Hong Kong

My Ultimate List of Things to Do in Hong Kong

Christian McKinleyBy Christian McKinley
March 31, 2026|0 Comments

Hong Kong has to be one of the best cities in the world for the amount of things you can do for its size, and there are things for every type of person whether you are into arts, culture, shopping, outdoor activities… there is something for everyone – and for me – someone who loves exploring the big high energy cities of Asia, Hong Kong is one of my absolute favourite places in the world. In order to properly organise the long list of things to do, I have categroised them into:

  1. The Essentials – the absolute musts everyone should d
  2. If you have time – awesome things – but require the allocated time
  3. If it’s you’re thing – these are things that are still awesoem things to check out – but might depend on ones individual preferences, for example things like theme paks, day hikes, etc.
  4. More things to do  – these are things that are still worth checking out, however I have split them out to help you choose if you are on limited time
  5. Experience the everyday local Hong Kong life – I love tryign to experience the local life – so tese are suggesitons for those type of things

Things To Know

  • How Many Days Do You Need in Singapore: minimum 3, days, ideally 4 days, or 5 days if you plan on visiting Sentosa.
  • How Much does it cost? Singapore . Accommodation and Activities are expensive, however food can range from affordable if eating at local … to super exopeosnive fne dining. Budget xxx USD per day for Budget travel, ….. all the way up to xxx for …
  • Best Time to Visit Singapore: Singapore is a year-round destination. It is hot and humid all year round, with daily brief torrential downpours (so consider bringing your umbrella and/or raincoat). Note: It gets very busy when major events are on, such as Chinese New Year (February) and F1 (weekend in September) – so make sure to book in advance if visiting during these times.
  • Climate / What to Pack: Singapore is hot and humid – bring lightweight clothes that breather, shorts and t-shirts for outside in the day and nice shirt and shorts/pants for going out in Singapore’s upper-class night scene. Unlikely you’ll need a jumper or jacket.
  • Visa: Most countries do not require a visa to enter Singapore, however, check here for countries that do.
  • Language: English is the primary language, with Mandarin, Malay and Tamil also widely spoken.
  • Currency: Singapore Dollars (SGD).
  • Cash vs Card: Both are widely accepted.
  • Tipping: Most restaurants add a 10% gratuity charge to the bill, so a tip is not required (but I’m sure the waiter would be very happy if you did).
  • Power Plug: Singapore uses Powerplugs with 220-240 volts AC (50 cycles).
  • Getting There: Fly to Changi Airport (check Skyscanner for flights), or you can travel via land (see 12go for buses) if coming from Malaysia.
  • Getting Around: Singapore has an excellent public transport system known as the MRT, otherwise, use Grab or catch a Taxi.
  • Tax Refund: Tourists can claim a GST refund on purchases over $100 (at participating shops).
  • Booking accommodation: I found Agoda to be the best (cheapest) site for booking accommodation in Singapore
  • My Favourite Attraction: visiting Gardens By The Bay in the evening
  • Be sure to also check out https://www.discoverhongkong.com/
BEFORE YOU GO ⸻

THE ESSENTIALS

#1. Visit The Peak

See the Hong Skyline form The Peak

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#2. Watch the Evening Light Show from the Promenade

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#3. Take the Star Ferry Across Victoria Harbour

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#xx. Visit Lantau Island - Cable Car and Big Buddha

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#xx. Wander around the Different Neighbourhoods

I decided to amek a whole separate blog post – Best Neighbourhoods in Hong to Check Out about the best neighbourhoods to explore, these include Wan Shau and Central orea on HK Island, Mongkok, Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, …

Mongkok

Shopping

Street Markets

tg

 

#xx. Ride the Mid-Level Escalators

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#xx. Go to the local Markets

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#xx. Do a Food Tour

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#xx. Connect with nature at Kowloon Park & Gardens

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#xx. Ride the Ding Ding (Tram)

Thesse trams have to be as close to riding the Harry Potter Night Bus as you’ll get – extremely narrow and double decker, they are definitely worth experiencing.

IF YOU HAVE TIME

#4. Day Trip to Macau

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#4. Venture into Mainland China

Hong Kong and Macau are both great, but if you want to expereince the real China, then you have to go to Mainland. This is now much more accessible given China’s recent relaxing of visa restrictions and the excellent rail system that links Hong Kong and Mainland (I once took the high speed rail from Hong Kong all the way up to Beijing, the ~2,400km / 1,500 miles trip took just over 8 hours, with the train reaching over 300km/hr). Given how close the rapidly developing cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou are (only xxx mins by train to Shenzhen and xxx to Guanghzou) – it is easily to do as a day trip now. 

