Day 1 Schedule

Arrive Hong Kong

Welcome to Hong Kong!!! On arrival at International airport one of the best in the
world A shoppers paradise, an adventurers dream, a foodies delight - this is Hong
Kong for all traveler one of the worlds most thriving and cosmopolitan cities, is
strategically located on the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea. After clearing
immigration kindly make your way to the exit gate, you will be greeted by our
local representative and will be transferred to hotel. After check in procedure
fresh n up, explore the city on own or we recommend you to take optional tour
Symphony of light Show on Cruise a not to miss experience!! During Symphony
of light Show on Cruise Hong Kongs harbor dazzles with neon at night, but the
synchronized Symphony of Lights laser show takes the nightly spectacle to
another level. Cruise Hong Kongs Victoria Harbour aboard a traditional Chinese
sightseeing junk and enjoy an uninterrupted view of this dazzling light show for
an unforgettable evening in Hong Kong. The highlight of your evening harbor
cruise is the 20-minute Symphony of Lights show, a spectacular display of laser
beams bouncing off 33 key skyscrapers on both sides of the harbor.
Accompanied by synchronized music and commentary. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 2 Schedule
Hong Kong City Tour
After a sumptuous breakfast you will be precede for Hong Kong half day City
Tour. A panoramic kind of one can enjoy a trip to the Victoria Peak (top-level)
Aberdeen Fishing Village, where you will get a unique opportunity to see the life
style of Hong Kong fishing folks followed by a stop at Repulse Bay to view the
bay watch, the most-visited beach in town. You will also be given one way peak
tram ride to the top of the peak along with the entrance ticket to the worlds
famous wax museum - Madame Tassaud. Proceed to Avenue of Stars, later visit
the Jewel factory and their factory outlet, your tour ends at Tsim Sha Tsui Area for
shopping you have to return back to hotel on your own. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 3 Schedule
Hong Kong Disneyland
After a sumptuous breakfast you will be taken to Disneyland for whole day
funits time to again go back to your childhood days. A fun-filled day at the
theme park. The Hong Kong Disneyland is as happening as its American
counterpart. Walking cartoon characters, eye popping rides and delicious food,
this is the young Hong Kongs hang out for unlimited entertainment and fun.
Disneyland will embark on a magical journey through four themed lands. Main
Street U.S.A., Fantasy land, Adventure land and Tomorrow land. All your favorite
Disney characters will come to life and it will an experience of a lifetime.
Overnight stay at Disneyland hotel.
Day 4 Schedule

Hong Kong Macau

After a sumptuous breakfast you will be picked up by our tour guide to be
transfer to the Hong Kong ferry port to board the ferry to the beautiful island of
Macau and to experience its beauty. On arrival at Macau- the city of glitz and
glamour, you will board the complimentary shuttle to your choice of hotel. Check
in at hotel and rest of the day free for leisure and to engage in numerous
activities ranging from casino, fancy dining, a stroll down the Portuguese lane,
fresh bakery, dont forget the fresh tarts, nightlife, shows and much more that
Macau has to offer. You can try your hands in various casinos. Or you can go for
dazzling shows in Macau Dragon show or House of water Show at an additional
cost. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 5 Schedule
Macau City Tour
After a sumptuous breakfast you will be precede for Macau City Tour. You will be
shown the charm of the Chinese and the Portuguese heritage embraced in the
arrays of modernized architecture. Macau, reunited with China in 1999, was once
the oldest European settlement in the Orient. Youll find classic Chinese
architecture as well as modern influences as you explore the city on your
sightseeing tour. See the ruins of St. Pauls (UNESCO designated World Heritage
Site), Mount Fortress, Senado Square, St. Dominics Church, A-Ma Temple, Rua De
Cunha, Taipa Houses, Macau Tower with Entrance Ticket, Kun Lam Statues,
Fishermans Wharf. During tour will get a lunch break to enjoy local Macau dish.
Before your comprehensive city tour ends, dont miss a chance to see the worldfamous Macau Casino. Make a brief stop and try your hand at the gambling
tables of this premiere card room; you can join one of the daily poker
tournaments or play blackjack, Spanish 21, mini baccarat and more! Overnight
stay at hotel.

Last Updated - January 2014

Having lived in Hong Kong for a while we decided to come up with a list of attractions that represented a best of
the best for each of the main areas of Hong Kong.
We specifically designed this list for those only able to visit and explore Hong Kong for a few days. For longer
visits, there is much more to Hong Kong that is worth seeing. Because this is a personal list, it will be different
from others. These are simply the places we have enjoyed the most and wanted to share with visitors.
Inclusions are arranged by their proximity to other nearby attractions, they are not listed in a favourite-to-least
favourite or chronological order.
Top Attractions in Hong Kong
1.) Hong Kong Island
a. Victoria Peak (visited by the Peak Tram)
b. Hong Kong Park (several nice attractions here)
c. Ding Ding Tram
d. Causeway Bay (HK's shopping mecca)
e. Happy Valley (HK's premiere race track)
f. Stanley (relaxing seaside community)

g. Ocean Park (Hong Kong's local Theme Park)

2. Kowloon Peninsula
a. Victoria Harbor (riding the famous Star Ferry)
b. Avenue of Stars (views of Hong Kong Skyline)
c. Peninsula Hotel Lobby (Afternoon Tea)
d. Tsim Sha Tsui (great shopping scene in Kowloon)
e. Hong Kong Museum of History and Science Museum
f. Mongkok Markets (The Fab Five - HK's best street market scene)
g. Chi Lin Nunnery and the Nan Lian Garden
3. N.T., Lantau Island and further beyond
a. Man Fat Sze - 10,000 Buddha Monastery (Sha Tin)
b. Hong Kong Heritage Museum (Sha Tin)
c. Disneyland (Lantau Island)
d. Ngong Ping 360 and the Big Buddha (Lantau Island)
e. Sai Kung (relaxing seaside community)
f. Macau Day Trip
4. How about Chinese Food?
a. Peking Garden (TST) - Family fun Chinese dining experience
b. Springdeer (TST) - our favorite for Pekinese food
c. Crystal Jade Xiao Long Bao - favorite Shanghainese dim sum
5. Other Useful Resources
a. Discover Hong Kong Website (HK Tourism Board)
b. Hong Kong Observatory
We have written reviews for each of the attractions listed above. These reviews (w/pictures) can be viewed below
if useful.

