Things to see in Hong Kong
Attractions
Big Buddha and Po Lin (Precious Lotus) Monastery
The Big Buddha on Lantau Island is the biggest sitting Buddha statue built outdoor. This majestic statue sits atop the peak of Mount Muk Yue. Po Lin Monastery has taken 12 years to plan and build this bronze Buddha statue that symbolises the stability of Hong Kong, prosperity of China and peace on earth. Visitors can also enjoy the special delicacy of vegetarian dishes of the monastery.
Address: Ngong Ping, Lanatu Island, Po Lin Monastery, Hong Kong city,Telephone: +852 2985 5248
Opening times:
Big Buddha: Mon- Sun 1000-1730; Po Lin Monastery: Mon- Sun 0800-1800.
Website: http://www.plm.org.hk/Admission Fees: Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Ocean Park
One of the world's most beautiful theme parks and ranked as the 7th most popular theme parks in the world by Forbes - the home-grown destination includes an iconic Marine Land, Amazing Asian Animals (giant pandas, red pandas, asian otters, etc.), and cable cars as well as state-of-the-art, world-class facilities such as Polar Adventure, Thrill Mountain, and Aqua City.
Address: , No.180 Wong Chuk Hang Road , Hong Kong City,Telephone: +852 3923 2323
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 1000-1800, Sat-Sun 1000-1900
Website: http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/Admission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Victoria Peak (The Peak)
A miniature hill station in colonial times, Victoria Peak is stratospheric in its social exclusiveness and its rents. Groundlings can still visit, ascending by the vertiginous Peak Tram - a funicular in use since 1888, which feels more like a Victorian-era Space Shuttle, or by taxi or bus. Atop the hill is the Sky Terrace 428 viewing platform, Madam Tussauds waxwork museum, several restaurants, and the revamped Peak Galleria shopping arcade. Hikers can scale the real peak, some 140m (459ft) above the tram terminus, or leisurely follow the Peak Circuit route with vistas over Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the outlying islands. Both are signposted.
Address: , Garden Road (Lower Peak Tram Terminus), ,Telephone: + 852 2522 0922.
Opening times:
Daily 0700-0000 (Peak Tram).
Website: http://www.thepeak.com.hkAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Statue Square
With its dazzling ensemble of modernist buildings, Statue Square is an essential stop for architecture fans. Designed by Norman Foster, HSBC’s headquarters form the south side of the square, with I M Pei's Bank of China Tower to its east, where visitors can ascend to the 43rd floor for a stunning view of Central. Other key buildings include the Legislative Council Building and the soaring 88-storey International Finance Centre (known as 'Two IFC'), home to a Four Seasons hotel and the city's showpiece shopping mall.
Address: Central, Des Voeux Rd Central, Statue Square, Hong Kong city,Telephone:
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website: http://www.amo.gov.hk/enAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Star Ferry
Green and white tub-shaped ferries have been a familiar sight around Hong Kong since the 1920s and are a much-cherished symbol of the city. More importantly, their decks give one of the best available views, day or night, of the waterfronts of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon - not to mention the plethora of ocean traffic surging through the shipping lanes.
Address: , Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai and Hung Hom Star Ferry terminals, Hong Kong,Telephone: + 852 2367 7065.
Opening times:
Daily 0630-2330 depending on service.
Website: http://www.starferry.com.hkAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Ngong Ping 360
Travelling 5.7km (3.5 miles) between Tung Chung Town Centre and Ngong Ping on Lantau Island, this cable car offers stunning views across North Lantau Country Park, Tung Ching Bay and the giant Tian Tan Bhudda statue. Part of the development is Ngong Ping Village, a small theme park incorporating family-friendly attractions such as Walking with Buddha, the Monkey's Tale Theatre and the Ngong Ping Tea House.
Address: Tung Chung, Lantau Island, 11 Tat Tung Road, Hong Kong,Telephone: + 852 3666 0606.
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 1000-1800, Sat-Sun 0900-1830.
Website: http://www.np360.com.hkAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Hong Kong Disneyland
The Hong Kong outpost of Disney’s magical wonderland is every bit as alluring as its European and US counterparts, and is great for kids and adults alike. There are two excellent themed hotels on site for visitors wishing to get the full Magic Kingdom experience, plus a slew of super rides and rollercoasters guaranteed to get the heart pumping.
Address: Lantau Island, , Hong Kong City,Telephone: +852 3550 3388.
