What to See and Do in Hong Kong: 12 Must-Visit Spots & Super Cool Activities

What to See and Do in Hong Kong: 12 Must-Visit Spots & Super Cool Activities from breathtaking views, zen oases, buzzing neighborhoods and crazy street markets.

If you’ve already been to mainland China — well, Hong Kong is a whole different vibe. Think cosmopolitan soul, insanely cool spots, stunning views... you get everything here.

Here’s your go-to guide to the absolute musts in Hong Kong (yep, totally doable in 4/5 full days). 🌸

1. Victoria Peak and Hong Kong Park

Hong Kong from above? Pure magic. For that postcard-perfect view, head up to Victoria Peak — the easiest (and most iconic) way is the Peak Tram, a super steep funicular that gets you to the top in minutes. Pro tip: book tickets in advance (here) to skip the line (mornings are usually quieter and tickets are cheaper!).

Before heading up, make a stop at Hong Kong Park, a little zen oasis among skyscrapers — think ponds, aviaries, and quiet corners perfect to reset.

🫶🏻 Good to know: At the Peak Tower you’ll find cafes (grab a %Arabica espresso), restaurants and souvenir shops. But heads up — souvenirs here are pricey. For better deals, wait for the markets in Kowloon or Mong Kok.

💗 What we loved: that jaw-dropping view over the bay + the chill vibes of Hong Kong Park.

2. Central and Mid-Levels: Where the Cool Kids Hang

This is the chicest, most buzzing part of the city — colonial buildings, street art, hip cafés, dreamy boutiques, trendy bars and restaurants. Our advice? Just wander and get lost.

✨ Our hot picks:

• Tai Kwun (Former Central Police Station Compound): now a cultural hub with exhibitions, cafes, and design boutiques.

• Mid-Levels Escalator: the longest outdoor escalator system in the world — perfect for exploring the area without breaking a sweat. FYI: it’s one way — times switch between going up and down, so check before hopping on!

• Central Market: historic market turned creative hub — cool shops, fun food spots. Great lunch stop!

• Hollywood Road: art galleries + tiny gems like Galerie LeBon for jade and gemstone jewelry with a feng shui twist.

• Man Mo Temple: a dreamy, incense-filled temple — super atmospheric and sooo photogenic.

🫶🏻 Good to know: Wear comfy shoes—it’s a constant up & down. Scan your Octopus Card at Mid-Levels totems for discounts on the next ride.

💗 What we loved: the mix of art, fashion & tradition wrapped in a chic-but-laidback atmosphere.

3. Wan Chai and Causeway Bay

If Central is Hong Kong’s business heart, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay are its more chill, local soul. Expect trendy restaurants, ancient traditions and mega malls.

✨ Our hot picks:

• Lee Tung Avenue: a dreamy street lined with red lanterns — major photo opp.

• Blue House: a pastel-blue heritage building — a glimpse into old-school HK.

• Tai Yuen Street Market (aka Toy Street): packed with vintage toys and kawaii gadgets.

• Canal Road Flyover: Want to banish bad vibes? Here you’ll find old ladies doing “villain hitting”, a traditional ritual to beat away bad luck. Write down what’s bothering you, and she’ll whack it with a shoe. Yep, really.

• Times Square: A vertical mega mall that goes way up.

• Victoria Park: huge green space with tennis courts, playgrounds, pools — and perfect for chilling out.

  
  

💗 What we loved: The mix of old-meets-new, with a sprinkle of mystical weirdness (in the best way).

4. Querry Bay and Yik Cheong “Monster” Building

If you’re hunting for that HK spot that’ll blow up your feed (and give you the most atmospheric vibes), head to the Monster Building—a massive residential complex that looks straight out of a sci-fi movie.

It’s tucked inside a courtyard, so it’s not super easy to find:

• From Tai Koo Station: take Exit B, walk along King’s Road for ~3 mins. At the Yau Man St. intersection, you’ll see the entrance on your left.

