Situated on the south side of Hong Kong Island, Aberdeen is nestled around a naturally protected harbor. Famous for its colorful floating seafood restaurant and boat people who live on junks in Aberdeen Harbour, the town has undergone massive changes over the past couple decades.…
Bookstore
Available as paperback
and as e-book.
Hong Kong Attractions
Hong Kong is perpetually revving up its sightseeing potential, opening new attractions and revamping older ones, expanding museums or developing new ones, and redesigning organized sightseeing tours to reflect the territory's changing demographics. On the other hand, if all you want to do is hike or lie on the ...
Hong Kong is perpetually revving up its sightseeing potential, opening new attractions and revamping older ones, expanding museums or developing new ones, and redesigning organized sightseeing tours to reflect the territory's changing demographics. On the other hand, if all you want to do is hike or lie on the beach, you can do that, too.
If you really want to do Hong Kong justice, plan on staying at least a week. However, because the city is so compact and its transportation is so efficient, you can see quite a bit of the city and its outlying islands in 3 to 5 days, especially if you're on the go from dawn until past dusk. In fact, some of Hong Kong's greatest sites are seen from public transportation. To get the most out of your time, it makes sense to divide the city into sections when planning your sightseeing.
For specific ideas on how to spend your days in Hong Kong, be sure to read my recommended itineraries. In addition, you might find it useful to read over the suggested walking tours, since they include stops at several of Hong Kong's top attractions.
Four activities I would recommend to every visitor to the SAR are: Ride the Star Ferry across the harbor, take the Peak Tram to the top of Victoria Peak, ride one of the rickety old trams on Hong Kong Island, and take a ferry to one of the outlying islands. Nothing can beat the thrill of these four experiences, or give you a better insight into the essence of Hong Kong and its people. What's more, they're all incredibly inexpensive.
Hong Kong Ferries
The stars of the Hong Kong stage, of course, are the Star Ferries, green-and-white vessels that have been carrying passengers back and forth between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island since 1898. At only HK$2 on weekdays for the regular, lower-deck fare, it's one of the cheapest -- and yet most dramatic -- harbor rides in the world. The entire ride from pier to pier takes about 5 minutes, with approximately 400 crossings a day.
Because a 5-minute ride isn't nearly enough time to soak up the ambience of Victoria Harbour, another great way to relax and view the skyline is on a ferry to an outlying island. While most of Hong Kong's 260 outlying islands are uninhabited. These ferries, which depart from the Central Ferry Piers, are by far the cheapest way to see Hong Kong's harbor, with most trips lasting less than an hour. Some even offer an outside deck, where you can watch Hong Kong float past. In fact, part of the fun in visiting an outlying island is the ferry ride there and back.
There are also organized boat cruises of Victoria Harbour.
Victoria Peak
At 392m (1,286 ft.), Victoria Peak is Hong Kong Island's tallest hill, which naturally makes it the best place for spectacular views of the city and surrounding areas. Be sure to bring your camera. If possible, go on a crystal-clear day, since fog -- and smog -- can greatly curtail vistas (in fact, I wouldn't even bother going up on a hazy day). Victoria Peak has always been one of Hong Kong's most exclusive places to live, since, in addition to the views, the Peak is typically cooler than the sweltering city below. More than 120 years ago, the rich reached the Peak after a 3-hour trip in sedan chairs, transported to the top by coolies. Then, in 1888, the Peak Tram began operations, cutting the journey from a grueling 3 hours to a mere 8 minutes. In 1989, the older, cast-iron green funicular cars with mahogany seats were replaced by new, modern cars imported from Switzerland, which increased the passenger load from 72 to 120 people. If you want to know more about the tram's history, stop by the Peak Tram Historical Gallery, ensconced in the Peak Tram Lower Terminus, which you can see for free with the purchase of a tram ticket. Filled with memorabilia and a replica of the first Peak Tram, it's open daily from 7am to midnight.
