Are you thinking of taking an unforgettable trip to see some of the top attractions in Hong Kong? If so, have you decided which places you hope to see? This fascinating city, whose name is translated as Fragrant Harbor, is one of the best places to visit in Asia. Moreover, it possesses a unique cultural fusion of Chinese and Western influences. While there’s something for everyone, here are some recommendations.
The Best Attractions to Visit in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Disneyland
Located on Lantau Island, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is the largest theme park in Hong Kong. First opened in 2005, Hong Kong Disneyland is slightly smaller than Disneyland in Anaheim, California. However, seven themed areas are nearly identical or similar to the original. For instance, there is Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. There are also familiar attractions like the Jungle Cruise, Sleeping Beauty Castle, and It’s a Small World. If that’s not enough, there is also Star Wars: Command Post.
Additional Hong Kong Disneyland Attractions
You will also like Grizzly Gulch, Disney’s Frontierland, and Mystic Point, which has its haunted mansion, Mystic Manor. That’s not to mention Toy Story Land, with Woody and Jessie from the Toy Story movie. Disneyland also features live entertainment daily and spectacular parades. For example, “Disney Paint the Night” and “Flights of Fantasy Parade” exist.
Hong Kong Disneyland Dining and Lodging
Hong Kong Disneyland also features an array of dining options and world-class accommodations, notably the 5-star Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel that looks remarkably like the historic Omni Mount Washington Hotel in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
How To Get To Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland can easily be reached via the MTR subway/light rail system. Both the MTR Green Line and Orange Line serve Hong Kong to Sunny Bay Station. From Sunny Bay Station, visitors take the special Disneyland Resort Line to Hong Kong Disneyland.
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Ladies Market
One of the two most famous street markets in Hong Kong, the Ladies’ Market is a must-see for anyone visiting the city for the first time. It is an excellent place for shopping and has famous neon lights.
What To See At Ladies’ Market
Although this lively street market runs a 1km stretch along Tung Cho, there are dazzling neon lights. Of course, this makes it one of the most Instagram-friendly spots in Hong Kong. After all, Ladies Market has more than 100 stalls selling various items. Indeed, the majority appear to be souvenirs. For instance, you will find t-shirts, handbags, and traditional clothing. There are also backpacks, low-cost watches, and electronics like chargers and adapters.
Negotiate Your Price With Vendors
Ladies’ Market is where you can bargain with vendors for the best price. VMarket generally starts with a high asking price. You can negotiate the price twice or more before settling with a prospective buyer.
How To Get To Ladies’ Market
You can reach the street market via the MTR Red Line. The closest stop is at Mong Kok Station, just a few minutes walk away.
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
First opened nearly 20 years ago, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is an important part of the world-famous collection of wax museums founded in 19th-century London. It is the first of its kind to open in Asia and can be found inside Peak Tower, an entertainment and shopping complex located near the summit of Victoria Peak, the highest point in Hong Kong.
What To See At Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong features over 100 wax figures representing famous personalities from all over the world. The wax figures are presented across multiple sections of the museum. For example, there are Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Madonna, Lady Gaga, and The Beatles. Of course, there is also Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth II. Other well-known Asian figures are Pia Wurtzbach, Kim Woo-Bin, Angelababy, and Suzy Bae. Even further are leading actors like Michelle Yeoh and Donnie Yen.
Related: Top Beatles Attractions In Liverpool, England
How To Get To Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
The famous Peak Tram to Peak Tower and Victoria Peak remain under construction, with completion expected sometime in July. If the Peak Tram isn’t running, you must take a taxi, ride-share service, or the particular bus route X15. You can find X15 at the bus terminal near Admiralty MTR Station. The Admiralty MTR Station is served by three subway lines: Red, Blue, and Light Green lines.
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Temple Street Night Market
Often considered Hong Kong’s best street market, Temple Street Night Market is also the largest Market in the city. Like the Ladies’ Market, this night market is located in the Marketowloon section of mainland Hong Kong. However, this market offers a much larger selection of merchandise vendors and street food vendors. Temple Street Market dates back to the 1920s and generally opens around 5 p.m. daily. However, it gets much livelier by 6 pm as more visitors arrive and the pathway between both sides of the market gets more crowded.
What To Expect At Temple Street Night Market
Just as with the Ladies’ Market and other popular markets in Asia, Temple Street vendors sell all sorts of souvenirs, electronics, shoes and clothing, jewelry, and what’s certain to be fake designer items like watches, purses, and other leather goods. Because of its popularity among tourists, Temple Street Night Market vendors are known to offer slightly higher costs for their merchandise.
How To Get To Temple Street Night Market
Temple Street Night Market is easily accessible via MTR’s Red Line, with the closest stop at the Jordan Station. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the Jordan Station to the market.
Tian Tan Buddha
Also known as the Big Buddha, Tian Tan Buddha is a giant statue depicting a seated Buddha. Located in the small village of Ngong Ping on Lantau Island, the Giant Buddha was completed in 1993 and rises to a height of 112 feet (34 meters) and weighs more than 250 metric tons. It is open daily, beginning at 10 a.m., and visitors must climb 268 steps to reach the pedestal’s base.
Po Lin Monastery
Also close by is the Po Lin Monastery, whose Buddhist monks helped create the Giant Buddha. Although the monastery is an attraction, visitors must be mindful of photography restrictions throughout the property.
How To Get To Tian Tan Buddha
To reach Ngong Ping and the Giant Buddha via public transportation, visitors must take the MTR Orange line towards Hong Kong Disneyland. The final stop just beyond Sunny Bay is Tung Chung Station. From Tung Chung Station, visitors must then take an extended gondola ride on the Ngong Ping 360, but it is not recommended for people with a fear of heights. The gondola ride is 3.5 miles long (5.7km) and takes 25 minutes in either direction.
Related: How To Take The Nanjing Subway
Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
Situated along Hong Kong’s famed Victoria Harbor, the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade is arguably the most popular visitor attraction in the city. Extending 1.6 km along the waterfront, it offers the most spectacular views of Hong Kong’s towering skyscrapers. Several attractions can be seen along the promenade, like the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Star Ferry Pier, and Avenue of Stars, featuring the statue of Bruce Lee.
Victoria Harbor Nightly Light Show
Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade is also the best spot to enjoy the spectacular “A Symphony of Lights” display over Victoria Harbor. Held nightly at 8 p.m., the Show is described by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest permanent light and sound show. It showcases several of the city’s most famous buildings, like Central Plaza, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, and Bank of China Tower.
How To Get To Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade is easily accessible via MTR’s Red Line at Tsim Sha Tsui Station. Or even closer via the Purple Line at East Tsim Sha Tsui Station.
Victoria Peak
One attraction that continually appears on a list of recommendations for visiting Hong Kong is Victoria Peak. Located on Hong Kong Island, Victoria Peak rises to a height of 1818 feet or 552 meters, making it the tallest “hill” in the city. Sweeping views of Hong Kong’s many skyscrapers can be observed at Sky Terrace 428, the city’s highest observation platform, inside the Peak Tower entertainment and dining complex. Tickets to the platform may be purchased for less than $7 for adults and less than $4 for older adults or children aged 3-11.
How To Get To Victoria Peak
Like Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, Victoria Peak can be reached by bus route X15 from the Admiralty bus terminal near the Admiralty MTR Station. As noted, the famous Peak Tram service has been temporarily suspended and is expected to resume in late July.
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About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 stories still appear in syndication across over 20 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University in 2012. Randy has nearly 25 years of experience in the transportation industry.
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