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 1030-2000; Sat-Sun 1030-2015
Website: https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/Admission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
Offering great views of the spectacular Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island waterfront, this esplanade is where couples go in the evenings for a romantic stroll. The colonial-era Clock Tower, by the Star Ferry piers, makes an attractive historic terminus. Watch out for visiting cruise liners, which moor at Ocean Terminal. Shoppers should head to Harbour City shopping mall. Stretching along the promenade, the Avenue of Stars features hand prints and commemorative plaques honouring Hong Kong's greatest film stars such as Jackie Chan, Maggie Cheung and Bruce Lee.
Address: , L'Avenue des Stars, Hong Kong city,Telephone:
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website:Admission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Wong Tai Sin Temple
An ornate temple in the heart of Kowloon, Wong Tai Sin Temple combines Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist traditions. Wong Tai Sin himself was a Zhejiang shepherd/alchemist who supposedly concocted a marvellous cure-all. His statue in the main building was brought from the mainland in 1915. The building is spectacularly colourful with its red pillars, golden ceiling and decorated latticework, although not particularly distinguished. Far more fascinating are the fortune-tellers in their arcade of booths and the throngs of worshippers.
Address: Kowloon, 2 Chuk Yuen Village, Wong Tai Sin, Hong Kong city,Telephone: + 852 2327 8141.
Opening times:
Daily 0700-1700.
Website: http://www.siksikyuen.org.hkAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Hong Kong Museum of History
Opened in late 2001, the Hong Kong Museum of History houses ‘The Hong Kong Story’ exhibition which covers the region's history from prehistoric times, including some spectacular period sets. There are traditional costumes, a huge collection of period photographs, replicas of old village houses and an entire street, circa 1881, with its own Chinese medicine store.
Address: Hong Kong City, 100 Chatham Road South, Kowloon,Telephone: + 852 2724 9042.
Opening times:
Mon and Wed-Fri 1000-1800, Sat-Sun 1000-1900, Christmas Eve 1000-1700
Website: http://hk.history.museum/Admission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Happy Valley Races
Wednesday means horse racing in Happy Valley, where the floodlit racecourse, hemmed in by towering apartment buildings and steep hills, attracts hardcore Chinese gamblers (it's the only legal form of gambling in Hong Kong) and boozing expats. Order a drink from the beer marquee and stand by the home straight as the horses gallop in, or admire the views from the grandstand.
Address: Happy Valley, 2 Sports Road, Hong Kong,Telephone: + 852 2895 1523.
Opening times:
Wed and Sat-Sun from 1930 (Sep-Jul).
Website: http://www.happyvalleyracecourse.comAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware
Situated in the beautiful Hong Kong Park, Flagstaff House dates from 1846 and is the former residence of the colonial Commander-in-Chief. The oldest surviving colonial building in Hong Kong, it now houses a fine museum of tea ware, seals and other ceramics and includes many fine examples of the famous Yixing teapots. The museum also holds regular demonstrations, tea gatherings and lecture programmes to promote ceramic art and Chinese tea drinking culture.
Address: Central, 10 Cotton Tree Drive, Hong Kong,Telephone: + 852 2869 0690.
Opening times:
Wed-Mon 1000-1800.
Website: http://hk.art.museumAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Hong Kong Tourism Board
Address: , Buffer Halls A and B, Arrivals Level, Terminal 1, Hong Kong International Airport, Lantau Island,Telephone: +852 2508 1234.
Opening times:
Daily 0800-2100.
Website: http://www.discoverhongkong.comHong Kong’s tourist board offices can help with tours, accommodation and onward travel. Get the inside line on the latest events, where to eat and what to do, with the chance to charge your mobile phone at some offices as well. There are also offices at Lo Wu Station (Arrivals Hall, 2/F, Lo Wu Terminal Building) Hong Kong Island (Peak Piazza, between the Tower and the Galleria) and Kowloon (Star Ferry Concourse, Tsim Sha Tsui).
Tourist passes
The Hong Kong iVenture Card (www.seehongkongpass.iventurecard.com/hongkong-tourist-attractions) offers entry to seven major attractions including Macau Tower, Disneyland Hong Kong (Combo Pass only) and the Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck, plus either access to Ocean Park, a Big Bus Hong Kong Tour, a Watertours cruise or a three-course meal at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant. The 5-day pass is available to buy online.
