Now the park consists of 35 different attractions, divided into two zones - the top and the port, connected to each other by cable car and cable car.

Here you will find a rich program of entertainment, including:

• a journey underwater with sharks and rays;
• Meeting king penguins and other pole animals;
• Introduction to the world of Australian animals;
• a trip to the rainforest and introduction to its inhabitants;
• Explore the underwater world through a huge water screen;
• visit to the aquarium restaurant;
• Meet Asia’s rarest animals - giant and red pandas, Chinese alligators and salamanders.

In general, the Ocean Park is focused on supporting animal protection in Asia, so part of the proceeds from tickets sold go to support wildlife conservation projects.

Official website: https://www.oceanpark.com.hk/en

5. Alley of Stars in Hong Kong (Chimsachie East)

Thanks to the popularity of Hong Kong movies, many tourists already know a few things about Hong Kong such as the Avenue of Stars. At 440 metres long, this avenue is never deserted and attracts not only tourists but also Hong Kongers who come here for family reunions and photo opportunities.

There’s hardly a person in Hong Kong who can’t find something to see in Hong Kong’s Walk of Stars or be unimpressed after visiting it. After all, the whole Alley is decorated with different figures painted by movie stars themselves, and along it you can find figures of various employees of the film industry, with whom working scenes are depicted here.

There are also 101 plaques dedicated to stars of the film industry and their handprints on the Walk of Stars. Many Hong Kong actors are only known to Chinese film buffs, but others have achieved international fame, not least Jackie Chan. The star dedicated to the actor is especially popular on the Walk.

Here you can also see a bronze sculpture of Bruce Lee - fans here are also abundant, and everyone wants to touch the figure and take a commemorative photo.

There’s also a souvenir store in the Alley of Stars where you can buy a lot of memorabilia - from the mugs with Alley symbols to figurines of characters from your favorite movies.

Official website: https://www.hongkong-guides.

6. Big Buddha (Lantau Island)

On the island of Lantau, the statue of the Big Buddha rises on the hilltop of Ngonphing. This Hong Kong landmark is impressive in its size: the statue is 34 meters tall and weighs more than 250 tons, and stands on a mountain about 500 meters high. Unlike other sculptures of Buddha facing south, the Big Buddha faces north, as if to bless the land spread out before him. The Buddha’s right raised hand is folded in the Abhaya mudra to dispel fears, while his left lowered hand is folded in the Kubera mudra to make wishes come true. At the base of the figure is an impressive 3-tiered lotus-shaped pedestal, which is surrounded by six praying Bodhisattvas with various gifts that represent the virtues in Buddhism - meditation, diligence, mercy, kindness, patience and morality.

Inside the Big Buddha statue, there are halls on all three levels:

The first level is occupied by the Hall of Virtue, the walls of which are decorated with paintings depicting moments in the Buddha’s earthly life. Here one can also see a huge bell that strikes 108 beats every day, symbolizing the deliverance from the same number of different problems.

The second level is the Hall of the Universe (Jarmadhatu) where one can see the mesmerizing painting of the Sermon Fayim with the Bodhisattvas listening on it.

On the third floor is the Hall of Remembrance, which houses a portion of the Buddha’s relics. It is believed that those who see the relics of the Buddha may later see the Buddha himself.

You can get to the statue of the Big Buddha by cable car, which usually has long lines. Therefore, sometimes it is better to get here by bus from Tung Chung subway station.

Official website: http://www.plm.org.hk/eng

Hong Kong sights: what else to see while in Hong Kong

While varying in length and intensity, all excursions in Hong Kong have one thing in common - they are incredibly fascinating, and this city is completely different by day and by night. You can easily experience this at first hand by making a list of places to visit with our list of attractions.

7. Temple Street Market Night Market (Kowloon district)

Even after dark, there’s plenty to see in Hong Kong as the sun disappears over the horizon and the Temple Street Night Market opens. Merchants start lining up their wares, the stores come alive, fortune-tellers at the far end of the market begin their work, and colourful street performances kick off.

Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, a walk through the night market will bring you an unforgettable experience. Here is such a unique atmosphere that the market has repeatedly become a place where scenes of many famous films were unfolded.

