Hong Kong is a lively and thrilling city, offering an abundance of experiences for visitors. From its bustling streets adorned with colorful lights and sounds to the aromatic food stalls and bustling markets, there’s always something to discover in this dynamic metropolis. As the city enthusiastically welcomes visitors, you can anticipate a warm and friendly reception, with locals eager to share their culture and traditions. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or are a seasoned traveler, there are numerous unique attractions to explore. This travel guide will help you select the best sights and activities in this captivating city.
Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
Situated in Shatin, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery provides a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of downtown Hong Kong, offering picturesque views of the countryside. Perched on a hilltop, the monastery is accessed by a long, winding staircase (about 400 steps) adorned with hundreds of golden statues.
The ascent itself is part of the attraction, with each statue being unique, featuring quirky facial expressions and fascinating details. Upon reaching the top, visitors are greeted by a square in front of the main temple, an inviting sight both due to the end of the climb and the impressive buildings and statues that surround the open space.
Aberdeen Promenade
Aberdeen Promenade, lined with trees, stretches from west to east along the waters of Ap Lei Chau. At its western end lies the enormous Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market, bustling with marine life in industrial-strength tanks. It’s pungent and gritty, capturing the essence of Hong Kong. Along the way, you’ll see moored houseboats and seafood processing vessels.
At the eastern end, you can catch a boat to Ap Lei Chau. The best way to explore the harbor is by sampan. A half-hour tour of the typhoon shelter costs between HK$60 and HK$80 per person. Ferries also depart from here several times a day to Lamma Island and Cheung Chau, and about twice a week to Po Toi Island.
Avenue of Stars
For a break from the city’s skyscrapers and a dose of culture, visit the Avenue of Stars. This site pays tribute to some of Hong Kong’s most famous movie stars, similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame but dedicated to Chinese actors.
After being closed for waterfront development, the Avenue of Stars has reopened, now larger and more impressive. The new curved walkway extends further into Victoria Harbour, offering stunning views of Hong Kong Island. It’s also one of the best spots to watch the nightly laser shows and neon lights reflecting on the water.
Tian Tan Buddha
The 34-meter-tall “Heavenly Buddha” stands above the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island. Built in 1993, it is the largest Buddha statue of its kind in the world, taking 12 years to complete. The statue’s scale is impressive, whether viewed up close or from a distance, set amidst green forests and overlooking the ocean and islands.
While buses are available, the most scenic route to the Big Buddha is via the Ngong Ping Cable Car, which travels 5.7 kilometers through forests, water, and mountains in 25 minutes. The cable car terminates at the touristy Ngong Ping Village, which you must pass through to reach the temple and the Big Buddha. After the village, a large staircase leads to the base of the statue. The climb is manageable and the views from the top are well worth the effort.
Wong Tai Sin Temple
The Wong Tai Sin Temple is one of the newest temples in Hong Kong and also one of the most interesting. Located in Kowloon, the temple was originally a private building built in 1920. Later, in 1968, the Wong Tai Sin Temple was replaced by a new building, which is what tourists see today.
The temple was built in honor of the Taoist deity Wong Tai Sin, who is believed by locals to be a lucky deity for horse racing and also a deity who can heal illnesses. Every autumn, the temple hosts a festival in the name of Wong Tai Sin.
The temple complex consists of several buildings, including the Three Saints Hall, the Prayer Garden, and another hall dedicated to Confucius and his 72 disciples. The hall houses fortune tellers, as well as incense and other offerings for visitors.
Temple Street Night Market
Visiting the Temple Street Night Market is also another very important thing to do when you are in Hong Kong. Located in Kowloon, the market is a great place to try a wide variety of delicacies and buy bargains, from clothing and accessories to electronics and household items. The vendors sell trinkets of all shapes and sizes, as well as jade jewelry and traditional Chinese crafts.
This is the most tourist-friendly market in Hong Kong, but you can find many other interesting street markets selling just about anything you can imagine.
Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland is located on Lantau Island. Here you’ll find a magical world of fun and fantasy, featuring actors and characters from Disney movies. The park is divided into seven lands: Adventureland, Fantasyland, Toy Story Land, Tomorrowland, Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Manor, and Main Street, U.S.A.
There are shows throughout the day in each land, from parades to musicals to fireworks over the castle at night. There’s also a wide variety of adventure activities here, from Jungle Cruise to Tarzan’s Treehouse Tours and water fun at Liki Tiki.
