Hong Kong has attractions in the traditional sense - however, I cringe a bit when I look at DK Eyewitness Travel or any other guidebook's listing of Hong Kong attractions: The Peak, Statue Square, Happy Valley Races, Star Ferry, Stanley, Temple Street Night Market, Heritage Museum, Tai Long Wan Coastline, Cheung Chau Island, and Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. These places all fall under a common Hong Kong "Theme" - i.e. Happy Valley Races and Stanley fall under the "Expat Theme". Many options fall under a single theme - I think the best way to plan a trip of Hong Kong is to perform a cross analysis of themes and neighborhoods and see where the matches are to maximize your experience. You'll want to visit a cooked food centre, however, which one should be dictated by what else you plan on seeing that day. For many of Hong Kong attractions there's a minimal difference between the Top Recommended Site and the Third or Fourth Recommend Site within that same "theme".
Each subgroup under the Hong Kong header - cooked food centres, MTR Stations, local dining, etc. - all represent attraction "themes". I've created a few sample itineraries that assist with grouping the themes together - for example, if you are going to head over to Lantau Island to see the Tian Tan Buddha you may as well at least make a half day out of the trip by continuing on to Tai O Fishing Village, Mui Wo, or Discovery Bay. If you want to see life off Hong Kong island and the Central Area, once you head out it's best to focus on a single area as each section of the city seems to have similar attributes, but fortunately they are presented differently, so as a long-term resident there's always something new to discover.
What you are interested in seeing also depends on what else you've seen in either China or Asia. If you are backpacking through Asia and only have three to four days in Hong Kong, I'm not sure that the Big Buddha will "move the needle" on what you've previously seen. While I list many attractions, for me the "themes" are what distinguish Hong Kong and what I would focus on with a limited amount of time.
Below is a list of attractions and groups of attractions that fall outside of the Hong Kong's subpage "themes". A few of these are distinct to Hong Kong but would be a significant departure from the normal tourist circuit...i.e. the public housing estates are unique and show a glimpse into average Hong Kong life, however, there's not much from a tourist's "wow perspective."
Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities in the world, however, many of the city's top attractions are free. Here's my list of "Hong Kong's Best Free Attractions".
Each subgroup under the Hong Kong header - cooked food centres, MTR Stations, local dining, etc. - all represent attraction "themes". I've created a few sample itineraries that assist with grouping the themes together - for example, if you are going to head over to Lantau Island to see the Tian Tan Buddha you may as well at least make a half day out of the trip by continuing on to Tai O Fishing Village, Mui Wo, or Discovery Bay. If you want to see life off Hong Kong island and the Central Area, once you head out it's best to focus on a single area as each section of the city seems to have similar attributes, but fortunately they are presented differently, so as a long-term resident there's always something new to discover.
What you are interested in seeing also depends on what else you've seen in either China or Asia. If you are backpacking through Asia and only have three to four days in Hong Kong, I'm not sure that the Big Buddha will "move the needle" on what you've previously seen. While I list many attractions, for me the "themes" are what distinguish Hong Kong and what I would focus on with a limited amount of time.
Below is a list of attractions and groups of attractions that fall outside of the Hong Kong's subpage "themes". A few of these are distinct to Hong Kong but would be a significant departure from the normal tourist circuit...i.e. the public housing estates are unique and show a glimpse into average Hong Kong life, however, there's not much from a tourist's "wow perspective."
Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities in the world, however, many of the city's top attractions are free. Here's my list of "Hong Kong's Best Free Attractions".
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VICTORIA PARK - Causeway Bay
If you are suffering jet lag or looking for an early morning job head to Victoria Park. Around 7:30 - 8:00 seniors are out in full force for their morning exercises. It can be a bit difficult to get your own exercise in because of a lack of space and general amusement of watching the dancing ladies and tai chi groups. Just be careful for the people with swords and Kung Fu masters. |
HONG KONG DINERS - TSUI WAH RESTAURANT - Multiple Locations
Hungry for breakfast? Want to dine local? Hong Kong's collection of diners fills both needs. These restaurants sprung up post WWII and while somewhat reminiscent of the American diner, the Hong Kong versions are a distinct hybrid option. Breakfasts consist primarily of a noodle based dish, with a side of eggs, and a coffee. Lunch and dinner meals tend to have more Western "Fusion" options. If you are hungry for pasta, steak, or other Western dishes, but want to stay local, these diners fulfill that craving. Tsui Wah may be the most famous chain, with multiple locations, however, price and quality, are fairly consistent across the different chains.
Hungry for breakfast? Want to dine local? Hong Kong's collection of diners fills both needs. These restaurants sprung up post WWII and while somewhat reminiscent of the American diner, the Hong Kong versions are a distinct hybrid option. Breakfasts consist primarily of a noodle based dish, with a side of eggs, and a coffee. Lunch and dinner meals tend to have more Western "Fusion" options. If you are hungry for pasta, steak, or other Western dishes, but want to stay local, these diners fulfill that craving. Tsui Wah may be the most famous chain, with multiple locations, however, price and quality, are fairly consistent across the different chains.
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MUSEUMS
Hong Kong Museums are free on Wednesdays - after realizing admission was only $10HKD (~$1.50USD) I started going other days of the week when it fit my schedule better.
HONG KONG HISTORY MUSEUM - Tsim Sha Tsui
The second floor of this Museum does an excellent job summarizing Hong Kong's history from the past two hundred years or so - from the 1840 Opium Wars through the handover to China in 1997. I thought it was much more interesting to visit this museum and read their timelines than try and slug my way through a book.
The second floor of this Museum does an excellent job summarizing Hong Kong's history from the past two hundred years or so - from the 1840 Opium Wars through the handover to China in 1997. I thought it was much more interesting to visit this museum and read their timelines than try and slug my way through a book.
MONASTERIES AND TEMPLES
Hong Kong has it's fair share of religious sites - whether it's there relative "newness" or I suffer from Monastery and Tempe fatigue, they just don't seem to compare other religious sites throughout China and the rest of Asia. For the two attractions listed below, I think Tian Tan Buddha is the better day trip but 10,000 Buddhas is the better individual site.