The easiest way to reach the Peak Tram Lower Terminus, located on Garden Road, is to take the no. 15C open-top shuttle bus that operates between the tram terminus and the Star Ferry in Central. Shuttle buses cost HK$4.25 and run every 15 to 20 minutes between 10am and 11:45pm. Otherwise, it's about a 10-minute walk from Central's MTR Station to the tram terminus. Alternatively, you can take bus no. 15 from the Star Ferry terminal directly to the top of Victoria Peak for HK$9.80, but then you'd miss the tram unless you opt to take it down. Finally, you can eschew transportation altogether and walk. I have to admit I've never walked up the Peak, but the steep walk down, on shaded Old Peak Road and then Albany Road, is pleasant and brings you to the Zoological & Botanical Gardens in about 40 minutes; from there it's another 15 minutes to the MTR Central station.
As for the trams, they depart every 10 to 15 minutes between 7am and midnight. The tram climbs almost vertically for 8 minutes before reaching the top of the Peak -- don't worry, there's never been an accident in its entire 100-odd years of operation. One-way tickets for the Peak Tram cost HK$25 for adults and HK$9 for seniors and children. Round-trip tickets cost HK$36 and HK$16, respectively, but there are also combination tickets for the tram and Peak attractions. Or, you can use an Octopus card.
Upon reaching the Peak, you'll find yourself at the very modern Peak Tower (tel. 852/2849 0668; www.thepeak.com.hk), designed by British architect Terry Farrell, which looks like a Chinese cooking wok. Head straight for the rooftop Sky Terrace viewing deck, where you'll be privileged to view one of the world's most breathtaking 360-degree vistas, with sweeping panoramas of Hong Kong Island, the South China Sea, the skyscrapers of Central, boats plying Victoria Harbour, the ever-expanding construction on Kowloon peninsula, and the many hills of the New Territories undulating in the background. An open-air gallery displays historic photos of old Hong Kong. It's open Monday to Friday 10am to 11pm and Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 8am to 11pm. Admission is HK$25 for adults and HK$12 for seniors and children. Slightly more economical are combination tram and Sky Terrace tickets, with one-way journeys costing HK$45 for adults and HK$19 for seniors and children, and round-trip journeys costing HK$56 and HK$26, respectively (if you don't want to spend money for the Sky Terrace, you can have good views, too, at Peak Galleria and the circular hike).
Peak Tower is also home to a handful of Chinese, Western, and Japanese restaurants, as well as some fast-food outlets and a shopping arcade designed to evoke traditional Hong Kong street scenes. Also here is Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, Level 3, Peak Tower, 128 Peak Rd., Victoria Peak (tel. 852/2849 6966; www.madame-tussauds.com.hk), with more than 100 life-size wax figures of national heroes, politicians, historical figures, Olympic medalists, movie stars, and musicians. In addition to the usual figures -- Marilyn Monroe, Johnny Depp, the Beatles, Winston Churchill, President Obama -- there are also local and Chinese heroes like Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh, Bruce Lee, Canto-pop star Andy Lau, and basketball star Yao Ming. In the scary section "Scream," live people portray psychopathic killers who are on the loose in an insane asylum (not recommended for young children). The museum is open daily from 10am to 10pm and costs HK$160 for adults and HK$90 for seniors and children; count on spending about 40 minutes here. Note that combination tickets for the Peak Tram, Sky Terrace, and Madame Tussauds are available.
Next to the Peak Tower is the Peak Galleria, a three-story complex with more shops, restaurants, an outdoor children's playground, and a viewing terrace. In the plaza in front of the Peak Tower is a kiosk for the Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Centre, located in a 50-year-old tram car and open daily from 9am to 9pm.
But the best thing to do atop Victoria Peak is to take a walk. One of my favorite walks in all of Hong Kong is the hour-long circular hike on Lugard and Harlech roads, both located just a stone's throw from the Peak Tower (turn right out of the tower; both streets converge at the Peak Lookout restaurant). It's well marked, but the HKTB Visitor Centre has a map of the walk (as well as maps of other hikes from the peak to other destinations, such as Aberdeen). Mainly a footpath overhung with banyan trees and lined with lush vegetation, it snakes about 3.5km (2 miles) along the side of the peak, offering great views of the Central District below, the harbor, Kowloon, and then Aberdeen and the outlying islands on the other side. Along the path are signboards identifying flora and fauna. You will also pass several of Victoria Peak's mansions as you share the path with joggers, tourists, and locals out for a leisurely stroll. At night, the lighted path offers one of the world's most romantic views (I don't recommend walking it alone, however). Don't miss it.
