Last updated on August 19th, 2023 at 12:27 am
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With so much to see in Hong Kong, I’m going to narrow down the top attractions in Hong Kong. So you don’t have to waste any time but focus on these few to get the full experience while visiting the city.
Let’s get started!
Hong Kong Top Attractions List
Hong Kong Disneyland
First up is Hong Kong Disneyland.
Yes, there’s one in Hong Kong.
It might be smaller than the one in Shanghai and Tokyo but the Hong Kong one is worth visiting.
Rides such as Mystic Manor, Iron Man, and Buzz Lightyear are pretty fun.
It’s possible to go on multiple rides without waiting that long, which is something you can’t say about the other Disneylands around the world.
Try to pick a day and time when it’s not so busy so you can finish the whole park in one day. There’s a feeling of sense of accomplishment when you do so.
There are also many stores, restaurants, character greetings, and shows to keep you entertained. It is called the happiest place on earth for a reason.
Ocean Park
Did you know that there are actually two theme parks in Hong Kong? One is Disneyland and the other one is called Ocean Park. You might not have heard of it because it’s local but don’t dismiss it right away.
In comparison to Disney, Ocean Park is bigger and tickets cost less. The vibe is also not the same. While Disney is more fun and exciting, Ocean Park has more of a chill and natural vibe.
They also have a seal as a mascot and it’s the cutest little thing.
If you’ve been to other Disneylands before, I recommend going to Ocean Park. It’s something different and there’s a much wider range of activities to keep you busy. People even say one day at Ocean Park isn’t enough.
You’ll also be able to get some unique souvenirs here that you can’t find elsewhere.
Shopping
Shopping is essential when you visit Hong Kong. It’s what the city is known for!
The four main shopping areas in Hong Kong are Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Causeway Bay, and Central.
Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui is one of the best neighbourhoods for tourists and locals. There’s shopping, eating, attractions, and even a wide variety of museums.
The biggest mall in Hong Kong is in Tsim Sha Tsui. It’s called Harbour City and it has hundreds of shops inside. There’s even a Cheesecake Factory.
Within a 15-20 minute walk, there’s a beautiful mall called K11 Musea. Along with 1881 Heritage, it’s arguably the most visually appealing mall in the city.
Walk the pathway from Harbour City to K11 Musea to appreciate an ocean view of Hong Kong. That’s Victoria Harbour and one of the top attractions in Hong Kong. There are constantly tourists there trying to snap pictures of the view.
As you’re walking from one mall to another, another tourist attraction you’ll pass by is The Avenue of Stars. It’s equivalent to The Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Another thing to do while in Tsim Sha Tsui is take the star ferry to cross to Hong Kong Island side. The ferry ride is affordable, fun, and unique to Hong Kong. It’s also another way to enjoy the city view!
Mong Kok
Mong Kok is the best place to be for inexpensive shopping.
This is probably the best place to get souvenirs. There will be gift stores all around top attractions in Hong Kong near The Peak and Tsim Sha Tsui but they can get pretty overpriced.
In Mong Kok, you’ll find all sorts of miscellaneous items like fun gifts, electronics, Korean skincare, sneakers, pre-loved luxury stores, flowers, Korean clothes, and even goldfish.
Personally, it’s one of my favourite areas to visit and shop in Hong Kong.
Do note that Mong Kok gets extremely crowded on the weekends. It’s one of the busiest places in the city.
The stores here do open later so for a full experience, come here on weekdays after work when the place comes to life. This way, you’ll get to see all the neon lights, something Hong Kong is known for, and not have to be worried to be squished like a bug.
Causeway Bay/Central
Along with Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay is another major shopping area in Hong Kong.
The two shopping districts on the HK Island side are Causeway Bay and Central. Upscale shoppers should visit Central. It’s the city’s financial district so there are multiple high-end luxury stores like Hermes, Chanel, Prada, and Gucci.
Central is quite empty on weekends so it’s a perfect time to go shopping.
On the other hand, Causeway Bay also has some designer stores but it’s more a mix of affordable and luxury shopping.
It’s another great location for dining. There are dozens and dozens of restaurants to choose from with all kinds of cuisines. Come on, you have to try at least one dim sum restaurant while you’re here.
While you’re at Causeway Bay, don’t forget to take the tram.
The tram is a public transportation system in Hong Kong that’s used to get around to different districts on the Hong Kong Island side.
It’s a way of experiencing history as the ding ding (what locals call it affectionately here) has been in the city for over a century. It’s also another way of seeing city sights. But it’s not the fastest way to get from one place to another.
If you’re in a rush or only have 24 hours in Hong Kong, take the tram for a short while before hopping off it. You won’t feel too bad about wasting money because taking the tram is one of the cheapest ways to get around the city.
