1. Victoria Peak
You can’t go to Hong Kong and skip Victoria Peak, which is easily one of the best viewpoints in the city. From the top you get a breathtaking panoramic view of the skyline, the harbour and the surrounding islands. I went early in the morning to avoid the queues and loved how calm it felt before the crowds arrived. You can take a short walk around the Peak Circle Walk for some incredible photo spots or pop into the Peak Tower for restaurants, shops and the Sky Terrace 428 for the highest 360° view in Hong Kong.
Access to the Peak is free and tickets to the Sky Terrace 428 starts from £6 which you can prebook on Klook.
2. Peak Tram
Getting to the top is just as fun as being there! The Peak Tram is one of Hong Kong’s oldest attractions and feels like a little journey through history. It’s a steep funicular ride that climbs right up through the city, and as you go the skyscrapers tilt dramatically outside your window. I’d recommend sitting on the right hand side on the way up for the best skyline view (and then on the left hand side on the way down). The tram runs daily from 7:30am to 11pm and it’s a really fun way to reach the Peak without all the uphill walking.
Round trip Peak Tram tickets start from £11 and you can prebook on Klook.
3. Ngong Ping 360
This was easily one of my favourite experiences in Hong Kong. The Ngong Ping 360 cable car takes you from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping Village on Lantau Island, gliding over the mountains and giving you insane views of the South China Sea. I went for the crystal cabin rather than a standard cabin as it has a glass floor, and yessssss it’s as thrilling (and slightly terrifying) as it sounds! There was also less people in the queue for the crystal cabin and we got super lucky as we got one all to ourselves, which is worth it as the cable car is a 25 min ride in total. Once you arrive you can explore Ngong Ping Village, visit the Tian Tan Buddha and grab lunch nearby before heading back down.
Standard cabin round trip tickets start from £28 and Crystal Cabin round tickets start £36. You can prebook on Klook.
4. Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha)
Standing tall at 34 metres, the Tian Tan Buddha (or Big Buddha) is one of the most iconic sights in Hong Kong. I spent some time walking around the base before tackling the 268 steps to reach the top and honestly the view makes it so worth it. You’ll find calm, peaceful energy here with prayer flags fluttering and incense burning in the breeze. There’s even AC at the top which for me was a lifesaver because I was literally dripping in sweat when I reached the top!
Entry is free.
5. Hong Kong Disneyland
Even if you’ve been to other Disney parks before, Hong Kong Disneyland feels truly magical in its own way. It’s smaller than some of the others but it’s beautifully designed and has a really personal feel. The park is split into themed lands like Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland and every corner is filled with detail. My favourite ride was Hyperspace Mountain which is a high speed roller coaster in the dark with a Star Wars twist. And make sure you stay for the amazing evening parade and fireworks show that is the perfect way to end your day at Disney.
Tickets start from £64 and you can prebook on Klook.
6. Victoria Harbour
The iconic Victoria Harbour is the heart of Hong Kong and it’s one of those places you can keep coming back to. I spent an afternoon wandering along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, popping into the K11 Musea shopping centre for a little browse (and air con). The rooftop garden was also such a hidden spot that I don’t think many people know about as it was so quiet, and it gives you stunning skyline views. When the sun starts to set the whole harbour truly does glow and it’s one of those moments you’ll want to capture on camera.
Entry is free.
7. Avenue of the Stars
Located along the waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui, the Avenue of the Stars celebrates Hong Kong’s film industry and its biggest stars including Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. The promenade itself is beautiful with palm lined walkways and sweeping views of Victoria Harbour. In my opinion it’s one of the best free spots in the city to walk, especially in the evening when the skyline lights up. I stayed here to watch the Symphony of Lights show and it was such a relaxed, easy way to see Hong Kong at night.
Entry is free.
