My Favorite Things to Do in Hong Kong

It's hard for me to condense all of the fantastic things to do in Hong Kong because my personal list is long, from the glorious dim sum to markets to street photography. It's a city of contrasts with important temples tucked between modern skyscrapers, and family attractions from Disneyland and Ocean Park to outdoor adventures everyone will love.

Where and What to Eat in Hong Kong

One of the things I miss most about living in Hong Kong is the food. While you can take advantage of Michelin-star dining, the street food, from eggettes at Mammy Pancake to wonton noodle soup at Mak's, are experiences not to be missed. Learn where to go and what to eat in Hong Kong.

We seek out:

Wonton Noodle Soup

Dim Sum

Egg Tarts

Pineapple Buns

Milk Tea

Eggette (HK Waffle)

Siu Mei (roast meat)

Curry Fish Balls

Cantonese Chow Mein

A Guide to Hong Kong Disneyland

We've been to every Disney resort in the world, and this one is our absolute favorite. It feels less crowded and tends to have shorter lines. It also incorporates Chinese culture throughout the park, has some great family hotels, and the food is pretty good. I've been to Hong Kong Disneyland more than many of my friends who still live there.

Get to Know Hong Kong Neighborhoods

When you're considering where to stay in Hong Kong, it's helpful to know a bit about the neighborhoods people tend to stay in the most. That way, you can book a hotel close to the Hong Kong attractions you want to see or in a part of the city you'll enjoy. We've also highlighted a few outer islands you can reach by ferry.

Hong Kong Island
Some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world along with historic buildings, Victoria Peak, Ocean Park, and a bustling nightlife.
Island
Sheung Wan
For delicious authentic food and quirky markets, you can't beat this Hong Kong neighborhood. Hipster paradise with trendy vintage boutiques, lovely cafes, and the best antique shopping along Hollywood Road and Cat Street Market.
Island
Central
The financial and business hub, where you'll find the most luxurious hotels in the world, and where I lived. Skyline, ferries, traditional markets tucked among the skyscrapers, plus the Mid-Levels Escalator and Peak Tram.
Island
Admiralty
A business district, but it is home to four luxury hotels adjacent to Pacific Place shopping mall. Walk easily to Central through Hong Kong Park, then stroll to Tamar Park and the Central and Western District Promenade.
Island
Wan Chai
Antiques on Queens Road East, the Tai Yuen toy market, the gentrified Starstreet Precinct, the Bowrington Road wet market, and tenement houses like the Blue House Cluster. The convention center and Grand Hyatt are here.
Island
Causeway Bay
One of the city's major shopping districts. Sogo, Hysan Place, and Jardine's Crescent are all here. Several boutique hotels make it an energetic alternative to Central.
Kowloon
Busier and a little grittier than Hong Kong Island, but worth checking out for some of the city's best markets, street food, and wallet-friendlier hotels.
Kowloon
Tsim Sha Tsui
The tip of Hong Kong's peninsula by Victoria Harbour. Local shops along Nathan Road, designer boutiques on Canton Road, and the massive Harbour City mall. The Peninsula is the top hotel here; Kowloon Shangri-La and Hotel Icon are great wallet-friendly options.
Kowloon
West Kowloon
A newer cultural district on the waterfront. The Xiqu Centre (traditional Chinese opera), M+ art museum, Elements Mall, plus The Ritz-Carlton and W hotels.
Kowloon
Mong Kok
One of the most congested Hong Kong neighborhoods, but we go for the market shopping and food. Ladies' Market, Fa Yuen Street, the Flower Market, plus dim sum at Tim Ho Wan's original location, egg waffles, and walnut cookies.
Kowloon
Sham Shui Po
Spend an entire day browsing the shopping streets where local and international fashion designers come for inspiration and wholesale pricing. One of my favorite clusters of shopping streets in the world. Crafts and sewing supplies, too.
Outer Islands
Hong Kong has more than 200 small islands full of beautiful natural scenery. These are three of our favorites, all reachable by ferry.
Lantau Island
The largest outlying island. Take the cable car to Ngong Ping Village, climb the steps to the Tian Tan Buddha, have a vegetarian lunch at Po Lin Monastery, and walk the Wisdom Path. Plenty of hiking. Hong Kong Disneyland is also here.
Lamma Island
20 minutes from Hong Kong Island by ferry. Home to only 5,000 people, with walking trails connecting small villages. Yung Shue Wan is home to good seafood restaurants and beach.
Cheung Chau
Typically peaceful, but on May 25th throngs descend for the annual week-long Bun Festival. The Piu Sik (floating colors) parade is worth seeing. Otherwise: Tung Wan beach and the pirate hideout at Reclining Rock.

Resources

These services will make your trip to Hong Kong easier.

Klook

The go-to for attraction tickets — Disneyland, Ocean Park, the Peak Tram, and more, often cheaper than the gate.

Use Klook

Go City Hong Kong

Good value if you plan to see several high-value, included attractions in one trip. Bundles big-name sights into a single pass.

Use Go City Hong Kong

Octopus Card

Board the MTR, buses, and trams using this prepaid card. Many shops accept it too. Skip the ticket machines.

Use Octopus Card

Need to Know

Language

Cantonese

English is spoken in the tourist areas.

Currency

Hong Kong Dollar

Pegged to the US dollar. Credit cards work at hotels and bigger restaurants.

Voltage

220 V, 50 Hz

The luxury hotels I work with have international plugs in the rooms; carry an adaptor just in case.

Transportation

MTR + taxis

The MTR is clean and reliable; taxis are plentiful. Load an Octopus card so you don't need to buy MTR tickets every time.

Best time to visit

October to mid-December

Best weather and pricing. Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) is busy. Typhoon season is June through October.

Carry cash

Small bills, please

Many shops, market vendors, and small restaurants do not take credit cards. HKD 500 and 1000 notes are hard to break.

VIP amenities at every hotel we book.

Send us your dates and we'll quote with breakfast, room upgrades when available, and a property credit at every hotel where we have a VIP program. Prefer to search and book on your own? Request the password to our booking tool — we'll send instructions first so you know what to expect before you book.