Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business Hong Kong packs an astonishing amount into a small space. Skyscrapers crowd a narrow strip between mountains and harbor, old green ferries still churn across the water, and a short ride from the busiest streets leads to hiking trails, fishing villages and quiet monasteries.
This guide covers the best places to visit in Hong Kong, grouped by area, with what to see, how long to allow and a practical tip for each.
Hong Kong grew from a cluster of fishing villages into one of the world's great trading ports, and its history as a British colony until 1997 left a mix of Cantonese tradition and colonial architecture that you notice on every street.
What surprises many first-time visitors is how green it is. Around three quarters of the territory is countryside, and much of it is protected in country parks, with ridge-top trails, beaches and outlying islands reachable by bus or ferry.
The view from Victoria Peak over the skyline and harbor is Hong Kong's signature sight. The Peak Tram, running since 1888 and upgraded with new, larger cars in 2022, hauls you up a startlingly steep track from Central.
The Peak Tram has carried passengers up the slopes to Victoria Peak since 1888. Photo: Ank Kumar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Crossing Victoria Harbour on the Star Ferry is a short ride but a memorable one, and the company has been running boats across the harbor since the late nineteenth century. Board at Central or Wan Chai pier and ride to Tsim Sha Tsui, sitting on the open side for the best view of the skyline.
Star Ferry boats shuttle between Hong Kong Island and Tsim Sha Tsui across Victoria Harbour. Photo: Alexkom000, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
The waterfront promenade in Tsim Sha Tsui faces the Hong Kong Island skyline and includes the refurbished Avenue of Stars, honoring the city's film industry, as well as the old Clock Tower from the former railway terminus. Each evening, buildings on both sides of the harbor join in the Symphony of Lights show.
M+ in the West Kowloon Cultural District is a museum of twentieth and twenty-first century visual culture. Photo: BAMAA Nai Kamiao, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
On Hollywood Road in Sheung Wan, Man Mo Temple was built in the 1840s to honor Man, the god of literature, and Mo, the god of war. Giant coils of incense hang from the ceiling and fill the hall with smoke and dim light.
Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road honors the gods of literature and war. Photo: Bahnfrend, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Tai Kwun is the restored former Central Police Station compound, including a former magistracy and prison, now home to galleries, exhibitions, restaurants and courtyards.
Tai Kwun reuses the former Central Police Station compound as a center for heritage and arts. Photo: Wpcpey, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
In Yau Ma Tei, Temple Street Night Market comes alive after dark with stalls selling souvenirs, gadgets and clothing, open-air seafood and clay pot rice restaurants, and fortune tellers near the Tin Hau temple.
Temple Street Night Market fills the streets of Yau Ma Tei with stalls each evening. Photo: Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Wong Tai Sin Temple, near the metro station of the same name, is one of the city's busiest temples, where worshippers shake bamboo fortune sticks and seek answers from fortune tellers.
Chi Lin Nunnery was rebuilt in traditional timber style, and Nan Lian Garden lies across the road. Photo: Kroisenbrunner, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
On Lantau Island, the bronze Tian Tan Buddha, often called the Big Buddha, sits on a hilltop at Ngong Ping above Po Lin Monastery, and you can climb more than two hundred steps to its base.
The bronze Tian Tan Buddha sits at Ngong Ping on Lantau Island, near Po Lin Monastery. Photo: Béria Lima de Rodríguez, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
A short bus ride from Ngong Ping, Tai O is a fishing village on Lantau's west coast with wooden stilt houses built over tidal creeks. Wander the lanes past shops selling dried seafood and shrimp paste, and take a short boat trip out to sea, where you may be lucky enough to spot pink dolphins.
Tai O on the western coast of Lantau is known for its stilt houses built over tidal waterways. Photo: Underwaterbuffalo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hong Kong's best known urban hike follows a rolling ridge in Shek O Country Park on the southeast of Hong Kong Island, with views over the South China Sea, Shek O and Tai Tam.
Eating is a central part of any trip here.
The cha chaan teng, a Hong Kong-style diner, serves milk tea made with evaporated milk, pineapple buns with a slab of butter, macaroni soup and French toast. Egg tarts come warm from bakeries all over the city.
Popular dishes to try in Hong Kong
Central and Sheung Wan. Close to the Peak Tram, Star Ferry, nightlife and the Airport Express terminal.
Tsim Sha Tsui. On the Kowloon side, with harbor views, museums and easy metro and ferry access.
Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok. Lively, local and generally more affordable, close to the night markets.
Lantau and the airport area. Convenient for early flights, Ngong Ping and Tai O, but far from city nightlife.
Where to stay in Hong Kong
Autumn, from October to December, is the best season, with sunny, dry days, cooler evenings and the clearest views from the Peak. January to March is cool and can be grey, but it is still pleasant for hiking.
Festivals are a big draw.
Hong Kong International Airport, on Lantau Island, is one of the busiest hubs in Asia. The Airport Express train reaches Kowloon Station and Hong Kong Station in Central in about twenty-five minutes.
The MTR metro is fast, clean and easy to use, with signs in English. Pay with an Octopus card, which also works on buses, trams, ferries, minibuses and at many shops, or tap a contactless bank card at MTR gates.
Start in Sheung Wan at Man Mo Temple and Hollywood Road, then visit Tai Kwun and ride the Mid-Levels Escalator. In the late afternoon, take the Peak Tram up, walk the Lugard Road loop and watch the lights come on.
Ride the Ngong Ping 360 cable car to the Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery, then continue by bus to Tai O. Return to Kowloon in the evening for dinner and Temple Street Night Market.
Hike the Dragon's Back in the morning and relax at Big Wave Bay.
WISERMAP PLACEHong Kong: photos, reviews & things to doSee traveler photos and reviews, or share your own →
Fez, Morocco
Goa, India
Interlaken, Switzerland
Dolomites, Italy
Tulum, Mexico
Havana, Cuba