City: Hong Kong
Top Things to do in Hong Kong
Top Restaurants in Hong Kong
What to do and see in Hong Kong, China: The Best Free Things to do
Delectable dim sum, floating islands, and a one-of-a-kind skyline are just some of Hong Kong’s unique features. Get an eyeful of traditional Chinese architecture in Ngong Ping village, then take the tram to the tippity-top of Victoria Peak for unparalleled views. The rocks and gentle hills of Nan Lian Garden will bring you inner peace, as will a calming cup of tea in a Stanley café. Become one with everything at the Chi Lin Nunnery, a serene Buddhist complex.
Restaurants in Hong Kong
1. Hong Kong Tourism Board
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 672 reviews
The Hong Kong Tourism Board is here to answer your questions and provide information about all the sights, sounds and happenings in Hong Kong. Pop into one of our Visitor Centres to see what’s going on, or to just say hello!
Reviewed By davidwQ2305JS - Ballarat, Australia
The HK Tourism site located near the Star Ferry Terminal on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong was incredibly helpful to us during our recent visit to Hong Kong. They were able to provide maps, tourist destination brochures and guidance that was incredibly helpful given the shut down of many attractions in Hong Kong because of the coronavirus situation.
2. Dragon's Back
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,102 reviews
Reviewed By Veg-Traveller-2020
Dragons Back is a must do hike in Hong Kong. The view is breathtaking. To get here, you take the Chai Wan Line To the starting point: From MTR Shau Kei Wan Station Exit A, walk to the Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus to take bus number 9 and get off on the Dragons Back stop on Shek O Road. Before you start the hike there are a couple of toilets and you wont find any along the way until the end. It takes a couple of hours and you have shorter hike options too
3. Hong Kong Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,132 reviews
Reviewed By katrinsD2843ZT - Asker, Norway
Its a stunning park with different areas: tai chi garden, artificial lake, bird park, playground, olympic square and a corner where to take wedding pictures ????
4. Shek O Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 335 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
I love this place. If you only have a few days in Hong Kong then you won’t have time on your itinerary to go to Shek O but if you have longer, this is a brilliant beach location. It feels like you are seeing the hidden side of Hong Kong that most tourists don't get to see. It is a strikingly picturesque beach cradled between two mountains and looking out towards several small islands. It’s worth making a day of it. You don't need to take much with you. Beach chairs and umbrellas can be hired there. You can bargain but they’re not expensive anyway ($20HKD for a beach chair) and they will carry them down to the sand for you. It all has a cool, village feel, with cheap and cheerful local restaurants back up on the road. We particularly like the large ‘Shek O Thai’ restaurant on the corner. After lunch, if you make your way through the maze of tiny lanes and whitewashed houses, you may even be lucky enough to come across the well-hidden Ben’s Bar down on the waterfront of a secluded cove. PRACTICAL TIPS: The beach is patrolled and has lifeguards but be aware, that it can have rips from time to time. There are toilets, change-rooms and showers on the beach. You can rent umbrellas and chairs and there are several shops where you can buy inflatables, buckets and spades, hats, water etc GETTING THERE: It is a bit off the beaten track so by public transport from Central/Admiralty, you’ll need to first catch the MTR train on the island line to Shau Kei Wan station (exit B) and then get the No 9 bus. I caught an Uber which took just under 30 mins and cost $198HKD, which is pretty much what I'd expect to pay in a taxi. There were 4 of us but even with 2 people, it’s worth remembering that taxis are relatively cheap in Hong Kong and it will be so much quicker.
5. Tsim Sha Tsui
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,743 reviews
This major tourist hub is complete with many shops and landmark, such as the Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower. Some call this area Hong Kong's equivalent to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Reviewed By cakasana - Surabaya, Indonesia
It’s a shopping district with various choices on food, among other stuffs. You can definitely do window shopping here, and it is worth mentioning that this is the place where some of the HK museums are located (e.g HK Space Museum)
6. Chi Lin Nunnery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,344 reviews
Reviewed By BradJill - Hong Kong, China
The Chi Lin Nunnery is one of our special places in Hong Kong. Originally built in 1934, the monastery building and grounds you see today were opened to the public in 2000. This is a peaceful and tranquil place that is beautifully maintained. Chi Lin along with the adjacent Nan Lian Gardens are free to visit and open from 7am to 7pm daily. What you find here is a Buddhist monastic complex constructed of cedar wood and built in the style of the Tang Dynasty. There are a handful of halls, each fitted with beautiful shrines with gilded and colourful statue figures representing manifestations of Buddha. The main hall includes five large gilded figures (3 Buddha figures and 2 attending disciples) is particularly impressive. Note that they ask you to not take photos in this area of the monastery. There is information posted next to each hall with Chinese and English text, allowing you to read up and learn about the figures on display in each. You can take pictures in the open courtyard which are decorated with numerous manicured shrubs and flowering plants. This is a Lotus Pond Garden with four delightful pools, it is an attractive setting and easy place to relax and enjoy yourself. Overall, this is a place you can easily spend half an hour. Add an addition 30-45 minutes to browse the grounds and exhibition galleries of the Nan Lian Garden which is connected by bridge to the other side of the street running along side the Nunnery. Collectively, these two attractions represent one of the most beautiful locations to visit in Hong Kong, a place loved by residents and visitors alike.