8. Day Trip to Macau
I’m quite ashamed to admit this but I had never had heard of Macau until it came to me planning my Hong Kong trip and I’m soooo glad I found out about it just in time! Macau is just an hour’s ferry ride from Hong Kong and feels like stepping into a completely different world. The city blends Portuguese charm with Chinese culture, so you’ll find pastel coloured buildings, tiled streets and some seriously beautiful architecture. I started my day exploring the Ruins of St. Paul’s and Senado Square, both full of history and local cafes to stop by for a pastel de nata (the famous Portuguese egg tart which I dropped on the floor because I was too busy trying to get the perfect picture).
But the part that really stood out was exploring Macau’s hotel scene, they’re on another level. The Parisian Macao has its very own Eiffel Tower, which looks especially stunning when it lights up at night. The Londoner brings a little piece of the UK to Asia, complete with a mini Big Ben and themed decor, while The Venetian is all about luxury and gondola rides that make you forget you’re not in Italy. Even if you’re not staying overnight it’s worth visiting just to wander through these themed resorts as it’s like travelling around the world in one afternoon.
Macau is also the only place in China where gambling is legal so if you’re feeling lucky you can stop by one of the casinos inside the hotels. Personally I’d recommend spending at least one night here as a day is enough to see the highlights, but the city really comes alive after dark.
A one way ferry ticket starts from £17 and you can prebook on Klook.
9. Mong Kok & Ladies Market
If you love a good market with designer dupes, then Mong Kok will be your happy place. The Ladies Market is packed with stalls selling clothes, accessories, souvenirs and random finds you didn’t even know you wanted. The energy here is wild with neon lights, sizzling food stands and endless people bargaining for deals (this is completely normal so make sure you do some bargaining). It’s the perfect spot to experience local life in full swing so make sure you visit and grab some of those designer dupes!
The markets are free to visit but how much you spend on shopping is entirely up to you!
10. Sunset Cruise on the Harbour
If I had to pick one perfect way to end a day in Hong Kong this would be it!! Watching the city glow from the water as the sun sets is honestly breathtaking. Many harbour cruises include drinks or even dinner, making it a lovely experience to wind down after a busy day. I went for an hour long one and seeing the skyline from that angle made me fall in love with the city all over again.
You can prebook on Klook and cruises start from £15 for a hour experience.
11. Ocean Park
If you’re a theme park lover then Ocean Park is another must do and some people actually prefer it over Disneyland (that’s what a lot of the locals told me). It’s a mix of thrilling rides, animal exhibits and stunning ocean views. The park is split between two areas connected by a cable car and the scenery on the ride is just incredible. I loved that you could go from screaming on a roller coaster to watching penguins or pandas within the same day.
You can prebook on Klook and tickets start from £53
12. Hong Kong Observation Wheel
One of the most affordable yet memorable things I did was the Hong Kong Observation Wheel. For just £1.85 you get a few rotations that give you beautiful views of the skyline and harbour. It’s right on the Central Harbour front and the ride feels surprisingly peaceful especially if you go at sunset. There are cafes and pop up stalls nearby too so you can grab a snack and take in the view without spending much at all.
You can prebook on Klook and tickets cost £1.85 per person.
13. Explore Central, Soho and the Mid-Levels Escalator
Central and Soho are some of the most fun areas to explore on foot especially if you love food, shopping and city vibes. The Mid-Levels Escalator is one of the most unique parts of Hong Kong and it’s basically a giant outdoor escalator system that helps people travel up and down the hills. It’s free to use and it’s a fun way to explore the area without climbing endless stairs.
Soho is packed with restaurants, bars and cafes, and it’s one of the best places to go for dinner. It also feels very lively in the evenings which makes it perfect for a girls’ trip.
Hong Kong completely exceeded my expectations and I am sure it will for you too when you visit!! It’s a city that feels alive 24/7, but it also has quiet moments of calm tucked away in between. I hope this guide on the best things to do in Hong Kong helps you plan your trip and don’t forget, you can book most of these experiences through Klook and use my code THEGIRLSTRIPTOKLOOK for an extra discount.
