Hong Kong, the Pearl of the Orient. Situated on the Pearl River Delta, this former British colony offers tradition, modernity, entertainment, and so much more. From concrete jungle to tropical beaches, Hong Kong has something for everyone. If you’re planning a vacation, Hong Kong just might be the perfect travel destination. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite 10 things to do. All of the items on our list are either free or less than US$ 5 – so you’ll usually just have to pay for transportation. We had a hard time picking and organizing just top ten things to do. We based our top ten list on affordability, authenticity, and awesomeness.
10.Tian Tan Buddha天壇大佛 & Po Lin Monastery 寶蓮禪寺
Head out to Lantau by MTR to Tung Chung. From here, you can either opt for a scenic view by cable car or jump in a bus and wind your way up the mountain. When you arrive to Ngong Ping, head for the Po Lin Monastery. You’ll have to climb 268 steps to reach the base of Tian Tan Buddha, the largest outdoor sitting Buddha in the world with a height of 34 meters. The vista also offers an aerial view of the monastery complex as well as stunning mountain and sea views. After you’ve caught your breath, descend down to Po Lin Monastery and prepare to be overwhelmed by the smell of incense and fragrant flowers as you meander through the Buddhist monastery’s grounds. If you’re feeling hungry, try the Buddhist vegetarian lunch, although it is a bit on the expensive side.
Entrance Fee : Free
Transportation from Tung Chung MTR :
Ngong Ping Cable Car (round-trip) = HK$168 | http://www.np360.com.hk/en/booking/np360-ticketing-information.html
Bus 23 =HK$17.2
9. Hong Kong Museum of History 香港歷史博物館
What better way to start off your Hong Kong experience than by diving into Hong Kong’s long and varied history? Begin your journey by discovering the natural history of Hong Kong Island, watch as Hong Kong’s first inhabitants settled the island, examine artifacts from the Han, Tong, Song, and Qing dynasties, witness the folk culture, colonization by the British empire, occupation by the Japanese during WWII, Hong Kong’s growth as a modern metropolis and reunification with mainland China. The Science Museum is adjacent, if you’re looking for something fun for kids and trying to stay of the sun.
Entrance Fee : HK$10 | Free on Wednesdays
Transportation : Take Exit F at Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station | http://www.museums.gov.hk/web/portal/plan-your-visit.html
8. Wan Chai Street Market 灣仔街市
Follow the chaotic twists and turns through the old neighborhoods along Johnson Road as you explore Wan Chai Street Market. Feel the energy and pulse of the city as locals barter for fruits and vegetables and butchers carve up whole animals. Buy novelty toys, jade necklaces, and interesting clothes, or just take pictures and enjoy the scene. For us, it seems more authentic than some of the more popular markets such as the Ladies’ Market or the Temple Street Night Market, although, in recent years, this part of the city has seen a facelift as old buildings have been being replaced by their modern counterparts. Some of the hole-in-the-wall restaurants that we used to frequent have started to disappear as the real estate has been demolished and replaced.
Price : Free
Transportation : Take Exit A3 at Wan Chai MTR Station
7. Hong Kong Park香港公園
Hong Kong Park offers a quiet escape in the heart of the Hong Kong. Sit on a bench and read the newspaper while listening to the chirping of birds. Feel the tempo of Hong Kong’s fast-pace slow as you meander down the quiet paths of the dry and wet rooms of the conservatory. You can walk through a desert and then turn the corner to a rainforest of immensely diverse flora on display. Follow the path to an excellent open air aviary and try to identify all 80 species of birds housed within. Kids and adults alike will enjoy this park. Kids will also enjoy the playground and Tea Museum. Remember to bring a pair of binoculars or a camera with a large zoom. You can also climb a towering observatory for an aerial view of the park and surrounding city. The Peak Tram Lower Terminus is adjacent to the park.
Price : Free
Transportation : Take Exit C1 at Admirality MTR Station
6. Eat吃飯
Hong Kong is home to 7 million people, yet has more than 15,000 restaurants. Be sure to try local specialties like dim sum and roasted meat. Sip Hong Kong’s famous milk tea as you enjoy a tea set lunch, a lost remnant of Hong Kong’s colonial days. Discover some of the various nationalities who call Hong Kong home through each and every bite you take. You can find many nice to upscale restaurants around SOHO that offer nearly every type of cuisine imaginable. Sample excellent Indian curries and chutneys near Chunking Mansion. Hong Kong is truly a foodies’ paradise, offering almost any conceivable notion of what “good food” is. No matter what your budget, you’ll find something good to eat.