Various souvenirs, memorable trinkets, different sorts of tea, watches, clothes, electronics, jade figurines, antiques, bags, disks and much more - all this is carefully considered and becomes the subject of trade. By the way, the night market is a great place to practice your bargaining skills and get a discount. In addition, it is an ideal place to buy in bulk, and the prices here are considerably lower than in the rest of Hong Kong, and you will be pleasantly surprised by the small amount spent on an impressive shipment of goods. At the same time, the food stalls here offer a wide range of reasonably priced delicacies, with seafood dishes predominating.

The Night Market at Temple Street Market is not just a market in the classic sense, so expect to see a few rows of clothes and food here, you will be pleasantly surprised. A lot of strange souvenirs, antiques, Asian delicacies will amaze your imagination with its variety. Tired from the walk, you can use the services of a masseur, a hairdresser, ask the future of the local fortune tellers or visit one of the street shows.

The Night Market is a unique Hong Kong landmark that exemplifies the festivity and flair of a Chinese market.

Official website: https://www.hongkong-guides

8. Jumbo Floating Restaurant (Aberdeen Bay)

Built in 1976, the Jumbo floating restaurant has become one of Hong Kong’s brightest landmarks. The restaurant, a unique architectural creation in the form of two ships in the Chinese style, is located in the district of Aberdeen, and if you do not know that it is a restaurant, you can really take it for a ship.

In general, the restaurant Jumbo includes two restaurants - Jumbo itself and Tai Pak, the rooms of which are decorated in the traditions of Chinese palaces, with lots of intricate decorations. Everything here is truly luxurious: solid and expensive furniture, the interior in the rich antique style, impeccable service and the manners of the staff. There is even an emperor’s throne in one of the restaurant’s halls, sitting on which you can feel like an almighty ruler.

The menu is equally astonishing in its abundance and scope. Hundreds of presented dishes so amaze imagination that it is impossible to stop at one choice. Shark fin soup, lobster salad, turtle soup, steamed bass, and drunken shrimp are just a fraction of the rich menu. The flavors of individual dishes are so specific that despite the high prices, you’re unlikely to finish some of them. The waiters often like to observe the reaction of the customers to the served viands.

The floating restaurant can be reached by ferry that leaves from Aberdeen or Shum Wan piers.

Official website: http://www.jumbo.com.hk/en

9. Wong Tai Sin Temple (Kowloon Peninsula)

Step out of the Wong Tai Sin subway station and follow the signs for a bit and you’ll see another significant Hong Kong landmark, especially popular among Confucianists and Buddhists, the Wong Tai Sin Temple.

The shrine was founded in honor of the Taoist deity of healing, who represented the reincarnation of a real person, the hermit Wong Tai Sin (in life Huang Chu Ping), who lived in the 4th century AD. According to the historical description, which is stored in the temple itself, Chu Ping was born and raised in a very poor family, from an early age he knew poverty. At the age of 15, he met a certain saint on Mount Red Pine. Since then he began to learn Taoism and 40 years later returned to that mountain and settled there.

In 1915, a certain businessman who had come to Hong Kong, Leung Zhenyang, set up a shop for Chinese medicine. He also revived the departed faith of Chu Ping by building an altar behind the shop. But in 1918, both his store and the altar burned down. In 1921, a temple named after the Immortal of Mount Red Pine was built, and it was not until 1954 that it was opened to all visitors.

The Wong Tai Sin Temple is built in the best of Chinese tradition and is richly decorated with fine carvings, yellow lattices, and red columns. The altars there are dedicated to Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian deities. The temple complex comprises several halls, including the Bronze Pavilion, the Hall of the Three Saints, the Hall of Archives, the Confucian Hall, the Yue Hing Temple, and the Garden of Wishes. Nearby shops sell souvenirs, herbs, incense and religious paraphernalia.

Official website: http://www1.siksikyuen.org.hk

10. Tai O Fishing Village (west of Lantau Island)

Tai O is often referred to as the “Venice of Hong Kong”, but it is really just a traditional fishing village located on the western side of Lantau Island. Most of the structures here stand on stilts right in the water, and boats are the main mode of transport. Along the shoreline of the fishing village, streams of sea and river water merge. Thanks to this, beautiful mangroves grow on the soil here.

