Top Things to Do in Hong Kong: Best Activities & Must-Sees

Hong Kong is one of those places that impresses you even before you touch down. Wow, there are skyscrapers at the water's edge, vintage trams, temples hidden among modern streets, and neighbourhoods that change their vibe in the space of a few metro stops.

If you’re wondering what to see and do in Hong Kong without missing the key sights, here at Trip.com we make it really easy.

In this guide you'll find Hong Kong's unmissable spots, key neighbourhoods to help you get around, viewpoints to see the bay in all its glory, things to do at night, and options for when the weather isn't on your side… Shall we get started?

🗓️What to Do in Hong Kong Based on Your Stay

The best thing about Hong Kong is that it adapts to any pace. Whether you’re just passing through or staying for a good few days, you’ll always find something that fits your plans. What’s curious is that, depending on how much time you have, the city almost takes on a different personality.

Below, you'll find a simple table we've put together to guide you based on your type of trip and who you're travelling with.

If you fancy planning with a little extra care, stick around, because what’s coming next will help you put together a trip to Hong Kong without wasting a single minute.

🏙️Must-Visit Districts in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a mosaic of neighbourhoods that couldn’t be more different from each other, yet they fit together perfectly.

You can wander from street markets to skyscrapers in just one stroll, and what’s fascinating is that each neighbourhood has its own rhythm, its scents, its lights, and even its way of speaking to visitors. These districts are a brilliant gateway to understanding the city’s true heartbeat.

Mongkok: urban tradition, markets and pop culture

Mongkok is a whirlwind, in the best possible way. Streets packed with stalls, tiny shops where you can lose yourself hunting for gadgets, and an atmosphere that’s always a couple of beats ahead of the rest.

We recommend taking it slow, even if it feels impossible. Here you’ll find Sneakers Street, the Flower Market, cosy cafés full of surprises, and food stalls where the aroma of noodles wafts from one corner to the next.

💡 Did you know…? This neighbourhood is one of the densest in the world, yet it remains a firm favourite with locals. If you want to mix shopping, pop culture and a true street vibe, Mongkok will have you hooked.

Tsim Sha Tsui: luxury, harbour and iconic views

Tsim Sha Tsui has a whole different vibe. Here, it’s all about the bay, the waterfront promenade, and that skyline you’d never tire of gazing at—even if you lived here.

Between Harbour City, the luxury shopping centres and the restaurants with a view, it's easy to while away half a day without realising it.

By the way, if you love photography, the stretch of the waterfront at sunset is one of those spots that never disappoints. And if you fancy treating yourself, this neighbourhood is the perfect place for it.

Causeway Bay: modern shopping and vibrant urban life

Causeway Bay is a dream for anyone who loves getting lost in shops and shopping centres.

Here you’ll find Japanese fashion, technology, modern cafés and streets that don’t stop for a second. The best part is that, amid all those shops, there are also peaceful corners where you can catch your breath, like Victoria Park, just a stone’s throw away. It’s the kind of neighbourhood where you go in “just to have a look” and end up walking out with several bags…!

Sham Shui Po: the techie and most authentic neighbourhood

Sham Shui Po is for anyone who wants to see Hong Kong at its most authentic. There aren’t any grand luxuries here, but there’s a street vibe that draws you in.

You’ve got the Golden Computer Centre to go mad for tech at great prices, streets brimming with textiles, pop-up markets, and local food that will brighten your day.

A Trip.com tip: if you take it slow along Ki Lung Street or Fuk Wing Street, you’ll discover everything from sewing supplies to the quirkiest gadgets you won’t see in other neighbourhoods.

Lan Kwai Fong: the heart of Hong Kong's nightlife

Lan Kwai Fong is where the city lets its hair down. Bars, pubs, live music, international restaurants, and a vibe that changes every night.

You don’t need a fixed plan; the fun is in hopping from place to place and seeing what takes your fancy along the way.

