Armchair Travelling: Must-See Places in Hong Kong

I know we cannot travel right now. But it doesn’t stop us from researching and planning for when we can. Hong Kong is a destination I’ve always wanted to visit. To keep our wanderlust alive, over the coming weeks we are going to write regular ‘armchair traveller’ posts about the destinations on our travel ‘dream list’. I’ve asked fellow travel bloggers to provide their single ‘must-see’ place in my chosen destination. I hope you enjoy this series, and maybe you too can include some of these suggestions on your own visit to Hong Kong 🙂

Trying local dim sum!

Hong Kong, also known as the Pearl of The Orient, is a huge metropolitan city filled with many amazing things to do. Whether you are into hiking, exploring history and culture, or trying local cuisine, there is an activity in Hong Kong that is right for you. One of my favourite things to do in Hong Kong is taking advantage of the amazing gastronomy, especially the traditional dim sum of the region.

For anyone that is unfamiliar with dim sum, they are a type of Chinese cuisine usually served in a small steam basket or a small plate. The portions are usually quite small and a visit to a dim sum restaurant would involve ordering many different types of dim sum. In a way, dim sum is very similar to the tapas or small plates from Spain. Just be aware that some dim sum dishes can be quite strange, such as the chicken feet or the pig’s intestine!

Submitted by Sean, LivingOutLau

Kowloon Park

Kowloon Park in the middle of a compact urban jungle is an oasis of lush green and a wonderful respite from visiting this section of the city. Filled with beautiful ponds, water features, sculpture and beautiful gardens to explore, Kowloon Park is where the locals go for enjoying nature and a world of green. I loved exploring all of the park which is filled with cool things to see and even all the birds in the city were enjoying the pond and water features when I was visiting.

If you’re in the mood for a break from your sightseeing head over to the park and enjoy a moment of quiet and calm in this beautiful space. A walk around the park feels refreshing and almost meditative with all the outside noise and traffic drowned out by gurgling water features and the sound of bamboo and trees blowing in the wind. Hong Kong is very congested and visiting parks like the wonderful Kowloon Park in Kowloon is definitely a nice thing to do to relax for a bit and get centred again from the outside world.

Submitted by Noel, Travel Photo Discovery

Dragon’s Back Hike

Hong Kong boasts many interesting city sights but few people know that it is also a great destination for hikers and nature lovers in general. The islands are crossed by hiking trails with gorgeous views over the Pacific Ocean which make beautiful days of exploration far from the city’s hustle and bustle. Hong Kong’s most famous hike, called the Dragon’s Back, is considered by some one of the best urban hikes in the world and it is the perfect family hike because it is easy and not long.

The Dragon’s Back trail is the last section of the 50km Hong Kong trail and bus lines allow you to easily reach the starting point of this section.

The hike begins with a small climb (with stairs regularly placed on the way to the most significant slopes) to reach the ridge. Once you’ve arrived at the top of the ridge you are on the “back of the dragon” since the path follows the reliefs of the hill (like the back of a dragon, you guessed it). The summit of this path is Shek O Peak at 284 meters high, with great views of the Ocean.

Submitted by Elisa, World in Paris

Victoria Peak

Whether you have 2 days in Hong Kong or more, no visit to this magnificent city would be complete without visiting its top tourist attraction – Victoria Peak. Situated in Hong Kong Central, Victoria Peak is revered as one of the best places to marvel at the city’s beautiful skyscraper-studded skyline.

While it is possible to hike up to the peak, taking the iconic Peak Tram is a massive must on any Hong Kong trip. Today, the funicular system is one of the oldest cableway systems in the world and has been transporting curious travelers to the summit since 1873. It’s a rather quick ride taking no more than a couple of minutes, but it will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression!

Once you reach the mountain top, there’s plenty to keep you busy for a few hours – from getting a bird’s-eye view of the city at the Sky Terrace to learning more about the tram’s intricate history. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants where you can grab a bite and enjoy the stunning views.

More adventurous travelers may want to venture a bit further afield where you’ll find several easy trails, all offering plenty of photo opportunities and superb views sans the crowds. Since Victoria Peak is such a famous landmark in Hong Kong, it’s best to book tram tickets online in advance. Also, make sure to check the weather forecast before you go. 

Submitted by Mariza, Hoponworld

The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

Around forty minutes from the centre of Hong Kong is the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, one of the city’s most spectacular temples. Hidden in the hills behind an office block and a shopping mall, it’s the route to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery that is one of Hong Kong’s most jaw-dropping sights.

The entire length of the long and steep path to the monastery is lined with hundreds of life-sized golden statues of Buddhist saints. Every single saint statue is unique, each in a different pose.

The golden statues continue all the way to the entrance and into the grounds of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, becoming much more elaborate as you approach the main entrance. All around the temple’s grounds there are a number of beautiful and elegant golden statues of female saints.

Despite its name the site is actually a temple; no monks live on site at the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery. At the centre of the complex is a stunning main hall filled with thousands of tiny Buddha statues. Opposite the hall is a striking red pagoda.