Here, more than anywhere else, you’ll find the character and flavor of old Hong Kong. In some places, the homes of Hong Kong’s earliest inhabitants, the thanakas, still stand, and local people’s livelihoods are still found here through fishing and the sale of dried seafood. Thanks to the surviving traditions, Tai O has become a distinctive Hong Kong attraction that attracts a flood of tourists, attracting visitors with its unique flavour and fresh fish dishes. You can also visit several historical museums and a temple, take a boat trip, and if you’re lucky, spot rare white dolphins. Walking through the village streets, you can buy and taste local delicacies such as fried rice donuts or soy kefir, spinach fried with shrimp paste or salted fish with ginger, and much more.

11. Hong Kong Skyline

The skyline is the name given to a string of giant skyscrapers along the coast of Victoria Bay. While it’s hard not to notice the sleek modern facades of these buildings during the day, you’ll never know when they’re lit up in style at night. And every evening at 8 am a fantastic laser show is projected on the high-rises - this show is unique in the world. Hundreds of city visitors and locals gather on viewing platforms across the bay to watch the amazing show. You can watch the show from different points, and from each new angle it is perceived differently. The show begins with a few beams and unfolds into a real extravaganza of colors accompanied by music. This impressive show is called “Symphony of Lights”, and tourists from all over the world come to see it.

12. Victoria Cove

Planning your Hong Kong itinerary is endless, with new attractions popping up every year that’s impossible to ignore. But what can you see in Hong Kong in 10 hours if you’re passing through the metropolis and don’t want to miss out on the chance to get at least partly acquainted with the vast city? Perhaps a must on the itinerary of any tourist, even those arriving in Hong Kong for half a day, is Victoria Harbour, one of the city’s most emblematic sites. It’s long been a harbor, but that’s not what attracts tourists. Not so important is the view of the waterfront surrounding the bay, and all the attention is occupied by the surrounding architecture, striking in its scale and design solutions. Particularly popular on the coast is the famous Victoria Peak, which is the highest point of the island. On the high ground is a cluster of restaurants, parks, and an observation deck that offers a stunning panorama of the city.

13. Hong Kong Park (Central District)

Few would argue that Hong Kong is a stone jungle, a veritable forest of dizzying skyscrapers. But people sometimes need a breath of fresh air and a piece of nature so much that right in the middle of the urban jungle Hong Kong was created an island of plants, where you can escape from the endless city rush. This is Hong Kong Park, an oasis in the middle of the city where the main elements are abundant greenery and running water, linking together different park compositions. Here you can see a variety of man-made ponds, streams, waterfalls and magnificent landscape compositions. The variety of exotic flora and many tropical birds that live in the park create a wonderful tropical ambience. In addition to the greenery and water, the park has a number of interesting museums to offer its visitors, and an observation deck in the form of a 30-meter tower, and an amphitheater with 900 seats, and a cafe, and even a registry office.

Official website: https://www.lcsd.go

14. Nan Lian Garden

Another corner of peace and tranquility in the heart of huge Hong Kong is the modern Nan Lian Garden, opened in the 2000s. Today it’s one of the most picturesque parks in the metropolis, located in the Kowloon district and occupying more than 35,000 square meters. In the northern part of the park is the Chilin Monastery - Nan Lian was planned as part of the monastery complex. Therefore the main thematic concept of the park is its full compliance with Feng Shui rules, and today Nan Lian is designed in the best traditions of ancient Chinese parks: pavilions alternate with terraces, lotus ponds and bridges add to this splendor. The main pavilion of Absolute Perfection is situated in the very center of the lake. The second pavilion is the Tea House erected on the water in the form of a wooden corridor for tea parties. Temporary exhibitions are held in the Flavor Room, and a local eatery serves exclusively Lenten vegetarian dishes.

