Delectable dim sum, floating islands, and a one-of-a-kind skyline are just some of Hong Kong’s unique features.
Hong Kong welcomes with an iconic skyline, a legendary kitchen, and lush, protected nature where rare birds and colourful traditions thrive.
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.
10:00am-6:00pm : Hong Kong Disneyland
Enjoy a world of Disney characters and Disney-inspired rides and attractions at Hong Kong Disneyland, an Asian branch of the popular American brand. Opened in 2005, the park caters to tourists, with the Disney cast speaking English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Explore seven themed sections, from a world of fantasy to Main Street, USA. Along the way you'll encounter attractions like Tarzan's treehouse, a Cinderella carousel, and Sleeping Beauty's castle--plus live Disney characters and plenty of dining options. Although an American company, this location has a uniquely Chinese flair, with important components of Chinese culture, such as feng shui, incorporated into its design.
10:00am-6:00pm : Ocean Park
An amusement and marine animal park with a huge variety of sea-themed rides on offer, Ocean Park attracts millions each year. This sprawling complex combines amusement rides with marine mammal shows. A large mountain separates the grounds into two parts--waterfront and summit--with a cable car running between them. Enjoy a ride up the funicular to reach the peak's attractions and panoramic views. Various shows will introduce you to marine animals like sharks, gators, and penguins, while rides will get your adrenaline pumping.
10:00am-10:30am : Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware
Learn about the history of tea and its cultural significance at Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, situated in the oldest colonial-style building in Hong Kong. Besides the fascinating architecture, the museum is home to various antique teapots, bowls, and trays, made out of porcelain or purple clay. View exhibits about the tea drinking ceremony, with explanations both in Chinese and English, and see the interactive displays showcasing the history of tea in China. Visit the cafe for some freshly brewed local tea, or purchase quality tea and accessories at the shop.
11:00am-1:00pm : Victoria Park(The Peak)
As the highest point on the island, Victoria Peak (The Peak) gives you a view of the Hong Kong skyline that's hard to beat. Visit the free observation deck to see the panorama of soaring skyscrapers, green hills, and busy Victoria Harbor. Grab an audio guide to listen to the history of this cosmopolitan city and the buildings in front of you. Several different lookout spots offer similar views, including a 3.5 km (2.2 mi) walk. For the full experience, take the peak tram to reach the top. As you ascend, the city unfolds in front of you. For a budget-friendly alternative to the tram, ride a public bus to the summit.
1:30pm-2:00pm : Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences
Learn about the developments of medicine at Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences, a cultural institution based in a landmark building. Opened in 1995, the museum occupies three floors of what was once the Bacteriological Institute (built in an attractive Edwardian style in 1906). Walk through the 11 exhibition galleries, learning the history of medicine and medical practice in the city along with information regarding health and diseases, and contemporary issues of the medical world. Expect to find plenty of unrecognizable instruments, previously commonplace in doctors' surgeries and hospitals, used to treat illnesses, diseases, and injuries.
3:00pm-4:30pm : Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha)
Both a pilgrimage site and a popular tourist attraction, Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha) ranks among the city's top must-sees. The massive 34 m (111 ft) bronze statue, formally known as Tian Tan Buddha, was erected in 1993, bringing the Po Lin Monastery to the world's attention. The Buddha sits at the top of 268 steps, facing north. Climb to the top for a closer look at the statue, and to savor the panoramic vista of mountains and sea below. Remember that this is an important Buddhist site, so be respectful of those here to see Buddha as more than a tourist attraction. After your visit, explore the Po Lin Monastery just opposite.
5:00pm-5:30pm : Wisdom path
Take a meditative walk along Wisdom Path, an arrangement of monuments representing important prayer verses. The 38 monuments each display verses from the ancient Heart Sutra, which is sacred to Confucians, Buddhists, and Taoists. Wander up close and you'll see the prayers, engraved in Chinese symbols into the structures. Notice how the monuments form an infinity pattern. While a popular attraction, the place retains a feeling of serenity and calm. Combine this with a visit to the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery.
10:00am-10:30am : Monster Building
The Monster Building is a system of five interconnected buildings in Quarry Bay, Hong Kong. It is a popular location for photography, and had been used as inspiration for several filming locations.
