Hong Kong completely surprised me. Before visiting, I expected a city filled with towering skyscrapers, bustling markets, and incredible food. While all of those things certainly lived up to the hype, what I didn’t expect was the incredible diversity of experiences packed into such a small area.
One day I was hiking mountain trails with sweeping views over the South China Sea. The next, I was wandering through vibrant city streets before ending my trip with a magical birthday celebration at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Whether you’re visiting for a long weekend or adding Hong Kong to a larger Asia itinerary, here are my top 10 things to do in Hong Kong.
Where to stay at Hong Kong
Budget: The Kowloon Hotel
Mid-Range: Cordis, Hong Kong – Langham Hospitality Group
Luxury: Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel
Top Tours/Day Trips in Hong Kong
– Hong Kong Day Tour: Priority Peak Tram, City Walk & Dim Sum
– Hong Kong: Lantau VIP Priority Cable Car, Big Buddha & Tai O
– Hong Kong Disneyland Park Tickets
– Hong Kong: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Optional Peak Tram
– Hong Kong: Street Food Tour with Locals – Dim Sum and Wonton
1. Hike Victoria Peak for the Best Views in the City
No trip to Hong Kong is complete without visiting Victoria Peak.
You can visit Victoria Peak by either the famous Peak Tram to the top or by hiking – both are amazing options, depending on your travel style!
Standing at the top and looking out over the city is one of those classic Hong Kong moments you’ll never forget. Be sure to stay at the peak for sunset – this was one of the highlights of my trip!
The Peak Tram is very popular, so be sure to book your tickets in advance!
2. Explore Central and Soho
One of the best ways to experience Hong Kong is simply by wandering.
I loved exploring the streets of Central and Soho, where you’ll find everything from towering skyscrapers and historic buildings to colorful street art and trendy cafés. Don’t miss:
- The Mid-Levels Escalator
- Graham Street Market
- Hollywood Road
- Local bakeries and coffee shops
It’s the perfect place to spend a relaxed morning soaking up the atmosphere.
Check out this city walking tour: Hong Kong Day Tour: Priority Peak Tram, City Walk & Dim Sum
3. Take a Day Trip to Lantau Island
If you’re only planning on staying in the city, you’re missing out on one of Hong Kong’s best destinations. Lantau Island offers a completely different side of Hong Kong, with rugged mountain peaks, hiking trails, temples, fishing villages, and beautiful coastal scenery – it ended up being one of the highlights of my entire trip!
Check out this day tour to Lantau Island: Hong Kong: Lantau VIP Priority Cable Car, Big Buddha & Tai O
4. Hike Lantau Peak
Speaking of Lantau Island…
If you enjoy hiking, make sure you add Lantau Peak to your itinerary! At 934 metres, it’s the second-highest mountain in Hong Kong and offers incredible panoramic views across the island and surrounding coastline. The climb is STEEP (so. many. stairs.), but the views from the summit were unbeatable. 10/10 would recommend!!
5. Visit the Big Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha)
Located on Lantau Island, the Tian Tan Buddha is one of Hong Kong’s most iconic landmarks. Towering above the surrounding mountains, the massive bronze statue is impressive both from a distance and up close.
After climbing the stairs to the top, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views across the island. While you’re there, take some time to explore nearby Po Lin Monastery as well.
6. Ride the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car
The Ngong Ping 360 offers stunning views over mountains, forests, the South China Sea, and Hong Kong International Airport. It’s easily one of the most scenic cable car rides I’ve ever experienced. And if you’re visiting Lantau Island and the Big Buddha, this is a fantastic way to get there.
Check out this day tour to Lantau Island: Hong Kong: Lantau VIP Priority Cable Car, Big Buddha & Tai O
7. Spend a Day at Hong Kong Disneyland
One of the highlights of my trip was spending a day at Hong Kong Disneyland – and even celebrating my birthday there! Check out my full guide to Hong Kong Disneyland here!
Hong Kong is one of Disney’s smaller parks which makes it perfect for a day trip!
