Hong Kong is a bustling, vibrant, densely populated port city known as global financial hub, with excellent shopping, a sweeping skyscraper skyline and a lot of unique tourist attractions. If it is your first time to the city it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what to do and see. For my first trip a close friend, who grew up near Shanghai and spent a great deal of time in Hong Kong, was there to show me around. If you only have a few days in Hong Kong, this is a quick guide for what you should do and see.
EXPLORE HOLLYWOOD ROAD
Hollywood Road is home to an array of street markets, antique and sweet shops, Man Mo Temple, and the PMQ open air night market. Ask your hotel for a map of the city, which will show you exactly where these are located and spend a fun afternoon meandering through the streets taking photos and taking in the colorful culture.
VICTORIA PEAK
Head to Victoria Peak – also known as ‘The Peak’ for a must see view of Hong Kong! From the central business district of Hong Kong, simply called “Central,” it is a very short walk to the Peak tram that will take you to the top. On the day I went the line for the tram was very long, so we took a cab up the mountain instead. The best panoramic views of the city are from the Sky Terrace at the top of the peak. Go early to avoid the crowds!
HIKE DRAGON’S BACK
Dragon’s Back was selected by TIME Asia as the best urban hiking trail, with its beautiful coastal scenery and easy accessibility from the city. At the top of this 5+ mile-long hike you will be rewarded with breathtaking views from the sightseeing platform at Shek O peak. Dragon’s Back hike provides the perfect way to get outside of the city during your stay in Hong Kong and get some much needed exercise.
VISIT TAI O
Tai O is a fishing village, home to the Tanka people, a community of fisherman who have, for generations, built their houses on stilts above the tidal flats of Lantau and Tai O Island. I did not have time to visit Tai O on my short visit to Hong Kong but I heard it is amazing and just a 50 minute bus ride from Central. Make sure to bring your camera as this unique village is a photographer’s dream!
DINNER AT LEI YUE MUN FISHERMAN VILLAGE
If it is your first time to Hong Kong you must have dinner at Lei Yue Mun! Visiting the fishing village of Lei Yue Mun is like stepping back in time to old Hong Kong. 150 years ago, this village thrived on fishing, farming and mining, but in later years became a popular spot for seafood dining. To order you first buy your fish from a tank in a market area, then you take it to one of the nearby restaurants where they will prepare it for a fee along with another traditional local dishes. This is a great spot to have a unique, authentic dinner, especially if you love seafood.
DIM SUM AT LUNG KING HEEN
Lung King Heen is the world’s first Chinese restaurant to be awarded a three-star Michelin rating! You can’t visit Hong Kong without having dim sum so if you want to splurge on a luxury lunch or dinner I highly recommend making a reservation at Lung King Heen. This authentic Cantonese restaurant is located at Four Seasons Hotel, walking distance from most places in Central. I am not a huge fab of Chinese food but I loved very single thing I tried at our lunch there. The shrimp and crab dumplings were my favorite and are a must try!
VISIT THE HIGHEST BAR IN THE WORLD
Enjoy a cocktail in the clouds at OZONE, the highest bar in the world! Located on the 118th floor at Ritz Carlton Hong Kong, this sky bar offers a killer view of Hong Kong! I suggest going for cocktails early in the evening to take full advantage of the view during the daylight hours. If you go early you can also avoid paying the HK $150 entrance fee which they charge after 10pm, Friday and Saturday.
WHERE TO STAY IN HONG KONG
If you want to be able to walk to a lot of things during your stay, like the open-air markets, the tram to Victoria Peak etc stay at the Four Seasons Hong Kong or the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, which are both located in Central. If you want to have amazing views of the city stay at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, which is one of the tallest hotels in the world! I toured all three of these hotels, and each one is very nice and cool in its own way, The Mandarin combines old-world elegance with new-age charm and upscale Asian decor, The Four Seasons is right on the water with rooms that have beautiful harbor views, and The Ritz has spacious rooms offering breathtaking views of the city!
Have you been to Hong Kong? Please share your experience in the comments below! Read Next > 7 Things You Must Do In Hong Kong
By We Are Travel Girls Co-Founder/Editor Vanessa Rivers of GlitterandMud.com
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Natalia says
Hong Kong looks beautiful. I never even imagined there would be hikes. It reminds me a lot of Seoul in that way.
We Are Travel Girls says
Hi Natalia! Thanks for your comment! Yes I was surprised out how much there is to do outside in Hong Kong. It is beautiful! XO, Vanessa, Founder – We Are Travel Girls