10:30am-11:00am : Montane Mansion
12:00am-6:00pm : Lantau island
The largest of Hong Kong's islands, Lantau island offers up no shortage of tourist attractions, from sandy beaches to Buddhist architecture. Take a quick boat trip there, and then explore quaint fishing villages, ancient temples, and outlet shopping. Ride a cable car up to the massive Buddha figure--a highlight of the island, on the grounds of one of the nation's most revered monasteries.
10:00am-11:30am : Nan Lian Garden
Built in the classical style of the Tang Dynasty and featuring water as its central theme, Nan Lian Garden contains wooden bridges, pavilions, a waterfall, a spring, a brook, and two koi ponds. The serene setting of the garden serves a quick getaway from the city's hustle and bustle. Stroll around to admire the garden's architectural structures, such as terraces, towers, a thatch-roofed cottage, and a watermill.
12:00pm-2:30pm : Parasailling & Paragliding
3:00pm-4:30pm : Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence
History buffs in particular will appreciate Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, which traces some of the most vital moments of Hong Kong’s history. This location marks an area of significant strategic importance, as the Lei Yue Mun Fort played an important role in the Battle of Hong Kong during World War II. Displays cover 600 years of history, and go into great detail on the commonwealth era and offering a unique perspective on Hong Kong’s recent past. Reflect on the many battles that took place here as you wander the open-air exhibits, featuring preserved defense installations and panoramic views of Kowloon.
5:00pm-5:30pm : Top One Bakery
10:00am-12:30pm : Hong Kong Skyline
Hong Kong Skyline remains one of the most impressive things about this world-class city. For the best view, make your way to the top of Victoria Peak, where you can look out unimpeded over the whole island and its cityscape. You'll also get fantastic views by simply taking a walk along the river. Hopping on a boat cruise will give you the chance to view both the dense collection of skyscrapers beyond Victoria Harbor, and look back on Kowloon. At night, a dazzling show of colored lights, laser beams, and searchlights illuminates the dark sky on both sides of the harbor, and is worth a watch.
1:00pm-3:30pm : Hong Kong Museum of History
Through exhibits of natural history, archeology, ethnology, and local history, Hong Kong Museum of History presents the historical and cultural heritage of this island. Established in 1975, the museum includes collections that date back to 1962, when the former city museum was founded. Eight permanent galleries tell Hong Kong's story, covering 400 million years of history through graphics, dioramas, text, and special audio and lighting effects. You'll embark on a journey through time, from Prehistoric Hong Kong to the modern metropolis. Exhibits focus on the dynasties, folk culture, opium wars, early days of the city, Japanese occupation, and return to China. Temporary exhibits related to the museum's theme change periodically.
4:00pm-5:30pm : Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
An urban area to the south of the island, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade enchants crowds of visitors with its spectacular view of Hong Kong's skyline, standing tall above Victoria Harbor. The sight of endless skyscrapers across the busy waters gives you an idea of the pace at which this place moves. Tour attractions like the cultural center and space museum, and finish off with some high-end shopping or take a break to refuel at one of the area's cafes or restaurants.
10:00am-12:30pm : Food Tours
Dive into Hong Kong's diverse historical and cultural heritage by sampling scrumptious local delights on a walking food tour through its vibrant neighborhoods. With a small group of travelers, you'll follow a knowledgeable guide, eating your way through back alleys and colorful open markets. Meeting a local chef is a great opportunity to learn how Guangzhou and Cantonese cuisines blended with British cooking traditions and Western influences from the 1950s. Most tours last 4 hours, which is more than enough time to sate your appetite and see some of the city's highlights along the way.
1:00pm-3:30pm : IFC mall
IFC mall is a good place to break your journey with shopping or dining at a large complex housing over 200 stores. The shops and restaurants are pricy, so consider bringing your own food for a picnic in the big public space on the roof garden. Catching a movie in the mall's theater remains a great way to escape the rain and heat of the summer months.
4:00pm-5:30pm : Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Man Fat Sze)
Discover a hidden oasis filled with masterful artworks at Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Man Fat Sze). While not technically a monastery, this hilltop complex retains all the architectural features of a Buddhist monastery and radiates meditative atmosphere. Its best-known features remain its statues of Buddha--over 12,000 of them, with no two exactly the same. A hillside path lined with some of the statues lead you up to the monastery, where you can admire the rest of the collection. Rest and rejuvenate at the hilltop cafe, which serves drinks and snacks.