The Best Peek of the Peak -- For the best view when riding the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak, try to get a seat at the front, on the right side of the tram. From 1908 to 1949, the first two seats at the front were reserved -- for the governor of Hong Kong.
Riding a Tram
Just as the Star Ferry is the best way to see the harbor, the tram is the most colorful and cheapest way to see the northern end of Hong Kong Island, including the Central District, Western District, Wan Chai, and Causeway Bay. In fact, the tram is so much a part of Hong Kong life that it was chosen for Hong Kong's exhibit at the Vancouver 1986 Expo. Dating from 1904, the tramline follows what used to be the waterfront (before the days of land reclamation). Old, narrow, double-decker affairs, the trams cut through the heart of the city, from Kennedy Town in the west to Shau Kei Wan in the east. With only one detour -- off to Happy Valley -- it's impossible to get lost.
In any case, if you're in Central, you can board the tram on Des Voeux Road Central. Climb to the upper deck and try to get a seat in the front row. I especially like to ride the tram at night, when neon signs blaze overhead and the streets buzz with activity.
-
Religious Site
Chi Lin Nunnery
Just one subway stop away from Wong Tai Sin is the Chi Lin Buddhist Nunnery, founded in the 1930s to provide religious, cultural, educational, and elderly care services to the Hong Kong community. Reconstructed in the 1990s in the style of Tang dynasty monastic architecture (A.D.… -
Museum
City Gallery
Hong Kong is a developer's dream, with new projects sprouting so quickly and so frequently that the city is constantly reinventing itself. This is the government's high-tech outreach venue to the public, where major planning proposals and infrastructure projects that will…Central
-
The Performing Arts
City Hall
Located near the Central District's waterfront, City Hall's Low Block has a 1,500-seat balconied concert hall, plus a 470-seat theater used for plays and chamber music. Exhibitions are frequently held in the foyer; you can pick up a schedule of upcoming events in the lobby.Central
-
Museum
Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum
Dr. Sun Yat-sen (1866–1925) is revered in China as the revolutionary who helped overthrow the corrupt Qing Dynasty, which had ruled for more than 200 years. Although he was born in Guangdong Province, Dr. Sun Yat-sen spent his formative years in Hong Kong as a student in secondary…Take the Central–Mid-Levels Escalator to Caine Road and turn right
-
Museum
Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware
Anyone who thinks making tea entails a teabag and a microwave is in for a shock here. The Chinese have been drinking tea for thousands of years both for medicinal reasons and for pleasure, developing not only a mindboggling variety of teas but also many different methods to prepare…From Admiralty Station, follow the signs through Pacific Place to Island Shangri-La Hotel/Hong Kong Park via 2 escalators
-
The Performing Arts
Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Located across the street from the Arts Centre , this is Hong Kong's institution for vocational training in the performing arts. It also features regular performances in theater and dance, by both local and international playwrights and choreographers. Its Theatre Block comprises six… -
The Performing Arts
Hong Kong Arts Centre
Built on Wan Chai's waterfront, this is host to the Hong Kong Arts Festival and other international presentations, as well as performances by Hong Kong's own amateur and professional companies. It offers a regular schedule of plays or dances, exhibition galleries, and foreign film… -
The Performing Arts
Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
Established in 1977, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra is the world's largest professional Chinese-instrument orchestra. It features more than 80 full-time musicians who perform both traditional folk music and full-scale contemporary works, including commissioned pieces, in… -
The Performing Arts
Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Sandwiched between the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Star Ferry concourse, this is the territory's largest arena for the arts. Opened in 1989, this complex is a good bet for free music and events, including family shows two Saturdays a month (usually the second and fourth Sat) from… -
Theme Park
Hong Kong Disneyland
