Best things to do in Hong Kong City

Victoria Peak

Victoria Peak is Hong Kong's number one tourist attraction and its popularity is unwavering. The funicular railway has steadily made its way up the mountain since 1888 and the route is extremely steep and rather thrilling. More energetic and athletic travellers can scale the real peak extending 140m (459ft) above the tram terminus. The summit's iconic Peak Tower houses numerous restaurants and shops, while Sky Terrace 428 offers Hong Kong's best skyline panorama. A lot of people choose to go up Victoria Peak at night when the city lights are at their most magical.

Website www.thepeak.com.hk

Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland offers magical adventures in seven themed settings: Adventureland, Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, Toy Story Land, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and Main Street USA. Kids will love exploring Tarzan's Treehouse, braving scary RC Racer and riding the classic Hyperspace Mountain, as well as spending time with their favourite characters such as Mickey Mouse, R2D2 and Winnie the Pooh. In addition to the numerous rides and various events and attractions, shops sell Disney souvenirs and restaurants offer a variety of food throughout the park.

Website www.hongkongdisneyland.com

Western Market

This indoor market is held in a four-storey red brick colonial building constructed in 1906, now occupying an entire block at the western end of Central Hong Kong. It houses a variety of shops and stalls selling a range of products from jade curios and cloissan jewellery to its celebrated mountains of silks and fabrics. From the site one can hop onto Hong Kong's ancient double-decker tram headed for Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Happy Valley.

Address 323 De Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wang

Transport

Take the MTR to Sheung Wan, exit B or C; bus or tram along Des Voeux Road to Sheung Wan.

Opens Shops are open daily 10am to 7pm; restaurants 11am to 11pm

Admission

Free

Hong Kong Police Museum

The Hong Kong Police Museum showcases a display tracing the development and history of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force since 1844. The main exhibit encompasses a significant number of artefacts from uniforms and firearms to historical archives and photographs. Other exhibits look at the major factions which have influenced the status quo such as the triad societies and narcotics trade, including a unique look at how heroin is produced. The museum also provides insight into the dedication of the officers who have served within this elite force. There is a pleasant park next door to the museum ideally suited for shade and refreshments.

Address 27 Coombe Road, The Peak, Hong Kong

Transport

Take NWFB Bus No. 15 (from Exchange Square to the Peak). Get off at the stop between Stubbs Road and Peak Road.

Opens Wednesday to Sunday 9am to 5pm; Tuesday 2pm to 5pm. Closed Mondays and public holidays.

Admission

Free

Statue Square

Statue Square is one of the most famous public pedestrian squares in Asia, and is a blend of Hong Kong's contemporary architecture. Built in 1897 and located in the very heart of Central's financial district, this small, lovely space features a pleasant collection of fountains and seating areas, and is flanked by a few landmark buildings.

The historic Old Supreme Court (completed in 1912) is worth looking out for, as is the distinctive HSBC Building, which has no central core and is a feat of structural engineering blended with the ultimate in aesthetic principles. Th Bank of China building, by contrast, is much debated because of its asymmetrically-designed pinnacle.

The square also contains the Cenotaph, which is a memorial to those who lost their lives in the two world wars. It's a popular place for locals to meet, share meals and socialise around its fountain and seating areas. Over Winterfest, Christmas displays, trees and lights are usually put up in the square.

Hong Kong Museum of History

The Hong Kong Museum of History showcases Hong Kong's archaeological, cultural and natural history, exhibiting artefacts, photographs and traditional costumes spanning some 6,000 years. Glorious displays tell the story of Chinese life in replica houses, streets and stores. The main museum has five interesting branches in Hong Kong: the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence at Shau Kei Wan, the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum at Sham Shui Po , Law Uk Folk Museum at Chai Wan, Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery inside the Quarry Bay Park and Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum at Mid-levels in Central.

Address 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kawloon (next to the Hong Kong Science Museum)

Website hk.history.museum

Transport

MTR Tsim Sha Tsiu, then walk via Granville Road; maxicab no 1 from Kowloon Star Ferry in Tsim Sha Tsiu to Science Museum Road

Opens Mondays and Wednesday to Friday 10am to 6pm. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 10am to 7pm. Closed on Tuesdays.

