Big Buddha
Be sure to put it on your must-see list when you’re in Hong Kong, because the Big Buddha is not only one of its most popular attractions, but also the world’s largest bronze seated Buddha statue.
To get to it, you will have to work hard – the Buddha sits on the island of Lantau, at the very top of the mountain, to which there are as many as 268 steps, but it is worth it: having climbed up, you can not only feel the atmosphere of harmony and peace emitted by the Buddha, but also admire unforgettable view. As an option, you can also take the cable car (we recommend buying a ticket for a cabin with a glass floor – this will make the journey even more exciting).
Monastir Po Lin
Next to the Big Buddha on the Ngong Ping plateau is the picturesque Po Lin Monastery (translated as “precious lotus”). You can come here after visiting the Buddha to see the magnificent Hall of the Heavenly King and the Hall of the Great Hero, taste traditional monastic vegetarian dishes and enjoy the magnificent view of the island, which opens from the plateau.
The monastery is open from 9:00 to 18:00, its vegetarian dining room is from 11:30 to 17:00.
Hong Kong History Museum
It is here that you can get acquainted with the most complete history of Hong Kong from prehistoric times to the present day. Colorful dioramas, exhibitions of tools and utensils, a hall of ceramics, life and entertainment of the ancient Chinese – all this is just a small part of what this treasure trove of history can offer you.
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday–Friday from 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday–Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00, Tuesday – closed.
Museum of Cultural Heritage
The most complete picture of the original and diverse Chinese culture can be obtained by visiting the Museum of Cultural Heritage. Its extensive exhibition includes a wide range of exhibits: you will definitely be impressed by the collection dedicated to the history of Cantonese opera, with many costumes, props, decorations and even musical instruments. An exhibition dedicated to traditional Hong Kong crafts, as well as a colorful art gallery, will also be interesting.
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday–Friday from 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday–Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00. Tuesday is a day off.
Teaware Museum
Have you always dreamed of touching the amazing tea tradition of the East? At the Museum of Teaware, this is easy to do. Here you will not only be told about the history of Chinese tea culture and the intricacies of tea ceremonies, but also invited to take part in one of them, and also taste tea prepared in the best traditions, and, of course, see the rarest tea utensils.
Entrance to the museum is free, but you will have to pay separately for the tea ceremony.
Show Symphony of Lights
Hong Kong at night is no less beautiful than in the sunshine. But you can experience all the beauty of this metropolis by visiting almost its main entertainment – the light and music show “Symphony of Lights”. This is an unforgettable extravaganza of colors, lights, music and fireworks that color skyscrapers against the background of the night sky in the most unimaginable colors and patterns.
The show can be seen daily from 20:00 to 21:00 (it lasts about 15 minutes), the best places to watch are the Avenue of Stars on the Tsim Sha Tsui embankment, the waterfront promenade near Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and the tourist ferries that plying Victoria Harbour.
Street of lazy pedestrians
This funny name was given to the three-kilometer escalator, which is located in the center of Hong Kong – its lower end is located near the harbor, and its upper end is in Soho. The common name by which this “street” is also known is Mid-levels.
The “street” leads from the World Trade Center area to the residential areas of Victoria Peak, and along the way you may often want to get off the route – there are so many shops and cozy cafes along the “route”. By the way, the escalator moves very slowly, so you can safely take an alternative to a walking tour and leisurely explore the bustling daily life of Hong Kong from the inside. In addition, this pleasure is completely free.
Wong Tai Sin
Be sure to visit this most famous temple in Hong Kong. Wong Tai Sin attracts not only with its architecture and interior decoration (the Wall of Nine Dragons and the Garden of Good Wishes are especially interesting), but also with the opportunity to take part in the temple ritual.
We are talking about the traditional fortune-telling practice “kau chim”. To do this, you need to light an incense stick in the temple, kneel at the altar, ask a question or formulate a request and shake the cylinder with the sticks of fate until one of them falls out. Then take a piece of paper with the same number as on your stick and read the prediction.