If you come with friends, this is the place where many nights begin and end up becoming stories. And if you come alone, that's fine too; it's a neighbourhood where it's easy to feel like you belong.

🎡Top 5 Activities and Landmarks in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has that special something – a city that never falls short. One day it whisks you up to jaw-dropping viewpoints, the next it sweeps you into cutting-edge museums and, just when you least expect it, it sets you before a sacred mountain or a massive theme park.

Here are five activities in Hong Kong that, more or less, sum up the best of the city, so you don’t get lost in a thousand options.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland is one of those places where age doesn’t matter. The park isn’t huge, and that’s exactly the charm: you can explore it properly without rushing, and you’ll have time to go back on a ride you love. What’s more, it’s usually quieter than other Disney parks around the world, so you can enjoy it without that ‘endless queue’ feeling.

• If you come on your own, you’ll have a brilliant time without having to depend on anyone.
• If you’re visiting as a family, the themed areas are a winner, especially Fantasyland.
• And if you’re coming with friends, Adventureland is usually the meeting point to see where the day takes you.

Top tip: arrive early and check the show times, because some are absolutely worth it.

Hong Kong Palace Museum

The Palace Museum is one of those places that surprises you more than you expect. It’s in the West Kowloon Cultural District, a modern area with museums and open spaces that invite you to stroll.

What’s special here isn’t just the collection, but the care poured into the galleries, the lighting, the information panels… everything’s been thoughtfully designed to help you move along at a good pace without feeling overwhelmed.

If you’re into Chinese history, you’ll love this place. Even if you don’t know much about it, you will too, because it’s brilliantly set up for visitors with no prior knowledge.

Ngong Ping 360

Ngong Ping 360 is one of those experiences that blend views, nature and a cable car ride you won’t forget. You glide slowly over the bay, watching the scenery change until, suddenly, the Tian Tan Big Buddha appears among the mountains. It’s a perfect excursion to switch off from the city’s hustle and bustle for a while.

A handy tip: if you can, opt for the Crystal Cabin. It’s a little more expensive, but the feeling of ‘floating’ over Lantau Island is hard to forget.

And, by the way, the little village of Ngong Ping is perfect for a bite to eat before you head back.

Hong Kong Observation Wheel

The Ferris wheel, set in the heart of Central, is one of those easy-going activities that’s perfect at any time of day. From the top you’ll see the harbour, ferries crossing the bay and skyscrapers all around you, all at an unhurried pace and with a tranquillity that’s surprising in such a fast-paced city.

The best part is you don’t need to prepare much: just buy your ticket, wait a little, and you’re good to go. If you go at sunset, you’ll be treated to a rather lovely light show. And if it rains, no worries, because the cabins are enclosed.

Ocean Park Hong Kong

Ocean Park is a unique blend of theme park and giant aquarium. You’ll find rides, animal exhibits, shows, and a cable car that links the two parts of the complex, offering spectacular sea views.

It’s a perfect plan if you’re travelling with the family, because there are activities for all ages and there’s no need to follow a strict itinerary.

By the way, if you come on hot days, the aquarium area is a lifesaver for cooling off for a bit. And if you fancy avoiding queues, try to get there right at opening time — it really makes a big difference.

🌆Hong Kong, the city of the endless skyline

Hong Kong has a silhouette that impresses even though—Hong Kong, the city of the endless skyline—you’ve already seen it a thousand times in photos. It’s that unmistakable blend of razor-sharp skyscrapers, green hills on the horizon and a harbour that seems to light itself up every night. In the end, to truly understand the city, you have to see it from above, from below and, if you can, from the water too.

🌄 The best skyline viewpoints

If you want to see the skyline the way it’s meant to be seen, there are three spots that never disappoint. Each has its own character, so choose according to the kind of view you’re in the mood for.

