Last updated on August 19th, 2023 at 12:24 am
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I never used to care much about scenic spots in Hong Kong but ever since moving back to the city, I now truly realized what a gorgeous place it is.
There are tons of HK Instagram spots all around. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, these are the places to go to take pretty pictures.
HK Instagram Spots:
1) Rainbow Estate
Rainbow estate also known as Choi Hung estate is in Ngau Chi Wan, Kowloon.
The name is pretty self-explanatory. It’s a building with rainbow colours.
We drove around for a bit trying to find this place. Since there’s a basketball court, I thought that rainbow estate would be on the ground floor. You actually have to climb the stairs through the parking lot.
If you can’t find it, ask around because people go there to take pictures all the time. It’s a very popular HK Instagram spot.
I came here around sunset so it was very lively. People around were playing basketball, hanging out in groups, and happily chatting away on their phones.
You’re going to have to go early in the morning if you want a picture without people.
In pictures, the building looks bright but in reality, the colours are more muted. Hello photoshop.
If you’re here, visit Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nursery as well. It’s a 5-minute drive from Choi Hung estate.
That would be three Hong Kong Instagram spots in less than one day. What an amazing feat!
2) Nan Lian Garden/Chi Lin Nunnery
The pictures floating around of Nan Lian Garden often include a red bridge. People are crowding around to take good photos but you can also take a stroll while you’re there. It’s a nice little area.
Directly across from Nan Lian Garden is Chi Lin Nunnery, a temple. Not only is the architecture beautiful but so are the ponds. It’s a really pretty sight and makes you wonder why it’s not more popular.
The other places on this list are great but Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery are underrated in my opinion.
These two HK Instagram spots are so close to the Rainbow Estate that if you visit one location, you might as well go to the other.
When you’re driving to Nan Lian Garden from Rainbow estate, there are obvious signs that will point you in the right direction. It gets annoying when you’re trying to find a place without signs. No need to worry about that with this spot.
3) K11 Musea
There’s a mall in Tsim Sha Tsui called K11 Musea. It’s one of the prettiest malls in the city and proves that you don’t need to go far for instagrammable places.
K11 Musea stands out because it’s not your typical local mall. The interior design is what makes the place unique. It’s an innovative, artsy, and modern place.
The stores and restaurants inside the mall are quite high-end but you can grab some food in their food court in the basement. Depending on where you live, the food court doesn’t sound appetizing but HK’s food courts aren’t bad at all.
They even have a bakery called Gontran Cherrier that’s delicious. Their croissants are wonderful. On the weekends, there’s always a line to buy baked goods from there.
If you are in the shopping mood and want to look for something cheaper, go to Granville road instead for affordable clothes. It’s about a 15-minute walk from K11 Musea.
4) The Peak
An iconic HK Instagram spot.
A lot of photos that represent Hong Kong are pictures of the Victoria peak.
Getting here isn’t as hard as you think. You can drive up here but I highly recommend taking the peak tram. During your ride there up and down, you can enjoy the view of the city.
On their website, you can even buy a bundle package for a peak tram ticket and Sky Terrace 428. Sky Terrace 428 is a high platform for people to enjoy unobstructed views of the city.
It does cost extra though so if you’re trying to save money, it’s best to skip out on that.
The views are still pretty even just with the peak tram.
Also, be sure to sit on the right side of the tram. The side of the tram I was sitting on had mostly rocks and trees. The train ride there was extremely packed so I couldn’t get any good photos on my way up. I learned my lesson and scrambled for a seat on the correct side on our way down.
While you’re at the peak, you can walk a trail and take in the local nature. There are also shops and restaurants to check out.
5) Disneyland
HK Disneyland is a bit special because you have to pay to get in. For other locations on this list, you only have to find a way to get there. The place itself is free. For Disney, you can’t get in without paying for a ticket.
This Disneyland location is often overlooked because it’s smaller compared to the other ones around the world.
HK Disneyland is more intimate so it’s generally not as busy.
Doesn’t it suck when you want to go on a ride and have to wait for more than 30+ minutes for a 2-minute ride?
Waiting in lines for rides can take up a long time, but in this location, you can go on the same ride multiple times with little wait.
The fun attractions here will keep you busy. Locals and tourists still like to flock here on weekends and during public holidays.
Those who enjoy theme parks should visit the local theme park in Hong Kong called Ocean Park. It’s bigger than Disney and another great HK Instagram spot.