Some of my favorite experiences included:
- Riding Mystic Manor
- Exploring World of Frozen
- Trying all the themed snacks
- Watching the nighttime spectacular
Be sure to book your Disney tickets in advance: Hong Kong Disneyland Park Tickets
Where to stay at Hong Kong Disneyland
Budget: Disney’s Hollywood Hotel
Mid-Range: Disney Explorers Lodge
Luxury: Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel
8. Eat Your Way Through Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a food lover’s dream.
Whether you’re grabbing dim sum, trying fresh egg tarts, sipping Hong Kong milk tea, or discovering local street food, there’s no shortage of incredible things to eat. Some of my favorite food experiences included:
- Dim sum
- Egg tarts
- Pineapple buns
- Hong Kong-style milk tea
- Local noodle dishes
If you’re a foodie, going on a food tour like this one Hong Kong: Street Food Tour with Locals – Dim Sum and Wonton is the perfect way to find all the local favorites and hidden gems!
9. Visit the Avenue of Stars
Stretching along Victoria Harbour, the Avenue of Stars offers some of the best views of Hong Kong’s famous skyline.
It’s a lovely place for a walk, especially in the evening when the city lights begin to sparkle across the water. Don’t forget to stop by the Bruce Lee statue while you’re there.
10. Watch the Hong Kong Skyline at Night
If there’s one thing Hong Kong does exceptionally well, it’s skylines! As the sun sets, the city transforms into a sea of lights reflected across Victoria Harbour. Whether you’re watching from Victoria Peak, the waterfront, or a rooftop bar, experiencing Hong Kong after dark is something every visitor should do. It’s the perfect way to end a day of exploring.
An even more magical way to experience Hong Kong by night is on a cruise around the harbor like this one: Hong Kong: Victoria Harbor Night Cruise Unlimited Drink
Hong Kong ended up being one of the most surprising destinations I’ve visited.
It’s a place where modern skyscrapers sit alongside mountain trails, where bustling city streets are only a short train ride from peaceful temples, and where you can spend the morning hiking a mountain before ending the day with fireworks over a Disney castle.
Whether you’re visiting for three days or a week, these experiences showcase the very best of what Hong Kong has to offer (and if you’re anything like me, you’ll leave already planning your next trip back!)
Helpful Hong KOng Travel Links
Where to stay at Hong Kong
Budget: The Kowloon Hotel
Mid-Range: Cordis, Hong Kong – Langham Hospitality Group
Luxury: Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel
Top Tours/Day Trips in Hong Kong
– Hong Kong Day Tour: Priority Peak Tram, City Walk & Dim Sum
– Hong Kong: Lantau VIP Priority Cable Car, Big Buddha & Tai O
– Hong Kong Disneyland Park Tickets
– Hong Kong: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Optional Peak Tram
– Hong Kong: Street Food Tour with Locals – Dim Sum and Wonton
How to Get Around Hong Kong – Octopus Card
Getting around Hong Kong is incredibly easy thanks to the city’s efficient public transport system. From my research, picking up an Octopus Card at the airport and using it for your trip was highly recommended – it makes getting around seamless and can be used on the MTR, buses, trams, ferries, and even at convenience stores. While the Octopus Card is cheaper, I didn’t have cash readily available to top up the card (for some reason the 7 Elevens only accept cash to top up the card) so I just found it easier to just tap my apple pay at the MTR gates.
The MTR is by far the easiest way to explore the city and get to Hong Kong Disneyland, but taxis and ride shares are also widely available if you’re heading somewhere more direct.
Hong Kong SIM Card: Airalo eSIM
Staying connected in Hong Kong is a must for maps, transport apps, bookings, and Googling “best egg waffles near me” (trust me). I used Airalo, an eSIM app that lets you download a Hong Kong data plan before you even land.
There’s no need to swap physical SIM cards or hunt down a store at the airport. Just activate your eSIM and you’re online the moment you arrive – easy, affordable, and super convenient.
👉 Get your Hong Kong eSIM with Airalo here
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links – at no extra cost to you
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