When the British first landed on Hong Kong Island in 1841, they found little more than fishing villages, steep green hills, and one of the world’s most naturally deep harbours. Within decades, the port was alive with tea traders, silk merchants, and ships from every corner of the globe. Central’s streets filled with colonial banks, Chinese medicine shops, and open-air markets — a heady blend of East and West that defined the city for generations.
Fast forward to today, and Hong Kong still thrives on contrasts, though the balance has shifted. Since its 1997 return to Chinese sovereignty, the city has seen rapid development and closer integration with the mainland.
More and more Mandarin is spoken alongside — and sometimes instead of — Cantonese, and the expat population has thinned. Yet British-style pubs still pour pints, dim sum houses still steam baskets, and the food scene remains one of the most diverse in Asia, with everything from French fine dining to all-night street eats.
On most Sundays, the streets of Central transform into a colorful tapestry of cardboard tents and straw mats—home to 200,000 Filipino domestic workers making the most of their day off—where they gather for picnics, barbecues, card games, music, and singing.
That contrast—heritage and high-rise, quiet afternoons and city-wide gatherings—is what makes Hong Kong pulsing, unpredictable, and entirely captivating.
You can wander leafy streets lined with colonial-era houses, then turn a corner and face super-tall, pencil-thin residential towers. Double-decker trams still rattle through Wan Chai, even as the world’s highest bar — Ozone at The Ritz-Carlton — serves cocktails above the clouds. On any given night, you might hear a rooftop DJ party spill into the street or stumble upon a traditional festival parade.
We think it’s this collision of heritage and high-rise ambition that makes Hong Kong irresistible. The Peak Tram, Star Ferry, and Temple Street still belong on any first-timer’s list, but the real reward comes in exploring the city’s less obvious treasures — the jungle trails, hidden beaches, neighbourhood cafés, and tucked-away cultural spots that locals love.
Here’s our guide to discovering old new Hong Kong and 28 nice things you can do in the city!
Cultural & Historical Sites
Tai Kwun
Tai Kwun isn’t a person — the name means “big station” in Cantonese, a nod to its past as Hong Kong’s Central Police Station complex. The red-brick and granite buildings now hold a handful of heritage rooms with archived documents and artifacts about the city’s past, worth a quick look if you like history. Mostly, it’s about wandering the old courtyards and feeling how the place once worked. On the balconies, young influencers pose for shots against the colonial arches, turning it into a mix of past and present.
If you time it right, you can catch free and ticketed art shows at JC Contemporary, like the large-scale Stay Connected: Art and China Since 2008 (September 26, 2025–May 31, 2026). The Alicja Kwade: Waiting Pavilions installation runs in the Prison Yard until November 2026, and Tai Kwun Conversations at JC Cube host talks and performances throughout the year. Entry is free for many events, especially if you register as a TK FAN.
Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum
We’d recommend the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum for its setting in one of Hong Kong’s oldest colonial houses, but since 2024 the building has been closed, with no clear word on what’s happening inside. When it reopens, it’s worth a stop just to see the architecture and atmosphere, even if you only glance at the archives.
Hong Kong Park’s Fountain Plaza & Unique Birds
Right in the heart of the city, Hong Kong Park blends manicured gardens, dramatic fountains, and a backdrop of skyscrapers. Just steps away you can explore the park’s free aviary — home to exotic birds like the Black Crowned Crane with its golden halo of feathers, the Blyth’s Hornbill with its huge pale bill, and the striking Victoria Crowned Pigeon with its lacy blue crest.
There’s also an underground tunnel nearby with vintage photos showing what the old square looked like in the 1950s–70s. It’s fresh air, greenery, history, and wildlife all in one easy-to-reach spot in Central.
Chi Lin Nunnery
At Chi Lin Drive, Diamond Hill, you can wander through all-wooden halls and bonsai courtyards. We think it’s best paired with Nan Lian Garden next door. Free entry, open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. We tried visiting mid-morning and found it peaceful before the tour groups arrived.
Star Ferry
The Star Ferry has been crossing Victoria Harbour since 1888, long before the Cross-Harbour Tunnel existed. Named after its first boat, the Morning Star, these green-and-white ferries are as much a Hong Kong icon as the skyline itself. Why not try it? The ride from Central Pier 7 to Tsim Sha Tsui takes about 8 minutes and costs just HK$3 (€0.35) on weekdays or HK$4 on weekends. Ferries run every 6–12 minutes from early morning until around 11:30 p.m. It is one of the cheapest and most scenic things you can do in Hong Kong.
Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
We think this is the perfect evening walk, especially if you’re in the mood for skyline views without spending a cent. “Tsim Sha Tsui” means “sharp sandy point” in Cantonese, a nod to the area’s geography before reclamation transformed it into one of Kowloon’s busiest districts. You can watch the Symphony of Lights at 8 p.m., or just enjoy the harbour reflections. It’s free, open 24/7, and easy to reach via Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Exit E. Best on a clear night with a light breeze.
Man Mo Temple
You can step inside this Sheung Wan temple at 124–126 Hollywood Road for free and be surrounded by incense coils and tradition. We think it’s worth a short stop, especially if you’re exploring nearby streets. Open daily.
Flagstaff House / Museum of Tea Ware
You can explore this colonial mansion in Hong Kong Park for free. We think the antique teapots and tea history are worth an hour. Open 10 a.m.–6 p.m., closed Tuesdays. Best when you’re nearby and want a cultural pause.
Cat Street Market
We think this Upper Lascar Row market is a fun browse. You can find antiques, art, and quirky souvenirs. Best when you’re in a wandering mood — prices vary, but haggling is part of the charm.
PMQ
At 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, you can shop directly from local designers in a bright, creative space. Open 11 a.m.–8 p.m. We think it’s best when you want gifts you won’t see anywhere else.
Dining & Bars
Ozone, The Ritz-Carlton
You can sip a cocktail 118 floors above the city at the world’s highest bar. We think the views from 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, are worth the HK$150 price tag. It’s best at night when the harbour lights up. We tried the signature cocktails and found them as creative as the skyline. Open late, with a smart-casual dress code.
Cheek to Cheek – Soho
We think this café-bar at 17 Old Bailey Street is a gem. You can start with fried eggs and avocado toast at 7:30 a.m., or come back for seafood pasta and live jazz at night. Prices average HK$150 per dish. We liked its Berlin-like vibe — friendly staff, hipster energy, and a mix of locals and travellers. Best when you want a place that works for both morning and evening.
Yardbird
At 154–158 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, you can settle into a modern Japanese izakaya buzzing with energy. Their yakitori skewers are smoky perfection. Expect HK$150–250 per person. Best when you’re in the mood for sharing plates and lively conversation. We tried the chicken meatball skewers — you could like those too. Book ahead for weekends.
Duddell’s
This Michelin-starred spot at Level 3, Shanghai Tang Mansion, serves Cantonese classics in an art-filled dining room. You can try roast duck, steamed pork and shrimp dumpling
with Australian scallop and fish roe, different types of noodles, dim sum, and seasonal specials, with mains HK$300–500. The blend of food and design is worth dressing up for. Ideal for a long, elegant lunch or dinner.
Kubrick Café
This Yau Ma Tei café (3 Public Square Street) is a creative hideaway for a slow coffee and people watching. You can sip coffee for HK$40–60, browse books, and soak in the film posters. Best when you want a quiet corner to read or people-watch. We tried their flat white and it hit the spot.
Argo Bar – Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
We like this chic bistro-bar for its crisp sparkling wine and perfect fries. You can enter from the underground luxury mall and stay until last orders at 12:30 a.m. We think it’s best when you want a polished nightcap.
Limewood – Repulse Bay
You can walk straight in from the sand to this relaxed café-bar at The Pulse. This place is perfect for cold prosecco and easy-going music on the beach (just a 25-minute ride by Uber from HK center). Average mains HK$150–200. Best when you want beach views, a chill, no crowds, and a simple burger.
Beaches & Coastal Escapes
Deep Water Bay Beach
You are in Hong Kong surrounded by water, there must be a place to swim. Of course! You can hop in an Uber from Central and be here in 20–30 minutes. This beach in Hong Kong is the perfect swim spot, with calm water, lifeguards in summer, and changing rooms. What you can do is stroll along the bay, enjoy views of small islands, and see some of the city’s most exclusive homes and villas where rich locals live. It’s best when you want a quiet few hours away from the city noise.