5. Happy Valley Racecourse跑馬地馬場
Originally built to provide horse racing to the British, horse racing has now been accepted as a Hong Kong past-time. You can feel the energy as people of all ages and color root, hoot, and cheer for their favorite horse. Fortunes are won and lost in this place. Between races, the drinks flow and entertainment abounds. Wednesday is race day at Happy Valley. The first race starts at 7:15 pm and the gates open at 5:15 pm.
http://www.happyvalleyracecourse.com/
Entrance Fee : HK$10
Transportation : Take the tram (Ding Ding) to Happy Valley or take exit A from Causeway Bay and walk 20 minutes
4. Star Ferry天星小輪 & Victoria Harbour維多利亞港
Experience part of Hong Kong’s history first-hand as you ride the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour. The Star Ferry began shuttling passengers across Victoria Harbour in 1888 and still is a very convenient form of transportation between Central, Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui. While on board, enjoy the gorgeous skyline views. If you happen to be nearby at 8:00, hop on for an awesome view of the Symphony of Lights at the Avenue of Stars.
Price : HK$2-3.4
Transportation : Central MTR Exit A | Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Exit L6 | Wan Chai MTR Exit A1
3. Tai O Village大澳
Be transported to another world – a world where the homes are built on stilts and each house has an oceanfront view of pink dolphins jumping alongside fishing boats. Tai O is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Central. You may feel as if you’ve been dropped off in another time as life goes by here as it has for decades. Meander through the alleys, and you’ll find stores selling dried salted fish, a food still lingering from the time before refrigeration. Take a boat ride and explore the isles of homes sitting upon wooden stilts like flamingoes perched in flocks. Awe as pink dolphins jump just beside your boat. Finish the afternoon at a local restaurant, where, if the fish were any fresher, they’d still be swimming. Make sure to try the fresh fried squid being sold nearby Hau Wong Temple.
Price : Pink Dolphin Boat = HK$25
Transportation : Take MTR to Tung Chung then take Bus 11 to Tai O
2. Ride the Ding Ding搭叮叮
Hong Kong Island is a maze of buildings and streets, intersecting in an elaborate dance as pedestrians, British-looking taxis, double-decker buses, Maseratis, and even trams vie for position. From atop a double decker tram, look out upon the scene and experience a view not granted by the modern MTR buried beneath. The Hong Kong Tramways香港電車have been snaking through Hong Kong Island, carrying passengers from east to west since 1904. The Hong Kong Tramways are a symbol of Hong Kong. When you ride the Ding Ding, you become one of its 230,000 daily passengers traveling up and down Hong Kong Island.
Price : HK$2.3
Run from 5:30 am – 12:30 am daily
1. Victoria Peak太平山
Walk, ride, or take a tram to the top of Mount Austin. If you want to have a scenic trip, take the tram. If you want to be historical or healthy, hike. If you want to be cheap, take the bus. As you ascend the mountain, look out at some of Hong Kong’s most expensive real estate. Since colonial times, this area has been the city’s most exclusive neighborhood. The Peak sits at 552 m (1811 ft) and overlooks Victoria Harbour. The view of the skyline from the top is one of the most envied and awe-inspiring in the world. By day, the buildings twinkle in the Harbour as the Star Ferry, Tugboats, and even Junks sail over their gleaming reflections. By night, the buildings shine out from the dark as a parade of lights twinkling brightly. From this vantage point, you can see Central, Victoria Harbour, Kowloon, and Lamma Island. If you want good pictures, go in the day. If you want an awe-inspiring view, the view at night can’t be beat. The Peak Galleria has a free observation deck, or you can even eat at a restaurant or sip some coffee while enjoying the vista.
Price : Free
Transportation :
Tramway from Central Exit J2 (Adult round-trip HK$40 ; one-way HK$28 / Children round-trip HK$18; one-way HK$11) Be advised : The line is usually very long
Bus 15 from Exchange Square Bus Terminus, Central MTR Station Exit D ($HK9.8)
** Public Transportation (i.e. bus, tram, mtr) ticket prices are for adults. Child tickets are half the price.
Video:
Filmed with Canon EOS 70D & GoPro Hero 3 Black
Music Used :
Gold Coast by Jens Kiilstofte | https://machinimasound.com/music/gold-coast | Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Infectious by Tobu | http://www.youtube.com/tobuofficial |
First to Last by Gunnar Olsen
The Wanderers 