7. Lamma Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,898 reviews
Reviewed By cairn7_amanda - San Francisco, United States
My friend and I took the ferry from Central Pier to Sok Kwu Wan and walked up the island to Yung Shue Wan to take the ferry back. Along the way, we had lunch, took a ton of photos and had a wonderful day outdoors. The weather was perfect and the hike was pretty easy. We especially enjoyed Lo So Shing beach and could have stayed there for hours. Lamma Island is gorgeous and such a shirt distance from the busy city, I highly recommend as a half or full-day trip to get another view on Hong Kong.
8. Po Lin (Precious Lotus) Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,125 reviews
Located on Lantau Island, this monastery features the Big Buddha (Tiantau), which is the largest, seated, outdoor bronze Buddha in the world.
Reviewed By KatDeg
I have been up to see the big Buddha twice now. We travelled on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car up to the Po Lin Monastery. It is the second largest bronze Buddha statue in the world and surprisingly not all that old, only being built in the early 1990's after 12 years of construction. There are a little under 300 steps to walk up for a closer look at the statue, which if you are not fit or struggle to walk will find difficult. But once you get up the top, there are great views and a small gallery/display inside. You don't see the six "divas" from ground level either, so worth the few minute walk up the stairs. No photos are to be taken inside, as it is like a shrine to people who have died. So be respectful. The same goes for photos inside of the temples. Signs everywhere saying no photos and no visitors. Which means, you shouldn't go inside if you are not Buddhist. There are a few temples to see up there, including the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas which has literally ten thousand Buddhas of various sizes in a hall of intricate detail and artwork. There are souvenir shops and places to eat up there as well. Do not feed the cattle or dogs that roam around, there are signs to say you will cop a fine. All up with a ride on the cable car, you will need a good 2-3 hours up there. Ensure you go at 10am, so you don't end up with long lines at the end of the day to get back down the mountain.
9. Victoria Harbour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,262 reviews
Reviewed By lisadavies2018 - London, United Kingdom
What an absolutely beautiful unforgettable harbour this is. We were lucky enough to have a hotel room that overlooked the entire harbour and never tired of the sight we were greeted with. The skyline is breathtaking both throughout the day and at night. The buildings on HK island light up daily and with the light show every night at 8 it truly offers you an unforgettable view. Loved watching the different boats and ferries crossing the harbour and seeing the helicopter taking off and landing opposite it was magical
10. Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Man Fat Sze)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,321 reviews
A steep climb to reach, but efforts are rewarded with over 12,000 Buddhas both outside and inside the temple. There is no admission fee. A small restaurant at the top offers refreshments, but bring your own water for the trail.
Reviewed By carinamilligan - Hong Kong, China
I have been to the Big Buddha and while this is very impressive and set in beautiful landscape, I have to admit that I think I prefer the 10,000 buddha's purely because there's so much more to see. Be sure to check-out a sight like 'Discover Hong Kong' for the detailed route for how to get to the starting point as it's not an easy place to find. You essentially come out of the MTR station and walk behind a shopping mall down to the end of a dead end road and turn down a path which looks like it's private property.......but keep going! The buddha's start appearing as soon as you reach the first step and follow you all the way up to the top. With a variety of different poses and characters to see, they are highly entertaining and great for photo's! However, be aware that there are a lot of steps to get to the top so if you're coming here in the height of summer, with the heat and high humidity and you're not particularly used to exercise, then you may find these steps a bit of a challenge. But bring plenty of water and just take it slow, because it's worth it when you get to the top! The pagoda's and the main temple are lovely to walk around and then you can continue on a little further around the corner to see the large white buddha emerging from the rocks, designed like a water feature. If you're up to it I would recommend visiting the Buddha's in the morning and then taking the MTR back down to Wong Tai Sin to see the Temple and wishing well gardens and then onto Diamond Hill station (both stops are on the green line) to see Nan Lian Gardens and Chi Lin Nunnery - you may want to spread your temples out though, but this is doable to do in a day, especially if you're staying over on HK island and don't want to make 2 trips out this way during your stay.