There are spectacular views of the surrounding hills throughout the temple’s grounds. Also, keep an eye out for macaque monkeys that live in the hills surrounding the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery.

Submitted by James, Where You’re Between

Hong Kong Food Tour

Hong Kong is a city of culinary delights and famous for dishes such as dim sum, char siu barbecue pork and wonton noodles. A great way to sample many of Hong Kong’s finest dishes is to go on a food tour where you get to taste a range of the city’s best-loved food in places you might never find by yourself.

We did an excellent group tour with a company called Hong Kong Foodie, where a local guide showed us around the vibrant working class Kowloon neighbourhood of Sham Shui Po. This area is filled with decades-old small mom and pop eateries and the group got to sample traditional dishes in various spots around town including a bustling breakfast cafe, bakery, dumpling house and an award-winning family-run noodle restaurant (where Anthony Bourdain once visited). Tours usually last around 3-4 hours and you’ll also learn a bit about the history and culture of the area.

Tip: Book your food tour in Hong Kong at the start of your trip so that if you like any of the places you visit on the tour, you can then return to them again!

Submitted by Caroline, CK Travels

Symphony of Light

This nightly show holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s largest permanent light and sound show. The “stage” for the show is the city’s skyline, as the lights emanate from 42 of the skyscrapers. Symphony of Light has been running since 2004, and in 2017 the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra recorded a new musical score for it. In keeping with Hong Kong’s reputation as a city where “East meets West”, the music is played using a mix of traditional Chinese and Western instruments.

There’s no admission fee, and if you download the free Symphony of Lights smartphone app you can listen to the soundtrack from wherever you happen to be. The best vantage points, however, are Golden Bauhinia Square in Wanchai and the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. If you watch from either of these places, there’s no need to download the app, as the soundtrack is broadcast over loudspeakers. Alternatively, you could also watch the show while riding one of the sightseeing ferries around Victoria Harbour. The show starts at 8 pm and lasts for about 15 minutes. 

Submitted by Wendy, The Nomadic Vegan

The Big Buddha

You can’t go to Hong Kong and not visit the Tian Tan Buddha (known affectionately as the Big Buddha because of its sheer size – the statue is 34m from top to bottom, and that’s after you’ve climbed the 268 steps to get to its base!)

Located on Lantau Island, it can be reached by MRT, boat, bus & cable car and any combination of all 4 will get you there in 40-60 minutes from Hong Kong Island.

The main attractions on Lantau Island are (of course) The Big Buddha itself, Po-Lin Monastery, the Wisdom Steps, and the Lantau fun walk – offering plenty to keep the whole family entertained for the day; and in the (very touristy) Ngong Ping Village there are a multitude of shops and eateries alongside a 5D cinema and a ‘Walking With Buddha’ virtual travel experience – perfect for those rainy spells or for those with limited mobility. And there is also a bus which runs on a loop throughout the day to take visitors down to – and back up from – the picturesque Tai O Fishing Village.

With so much to see and do here, we highly recommend dedicating a whole day of your Hong Kong Itinerary to Lantau Island.

Submitted by Vicki, MakeTimeToSeeTheWorld

Star Ferry 

The Star Ferry is a must for every visitor to the city of Hong Kong. It has been commuting between the two districts Hong Kong Island and Kowloon since 1888 and has hardly changed since then. The old lady’s charm has remained the same. The ferry company has a fleet of nine ferries that cross the port on a total of two routes, carrying over 53,000 passengers a day or 20 million people a year. The main connection is from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui.

Although there are now several faster alternatives with the metro and car tunnels, locals also love taking the Star Ferry. The reason is that hardly any view of the Hong Kong skyline and the famous Victoria Harbour is as impressive as from the Star Ferry. This is surely an experience you will never forget. And the best thing is: the trip is cheap. The cost of a Star Ferry ride from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central is only HKD$ 2 during weekdays and HKD$ 3.40 for weekends and holidays.

Submitted by Clemens, Travellers Archive

Night Market

It wouldn’t be a trip to Hong Kong without an evening wander past buzzing neon signs and haggling for a bargain on tacky souvenirs. Head over to Kowloon after dark to get amongst the bustling crowds and get a taste of the city’s energy.

Temple Street Night Market is Kowloon’s king of markets, covering eight blocks and selling everything from fake designer threads to tea trinkets to authentic antiques. You’ll need to bargain here to get the best deal, go in with an offer of 75%-50% of the asking price and see how you go. There’s plenty of cheap eats nearby too, with street food stalls and open-air food courts serving up steamy dishes.

If you’re looking specifically for ladies’ clothes, head to the aptly named Ladies’ Market, just a quick MTR ride or 30 minute walk from Temple Street. This place is packed to the brim with clothing, from on-trend boutique stalls to off-brand counterfeits and everything in between. The stalls here are almost double the height of Temple Street and it’s not great if you don’t like crowds, but I guarantee you’ll discover some hidden gems for your wardrobe if you look hard enough.

Submitted by Alexx, FindingAlexx