Explore locations featured in this Trip List: Hong Kong

Category: Perfect day
Traveler type: Culture, Sightseeing, Shopping, Never been before, Repeat visitors
Appeals to: Couples/romantics, Singles, Families with small children, Families with teenagers,
Students, Budget travelers, Active/adventure, Tourists
Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

1. Victoria Peak (The Peak)

Victoria Peak (The Peak), Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read one of our reviews for Victoria Peak
Victoria Peak is a classic Hong Kong attraction, offering one of the most recognizable views in the world
of Victoria Harbour, the Hong Kong Skyline and Kowloon Skyline.
This is the spot of many postcard image photographs of Hong Kong. However, the value of your visit is
highly dependent on air quality and sky conditions. Being flexible with your itinerary while in Hong Kong
can afford you better opportunities to see the outstanding views from Victoria Peak.
Victoria Peak is best visited by riding the famous Peak Tram but can also visited by using bus number
15 which services The Peak from the lower Central District.

2. Peak Tram to Victoria Peak

Peak Tram, Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read our review of the Peak Tram.
The historic Peak Tram is an iconic Hong Kong attraction and a downright fun way to make your way to
Victoria Peak. You start your journey from the Peak Terminus but do be aware of the crowds, which can
be very long (easily 1+ hours) so best to start early if you want a more leisurely visit.

3. Ding Ding Tram (One of the ten best trolley rides in the world)
Hong Kong Tramways (Ding Ding), Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read our review of the 'Ding Ding' street tram.
National Geographic calls the Hong Kong 'Ding Ding' one of the ten best trolley rides in the world, and
its easy to see why. This is a great way to travel between Central and Causeway Bay, riding a slow 'Ding
Ding', like passengers have done here for over 100 years.
This is something visitors can do very quickly and easily and is an activity that children can enjoy as
well. Just board the ding-ding at one of the many hop-on, hop-off stops with HK$2.30 (adult) or HK$1.20
(children) in hand or tap your Octupus Card and off you go!
We much prefer to ride on the top level, in the front is the very best but those seats are very frequently
taken. Best to have your camera ready as there always seems to be something to take a picture of
when looking out the Ding Ding windows.

4. Causeway Bay (HK's Shopping Mecca)

Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read our review of Causeway Bay as a shopping hotspot in Hong Kong.
There is no better place in Hong Kong to spend your time, effort and money shopping than in Causeway
where you encounter and endless collection of shopping malls, centers, street markets and literally
thousands of shops, all within a short walking distance. This is one of the two best shopping areas in
HK, along with Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon.
While most come to this area of Hong Kong to shop, the dining in Causeway Bay is also
recommendable.

5. Happy Valley Racecourse (HK's Premiere Horse Racing Track)

Happy Valley Racecourse, Hong Kong, China
Horse racing is the unofficial sport of Hong Kong and the historic Happy Valley Racecourse can make a
great day out for those interested in this sport.
Located in Wan Chai District, Happy Valley is easily accessible from most parts of Hong Kong with race
days usually taking place here on Wednesdays. Sunday races are held at the Sha Tin Racecourse in
the New Territories.

6. Stanley (Relaxing Seaside Community)

Stanley, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read our review for the seaside community of Stanley, a great place to spend time
away from the chaos of Hong Kong.
While many come here simply for the famous Stanley (day) Markets there is actually quite a lot to see
and do in Stanley making it a great place to spend 1/2 a day or longer.
1. Stanley Markets
2. Stanley Promenade (row of restaurants and bars)
3. Historic Murray House
4. Blake Pier
5. Stanley Plaza (more nice dining and mall shopping)
6. Tin Hau Temple
7. Stanley Military Cemetery
Stanley is well connected the the Central and Admiralty districts in Hong Kong and is best reached by
taking buses #6, 6A, 6A , 65, 66 or 260 which each make there way to or have drop offs at Stanley.

Stanley can also be visited part of a combined day trip with Ocean Park. In this case, visit Ocean Park
early and try to visit by early afternoon. Bus transportation onward to Stanley is another 30 minutes and
the Stanley Markets begin to close up around 6 to 6.30pm.

7. Ocean Park Theme Park

Ocean Park, Hong Kong, China
Click the link above to rear our review for Ocean Park, one of the best ways for a family to spend a day
in Hong Kong.
Located near Aberdeen, Ocean Park is our locally owned and managed Theme Park that is the most
popular individual attraction in Hong Kong in terms of visitor numbers received. After several years of
renovations and a massive upgrade of the theme park, you can ow enjoy some very good wildlife
experiences alongside fun and exciting rides and games.
Like our other major attractions, its best to start early before the crowds swarm into the park.
See the Ocean Park website for information about animal feeding and performance schedules, maps
and opening times.

8. Victoria Harbour (One of the Finest Harbours in the World)

Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read our review of for Victoria Harbor
Victoria Harbour separates Hong Kong Island from the Kowloon Peninsula. Its deep waters were
instrumental in the establishment of a British colony in the early 19th century and its presence has
served to greatly shape the evolution of modern day Hong Kong.
Today, vast numbers of skyscrapers line its shores while traditional junks, ferries, cruise ships and even
tankers ply its waters, day and night.
During Chinese New Year
Victoria Harbour also hosts world-class fireworks displays, the most famous being the annual 23-minute
display held during Chinese New Year. It is illuminates the skyline at night, allowing lasting memories
and excellent photos to be made of one of the world's finest harbours.

