“You can leave Hong Kong, but it will never leave you.” – Nury Vittachi
Never mind New York, Hong Kong is truly a city that never sleeps. A glittering metropolitan city, set against majestic mountains, aching with tradition yet with an undeniably modernity, Hong Kong has something for everyone. There is always something going on and you will have to decide which sites to see if you want to explore every corner of this tiny yet incredible island in under a day.
Top Five Tours to Do in Hong Hong
We looked into everything there is on offer and compiled a list of exciting tours/activities to choose from in Hong Kong as well as five tips if you’d rather like to explore the city on your own.
- Lantau Island and Giant Buddha Day Trip from Hong Kong
This tour is a great way to make sure you take in all the sights and those you may miss if you go on your own. The day is planned so you don’t have to worry about how to get where and at what time. Along with a ride on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, visit Po Lin (Precious Lotus) Monastery, Tai O fishing village, and the Big Buddha statue.
- Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Ticket on Lantau Island
Or if you want to save some money you can pay a fraction of the price just to go on this cable car. When you reach the top after the 25-minute ride, you can explore the attractions at your leisure. Visit Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Ping Village, the Wisdom Path, and Tian Tan Buddha, a.k.a. Big Buddha. Choose whether you want a one way or a round trip and they also have an option to upgrade to a Crystal Cabin, which features a glass bottom.
- Peak Tram Sky Pass: Tram Ticket, Hong Kong Sky Tour and Sky Terrace 428 Entry
This ride on one of the world’s most iconic funiculars, allows you to see Hong Kong in a whole new way, as well as including a visit to the city’s Sky Terrace. The tram rises steeply on an incline, traveling high above the harbour and offering beautiful panoramic views. Savour more breath-taking sights from atop the 428-meter-tall Sky Terrace, boasting 360-degree views, which is the highest in Hong Kong. At the top you can also view the works of local artists at the terrace’s Sky Gallery.
- Hong Kong Island Half-Day Tour
This is a great way to see all the highlights this world class city and previous colonial outpost has to offer, all in just half a day. You can tick off all the main attractions on this comprehensive and convenient tour, which includes stops at Stanley Market, Victoria Peak, and the traditional fishing village of Aberdeen.
- Big Bus Hong Kong Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Get a comprehensive overview of Hong Kong on this hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour, perfect for first-time visitors or those short on time. It’s possibly the easiest way to see all the sights you want as it has more than twenty stops. Enjoy the tour commentary on the places you decide to pass by and simply get off at the points you are interested in visiting, where the bus will come pick you up again. They have 24-hour tickets available and it’s possible to upgrade for a boat ride across Victoria Harbour.
Top Five Tip for Sightseeing in Hong Kong on Your Own
- Get an Octopus Card
An octopus card is basically like a prepaid debit card, but it works all over Hong Kong and can make your life a whole lot easier while you are there. It’s a contactless card you can use it to pay for MTR tickets and these shops and facilities: Star Ferry, Peak Tram, 7-Eleven and MacDonald’s. The best Octopus card for tourists is the “On-Loan Octopus” which requires you to pay a $50HK refundable deposit that covers the card cost.
- Take the MTR In Hong Kong
The MTR is super easy to find, use and get around Hong Kong, especially if you have one of the above-mentioned octopus cards. A great tip is to use Google Maps to help you get around. Just insert your departure point and destination and it will give a step by step guide on what MTR station to get off on and even what exit out of the MTR station to take.
- Victoria Peak Tram – Skip the Line Take A Taxi
While Victoria Peak tram is an iconic mode of transport, beware that the lines can be over two hours long. If you simply don’t have that much time available, it will be much cheaper to take a taxi to the top. It is quite refreshing, in an expensive city like Hong Kong, that the taxis are relatively cheap, with the first 2 kilometres being a set $22HK, and an additional $1.60 HK for every 200 meters. Places we wouldn’t suggest taking a taxi to or from: the airport, across the bridge to the other side (tolls add up), during rush hour, or in general, places that can be easily reached by the MTR.
- Carry an Umbrella at All Times
As the weather can be unpredictable in Hong Kong, with an average of 101 rainy days a year, an umbrella or raincoat is a must-pack.
- See the Best Hong Kong Skyline at Victoria Harbour
A top Hong Kong tip for taking the best picture of the Hong Kong Skyline is to view it from Victoria Harbour on the Kowloon side. Jump on the Star Ferry from Hong Kong Island and it’ll drop you off right at Victoria Harbour in less than 10 minutes. Right in front of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre is a prime spot. The nearest MRT station is Tsim Sha Tsui.