IF IT'S YOUR THING

#xx. Disneyland Hong Kong

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#xx. Disneyland Hong Kong

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#xx. Dragon's Back Hike

Those who have not been to Hong Kong might not know just how awesome its mountainous landscape is,  which makes it a great destination for those who love combining big cities with some outdoor hiking times. Dragon’s Back is the most famous hike, but there are also many others. Clcik here for list of the top hikes.

#xx. Happy Valley Racecourse

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

MORE THINGS TO DO

#xx. Lan Kwai Fong - check out Hong Kong's infamous nightlife area

…

Alternatively – if I also went to live bar in … – I am not a huge party person but this was fun!

#xx. Wander around the IFC mall (International Finance Centre)

Very nice shopping mall right near Central – for me it is almost mandatory when I am exploring that area as I am usually out exploring all day and so know where to find a good public toilet is essentail – and this would have to be amongst the nicest public toilets you’ll ever find.

#xx. Visit a Speak-Easy

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#xx. Do a Walking Tour

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#xx. Take the hop-on hop-off Bus

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#xx. Play Tennis on Centre Court

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#xx. Shopping at [one of the shopping centres]

Also Hong Kong has oen of the lowest tax rates on goods

#xx. Walk the steep steps of Ladder Street

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#xx. Visit Man Mo Temple

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#xx. Take a trip to one of the local Fishing Villages and eat Hong Kong's famous Seafood

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#xx. Visit Hollywood Road

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

#xx. Nan Lian Garden

If you like beautfiul gardens then it is worth visiting Nan Lian Gardens. The only reason it is not in my top … above is because it is a bit further to get to on the outskirt of North East Kowloon.

#xx. Sky100 Observation Deck

I put this as optioanl as you already get the best view of Hong Kong from The Peak.

#xx. Visit a Traditional Chinese Medicine Shop

…Take the tram up. Also a very nice walk you can do once your up there (budget at least an hour if you wwant to do the whoel loop). Because the view of Hong Kong from The Peak at Night is the most  … I would recommend heading up about an hour before sunset and do the walk first and then wathc the city by sunset and then light up at night.

LOCAl LIFE

#xx. Watch the locals battle it out on the local sporting fields

Another thing to do if you want to get a more local feel is take a seat in the rafters and watch the locals blow off steam after work on the local sporting fields. I found this to be really enjoyable when I was wandering past … after a big day of walking – really nice to just sit and watch for an hour.

#xx. ... the migrant workers having their Sunday picnic in the park

When i was … on a sunday past the … courts in … there were hundreds of tensts set up all mainly Filipinos. THis is because there are many mgrant workers in Hong Kong who come over to try and earn money to support their fmailied back home. As is cusotm culture in Philippines – Sunday is the day to come and spend time woth friends and family.. 

#xx. Check out a University

When i was … on a sunday past the … courts in … there were hundreds of tensts set up all mainly Filipinos. THis is because there are many mgrant workers in Hong Kong who come over to try and earn money to support their fmailied back home. As is cusotm culture in Philippines – Sunday is the day to come and spend time woth friends and family.. 

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Flights

I use Skyscanner (which is the best flight comparison tool out there in my opinion) and Google Flights, however once you find the flight you’re after – make sure to double check the airline’s website as well.

Accommodation

For travelling around most of Asia, Agoda is typically my first pick, and then Booking.com which typically has the most flexible booking policies. Trip.com is best for mainland China.

Logistics

When I need to do more comprehensive logistical planing than just Google Maps I use Rome2Rio or for trains ManInSeat61.

Activites

For booking ativiteies and things to do, I typically use Klook or GetYourGuide. Other options are Viator, Expedia or Tripadvisor. And in mainland China Trip.com is the most comprehensive.

Insurance

I have travel insurance 100% of the time as you never know what might happen. I have tried a few over the years and my current recommendations is WorldNomads. Also, many credit cards offer travel insurance as part of their package, so check to see if you are covered.

Connection

For e-Sim I recommend gabbing one off Klook or using Airalo. And for VPN, my main one I use is NordVPN, and for China I also have a couple backups – ExpressVPN and LetsVPN.

Pack

There are too many to list here – so please check out my preferred travel gear, camera gear and packing list guide here.

HAPPY TRAVELS ⸻

If you want to check out the FULL list of Resources – click here

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