9. Star Ferry ride from TST (Kowloon) to Hong Kong island

Star Ferry, Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read our review of the historic Star Ferry.
The Star Ferry, which National Geographic has called it one of the 50 visits that should be made in one's
lifetime. It is considered a heritage and cultural treasure for Hong Kong, a symbol of the island nation's
history and rise to prominence during the 20th and early 21st centuries.
Like the Historic Ding Ding, rides are very cheap as well at HK$2.50 per adult and HK$1.50 for children.
Where else can you cross one of the world's finest harbors, admiring the finest skyline in the world for
the price of loose pocket change?
A ride on the Star Ferry should be on everyone's To Do list when visiting HK.

10. Hong Kong Skyline (World's Best Skyline)

Hong Kong Skyline, Hong Kong, China

Click the above link to read our review of the Hong Kong Skyline, which is best viewed from the Avenue
of Stars area of the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade.
CNN, calls the Hong Kong Skyline the world's greatest with only one true rival, being the Manhattan
Skyline in New York City. While daytime views are most impressive, it is what you see at night that can
take your breath away, especially when the air conditions are ripe.
The Hong Kong Skyline is a real source of pride for our city.

11. Avenue of Stars along the TST Promenade

Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read one of our reviews for the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade where you will find the
Avenue of Stars
This is the best spot in Hong Kong to view the world class Hong Kong Skyline and there are three times
of the day when we most enjoy views from the location. Read the above review for details.
Overall, the TST Promenade is one of the few places that we recommend to all visitors that plan to visit
Hong Kong, regardless of their intended length of stay, and we usually suggest visiting at least twice
during your trip, once during the day and again at night.

12. Afternoon High Tea at the Peninsula Lobby

The Lobby at the Peninsula Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read our review of the Lobby at the Penninsula.
Not for everyone but for others, no visit to Hong Kong would be complete without a sitting for afternoon
tea the Lobby in the iconic and historic Peninsula Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui.
While regulars complain the the experience is not what it used to be, the environment is elegant, refined
and the tea remains superb.

13. Hong Kong Museum of History (Best Museum in Hong Kong)

Hong Kong Museum of History, Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read our review of the Hong Kong Museum of History, our overall best museum
experience in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Museum features eight galleries of reconstructed homes, sampan boats and what
seems like an entire small village of early 20th century Hong Kong style shops makes for a very fun and
interactive way to learn about Hong Kong. There are often some wonderful special exhibitions like the
recent Terra Cotta Exhibition.
The HK Museum of History is best visited early in your trip, helping to build context for what you will
experience in Hong Kong.
Cost: HK$10, free Wednesdays.
Opening Hours: 10am to 6pm (M-F), 10am to 7pm (Sat and Sun), closed Tuesdays
Location: Tsim Sha Tsui (TST or Hung Hom MTR)

14. Hong Kong Science Museum

Hong Kong Science Museum, Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read our review of the Hong Kong Science Museum, which we consider to be the
best overall, family-friendly attraction in Hong Kong.
Here over 650 exhibitions are presently on display, with over 500 of them being interactive, meaning the

children (and curious adults) have hours of different things to try in this museum. Many exhibits are
simple while others are more engaging and interactive. They can easily occupy your time for several
hours. This is an excellent attraction on rainy days
Cost: HK$25, free Wednesdays, closed on Thursdays
Opening Hours: 1pm to 9pm (M-F), 10am to 9pm (Sat and Sun)
Location: Tsim Sha Tsui (TST or Hung Hom MTR)

15. Mongkok Markets (HK's best street market scene)

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Click the above link to read our trip list for how to best visit the Mongkok (Fab Five) Markets.
Where other areas of Hong Kong have long grown tiring and less interesting to us, Mongkok always has
something new and different up its sleeve, never failing to surprise - even as local residents to Hong
Kong. This is why on free evenings, we still find ourselves frequently heading into Mongkok to take in
the endless stream of sights, smells and tastes.
A fantastic way to spend some time in Mongkok as a visitor is to following the walking trail that takes
between 2-4 hours and hits all of the major street markets:
1. Fa Yuen Str. Mkt. (30-45 min) 2-2.45pm
2. Flower Market (30 min) 3:00-3.30pm
3. Bird Market (30 min) 3.30-4:30pm
4. Goldfish Market (45 min) 4.45-5.30pm
5. Dinner in one of the 100s of good local restaurants in Mongkok
6. Ladies Market (60-90 min) 6:30-8:00pm
There are plenty of open walking streets in the Mongkok area jammed between Nathan Road and the
Mongkok East MTR area, you can spend countless hours wandering these busy streets and will be glad
to have done so as a visitor to Hong Kong.

16. Chi Lin Nunnery (Excellent Surprise)

Chi Lin Nunnery, Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read one of our reviews for the Chi Lin Nunnery, which is one of our very best
monastery visits available in Hong Kong.
The Chi Lin Nunnery, along with the accompanying Nan Lian Gardens is now regularly considered a top
ten attraction in the city, a place where one can find beautiful courtyard lotus ponds and numerous
shrubs, plants, trees and bonsai,which are very well-manicured and maintained.
Location Diamond Hill MTR, just follow the signs for a short 2-3 minute walk.
Cost - Free Entrance into the Chi Lin Nunnery.

17. Nan Lian Garden (Most beautiful spot in Hong Kong)

Nan Lian Garden, Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read one of our reviews of the Nan Lian Gardens
No longer a hidden gem, the Nan Lian Garden is now regularly considered a top ten attraction in Hong
Kong and is often called the most beautiful spot in all of Hong Kong.
Location Diamond Hill MTR, just follow the signs for a short 2-3 minute walk.
Cost - Free Entrance into the Nan Lian Garden.

18. Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Man Fat Sze)

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Man Fat Sze), Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read one of our review of the 10,000 Buddha Monastery in Sha Tin, which is
locally known as Man Fat Sze.
Man Fat Sze is one of our very best temple visits in Hong Kong. It is one of the genuinely unique places
to visit in Hong Kong, beautifully featuring over 13,000 buddha statues.
The walk up the hill to the monastery is steep so its often best to start early if you intend to visit in the
hotter months. Make sure to bring your camera, fully charged batteries and extra memory space. You
can take a lot of pictures of the thousands of interesting and often beautiful Buddha statues.
Location: Sha Tin (Sha Tin MTR), follow the trail behind the IKEA building.
Cost: Free Entrance into Man Fat Sze

19. Hong Kong Heritage Museum

Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read one of our reviews for the Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Sha Tin.
The Heritage Museum is actually the largest museum in Hong Kong and the very best outside the main
city area. This museum is similar to the Hong Kong Museum of History but with more concentration
upon the New Territories instead of general Hong Kong.
Cost: HK$10, free Wednesdays
Opening Hours: 10am to 6pm (M-F), 10am to 7pm (Sat and Sun), closed Tuesdays
Location: Sha Tin (Che Kung MTR station)

20. Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong Disneyland is the smallest of the Disney parks around the world. This has left some
disappointed with their visits but most still find reason to enjoy their visit to Disneyland, one of our truly
good family friendly attractions in Hong Kong.
Since 2011, Disney has opened the The Toy Story Land and Grizzly Gulch attraction areas and they will
continue to expand in upcoming years making it much larger and enjoyable for visitors.
Ticket information is available on the Hong Kong Disneyland Website.

21. Ngong Ping 360 (Cable Car to see the Giant Buddha)
Ngong Ping Village (Ngong Ping 360), Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read our review of the Ngong Ping 360 attraction on Lantau Island.
Ngong Ping 360 has had a bit of a troubled past, having been shut down on more than one occasion
after major technical failures. However, when it is in operation, this is one of the genuinely unique
attractions in Hong Kong. The cable car ride is Ngong Ping Cable Car is a 5.7 kilometres long can be an
enjoyable way to visit the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery.
The village at the top of the hill is very touristy but seeing the Giant Buddha makes up for that. The long
return cable car ride helps remind that this is a unique experience to spend so much time in a cable car
traveling slowing up and around hilltops. The glass floor makes the viewing quite good.
Ticket Information is available on the Nong Ping 360 Website for details.

22. Big Buddha

Big Buddha, Hong Kong, China

Click the above link to read our review of the Big Buddha on Lantau Island
This 34 meter tall statue of Buddha is a very nice attraction on its own. Combined with a visit the
attractive Po Lin Monastery and a ride on the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car, makes this a genuinely good
day trip and one of the best temple visit experiences in Hong Kong.
Location - Lantau Island (Tung Chung MTR), take Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car
Cost - No fee to visit the Big Buddha. However, there is a fee for riding the Ngong Ping 360 cable car.
See Ngong Ping 360 Website for details.

23. Sai Kung (Relaxing Seaside Community)

Sai Kung, Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read one of our reviews for Sai Kung.
This seaside fishing village is a great way to get away from the speed and chaos of the city. The feature
attraction in Sai Kung is the promenade area where you can find traditional Chinese seafood
restaurants, bars and watch local fisherman selling their live fish, shellfish and other exotic things from
the sea to local buyers. This is very interesting to watch and photograph. Junk boats and trips to the
area Geo Park.
Sai Kung is also a hot spot for good 'Western' restaurants, Thai and there is even a good Sri Lankan
restaurant to be found. Alfresco style dining is quite a norm in this area as well, making it very pleasant
for evening meals, especially when the weather is nice.
For hikers, Sai Kung has some nice opportunities for spending a day out in the bush.

24. Day Trip to Macau

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Click the above link to read our trip list for Macau's Top Attractions.
Being regular visitors to Macau, we have written up this travel list, which features what we believe to be
the most important and interesting attractions available to visit. This is something we hope will prove
useful to others researching and planning their visit to Macau, especially those intending on make a
short visit.
While we prefer overnight and multiple night stays in Macau, the day trip from Hong Kong is very
popular and potentially worth considering when visiting this part of the world.

25. Peking Garden - (Family Friendly Chinese Dining in TST)

Peking Garden (Tsim Sha Tsui), Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read our review of Peking Garden in TST. This
What we like about Peking Garden is not only the traditional Peking Duck carving that visitors enjoy
watching but also the noodle making demonstration that takes place throughout the restaurant seating
area at various times during the meal.
Lastly, if you order the beggars chicken (HK$360), a member of your party will be asked to break over
the clay shell in which the dish is prepared and cooked. This is always very fun for kids as they
nervously whack the huge shell. The restaurant takes a few photos and sends you home with a souvenir
to remember your dish beating experience, this is always a winner for the kiddies, making this a very
good restaurant and dining experience in Hong Kong.

26. Spring Deer (Our Favorite for Pekinese Food)

Spring Deer, Hong Kong, China

Click the above link to read our review for Spring Deer Restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui (TST).
Everyone has their favorites. Spring Deer is one of ours, a place we always look forward to dining at
here in the city. Spring Deer is famous for its Peking Duck but there are other dishes here that make this
restaurant well worth trying when visiting Hong Kong, just make sure you reserve in advance if you want
a decent seating time.
Just be warned, this is a traditional, classic restaurant and its dish-banging loud inside. You don't come
here for the ambience, you come here for the food. If you prefer a more relaxed dining experience, the
nearby Peking Garden might be a better choice.