Admission

Free (special exhibitions may charge)

Wong Tai Sin Temple

This grand Taoist temple is dedicated to Wong Tai Sin, a legendary hermit who reputedly had healing powers and could foretell the future. A number of fortune tellers ply their trade here, offering palm and face reading. The ornate temple's red pillars, gold ceilings and decorative latticework are in the traditional Chinese style, and it's usually full of floral offerings and visitors burning incense or praying. The temple also has a lovely adjacent park called the Good Wish Gardens. It's a peaceful green spot with waterfalls tumbling over rocks.

Ocean Park

Ocean Park is Hong Kong's most popular theme park and regularly ranks as one of the best in the world. A spectacular aquarium, one of the largest on the planet, is complemented by a funfair containing multiple roller coasters, a space wheel, a swinging ship and more. The variety of rides is impressive and ranges from big thrill rides to mild fun, so there's lots for children and adults alike. Areas in the park include Marine World, Polar Adventure, Adventure Land, Thrill Mountain and the Rainforest. The cable car rides that transport visitors from one side of the park to the other are splendid in their own right, as are the many restaurants, shops and cafes.

Website www.oceanpark.com.hk

Aberdeen

Some 200 years ago, Hong Kong's Aberdeen was a haven for pirates. Located on the southern shore of Hong Kong Island, it's now home to the Tanka boat people who offer visitors a chance to experience their traditional lifestyle, sample fresh seafood at the Jumbo Floating Restaurant or embark on sampan tours. Aberdeen is a lively marina crammed with junks, sampans and water taxis (kai do), along with cruisers and yachts.

Lantau

Lantau is the largest of the 235 outlying islands in Hong Kong, and is best known for its walking trails and beaches, which provide a pleasant respite from crowds and shopping. The main arrival point to the island by ferry is at Mui Wo (Silvermine Bay).

The finest beaches are along the west coast, most notably Cheung Sha. Western Lantau is also the location of the Po Lin Monastery, where one of the world's largest outdoor Buddha statues stands. Wooden houses perch on stilts in the quaint fishing village of Tai O, while much of Lantau's north shore is predominantly a farming region.

The main attraction is the historical Tung Chung Fort, which was built to suppress the opium trade and defend the coast from pirates. Six old Qing Dynasty cannons dating back to 1832 stand on the ramparts. In Discovery Bay, upmarket housing complexes, yacht clubs and golf courses provide the ultimate designer lifestyle.

Macau

The cultural influence of both traditional Chinese and Portuguese has produced the unique region of Macau. Baroque churches and colonial mansions rise from cobbled pavements interspersed with plazas and cafes, while St Paul's Cathedral perched on its hilltop dates back to the early 17th century. The vantage point from the Fortaleza de Monte is excellent, and it's worth exploring the museum and meteorological observatory. The classic Chinese temple of A-Ma rests at the base of Penha Hill, built as a tribute to a poor fishing girl who saved the Queen of Heaven from a storm. It serves as a pilgrimage for Macau's fishing community. Another temple dedicated to the power of female intervention is the Kun Iam Temple, built in honour of the Goddess of Mercy.

Big Buddha

The Big Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha) is one of the tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddhas in the world. Found near Po Lin Monastery, it's a popular tourist destination and a major centre of Buddhism in Hong Kong.

The 112-foot (34m) high statue sits on a lotus throne atop a three-platform altar, surrounded by eight smaller gods. Inside, visitors access the Hall of the Universe, the Hall of Benevolent Merit and the Hall of Remembrance. They can also climb the 268 steps to reach the platform where the impressive figure is seated and admire the views. Some prefer to either hike down through the hills after taking the cable car, while others get there on the ferry and buses before taking the cable car back down into the city.

Ngong Ping 360

The Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car is a spectacular four-mile (6km) ropeway that affords panoramic views over the bay, the Tian Tan Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery on its 25-minute journey to the Ngong Ping Village. The Ngong Ping Village features attractions such as 'Walking with Buddha', the 'Monkey's Tale Theatre' and the 'Ngong Ping Teahouse', as well as an assortment of shopping and dining options. Visitors should make a point of taking the cable car, as it's an incredible experience. There are a variety of packages to choose from, with the more expensive Crystal Cabin enjoying a transparent floor. Queues for this attraction can get very long.