It's really easy to get to Hong Kong Disneyland—it's a few stops from the airport or about 30 minutes from the heart of the city, both by MTR—so visiting doesn't have to consume an entire day. At this park, which was opened in 2005 with co-sponsorship by the local government, you'll… -
Museum
Hong Kong Maritime Museum
After many years in Stanley, this museum, which outlines Hong Kong's long history with the sea, moved to the Central Ferry Piers in early 2013, where it seems aptly at home with views of bustling Victoria Harbour. Exhibits, divided among three "decks," begin with early Chinese…Central
-
Museum
Hong Kong Museum of Art
Devoted to Chinese decorative arts and antiquities, this is one of Hong Kong's best museums, and because it's near the Star Ferry terminus and Tsim Sha Tsui's waterfront promenade, it's also the easiest to slip into a busy itinerary (its views of the harbor are a bonus). With…Tsim Sha Tsui
-
Museum
Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence
Located on a strategic hill overlooking the narrow eastern channel to Victoria Harbour, this is actually two museums in one. Inside, displays cover 600 years of Hong Kong's coastal defense, beginning with the Ming Dynasty's forts and batteries in the 14th century to repel Japanese…Exit B2 from the station and then a 15-min. walk following the signs
-
Museum
Hong Kong Museum of History
If you visit only one museum in Hong Kong and you're prepared to devote at least 2 hours, this should be it. Make it one of your first priorities, so you'll have a better understanding of what you see during the rest of your trip. The permanent exhibit, called the Hong Kong Story, is…On Hong Kong Island
-
Museum
Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences
It's hard not to feel thankful for the progress we've made fighting disease and illness when touring this unique museum devoted to the historical development of medical sciences in Hong Kong, especially when contemplating what it must have felt like to sit in that old…Mid-Levels
-
The Performing Arts
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
The Hong Kong Philharmonic, founded in 1975, is the city's largest (Western-style) orchestra. It performs regularly from September to July and at other scheduled events throughout the year, such as providing live accompaniment to the Hong Kong Ballet. Its conductor is Edo de Waart;… -
Museum
Hong Kong Science Museum
Entertaining kids on hot or rainy days is no problem at this expansive museum, spread on four floors with 500 exhibits, a whopping 70 percent of them interactive. Children can learn about light, sound, electricity, magnetism, transportation, math, communication, life sciences, energy…Tsim Sha Tsui East
-
Museum
Hong Kong Space Museum
I've always considered it a shame that this space museum, open since 1980 with its distinctive egg-shaped dome and darkened halls, landed in such a coveted spot right on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. Still, visitors travel through another world of space science and astronomy…Tsim Sha Tsui
-
Religious Site
Man Mo Temple
Hong Kong Island's oldest and most important temple (Taoist) was built in the 1840s as one of the new colony's first traditional-style temples. It's named after its two principal deities: Man, the god of literature, who is dressed in red and holds a calligraphy brush; and Mo, the god… -
Theme Park
Ocean Park
If you're a kid or a kid at heart, you'll love Ocean Park, a combination marine park and amusement center. Situated along a dramatic rocky coastline on the island's southern shore, the park is divided into two areas: a "lowland" and a "headland," connected by cable car (and, in 2012… -
The Hong Kong Planning and Infrastructure Exhibition Gallery
Its name is dry and unpromising, but anyone who has witnessed the SAR's changes over the past few decades will find this museum fascinating -- Hong Kong is a never-ending work in progress and this museum gives visitors a firsthand look at the government plans for Hong Kong. Over the…Central
-
Religious Site
Wong Tai Sin
Located six subway stops northeast of Yau Ma Tei in the far north end of Kowloon, Wong Tai Sin is Hong Kong's most popular Taoist temple, which attracts worshippers of all three traditional Chinese guiding faiths: Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Although the temple itself is less…
Hong Kong Shopping
Shopping in Hong Kong
From techy goods at megamalls to Ming Dynasty vases in antique shops, let your Hong Kong dollars flow. Body-hugging hot pink cheongsams and padded silk jackets are all the rage at funky Shanghai Tang. Contemporary Chinese oils will tempt you at Schoeni.
