Best Things to Do in Hong Kong: My Personal Highlights
From Disneyland and Ocean Park to Victoria Peak, Star Ferry, and stunning temples, here are my personal highlights and best things to do in Hong Kong.
Disneyland
Visiting Disneyland has been a dream of mine ever since I was a kid. Like many kids, I was absolutely obsessed with all things Disney. When I heard that Hong Kong has a Disneyland that is mostly in English, I knew I had to check it out on my visit. I travelled to Disneyland by train and the magic started on the Disneyland train line, where the interior was Disney themed and the announcements came from Disney characters voices. Upon arriving, I was even more shocked when I saw the entrance. I honestly didn’t know exactly what to expect but I definitely did not expect how grand everything was going to be.
Ocean Park
If you look around online you will see a lot of comparisons between Ocean Park and Disneyland in Hong Kong, and which one is more worth visiting. Initially, I also only intended on visiting one but since I was in Hong Kong for a full week I figured I could squeeze both into my travel plans and I am so glad that I did!
Ocean Park is a theme park that combines rides and animals into one place. You can see a variety of marine life when visiting like jellyfish and dolphins, other small animals like snakes and frogs, as well as their famous panda exhibit! Additionally, there is a gondola and a train that connects both sides of the park, which are on opposing sides of a hill. While I did not go on many rides, I think that the visit was still worth it just to see the wildlife and ride the gondola. I would honestly recommend Disneyland if you can only pick one or the other but if you have the chance to visit Ocean Park it is pretty fun too.
Victoria Peak
As far as city views go, the top spot for tourists is Victoria Peak. I typically enjoy going to look out points when I travel but it is not exactly something that I prioritize. Victoria Peak is a unique experience though so I highly recommend it! First, you take a tram to the peak which is a really fun experience and then the view from the peak is obviously incredible. Beyond that, there are a series of lovely paths on the peak which provide really scenic walks with beautiful nature and various lookout points throughout.
Edouard Youde Aviary
Prior to visiting Hong Kong I had never been to an aviary, nor was I familiar with the concept, so I was really excited to check out the Edouard Youde Aviary when I heard about it! An aviary is essentially just a massive bird enclosure that people can walk through, and the Edouard Youde Aviary is the largest in Southeast Asia. Here you can see a number of bird species on a raised platform high up in the trees, surrounded by stunning nature. If you enjoy wildlife and nature it is definitely worth checking out, plus it is located in Hong Kong park and is completely free!
Star Ferry
One of the most iconic activities in Hong Kong is taking the Star Ferry. This ferry connects the two sides of Hong Kong (Hong Kong Island and Kowloon) and is used by both tourists and daily commuters. In fact, the ferry between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon has on average 70,000 users per day and comes in at ~$1 CAD. For a city that is generally somewhat expensive, it is incredible that they have the cheapest public ferry ride in the world! I definitely recommend trying to catch the ferry around sunset as it just adds to the incredible views.
Kowloon Walled City Park
Kowloon Walled City Park covers the area of the infamous Kowloon Walled City. If you are interested in history, there is a little section in the park with some ruins of the walled city and information. Otherwise, it is simply a beautiful park with various sculptures / statues, gardens, and Lung Nam Pavillion which is a nice spot for photos. If you are not particularly interested in the historical aspect of the park or visiting a nice park in general while in Hong Kong, I definitely do not think it is a must see, but if you have time and are visiting nearby sites it is worth a stroll!
Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple
After travelling to Asia three times now, I have been to numerous temples and shrines, yet somehow visiting these sites never fails to amaze me. Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple is a huge Taoist temple complex that features incredible architecture, lovely scenery, and a great atmosphere. I went here on the morning that I was flying out of Hong Kong and I am so glad that I did because experiencing the culture/tradition in combination with walking through a place so visually stunning and unique is always something I try to do when I visit a new place, and Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple is high on the list of the most stunning temples I have visited.
Nan Lian Garden / Chi Lin Nunnery
Chi Lin Nunnery is a Buddhist temple that was developed without the use of any nails, only interlocking wooden pieces, and is currently the largest hand-made wooden structure in the world! I share the same sentiment as what I described for Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple for Chi Lin Nunnery, everything about it is jaw dropping. It is also adjacent to Nan Lian Garden which is a really lovely garden and well worth walking through. If you are visiting Hong Kong I definitely recommend checking out both of these temples if you can because I personally cannot pick a favourite!
Sham Shui Po and Mong Kok (Shopping Streets)
The shopping streets of Sham Shui Po and Mong Kok are exactly how I envisioned old Hong Kong to be like. Bustling streets with street vendors and a bunch of small businesses selling a wide variety of goods. In Sham Shui Po you will find Apliu Street Flea Market which sells a bunch of affordable goods and Golden Computer Arcade which sells a variety of tech items. In Mong Kok you will find Ladies Street which sells clothing and souvenirs as well as Sneakers Street where you can find pretty much any shoe you desire. A huge bonus is that both of these areas are known to have some of the best food spots in Hong Kong!
Outro
Hong Kong exceeded my expectations as a travel destination. I can only speak on my experience, and it may contradict the experience that other people have had in this city, but I personally found Hong Kong to be relatively affordable with lots of fun sites, kind people, and delicious food. I hope that other people that visit can have a similar experience to myself and I think a great starting point is visiting all of the amazing sites I outlined above!