• From Quarry Bay Station: take Exit A, head toward Tai Koo Place, then follow King’s Road for ~5 mins. When you hit the green Mount Parker Road sign, the entrance is on your right.

After your photo op, wander around Quarry Bay—you’ll find ultra-luxe malls and fine dining spots. But if you look carefully, you can still dig up super local eateries at way friendlier prices.

🫶🏻 Good to know: Remember this is a residential building—people live here. Be respectful, keep it quiet, and don’t disturb the locals.

💗 What we loved: the full-on cyberpunk movie vibes—and also that moment of reflection: as travelers we’re lucky to explore places like this and, for many of us, to live in spaces bigger than 10 sqm.

5. Kowloon: Second-Hand, Parks & Local Traditions

Kowloon is the side of Hong Kong where you really feel the city’s authentic soul. Chaotic, full of markets, old-school neon signs, and little gems that throw you back in time.

✨ Our hot picks:

• Apliu Street: a must if you love gadgets & electronics. Open-air market with second-hand treasures. The real gems? Vintage cameras (both analog & digital) at crazy prices (bring cash + always bargain!).

• Fuk Wing St & Nam Cheong St: narrow streets that tell the daily life of the most authentic HK. Old-style shops and tiny family-run eateries. We stopped in one and had the most amazing dumplings at unbeatable prices.

• Tsim Sha Tsui (TST): Kowloon’s most iconic neighborhood where old & new mix without rules. Nathan Road with its dazzling neon signs (perfect for night shots 📸), the Avenue of Stars honoring HK cinema, endless bars & restaurants that never sleep. Perfect spot to watch the Central skyline—sunset is magic. 🌇

• Kowloon Park: in the heart of TST, this massive green oasis is the ultimate break. Themed gardens, ponds, statues, and… surprise! Flamingos 🦩 living there. You’ll feel like you’re in a mini tropical reserve instead of HK.

💗 What we loved: catching our breath between markets, finding the HK not everyone sees, and then throwing ourselves into TST’s neon chaos.

6. Mong Kok: Street Markets & Neon Vibes

If Kowloon feels more chill, Mong Kok is pure energy. It never sleeps: daytime = bargain shopping, night = neon overload.

✨ Our hot picks:

• Ladies’ Market: guilt-free shopping heaven. Clothes, accessories, phone cases, souvenirs—super cheap.

• Sneakers Street (Fa Yuen St): a must for sneakerheads. Hundreds of stores with collector pieces, limited editions, and new drops (just don’t expect every piece to be 100% authentic 👀).

• Fa Yuen Market: more local, less touristy. Exotic fruit, street food, spices, a rainbow of stalls.

• Temple Street Night Market: when the sun goes down, Mong Kok turns electric. Street food, fortune tellers, authentic vibes. That said—it wasn’t our fave (small and pretty touristy).

💗 What we loved: neon lights, the smell of street food everywhere, and that feeling that something is always happening here.

6. K11 & Victoria Harbour: That Iconic Skyline Moment

If you’ve seen a photo of Hong Kong’s skyline, chances are it was taken from Victoria Harbour. From Tsim Sha Tsui, you get that crazy contrast: Central’s futuristic skyscrapers on one side, Kowloon’s more raw vibes on the other, with traditional boats cutting across the water.

Most magical moment? Evening—pink & orange skies, city lights switching on. Every night at 8 pm, check out the Symphony of Lights, a laser show on the city’s most iconic buildings.

And if you want a wow experience, head to K11 Musea right by the harbor. Not your regular mall: think cultural hub + futuristic concept stores + luxury boutiques. Perfect for a chic coffee break, some shopping, or just killer photos. Rooftop view = next level.

💗 What we loved: that skyline you can never get enough of + K11 that feels like a mix between a museum and a mall.

8. Chi Lin Nunnery & Nan Lian Garden: Japanese Vibes

Need a break from the city chaos? This is the spot. Chi Lin Nunnery is a Buddhist monastery built entirely in wood—no nails, only perfect joints. Calm meditation halls, golden statues, a serene atmosphere.

