Places in Hong Kong: Have you always dreamed of travelling to this dream city of Hong Kong, which is immensely popular for its luxury shopping and Disneyland? Hong Kong is one of a kind. On every corner, there is something new to explore, right from quirky and exciting gadgets to temples and gorgeous monasteries. Along with its glamorous city life, you will also explore rich-green mountains, breath-taking hiking trails, beautiful beaches, islands and authentic fishing villages.
Most travellers around the globe have this amazingly mesmerizing destination on their bucket list. While a few countries have the flexibility of travelling Visa-free, a few others must apply for a Visa to visit Hong Kong. You need to plan and be well-prepared for all the necessary documents and also the visa to visit Hong Kong, in order to discover this incredible territory at least 4-6 weeks in advance.
Well, if you are planning to visit it, you must check out some top places in Hong Kong that you can’t miss!
1. Victoria Peak
It is one of the most gorgeous places in Hong Kong. Take a tram to Victoria Peak and experience the gorgeous scenic view of the skyscrapers, bustling city, harbour and neighbouring islands. The tram station is situated just near the entrance to Hong Kong Park by the Murray building. It is the highest hill on Hong Kong Island. You will find several bird species here. Make sure to see the black kite and the beautiful butterflies that are prominently found there.
Victoria Peak is widely covered with greenery and nature trails that add a beautiful touch of nature amidst the thriving metropolis. Victoria Peak is gorgeous during the night. The spectacular view is worth seeing.
2. Hong Kong Skyline
It is one of the must-visit places in Hong Kong. It has the most breathtakingly stunning and clear skylines in the world. The intense combination of skyscrapers surrounded by the mountains is one view to die for. Here you can see the traditional Chinese junk boats and the historic Star Ferry on one side and classy and modern skyscrapers on the other side. During the nighttime, the sky is dark & you can enjoy the view of the city lights that fill the darkness. The most prominent buildings you will see from the skyline are the International Commerce Centre, Two International Finance Centre, Central Plaza and Bank of China Tower.
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3. Star Ferry
Hong Kong’s popular Star Ferry is a must-visit! Its roots date back to 1880. Victoria Harbour has an ocean of activities in the Star Ferries. Ships of all shapes and sizes glide past the water and still manage to not collide with one another. If you’re right on time, you can catch the amazing Symphony of Lights show, which is a 360-degree laser show beaming toward the skyscrapers on either side of Victoria Harbor. The show is at 8 pm every night for 14 minutes and 40 seconds. If the weather is good, you will get to see a great light show! The show is divided into five themes, taking viewers on a joyous journey to the rich and diverse culture of Hong Kong.
The themes are Awakening, Energy, Heritage, Partnership and Celebration. As the darkness settles around night, 44 buildings take part in this light show to depict something out-of-the-box and wonderful. During New Year’s Eve, a special countdown show is hosted with fireworks and a laser spotlight that makes the entire skyline a dazzling view one can’t miss. The 3-D animation will leave you speechless.
The ferry leaves every few minutes from the harbour until late evening, so you don’t have to worry about booking a front seat. The view is gorgeous – on one side you will see tall green mountains, while on the other side you will see huge skyscrapers tightly packed in the city. It is one of the most gorgeous places in Hong Kong.
4. The Big Buddha Statue
The 34-metre high ‘Big Buddha’ statue sits above Po Lin monastery, which used to be a lonely area until the statue was built in 1993. It is one of the largest Buddha Statues in the world that took 12 years to complete. The size is stupendous and incredible. Lord Buddha sits in the lap of nature, reminiscing about the view of the ocean and the forest here. You can reach the Big Buddha by Ngong Ping cable car that takes you on a 5.7 km, 25-minute breathtaking journey over forest, water and mountains. The ride ends at the small Ngong Ping Village that you have to walk through to get to the statue.
It is one of the five large Buddha statues in China, as it is ordained on a lotus on top of a 3-platform altar. The statue is surrounded by six smaller bronze statues, popularly known as ‘The Offering of the Six Devas’. These statues symbolize generosity, morality, patience, zeal, meditation, and wisdom. In comparison to other monuments, this is one of the newest and very popular places in Hong Kong.
5. Repulse Bay
Hong Kong is not very popular for beaches, but Repulse Bay is one of the most popular places in Hong Kong. Its scenic view and luxury restaurants make it perfect for family time. The beach is surrounded by many restaurants and shops. You can try out Amalfitana, which is popular open-air dining beside the beach.
Another great spot is Big Wave Bay. Here the seawater flows in a large U-shaped cove. One great adventure is walking to the famous Dragon’s Back, hiking to Big Wave Bay & dipping in the ocean for a swim. There are tons of barbecue joints in the parking area of the beach, along with delicious seafood and other treats. Buses and taxis are always available to take you back to the city. After visiting these two beaches, you can then visit Shek-O-Beach by public transport.
Did you know living in Repulse Bay is excruciatingly expensive? Yes, it is one of the most expensive housing areas in Hong Kong. In 2018, twin townhouses were sold at USD 127 million, and the richest man of Hong Kong Ka-Shing was living in Repulse Bay the same year.