Hong Kong Nightlife
Nightlife in Hong Kong seems pretty tame when compared to Tokyo or Bangkok. With the world of Suzie Wong in Wan Chai now a shadow of its former wicked self, Hong Kong today seems somewhat reserved and, perhaps to some minds, yawningly dull. For the upper crust who live here, exclusive membership clubs are popul ...
Nightlife in Hong Kong seems pretty tame when compared to Tokyo or Bangkok. With the world of Suzie Wong in Wan Chai now a shadow of its former wicked self, Hong Kong today seems somewhat reserved and, perhaps to some minds, yawningly dull. For the upper crust who live here, exclusive membership clubs are popular for socializing and entertaining guests, while the vast majority of Chinese are likely to spend their free evenings at one of those huge lively restaurants.
Yet it would be wrong to assume that the SAR has nothing to offer in the way of nightlife -- it's just that you probably won't get into any trouble enjoying yourself. To liven things up, Hong Kong stages several annual events, including the Hong Kong Arts Festival in February/March, and the Hong Kong International Film Festival in March/April. Other cultural events are presented throughout the year, including theater productions, pop concerts, and Chinese opera and dance performances.
Most of Hong Kong's bars and clubs are concentrated in just a handful of nightlife districts. In the Central District, most popular is Lan Kwai Fong, in the vicinity of Lan Kwai Fong and D'Aguilar streets, where a multitude of bars and restaurants have long added a spark to Hong Kong's financial district. Nearby, SoHo, along the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator south of Hollywood Road, boasts an ever-growing number of ethnic restaurants and bars. Wan Chai has also witnessed a revival with a spate of new bars, restaurants, and strip joints, while Knutsford Terrace, a small alley on the north end of Tsim Sha Tsui, is popular for its open-fronted bars and restaurants. You can party until dawn; indeed, some bars and discos don't take off until after midnight.
Remember that a 10% service charge will be added to your food/drinks bill. If you're watching your Hong Kong dollars, take advantage of happy hour. (Actually, "happy hours" would be more appropriate, since the period is generally from 5-8pm and often even longer than that.) Furthermore, many pubs, bars, and lounges offer live entertainment, which you can enjoy simply for the price of a beer. Plus, you can enjoy many of the city's finest nighttime charms -- strolling along the Tsim Sha Tsui harbor waterfront or around Victoria Peak, watching the nightly "Symphony of Lights" outdoor laser and light show, or browsing at the Temple Street Night Market -- for free.
Information, please
To find out what's going on during your stay in the SAR, you can pick up a number of free magazines around town.
- What's On -- Hong Kong is a Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) leaflet published weekly that lists events in theater, music, and the arts, including concerts and Chinese opera (you can also access it at www.discoverhongkong.com). Pick up a copy at any HKTB Visitor Centre.
- Hong Kong's Leisure and Cultural Services Department (www.lcsd.gov.hk) also publishes its own monthly Event Calendar, which features events taking place in City Hall and at the Cultural Centre -- from Cantonese opera to the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. The guide is available at both featured venues.
- HK Magazine (http://hk.asia-city.com), distributed free at restaurants, bars, and other outlets around town and aimed at a young readership, is a weekly that lists goings-on at the city's theaters and other venues, including plays, concerts, the cinema, and events in Hong Kong's alternative scene.
- Where Hong Kong, CityLife (www.citylifehk.com), and bc (www.bcmagazine.net) are three other free monthlies with nightlife information and special events. Find them in hotels, restaurants, and bookstores.
- A useful online navigational tool to find out about club events, drink specials, and special happenings is www.hkclubbing.com.
- For virtually everything happening in Hong Kong, from Chinese opera to pop concerts, film festivals, and family entertainment, check out www.urbtix.hk, Hong Kong's official ticketing agent.
