by chensiyuan / CC BY-SA 4.0

A Tale of Two Cities: Hong Kong Island’s Sophistication Meets Kowloon’s Authentic Charm

A. About Hong Kong

Nickname:  The Pearl of the Orient

Hong Kong, literally meaning fragrant harbor, with a population of more than seven million sparkles as a city that never sleeps, bursting with high energy, featuring a highly impressive skyline.

The city, which returned to China's possession in 1997 after more than a hundred years of British occupation, is the fourth most densely populated territory in the world.

Best Things to do in Hong Kong

The Good

The former British colony is the ultimate destination for every dedicated shopping fanatic, scoring a record 9.25/10 in this category. 

Other than that, the now Chinese metropolis possesses an outstanding setting with its deep natural harbor and a very impressive modern skyline (best seen from Victoria Peak) and is very safe.

In addition, the nightlife is excellent and public transport is simply outstanding.

Negative Aspects

Though scoring 6.75/10 for its sights, there are not as many top sights as in other high-rated cities and Hong Kong is rather expensive.

Furthermore, several of the more important sights lie quite far outside the city.


B. Best Things to Do in Hong Kong in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than thirty sights in Hong Kong. The following sights contribute to a score of 6.75/10 in this most important category:

# Victoria Peak 7 3.6 out of 5 stars

With an elevation of 552 m (1,811 ft), Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island, offers — on a bright day — spectacular views of the city, the harbor, and the outlying islands.

We recommend a visit just before it gets dark and then to stay and marvel at the highly impressive lit-up skyline. To avoid massive queues, consider instead of the Peak Tram (actually a funicular railway) to get to the top by public bus (#15C) or taxi.

Viewpoint Elevation: 552 m / 1,811 ft

Best Cities in the World | Hong Kong | Things to do in Hong Kong | Victoria Peak

# Ocean Park 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Opened in 1977, Ocean Park Hong Kong is a crossover between an amusement park, a marine park, an oceanarium (ca. 4 million liters, designed by Frank Gehry), and an animal theme park.  The park is located on the southern side of Hong Kong Island, around 10 km from the city. 

With an area of more than 915,000 square meters and more than 44 attractions and rides inside the park, it attracts almost 8 million visitors annually.

Animal Theme Park

by Leonardolo / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Sky 100 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

From the sky100 indoor observation deck in West Kowloon you have a postcard-like 360° view of Hong Kong through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Sky100, also called ICC, is the tallest building (484 m, 1587 ft) with the highest indoor observation deck (393 m, 1289 ft) in Hong Kong with four restaurants on the 101st floor.

Skyscraper Total Height: 484 m | Observation Deck: 393 m | Completed: 2011

by Staeiou / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Chi Lin Nunnery 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Established in 1934 and renovated in 1998, this Buddhist temple complex comprises magnificently crafted cedar halls, gardens, courtyards, gilded statues, and lotus ponds.

Temple

Things to do in Hong Kong | Best Cities | No. 13: Hong Kong | Chi Lin Nunnery

 

# Nan Lian Garden 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

This beautiful Chinese Classical Garden features hills, two water ponds, and a waterfall, the iconic Pavilion of Absolute Perfection connected by two red-painted Zi Wu Bridges, as well as a lot of trees, rocks, and wooden structures.

Park Land Area: 0.35 km2 / 8.64 acres | Created: 2006

Things to do in Hong Kong | Best Cities | No. 13: Hong Kong | Nan Lian Garden (park)

 

# Temple Street Night Market 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

The city's largest and most popular night market features over one hundred stalls selling clothing, electronics, toys, trinkets, secondhand goods, jewelry, food, and various other cheap merchandise.

Street Market

by Severin Stalder / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Ladies' Market 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

This 1 km long colorful market in Mongkok consists of over one hundred stalls selling mainly bargain clothing, souvenirs, accessories, cosmetics, and household products.

