Hong Kong Top 10 by Asia-Pacific Guides Ltd

Asia Pacific Guides™

Hong Kong Top 10

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What is there to be seen

1. Hollywood Road and the old streets of Sheung Wan

The streets where Hong Kong started to develop from, one hundred and seventy years ago, boast many traditional Chinese shops that sell all sorts of "exotic" products and look as if they belong to another era…

Hong Kong has a lot more to offer than glitzy shopping malls and skyscrapers, including old Chinese precincts, exotic temples, historic buildings and what not… Join one of our "unique day-trips and guided-walks" to explore the city's hidden gems.

How to get there and what to see next

Start your walk from Man Wa Lane (Chop Alley), where you can find small stalls of chop-makers: The chops are traditional Chinese stamps and seals, engraved on various materials like wood, bamboo, stone, bone and the likes... MTR-Sheung wan, exit A-1: Turn right, and after a few steps you will see the entrance to the alley on your right (Tramway has a stop on the corner of Man Wa: Entrance to the lane is on the right side of CITIC Ka Wah Bank)

From Man Wa Lane, turn right to Wing Lok Street (popularly known as Ginseng and bird's nest St.). At the end of the street turn left to Des Voeux Road West (Dried Seafood Street), left again to Ko Shing Street (Herbal Medicine Street), right to Queen Street, right again to Queen's Road West and left to Hollywood Road.

Western Market, Hong Kong's oldest surviving market building was inaugurated well over a century ago and features beautiful Edwardian architecture, with red bricks and granite arches. Nowadays, it is actually a shopping mall, with shops that specialize mainly in arts and crafts, although there are a few good fabrics shops here too. 323 Des Voeux Road Central (The tramway stop is right outside),  Daily from 10am – 7pm, Website, Entry is free  24 / 7 Entrance is free More info (including nice photos)

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Hollywood Road, Hong Kong's first constructed road, and the small streets around it are packed with galleries and knick-knack shops that sell everything, from expensive porcelain ware and Ming dynasty ceramic, to Chinese furniture and kitsch Maoist memorabilia, and is a great place to visit even if you are not buying anything, as some of these shops (especially the expensive galleries) really look like "mini museums"... While on Hollywood Road, also make sure you visit Man Mo Temple and Upper Lascar Row (Cat Street), where you can find plenty of colorful street stalls.

You can start your Hollywood Road stroll from SoHo and the Former Central Police Station Compound (Use the famous escalator to get there), although the more recommended way is to come here through the stone steps of Ladder Street: If using the tramway, drop off next to the corner of Hillier Street. From MTR-Sheung Wan: Take exit A-1, turn left and immediately left again, into Hillier Street (next to Bank of China) and walk all the way to the end, where you turn right to Queen's Road Central (after you've crossed it) and left, to Ladder Street You can also come from the old streets of Sheung Wan (see above).

The "Central-Mid Levels Escalators" is one of the world's longest escalator systems and one of Hong Kong's "must dos"... Built in the early 1990s, it was meant to relief the traffic congestion between Mid-Levels and Central, by pedestrianizing the area, and although it did not fully succeed in doing so, it is certainly better than nothing... You can use the escalators to get to SoHo and other attractions around Hollywood Road.  Daily, 6am - 12midnight (downhill until 10am, and then uphill, from 10am till midnight)

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The See Hong Kong Sightseeing Pass is truly GREAT for those of you who wish to make the most of their precious holiday time… You can jump aboard the Big Bus for an open-top ride around Hong Kong’s famous landmarks, or ride the world’s famous Peak Tram, visit one (or more) of Hong Kong's many museums, enjoy a scenic balloon flight, or take a dim-sum cooking class and much more…

2. Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo  Daily, almost 24 hours a day Entrance is free Website Recommended restaurants and bars Do you know? We have a whole range of free eBooks and minicity-guides about Asia's most popular city destinations... Click HERE to view and download them.

SoHo website

L-shaped Lan Kwai Fong Street and adjacent D'Aguilar Street form one of Hong Kong's busiest nightlife precincts, with many bars, pubs and excellent restaurants that are popular by locals, expats and tourists alike. Enormous crowds come to LKF on Friday and Saturday nights, and when the bars get too crammed, the scene moves to the street, as customers take their drinks and stand outside, watching people...

Unlike London's Soho, Hong Kong's hip dining and nightlife precinct got its name as a result of its location: South of Hollywood Road.

From MTR-Central: Take exit D-2 via Theatre Lane to Queen's Road Central, cross it and walk up D'aguillar St. If coming by tram: Drop off near the corner of Pedder Street and enter the short street near Citibank. Cross Queen's Road Central and walk up Wyndham St., left to Wellington, right to D'aguillar and you are there. From Star Ferry: Along the elevated walkway to Pedder Street and onwards, as above. Most venues can be found along Cochrane, Elgin and Staunton, which means that the easiest way to come here is with the famous escalators, or by foot along Hollywood Road.

The small, old streets are line with nice If you come from Lan Kwai Fong (LKF) turn cafés and resto-bars that offer a left from D'aguillar to Wellington and walk quieter ambience than that of LKF along it until you see the entrance to the escalator (Cochrane St.) on your left If you feel like a true, authentic Hong Kong style "yum cha" experience than good-old Lin Heung Tea House is a good choice... Do not expect to find elegant or romantic ambience here... It is just a simple place that has been serving scrumptious Dim Sum and excellent Cantonese cuisine for years, at a very good price. The staff do not speak English, but with a bit of patience and some assistance from other customers, you'll be fine... 160-164 Wellington Street, Central (Corner of Aberdeen St., not far from SoHo and the "world's longest escalator)  6am – 11pm

Offering 50% off and 'Buy 1, get 1 free' discounts at nearly 100 of Hong Kong's top restaurants, shops and spas, the Hong Kong Card includes plenty of quality dining options, and is really easy to use. What's more, it comes with a handy pocket-sized city guide that was written by locals and resident expats and covers everything, from transport and attractions, to culture, shopping and nightlife…

Hong Kong has a fantastic public-transport system, which makes it an ideal destination for do-it-yourself trips. Nonetheless, many of the city's most unique sightseeing spots are located far from town, which means that visiting them on your own might waste much of your precious holiday time... This is exactly the case where taking a guided tour makes a lot of sense. Take a look at our recommended Hong Kong day trips… Some of which cover the territory's less known "gems" and are, therefore, well worth considering...

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What is there to be seen

How to get there and what to see next

3. Victoria Peak, Peak Tram and Madame Tussauds

"The Peak", as it is commonly known, is probably Hong Kong's most popular tourist attraction, boasting world-class views of the city and Victoria Harbour, which look as if they were taken from a postcard… The view at night is particularly beautiful, when the city's countless skyscrapers and neon-signs flash in millions of dazzling lights...

To get to Victoria Peak: You can either ride the 120 years old Peak Tram (a real "must do"), or take the bus (very scenic road), but the best option is to combine them both… (One way tam + one way bus).

 Daily, 24 hours a day Sky Terrace: Daily, 10 am - 11 pm Madame Tussauds: 10 am - 10 pm The Peak Tram: 7am – 12midnight Bus/Minibus: 6am – 12midnight Entrance to the compound is free, but transportation is not, neither is entrance to the "Sky Terrace" or to Hong Kong Madame Tussauds

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4. Stanley and its market  24 / 7 Free entrance Website (Maritime Museum) More info on restaurants and bars

When reaching "The Peak", you can opt for the Sky Terrace, which offers a breathtaking 360° panoramic views of the city and the waters around it, or visit Hong Kong's Madame Tussauds… There are also more than a few shops, cafés and restaurants around here, as well as some surprisingly quaint and easy walking trails (You can read about them here) The picturesque beach town of Stanley is best known for its market, although it has a lot more to offer… The market boasts a relatively good choice of pocket-friendly clothes, shoes, silk garments and traditional Chinese dress, as well as toys, ornaments, luggage, souvenirs and arts-and-crafts, and although it is quite touristy, it is still a popular destination for both tourists and locals. Other highlights in Stanley include the lovely seafront promenade, where quite a few alfresco cafés and restaurants can be found, the old Tin Hau Temple and the beautifully restored Murray House, where the Hong Kong Maritime Museum is located. There are also two beautiful beaches in Stanley, namely Stanley Main Beach (Five minutes' walk from "Stanley Village bus stop", through Stanley Beach Road) and St Stephen's Beach (short walk from Stanley Prison bus-stop): Both of them offer a sandy strip, nice views and some facilities... St Stephen's is the quieter of the two.

The Peak Tram can be boarded at the Lower terminus, on 33 Garden Road, daily, 7am – 12midnight (See the guide-map to Peak Tram Lower Terminus) Bus No. 15 runs daily, 6am – 12 midnight. It departs from "Central" (next to the Star Ferry Terminus) and passes through the bus terminus at Exchange Square (next to Central MTR station) and Admiralty (MTR Admiralty Station, exit C-1) Green minibus No. 1 departs from the bus interchange, next to Hong Kong Station Exit A1 (direct link through Central MTR), daily, 6:30 am - 12 midnight. Bus Nos. 6, 6A, 6X and 260 come here from Central. All four routes depart from Exchange Square Bus Terminus and have stops on Connaught Road Central (outside City Hall), as well as outside MTR-Admiralty (next to exit C-1). No. 260 also stops at 7 Gloucester Road in Wan Chai (outside the Immigration Tower). Drop off at "Stanley Village bus stop", right in the middle of town and walk a few steps down Stanley New Street, till you get to the market.

Although Hong Kong has one of the best public-transport systems in the world, taking the Hong Kong Hopon Hop-off Tour is highly recommended, as it takes you directly to the various attractions and saves you the time and hassle of waiting for a bus or walking from the nearest MTR station…

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5. Ocean Park  Daily: 10am – 6pm  3923 2323 website

Explore Hong Kong's less known "gems" through our range of Unique Day Trips and Guided-Walks !

Ocean Park, one of Asia's most popular and successful amusement parks, occupies a mountainous peninsula near Aberdeen and boasts 35 attractions and rides: From oceanand-sea related attractions, such as world-class aquariums and Dolphin shows, to the colossal roller coasters and the Giant Panda habitat exhibition, and from the magnificent cable car ride to one of the world's longest escalators and other adrenaline boosting rides...

Citybus No. 629 comes here directly from Admiralty (next to MTR-Admiralty, exit B). Even if you come from the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbour, it makes more sense to take the MTR to Admiralty and continue from there with bus No. 629, than to board any other bus route.

6. Tsim-sha-Tsui Waterfront, Avenue of Stars and Symphony of Lights show  Symphony of Lights, daily, at 8 pm Avenue of Stars is open 24 / 7 Free entrance

Facing Victoria Harbour and one of the world's most imposing city skylines, The Avenue of Stars is Hong Kong's answer to Hollywood's Walk of Fame, and boasts floor plaques of celebrities of the city's thriving film industry, including legends like Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. This is also one of the best places to watch the "Symphony of Lights" from: Awarded the world's "Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show" by Guinness World Records, this nightly light, sound and laser show is featured on 37 key buildings on both sides of the Victoria Harbour.

Salisbury Road / Tsim sha Tsui Waterfront If coming by Star Ferry from Central / Wanchai: Turn right as soon as you leave the terminus and walk along the water. From MTR-Tsim sha Tsui: Use exit J

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InterContinental Hong Kong enjoys one of the best locations in town, right in front of Victoria Harbour, and although it is not as "classic" as the Peninsula, it is just as posh… Sink into one of the comfy couches around the lobby and enjoy the breathtaking views of Hong Kong's metropolitan skyline through the huge floor-to-ceiling window.

7. HK Museum of History  Daily, except Tuesday, 10 am - 6 pm (till 7pm on Sundays and public holidays) Entrance is not free Website

This fabulous museum tells "the Hong Kong Story", from the Devonian period 400 million years ago until reunification with China in 1997. Eight galleries, loaded with thousands of exciting exhibits, including antiques and pieces of art, as well as 3D dioramas and interactive multimedia displays, make the visit to the museum a rich experience.

Chatham Road South, Tsim sha Tsui (few minutes' walk from Tsim-sha-Tsui MTR (via exit B-2 : see map)

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Hong Kong Science Museum, right next to Hong Kong Museum of History, boasts 16 galleries, with hundreds of exciting exhibits (many of which interactive) that cover almost every aspect of science and technology, including light, sound, motion, electricity & magnetism and what not… The museum's "jewel in the crown", however, is its colossal Energy Machine (the biggest of its kind in the world) which demonstrates how the potential energy of a dropped ball converts into other forms of energy throughout the track.  Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays : 1pm - 9pm, Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays : 10am - 9pm Closed on Thursdays (except Public Holidays), Entrance fee applies, Website

8. The markets of Yau-ma-Tei Temple Street Night Market  Daily, 4 – 11pm Entrance is free

Jade Market  Daily, 10am - 5pm (come early if you want to put your hands on the best stuff) Entrance is free

Temple Street Night Market operates daily, from 4 to 11pm (although the "action" starts only at around 7 pm) and its hawkers sell almost everything… There are also some nice Chinese eateries along the street and its offshoots, and at the northernmost end of the street, next to the old Tin Hau Temple, there are fortune tellers and performances of Cantonese Opera.

From MTR-Jordan: Leave via exit A, turn right to Jordan Road and right again, on the third street

Officially known as Yau Ma Tei Jade Hawker Bazaar, this crammed indoor market accommodates hundreds of stalls that sell a wide choice of jade products of various quality grades: From shockingly expensive (which you should not buy, unless you really know jade) to nice and cheap pieces that make a lovely souvenir...

From MTR-Yau ma Tei: Leave via exit C, turn right to Nathan Road and walk along it for a few minutes. After passing under a road-viaduct, turn right to Kansu Street and after 2-3 minutes' walk you will see the low market buildings on your right (under the flyover)

From MTR-Yau ma Tei: Leave via exit C, turn right to Nathan Road and after a few minutes right again, to Market Street (canopied walkway), from where you can turn left to Temple Street, or right, to the open piazza in front of the old Tin Hau Temple.

The variety includes statues, figurines, jewellery, beads and what not… Offering 50% off and 'Buy 1, get 1 free' discounts at nearly 100 of Hong Kong's top restaurants, shops and spas, the Hong Kong Card includes plenty of quality dining options, and is really easy to use. What's more, it comes with a handy pocket-sized city guide that was written by locals and resident expats and covers everything, from transport and attractions, to culture, shopping and nightlife…

The old atmospheric streets of Yau-ma-Tei are lined with many "unique" Chinese shops that sell all sorts of exotic products, from herbal medicines to dried snake meat… If you happen to be around the area, on your way to Jade Market or Temple Street, try to spare an hour or two to explore those small streets… Start your stroll from Shanghai Street, which is the main thoroughfare of old Yau-ma-Tei… From exit A of MTR-Jordan: Turn right to Jordan Road, and right again, to Shanghai St. (the fourth corner)

Take a look at Nanking Street, where some market stalls can be found, before you continue strolling through Shanghai Street. On 164 Shanghai Street, not far from the corner of Ning Po, there is a small and popular eatery called Sek Wong Lam (蛇王南) which is particularly famous for its Snake Soup… Turn left to Ning Po and right to the bustling wet market of Reclamation Street, which will bring you to Kansu Street and the Jade Market. Turn right to Kansu and almost immediately left, to Shanghai Street. After a minute or two you will see an open piazza with old banyan trees on your right, near the corner of Public Square Street. This is where the old Tin Hau Temple can be found and although there are more impressive temples in Hong Kong, it is well worth visiting.

Cross Public Square Street. On you right (corner of Temple Street) is Mido Café: One of the city's oldest and most nostalgic eating houses… Keep walking along Shanghai Street: A short stroll will bring you to Man Kee Chopping Board, on 342 Shanghai (on your right), which is one of the best places to buy professional chopping boards, and right next to it, on 344 Shanghai, you can see the historic red-bricks building which once housed the oldest pumping station in Hong Kong. Tak Yu Restaurant ( 得如酒樓 ), on 378 Shanghai Street (corner of Pitt), opened its doors more than a century ago and still serves lovely Cantonese fare, including dim-sum, at reasonable prices.

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9. Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden

One of Hong Kong's most beautiful spots.

 Daily, from early morning till late afternoon.

The nunnery features rich Tang style architecture and boasts beautiful gold, clay, wood and stone statues of the Buddha, Kwun Yam (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) and other bodhisattvas.

Free entrance

To get there: MTR Diamond Hill, exit C-2, out to the street, turn left and walk along the wall of the shopping mall to the pedestrian crossing, cross Sheung Yuen Street, walk a minute or two along Fung Tak Road and use the pedestrian's bridge above it to enter the nunnery / garden.

Nan Lian Garden lies next to the nunnery and is just as beautiful, with pavilions, goldfish ponds with water lilies, rock - gardens and manicured Bonsai trees.

10. Ngong Ping, "Big Buddha" and Po-lin Monastery  Daily: 10am – 6pm (9:30am – 6:30pm on Weekends & Public Holidays) Entrance fees apply Info on the combo ticket of Lantau Bus Co. Info on Ngong Ping Pricing and Packages

Ngong Ping and its environs form one of Hong Kong's most popular attractions. Po Lin Monastery was built in the picturesque highlands of Lantau Island almost a century ago, but it was the colossal statue of the seated Buddha that came up in the early 1990s and turned this area into one of Hong Kong's hottest destinations… Later on, the famous cable car came up (providing almost 6km of scenic ride) and the kitschy "tourist village"… But there are still more than a few nice walking trails around the area, for those who want to get away from it all

Getting there: Best you can do is to purchase the "special pass" of Lantao Bus Co, which gives you one-way cable-car ride + unlimited bus rides across the island (How to get to the cable-car terminal / bus-terminal) Info on the combo ticket of Lantau Bus Co.

Make the most of your trip to Hong Kong and enjoy substantial discounts at the city's BEST attractions, restaurants and shops with our range of special discount-cards and flexi-packs !

Although Hong Kong has one of the best public-transport systems in the world, taking the Hong Kong Hop-on Hop-off Tour is highly recommended, as it takes you directly to the various attractions and saves you the time and hassle of waiting for a bus or walking from the nearest MTR station…

And two more things… Crossing Victoria Harbour on the Star Ferry  Daily, 6:30 am – 11:30 pm Entrance fees apply Info on regular tickets Hopping passes / Harbor-tours Offering 50% off at nearly 100 of Hong Kong's top restaurants, shops and spas, the Hong Kong Card offers plenty of quality dining options, and is really easy to use.

Sailing on an authentic Chinese junk  Daily Entrance fees apply

Featured on National Geographic's "top 50 experiences of your lifetime” list, crossing Victoria Harbour on the Star Ferry is one of those tourist clichés you have to do, to say you've been to Hong Kong... The old green-and-white ferries have been plying the waters of Victoria Harbour for well more than a century and have long become one of Hong Kong's best known icons. Particularly popular among tourists, who can get a zillion great photo ops of the city's world's-famous skyline... You can either use the ferry as a "hop on, hop off" (unlimited rides for a specified period) or you can opt for the much-cheaper single ride ticket... Then there are daytours, night-tours and, of course, the ultimate "Symphony of lights tour" (Which is really the "crème de la crème"...) Ferries depart from: Tsim-sha-Tsui, Salisbury Road / Wan Chai Ferry Terminal, Central (5 minutes' from MTR-Central) Duk Ling, the only authentic Chinese junk that still plies the waters of Victoria Harbour, was built more than 50 years ago in Macau and served as a fishing boat before it was restored and converted to a leisure-cruise vessel.

Hong Kong Tourism Board's one-hour sightseeing harbor-cruise

Hong Kong Tourism Board offers a one-hour sightseeing harbour cruise on board of the Duk Ling at a relatively good price, but as the cruise departs only a few times a week (and the boat can carry only 30 passengers), it is important to book well in advance at one of HKTB's visitor centres.

Other cruises on the Duk Ling

Call HKTB's Hotline (+852) 2508 1234 or visit their Duk Ling Ride webpage

China Pub Company, the owner of Duk Ling, also operates regular tours of 2.5 - 4 hours to the Outlying Islands and other places of interest, and they also charter the boat for functions and fun-days (you can even get married on the boat, if that's what you want...) For more information, check the Duk Ling website.

The See Hong Kong Sightseeing Pass is truly GREAT for those of you who wish to make the most of their precious holiday time…

Aqua Luna – Harbour cruises Aqua Luna – Day cruises

Owned by Aqua Restaurant Group, the Aqua Luna is also an authentically handcrafted red-sail Chinese junk, and although it was built just recently (and purely for entertainment purposes), the builders were supervised by an 80 years old traditional boat builder, so it's really as authentic as it gets... The company operates a few 45 minutes-long harbour cruises every day, as well as some day-long cruises to Stanley, Aberdeen, Cheung Chau Island and the Tin Hau Temple in Joss House Bay. Unlike on most of Hong Kong's other cruise boats, the Aqua Luna boasts all the comforts of a floating resto-bar, including comfy lounges and beautifully decked-out interiors, with traditional tick furniture that contribute to the old-days ambience... Hong Kong Tourism Board's one-hour sightseeing harbor-cruise leaves from Kowloon Public Pier (near Star Ferry Piers) in Tsim Sha Tsui on Thursday (2pm and 4pm) and Saturday (10am and 12 noon), and from Central Pier 9 (Public Pier) in Central on Thursday (3pm and 5pm) and Saturday (11am and 1pm)