Official website: http://www.nan

15. Kowloon Park

Every part of Hong Kong is famous for something interesting and unique. Kowloon Peninsula, while seemingly as bustling as anywhere else, still has its own quiet corner, the massive Kowloon Park, which offers a respite from the frenetic pace of Hong Kong. The park once housed military barracks, but they were demolished in the 1970s, and a wonderful park of 14 hectares has grown, which now has everything you need for a relaxing stroll - picturesque ponds, green alleys, shady corners, Chinese landscape gardens, and a variety of sculptures. This place is not only pleasant by its views, but also interesting by its inhabitants. For example, near the ponds you can see pink flamingos, and right near the observation deck there is a large round aviary with parrots of different breeds. An added bonus for vacationers is that visiting the park is absolutely free.

Official website: https://www.lcsd.gov

16. Science Museum

The 1992 Science Museum is a corner of learning about man’s great inventions. It is located in Hong Kong next door to the History Museum. Impressive is the area of the museum, which is as much as 6 square kilometers. In this area housed as much as 17 exhibition sites, showing about half a thousand exhibits. The exhibition topics include five zones - an introductory exposition, science of nature, technology, natural history and children’s exhibition. The center of the museum hall is the main exhibit, the real symbol of the museum - a giant 22-meter high energy machine, demonstrating transformation of energy. Most of the exhibits are interactive and can be touched and studied with your own hands. A variety of levers and buttons allow you to perform a variety of simple experiments, through which some physical phenomena are explained.

Official website: https://hk.science.museum

17. The Hong Kong Museum of History (Tsim Sha Tsui District)

Those who want to know all about Hong Kong from a historical perspective should visit the Hong Kong History Museum, which features thousands of exhibits relating to Hong Kong’s history, starting from ancient times. Eight galleries cover the entire history of Hong Kong, from prehistoric times to the present. Giant dioramas focus on the daily life of Hong Kong’s ancient people, with insights into the settlement excavations of the Song, Ming and Tang periods, as well as displays of stone and bone tools. The ceramics hall features interesting pottery, the new history hall has exhibits related to fishing, samples of Chinese dwellings and demonstrations of the traditional tea ceremony. On the second floor is the Modern History Room with the first typewriters, documents, photographs, and tableware. An attractive two-story tramway shows a video of the history of pre-war transportation.

Official website: https://hk.history

18. Hong Kong Museum of Art (Chimsacheui District)

The Hong Kong Museum of Art is a must-visit destination for anyone who would like to explore Chinese art in more detail. Today the collection is impressive in size and artistic value, with around 15,000 works on display, including old paintings and calligraphy, antiques and jewelry, unique drawings and prints, and the creations of contemporary artists. The antiquity collection displays articles made of bronze, ceramics, enamel jade, samples of ancient fabrics and traditional clothes. The hall of historical painting presents about a thousand paintings in oil, pencil and watercolor. In addition to permanent exhibitions, two special halls of the museum regularly organize temporary exhibitions. A small exposition of sculptures, located on the open area in front of the museum building, is also noteworthy.

Official website: https://hk.art.museum

19. Hong Kong Cultural Heritage Museum (Sha Tin District)

The Hong Kong Heritage Museum, founded in 2000, showcases a unique interweaving of history, culture and art in a variety of organized programs. Local exhibitions focus on creative and living local culture, including design, photography, Cantonese opera, intangible heritage, and popular culture. It also traces the subtle interconnection of the world’s cultures with the people of China, particularly Hong Kong. To attract more visitors, the museum periodically hosts colorful and fascinating exhibitions aimed at both educating and entertaining visitors. On an area of 7,500 square meters, several halls are dedicated to Cantonese opera, where the basic secrets of preparing for a spectacular performance are revealed, from preparing makeup to dancing and music.

Official website: https://www.heritagemuseum

20. Hong Kong Coastal Defense Museum

The Old Coastal Defence Fort, built in the 19th century by British forces to defend the approaches to Victoria Harbour, is a military history museum that tells the history of coastal defence during the Qing and Ming dynasties, major wars and other historic events. The museum was founded in 1999 and its exhibition is arranged in three sections: the reception hall, redoubt and historic route. The interior of the redoubt serves as exhibition galleries with permanent exhibitions related to the history of the coastal defense. Among the memorabilia inside the redoubt, a huge cannon with a caliber of about 18 cm and weighing about 5 tons, a torpedo station, and a battery built to defend the harbor against destroyers using small high-speed missiles are particularly notable.