Street Market

Things to do in Hong Kong | Best Cities | No. 13: Hong Kong | Ladies' Market

 

# Nathan Road 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Nathan Road is the main thoroughfare and shopping street in Kowloon. It stretches for 2.2 miles (3.6) kilometers aligned south-north from Tsim Sha Tsui to Sham Shui Po.

Shopping Street Length: 3.6 km / 2.2 miles

by Paul Louis / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Causeway Bay 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Causeway Bay is a famous upmarket shopping and dining area with lots of entertainment venues. The rents in the shopping areas of Causeway Bay are consistently ranked as one of the world's most expensive.

City District

Things to do in Hong Kong | Best Cities | No. 13: Hong Kong | Causeway Bay (city district, shopping)

 

# Wong Tai Sin 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Dedicated to Wong Tai Sin, this 18,000 m2 (190,000 sq ft) Taoist temple complex is Hong Kong’s busiest temple with over 10,000 visitors each day.

Taoist Temple

by HK Arun / CC BY-SA 3.0

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

🌍 = World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Hong Kong

#11 | Man Mo Temple 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Man Mo Temple, built in 1847, honors the gods of literature and war and is known for its detailed architecture and cultural significance. The temple features intricate carvings, hanging incense coils, and historic artifacts.

Temple

by LuhIao Mowioa Laoui / CC BY-SA 3.0

#12 | Museum of Tea Ware (Flagstaff House) 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

The Museum of Tea Ware, situated in a historic colonial building in Hong Kong Park, offers a comprehensive collection and exhibitions on the history and culture of Chinese tea drinking.

Temple

by Chanyuk Kunming / CC BY-SA 3.0

    • Nina Tower (Height 320 m, Observation Deck 151 m, Opened 2006) 5
    • Happy Valley Racecourse 5
    • Museum of History 5
    • HSBC Main Building 4
    • Tin Hau Temple 4
    • M+ Museum 4
    • Hong Kong Park 4
    • Hong Kong Seafront Promenade 4
    • St John's Cathedral 4
    • Central-Mid Levels Escalator 4

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Hong Kong

MACAO 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

Macao is a small, densely populated region with a unique cultural and historical heritage, a thriving economy centered on tourism and gambling, and a distinct administrative and legal system.

The region is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Ruins of St. Paul's and the Historic Centre of Macao and its famous Casinos like the Venetian. 

City 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 2005 | 1h by Speedboat

by HK Arun / CC BY-SA 3.0

Big Buddha 6 3 out of 5 stars

The Big Buddha on Lantau Island is a monumental bronze statue representing harmony, accessible via steps or a cable car.

Completed in 1993, it stands at 34 meters tall and weighs over 250 metric tons.

Statue  Distance from Hong Kong: 57 km

by Jakub Hałun / CC BY-SA 3.0

Disneyland Hongkong 6 3 out of 5 stars

Disneyland Hong Kong features seven uniquely themed areas, from early 20th-century America to futuristic worlds, each with distinctive attractions and experiences.

Statue  Distance from Hong Kong: 23 km

by Castleofmagicaldreams2020 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Chimelong Ocean Kingdom 6 3 out of 5 stars

Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, in Zhuhai, China, is a major theme park with the world's largest aquarium, numerous marine exhibits, and various rides and shows.

Theme Park | World's Largest Aquarium 2h from Hong Kong, by Ferry to Macau and then Bus or Taxi

by worldcitiesranking.com

Po Lin Monastery (57 km from Hong Kong, with Cableway) 5

 

E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Hong Kong (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend you when visiting Hong Kong for at least three entire days:

Victoria Peak (Viewpoint with Funicular Railway) 7

🌏 MACAO (city, 1h away by Speedboat) 7

Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (Theme Park, 2 h away) 6

 Disneyland Hongkong (23 km away) 6

 Big Buddha (Statue, 57 km away) 6

Ocean Park (Theme Park, 10 km away) 6

Sky100 (Height: 484 m) 6

Chi Lin Nunnery 5

 Nan Lian Garden (Park) 5

Temple Street Night Market 5