27. Crystal Jade Xiao Long Bao (Our Favorite for Shanghainese Dim Sum)
Crystal Jade La Man Sino Bao (Shatin), Hong Kong, China
Click the above link to read one of our reviews for the Crystal Jade Xiao Long Bao restaurants.
Crystal Jade is our favorite Shanghainese dim sum restaurant. While they are most famous for their
Xiao Long Bao, it is the Wonton in Chili Oil that keeps us returning to these restaurants frequently. Other
Shanghainese dim sum varieties are well worth trying here as well.

==================
We visited Victoria Peak last week but unfortunately caught it on a cloudy day with poor air
quality, which highly limited our views of Victoria Harbor and the Hong Kong skyline. While still a
great attraction, its always best if you can time your visit to Victoria Peak for a day when the sky
is clear with better air quality conditions, thus affording you better and more picturesque views.
Our favorite way to travel to the peak is to take the iconic Peak Tram, which is a convenient,
affordable and enjoyable way to travel up the mountainside to the Peak. When you are at Victoria
Peak, we recommend exiting the Peak Tower building, which is a bit of a tourist trap, and finding
the nearby Findlay Rd. From here you can walk 3-4 minutes to the Lion's Pavilion and have a
very nice (free) view of Victoria Harbor. To view the harbor form the Peak Tower Sky Terrace, you
have to pay additional fees on top of what you've paid for your Peak Tram tickets, and the view is
not much (if any) better.
Also, we are not big fans of the restaurants that you can find at the Peak Tower and the Peak
Galleria, with the exception of Cafe Deco, where we've had good enough meals before. In our
view its best to save your dining for when you return to the main city area and to just spend your
time admiring the view when at the Peak.
For cheaper means for traveling to the Peak, consider using the public bus. 15 which makes it
way from the city centre to the Peak and is cheaper than taking the Tram. This is a great bus ride
down from the Peak, best if you can sit on the top deck, left side. Also, if the queue (line) for the
Peak Tram is too long, you can take a taxi for approx HK$60-70 to the Peak from the Peak Tram,
this isn't that much more expensive than Tram tickets themselves and even cheaper if you are 34 people.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294217-d311573-r122903956Victoria_Peak_The_Peak-Hong_Kong.html#
In Kowloon, you visit Mongkok or Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) area for shopping malls, shops and street
markets. The equivalent to these areas on Hong Kong island can be found in Causeway Bay.
This district is teaming with shopping opportunities from street markets like the Jardine's Cresent
to the very good Time Square shopping mall, all within walking distance. Dining options are also
equally varied for street food, coffee shops, small restaurants of local and foreign cuisine as well

as a few nicer establishments if required.

However, the real joy of the Causeway Bay area is the energy and people movement that can be
seen, felt and admired. Masses of people frequent, pass through and use this area daily.
Complimented by endless tall buildings decked out in traditional Chinese signage and neon light
colours as well as the sounds of the street, Causeway Bay is a dazzling area to spend time,
either for shopping of just to enjoy the atmosphere.
We particularly enjoy arriving in Causeway Bay from the Central district via the 'Ding Ding' Tram
(HK$2.30 per person) before spending a few hours wondering its many streets, alley passages
and malls (especially during the blazing heat of the summer months). The famous Victoria Park
is nearby as is the equally popular and famous Happy Valley Racecourse.
Hint: Like the Mongkok district in Kowloon, Causeway Bay can become ridiculously crowded at
times because of how popular it is with the locals and visitors alike. For a more peaceful visit, its
best to come here in the very early afternoon, when the shops are open but before the crowds
really begin to swell. Even Victoria Park can swell to uncomfortable numbers, particularly during
Chinese New Year when the open flower market takes place here. While a spectacle to be seen,
it can be difficult to enjoy due to the staggering number of visitors it sees at times.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294217-d2210636-r122553054Causeway_Bay-Hong_Kong.html#
We often visit Stanley during weekends and national holidays, finding it a great location in Hong
Kong to spend time. Crowds are not as intense here and the seaside setting makes Stanley a
casual, relaxing place to spend time and to see the various attractions found here.
The feature attraction for Stanley for us has always been the famous Stanley Markets, which is
one of Hong Kongs best open-air, street market scenes for visitors and locals alike. Many of the
items found here are touristy but there are some nice thinks to buy (antiques, painting, crafts) as
well.
We also greatly enjoy spending time on the Stanley Waterfront area as well. Here you can find a
nice promenade as well as a long row of seaside bars and restaurants. Further down the
promenade is the Stanley Plaza with a few good restaurant and coffee shop options (alfresco
dining has been suspended in this area but this is hopefully just temporary). Just past Stanley
Plaza you can find the interesting Tin Hau Temple, historic Murray House and Blake Pier.
On the other side of the Stanley Markets, you can visit the main Stanley Beach as well as the
smaller St. Stephens beach along with the Stanley military cemetery, which has links to WWII as
well as the colonial period in the 1840-1860s and the Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum.
Overall, we find Stanley to be one of the more enjoyable and relaxing areas to spend time close
to Hong Kong. It is a place well worth spend a bit of time when visiting HK and can be done as a
day trip (can also be included after your daytrip to Ocean Park) or for a full day if you want
to visit the other attractions in the area.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294217-d2050639-r143400715Stanley_Hong_Kong-Hong_Kong.html#
Ocean Park is Hong Kong's home grown theme park and is located on the south side of Hong
Kong Island. The park originally opened in 1977 and was the sole theme park in the territory until
the arrival of Disneyland a decade again. In order to remain competitive with Disney, Ocean Park
underwent a multi-year renovation and general upgrade of its facilities. The park has been further
transformed by the addition of new and exciting attractions and wildlife experiences that have

greatly enhanced the experience of spending a day at the park.