21. Museum of Cosmonautics

The complex of museum buildings, including the Museum of Arts and the Cultural Centre, also includes the Space Museum, which stands out because of its enormous egg-shaped hemispherical roof. The museum, opened in 1980, houses the world’s first planetarium with an automated control system and other advanced technological features. The planetarium, created to popularize space and astronomical sciences, is housed in the east wing of the museum, with space science halls, space theater, and workshops, while the west wing houses the astronomy hall, souvenir stores, and astronomical literature. Advanced interactive equipment allows visitors to learn about the cosmos in the clearest possible way, penetrating into its mysteries. The museum’s huge domed screen regularly shows the best multimedia shows and foreign films, which are broadcast through headphones in several languages.

Official website: https://www.lcsd.gov

22. Museum of Optical Illusions

Go beyond the usual tour format with a visit to the Museum of Optical Illusions, whose exhibitions are based on 3D technology and various innovations. The creators of the expositions were able to skillfully and interestingly play up each unfolding story in the form of compositions in which the visitor himself becomes the central figure. How the storyline of the exposition develops depends on the visitor himself and his imagination. This allows you to escape from the mundane everyday life into a world of optical illusions, plunging into a fantastic atmosphere and being in an unusual situation. The exhibition has about 70 three-dimensional paintings, located in several thematic rooms. For example, you can appear inside a beautiful blooming flower, visit a rainbow, stay on a palm tree, hover over an abyss, be in a boat with the characters of Monet paintings or sit next to Mona Lisa herself.

Official website: http://trickeye.com

23. Madame Tussauds Museum

It may take more than a month to explore all the delights of Hong Kong’s metropolis - every day here, you can find new places of interest and not get bored. So what can you see in Hong Kong in 5 days? Here’s hoping you can turn a five-day city-break into a full-on tour of the most interesting sights. Among the museums, Madame Tussauds stands out, which invariably attracts visitors with the opportunity to “personally” meet the world’s most famous people, or more precisely, with their lifelike wax copies. The sculptures are so realistic that sometimes it takes your breath away to see another celebrity. It is worth noting that the creation of each new double takes about six months and a few hundred thousand dollars, and over the creation of working with about 20 experts. By the way, all the figures are called “wax figures” out of old habit - in fact, they have long been made of high-quality silicone.

Official site: https://www.madam

24. Museum of Tea Utensils

You can get a glimpse of China’s tea culture, the intricacies of the traditional ceremony, and even experience drinking in person at the Tea Ware Museum located amid the greenery of Hong Kong City Park. An excursion to this place turns into a unique journey into ancient Hong Kong, during which you can see the rarest Chinese tea wares and taste drinks of the most valuable tea varieties. The snow-white palace building itself, which houses the museum, is very much in keeping with its theme - it was made in the 19th century in the Greek style and is decorated with graceful Ionic columns. Among visitors the most popular exhibition, showing the basic rules and features of the preparation and serving of the drink. There’s a small store with tea accessories and a variety of teas at the museum. And there’s also a cozy tea house nearby, where you can enjoy a high-class drink.

Official website: https://hk.art.museum

25. Po Lin Monastery (Lantau Island)

Checking out Hong Kong’s interesting places on the map, you can see that the Po Lin Buddhist Monastery is located on green Lantau Island. Today, against the backdrop of the bustling streets of the metropolis, Lantau is a contrasting corner of silence and solitude, the development of which once began with the erection of Po Linh. Visitors to Lantau are attracted not only by the picturesque nature and authentic monastery, but also by the famous statue of Buddha. The monastery itself was founded at the beginning of the last century by Buddhist monks, and before the construction of the colossal Buddha it has attracted little attention from tourists. With the appearance of a giant sculpture of Buddha has dramatically increased flow of those wishing to get to this region, and immediately the transport issue was resolved, there was a modern cable car. Within the complex are several temples, strikingly beautiful architecture, majestic statues of wood and enchanting decorations of fresh flowers.

Official website: http://www.plm.

