Hong Kong, in addition to the stunning night view of the Victoria Harbour and the modern Central, the ancient streets in Yau Tsim Mong area and the blue sea and white sand of the outlying islands such as Lamma Island present a three-dimensional and profound city.
For first-time visitors, which attractions are worth checking in? Based on the travel data of users on Mafengwo, we recommend the following 7 popular attractions, including theme parks, urban street scenes, and natural landscapes. These attractions are mostly distributed in Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, and Lantau Island, which are conveniently connected by buses, subways, and ferries. 4-5 days can be enough to arrange a fulfilling and unhurried itinerary. If you decide to go to one or two outlying islands, it is recommended to reserve 1-2 more days.
Hong Kong Disneyland
Highlight: The first Disneyland in China
Due to the diversion of Shanghai Disneyland, in Hong Kong Disneyland, even for the most popular projects, you only need to wait in line for up to 30 minutes. Moreover, as this is the smallest Disneyland in the world, you can easily visit all the projects in just one day.
It offers a variety of projects and performances to meet the diverse needs of different tourists. For those seeking excitement, the “Grizzly Gulch Runaway Mine Cars” that go through mountains and valleys will not disappoint. For parent-child travel, the “It’s a Small World” raft ride brings the cultural customs of the seven continents to children. For those with a Disney complex, the animations and special effects of “Mickey’s Philharmagic” will take you back to the beautiful childhood. The 13:00 “Flights of Fantasy Parade”, the 19:30 “Glow in the Park Parade”, and the 20:30 fireworks show follow one after another, pushing the brilliant dream to the extreme.
Dining and accommodation are also very convenient. Each of the 7 theme parks has a large restaurant, with an average cost of HK$100-200 per person; roadside snack carts can be seen everywhere, with an average cost of less than HK$100 per person; there is also a discount meal voucher including lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks, which costs HK$225. The 3 hotels next to the park are the most convenient places to stay. During the park’s opening hours, each hotel has a shuttle that runs between the hotel and the park every ten minutes.
Ticket price:
- 1-day ticket: adult (≥12 years old): HK$639 (≈￥558); child (3-11 years old): HK$475 (≈￥415); child (2 years old and below): free.
- 2-day ticket: adult (≥12 years old): HK$944 (≈￥820); child (3-11 years old): HK$696 (≈￥605).
Note: With a 2-day ticket, you can enter the park again within 7 days of the first entry (no need to be consecutive days).
Opening hours: 10:00-20:30 (The opening hours may be slightly adjusted according to the season and festivals).
How to get there:
- Metro: Take the MTR Tung Chung Line in the urban area, transfer to the Disneyland Resort Line at Sunny Bay Station;
- Ferry: Take a ferry from Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier to Disneyland Pier;
- Bus: Take a tourist bus at Terminal 2 of the airport, directly to Disneyland.
Victoria Harbour
Highlight: Million-dollar night view, light show
The scenery of the Victoria Harbour is probably the most classic and profound impression of Hong Kong. The harbour is certainly open and wide during the day, but it only shows its brilliant and charming side when the lights are on at night.
Don’t miss the “A Symphony of Lights” light show at 8:00 every night. In just 13 minutes, the geometric lines of the Bank of China Tower, the highest International Finance Centre in Hong Kong, the century-old Clock Tower of the former Kowloon-Canton Railway, and more row upon row of skyscrapers, do their best to be brilliant, with the lights and music interweaving, and the real scene and the river shadow reflecting each other.
You can take the Star Ferry (ferry) at the Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, or Wan Chai Star Ferry Piers to cross the Victoria Harbour, which costs HK$2-2.5 and takes 3-5 minutes. It is also convenient to take the subway and bus. If you have enough time and want to enjoy the scenery of the Victoria Harbour, you can choose the cruise services provided by the Star Ferry, the Duk Ling or the 海龙明珠.
Where to enjoy the night view of the Victoria Harbour?
From different angles and heights to enjoy the Victoria Harbour, you will get unique and shocking night views: leaning on the railing of the Peak, you can overlook the panorama of the Victoria Harbour; strolling along the Avenue of Stars, you can feel the interweaving of the movie stars and the harbour lights; taking the Star Ferry, you can see the Victoria Harbour from the sea; taking the Central Ferris Wheel, it will add more romance.
Ocean Park Hong Kong
Highlight: The world’s best theme park, marine life, exciting rides
Opened in the 1970s, Ocean Park is more favored by locals than the latecomer Disneyland. For tourists, Disneyland focuses on dreamy innocence, while Ocean Park has more cute marine life and exciting rides. If you have enough time, it is recommended to arrange one day for each.
Compared with other ocean parks, there are two highlights: First, the Jellyfish 万花筒，with more than 1,000 jellyfish of different sizes, shapes, and colors from all over the world, interweaving with light and music to form a fantasy-like space. Second, the Neptune’s Restaurant, with more than 5,000 fish swimming freely in the glass curtain wall, plus the dolphin-shaped napkin rings and the sea blue glasses, just like an underwater world.