Right next door: Nan Lian Garden. Immaculately curated, with koi ponds, bonsais, red bridges, waterfalls. The golden pagoda surrounded by red bridges is the ultimate Insta shot—it honestly looks like a movie set.

💗 What we loved: strolling through bridges & pagodas, with water sounds and flower scents. A true zen oasis in the city.

9.  Lantau Island & Big Buddha: Spiritual Vibes + Stunning Views

For a zen adventure, go see Tian Tan Buddha, one of the world’s largest Buddha statues. (We didn’t make it, but our friends did and swear it’s worth prioritizing—even over Macao, especially if you’ve already been to Vegas).

To get there: take the MTR then the Ngong Ping 360 cable car. Go early morning before the island gets overcrowded.

After visiting the Buddha, hop on bus #21 for a 20-minute ride to Tai O Fishing Village, a charming old stilt-house village.

🫶🏻 Good to know:

• Cable car ride lasts ~25 minutes with insane views.

• For extra thrills, choose the glass-bottom cabin.

10. Day Trip to Macao: Between Azulejos & Casinos

Got an extra day? Jump on a ferry to Macao—totally different vibes. ✨ Ex-Portuguese colony, now known as “Asia’s Vegas.”

The historic center = cobbled streets, blue-tile plazas, pastel architecture. Don’t miss the iconic Ruins of St. Paul—only the façade remains after a fire, but it’s one of Macao’s symbols and Insta-perfect.

Then comes the flashy side: futuristic casinos, over-the-top hotels, Vegas vibes.

🫶🏻 Good to know:

• Macao has its own currency—HKD aren’t always accepted. Further, bring cash!

• HK SIM cards don’t work here—get an eSIM or use casino Wi-Fi.

• Ferry ride takes ~1 hour. Perfect for a day trip.

  
  

💗 What we loved: the wild contrast between pastel Portuguese streets and glittering casinos. And yes—the Ruins of St. Paul are an icon.

11. Shopping in Hong Kong: From Mega Malls to Indie Boutiques

HK is shopping heaven. You’ll find everything here—from high fashion to quirky street markets.

✨ Our hot picks:

🛍️ Canton Road, Harbour City & K11 Musea: all the big luxury houses.

🛍️ Causeway Bay: giant malls + emerging trends.

🛍️ Central: more curated, cool-girl vibes. Check out Le Labo for niche perfumes, Polette for customizable sunnies, Galerie Le Bon for jade jewelry (good feng shui vibes), Nonfiction (Korean fragrance brand), and of course Don Don Donki for Japanese snacks, beauty, kawaii accessories.

🛍️ Apliu Street Market: vintage camera heaven—I scored an Olympus Pen E-P3 with lens for €80!

💗 What we loved: the variety—luxury bag one minute, matcha KitKat the next. Shopaholic paradise. 💖

12. Hong Kong by Night: Super Cool Bars & Restaurants

HK’s nightlife is legendary—rooftops, hidden bars, gourmet restaurants. Our faves:

🍸 The Aubrey (Mandarin Oriental): sophisticated Japanese vibes, Wagyu Katsu Sando obsession, unique cocktails (try the spicy Hannya liqueur).

🍸 Bar Leone: already an icon, #1 bar in Asia, #2 in the world. Feels like your neighborhood bar, but next-level drinks.

🍸 COA: mezcal temple, ranked among world’s best bars. More than cocktails—a full sensory trip.

🍸 Orchard: hidden gem, single-door entrance. Fruit-based liquors explained & sampled with every drink. Super light + delicious.

🍸 Chueca: lively Spanish restaurant, perfect for tapas & sangria nights.

🫶🏻 Good to know:

• Book restaurants in advance.

• Bars like COA/Bar Leone don’t take reservations—get in the virtual queue early and monitor via WhatsApp.

• Prices are $$$, but worth every cent if you spot the right place.

💗 What we loved: every night a different vibe—from rooftop glam to underground edge.

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🌏 Ready for this adventure? When you’re back, tell us everything and share your fave spots! 💕