26. Chilin Women’s Convent (Diamond Hill District)

When it’s time to take a break from the city noise, it’s time to indulge in some traditional Chinese culture in a secluded spot on the Kowloon Peninsula where the massive Buddhist complex of Chilin and the adjacent Nan Liang Sala are located. The construction of the park area here began in 1934 with the construction of the monastery itself, and half a century later the severely dilapidated temple was reconstructed using the Tang dynasty architectural style with its traditional methods of wooden construction without the use of nails. The renovated monastery was officially opened in 2000, and today the complex includes a nunnery, a temple, Chinese gardens, a vegetarian restaurant and a hostel for temporary residents. In the temple halls lurk such treasures as statues of Buddha and figures of other bodhisattvas. A walk through the gardens of the Tang dynasty, with their hilly landscapes, lotus ponds, rocky stones and lush vegetation, completes the experience.

27. Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery (Sha Tin District)

Buddhist temples are not necessarily ancient structures - the Monastery of the Ten Thousand Buddhas, for example, is less than a century old and still receiving crowds of tourists and pilgrims. The monastery was founded by a simple layman, although he was a devout preacher of Buddhism and his sermons attracted many parishioners. In order to make the speeches more organized, the temple was built, but for many years its interior was supplemented by countless statuettes of Buddha. And today the number of Buddhas has passed the ten thousand mark and reaches 13 thousand - all statuettes are gilded and have a small height of 30 cm. When you first look at all of them may seem the same, but gradually new features are revealed - it becomes clear that some Buddhas are smiling, some laughing, some angry, the fourth shouting, the fifth thinking. The abode is spread out on the slopes of a rocky hill, and all the structures are united by a staircase of 431 steps.

Official website: http://www.hongkon

28. Happy Valley and Sathin Hippodromes (Sathin County)

So many Hong Kongers are big gamblers, and during race season, tens of thousands of people flock to racecourses, and those who can’t make it to the track for various reasons rush to betting venues. Among the largest and most popular racetracks are two - the old Happy Valley, founded in the mid-19 th century and holds up to 40 thousand people, and modern Sathin, built in the 70s of last century and holds up to 85 thousand spectators. Both are run by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Everyone chooses a racetrack to their liking, because they are different not only in size and age, but also in character. If Happy Valley is a legendary place with an atmosphere of unbridled excitement, Sathin is a more equipped, modern and relaxed place for the true connoisseurs of horse racing.

Official website: https://entertainment

29. Qingma Bridge

Qingma is a bridge that is famous for its length and construction. After all, it is one of the world’s longest suspension bridges and connects eastern Qing Island and western Mawan, hence its name. The total length of the construction is about 40 kilometers, the structure has two levels - on the upper level there is a broad highway, on the lower level - railroad tracks. The main span of the bridge with the length of almost 1,4 kilometers is also the longest in the world among bridges on which the railway traffic. And no wonder, because the total length of the strongest cables supporting the structure is 160 thousand kilometers! During typhoons, which are not uncommon in Hong Kong, there is a specially protected lower deck for cars. Currently, Tsingma is not only a busy roadway, but also a popular tourist attraction, it has a panoramic center.

Official website: http://www.discove

30. Zoo and botanical garden (Victoria Peak)

Family travelers won’t have long to look for things to see in Hong Kong with kids, because not every major city offers as many attractions, parks and playgrounds as Hong Kong. For those whose kids love animals, you can recommend the Grand Oceanarium and Hong Kong Zoo, which combines a botanic park and a zoo. The latter was founded in 1871 and is set on the scenic slope of Victoria Peak. The main treasure of the zoo is about 700 inhabitants, among which - a large number of primates, as well as reptiles, turtles, snakes and birds. Although the small area does not allow you to keep large animals, but visiting the park is absolutely free. A beautiful zoo occupies 5 hectares and contains about a thousand species of tropical plants, including 20 species of bamboo, 30 species of palms, as well as blooming camellias, magnolias, azaleas, and an abundance of other vegetation.