If you think you can only see marine life in Ocean Park, you may underestimate this “world’s best theme park”. Exciting rides such as roller coasters, drop towers, and rapid water rides are not lacking in Ocean Park, and they are concentrated in the “Summit Land” on the mountain. If you have the courage not to close your eyes at high places, you can also enjoy the boundless sea view.
Ticket price: adult (≥12 years old): HK$498 (≈￥433); child (3-11 years old): HK$249 (≈￥216); child (2 years old and below): free.
Opening hours: 10:00-18:00
How to get there:
- Metro: Take the MTR South Island Line to the “Ocean Park” station;
- Bus: Take a bus to the “Hong Kong Ocean Park” station, “Aberdeen Tunnel Toll Plaza” station, or “Wong Chuk Hang New Village” station.
The Peak
Highlight: The highest point in Hong Kong, the best viewpoint to shoot the Victoria Harbour
If you have to choose an attraction that you must visit in Hong Kong, the Peak in the northwest of Hong Kong Island is well-deserved. Most of the Victoria Harbour panoramas that often appear on postcards are taken here, which are shocking and magnificent whether during the day or at night.
There is a regular tour route on the Peak: Take the 120-year-old Peak Tram from the Garden Road Tram Terminus at the foot of the mountain, and arrive at the top of the mountain in 8 minutes. Enjoy the view and have a meal at the Peak Tower or the Peak Galleria. If you have time, you can also visit the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum located on the negative first floor of the Peak Tower.
If you want to try a different way, the Lugard Road on the west side of the Peak Tower should not be missed. This hiking trail that circles the top of the mountain is composed of suspended walkways and cement pavements. It has become the best viewpoint to shoot the Victoria Harbour due to its wide view and few tourists. The lush shade, the stone benches dotted along the road, and the unexpected ancient houses are all additional surprises.
Fare:
| Adult | Child (3-11 years old) | Senior (≥65 years old) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Tram | Round trip | HK$47 (≈￥41) | HK$21 (≈￥18) | |
| One-way | HK$32 (≈￥28) | HK$14 (≈￥12) | ||
| Peak Tower Sky Terrace 428 | HK$52 (≈￥45) | HK$26 (≈￥23) | ||
| Peak Tram + Peak Tower Sky Terrace 428 | Round trip | HK$94 (≈￥82) | HK$44 (≈￥38) | |
| One-way | HK$74 (≈￥65) | HK$34 (≈￥30) |
Opening hours:
- Peak Tram: 7:00-24:00
- Peak Tower: 10:00-23:00 (Monday-Friday); 8:00-23:00 (Saturday, Sunday)
- Madame Tussauds Wax Museum: 10:00-22:00
How to get there: Taking the Peak Tram and enjoying the harbour view along the way is the most ideal way to arrive. However, there are many tourists on weekends and holidays. If the waiting queue is too long, you can consider taking a bus or minibus.
| Station | Service hours | Departure interval | Fare | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 New World First Bus | Central No. 5 Ferry Pier | 10:15-next day 0:15 (upward); 9:10-next day 1:00 (downward) | 7-15 minutes | HK$10.6 (≈￥9.2) | |
| 15 Special Route | Wan Chai Convention and Exhibition New Wing | 12:00-19:00 (upward); 12:40-19:40 (downward) * Only on Sundays and public holidays | 20 minutes | HK$12.5 (≈￥10.8) | |
| 1 Minibus | Central International Finance Centre | 6:30-24:00 (upward); 7:10-next day 0:25 (downward) | 10-12 minutes | HK$10 (≈￥8.7) |
Yau Tsim Mong
Highlight: Bustling blocks, Hong Kong charm
Yau Tsim Mong generally refers to the southern part of Kowloon covered by Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Mong Kok. The three blocks are not far apart, and walking is the recommended way to visit, but it does require some physical strength. Walking on the streets, it seems as if you were in a TVB drama or a Hong Kong movie, where the Hong Kong sentiment can be found.
Yau Ma Tei
The market tone of old Hong Kong is hidden in the streets and alleys of Yau Ma Tei, and the old shops and buildings seem to be telling the meaningful stories of the last century. Temple Street is the essence of Yau Ma Tei. In the hot night market, while listening to a Cantonese old song sung by a street singer, you can enjoy the inexpensive seafood and clay pot rice. The Yau Ma Tei Police Station is one of the must-visit attractions for TVB fans. However, it is no longer in use now and is not open for visits, only serving as a reporting center.
Tsim Sha Tsui
Unlike the Hong Kong charm of Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui is modern and fashionable. It is convenient and fast to go anywhere from here, so it has become the first choice for tourists to stay. The Avenue of Stars is a waterfront promenade where you can enjoy the harbour view, with the handprints and signatures of hundreds of stars on the ground, and many movie fans come to pay homage. Harbour City is a paradise for shopping, with a large area and a wide variety of goods. It is not an exaggeration to get lost in it, and it is not enough to spend a whole day.
