Amazing Hong Kong: Top 20 places to visit in the metropolis

Big Buddha

The Big Buddha is not only one of Hong Kong's most popular attractions, but also the world's largest bronze statue of a seated Buddha.

To reach it, you'll have to work hard — the Buddha sits on Lantau Island, at the very top of the mountain, to which 268 steps lead, but it's worth it: climbing to the top, you can not only take in the atmosphere of harmony and peace radiating from the Buddha, but also admire the unforgettable view. Alternatively, you can also take the cable car (we recommend buying a ticket for a glass-floored cabin, which will make the journey even more exciting).

Po Lin Monastery

Next to the Big Buddha on the Ngong Ping Plateau is the picturesque Po Lin Monastery (translated as "precious lotus"). Here you can stop by after viewing the Buddha to see the magnificent Heavenly King Hall and Great Hero Hall, enjoy the monastery's traditional vegetarian dishes and take in the magnificent views of the island from the plateau.

The monastery is open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, and the vegetarian canteen is open from 11:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Hong Kong History Museum

This is where you can experience the most comprehensive history of Hong Kong from prehistoric times to the present day. Colorful dioramas, displays of tools and utensils, a ceramics hall, and the life and entertainment of the ancient Chinese are just a fraction of what this treasure trove of history has to offer.

Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday-Friday from 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday-Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00, Tuesday — day off.

Cultural Heritage Museum

The Cultural Heritage Museum offers the best insight into China's distinctive and diverse culture. The museum's extensive exhibits include a collection on the history of Cantonese opera, complete with costumes, props, jewelry, and even musical instruments. An exhibition on Hong Kong's traditional handicrafts and a colorful art gallery will also be of interest.

Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday to Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00. Tuesday is a day off.

Tea Ware Museum

Always dreamed of touching the amazing tea tradition of the East? In the Museum of Tea Ware it is easy to do it. Here you will not only be told about the history of Chinese tea culture and the subtleties of tea ceremonies, but also offered to take part in one of them, and also to taste tea prepared in the best traditions, and, of course, to see the rarest tea ware.

Entrance to the museum is free, but you will have to pay separately for the tea ceremony.

Symphony of Lights Show

Hong Kong at night is no less beautiful than in the sunlight. But you can feel the beauty of this metropolis by visiting its main entertainment — the light and music show "Symphony of Lights". This is an unforgettable extravaganza of colors, lights, music and fireworks that color skyscrapers against the night sky in the most unimaginable colors and patterns.

The show can be seen daily from 8pm to 9pm (lasts about 15 minutes) and the best places to watch are the Alley of Stars on Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, the waterfront promenade near Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and the tourist ferries that ply Victoria Harbor.

The Street of Lazy Pedestrians

Such a funny name was given to the three-kilometer escalator, which is located in the center of Hong Kong — its lower end is located near the harbor, and the upper end — in Soho. The common name by which this "street" is still known is Mid-levels.

"Street" leads from the area of the World Trade Center in the residential areas of Victoria Peak, and on the way you may not once have the desire to get off the route — so many stores and cozy cafes are along the "route". By the way, the escalator moves very slowly, so you can safely arrange yourself an alternative to a walking tour and leisurely view the boiling daily life of Hong Kong from the inside. What's more, this treat is completely free.

Wong Tai Sin

Be sure to visit this most famous temple in Hong Kong. Wong Tai Sin attracts not only with its architecture and interior decoration (the Nine Dragons Wall and the Garden of Good Wishes are particularly interesting), but also with the opportunity to take part in a temple ritual yourself.

It is a traditional divination practice "kau chim". To do this, you need to light a scented stick in the temple, kneel at the altar, ask a question or formulate a request and shake a cylinder with sticks of fate until one of them falls out. Then take a piece of paper with the same number as the one on your wand and read the fortune.