Today, you can easily spend a whole day at Ocean Park enjoying traditional theme park rides,
games and performances as well as aquatic and mammal experiences. In comparison to 10
years ago, Ocean Park is a more enjoyable theme park to visit and it might be even better in the
future as an MTR station is being constructed outside the entry gate. There are hotel plans as
well, which will provide guests with the ability to stay at/near Ocean Park in a few years time.
What we most enjoy at Ocean Park:
Being wildlife enthusiasts, we are quite biased towards the animal experiences and spend most
of our time at these attractions and exhibits. In our opinion, the Grand Aquarium is great and
really shouldn't be missed. Equally, the Amazing Asian Animals Area is well worth spending time.
You are able to get closer to the younger pandas on display here and the red panda (fire foxes)
are brilliant when they are active. We very much enjoyed watching the feeding session here
recently.
Resident pandas, An An and Jia Jia, are always worth seeing as well. They were the star
attraction for us for many years before the arrival of the two younger pandas and other wildlife
since 2007. Other enjoyable wildlife which you can experience include the previously mentioned
red pandas (a present favourite of ours), as well as the arctic foxes, penguins, seals, sea lions
and walrus, which can all be found in the North Pole and South Pole experience. There is a
jellyfish exhibition, Chinese sturgeon exhibit and traditional animal performance shows that are
worth checking out as well. A Shark encounter is presently being constructed and should be
ready later in 2014.
A special mention here for the cable car experience is deserved. Many visitors to Hong Kong are
eager to enjoy the Ngong Ping 360 cable car experience on Lantau Island but lack the time to
make that visit and Ocean Park. Not to worry, the cable car ride at Ocean Park is very good. You
scale a mountain and then transverse its side until you reach the Summit terminus.
This ride offers you very nice views of the Hong Kong coastline. While not the same as Ngong
Ping 360 experience, it is a very good consolation for those who don't have time to do all the
major attractions in Hong Kong, and some will even argue that this cable car ride is better than
its more famous peer on Lantau Island. Its a very pleasant surprise to your visit to Ocean Park
and is included in the price of your entry ticket.
Overall, we very much enjoy Ocean Park and highly recommend it to visitors to Hong Kong.
Compared to theme parks elsewhere, the entry fee is reasonable and then entire park is family
friendly. The classic theme park rides and activities are as fun as you'd expect and the wildlife
experiences are unique and very enjoyable, providing fun for adults and children alike.
Tip: You can find a park map as well as a complete and comprehensive list of attractions on the
Ocean Park online website. Maps and performance show / feeding time schedules are also
available within the park, conveniently located at stands near the ticket purchase booths at the
park entrance. It is well worth looking over the schedule to help organise how you want to send
your time within the park. Animal feeding sessions don't last long (5-10 minutes) so its important
to be in the right spot at the right time if you want to watch.
Tip: Due to a vast increase in tourists coming to Hong Kong these days, Ocean Park, like other
major attractions in Hong Kong can be very crowded. As such, in order to maximise your time,
we suggest buying your tickets before arrival (tickets can be purchased at 711s or at the ticket
booth next to the bus 629 stand at Admiralty). Then, arrive at the park around 30 minutes prior to
opening time so you can enjoy as many of the rides and attractions as possible before the
crowds swell and potentially make you feel less comfortable. This is how to help maximise your
time in the park.
Tip: At present, our preferred way to travel to Ocean Park is to take bus 629 from Admiralty,

where you can also buy your park entry tickets (HK$320 per adult). There are plenty of buses
making this route and the journey is direct, taking 10-15 minutes to journey.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294217-d317431-r189822534-Ocean_ParkHong_Kong.html#
Excellent value for money museum. At HK$10, there is an incredible amount on display at the HK
Museum of History for you to see. The place is huge with 7 galleries full of interesting historical
displays and information.
Gallery 1 -The Natural Environment: This is ok, a bit like a natural science museum, showing
how the geology of what is now called Hong Kong has changed over the life span of the Earth.
Its interesting but not as great as later galleries. The reconstructed forests and jungles are ok.
Gallery 2 - Prehistoric Hong Kong: This is a pretty good gallery showing the life of pre-historic
humans and their lives in Hong Kong. Its interesting and helps build up context for the next
Dynasty gallery.
Gallery 3 - The Dynasties:
This is where Chinese history starts to mingle with Hong Kong and there are some nice artifacts,
antiquities and even a tomb display helping to build context around China, Hong Kong and how
they fit together, historically.
Gallery 4 - Folk Culture in Hong Kong:
This is a FIVE STAR display section with a Sampan (junk boat), salt fields, fish salting, Hakka
style house, Punti (ancient locals) house, temples, Opera House, Dragon Dance, Bun Festival,
the list seems to go on and on. This is the highlight Gallery of the downstairs area. The displays
are well presented and enjoyable. The kids running around are evidence that even they can find
joy in this museum.
Gallery 5 (upstairs) - The Opium Wars:
This area is very interesting if you want to learn about western (European) powers becoming
involved in China. There is a very good theatre show (10 minutes) about the period leading up to
the first opium war. The miniature figure model of the destroying of opium by the Chinese is really
nice. This is the second or third best gallery 4.
Gallery 6 (upstairs): Birth and Early Growth of the City:
There is a wonderful display of many early Hong Kong shops, it looks like a village as you walk in
and out of an old HSBC bank, post office, tea dealer, pawn shop, Chinese medicine shop,
upstairs teahouse. You get a real sense for Hong Kong's early 20th century modernization and
development, pre-Japanese occupation. This is the second or third best Gallery in the museum,
along with Gallery 5.
Gallery 7(upstairs)- Japanese Occupation:
This is a small section but quite interesting if you want to know more about the short period of
time Hong Kong was under Japanese rule. Few displays, mostly information you can read.
Gallery 8: Modern Metropolis and the Return of China
This is the last Gallery and covers the periods of Hong Kong's explosive period of economic
growth, through the British hand-over to China in 1997. The gallery sort of stops after the hand
over in 1997 but that is fine as you're going to be quite tired from seeing 8 comprehensive
galleries.
Overall, we strongly recommend a visit to the Hong Kong Museum for visitors, unless you are
here on a 1 day layover and prefer to see a theme park or HK island sights only. We'd advise you
to make time for this museum, especially if you're here for a week or so. There will most likely be