Repulse Bay Beach
We like walking here from Deep Water Bay for the sea views along the way. You can swim, sunbathe, and then pop into Limewood for prosecco and chilled tunes. It’s best when you’re in a slow, beachy mood. Free to enter, with clean sand, nearby shops, and a relaxed crowd mixing locals and expats.
Hiking & Nature Spots
Victoria Peak / Mount Austin Road
You can skip the tram and hike up from Central or the Mid-Levels to Victoria Peak for incredible harbour views. The quiet Victoria Peak Garden is worth a wander, especially in the morning. What you can do here is link into Lung Fu Shan Morning Trail, explore the historic cemetery, and enjoy shaded paths. Free to access, and best when the air is clear.
Lung Fu Shan Morning Trail
We tried this trail starting near The University of Hong Kong and loved how quickly the city melts away. You can follow shaded jungle paths, spot cheeky monkeys, and even catch a waterfall or two after rain. This is best when you need a calm morning or late-afternoon reset. It’s free, quiet, and easy to reach without leaving Hong Kong Island.
Lamma Island – Yung Shue Wan to Sok Kwu Wan
You can take a short ferry from Central to Yung Shue Wan (about 25 minutes, HK$17) and start a coastal walk to Sok Kwu Wan. This route is perfect for slow exploration — you’ll pass beaches, fishing villages, and seafood restaurants serving fish that could’ve been caught minutes earlier. Best when you’ve got 2–3 hours and want a mix of hiking and eating.
Nan Lian Garden
This Tang Dynasty–style garden at 60 Fung Tak Road, Diamond Hill, is one of those places we think everyone should see. You can walk manicured paths past bonsai, lotus ponds, and wooden pavilions. It’s free, open daily 7 a.m.–9 p.m., and best when you want quiet beauty. We tried pairing it with Chi Lin Nunnery across the road — and you could like that combo too.
Dragon’s Back Trail
If you’ve got a few hours and a taste for views, we think this 8.5 km trail in Shek O Country Park is one of Hong Kong’s best. You can hike along the ridge with ocean breezes, then drop into beaches for a swim. Free to access and best on a clear, not-too-hot day. Bring water — we learned the hard way there are no shops here.
Hotels, Spas & Wellness
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
Nice affordable 5/star hotel with an open-door swimming pool. You can relax in a spa or swim in the open pool with harbour views. We think it’s best when you want a luxurious afternoon without leaving the hotel. Prices vary, but the quality’s approved.
Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
Right on the Central waterfront, the Four Seasons has rooms facing Victoria Harbour or the city skyline. The harbour view looks over to Kowloon, but our room felt a bit dated and on humid days the windows fogged up so much we could barely see outside. We switched to a higher-floor city view instead and actually liked it more for the clear skyline. There’s a nice lobby bar (Argo) and a huge underground mall with food shops (you can buy all kinds of local specialities and fruits) and luxury stores. The infinity pool is calm and scenic, but you’ll need to be a guest or book a spa treatment to use it.
The Oriental Spa
At 15 Queen’s Road Central, The Oriental Spa is one of the most luxurious in the city — and also the highest spa in Hong Kong, sitting somewhere around the 115th floor – great views on HK. Treatments start from HK$1,800 (€210) and the atmosphere is calm, private, and perfect if you’re in the mood to splurge. After our session, we decided to head up to the hotel’s highest bar, but ended up stuck in the elevator for about 30 minutes before being rescued. The staff handled it well and even gave us a bottle of sparkling wine to settle our nerves — an experience we’ll never forget.
Ten Feet Tall
You can pop into this bright Central spot (Lower G/F, 1 Lyndhurst Terrace) for reflexology or a massage from HK$250 (€30). We think it’s best after a day of walking the city.
Add Hong Kong to Your Asia Stopover for A few Days: Food, History, Shopping and Nightlife
Hong Kong is worth adding to your trip if you’re already in Asia — a place to see both where it’s come from and where it’s headed. You can wander historic streets, try local dishes from different Chinese regions, and get a proper massage that leaves you feeling brand new.
The art scene isn’t wild due to restrictions under China’s rules, but there are still plenty of good pubs and bars buzzing with expats and trendy young locals. When the city noise gets too much, hit the beach for a few quiet hours, or hop on a ferry to Macao for a change of scene. There’s no shortage of things to do and see here.