6) Tai O
I’ve already written a long blog post about Tai O so this section will be short.
Tai O is a small size village outside of the city center. It’s this little gem people tend to visit for a quick day trip. This village is known for its stilt houses but there is also street art that’s worth looking at.
In addition, there’s also fresh seafood, dolphin boat rides, temples, a hiking trail, and more.
It has an entirely different vibe than being in the city. Something else to experience.
7) Big Buddha
Next up, we have Big Buddha. It’s a hot spot for tourists and often a representation of Hong Kong.
Taking the cable car to see the Big Buddha allows for photograph opportunities and to oversee the city.
Not everyone is going to want to do this but you can even get a good workout in by walking up to where the Buddha is. There are about 300 steps.
Those determined to make it up top shouldn’t bring much with them. A little bit of extra weight can be exhausting when you’re carrying things with you as you walk up the steps.
I also recommend spending some time in Ngong Ping village (it’s a 10-minute walk from Big Buddha). The village has that Chinese historic vibes so those who like older architecture will appreciate it here.
8) Monster Building
Monster building is one of those places you won’t believe is real until it’s right in front of your face.
There are pictures of this building plastered across social media. You’ve probably seen a picture of it if you’ve seen photos related to Hong Kong before.
Hollywood movies have come here to film to show dystopia and overpopulation.
It’s unbelievable how many people live here.
Finding our way to Monster building took some time. We needed assistance from a local resident. As we made small talk on our way over, he suggested coming back at night time. All the lights would be turned on then and it looks different than how it looks in the daytime.
9) Mong Kok
This area is mainly known for shopping but it’s more than that. There’s also a lot to eat around here which is why it’s always crazy busy.
You’ll always find this area squeezed with people after work, on the weekends, and during public holidays.
Mong Kok is famously known for Ladies Street. Every day, these stalls fill the street. People cramp in there to buy miscellaneous items like funny signs, keychains, and socks.
Nearby is sneaker street. Sneaker lovers will love this as it’s a street with stores selling all kinds of sneaker brands.
Of course, there are also nearby shopping malls as well.
Mong Kok is a must-visit HK Instagram spot if you’re here. Even locals come shopping here for good deals like clothes and gift stores.
One tip is to come to this district around mid-afternoon. Many stores don’t open around 1-2 pm. You can also consider swinging by after dinner. It’s pretty at night with all the neon light signs.
10) Wong Dai Sin Temple
There are several temples spread across the city but a temple worth visiting is the Wong Dai Sin Temple. This picturesque temple will satisfy your appetite for pretty views.
During holidays like Chinese New Year, it’s jam-packed with people praying for all sorts of things like wealth and love.
I first came here on a regular weekend around 10:30 am and even then, it was a lot of people.
You see people crowding around to look for a good spot to pray.
There’s something you can try at Wong Dai Sin temple called kau chim. You grab a cup at a nearby counter filled with sticks (it’s free). You kneel, ask your question and shake the cup until one stick falls out.
The stick has a number on it and you bring it to one of the dozens of fortune tellers for interpretation (some can speak languages other than Cantonese so look at their signs).
Chinese dramas have scenes of people going to kau chim. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and now, I can say I did it too. The experience was pretty cool.
11) Harbour City
Harbour City is another mall in TST you can visit. It’s not necessarily about the mall (although there are cool decorations around holidays like Christmas) but the surrounding area.
The ferry is nearby and allows you to snap away pictures of Victoria Harbour. You can even ride the ferry from the Kowloon side to the Hong Kong Island side while taking in the view.
However, it is not necessary to take the ferry for good pictures. In front of Harbour City, you’ll see people lining up all over the railing to pose for pictures.
Avenue of Stars (a place to honour HK celebrities) and 1881 Heritage Hotel (think European-style type of hotel) is also steps away.
As for the mall itself, it’s a huge place with hundreds of stores. There’s a mix of both luxurious and affordable shopping.
There’s even a Cheesecake Factory there if you’re craving some American food.
Final Thoughts – HK Instagram Spots
There’s a plethora of places to go to get the best photos in the city.
In this list, I’ve named places that are convenient to visit like Tsim Sha Tsui but also places that are further away. Big Buddha and Tai O require more effort to get there but it’s also worth it if you want a change from the usual city stuff.
These photos are worth adding to your social media feed. Even if you’re not into social media, pictures of these ultimate Hong Kong Instagram spots are great to share with your loved ones.
Now to You – HK Instagram Spots
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Xoxo,
Nicole