Intro

Hong Kong offers a host of memorable tourist attractions within its compact area, with The Peak, Victoria Harbour and the Giant Buddha among the most awe-inspiring.

You'll be amazed by the diverse contrasts and close proximity of stunning cityscapes and soaring mountains, heritage sites and extensive green countryside.

Hong Kong could be splitted breifly into three regions, Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the N.T. (New Territories, which includes the outlying 200 islands).

These here are the top attractions in three different regions.

Hong Kong Island

Kowloon

N.T.

 


Hong Kong Island

The Peak

There's a reason why The Peak is one of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong: It is absolutely incredible! Looking down from The Peak you'll be amazed by the spectacular view of the surrounding city skyline, the world-famous Victoria Harbour and Kowloon, towering skyscrapers and peaceful green hillsides.


Getting there is an unforgettable trip. There's nothing in the world like the Peak Tram. Pulled by steel cables, the tram climbs 373 metres (about 1,200 feet). It's so steep that the buildings you pass look like they're leaning! Whether you're going up or coming down, you'll love this trip.


And now this fabulous vista has been further enhanced by the 2006 revitalisation of one of Hong Kong's most striking landmarks, The Peak Tower. Even more than before, it's a destination in its own right.


Once on The Peak, there are a number of locations providing magnificent views of the city below. For great continuous unfolding vistas, take the Peak Circle Walk or go directly to the Lugard Road Lookout for fabulous views over the harbour. There are more great vistas from the Lions View Point Pavilion and the viewing terrace at the Peak Galleria, as well as the Peak Tower Sky Terrace.
Be sure to visit Madame Tussauds Hong Kong , open from 10am to 10pm daily, for an engrossing interactive entertainment experience!

 

 

Lan Kwai Fong

When the lights go down, the "in crowd" heads for Lan Kwai Fong, a buzzing centre of clubs, bars and restaurants. This cheerful warren of Western-style restaurants, nightclubs, delicatessens and bars is a must for night owls and people watchers. Lan Kwai Fong is an L-shaped, cobble-stoned lane surrounded by Central's cluster of skyscrapers. Nearby lanes are also buzzing with bistros and pubs in Hong Kong's trendiest nightlife area.

 

 

Happy Valley Racecourse

Attending a race meeting under the dazzling lights of the Happy Valley Racecourse is an opportunity to capture the essence and the vitality of Hong Kong Chinese culture. This magnificent course has been the home of Hong Kong horse racing since the first meeting was held on a strip of reclaimed marshland in 1846. To enjoy all the action of this spectacle, join a Come Horseracing Tour during the annual September to June / early July only horseracing season. Today, the track is ultra-sophisticated with computerised betting and horse races broadcast live on gigantic screens. Night racing was introduced in 1973 and was an immediate success. For sheer excitement and the opportunity to rub shoulders with the locals, nothing beats a night at the horse races in Happy Valley. The nearby Hong Kong Racing Museum offers a fascinating glimpse of the sport's exciting history.

 

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Kowloon

Clock Tower

The old Clock Tower near the Star Ferry concourse in Tsim Sha Tsui is a declared monument and a landmark from the Age of Steam, when it formed part of the Kowloon - Canton Railway terminus.

Erected in 1915, the distinctive 44-metre red brick and granite tower is a graceful reminder of those Colonial times. But over many pre-war years it had far greater significance for innumerable Chinese migrants for whom the former terminus was the conduit to new lives either in Hong Kong or by ship to distant destinations overseas.

Today, the site of the historic railway station is occupied by the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, its curving roof and futuristic features creating an unusual background to the Clock Tower.

 

 

Star Ferry Tour

A crossing of Victoria Harbour on a Star Ferry has been named by the National Geographic of Traveler as one of the "fifty places of a lifetime". Now, for the first time, you have the opportunity to step back to the days of old and experience an era when third generation Star ferries were the major passenger connection between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula.