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6. Hong Kong Disneyland
If you are visiting Hong Kong, then how can you miss Disneyland? Located on the beautiful Lantau Island, Hong Kong Disneyland is filled with fun and fantasy and is divided into 7 lands: Adventure land, Fantasy land, Toy Story Land, Tomorrowland, Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, and Main Street- U.S.A.
Parades, Musicals, and a variety of performances happen in Disneyland throughout the day. They also offer a wide range of adventures like Tarzan’s Tree House, Jungle cruises and water adventure Liki Tiki. It seems to be a whole new world in itself. Since 2019, Disneyland has been upgraded with many cool renovations. One of the best upgrades was the Castle of Magical Dreams where children will enjoy the beautiful Cinderella Coach, Snow White’s apple and Belle’s rose. Several evening musical shows and extravaganzas hold you until the end of the night and even want for more, as Disneyland is never done in a day!
You can reach Disneyland through the station or book Disneyland Transport pickup which is a wholesome package of hotel pickup, general admission and an MTR Pass to Hong Kong or Kowloon.
Hong Kong Disneyland was first established in 2005. It is spread across 27.5 hectares of land and hosts about 6 to 7 million visitors every year. Disneyland plans to host over 10 million visitors in the coming years. If you are visiting the park during festive times, you will see numerous exciting shows and events. During Halloween, the park unveils its horrific side with frightening walk-through attractions, horror shows and so much more.
7. Temple Street Night Market
A walk through the Temple Street Night Market is a must if you are a big shopping buff. Located in Kowloon, it is one of the most popular places in Hong Kong for delicious delicacies, clothing, electronics, household items & much more. You also get a sneak peek into authentic Chinese jewellery and traditional crafts here. The market starts around 6 pm, but the sellers take their sweet time to set up shop, so it’s better to go a bit late. This is one of the most popular street markets among others in Hong Kong.
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8. Ocean Park
Ocean Park is one great adventure if you are a fan of wildlife. You will see a Grand Aquarium and some rare and exotic wildlife here. Ocean Park is home to thousands of fishes of over 400 species. There is an ethereal Reef tunnel where you will see sea stars and sea cucumbers. Panda fanatics have a stupendous treat, with the Giant Panda Adventure, you will experience a fun-filled ride of giant pandas, red pandas and the endangered Chinese Giant Salamander. There are a lot of fun adventures and rides like Mine Train, Raging River, Hair Raiser and the Eagle.
It is the 2nd biggest theme park after Hong Kong Disneyland which was built back in 1977. Apart from its rich flora and fauna, it is also home to several exciting rides like roller coasters, an aquarium & so much more.
9. Lan Kwai Fong
The name doesn’t suggest its exact meaning; however, it is the most popular dining area in Hong Kong. The streets of Lan Kwai Fong are surrounded by tourist crowds trying out authentic and trendy dishes of Hong Kong. If you are looking for a great dinner place; this is the best place to come by. The open-air restaurants and the bustling crowd can be a good delight along with indulging in good food.
The streets of Lan Kwai Fong are stacked with restaurants of different cuisines from across the world. The best ones to try are Italian, Chinese and Mexican. The street is just up from Queen’s Road in Central Hong Kong.
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10. Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
This monastery is situated in Sha Tin, secluded from the hustle-bustle of city life. This peaceful escape is right on a hilltop where you must climb about 400 steps lined with golden statues. The stairs are the main attraction of the monastery. Each statue has a unique facial expression that leads you to the main temple. The monastery has several impressive structures. Inside the temple, small Buddha statues line the walls from the floor to the ceiling, it is one gorgeous sight. On the opposite side of the monastery, you will see a breath-taking view of lush green hills & pine trees. The monastery has more than 10,000 Buddhas & no monks live on the site. It was built in the 1950s but is still a popular heritage site in Hong Kong.
You might have spotted this monastery in films and TV shows over the years. The popular martial arts fight scene in the ‘Vanishing Son’ was shot here. It was also in the opening scene of a 2002 local crime thriller, ‘Infernal Affairs.’
11. Wong Tai Sin Temple
The Wong Tai Sin Temple is one of the newest monuments of Hong Kong. The original temple was built in 1920 and was later replaced with a newer building in 1968. The temple honours the Taoist God Wong Tai Sin whom, locals, respect as the good luck bringer and a healer of illness. Each fall, an enthralling festival is held here. The temple has three prominent areas- the Hall of 3 Saints, the Good Wish Garden and a hall for Confucius and his 72 disciples. You might come across fortune-tellers in the hallway and receive joss sticks and other offerings that you can use later.
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Conclusion
So, these are some of the most visited and popular tourist spots in Hong Kong that will make your journey whole and exciting. If you are visiting with kids, then you can’t miss Disneyland at all. However, even if you are an adult, you can’t miss it too! There are quite a few amazing Buddha temples and monasteries on the list, which will give you a wholesome insight into the history and diverse culture of Hong Kong.
So, what are you waiting for? Book your Hong Kong tickets now and experience this beautiful journey of cities and countryside all at once.