at least one bad weather day, perfect for spending a few hours indoors. For HK$10 per person,
this is likely one of the best value for money museums you'll find anywhere.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294217-d311604-r105246737Hong_Kong_Museum_of_History-Hong_Kong.html#
While its been a couple years since we've taken the Ngong Ping 360 (we're local), we do always
recommend to our guests to visit Lantau island and try the Ngong Ping 360 in route to their visit
of the giant Buddha and the Po Lin Monastary. Each of these three are quite nice but the tacky
assembled village that they built to house the souvenir shops and restaurants is a slight
drawback. Just walk through it and get to the Buddha and you'll be happy.
Combined these 3 make for a very nice day trip in Hong Kong. You can also combine this with a
visit to Tai O fishing village, but we are hearing less and less about people trying to do this these
days, not sure why. Also, one guest of ours combined Ngong Ping with a trip to Disneyland since
it is also on Lantau Island. This is not recommended as it is just too much for one day.
This attraction did have a rough start and was shut down a couple times due to safety concerns
and this has many of us (local expats) worried. However, it seems they have sorted out the bugs
and have had a nice track record for the past year or two.
We always take the MTR to Tong Chung Station and just walk (about 5 minutes), its easy to find.
Also there are buses that connect this attraction to the greater part of the city.
Tidbit - If its very foggy or if the pollution is bad, this attraction is a waste of time, better wait until
a somewhat clear day so that your view is less obstructed. On a clear day, the view is wonderful
for the full 36+ minutes of the cable car ride, just sit back and enjoy.
Also, I believe you can still buy tickets in some of Hong Kong's MTR stations or online, like any
place in Hong Kong, the tourist queue can be long, so you might want to take advantage of this
prior to heading all the way out to where Ngong Ping 360 departs.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294217-d624841-r88692455Ngong_Ping_Village_Ngong_Ping_360-Hong_Kong.html#
We recently visited the HK Heritage Museum and had an enjoyable time here. The 5 permanent
exhibits and 4 temporary collections were nicely spread out in 2 floors, and while that seemed a
lot to go through, we did not feel overwhelmed. There was an optimal number of items on
display, the galleries were spacious, and there were few visitors, providing an ideal environment
for us to appreciate the artifacts and read their captions at a leisurely pace.
Of the permanent exhibits we liked the TT Tsui collection of Chinese art the most, the ancient and
exquisite ceramics were laid out nicely and we took our time here, in fact the cushioned seats in
the centre of the rooms encourage one to pause and just quietly enjoy the collection.
It would have been good if there were similar seats for viewing the paintings in the Chao Shao An
gallery.
There is a Cantonese opera hall which is a smaller version of the one in the HK Museum of
History, but equally photo-worthy.
The New Territories Heritage Hall provided some context in the development of this lesser known
area of the HKSAR.
Lastly there is a Children's Discovery Gallery with fun learning play zones, a good insurance for
when the kiddies get bored, but still interesting for adults with an HK toy story exhibit included.
These are HK made toys from the late 19th century up to the 70s and 80s, and can be nostalgic

to many.
The temporary exhibits were very interesting and visitor volume was concentrated here. The
exhibits were contemporary in nature, with lots of interactive audio and video. The fashion exhibit
and woodcut art galleries were very good!
We had excellent tea tasting in their tea room years ago but unfortunately the Tea House has
been closed since 2010.
The entrance fee to the HK heritage museum is only HKD10, and although being similarly priced
with HK Museum of History but limited in scale and space, it is still excellent value for money. It is
not a prime museum to visit when in HK, but makes a very good addition to The 10,000 Buddhas
Monastery, being walking distance from it, or a day trip to Shatin.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294217-d315462-r124139549Hong_Kong_Heritage_Museum-Hong_Kong.html#
Man Fat Sze, also known as 10,000 Buddha Monastery (free entrance), is one of the more
unique temple grounds in Hong Kong and one of our very favorite to visit. This is a place we
continue to visit as residents in Hong Kong and a place that continually impresses our guests
when they visit. It is well worth consideration for those eager to see some of Hong Kong's more
interesting temple visits.
Unfortunately, visiting Man Fat Sze requires a rather steep walk up Po Fook Hill, easily a 12-15
minute walk and this can be quite tiring, especially in the summer when its hot outside. However,
the entire path is lined with hundreds of golden-colored, life size Buddha statues, each in
different poses. Although few of the statues are that individually amazing, collectively they are
quite neat to see. Of note, there are several stopping points with seats for those who require
break from the long uphill break.
Near the top of the path, you encounter the main temple building which is bright red in color.
Inside, you will find walls covered with miniature Buddhas and a rather conventional Buddhist
temple scene. Outside is a level ground with more life-size Buddha statues, a nice nine-story
pagoda and other sacred statues and items that are well worth inspecting.
Then you can walk up another a couple additional flights of hillside stairs, which are similarly
lined with more Buddha statues. At the top, there are four of five more halls, similarly decorated
with either miniature Buddha statues or other interestingly decorated figures. Several viewing
spots are also found at these higher levels which afford some very nice views down into the city
of Sha Tin. When viewing conditions are poor, which is quite common, these views are not so
impressive. Otherwise, these can make a nice place to stop for a couple pictures.
Once you've had enough time taking in the endless Buddha statues found throughout the
complex, you can begin your descend back down the hill. This can be done by returning down
the main path or the alternative path, found on the level area in front of the main temple hall,
which leads you down through the village and eventually in front of the Sha Tin MTR station and
New Town Plaza Shopping Mall.
Overall, we really enjoy Man Fat Sze. While the temple buildings themselves are just ok, it is the
presence of so many interesting Buddha statues that makes this a genuinely unique place to visit
and one of our best temple experiences in Hong Kong. This is why we visit from time to time and
why the 10,000 Buddha Monastery should be considered when you are thinking about what to
do/see when visiting HK.
Hint: During the summer, its highly advisable to visit Man Fat Sze early in the morning so you can
get your climbing done before the heat really starts to set in for the day. The temple officially