Website www.np360.com.hk

Hong Kong Science Museum

This museum has four floors covering a range of science and technology-related subjects, such as light, sound, motion, magnetism, electricity, robotics, virtual reality and more. This museum is extremely popular because of its hands-on approach, which allows children and adults alike to learn through involvement. The most prominent exhibit is a 72-foot (22m) tall twin tower energy machine, which can trigger spectacular audiovisual effects demonstrating various forms of energy. The Science Museum is a great option for entertaining and educating the young and the old, especially when the weather is bad and there are a few hours to spare. For smaller children, there are fun play areas and a toddler's tumble area.

Website hk.science.museum

Avenue of Stars

The Avenue of Stars is the local version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, celebrating famous icons of Hong Kong cinema. Situated along the seaside promenade, it's a great place to view the Symphony of Lights, a music and laser show staged every night at 8pm. Names such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li are obvious standouts, while there's even a statue of Bruce Lee. It's worth doing the walk at night too, even without intentions to see the Symphony of Lights show. But the real reason for making the effort to visit the Avenue are the spectacular views of Victoria Harbour.

Website www.avenueofstars.com.hk

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

One of the most dramatic and sacred sites in Hong Kong, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is perched at the top of a hill in the town of Sha Tin. Visitors must climb more than 400 stairs to reach the temple and the famous nine-storey pagoda. The monastery actually contains nearly 13,000 Buddha statues within its walls alone, and many more stand along the pathways and stairs. The statues come in a great variety of shapes and sizes, and the temple complex is breathtakingly colourful with beautiful views. Unlike many famous temples in Hong Kong, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery has retained its tranquil atmosphere and spiritual atmosphere.

Hong Kong Wetland Park

Showcasing incredible biodiversity, the Hong Kong Wetland Park's main objectives are conservation and education. The park consists of the Wetland Interactive World and the Wetland Reserve, which is home to an array of fascinating fauna such as fearsome crocodiles, a range of butterflies and many birds observed from the three bird hides. The Wetland Interactive World has themed galleries, exhibitions and a theatre, along with interactive games and sound booths where kids can compose wetland symphonies using the nature's soundtrack. This attraction is consistently popular with tourists and makes for a really lovely break from Hong Kong's indoor, urban attractions, delighting people of all ages interested in nature and animals.

Website www.wetlandpark.gov.hk/en

Hong Kong Museum of Art

The Hong Kong Museum of Art's five permanent galleries have large collections of ceramics, cloisonné, bronzes, lacquerware, bamboo carvings, jade and textiles, as well as beautiful scrolls and examples of calligraphy. Conveniently located on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, it's great to visit for a quick taste of Chinese art history as it's possible to see most of the collections in about an hour. Another branch of the museum is the Museum of Tea Ware, located in a grand old house in Hong Kong Park. The Greek Revival architecture is typical of the colonial buildings of over 160 years ago, housing more than 600 examples of traditional tea ware, ranging from earthenware to delicate porcelain dating back to the 7th century.

Address Art Museum: 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Tea Museum: 10 Cotton Tree Drive, Central, Hong Kong.

Website hk.art.museum

Opens Art Museum: Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am—7pm, closed Thursdays.

Admission

Art Museum: HKD 10, concessions available; free admission on Wednesdays and free admission to Tea Museum

Stanley

The small fishing village of Stanley is a popular day trip for tourists looking to escape the city. It's home to a number of attractions and diversions, such as several scenic temples and museums. The famous Stanley Market is a winding maze of stalls selling souvenirs like t-shirts, keychains and cheap goods, while bars and restaurants along the waterfront pair great food with great views. Stanley is also popular for its beaches. Stanley Main Beach is a pleasant sandy beach but can get crowded on weekends. It's good for windsurfing and hosting dragon boat races each summer. St Stephens Beach, on the western side of the peninsula, is more secluded but just as popular.

Things to do in Hong Kong City

Victoria Peak

Hong Kong Disneyland

Western Market

Hong Kong Police Museum

Statue Square

Hong Kong Museum of History

Wong Tai Sin Temple

Ocean Park

Aberdeen

Lantau

Macau

Big Buddha

Ngong Ping 360

Hong Kong Science Museum

Avenue of Stars

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

Hong Kong Wetland Park

Hong Kong Museum of Art

Stanley