There are so many reasons to visit this vibrant Chinese city that it’s difficult to select just a few. Hong Kong has its own unique culture, which is full of Eastern and Western cultural influences, owing to its colonial British history. It’s very sophisticated, with numerous five-star hotels, but it’s also family-friendly, so it absolutely deserves a mention on your bucket list.
We adore it for the food (which ranges from authentic street noodles to Michelin-starred restaurants), shopping (it’s a luxury shopping destination but there’s always something you can’t find), and festivals (there’s usually some carnival, parade, dance, or festival going on). In Hong Kong, almost every year.
Most importantly, Hong Kong is a fantastic location to visit with the family, and I’m not just saying that since my kid was born here and I return at least once a year. It’s also an excellent starting point for exploring Asia if you want to see more of China or other Asian nations. If you want to go somewhere in China or another Asian nation, be sure to check out these articles for additional information on how to save money on airfare.
Disneyland® in Hong Kong: A Tour Guide
Are you looking for things to do in Hong Kong? If you’re visiting Hong Kong with children, take them to Hong Kong Disneyland. It’s simply the greatest. We’ve been to every Disney resort on the planet, and this is our absolute favorite because of a variety of factors. Yes, it’s the smallest Disney park in the world, but that may be why it feels less crowded and has shorter queues. It also incorporates Chinese culture into its architecture, offers some of the best hotels, and provides excellent cuisine.
Learn About Hong Kong’s Neighborhoods
Hong Kong Island
Victoria Peak, Ocean Park, and a vibrant nightlife are all located on Hong Kong Island, which is where you’ll find some of the world’s tallest buildings as well as historic structures.
The major island areas where visitors stay from west to east are as follows:
Sheung Wan
You simply can’t go wrong with this Hong Kong neighborhood for delectable authentic cuisine and quirky marketplaces. Sheung Wan has fast become a hipster haven, with trendy antique boutiques, lovely little cafés, fantastic restaurants, and bars. That said, you’ll find some of the best antiquing in Hong Kong on Hollywood Road and Cat Street Market. Take a stroll down Ko Shing Street, which is home to Traditional Chinese Medicine clinics as well as the intriguing dried seafood street at Des Voeux Road West.
Central
The financial and business center of Hong Kong’s metropolis is this compact district, where you’ll find the world’s most opulent hotels. The waterfront (where harbor cruises and ferries to the islands depart) is gorgeous to behold, as are the city’s skyline and view across Victoria Harbour, although you’ll discover glimpses of the city’s history while exploring. There are still traditional marketplaces and shopping areas hidden among the skyscrapers, in addition to contemporary sites like the Hong Kong Observation Wheel, Peak Tram Lower Terminus, and Mid-Levels Escalator. Even after living in Central for two years, we still prefer to stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong. It’s a fantastic location that I highly recommend.
Admiralty
Admiralty is a mixed-use commercial and residential area, but it does have four luxury hotels that are next to the fantastic Pacific Place shopping mall. Central may be easily accessed via Hong Kong Park, a landscaped park in the city where children may enjoy both nature and culture. Tamar Park, which joins the Central and Western District Promenade for seaside walks and people watching, may also be reached by foot.
Wan Chai
Wan Chai is always bustling with activity. Queens Road East has some lovely antiques, the Tai Yuen Street toy market is fun to visit, and the Starstreet Precinct has trendy cafés and boutiques. There are also temples, businesses brimming with everything from electrical goods to housewares, the Bowrington Road wet market, tenement buildings similar to the Blue House Cluster, and other heritage sites.The elephant in the room is that Wan Chai also has a lot of bars and a red-light district, but this is no longer a consideration. The convention center and Grand Hyatt are located here as well, as well as a few boutique lodgings..
Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay, often known as East Point, is one of Hong Kong’s main shopping districts and now home to several boutique hotels. There are a variety of high-quality shopping destinations in this neighborhood, ranging from the Japanese-style department store Sogo to the 17 levels of retail space at Hysan Place. Though you can spend an entire day browsing stores here, take a stroll through Jardine’s Crescent for a little market browsing on the way.
Kowloon
Kowloon, unlike Hong Kong Island, is known for being more bustling and gritty. If you’re not staying on this side of the city, it’s worth seeing whether it’s any different. On this side of the city, there are older buildings in Hong Kong neighborhoods (all the way to), but you’ll find some of the city’s greatest markets, fantastic street food, interesting museums, and lots of hotels at more budget-friendly rates.
Tsim Tsa Tsui
TST is one of the most beautiful and elegant sections of Hong Kong, located on the peninsula’s tip. One of Kowloon’s most popular and affluent areas, TST sits along Victoria Harbor’s coastline. There’s a lot to enjoy in every way, from local retail on Nathan Road to designer boutiques on Canton Road to the massive Harbour City mall. There is also a lot of culture available. Visit museums (such as the Hong Kong Museum of History), take a ferry ride across Shek O Bay, or stroll along Shek O Bay Promenade for additional things to do.The Peninsula, Hong Kong is a great option for hotels, but consider Hotel Icon or Kowloon Shangri-La if you want to stay on the cheap.
Mong Kok
Mong Kok is one of the most congested areas in Hong Kong, but we go for the excellent market shopping and local cuisine. We particularly appreciate Fa Yuen Street, Ladies’ Market, and the Flower Market. Dim sum (Tim Ho Wan’s original location is here as well as a few hole-in-the-wall and high-end choices), egg waffles, walnut cookies, and other local goodies are among our favorites. Is it difficult to choose where to eat? A decent rule of thumb is to eat where the people congregate. When you get there, you’ll understand what I mean.
Sham Shui Po
Do you enjoy fashion? You may easily spend a whole day browsing the shopping streets of Sham Shui Po, where local and international fashion designers come to be inspired — as well as taking advantage of wholesale pricing. It’s fantastic, and it’s one of my favorite clusters of shopping areas in the world. Do you enjoy making crafts or sewing? Your materials are ready for you here.
Lantau Island
Lantau Island, the most populous of Hong Kong’s outlying islands, is a rich cultural and historical center. Though it is home to Hong Kong International Airport, it also offers opportunities to explore traditional fishing villages, see magnificent Buddhist temples, and even relax on the beach. One of our favorite activities is to ride the cable car up to Ngong Ping Village for some meditation at Po Lin Monastery before walking the Wisdom Path back home. On your way back to MTR Citygate Outlets should be visited. On Lantau Island, there is a lot of hiking to be done. Hong Kong Disneyland, of course, is located here as well.
If you haven’t yet visited Hong Kong, I strongly recommend that you do so — it’s one of our favorite family getaways and the place where we grew up. If you’ve already been to Hong Kong, please tell me about your favorite neighborhoods.