The Peak
Hands down, The Peak is one of the top attractions in Hong Kong. It’s often a popular place tourists and locals come to during the holidays because it’s where you can visit the highest point in the city.
Take the peak tram from Central to get to The Peak. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out Madam Tussauds wax museum, Peak Galleria, and the hiking trail.
Lan Kwai Fong
When it comes to nightlife in Hong Kong, a place you’ll often hear over, again and again, is Lan Kwai Fong. It’s in Central and most active during the evening. It’s a spot where locals gather around after work and on weekends for a plethora of bar options.
There is no shortage of choices as many restaurants and bars are right next to each other. Even if the bar you wanted is packed, within a few minutes’ walk, you’ll find at least another 5-10 places you can go.
Perfect for those who want to go drinking or clubbing. It’s a great hang-out spot at night when everything else is closed.
The only downside is that it does require a bit of an uphill walk.
Big Buddha
In many places, there’s always one statue or building that defines the city. In Hong Kong, it’s Tian Tan Buddha. It is a large bronze statue of the Buddha on Lantau Island.
To see Big Buddha up close, you can take a bus, taxi, or cable car. The most preferred way is to take a cable car from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping. Once you arrive in Ngong Ping, Big Buddha is within walking distance.
Do wear comfortable shoes as there are a few hundred steps to go up to The Buddha.
Near The Buddha, there’s also Po Lin Monastery. It’s another top tourist attraction you can get to quickly and you might as well since you came so far to see the Big Buddha.
Ngong Ping
Technically, people tend to group Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, and Ngong Ping village but I’m going to do it separately. Or else The Big Buddha paragraph would be a little too long.
As mentioned above, the best way to visit Ngong Ping is by taking the cable car from Tung Chung. It’s about a 25-30 minute ride and a way to see Hong Kong from a bird eye’s view.
Risk takers can even choose a cable car that’s transparent all around. The feeling of looking straight down the floor is scary is exciting and thrilling. However, I don’t recommend this for those who are scared of heights. I swore I almost had a heart attack at first.
As soon as you step foot outside the cable car, you’re already in Ngong Ping village. Ngong Ping Village is quite small. There are a few food spots, a chocolate museum, and some souvenir shops. The whole village will probably take you 45 minutes to an hour. It could be even faster if you’re planning to eat there.
However, the main attraction isn’t Ngong Ping Village. It’s the Big Buddha. Ngong Ping Village is just a plus.
Nan Lian Park
Although there are many parks in Hong Kong, a tourist favourite is Nan Lian Park. It boasts a beautiful pavilion and an eye-catching red bridge.
Sunset and sunrise is a great time to get perfect lighting here. The park is not that big so you’ll see people crowding the same area trying to take multiple pictures. Play around with the angles to see where you think has the best view.
Next to the park is Chi Lin Nunnery, which is a Buddhist temple. Also, not far from Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Park is Rainbow Estate. It does make a fantastic Instagram spot. Going to the district Diamond Hill means hitting all three places in one go.
Wong Tai Sin Temple
Wong Tai Sin is a temple but it’s more than that and bigger than you think. It’s a large area with multiple attractions. You’ll see rows of fortune tellers (some will speak English. Be on the lookout for the sign) and a narrow hallway where you can buy incense and other items to offer to the Gods.
At Wong Tai Sin temple, it’s common to see people praying to God sincerely and doing a kau chim.
Kau Chim is when you kneel down and ask a question in your head. The answer is the first stick that falls out. There’s a number on the stick and you visit a fortune teller to have it read.
Pretend you’re a character in a Chinese historical drama! It’s a fun experience even if you don’t believe that sort of thing.
Tai O Fishing Village
The name should be pretty explanatory but Tai O Fishing Village is a small village near the water in Hong Kong. It’s where people go to see pink dolphins, street food, wall graffiti, and get shrimp paste.
Shrimp paste is a condiment that has a strong flavour. Hong Kong people use shrimp paste in a bunch of dishes like fried rice and vegetables, just to name a few.
If you’re like me and like places by the water, you’ll wanna come see here.
Tai O Fishing Village is a day trip or a half-day trip. It’s outside the city center so it does take a while to get there.
Tai O Fishing Village is a bit on the older side, so keep that in mind as you explore. Not everything will be shiny and new here. It’s a very different vibe than the rest of Hong Kong so come here for a change of scenery!
Final Thoughts – Hong Kong Top Attractions
Look at all these tourist attractions in Hong Kong! See how many things to do around here?
That’s why HK is one of the most popular cities in Asia and why it’s on so many people’s bucket lists to come here at least once.
It’s totally worth it!
So start planning for your trip to Hong Kong and start packing!
Now to You – Hong Kong Top Attractions
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Xoxo,
Nicole