Opening hours: 7:00 to 17:30 all year round and 24 hours on Lunar New Year’s Eve
Wetland Park
The park will appeal to all lovers of ecotourism and those who don’t mind spending a couple of hours among nature. The wetland park not only contains plants characteristic of this ecosystem, but also houses a variety of animals, fish and birds, as well as reptiles and amphibians, which can be observed in their natural habitat. The park’s entertainment options include exhibition galleries, a theater, a gift shop and an indoor playground.
Hong Kong Cultural Center
This, without undue modesty, is a real treasure trove of the region. It contains exhibits that tell the history of the development of art in Hong Kong from ancient times to the present. Calligraphy, painting, jewelry, ceramics and fabrics, engravings and antiques and, of course, the works of contemporary artists are unlikely to leave anyone indifferent.
Lantau Island
Here you can take a break from the hustle and bustle of a huge metropolis and plunge into an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. True, you won’t be bored here either: on Lantau Island there is a statue of the Seated Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, Hong Kong Disneyland, the Cantonese village on the water Tai-O, the Ngong Ping plateau with stunning views of the island and excellent beaches. You can also see the rarest pink dolphins here – a boat trip to watch them is organized from the Tsim Sha Tsui pier in Kowloon.
The island can be reached by car, by boat from the terminal at the foot of the IFC2 tower in Central, or by metro.
You can book a hotel in Hong Kong with a discount of up to -65% on the website.
Museum of Optical Illusions
Tired of temples, exhibitions and sightseeing tours? No problem! There is one place in Hong Kong where you are guaranteed a memorable holiday. At the Museum of Illusions you will not only have a great rest, but also get a lot of positive emotions. Its exhibition includes more than 70 paintings and sculptures using 3D technology, which is why they all seem to come to life before your eyes. Here you can become part of a world pictorial masterpiece, plunge into the world of a fairy tale and feel like an adventure hunter.
Manmou Temple
This temple is dedicated to the god of literature Man and the deity of war Mo, symbolizing the unity of creativity and strength. People of all creative professions pray here, and therefore we advise you to look here too. Colorful statues of deities, incense burners and a spiritual atmosphere give this small temple a special charm.
The temple is open to visitors from 8:00 to 18:00.
Victoria Peak
One of the most popular vacation spots among city guests, Victoria Peak is not only the highest point of the island, but also a good observation deck, which offers a beautiful view of the harbor with skyscrapers surrounded by emerald green hills.
Tip: go up here a couple of hours before dark, then you can see both daytime and evening panoramas at one time.
Lamma Island
An ideal option for those who want to spend time in nature. It’s better to come here for a day on one weekday – to take a leisurely walk along the beach, taste delicious seafood in one of the local restaurants (the island is famous for its fishing) and wander around the island enjoying nature. If you’re lucky, you might even spot green sea turtles nesting on the island’s beaches.
You can get to Lamma by high-speed ferry from Central Station in 25 minutes.
Monastery of Ten Thousand Buddhas
The main feature of this monastery, for which it is worth coming here, is 13,000 Buddha statues, and none of them is like the other! The figures are placed along the stairs leading to the monastery, so that while you are climbing all 400 steps, you will have time to look at them all in detail.
Mavan Park
Mavan Park is famous primarily for the fact that it houses the only life-size Noah’s Ark in the world. In fact, the Ark houses a museum with an exhibition dedicated to the famous biblical story, as well as a treasury and an educational interactive exhibition dedicated to the theme of the Great Flood. In the park you can see figures of all the animals selected by Noah, and from the garden of the Ark there is a beautiful view of the sea.
Star Ferry
For the sake of variety, don’t miss the opportunity to see Hong Kong from a different perspective, namely from the water. To do this, you can either take the Star Ferry and ride with the locals who ride it to work and on business, or add something exotic and take a ride on a real junk.
Star Ferry departs from Pier 7.
Lee Yuen Street
This colorful street is a must-visit for anyone who wants to take home something truly worthwhile as a souvenir of Hong Kong. There are many antique shops and markets here, where you will be offered truly unique things: from figurines and ceramics to furniture and watches. A real open-air museum!
Lan Kwai Fong District
Want to experience Hong Kong’s nightlife? Then Lan Kwai Fong is exactly what you need. This is the generally recognized center of the city’s nightlife with a large number of restaurants and bars, where a light and free atmosphere reigns. Here you can easily “hang out” for the whole night, wandering from one establishment to another.