20 Best Things to Do in Hong Kong

If it’s your first time in Hong Kong, head to the neighborhood of shopping streets around Causeway Bay, where you can immerse yourself in Hong Kong’s iconic street scenes – busy, bustling, and always on the go.

The streets around Jardine’s Crescent are packed throughout the day and night – they're also popular spots for acquainting yourself with the city. Get a first glimpse of the trams rattling along Hennessy Road, with huge flashing billboards, street hawkers, and flagship designer stores catching your attention at every turn.

Star Ferry Hong Kong is one of the best spots for a sense of the city's living history. Founded in 1880, it's also a symbol of the city and often featured in local films and TV shows.

There are 2 ferry crossings across the bay, though the most popular route is from Central Ferry Pier to Kowloon. Fares for Star Ferry start from HK$2.70 (HK$3.70 on weekends) per adult and HK$1.60 (HK$2.20 on weekends) per child between 3 and 12 years old. Ferries leave every 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the time of day.

Lounging at a rooftop bar in Hong Kong is definitely one of the best ways to spend your evenings, soaking up the incredible cityscape while sipping on a cocktail in the cooling breeze. What’s more, there are rooftop bars and restaurants to enjoy spread out all over the city – on both sides of Victoria Harbour – so you are never that far away from getting a privileged vantage point over Hong Kong.

The Avenue of Stars is a promenade overlooking Victoria Bay in Kowloon. It’s just a short walk from the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station and is popular for soaking up the sweeping scene of Hong Kong Island. You’ll also see over 100 stars dotting the walkway, which honors legends of the Hong Kong film industry, much like the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

This waterfront promenade also happens to be one of the best spots for watching the famous light show called the Symphony of Lights. The nightly laser show starts at 8pm and is set against one of the most incredible cityscapes in the world. 

The soaring 70-storey Bank of China Tower is one of Hong Kong Island's most stunning landmarks. Designed by acclaimed architect I M Pei and completed in 1990, the design was inspired by the elegance of bamboo and symbolizes vitality, strength and growth.

The 367-meter-tall building's geometric glass façade has been featured in many Hollywood films, including Transformers and Star Trek. The public viewing deck on the 43rd floor is free of charge – bring your ID for registration and access into the building.

The Dragon’s Back Hike takes you up to Shek O Peak, and back down the other side. Located in Shek O Country Park, the trail is popular among those looking to enjoy the outdoors on Hong Kong Island. It takes less than 1 hour to reach the start of the trail from Central Hong Kong. 

The 8.5-km-long trail takes between 2 and 5 hours to complete. It can get quite steep in parts, so wear a sturdy and comfortable pair of trainers or walking boots. The Dragon’s Back Trail is listed as Section 8 of the Hong Kong Trail, meaning it's well signposted throughout. 

Exchange Square, home to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, is formed by the One, Two and Three Exchange Square buildings. This spectacular complex has been recognized as an important achievement in architecture. Featuring 3 towers of rose-colored granite and silver glass, it's an aesthetic forum where some of the most important financial transactions take place.

Exchange Square Hong Kong is connected to IFC Mall – and the Airport Express Line's Hong Kong Station directly underneath – by a network of walkways. The shopping mall features trendy restaurants, fashion, beauty, and jewelry shops, as well as a movie theater. 

The Peak Tram Historical Gallery, located in the Peak Tram Lower Terminus, is where you can learn about life in Hong Kong back in the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum displays more than 200 artifacts related to the tram, which are spread out across 15 exhibition halls.

The gallery also features a replica of the first generation Peak Tram carriage and the 1926 Haulage Room. It's a good place to stop by before boarding the tram to The Peak Hong Kong's summit. 

Repulse Bay is a public beach on Hong Kong Island’s southern district, about 20 minutes away from Central Hong Kong. While the beach is home to an upmarket residential area, it's also one of the most popular areas in Hong Kong for dining, family picnics, sunbathing, and water sports.

This crescent-shaped beach is fronted by clear blue waters, with moderate temperatures year-round. The soft sands make for pleasant strolls in the early mornings and cooler days, while summertime sees crowds of sunbathers on the beach.

Sky 100 Hong Kong is a viewpoint on the 100th floor of the International Commerce Center (ICC). While it's fully indoors, you'll be able to enjoy incredible panoramic views of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the sprawling suburbs of the New Territories. 

Standard tickets cost around HK$188 (HK$169 for online booking) per adult and HK$128 (HK$115) per child between 3 and 11 years old. Couples who prefer to visit the observation deck in the evening can opt for Sky 100’s Night Package for 2, which costs HK$240 (online booking only).

The Stanley Military Cemetery is a colonial-era site near St. Stephen's Beach in Stanley. Between 1841 and 1866, this plot of land was used to bury deceased British soldiers and their families, though the site also served as the final resting place for those who lost their lives during World War II.

Hundreds of white tombstones dot the green space, many of which don't contain the names of the deceased. You can explore the Stanley Military Cemetery for free – enjoy beautiful views of surrounding hills and trees, as well as the South China Sea. 

Tai Po Waterfront Park covers an area of 22 hectares in the New Territories, making it one of Hong Kong's largest parks. Onsite facilities include a 32.4-meter spiral staircase lookout tower with telescopes for you to check out the surrounding high-rises. 

The park also has a 1.2-km-long promenade, gardens, sitting areas, and a 600-seat amphitheater. You can also enjoy some outdoor activities at Tai Po Waterfront Park – there's a cycling track along Tolo Harbour, along with a jogging trail dotted with exercise stations. 

Fringe Club is a brick and stucco colonial-style structure dating back to 1913. Originally was used as a cold-storage warehouse for ice and dairy products, it's one of Hong Kong's most popular venues for art and crafts exhibitions, live theatre and music. The building also features a rooftop beer garden and a cozy restaurant.

Located next to Fringe Club is the Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC), a popular social and intellectual space, where journalists and photographers rendezvous with businessmen, bankers, authors and artists. 

The Whampoa Hong Kong is a ship-shaped entertainment center and shopping complex anchored in Whampoa Docks. It spans almost 110 meters in length, and houses department stores, 300 shops and restaurants, as well as a small theme park. 

The Whampoa Hong Kong offers great views of Kowloon and Victoria Harbour. You can get to this unique shopping mall by ferry to the Hung Hom Ferry Pier.