Even a one-day stay can be fulfilling – Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions in Hong Kong

Reporter: You Ru / Special Feature Report

What should you do on your first trip to Hong Kong to make the most of your time? Compact and densely populated, Hong Kong boasts rich unique culture and cuisine, well worth spending several days exploring. The Hong Kong Tourism Board recommends ten must-visit attractions in Hong Kong. If you want to explore Hong Kong but don’t know where to start, why not refer to these essential sights to dive straight into the heart of Hong Kong’s culture and entertainment and embark on an exciting journey through this vibrant city.

Avenue of Stars

▲ International kung fu superstar Bruce Lee. (Photo / from the Hong Kong Tourism Board website)

The “Avenue of Stars” is a movie-themed attraction featuring over a hundred plaques on the ground engraved with the handprints and signatures of numerous Hong Kong film stars and renowned directors. Here, you can not only “ask for autographs” from stars and “shake hands” with them, but also take photos with bronze statues of international kung fu superstar Bruce Lee and the beloved Hong Kong cartoon character McDull. Additionally, around 30 performances or exhibitions such as music, dance, and drama are held here every month.

The “Avenue of Stars” is also an excellent spot to enjoy views of Victoria Harbour. At 8 pm every night when the “Symphony of Lights” show takes place, you can begin a star-chasing journey under the glittering lights of the harbour.

The Peak

▲ The Peak is the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s top-recommended “first attraction.” (Photo / from the Hong Kong Tourism Board website)

Whether you’ve seen nightscapes of other global cities or no matter how short your stay in Hong Kong is, The Peak is the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s top-recommended “first attraction.” Standing at an elevation of 373 meters on The Peak, it feels like flying over Victoria Harbour, with over 3 million residents of the urban area — both sides of the harbour including Kowloon Peninsula and the northern shore of Hong Kong Island — spread out before your eyes. Towering skyscrapers stand upright, seemingly within arm’s reach. Don’t forget, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Imagine when countless buildings below light up simultaneously, reflecting off the waters and sky of Victoria Harbour in a majestic purple glow — what a breathtaking and dazzling sight that would be.

Ladies’ Market

▲ A one-kilometer-long open-air market with over 100 stalls, Ladies’ Market. (Photo / from the Hong Kong Tourism Board website)

Ladies’ Market got its name because early on, most of the stalls here sold women's clothing and accessories. However, today this one-kilometer-long open-air market with over 100 stalls offers not just women’s fashion, but also men’s wear, bags, jewelry, toys, cosmetics, and even household goods. With a wide variety of styles and affordable prices, it’s a hotspot for savvy shoppers looking for cheap clothing and souvenirs.

Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower

▲ The clock tower next to Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier was erected in 1915. (Photo / from the Hong Kong Tourism Board website)

The clock tower next to Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier was built in 1915 and was originally part of the Kowloon-Canton Railway, the old Tsim Sha Tsui railway station. For a century, it has witnessed the historical changes of Hong Kong. Before World War II, countless refugees from mainland China arrived at this old railway station via the Kowloon-Canton Railway. Some started new lives in Hong Kong, while others transferred to ships bound for overseas destinations. The railway station used to be the British railway hub in the Far East, hence the clock tower carries colonial-era charm. It was constructed using red bricks and granite, reflecting the aesthetics of the steam train era.

Hong Kong Disneyland

▲ Hong Kong Disneyland. (Photo / from the Hong Kong Tourism Board website)

The world’s first new themed area, “Mystic Point,” features an extraordinary illusionary wonderland. In a mysterious private museum deep in the tropical rainforest, hop on the “Mystic Magneto-Electric Car” personally designed by Sir Henry, and explore every corner of the museum. Get up close to admire mystical treasures and experience a thrillingly surreal adventure.

The globally unique “Grizzly Gulch” is set in a gold-rush town full of American Western flair. You can splash around and have fun at “Fountain Valley,” pose for photos with the world’s largest lucky gold rock, or ride the “Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars” to madly dash through the entire “Grizzly Gulch.” After experiencing the wild West, step into a giant toy world — Asia-exclusive “Toy Story Land,” where many toy friends have mobilized for action. The “RC Racer” speeds along a 27-meter-high “U”-shaped track; “Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin” lets you bounce up and down mid-air; and “Barrel of Fun” gives you the thrill of rapid spinning.

Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

▲ The promenade is adjacent to Victoria Harbour and is a scenic two-kilometer-long coastal walkway. (Photo / from the Hong Kong Tourism Board website)

The bustling Victoria Harbour is a microcosm of Hong Kong’s metropolis. To truly experience it, the best way is to head to Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. Adjacent to Victoria Harbour, it is a scenic coastal walkway stretching about two kilometers. As you walk along, the views are expansive, showcasing the dynamic energy of central Hong Kong: the modern architectural skyline on both sides of the harbour, the ceaseless flow of ships on the water, and at night, the magnificent Symphony of Lights show, plus spectacular fireworks during special festivals. Starting from Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier, you’ll pass by landmarks such as the clock tower, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong Space Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Art, and the Avenue of Stars.

