The most cosmopolitan of metropolises, the bustling city of Hong Kong, is a city of startling contrasts. It is a land that is filled with peaceful temple complexes and electrifying city spaces. Cutting edge art galleries sit cheek by jowl with old world antique stores. This inventive city is filled with people who are constantly on the move. In short, Hong Kong is the playground of the people who work hard and party harder. Hong Kong is also filled with sites so unique that you can never get enough of them. Some stunning things to do in Hong Kong include a visit to Victoria’s Peak, an outing to Happy Valley Racecourse and even a trip aboard a reconverted junk. To discover some of the most inspiring things to do in this fabled land, read on.
Here Are 10 Awesome Things To Do In Hong Kong:
1. Gaze At The Stunning Skyline From Atop Victoria’s Peak
The panoramic view from atop Victoria’s Peak is the one stunning image that best encapsulates the pulsating energy of Hong Kong.
The quickest and probably the most charming way to arrive at the top of the Victoria’s peak is to travel by the Peak Tram.
The 554 meter tall Victoria’s Peak, which is the highest point in all of Hong Kong, is located in the Western region of Hong Kong. The peak is also the location for one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Hong Kong since colonial times.
2. Visit The Bustling Temple Street Night Market
Experience the drama and festivity of an authentic Chinese Market by visiting the Temple Street Night Market. This market is the best place to observe a cross section of the Hong Kong Society in one street.
The Temple Market is named after the famous Tin Hau Temple which literally cuts the market into two. This lively open air market extends all the way from Man Ming Lane to Nanking Street.
Although the market opens around noon time, the best time to experience the electrifying environment of Temple Market is after 11 in the night. The market is home to numerous open air food stalls, clothes shops and stalls selling everyday items. The open air Cantonese opera performances are yet another highlight of this market.
3. Spend Some Exciting Time At Hong Kong Disneyland
Inspired by fairytale dreams, Hong Kong Disneyland, the fifth Disneyland in the world, is situated on reclaimed land on Penny’s Bay. A visit to this magical entertainment site breathes life into an imaginary world and turns it into a delightful reality.
The seven lands within this park are gateways to mysterious museums, terrifying jungles and the outer space.
Besides getting an opportunity to interact with ones favorite Disney characters, the Hong Kong Disney land is also known for its enchanting firework pageantry. After a day of fun and frolic at the park tourists can head to the numerous restaurants within its precincts to sate their hunger pangs.
4. Plan An Outing To Happy Valley Racecourse
An adrenaline filled outing to Happy Valley Racecourse is one of the quintessential things to do, while in Hong Kong. With its impressive race tracks, the Happy Valley Racecourse is an oasis of green amidst a forest of glass and chrome high rises.
One of the most prominent horse racing venues in the whole world, the Happy Valley Racecourse, held its very first horse race way back in 1846.
The fizz of excitement one experiences while attending the numerous horseraces conducted in this venue is truly indescribable. So, get into the thick of action, and soak up the electrifying atmosphere as locals and expats place their bets on their favorite horses.
5. Step Back In Time By Visiting the Hong Kong Museum of History
The Hong Kong Museum of History, which is spread over 7000 sq meters of space, is the best place to enjoy a whistle stop overview, of nearly 400 million years of the territory’s spectacular history.
This museum is located in Tsim Sha Tsui area, in Kowloon. The vast space inside the museum is divided into eight stunning galleries.
A walk through these galleries will take visitors through a fantastic cultural and educational expedition that extends right from prehistoric times up until the time Hong Kong was handed over by the British back to China in 1997. Besides the numerous stunning lifelike exhibits guests can also marvel at the innumerable multimedia displays.
6. Enjoy A Daytrip To Lantau Island
Located at the mouth of the Pearl River, the stunning Lantau Island unleashes the outdoorsy urge in all of us. The fastest way to get to Lantau Island, the largest outlying island of Hong Kong, is via the Tung Chung MTR line.
Lantau Island was once a sleepy fishing village that was best known for its spectacular coastline and rugged mountains.
Today, this island paradise has been transformed into a heady haven of limitless entertainment. Some of the top tourist attractions on this Island include the Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Ping Piazza, Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride, Tai O Cultural Workshop (to name a few attractions).
7. Visit The Iconic Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower
Standing proudly on the southern shores of Tsim Sha Tsui, the iconic clock tower is one of the oldest and most coveted historical monuments of Hong Kong.
The 44 meter high clock tower with its distinctive red brick and granite facade was erected almost a century back.
The Tsim Sha Tsui clock tower was declared a national monument in 1991. A visit to this monument is not quite complete without enjoying the Symphony of Lights Show.
8. Charter A Junk And Sail Around the Rugged Coastline
If you can’t get enough aquatic adventure then why not charter a stately junk and sail around the rugged coastline of this archipelago? Hong Kong actually comprises of the mainland peninsula along with 260 islands. The best way to see some of these remote islands is aboard an ancient Chinese sailing ship or a junk. While most junks offer food and drink you can carry your own food aboard.
9. Take A Walk Along Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
The best way to sketch unforgettable memories in your mind of the stunning views across Victoria harbor is to take a leisurely walk along Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade.
This glorious promenade is located right next to Kowloon Tsim Sha Tsui area. One of the most beautiful urban promenades in the world, Tsim Sha Tsui promenade is home to Avenue of the Stars
In the evenings this promenade is the best place to catch the dazzling sound and light show known as the Symphony of Lights.
10. Say A Prayer at Tian Tan Buddha
The Tian Tan Buddha located at Ngong Ping is a premier tourist attraction in Hong Kong. Tian Tan Buddha or the Big Buddha is a 34 feet tall, 250 tonne statue of a seated Buddha.
The second largest, outdoor, seated Buddha in the world, the Tian Tan Buddha is made of pure Bronze.
The grandiose size of this Buddha has become a magnet for millions of tourists who visit this sacred site to offer a prayer. According to popular lore, the Tian Tan Buddha is supposed to represent the harmonious relationship between man and nature.
