Best Night Activities in Hong Kong

As a sleepless city where fun never ends, nowhere in the world illuminates the night sky better than Hong Kong. The city exactly comes more alive after the sun sets beyond the horizon since there are a wide range of things to enjoy the evenings of Hong Kong. More than nightclubs and drinking places, nightlife in Hong Kong could be more diverse and vibrant ranging from local gadget markets, a stunning city-wide light show and street-side midnight foods to dazzling panorama from highpoints and a relaxing harbor cruise with dinner onboard. Here are some ideas for you to discover the best things to do in Hong Kong at night, which can help to make your overnight stay in HK unique and unforgettable.

Heading up to the peak is definitely one of the top things to do at night in Hong Kong for a good reason. Victoria Peak has always been the best-known spot of Hong Kong especially for the incredible views when the sun goes down and the lights turn on in the city. As the highest point of the Hong Kong Island, the Peak is an amazing vantage point to capture the spectacular panorama of the glittering skyline between the Victoria Harbor and the forested hill of the Peak. On a clear night, you can ascend the official observation point “Sky Terrace” by a quintessential tram ride, which enables you to take in the views of the city lit up beneath your feet, and there is nothing like the experience. It simply takes your breath away.

The vibrant nightlife in Lan Kuai Fong never disappoints night-owls who love bar-hopping. Located a short walk away from Central MTR Station, you can access to the district easily. As the most popular and legendary nightlife center, Lan Kuai Fong is home to more than 90 bars and restaurants. Spoiled for choice, you can grab a drink or dance in different types of pubs and clubs, ranging from live music bars, art bars to karaoke clubs. Dipping into one, you will encounter one of the craziest, most whimsical, and dynamic atmospheres in Hong Kong nightlife, making you really see the sparkle of the city. Lan Kwai Fong is usually buzzing with fashionable locals and trendy expats, which is especially crowded and packed on festival days, such as New Year's Eve, Christmas and Halloween.

Things to do in Hong Kong at night don't come any better than a stroll at the Temple Street Night Market. Crammed with street stalls, fortune tellers, street singers and food vendors, it is one of the best places to hang out with the neighborhood locals. Temple Street Night Market usually gets lively after 6pm when arrays of brightly-lit stalls selling a fantastic variety of cheap goods from souvenirs, local crafts, clothing to accessories and toys. Don't miss the haggling chance to get killer deals. Besides, you can sit down to a street-side vendor to enjoy the most authentic local cuisine of seafood and Cantonese dim sum. Leave some time to explore the local fortune tellers and see what's in store for you. Extra entertainment also comes out at night with Chinese opera singers and street performers that are free to watch.

If you prefer to do something a little more laidback at night in Hong Kong, there are a lot of leisure and pleasure at your disposal. One of the most popular option is to take an evening cruise on the Victoria Harbor. Especially ideal for couples on a date and family gatherings, a night-time cruise creates amazing vantage points for you to capture the views of the glistening skyline while sipping the chill drinks. Most cruises sail around the stunning Victoria Harbour and they are often timed perfectly with the Symphony of Lights taking place at 8pm. For a more memorable cruise experience, you are advised to book a cruise package with a hearty dinner to make the best of both views and food.

Recognized as the world's largest permanent light and sound show by Guinness World Records, the Symphony of Lights in Hong Kong is an iconic spectacle not to be missed by any first timers to the city and it's completely free. Starting at 8 pm, it is a huge 15-minute outdoor light show above the Hong Kong skyline by synchronizing music and lights from 45 buildings on both sides of the Victoria Harbour. The spectacular show is carried out to celebrate the vibrancy, spirit and diversity of Hong Kong. The best free viewing locations are along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai. Alternatively, you could board a luxury cruise to get an ideal spot to catch the hypnotic Symphony of Lights while sipping a sundowner at a comfortable chair.

If you have a sudden craving for munchies in late night, it's never too late to find something to eat in Hong Kong. For party-goers and night meal hunters, there are many street food choices open until the wee morning hours and Da Pai Dong is where they are located. Open-air food stalls offer a variety of local dishes like fishball noodles, congee, stir-fried rice, sandwiches and sushi. Budget-friendly and lively, Da Pai Dong would allow you to obtain an authentic dining experience. Now Da pai dongs are quickly fading from existence in Hong Kong, and of those still in existence, Sham Shui Po is a bustling site where you can grab a bite of cheap meal at simple plastic tables and seats.

One of the most exciting night entertainments in Hong Kong is to venture into the Happy Valley for a horse race. Horse-racing has long been a popular pastime in Hong Kong since 1846. From September to June, horse races take place almost every Saturday and Wednesday at Happy Valley racecourse that is surrounded by the city's glamorous high-rises. On race nights, over 40,000 people flood the racecourse to enjoy the live music, drinks, races and gambling on the luckiest horse. The exciting party-like atmosphere will thrill you in an adrenaline-pumping way. For a wilder experience, you can follow the locals to place a small bet on a horse to try your luck.

During nighttime in Hong Kong, you can kick off a relaxing and memorable evening by a rather cheap ride on the double-decker tram. Sitting back on the open-top bus, you can capture incredible neon-lit sights from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan across Hong Kong. On the ride, you would encounter spectacular spots of the city, such as buzzing Nathan Road of Tsim Sha Tsui, Temple Street Night Market, Canton Road, Clock Tower and Hong Kong Coliseum. If lucky fetching a front-row seat, you can have superb chances to snap photos of the impressive Hong Kong skyline. Moreover, you could hop off anywhere along the way to check out the sites that you want to explore up close.