Mong Kok
Mong Kok combines the local atmosphere of Yau Ma Tei and the modern and prosperous style of Tsim Sha Tsui, with old and new buildings interlaced, and commercial buildings and residential areas coexisting. Langham Place has everything from international big brands, local trendy shops to various restaurants, and the escalator from the 4th to the 8th floor is the longest indoor escalator in Hong Kong. Sneaker Street, as the name suggests, sells sports shoes with a wide range of brands and styles, attracting a group of shoe lovers.
Central
Highlight: Financial center, Lan Kwai Fong, Mid-Levels Escalator
Central is the financial center of Hong Kong, with glass curtain-walled buildings and white-collar workers in a hurry, which is in line with all people’s imagination of an international metropolis.
Lan Kwai Fong is the epitome of Hong Kong’s nightlife, where the feasting and revelry are vividly manifested. This alley that seems calm and ordinary during the day, as soon as night falls, nearly a hundred bars and restaurants compete to open. If you are lucky, you can also meet Chinese and foreign stars.
The Mid-Levels Escalator, the longest outdoor covered pedestrian escalator in the world, connects the Central business district and the Mid-Levels residential area. It is free to take, and the whole journey takes about 20 minutes, and you can get on and off at will in the middle. In the movie “Chungking Express” directed by Wong Kar-wai, Faye Wong was spying on Tony Leung Chiu-wai by lying on this escalator, and this classic scene has attracted countless 文艺 youths to visit here.
Lamma Island
Highlight: Outlying island, literary and fresh, fishing village scenery
Lamma Island got its name because it is located in the southwest of Hong Kong Island and looks like a branch. Such a naming method is casual and playful, which just fits the temperament of this third-largest island in Hong Kong. If you are hard to choose among the many outlying islands in Hong Kong, you might as well come and see what charm the most famous Lamma Island has.
Yung Shue Wan is filled with exotic restaurants, bars, and stalls selling literary sundries, making Lamma Island known as “the Lijiang of Hong Kong”. If you are not in a hurry, you can go to the second-hand bookstore to participate in the mini book fair, go to the organic farm to taste flower tea, fruits and vegetables, or go to the studio to learn glass firing, all of which are comfortable and fulfilling.
In an interesting contrast to the literary and fresh Yung Shue Wan, Sok Kwu Wan is an old-fashioned fishing village with a strong life atmosphere. Here, you can not only taste the just-landed seafood, but also experience the authentic fisherman’s life such as fishing, net weaving, net casting, and salted fish curing. For those who are keen on outdoor activities, you can spend 2-3 hours climbing over the Ling Kok Shan to get close to the mountains, villages, and bays.
How to get there:
| Arrival station | Departure station | Departure time | Departure interval | Fare | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yung Shue Wan Pier | Central No. 4 Ferry Pier | 6:20-23:30 | 20 minutes-1 hour | Monday-Saturday: HK$16.1 (≈￥14); Sunday and holidays: HK$22.3 (≈￥19); Half price for children’s tickets | 30 minutes |
| Aberdeen Pier | 6:40-21:10 | 1.5-2 hours | Adult ticket: HK$17.5 (≈￥15); Children’s ticket: HK$8.8 (≈￥8) | 35 minutes | |
| Sok Kwu Wan Pier | Central No. 4 Ferry Pier | 6:45-22:40 | 1.5-hour | Monday-Saturday: HK$19.8 (≈￥17); Sunday and holidays: HK$28 (≈￥24); Half price for children’s tickets | 35 minutes |
| Aberdeen Pier | 6:00-22:10 | 40 minutes-1.5 hours | Adult ticket: HK$16.5 (≈￥14); Children’s ticket: HK$8.3 (≈￥7.2) | 30 minutes |
Transportation on the island: There are no cars on the island, and walking is the main mode of movement. There is a bike rental shop on the island, but with the uphill roads from time to time, cycling may be more energy-consuming than walking.
Selected Outlying Islands
The outlying islands of Hong Kong refer to the 262 islands other than Hong Kong Island. In addition to Lamma Island, the following outlying islands each have their own freshness and romance. If you have seen enough of the urban prosperity, you might as well choose one or two outlying islands to enjoy the peaceful and comfortable slow time.
Lantau Island
· It is the largest island in Hong Kong, which is twice as large as Hong Kong Island. · Here there is the traditional Lingnan-style Tai O Fishing Village, as well as the world’s largest outdoor bronze sitting Buddha, the Giant Buddha of Tian Tan, and Hong Kong Disneyland. · There is also a double-cable Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car, the longest in Asia, which can overlook the panorama of Lantau Island.
Tai O Fishing Village
· Tai O is located on the outlying island and is the earliest developed fishing village on the island. The stilted huts built on the water are the characteristics of Tai O. · The fishing village is far from the noisy urban area and is less affected by urbanization, so it still retains the early fishing village style of Hong Kong. · The crisscrossing water
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