Hong Kong is one of the world’s most vibrant cities, so make the most of the many enjoyable and unique activities on offer. Here’s our list of must-do activities for newcomers to add to the bucket list!
10 Activities for Newcomers to do first!
1. Head Up to The Peak
The historic Peak Tram opened in 1888 and today the ride allows passengers to marvel at this unique way to travel. The route is so steep buildings look like they are leaning as you travel on a gradient of 4 to 27 degrees! After the ride, make a beeline for shopping, dining, playgrounds for kids, and those iconic city views!
2. Take a Boat Across the Harbour
The famous Star Ferry plies the route between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui and costs less than HK$4 for the upper deck, where you’ll get spectacular harbour views from up close.
3. Nose Around a New Precinct
Among other exciting areas developing in HK, there’s plenty happening at the burgeoning West Kowloon Cultural District, with venues such as M+ Pavilion and Freespace set around the green lawns and waterfront promenades of Art Park.
4. Chase Thrills at a Theme Park
Hong Kong has two renowned theme parks: Disneyland offers Space Mountain, classic characters and more, and Ocean Park has a mix of aquariums and rides – plus, its brand new Water World park!
5. Hit the Hiking Trails
Hong Kong is a hiker’s dream, and there are countless trails from one tip of the territory to the other. The MacLehose, Wilson, Hong Kong and Lantau Trails are all world-class, or head to Lamma for an easy halfday walk and a meal.
6. Ogle a Big Buddha
Crane your neck at the 34-metre Tian Tan Buddha statue on Lantau before having a meal at Po Lin Monastery. One way to get here is via the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, which is an experience in itself.
7. Become a Culture Vulture
Galleries along Hollywood Road are an ideal first art stop, or head to the JCCAC artists’ village in Shep Kip Mei. Also, some excellent HK museums are open for free on Wednesdays, including the Museum of Art, Museum of History, Science Museum, Space Museum and more.
8. Meander Through a Market
Hong Kong’s vibrant street markets have a lively, bustling energy and provide great people watching, as customers haggle with stallholders. There are also speciality markets such as the fish, bird and flower markets.
9. Hop on a Tram
Jump aboard at Western Market and view the city with new eyes as the your double-decker tram trundles through Wan Chai and Causeway Bay. It’s just HK$2.60 to experience this piece of iconic local culture. Ding ding!
10. Take In A Temple
A quick trip to a temple is instantly transporting. Man Mo in Sheung Wan is worth wandering, while the Wong Tai Sin Temple with its statues of zodiac animals, clouds of incense and soothsayers is reward for a longer trip.
15 More Hong Kong Must-do Activities for Newcomers
- Go for drinks at LKF
- See the street art of Central or Wong Chuk Hang
- Try the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred food
- Stroll the Avenue of Stars
- Do a day on a junk
- Sample some snake soup
- Ride the Ngong Ping Cable Car
- View the world from the Sky100 observation deck
- Eat a seafood lunch on Lamma
- Take in a Chinese opera performance
- Explore Aberdeen
- Shop at a specialty market (goldfish, birds, flowers, antiques)
- Do tai chi in a park
- Enjoy afternoon tea at The Peninsula
- Wander under Kowloon’s neon signs by night
This article first appeared in the City Guide 2021/22 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue
