Just walking around, you’ll find surprises everywhere – ancient temples or brand new shops with the latest gadgets; someone simply strolling down a street nearby with his pet bird in tow. There is a combination of old customs and daily modern behavior in the city.

Hong Kong is more than just city life. If you step away from all the bustling areas, you will find green mountains and hiking paths as well as lovely beaches with islands and quiet fishing spots. It combines both the dynamics of city life and the serenity of nature.

Even though Hong Kong is a part of China, it has its own distinct blend of old Chinese traditions and independent history from the rest of the country.

Hong Kong is an amazing city, but there’s much more beneath the surface. Hong Kong is not just a point on the map; it’s an incredible adventure full of interesting experiences. Dive into our list of cool places to visit, and you will surely agree.

1. Star Ferry

Jump on the old-timer of Hong Kong – the Star Ferry, which first came into service in 1880. It’s super cheap, only a few Hong Kong dollars, and one of the best deals in the city. Victoria Harbour is always busy with boats of various shapes and sizes, while the Star Ferry captains are like professionals because instead of crashes, they avoid them so masterfully.

Whether you are sailing from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island or, say, Tsim Sha Tsui to Central, the high-rise buildings on the island and green mountains in the backdrop nearby never cease to amaze anyone. The water breeze is just so lovely, a refreshing change from the confined city spaces.

Do not worry about getting your ferry time correct; it runs every few minutes all day and night, making it simple to snag a nice spot up front or along the rail for some cool breezes. The return journey from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui is no less exciting.

Catch Symphony of Lights at the right time in the evening. It’s free and spectacular, with lasers illuminating the skyscrapers on both sides of the harbor. It is a must-visit place and one of the coolest night activities in Hong Kong.

2. Repulse Bay and the Beaches

The city of Hong Kong is typically not a place you associate with beaches. But guess what? You don’t really have to travel far for some beautiful sandy areas. Repulse Bay Beach is the coolest beach in Hong Kong with beautiful landscapes and good for swimming. Plus, it is not very touristy.

Hong Kong’s fancy style is all over the day at Repulse Bay. There are cool restaurants and shops along the street by the beach. Amalfitana is a nice place for eating pizza while looking at the beach.

For a more laid-back beach day, consider Big Wave Bay as nearby. The water there is calm, creating a huge U-shaped bay with an extensive shoreline. It’s much more laid back than Repulse Bay. To hike part of the well-known Dragon’s Back trail to Big Wave Bay and go for a dip is also quite popular.

Near Big Wave Bay beach, there are BBQ spots that make delicious seafood. When you are prepared to get back from the city, there’s a parking area where buses and taxis wait.

3. Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland, located on Lantau Island, is like a fairy tale land with Disney characters and stories. The park is divided into seven lands, each of which has its own feel such as Adventure Land, Fantasy Land, and Toy Story Land.

You can have shows and parades round the clock with your favorite characters in them. From Jungle Cruises to Tarzan’s Tree house, everything is there. And when the night sets in, beautiful fireworks near the castle lighten up the sky.

Recently, they made some cool changes in 2019. They constructed the Castle of Magical Dreams highlighting Cinderella’s Coach and other magical things. Plus, there’s the new Frozen area with a fun ride called Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleigh where Olaf and Sven take you sleigh riding.

Getting there is easy. Take the MTR Disneyland Line and get off at Disneyland Station. It’s a day full of excitement and adventure for everyone!

4. Lan Kwai Fong

Lan Kwai Fong is considered to be where the city’s food scene comes alive, right in the heart of Hong Kong. The streets become full of people rushing to the coolest eateries when it sunsets. If you want to eat a good dinner in Hong Kong, particularly during the evening hours, then Lan Kwai Fong is where to go.

Just picture yourself sitting on outdoor patios right by the sidewalks, eating delicious food while watching people and sounds from outside. It is a classic Hong Kong experience, with yummy tastes and the bustle of people everywhere.

Lan Kwai Fong is more than just street-level dining; restaurants are piled one on top of another in the nearby buildings. Check the directories at entrances to find different types of world cuisine. Whether you crave Italian at Bistecca or Mexican at Brickhouse, Lan Kwai Fong is always consistently great for dining.

While we have D’Aguilar as the main street, consider taking a walk in those small lanes. There, you will discover hidden restaurants serving some of the best food in Hong Kong. Located on Queens Road in central Hong Kong, not far from the MTR Central Station, is Lan Kwai Fong where locals and visitors alike can embark upon a mouth-watering gastronomic tour of one part at least of Hong Kong’s culinary pulse.

5. Tsim Sha Tsui

Tsim Sha Tsui, or TST, is a vibrant shopping and amusement area in the south of Kowloon, which provides you with Hong Kong’s flavor.

The main street here is Nathan Road, where one will find many restaurants in addition to a variety of shops and rather special vendors. If you’re interested in the luxury shopping Hong Kong is known for, then check out the posh shops on Canton Road nearby.

To the south is where you will find the famous Clock Tower and Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Complex. Hong Kong Space Museum and the Hong Kong Museum of Art are among its attractions. The waterfront is an ideal location in the evening to see the fireworks shows that light up both the sky and buildings across as well.

6. Hong Kong Skyline

The Hong Kong skyline really is something special, one of the coolest and most recognizable in the world. It’s like a collection of huge apartment buildings on both the island and Kowloon, encircled by mountains and an active seaport. It is identified by the combination of old Chinese junk boats and classic Star Ferry against a background of super modern skyscrapers. This is an entirely different scene at night when everything lights up.

The best places to view the skyline are on top of Victoria Peak and along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade in Kowloon, near the clock tower. There, you can sit on benches by the water and gaze over to Hong Kong. And a night visit will really impress you with the A Symphony of Lights show. It is this amazing laser and light ballet to music that makes the skyline brighten up, twinkle, sparkle, and dance. It is an absolute must-see, especially from the waterfront of Kowloon.

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