The Peak

Hong Kong’s most iconic viewpoint. You ride up by funicular or bus, and when you reach the top you fall silent for a moment because, wow, the view is breathtaking. You see the bay, the island, Kowloon… all at once.

Sky100

This observation deck is on the 100th floor of the ICC, one of the tallest buildings in the city. What’s special here is that you see everything from the Kowloon side, with a wider angle and a calmer perspective.

TST Waterfront

You don’t need to go very high to take in a spectacular view. The Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, especially along the stretch that connects with the Avenue of Stars, treats you to a stunning skyline that’s very easy to photograph.

Quick list of Hong Kong viewpoints:

• The Peak
• Sky100
• TST waterfront
• Roof Garden at Central Ferry Piers (very little-known)
• Braemar Hill Mountain (for those who prefer more natural views)
• Victoria Harbour from the Star Ferry

🚢 How to experience the skyline from the front row

The skyline is a joy from above, yes, but experiencing it from the water is another level entirely.

A night-time stroll through Tsim Sha Tsui, for example, plunges you right into that atmosphere of lights and people strolling at a leisurely pace.

And if you fancy something a little more special, harbour cruises are a brilliant choice, especially the half-hour ones that take you along the bay.

By the way, if you're in the area around eight, try to stick around for a bit to catch A Symphony of Lights. It's not a massive show, but it has its charm: music, buildings lighting up in time, and the whole bay joining in at once. It's one of those little touches that make Hong Kong stick in your memory without any effort.

If you want to make sure you get a good spot or try a fuller experience, there are tours that combine a boat trip, dinner and night-time views—perfect when you fancy something different.

🌡️Best time to visit Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of those cities where there’s always something happening, no matter when you visit. That said, the weather changes quite a bit from one season to the next, and you’ll notice it in your plans, in the clothes you pack and even in the atmosphere on the streets.

So here’s a quick overview to help you get your bearings without overcomplicating things.

🚄Best Day Trips from Hong Kong

Hong Kong makes a brilliant base for slipping away for a few hours to see something different. As soon as you venture just beyond the centre, you’ll sense a different rhythm—calmer, greener, more local. Best of all, everything’s close enough to head out in the morning and be back in the city for dinner without any trouble.

Lantau Island: Nature and Culture

Sometimes all it takes is hopping on the MTR and, in no time, you’re surrounded by mountains and temples. Lantau has that retreat vibe without taking you too far from the city.

• Duration: approx. 40 minutes
• Transport: MTR + bus or cable car (Ngong Ping 360 if you want serious views)
• Unmissable highlights: the Big Buddha emerging through the mist, Po Lin Monastery with its almost meditative vibe, and the peaceful southern beaches that take more than a few by surprise. By the way, going early helps you avoid large groups, and the morning light looks fantastic in photos.

Macau: history, temples and colonial architecture

Macau is an intriguing blend: Portuguese streets, Chinese temples and modern skyscrapers vying for attention. In just an hour you’re there, and it’s a complete change of scene.

• Duration: 1 hour
• Transport: ferry (they run frequently, so it’s not a big deal if you miss one)
• Unmissable: the Ruins of St Paul's, the A-Ma and Na Tcha temples, the colonial quarters and, if you fancy something livelier, Asia's most famous casinos. Take it slow and you'll have time to savour a pastel de nata and wander unhurriedly along the cobbled streets.

Cheung Chau: beaches and local vibe

Cheung Chau has that small-island feel where life moves at an unhurried pace. Perfect for switching off a little from Hong Kong’s hustle and bustle.

• Duration: 35–50 mins
• Transport: ferry
• Unmissable: the broad western beaches, coastal paths you’ll wander almost without realising, and temples hidden among traditional houses. If you fancy a bite, try mango buns or some grilled fish from the little stalls along the promenade.

🚆 If you want to get around Hong Kong and the surrounding areas with ease, check out the train and ferry options on Trip.com.

🧩Explore More Travel Guides