Top 10 Experiences in Hong Kong with Kids

Hong Kong is not only a paradise noted for iconic skyline, shopping and unrivalled nightlife, but also for fun and culturally fascinating activities. Hong Kong has a variety of experiences keeping tourists of all ages happy and entertained, and particular the city is packed with a lot of things to do with kids, from world-class theme parks, amazing museums to mouth-watering dim sum and wonderful viewing decks. Not merely about fun, many activities could be educational and inspiring. Even rides on the public transport could be enjoyable adventures, such as the junk boat and the tram to the Peak! Hereunder we pick the top 10 best experiences for you and your little ones to get the best moments during your stay in Hong Kong.

As the first Disneyland in China, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is the city's best-known theme park, which is undoubtedly one of the best adventure paradises for family visitors in Hong Kong. There are seven themed areas in the park like Fantasyland, Toy Story Land and Adventureland, offering endless fun and excitement. You can either take your little explorers to Grizzly Gulch to experience the charm of America's Old West, or to Main Street to meet the famous Disney characters like the Mickey and Snow White. Disney fans shall also catch a sight of the classic highlights such as the Lion King show and Disney Parade as well as the firework show over the Sleeping Beauty's castle. Do some researches before you go, and find ways to beat the crowds for a more memorable Disney experience.

Many local families would choose Hong Kong Ocean Park over Disneyland because it's friendly with fewer crowds and more chances for animal encounters. The Ocean Park is not only home to a huge variety of marine animals but also an amusement park with Hong Kong's most exciting roller coasters, which has countless adventures for the whole family. Divided into two parts including the waterfront and summit, the park is linked by a sky tram ride blessed with breathtaking panoramic views of Hong Kong Island. More than marine creatures like sharks, gators and jelly fish, you can also find some other adorable creatures like koalas from Australia, penguins from polar region and even endangered giant panda from mainland Sichuan. And beyond the animals, your teens can really enjoy themselves with plenty of adrenalin-inducing rollercoasters and thrill rides.

As the most iconic attraction in Hong Kong, Victoria Peak offers spectacular views of the skyline on both sides of Victoria Harbour from the Sky Terrace viewing platform at 428m above the sea level. At the Hong Kong Island's highest point, you are given amazing chances to take a family picture with the background of stunning city panorama. The best way to get to the peak is arguably to take the tram, one of the world's steepest funicular railways. It had been in operation for over a century, while a ride on it is definitely a taste of Hong Kong's history. Once you're up there, take the Mount Austin Road for an easy and soothing family walk and have a nice break in the small kid's playground. Or you can get fuel up at the Peak Lookout, a family-friendly restaurant offering both Western and Asian flavors.

If it rains during your stay in Hong Kong, consider an indoor visit to one of the museums in the city. Hong Kong Science Museum is a good option for family visitors, as the museum features a permanent collection of over 500 kid-friendly and hands-on exhibits. From dinosaur skeletons and driving simulators to scientific experiments and Cathay Pacific's first DC3 airliner, the museum let you and your children explore the world of technological wonders and marvel at numerous aspects of science. One of the collection's highlights is the world's largest Energy Machine, a 22-meter-high giant that explains how the energy of rolling balls is converted to make various acoustic and visual effects. In addition, don't forget to drop by the gift shop that offers plenty of souvenirs for kids as well.

A trip to Hong Kong is pale without sampling the most famous local food, dim sum. As popular dishes of traditional Cantonese cuisine, dim sum is blessed with good varieties from steamed or fried dumplings, spring rolls, stuffed buns to egg-yolk puff and pastries. Munching the dim sun could be a fun treat for kids, too. Character dim sum is in fashion in Hong Kong and kids are big fans of them. Dim sum are made into lovely and fancy shapes of cartoon characters like Peppa Pig, teddy bear and Hello Kitty, served in small bamboo steamers or plates creating a better appetite. One of the most popular places for it in Hong Kong is a restaurant called Yum Cha with many branches. They also allow hands-on cooking class of dim sum, which requires a reservation.

Hong Kong is home to a pod of very rare and endangered species – Indopacific Humpback Dolphins, which are incredibly of pink. Embarking on a Pink Dolphin Watch cruise is utterly one of the most impressive family things to do in Hong Kong. You cannot love the cruise more as it not only offers an amazing chance for the young children to observe these lovely creatures in their natural habitat, but also gives you a little break from the hectic pace of the city. We suggest you book an ecological dolphin watching tour with a reliable company that can arrange you an education and fun trip without disturbing the dolphins. A true creature expert would let you have the best opportunity to spot the dolphin just in one voyage. Besides, Hong Kong's pink dolphins are active year-round and dolphin watching excursions book up quickly in peak travel season. Thus make a reservation in advance.

Listed as part of UNESCO's Global Geopark Network, Hong Kong Geopark is an excellent outdoor activity destination for family travelers who are looking for a place to stay away from the hustle and immerse into picturesque natural surroundings. Spanning from Sai Kung to the New Territories, the geopark is dedicated to the conservation of Hong Kong's wildlife and unique geological formations. The park mainly consists of two main regions: the hexagonal volcanic rock columns in Sai Kung and the sedimentary rock formations in the northeast New Territories. Most families prefer to visit Sai Kung for a more adventurous outing, where learners could experience kayaking and hiking activities. You can do some research to check out which Geopark experience is most age-appropriate for your kids.

The red-sailed junk boat by the backdrop of shimmering skyline has been Hong Kong's icon seen from many travel ads, while it is absolutely an enjoyable experience with kids to hop on one to hit the sea. There are many options to go boating for family gatherings, from traditional junk boat to mega yachts. However, Duk Ling is Hong Kong's oldest surviving sailing junk since 1955 which would give you the most authentic Chinese sailing junk experience in Victoria Harbour. Another red-sailed junk called Aqua Luna is also an ideal option if you're looking for something more exclusive. It is a new posh ship on which you can indulge in comfortable seating, cocktails, and food for purchase.

Having a trip to the Tian Tan Big Buddha has been on the bucket list of most Hong Kong travelers, while ascending by a cable car creates a fun adventure for family visitors particularly with kids. The 25-minute ride on Ngong Ping 360 cable car provides fabulous panoramic views over the Hong Kong Island and airport. Going with children, you are highly recommended to choose the glass-bottomed cable car for extra thrills and shorter queues. After disembarkation, you could take a leisure wander around the Ngong Ping Village and make a pilgrimage to the giant Buddha. You can opt to end the day with a visit to Tai O Village, the oldest fishing village, where you and your kids could enjoy a sampan ride to discover the famous stilted folk houses.

A ride on the Hong Kong Observation Wheel is definitely a treat for travelers of all ages. Perched at the edge of the waterfront of the harbor, the ferris wheel stands about 60 meters high, making it one of the most fantastic spots to admire the enchanting views of the Central regions and Victoria Harbour. Especially for the kids, the 20-minute smooth ride would be full of fun and thrill. The wheel has 42 air-conditioned gondolas, each of which could accommodate 8-10 tourists, which is quite suitable for a family-friendly adventure up to the sky. You can also reserve an exclusive cabin for your families only. One of the perfect moments to take the scenic spin is the sunset hours when the skyscrapers begin to glitter. But really, daytime is also wonderful to enjoy the unobstructed sight of the skyline.