Ocean Park Hong Kong

▲ Since opening in 1977, Ocean Park Hong Kong has continuously upgraded its facilities and remains hugely popular with visitors. (Photo / from the Hong Kong Tourism Board website)

Ocean Park Hong Kong is a world-class marine-themed amusement park that combines entertainment, education, and conservation. Since opening in 1977, it has continuously upgraded its facilities and remains a visitor favorite. In 2012, it even won the industry’s highest honor, the “Applause Award” for the “World’s Best Theme Park,” becoming the first theme park in Asia to receive this prestigious award.

Temple Street Night Market

▲ Once a filming location for movies like “C’est la vie, mon chéri” and “God of Cookery,” Temple Street is rich in authentic Hong Kong flavor, especially its night market which vividly reflects local life and culture. (Photo / from the Hong Kong Tourism Board website)

Every dusk, hundreds of stalls begin setting up on the roadsides. As night falls, the illuminated stalls brighten the whole street, drawing crowds of visitors and instantly transforming the once quiet lane into a bustling hub. To explore Temple Street, start from “Street Market Street” near Tin Hau Temple. There, fans of Cantonese opera gather for impromptu performances; singers perform famous Cantonese opera excerpts, Cantopop hits, and even Western pop songs. There are also stalls run by fortune tellers and professional chess players, offering a strong local vibe — hence Temple Street is also known as the “People’s Nightclub.”

The name "Temple Street" comes from the nearby Tin Hau Temple; however, it is also known as "Men’s Street" because most of the goods sold by the vendors here are men’s items—such as knitted clothing, T-shirts, jeans, pens, watches, laser discs, electronics, toys, computer hardware, and travel bags. Don’t forget that Temple Street is also a food hotspot, lined with rows of “dai pai dong” (open-air food stalls). In addition to authentic local dishes like clay pot rice, you’ll also find the legendary “Crackling Pork Chop Noodles” (a.k.a. scrappy noodles) favored by the “God of Cookery.”

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Golden Bauhinia Square

▲ The large sculpture “Forever Blooming Bauhinia,” a gift from the Central People’s Government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to commemorate the handover. (Photo / Courtesy of the Hong Kong Tourism Board website)

July 1, 1997, was a landmark day marking Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, and the focal point of that day was the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where the handover ceremony took place. On the evening of June 30, 1997, then-President of China Jiang Zemin, along with other senior Chinese officials and Britain’s Prince Charles, attended the ceremony. The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the venue for witnessing Hong Kong’s return to the People’s Republic of China, is one of the most striking buildings in Victoria Harbour. Its design resembles a bird in flight, and its large floor-to-ceiling windows showcase an urban, modern feel.

Po Lin Monastery, Tian Tan Buddha

▲ Tian Tan Buddha. (Photo / Courtesy of the Hong Kong Tourism Board website)

Po Lin Monastery, this century-old temple, is often referred to as the “Buddhist Kingdom of the South” and has enjoyed flourishing incense offerings for many years. The monastery features several architecturally distinctive buildings worth visiting, such as the Grand Hall of the Great Buddha, which houses the Buddhas of the East, West, and Local traditions, as well as the Hall of Heavenly Kings with its courtyard garden. Aside from worship, visitors can also enjoy Buddhist vegetarian meals here.

Opposite Po Lin Monastery stands the world’s tallest outdoor bronze seated Buddha statue—the Tian Tan Buddha. The Buddha’s face is round and serene, with ears that reach down to the shoulders, and its right hand displays the “Fear Not” mudra, symbolizing the Buddha’s wish to deliver all beings from suffering. To pay homage to the Great Buddha, visitors must climb 268 steps to reach the statue. The solemn and peaceful presence of the Buddha, coupled with the picturesque surroundings, offers a tranquil atmosphere perfect for reflection and relaxation. Within the base of the Buddha is a memorial hall that enshrines a relic of the Buddha, which can be visited for a fee.

[Hong Kong Travel Information]
● Weather: Similar to Taiwan
● Currency: One Hong Kong dollar is approximately equal to four New Taiwan dollars
● Population: 7.072 million
● Official Languages: English, Chinese
● Climate: Similar to Taiwan

[Travel Agency Hong Kong Itineraries]
Lion Travel — Summer Kickoff “Wu Shu – Kowloon District, Hong Kong” 3D2N tour starting from NT$8,800; Cola Tour — Disney Black World starting from NT$8,999; EasyCard — Hong Kong Value 3-Day Free & Easy Tour starting from NT$7,999; Jidi Travel — Explore Hong Kong 3-Day Free & Easy Tour (early departure, late return), vibrant Hong Kong & Hollywood Hotel 3-Day Tour starting from NT$4,999


▲ Location of Hong Kong. (Photo / Google Maps)


▲ Hong Kong’s art and culture. (Video / Courtesy of YouTube; please excuse if removed)