Opening hours: 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. all year round and around the clock on Lunar New Year's Eve

Wetland Park

The park will appeal to ecotourism enthusiasts and those who like to spend a couple of hours in nature. The Wetlands Park not only contains plants characteristic of the ecosystem, but also a variety of animals, fish and birds, reptiles and amphibians, which can be observed in their natural habitat. The park's attractions include exhibition galleries, a theater, a gift store and an indoor playground.

Hong Kong Cultural Center

This is, without too much modesty, a real treasure trove of the region. It houses exhibits that tell the story of the development of art in Hong Kong from ancient times to the present. Calligraphy, paintings, jewelry, ceramics and textiles, engravings and antiques, and, of course, works by contemporary artists are unlikely to leave anyone indifferent.

Lantau Island

Here you can take a break from the hustle and bustle of a huge metropolis and plunge into the atmosphere of peace and tranquility. However, you will not be bored here either: on Lantau Island there is a statue of the Sitting Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, Hong Kong Disneyland, Cantonese village on the water Tai-O, Ngong Ping Plateau with a stunning view of the island and excellent beaches. And you can also see the rarest pink dolphins here — a boat trip is organized from Tsim Sha Tsui Pier on Kowloon to observe them.

You can reach the island by car, by boat from the terminal at the foot of the IFC2 tower in Central, or by subway.

You can book a hotel in Hong Kong with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

Museum of Optical Illusions

Tired of temples, exhibitions and sightseeing tours? No problem! There is one place in Hong Kong where you are guaranteed a memorable vacation. In the Museum of Illusions you will not only have a great rest, but also get a lot of positive emotions. In its exposition there are more than 70 paintings and sculptures in 3D technique, because of which all of them seem to come to life before your eyes. Here you can become a part of the world's masterpiece, plunge into the world of fairy tales and feel like an adventure hunter.

Manmou Temple

This temple is dedicated to the god of literature Man and the deity of war Mo, which symbolizes the unity of creativity and strength. People of all creative professions pray here, so we suggest you come here too. Colorful statues of deities, incense stoves and a spiritual atmosphere give this small temple a special charm.

The temple is open for visits from 8:00 to 18:00.

Victoria Peak

One of the most popular destinations for visitors to the city, Victoria Peak is not only the highest point on the island, but also a good vantage point for a beautiful view of the harbor with skyscrapers surrounded by emerald green hills.

Tip: come up here a couple of hours before dark, so you can see both the day and evening panoramas at the same time.

Lamma Island

An ideal option for those who want to spend time in nature. It's best to come here for a day on a weekday to take a leisurely stroll along the beach, sample delicious seafood at one of the local restaurants (the island is famous for its fishing industry) and wander around the island enjoying nature. If you are lucky, you may even encounter green sea turtles that nest on the island beaches.

It takes 25 minutes to reach Lamma by high-speed ferry from Central Station.

Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery

The main attraction of this monastery is its 13,000 Buddha statues, none of which are alike! The figures are arranged along the stairs leading up to the monastery, so while you climb all 400 steps, you'll have time to see them all in detail.

Mawan Park

Mawan Park is famous primarily for housing the world's only life-size Noah's Ark. In fact, the Ark houses a museum with an exhibition on the famous biblical story, as well as a treasury and an informative and interactive exhibition on the Great Flood. In the park, you can see figures of all the animals selected by Noah, and the Ark garden offers a beautiful view of the sea.

Star Ferry

For the sake of variety, don't miss the opportunity to see Hong Kong from a different angle, namely from the water. You can either take the Star Ferry and ride with the locals who commute to and from work, or you can add some exoticism and take a ride on a real junk.

Star Ferry ferries depart from pier 7.

Lee Yuen Street

This colorful street is a must-visit for anyone who wants to take away something really worthwhile as a souvenir of Hong Kong. It's full of antique shops and markets offering unique items from figurines and ceramics to furniture and clocks. A real open-air museum!

Lan Kwai Fong District

Want to experience Hong Kong's nightlife? Then Lan Kwai Fong is the place to be. It's recognized as the city's nightlife hub, with plenty of restaurants and bars that offer a light and free atmosphere. You can easily hang out here all night long, bouncing from one place to another.