opens at 9am in the morning.

Hint: To find the hill path leading up to Man Fat Sze, you need to walk behind the IKEA building
( Grand Central Plaza). As soon as you pass the IKEA building, turn right on Sheung Wo Che
Road. This is a short turn off street which ends quickly and the path up the hill to Man Fat Sze
begins there.
Hint: A visit to Man Fat Sze takes a bit more time than most allow for. Keep in mind that usually
takes between 20-30 minutes to arrive at the temple hall from the Sha Tin MTR because of the
need to climb up the steep Po Fook Hill, the climb down is usually as long. If you spend no more
than 30 minutes around the temple, you will still need approximately 90 minutes to visit this
temple. This is how much time we try to allow for when visiting.
Hint: A visit to Man Fat Sze actually fits quite nicely with several other attractions in this area. You
can start with a visit to Man Fat Sze, take your lunch at the New Town Plaza Shopping Mall, stroll
through Sha Tin Park to the very good Hong Kong Heritage Museum and then make a quick
detour to the important Che Kung Temple, just across the river from the Heritage Museum. This
is a nice little way to spend half a day in Sha Tin.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294217-d593160-r147124994Ten_Thousand_Buddhas_Monastery_Man_Fat_Sze-Hong_Kong.html#
This is one of the very best child-friendly attractions in Hong Kong and a perfect place to take the
kids on a rainy or hot day. Located right next to the equally excellent Hong Kong Museum of
History, the Hong Kong Museum of Science offers four floors of endless science inspired fun.
Here over 650 exhibitions are presently on display, with over 500 of them being interactive,
meaning your kids (and curious adults) have hours of different things to try in this museum. Many
exhibits are simple while others are more engaging and interactive. Collectively, they can easily
occupy your time for several hours. This is why this particular museum is an excellent choice on
bad weather days.
There is much to like about this museum. We particularly enjoy the 22-meter tall Energy
Machine that is turned on every couple of hour. Here you can see a system of balls that are set
in motion, every couple of hours, seeming to fly around the museum, producing different sounds
and visual effects. You wont be able to miss this main attraction as it takes place over a large
portion of the museum. When its running, you cant really avoid it.
We also enjoy the Life Science gallery on the ground floor, finding many of the exhibits there
quite interesting, lots of interactive stuff for the families in this area. The Hall of Mirrors, on the
same floor is quite fun. Other areas we like are the E&M gallery and its series of magnet
exhibitions (1/F) as well as the prototype and telecommunication galleries on the second floor
(2/F). On the 3/F there is a childrens room with actual play areas, giant bubble making and other
fun activities designed for the little ones, as if there wasnt enough for them to do in this museum
already.
Unfortunately there is no caf at the museum and only a few vending machines with cheap
drinks. On busy days, these few machines can be emptied of beverages, which we have
discovered during the hot summer months. Fortunately, you can walk over to the HK Museum of
History, which is just a couple of minutes across a shared terrace and visit the caf there. Or if
you are finished with the museum and want more fun atmosphere, you can walk down to
Cameroon road and visit the fun Charlie Brown Caf, just a 5-6 minute walk from the museum,
making a great way to end the day, especially for those with kiddies.
Overall, this is probably one of Hong Kongs best museums due to the large number of family
and child-friendly things to do and see here. Not only is it a fun place for kiddies, its entertaining

for adults who have a curious mind as well. Entrance fee is more expensive than other HK
museums at HK$25 per adult, HK$12.5 for children and free for those under 4 years of age, but
you easily get what you pay for with the HK Museum of Science.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294217-d311605-r137949087Hong_Kong_Science_Museum-Hong_Kong.html#
We still love to take the Star Ferry between TST (Kowloon) and Central (HK Island). This is easily
one of the best HK$2.50 (US$0.32) per adult, HK$1.50 (US$0.19) per child that you will ever
spend. Where else can you cross one of the world's finest harbors, admiring one of the world's
finest skylines for the price of loose pocket change?
Another option, that many don't seem to know about, is the evening harbor cruise and the hopon/hop-off afternoon services available with Star Ferry. The boats allocated for these services
leave every hour from the three major piers; including Wan Chai (HK Island) and make a slow
circular route around Victoria Harbor, allowing much more time on the water to admire the
wonderful harbor and skyline. Costs for this service vary between HK$90-190 based on which
service you book. You can sort this out at the harbor cruise ticket booths at each of the three
ferry piers.
We love the historical and iconic Star Ferry. The fact that it still serves such an important purpose
to local commuters and is so easily accessible to visitors wishing to experience a bit of the world
famous Hong Kong Start Ferry, makes this a real source of pride for Hong Kong.
The Star Ferry is a 'no-brainer' inclusion for visitors considering what to do/see when visiting
Hong Kong. Even as locals, we love this attraction and visit it often.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294217-d2228870-r122952711-Star_FerryHong_Kong.html#