Mad About mah-jongg
You don't have to be in Hong Kong long before you hear it: the clack-clack of mah-jongg, almost deafening if it's emanating from a large mah-jongg parlor. You can hear it at large restaurants (mah-jongg parlors are usually tucked into side rooms), at wedding celebrations, in the middle of the day, and long into the night. In a land where gambling is illegal except at the horse races, mah-jongg provides the opportunity for skillful gambling. Many hard-core players confess to an addiction.
Although mah-jongg originated during the Sung dynasty almost 1,000 years ago, today's game is very different, more difficult, and played with amazing speed. Essentially, mah-jongg is played by four people, using tiles that resemble dominoes and bear Chinese characters and designs. Tiles are drawn and discarded (by slamming them on the table), until one player wins with a hand of four combinations of three tiles and a pair of matching tiles. But the real excitement comes with betting chips that each player receives and which are awarded to the winner based on his or her combination of winning tiles. Excitement is also heightened by the speed of the game -- the faster tiles are slammed against the table and swooped up, the better. Technically, the mah-jongg game is over when a player runs out of chips, though it's not unusual to borrow chips to continue playing. Hong Kong stories abound of fortunes made and lost in a game of mah-jongg.
-
Bars & Pubs
Bahama Mama's
Other bars and restaurants come and go on Knutsford Terrace, but this one has staying power, signaling it must be doing something right. Maybe it's because of its generous happy hours (daily until 9pm and again Sunday to Thursday from midnight to closing), its big al-fresco patio…Tsim Sha Tsui
-
Bars & Pubs
Captain's Bar
This classic bar with a distinct masculine, clubby slant has been a Hong Kong institution for 50 years. It's so beloved that when the Mandarin underwent a massive update a few years back, this bar's makeover didn't dare change a thing. Popular with Central's business professionals…Central
-
Nightlife
Chicha
Latin American food and drinks are the latest ethnic wave to hit Hong Kong, and this neighborhood favorite is riding the crest with its convivial atmosphere and tapas menu that is meant to be shared among friends. It's divided into several cozy sections, including a counter where you…Central
-
Dance Clubs
Club 97
It's a miracle this Lan Kwai Fong nightlife establishment is still with us, seeing as how it's now older than many of its patrons. Opened in 1982 (its name is a cheeky reference to what back then seemed like a distant 1997 handover of sovereignty), this club offers a variety of…Central
-
Dance Clubs
Dragon=i
This club has been setting the bar for snob appeal since 2002. Its website even boasts that it's "the" place for the "cool and connected," has a "beautiful" staff, and that its door policy is so selective, only the "stylish and the beautiful need apply." In other words, unless you…Uphill from Lan Kwai Fong, up a steep set of stairs to the right
-
Nightlife
Insomnia
Can't sleep in the middle of the night? Head to this Lan Kwai Fong mainstay, open 24/7 every day of the year. Its small, open-facade front room is a good place to watch the world spin by, while its small inner sanctum, pretty much void of furniture because most nights it gets really…Central
-
Nightlife
Lobby Lounge
With its huge wall of glass providing water-level panoramas of Victoria Harbour, this hotel lounge is a great place day or night, whether for lunch (it has great organic burgers and all-natural sodas), its very popular afternoon tea, the nightly "Symphony of Lights" laser show, or…Tsim Sha Tsui
-
Nightlife
Ned Kelly's Last Stand
Ned Kelly was an Australian outlaw (folk hero to some) who was hanged in 1880 when he was 25 years old, making this Aussie saloon famous since 1972 for Dixieland jazz much older than its namesake. Its house band, playing nightly from 9:30pm, brings in an appreciative mostly…Tsim Sha Tsui
-
Bars & Pubs
Ozone
You can't be afraid of heights if your goal is to have a drink in the world's highest bar in the world's highest hotel. High in the sky on the 118th floor (your ears will likely pop on the elevator ride up), this sleek and snazzy venue provides stratospheric views (you're…Kowloon
-
Nightlife
Peel Fresco Music Lounge
