Hong Kong City Guide for the Traveler

Hong Kong is a destination that will please any traveler from either corner of the World. It is cultural, dynamic, beautiful and a natural city that has architectural splendor and delight. The city is so robust and eventful that it will be difficult to decide on where to go and what to see. Get you laptop out and plan an itinerary inclusive of the top picks for you and your family.

Hong Kong offers several areas that boasts a plethora of diverse attractions. You can enjoy temples, monuments, museums and the beautiful shopping districts. Other areas that offer days of must do’s include Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories and the Outer Islands.

The Temples are spread throughout the territory. They serve Buddhism, Taoism as well as other deities. Some of the most stunning and breath-taking temples include the Chi Lin Nunnery, Sha Tin Che Kung Temple, Miu Fat Buddhist Monastery and the Yuen Yuen Institute. The various monuments throughout the city will allow you a glimpse into over 5,000 years of Chinese heritage and over 150 years of British Colonialism.

The museums in Hong Kong are diverse, and offer a vast expression of cultural arts, ancient works, history and modern science. Some of the most popular museums include the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, The Museum of Coastal Defence, The Hong Kong Museum of Art, The Hong Kong Museum of History, The Hong Kong Science Museum, The Hong Kong Space Museum and Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum. While these are the major museums, you can set out to see some unique history at the Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum or the Police Museum which are only two of the approximately twenty special interest Museums.

Hong Kong has a never ending playground for the shoppers in each of us. The Street Markets are full of excitement and color. Here, shoppers get good use of their bargaining skills as everything for sale has a price that can be negotiated. You will find unique hand-made crafts, second hand items and even antiques. A few to choose from would include the Stanley Market, Temple Street Night Market, Ladies’ Market and Jade Market. If you would rather shop at a name brand paradise, Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories features shopping malls, department stores as well as vibrant open-air markets.

Hong Kong Island is filled with popular attractions that will keep you out of your Luxury or Boutique Hotels for days. Here you will find attractions such as Madame Tussauds, Hollywood Road, Western Market, Lan Kwai Fongand SoHo, Golden Bauhinia Square, Happy Valley Race Course, Jumbo Kingdom, Ocean Park, Repulse Bay, Stanley Market, and Aberdeen. Additionally, this is where you will find Hong Kong’s most popular attraction, the Peak. Looking down from the Peak, you will be awe-inspired by the spectacular views of the city skyline, the world-famous Victoria Harbour, Kowloon, towering skyscrapers and green hillsides. The Peak’s tram is pulled by steal cables and climbs 373 metres making the trip up and down an amusing adventure.

Kowloon has many attractions within itself as well. This pulsating destination within Hong Kong Boasts over eleven attractions including the Cheung Sha Wan Road Fashion Street, Avenue of Stars, a Symphony of Lights, the Clock Tower, Kowloon’s Walled City Park, Lei Yue Mun Seafood Bazaar and Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple. Markets are plentiful here as you will find the Temple Street Night Market, Jade Market, Yuen Po Street Bird, Flower and Goldfish Market, and the Ladies’ Market.

When you visit the New Territories, you may see more old than new. Here you will find some of the oldest settlements and temples in Hong Kong. The most popular tourist attractions include Sha Tin Racecourse, Ching Chung Koon, Ping Shan Heritage Trail, Kat Hing Wai, Mai Po Wetlands, Tai Fu Tai, Tsing Ma Bridge, Fung Ying Seen Koon, Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail, Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees and Tin Hau Temple, Sai Kung Town and the Hong Kong Wetland Park.

The Outlying Islands may be the most famous of attractions and is sincerely Hong Kong’s playground. Here you will find Hong Kong’s Disneyland, The Giant Buddha, Ngong Ping 360, Tai O Fishing Village, Mui Wo, Sky City, AsiaWorld-Expo, Cheung Chau and Lamma Island.

Hong Kong has so much to offer, from the finest boutique and luxury hotels to the cityscape and skyline. The attractions and events are endless. While this city guide may give you a glimpse into the robust lifestyle that Hong Kong has to offer, it only skims what is available in this busy city. Anything you need is available and everything you want is just a fingertip away. Enjoy it all, take it in and use a camera to look back because this vacation is sure to fly away.