With the launch of the "Shining Star", the classic experience of Hong Kong is always a harbour tour on the ferry. Don't miss this unique tour; it is more memorable and better than ever!

 

A Symphony of Lights

This spectacular multimedia display, already named the 'World's Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show' by Guinness World Records, has been further expanded to include more than 40 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour.
The show creates an all-round vision of coloured lights, laser beams and searchlights performing a stunning, unforgettable spectacle synchronised to music and narration that celebrates the energy, spirit and diversity of Hong Kong.

There are five main themes — Awakening, Energy, Heritage, Partnership and the finale, Celebration.

A symphony of Light is for free public enjoyment. No adm ission tickiet is required.

For the best view of A Symphony of Lights, take a harbour cruise or head to the waterfront promenades on either side of Victoria Harbour. The show, organised by the Tourism Commission, is a must-see event on any visit to Hong Kong.


Dates:

Nightly

Time:

8pm

Vantage Points:

1. Along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront between the Avenue of Stars and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre
2. On the waterfront promenade outside the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai
3. Aboard a harbour cruise

 

 

Avenue of Stars

Discover what makes Hong Kong the Hollywood of the East at this tribute to the professionals who have contributed to the territory's hundred-year history of filmmaking. The Avenue of Stars features commemorative plaques, handprints of movie celebrities, descriptive milestones, kiosks with movie memorabilia, a towering Hong Kong Film Awards statuette, and a life-size statue of the legendary kung-fu action star, Bruce Lee. The location on the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade offers incredible panoramic views of the famed Victoria Harbour and the memorable Hong Kong skyline. It is also a good place to watch the spectacular A Symphony of Lights, a nightly multimedia show with the participation of more than 40 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour.

 

 

Wong Tai Sin Temple

If you have a long-standing wish that's yet to come true, perhaps the place to visit is the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple in Hong Kong where, provided you make an earnest plea to the gods, "every wish can come true" - or so it is said.

But even if you don't get your wish and win a million in the lottery, this temple complex in the heart of urban Kowloon is still well worth a visit.

Covering 18,000 square metres and located in a tranquil natural setting remote from the nearby housing estates and the bustle of their streets, the temple is, apart from being an important religious centre, a scenic attraction full of beautifully ornamented traditional buildings.

It commemorates the famous monk of yore Wong Tai Sin (also known as Huang Chu-ping), who was born around AD 328 and became a deity at Heng Shan (Red Pine Hill) in his later life.
In 1915, a Taoist priest, Liang Ren-an, brought a sacred portrait of Wong Tai Sin from Guangdong in Southern China to Hong Kong. It was only fitting therefore that this magnificent temple be built and dedicated to this honoured divinity revered down the ages for his benevolence.

In perpetuation of such an unselfish philosophy, the temple preaches three traditional religions - Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism.
Other important fixtures include the Three Saints Hall, the Bronze Pavilion (females excluded), the Archives Hall, the Earthly Fountain, the Yue Hing Shrine where the Buddha of the Lighted Lamp is worshipped, the Unicorn (Confucian) Hall where Confucius is worshipped, and the extravagantly colourful Good Wish Garden that is lavishly decorated with many exotic examples of Chinoiserie. There are entrance fees for Good Wish Garden and the newly established Tai Sui Yuenchen Hall, which are open from 9am to 4:30pm and 8am to 5pm daily respectively. Other areas of the temple are open daily from 7am to 5:30pm.

 

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N.T.

Giant Buddha

No trip to Hong Kong would be complete without a visit to the Giant Buddha which sits serenely atop Ngong Ping plateau amid the spectacular mountain scenery of Lantau Island.

The eyes, lips, incline of the head and even the right hand (raised to deliver a blessing to all), combine to lend great depth of character and dignity to this extraordinary statue.

The majestic figure of the seated Buddha was cast in China and took 12 years to complete. It was unveiled in December 1993 amid deeply religious ceremonies.

