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The Peninsula Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Hong Kong

Updated 1 October 2026 · 15 things to do

Pictured: The Peninsula Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a skyline you can ride a ferry across, a mountain you can reach by tram, and a street-food city you could spend a fortnight eating your way through. It's dense, fast and loud in a way that thrills some people and exhausts others, and then there's another Hong Kong, of hiking trails, fishing villages and beaches, which most visitors never see.

Spend the first days on the harbour, the Peak and the markets, then get out of town: ride the cable car to the Big Buddha, take a boat to an outlying island, or hike a ridge with the sea on both sides. Nowhere is far away, and the public transport is some of the best in the world.

Don't miss

  1. 1Victoria Peak
  2. 2The Star Ferry
  3. 3The Tian Tan Buddha
  4. 4Temple Street Night Market
  5. 5Dim sum

The harbour and the big sights

Start with the skyline: it is the reason most people come.

  1. Victoria Peak

    Landmark

    The view from Victoria Peak over the harbour and Kowloon
    Photo: Ralf Roletschek, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The classic view over Hong Kong's towers and the harbour from the top of Hong Kong Island. Ride the old Peak Tram up the steep hillside, then walk the shaded path around the summit for the view without the crowds.

    Tip: Go up before sunset and stay for the lights, but expect queues at the tram in the evening.

  2. The Star Ferry

    Activity

    A Star Ferry crossing Victoria Harbour
    Photo: Alexkom000, CC BY 4.0

    The green-and-white ferries have crossed Victoria Harbour between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central for well over a century. It takes minutes, costs very little and gives you one of the great city views from the water.

  3. Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and the Symphony of Lights

    Landmark

    The promenade in Kowloon has a classic view of the Hong Kong Island skyline across the harbour. Every evening the buildings are lit up in a nightly light-and-music show, best watched from the waterfront.

  4. The Tian Tan Buddha

    Landmark

    The Tian Tan Buddha seated above Ngong Ping on Lantau Island
    Photo: Béria Lima de Rodríguez, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A giant bronze Buddha sitting on a hilltop on Lantau Island, reached by a cable car, the Ngong Ping 360, that glides over bay and mountains. At the top there's a monastery and a village, and a long flight of steps up to the statue itself.

    Tip: Go early to avoid the cable-car queues.

Neighbourhoods and markets

  1. Man Mo Temple and Sheung Wan

    Neighbourhood

    Incense coils hanging from the ceiling of Man Mo Temple
    Photo: Aethelfirth, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The incense-filled Man Mo Temple, with giant coils hanging from the ceiling, is one of the oldest on the island and sits among the antique shops, dried-seafood stalls and cafés of Sheung Wan.

  2. Temple Street Night Market

    Market

    Stalls at the Temple Street night market in Kowloon
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Kowloon's night market sets up in the evening with stalls of clothes, gadgets, souvenirs, as well as fortune-tellers and open-air restaurants serving seafood and claypot rice. It's noisy, crowded and full of atmosphere.

  3. The Mid-Levels Escalator and SoHo

    Neighbourhood

    The Central-Mid-Levels Escalator climbing through the streets of Central
    Photo: LN9267, CC BY-SA 4.0

    One of the world's longest outdoor covered escalator systems climbs from Central up the hillside, past lively streets of bars, cafés and small restaurants in SoHo. Ride it uphill and wander back down.

Green Hong Kong and days out

About 40 per cent of Hong Kong is country park, and it shows.

  1. Dragon's Back

    Nature

    The Dragon's Back ridge trail looking back towards the coast
    Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A ridge trail on Hong Kong Island with sea and beach views on both sides, a short bus ride from the city. It's often described as one of Hong Kong's finest hikes and is one of the easiest ways to leave the crowds behind.

    Tip: Take water and start early, since there is little shade.

  2. Tai O

    Day trip

    Stilt houses at the fishing village of Tai O
    Photo: chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A fishing village on Lantau Island where houses stand on stilts above the water. Stroll its lanes of dried seafood shops and snack stalls, and look out for the rope-pulled ferry.

  3. Hong Kong Disneyland

    Activity

    A compact Disney resort on Lantau Island, reached directly by the MTR. It's much smaller than the American parks, so it suits families with younger children and can be done in a day.

  4. Macau

    Day trip

    The carved facade of the Ruins of St Paul's in Macau
    Photo: BenjPhoto, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A former Portuguese colony reached by ferry or bridge, where the old town has Portuguese tiles and churches, and the Cotai Strip has giant casino resorts. It makes a fascinating contrast with Hong Kong. Remember your passport.

Eat and drink

  1. Dim sum

    Food

    A selection of dim sum in Hong Kong
    Photo: Peachyeung316, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Bamboo baskets of steamed dumplings, buns and rice rolls, ordered by ticking boxes or picking from trolleys, with a pot of tea. It's the perfect Hong Kong meal for a late breakfast or lunch. Try har gau, prawn dumplings, and siu mai.

  2. Roast goose and char siu

    Food

    Cantonese barbecued meats hang glistening in restaurant windows across the city. Order roast goose or sweet, sticky char siu pork on rice, and watch the cleaver do its work.

  3. Egg tarts

    Food

    Hong Kong egg tarts with a flaky pastry shell
    Photo: chinnian, CC BY-SA 2.0

    A flaky pastry shell filled with a smooth, wobbling egg custard, best eaten warm from the bakery. You'll find them on almost every street, and everyone has a favourite.

  4. Milk tea and a cha chaan teng

    Food

    French toast and milk tea at a Hong Kong cha chaan teng
    Photo: Kansir, CC BY 2.0

    The Hong Kong tea-café is a local institution, serving strong silky milk tea, pineapple buns and toast with condensed milk. Squeeze in at a shared table and soak up the clatter.

Where to stay in Hong Kong

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Hong Kong →

Getting around

The MTR is fast, clean and reaches almost everywhere, and the Octopus card works on trains, buses, trams and ferries. The Star Ferry and the double-decker trams on Hong Kong Island are cheap ways to see the city.

When to go

October to December is the most comfortable, with clear skies and lower humidity. Summers are hot, humid and wet, with typhoon season, so pack for sudden rain and plan indoor alternatives.

Questions about visiting Hong Kong

What is Hong Kong best known for?
Its harbour skyline, Victoria Peak, dim sum and street food, busy markets, and the mix of modern towers and traditional temples.
How many days do you need in Hong Kong?
Four days covers the Peak, the harbour, markets and a day on Lantau. Add a day for Macau or hiking.
What is there to do in Hong Kong with kids?
Hong Kong Disneyland, the Peak Tram, the Star Ferry, the Ngong Ping cable car and Big Buddha are all popular with children.
Do you need a car in Hong Kong?
No. The MTR, buses, trams and ferries cover everything, and taxis are inexpensive. A car would be more hassle than help.

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