Hong Kong - Top things to do
Please note this is a living list and it will change based on our personal new
experiences as well as recommendations from friends. Please enjoy and
let us know
if you have any additions or changes!
1)Cheung Chau for seafood on Saturday or Sunday day.
Like Lamma Island, but even better: walking around Cheung Chau is great.
You will see interesting native island living....temples, villages and beaches.
Cheung Chau boasts a better beach and seafood than Lamma Island.
Just go to Pier 6 for the outlying ferry service (adjacent to Star Ferry,
but ask the taxi driver to drop you off at "outlying ferry, Cheung Chau."
The express ferry leaves at 10:45am, 11:45am, 12:45pm, 13;45pm, 14:45pm, etc.
The "ordinary ferry," which is slow leaves a quarter past every hour,
while the express ferry leaves 45 minutes past every hour.
The restaurant we frequent is called Yum Kee Respaurant...
yes "respaurant" with a "p." That's how we recognize it.
They have pretty good seafood. When you exit the ferry,
go left and walk on the strand until you see the “Yum Kee Respaurant”.
2) Go to the Big Buddha on Lantau Island.
Make reservations for The Stoep restaurant (South African BBQ) on the beach, or go to the Gallery restaurant in Tong Fuk village which offers mainly Lebanese and South African BBQ---no need for reservations. Great hiking on Lantau Island as well.
3) Visit Causeway Bay
to shop in Japanese department stores and see the busiest intersection in the World. It’s also worth taking a peek at the park over in this area which offers a space for recreation.
4) At night go to Tsim Sha Tsui for the grand view of the Hong Kong Island skyline.
Take the Star Ferry over, get out and turn right to walk toward the clock tower and be sure to go up the stairs to the raised walkway (the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade). You can cut through from here over toward the Peninsula Hotel for tea or drinks as well as grand shopping or more bargain shopping along Nathan Road. If you go during the morning – consider walking all the way down Nathan Road to the Jade Market. This market closes at 3 p.m. each day. (see suggestion #12 for more info)
5) During a trip over to Kowloon be sure to go to The Peninsula Hotel for high tea
...it's great. Also, Felix's restaurant and bar in the hotel boasts a great views and a trip to the men's bathroom offer an exceptional setting. You can go to the bar at Felix for a drink and then to dinner. Please note you need reservations at Felix or Gaddi’s in advance.
6) Make a day trip to Shenzhen in mainland China to shop at the Lo Wu
commercial center.
He can have business suits or any clothes made there inexpensively. Go to booth 41 on the 5th floor and speak to Zhu. Try to go as early as possible on the weekends or better yet take a weekday trip. You can get a day visa there. British Nationals are excluded from day visas. They must have them in advance.
7) Dim sum
Keep in mind this is a brunch/lunch meal and should not be ordered for dinner. There are a few great places to try but it is essential for you to arrive early to get a table and avoid waiting on line. Early means by 11 a.m. Here are a few great choices:
- traditional push cart style at City Hall
- ladies carrying the dim sum on trays around their necks at Luk Yu Tea House (24-26 Stanley Street) in Central
- Zen in Pacific Place or Dim Sum in Happy Valley
8) Hike to The Peak from Old Peak Rd.
At the top enjoy a nice lunch at The Peak Lookout Cafe, or at Café Deco then take the Peak Tram down to Central for a nice view of the City. Wear comfortable shoes if you’re going during the day because there are a few wonderful walks that you won’t want to miss.
9) Go to Macau for a weekend.
Stay at the Westin. The best restaurants to experience Macanese food are Fernando's and A Lorcha restaurants. There are a few ruins remaining in Macau, such as St Paul's
10) Go to Man Mo Temple
...to experience a true Chinese temple on Hollywood Rd. While there, check out antiques and the Cat Street Bizarre. You can also visit Wong Tai Sin Temple in Wong Tai Sin. The three main Chinese religions are practiced there---Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. While there, you can shake fortune sticks with numbers on them and have your fortune told. Whichever number shakes out first, you remember the number and take it to a reader. It's pure fun and entertainment.
11) Ocean Park
Ocean Park is the amusement park of Hong Kong until Disney completes their park. Ocean Park is fun and interesting. It's worth a visit and is great for adults and kids alike!
12) Jade Market in Kowloon
Go to the Jade Market (At the junction of Kansu and Battery Streets, Yau Ma Tei), Flower Market/Bird Market (same street, Flower Market Rd, Mong Kok),
Temple Street Night Market (Yau Ma Tei), Ladies' Market (Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok)
13) Drinks in Lan Kwai Fong/ Soho or Wanchai.
This is the hustle and bustle part of town where executives are drinking next to
college students. It’s worth taking time to grab a beer and see the sights.
Check out Mid-Levels & Soho area for more sophisticated cocktails and mini-menus.
Recommendations include Club Feather Boa, Brown, Staunton’s Bar & Café, Boca or
Empire Bar.
14) Hong Kong botanical gardens and zoo
View monkeys, birds and a leopard at the Hong Kong botanical gardens and zoo.
Admission is free. It is located on Old Peak Rd. The orangutangs are the best!
15) A day in Stanley for shopping and lunch.
Be sure to take the double-decker bus for this trip and sit on the second floor. This is a perfect way to see some amazing parts of the island. Stanley offers great market shopping and fun places for lunch.
16) Experience a junk trip for a day
17) Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery in Sha Tin
Visit over 13,000 small Buddha statues and Chinese Pagoda at the Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery in Sha Tin, Take the KCR train from Hung Hom Terminal to Sha Tin, Exit left from the station and follow signs.
18) A day at the horse races at Sha Tin or Happy Valley.
Wednesday night at Happy Valley offers a good time.
19) Hike the Dragon’s Back Trail
...starting from Shek O Road at the To Te Wan Bus stop and ending at Big Wave Bay.
Take the bus or walk to Shek O beach to grab some tasty Thai food.
This hike offers some of the most spectacular views and gives you a sense for why
Hong Kong is such a special place.
20) Ethnic food
- Egyptian at Habibi in Central
- Thai at Café Siam in Central
- Shanghainese at Ye Shang Hai at Pacific Place near Central
- Indian at a Curry Pot (in Stanley, for example)
- Nepalese at Nepal in SoHo.