Top 10 Things to Do in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a vibrant and fast-paced international hub where east meets west. Blessed with a great mix of western and oriental culture, Hong Kong has so many spectacles to see and try for its visitors. Here below lists the top experiences to make the best out of Hong Kong, such as a romantic night cruise over Victoria Harbor, a tram ride up to the Victoria Peak, Dai Pai Dong food tours around Temple Street, insights into fisherman’s life at Aberdeen, etc.. After ticking all these picks, you will get amazed at what this magical city has to offer.

It is by far the most popular thing to do in Hong Kong and it’s not hard to see why. The Victoria Peak is sometimes what the tourists come for, and it never disappoints. An eight-minute tram journey from Central is the most recommended method to get there, and the ride itself is a classic Hong Kong experience. The ride on this clanking tram offers vertiginous views over the city as you ascend up the steep mountainside. From the 360-degree viewing deck on the top of the peak, you will be greeted with one of the best panoramas of Hong Kong skyline. High rises crammed along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island are expressly spectacular lit by dazzling neon at night. Since it is touristy, the queue to take the tram is ridiculously long. So get ready to line up!

It is a must-do for first time visitors to take in the evening delights of Hong Kong with a night cruise on the shimmering Victoria Harbour. It is one of the busiest and vibrant harbors in the world, and a 2-hour cruise by a traditional Chinese-style ship is not only an amazing way to absorb the sparkling views of the harbour, but also a means to feel the beat and vitality of the city. The cruise brings you right into the middle of the splendid skyline lit up on both side at night. Looking out from the deck, you could capture uninterrupted views of Hong Kong Island, Victoria Peak and the Kowloon Peninsula. The city's blazing light show, the Symphony of Lights, unfolds in front of you, while a superb banquet dinners with unlimited drinks are served on board.

The Aberdeen fishing village is a must-see for first-time visitors to see the totally different other side of Hong Kong. Not far from the bustling heart of Hong Kong, the fishing village is famous for its quaint houseboats where Hong Kong boat people have been dwelled for generations from 1960s. More than 5,000 people still live on boats in the floating fishing village making a living by fishing.

You could have a sampan ride through the harbor to get a close-up look at the trawlers, yachts and junks of the floating village, and get astonished at the sharp contrast between the old fishing village and the soaring skyscrapers along the harbor. There you could also check out one of the largest floating restaurants in the world, the Jumbo Kingdom to enjoy some fabulous seafood.

Stanley Market has been one of the most popular and bustling open-air bazaars in Hong Kong for decades. Nestled at the back streets of beachside town of Stanley, the market is not only a place for tourists, but also frequented by locals.

Densely clustered with small shops and vendors, the full-blooded market offers an array of items including silk garments, sportswear, kids wear, cheongsam, leather bags and so on. If you want to look for some authentic souvenirs from the east, a great number of traditional Chinese craftworks could be found here, such as paper fans, Chinese chess, ornamental chopsticks, Bruce Lee memorabilia and even old propaganda posters. Both the quality and price are fair. By the way, the markets are walkable friendly since it is well covered to keep the heat and rain at bay.

Yet technically Macau is out of Hong Kong, but an off-island excursion to Macau is very popular and highly recommended. You could plan an easy day trip to the Las Vegas of Asia by an hour-long turbojet ferry and visa-free policy. Macau is a UNESCO-listed old town with many Portuguese-flavored heritages.

Explore the wonders of Macau on a day excursion to some exotic churches from 16th-century like the iconic Ruins of St. Paul's and St. Dominic's Church. Discover the traditional A-Ma Temple and stroll through popular Senado Square, and dig into the colonial culture with a venture into Museum of Macau. As home to world's top casinos, Macau gives you a rare chance to try your luck on gambling in a legal way.

The Temple Street is the place where the local nightlife vibe could be found in Hong Kong. It is a lively night market well-known for street-side shops and stand-up eateries. More than hundreds of stalls are going with their small businesses of jeans, shirts, pants, shoes, phones and watches. Like other street markets in Hong Kong, you should absolutely expect to bargain.

If you are not out for buying anything, you can have a delightful browsing and indulge in the buzzing vibe and entertaining street performances. Meanwhile, the night market is one of the few places in Hong Kong where you could still find traditional Dai Pai Dongs (street-food restaurants probably with plastic seats) for real Cantonese cuisines. Another fun spectacle is that you might encounter some native fortunetellers wearing long yellow robes who wave you to approach for your future prediction.

Why not take a whole day to fall into a fairytale world of countless excitement and adventures with families? As the first Disneyland in China, Hong Kong Disneyland is pined on the bucket list of best things to do in Hong Kong for every first timers.

With thrilling rides like Hyperspace Mountain and the Iron Man Experience, the Disney Park also offers some incredible stage shows and parades as well as fabulous fireworks when night falls.

Alternatively, you could opt for another family-friendly theme park, the Ocean Park to seek the thrilling adrenaline-inducing rollercoaster rides and meet with a lot of colorful marine creatures and exotic birds. Currently, in the park you have a chance to see two cuddly giant pandas, one of the world's most endangered animals, too.

A jaw-dropping cable car ride up to Ngong Ping will make your Hong Kong trip into something truly extraordinary. Connecting downtown Tung Chung and Ngong Ping, the 25-min cable car ride is the gateway to start your Lantau adventure in Hong Kong!

Entirely crystal cabins will offer you impressive panoramic vistas of South China Sea, Hong Kong International Airport, and lush greenery of rolling hills on the island.

Off the cable car, you will reach the Ngong Ping Village, from which you could continue your Hong Kong exploration to some amazing spots, such as the breathtaking Ngong Ping 360 Viewing Deck, magnificent Big Buddha, lively Po Lin Monastery, legendary Tai O Fishing Village, etc.

It is a grand visual feast that you could enjoy totally for free. A Symphony of Lights is the greatest night stunner that allows you to feel the dynamic pulse of Hong Kong. This world’s largest multi-media light show takes on between 07:30 – 08:00 pm with 44 skyscrapers illuminated by a myriad of searchlights, lasers and LED screens by the shore of Victoria Harbor. It is a great lighting spectacle unveiling the vibe and energy of this hodgepodge city. The best sites to watch the symphony of lights are the waterfront walkway near the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui area, and the promenade at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wanchai as well as the night sightseeing cruise on Victoria Harbour.

Hong Kong is definitely an unbeatable shopping paradise in the world. There are tons of large shopping malls everywhere, and of course, the back-alley street markets are also top experiences in Hong Kong for you to enjoy unbelievable cheap shopping.

Mong Kok is one of the best neighborhoods where you can make great bargains! It is crammed with several theme markets for ladies’ wears, flowers, and even pet fishes and birds. Ladies Market is the most buzzing part focusing on cheap and stylish ladies clothes, souvenirs, and knock-off designer items for bargain hunters. The whole market is even a cultural experience for you to practice your bartering skills, meet some local life, and explore for fun.