31. The Hong Kong Tram

Even with two days in Hong Kong, there are plenty of places to see - the main thing is to plan your route correctly and make the most of your mini-trip. One of the best ways to discover all the flavor of the metropolis, feel its essence and energy is a ride through the city on an absolutely amazing transport, a double-decker streetcar. But while the sight of such a streetcar is something fantastic for tourists, for locals it has long been a familiar means of public transport without which it is difficult to imagine Hong Kong. Hong Kong was once a British colony, and that’s where the peculiar transport came from - many are probably familiar with London’s double-decker buses. All streetcar lines run through the oldest part of Hong Kong, there are about 170 streetcars, and it’s a great way to have a budget city walk.

Official website: https://www.hktramways

32. Star Ferry

Ferry service between Hong Kong, Kowloon Island and some other islands is not just a form of local transport that has been around for a century and a half without losing its relevance. The charming boats that ply the waters of Victoria Bay are a veritable symbol of Hong Kong. One of the city’s oldest ferries is the Star Ferry, suitable not only for crossing, but also for enjoying the thrill of a boat ride both by day and by night. Evening time on the “star” ferry is a period of fantastic spectacle, when the water offers mesmerizing views of city panoramas with illuminated giant skyscrapers. A particularly auspicious moment is 8 p.m., when the Skyline of Hong Kong becomes the site of a laser show. And take the TurboJet and Cotai Water Jet across the water to explore the sights of Macau.

33. Ngongping 360 (Lantau Island)

The city’s finest landmarks are high up on Lantau Island, from the imposing giant Buddha statue to the scenic Po Lin Monastery and the Wisdom Path lined with wooden stelae carved with Sutra scriptures. This magnificent region used to be accessible only on foot or by bus until the modern Ngonping 360 cable car opened here in 2005. Now the way to the mountains is a pleasure, it takes about half an hour and brings inexpressible emotions from contemplation of the extraordinary natural scenery. The cable car is about 6 kilometers long, its lower station is located on the coast of Lantau, and the top station is located near Ngonping Square. The ropeway is equipped with the latest design elements and has three types of cabins - standard for several people, “crystal” with a transparent glass bottom, as well as private, the most comfortable.

Official website: https://www.np360

34. Peak-tram funicular

Victoria Peak is one of the most sought-after and desirable tourist spots, and thousands of visitors daily make their way here to admire the city’s magnificent panoramas from a height of half a kilometer. There are several ways to get to the top of Victoria Peak, but the most popular is on the Peak Tram, which dates back to the late 19th century and was Asia’s first cable car. At the time it was the only way to get between the lower settlements and the mountainous areas. The cable car was originally powered by a steam engine, and only many years later was it equipped with electric traction. The entire trip takes about 8 minutes and winds its way through Hong Kong’s oldest historic districts. The upgraded cable car is equipped with an automatic speed control system and can reach up to 6 meters per second.

35. Sky 100 Viewpoint

When it comes to places with the best view of the megacity, a visit to the 60-metre Hong Kong Ferris Wheel might be advisable, but it is significantly inferior to the Sky 100 observation deck located on the hundredth floor of Hong Kong’s tallest building, the 490-metre Sky 100. The Sky 100 is the highest indoor observation deck in the city, with a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of Victoria Bay and the surrounding city. It is located on the hundredth floor of the International Center building at a height of about 400 meters. The Sky 100 is also known for its regular multimedia exhibitions with laser technology, which provide a fascinating insight into the history and culture of Hong Kong. Located at the site, a peculiar map depicting the most important city objects allows you to choose a route for your next trip right there.

Official website: https://sky100.com

36. “Dragon’s Back”

Hong Kong residents are big hikers, so all of Hong Kong’s islands are covered with a network of hiking trails and trekking routes of varying difficulty. One of the most famous trails of this kind is called Dragon’s Back, which is an optimal combination of low difficulty and the best views. The route passes through the tops of two hills, connecting them and their outline as if resembling a “dragon’s ridge”. The total length of this trail is about 8 kilometers, and it takes about 5 hours to cover the entire route. The views of the South China Sea, local villages, beaches, and even the neighboring Lamma Island from high points are fascinating during the hike. There are exotic plants and colorful butterflies along the ridge, and a large observation deck at the highest point of the trail.

Official website: http://www.discoverh

If you’ve been to Hong Kong, be sure to visit the capital of China, Beijing! We have prepared a review for you about the best sights of Beijing to inspire you for further travel in China.

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• Hong Kong
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