This venue with its Renaissance-style paintings and cozy and intimate setting will makes everyone feel like guests in a private home, with a band playing jazz, folk, or R&B. Check its website for the music schedule, along with other fun events like poetry…Central
-
Nightlife
Rula Bula
Lan Kwai Fong can seem like an unchaperoned party gone awry for more mature travelers, but this open-fronted bar admits only those 25 and older, making it popular with professional expats earlier in the evening (happy hour is from 4 to 9pm) and providing a good view of the …Central
-
Nightlife
Salon de Ning
Madame Ning was a 1930s Shanghainese socialite who traveled to far-flung places (African safaris and Alpine skiing were among her favorite pastimes). This intimate venue, decorated to resemble her boudoir, looks like she could return any moment, with perfume bottles, …Tsim Sha Tsui
-
Nightlife
Socialito
This jumping taqueria (out front, with a walk-up counter open to the street), restaurant (offering everything from Wagyu and Peruvian tostaditas to pork-belly tacos, with tostaditas and tacos priced frm HK$60 to HK$90), margarita bar (the largest tequila selection in …Central
-
Wine bar
Staunton's Wine Bar + Cafe
This was one of the first cafes to debut beside the Central–Mid-Levels Escalator, and though the world's longest people-mover has since reeled in many more restaurants and bars along its wake, this remains one of the best for watching the never-ending parade of people gliding…Central
-
Bars & Pubs
Tapagria
You might not know local actress Carina Lau (though you may have heard of her husband Tony Leung, who has appeared in many Wong Kar-wai movies), but she's behind this Spanish-themed bar with a fantastic wraparound outdoor terrace providing views of Tsim Sha Tsui, the harbor,…Tsim Sha Tsui
-
Performing Arts Venue
The Wanch
This Hong Kong institution has been hosting free live music since 1978, supporting both local and international groups playing everything from classic and modern rock to folk and jazz. It pays tribute, too, to local history, with old photographs of the former colony, posters…Wan Chai
-
Nightlife
aqua spirit
A sexy, dark interior puts the focus where it belongs—on Hong Kong's striking harbor and shimmering neon lights spreading 30 stories below. Attracting a sophisticated crowd with its cocktails (which start at HK$128), designer drinks (like the signature Amore Mio with cognac, homemade…Tsim Sha Tsui
-
Bars & Pubs
eyebar
Its name refers to the painted eye that once graced Chinese ships to keep them safe during their voyages, but all eyes here are trained on the gorgeous harbor views afforded from soaring floor-to-ceiling windows and from an outdoor terrace complete with telescope. Pony up to the bar,…Tsim Sha Tsui
More To Do in Hong Kong
Active Pursuits in Hong Kong
Despite the fact that the SAR is densely populated, there's enough open space to pursue everything from golf to hiking to windsurfing. For the hardworking Chinese and expatriates, recreation and leisure are essential for relaxing and winding down. With that in mind, try to schedule…
Along the East Rail in Hong Kong
I've arranged the towns below in the order you'll reach them when traveling north from Kowloon. Be sure you have the Discover Hong Kong by Rail booklet, available at any HKTB Visitor Centre. Sha Tin Fewer than 13km (8 miles) north of Tsim Sha Tsui, Sha Tin is Hong Kong's prime…
Related Articles
More To Do in Hong Kong
Architecture in Hong Kong
Historic Architecture If you never ventured much beyond the waterfronts of Victoria Harbour, you might easily believe that Hong Kong is nothing more than chrome-and-glass skyscrapers, huge housing projects, shopping malls, and miles of glowing neon signs heralding countless…
Best Dining Bets in Hong Kong
Eating Your Way Through China: There's no better place in the world to sample regional Chinese cuisine than Hong Kong, where you can eat everything from the ubiquitous Cantonese food to Sichuan, Shanghainese, Hunanese, Beijing, Chiu Chow, and Pekingese dishes. Stuffing Yourself…
Best Free Things to Do in Hong Kong
Expand Your Horizons at Hong Kong's Museums: A Museum Pass allowing entry to seven major museums, covering everything from Chinese art and Hong Kong's history to space, science, and cultural life in the New Territories, costs just HK$30. Or, go on Wednesday, when admission to these…
