20 Things to Do in Hong Kong

We've picked our 20 things to do in Hong Kong. There's a mix here of the essentials and must sees as well as some of the more off the beaten track things to do.

Seen the essentials? Been across on the Star Ferry and seen the skyline from every angle? Check out our twenty more things to do in Hong Kong article for retro theme parks, Tai Mo Shan and cocktail bars on the beach. 

The Essentials

• See the skyline – If you see only one thing, see this. With more skyscrapers than any other city in the world and most of them packed into just a few square miles the view is spectacular.

• Eat Dim Sum – Many of Hong Kong’s best experiences involve stuffing yourself, but Dim Sum not only involves digging into delicious bite sized food but also the experience of marking your card, sharing your food and totting up the bill.

• Shop at Temple Street night market – Hong Kong is still a town obsessed with shopping and at its heart it’s a city that loves its markets. Packed with, well everything, from tourist tat to palm readers, bartering is part of the experience at Temple Street night market and one only enhanced by the late night setting.

• Ride the Star Ferry – Possibly the quintessential Hong Kong experience. – the Star Ferry is more than a 100 years old and its classic ferries still swim the route between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central. Running every few minutes the ferries offer superb views of the skyline.

• Walk Nathan Road – Few streets capture the excitement, big city boldness and unbridled enthusiasm for capitalism in Hong Kong as Nathan Road. This wide thoroughfare is stacked with shops, con men trying to hawk watches, suits and whatever else came in from Shenzhen this morning and the neon signs that have made the city famous
  

  Eating

• Eat at Tim Ho Wan – There are a thousand places fantastic places to eat in Hong Kong but a Michelin starred restaurant where you can get hold of a whole meal for less than $5 deserves a visit. Watch out for the queues.

• Eat at a Dai Pai Dong – Hong Kong’s dying art of street food struggles on despite heavy handed government regulation. Al fresco dining at its best.

• Eat at a buffet – Hong Kongers love a buffet and over the years competition has seen them get bigger and better. Our tip is the Island Shangri La where they go in for a little bit of showmanship in the open floor kitchen.

• Don’t eat Shark Fin soup – Bad for the environment and with little taste itself give Shark Fin soup a miss. Looking for something equally adventurous? Sink your teeth into some abalone.

• Tea at the Peninsula – Once the preserve of colonels, captains of industry and governors the cucumber sandwiches and scones still attract a well-heeled crowd and has lost none of its tradition.
  

  Shopping in Hong Kong

• Cheap tech at Wan Chai computer centre – Amidst the tangle of cables at this makeshift computer market you’ll find cut price tablets, knock off mobile phones and second hand laptops.

• Camera shopping on Stanley Street – Hong Kong remains a good place to pick up a bargain on a high end camera. Many camera experts swear by the experts in the stores on Stanley Street.

• Hong Kong style at Liger in Causeway Bay – If you’re looking for some local style, look no further than Liger. Founded by local fashionista Hillary Tsui this exclusive boutique is always on the front foot of Hong Kong fashion.

• Pick up some souvenirs at the Ladies Market – Don’t let the claim that the Ladies Market in Mongkok is aimed at tourists put you off, it is and it’s brilliant. Cheap chopsticks, chess sets and cheongsams and all the souvenirs you’ll ever want.

• Get fitted at a Hong Kong tailor – This is a city that likes to look sharp and the city’s family run tailors have a worldwide reputation for excellent quality and good value.
  

  Sightseeing in Hong Kong

• The Peak – For some this is Hong Kong’s best attraction and certainly the biggest in terms of visitor numbers. Sat in the centre of Hong Kong Island the Peak offers fantastic views onto the skyscrapers and on clear days to China beyond.

• Ngong Ping and Big Buddha – Nestled in the greenery of Lamma, the great Big Buddha has long attracted hordes of tourists to gawp at this impressive, 34 foot statue and the trip is even more enjoyable now with the addition of a cable car ride to reach the mountain top

• Ocean Park - Simply brilliant. Hong Kong’s home grown theme park offers a winning mix of thrill rides and deep sea creatures to look at with the Aquarium and jelly fish exhibition just two of several world class attractions.

• Hong Kong Heritage Museum – Most of the museums in Hong Kong are a must miss but the Hong Kong heritage museum gives a snappy overview of Hong Kong’s short but busy past.

• Happy Valley – Undoubtedly the most exciting night out in town, the cacophonous Happy Valley racecourse offers one of the most electric settings in the world as thousands of punters urge on their favourite philly amidst a backdrop of skyscrapers and jugs of beer.