Visitors can climb more than 200 steps to reach the platform where the Buddha is seated.

Besides attracting Buddhists from all over Asia, the magnificent figure with its compelling presence almost instantly transformed the remote Po Lin Monastery with its devout monks into a must-visit on tourist schedules.

The Po Lin Monastery is set amid spectacular mountain scenery on the Ngong Ping plateau.
Besides admiring the massive statue there is also much to see and do at the monastery itself with its various figures of gods and other colourful manifestations of aspects of the Buddhist religion. You can even enjoy a vegetarian lunch.

From Po Lin Monastery it's a short walk to the Wisdom Path, an outdoor replica of the centuries old Heart Sutra, one of the world’s best-known prayers that is revered by Confucians, Buddhists and Taoists alike. The sutra is displayed on wooden pillars placed in the form of a figure "∞" to symbolise the idea of immeasurable splendour and infinity.

 

 

Ngong Ping 360

The Ngong Ping 360 experience starts with a 25 minute cable car ride from Tung Chung to a culturally themed village high atop a mountain plateau on Lantau Island. It's here at the Ngong Ping Village, that your family can enjoy two great attractions and a choice of shops and eateries, all on this picturesque 1.5-hectare site.

The Crystal Cabin featuring a glass bottom, this exhilarating ride gives an astonishing bird's eye view of the world below the cable car. Experience the magic of the deep blue sea and the lush green mountainside underneath your feet! Be thrilled by the feel of flying and yet getting close to nature’s beauty. Now open for bookings, tickets are available at Ngong Ping 360 ticketing offices at Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal and Ngong Ping Cable Car Terminal. Click here for more information and online booking.

 

 

Hong Kong Disneyland

Families visiting Hong Kong Disneyland will embark on a magical journey through four themed lands – Main Street U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventureland, and Tomorrowland. The two Disney-themed hotels also give you a home to go back to after a day of fairytale adventures. Disney stories and characters really come to life here! Must-see attractions like Disney On Parade features all Disney characters singing and dancing along Main Street U.S.A; Donald Duck relives the memorable moments of Disney’s animated films in the 3D show Mickey’s PhilharMagic; Mickey and his friends perform in the Broadway-style musical show “The Golden Mickeys”; and Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy make surprise appearances in the Fantasy Gardens, so don’t forget your camera and autograph book.

Want more adventure? Get on the exciting rides of Space Mountain or help Buzz Lightyear to fight against the aliens in the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. Riding in a boat at “it’s a small world” will take you across the colourful world where you will encounter more than 100 brightly costumed and animated dolls.

Hop on the Disneyland Railroad for a relaxing journey around the park. Learn the secret of how to draw Mickey Mouse and his friends in the Animation Academy. And you can watch the Disney in the Stars Fireworks at night.

The two Disney-themed hotels also give you a home to go back to at night. Enjoy a fabulous international buffet with Disney characters and be on the lookout for Goofy who drops by the hotel pool for a refreshing dip. Be sure to put this amazing adventure into your holiday plans!

Hong Kong Disneyland celebrates every season with a unique mix of attractions and Disney entertainment designed for both Chinese and Western occasions, such as the festive Chinese New Year, the spooky Halloween, the romantic Christmas and the hot Summer!

 

 

Tai O Fishing Village

For a look at a rare example of a Chinese stilt-house community, head to the far northwestern coast edge of Lantau Island. This is home to the Tanka people, a community of fisherfolk who have built their homes on stilts above the tidal flats for generations because they do not feel safe on land.

Their enchanting world is an amateur photographer's paradise. Interestingly, a new manually-operated drawbridge spans the narrow creek that divides the town. It replaces an old-fashioned rope-drawn "ferry" that operated for over 85 years! The village is accessible by an hour-long bus ride from Mui Wo or Tung Chung.

 

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Copyright ©2012 Desmond Au