Hong Kong always leaves the impression of being Asia’s most modern city, crowded and packed with high-rise buildings. When it comes to Hong Kong tourist destinations, people only think of shopping, eating, and partying in Lan Kwai Fong. But there is another corner in Hong Kong that many have missed.
Hong Kong is fortunate to be blessed by nature with both mountains and sea. Did you know that 73% of Hong Kong’s area is mountains and seas? Therefore, the suburbs of the city have a very fresh climate, suitable for outdoor activities, cycling, mountain climbing, picnic …
Do not be in a hurry to complain that Hong Kong is claustrophobic and stuffy if you have not experienced the following activities.
- Visit the Great Buddha Ngong Ping
The first Hong Kong tourist destination is the Great Buddha statue at Ngong Ping located on Lantao Island. Ngong Ping Buddha is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world, 34 meters high including the lotus, weighing about 250 tons. It is said that this statue can be seen from Macau. Inside the large Buddha statue is a memorial area for influential people in Hong Kong, from lords to famous people.
When visiting the Great Buddha statue, you should first recharge to be able to climb 268 steps to reach the Buddha statue. Opposite the Great Buddha is Bao Lien meditating himself (Po Lin). It is an important Buddhist center in Hong Kong, also known as “The Buddhist World in the South”. You can visit the works at the meditation time as well as enjoy the vegetarian dishes here.
How to move:
Going from Gate B of Tung Chung MTR Station, then taking Ngong Ping cable car takes about 25 minutes. Get off the cable car, you only need to walk 10 more minutes to arrive. If you choose to take the cable car, you should buy tickets online in advance to avoid long queues. The round trip cable car ticket is about 185 HKD / person, much more expensive than the bus, but in return, you can enjoy the view from above quite interesting.
From Gate B of Tung Chung MTR Station to Tung Chung Town Center bus stop, take bus 23 New Lantao (ticket about HKD 17). Travel for about 45 minutes and then you just need to walk for about 8 minutes to arrive.
Take the ferry from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo port. Then take bus No. 2 New Lantao to Ngong Ping village, travel time about 40 minutes.
- Evening walks in Victoria Harbor
The view of Hong Kong with high-rise buildings that glow at night is actually taken from Victoria Harbor. Victoria Harbor – a typical Hong Kong tourist destination – is a dock connecting key points in Hong Kong. The special feature here is the program Symphony of Lights that tourists to Hong Kong all want to see once.
Symphony of Lights is a dance of light emanating from skyscrapers. The show lasts about 13 minutes. Although it starts at 8 pm, early on the place is already crowded because the beautiful scenery from Victoria Harbor is always on the list of “must-check-in” of tourists.
Walking a few meters from Victoria Harbor, you will find the Avenue of Stars, the Avenue of Fame in Hong Kong. This street hides statues of famous Chinese and Hong Kong stars. And you will surely recognize among them, Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.
How to get there: You can take the MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui Station then walk to Victoria Harbor.
- Admire the panoramic view of Hong Kong at The Peak
The Peak is the highest place in Hong Kong that any tourist would not want to miss. Taking a panoramic view of Hong Kong at a record height, you won’t be wrong to say Hong Kong is a city of skyscrapers.
Alternatively, you can also visit The Peak Tower which is the tallest building at the top. Located in The Peak Tower, Sky Terrace 428 is where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Hong Kong from a record height. Furthermore, Madame Tussaud’s museum located in this complex displays wax statues of Bruce Lee and many famous Hollywood stars. The ticket price to enter Sky Terrace 428 is 40 HKD.
If you do not want to pay quite a price to enter Sky Terrace 428, tell you, come to The Peak Galleria which is a multi-story shopping mall. At The Peak Galleria, you can still enjoy a panoramic view of Hong Kong from above for the price of 0 $.
How to move:
Take bus 15C from Central Pier 8 port
Take bus 15 from Exchange Square bus stop (near exit D of Hong Kong MTR station)
Take minibus 1 from a public transit hub at Exit E of Hong Kong MTR Station
From exit J2 to Central MTR station, walk to the tram stop on Garden Road. From here, you can take the 120-year-old tram to reach The Peak. Tram fare is 32 HKD / way or round trip ticket with 45 HKD / ticket. The classic tram is an enjoyable experience but if you want to save money then choose the MTR and the bus is right.
- The most beautiful mountain routes: Dragon’s Back
Dragon’s Back Trail is one of Hong Kong’s most beautiful and famous hiking trails. However, Dragon’s Back is still not a popular Hong Kong tourist destination because not everyone likes outdoor activities that require a lot of energy.
This 8.5 km stretch will give you a great experience: walk along the most beautiful trail in Hong Kong, standing on top of Shek O at 284 meters high and admiring the stunning views of the offshore islands and seas island, watch the blue sea and enjoy the seafood in Shek O village or Big Wave Bay.
Dragon’s Back’s climbing trail takes 4 – 5 hours to complete. There are no rest stops on the way, so you should prepare drinks and snacks before departure. You can choose the Dragon’s Back mountaineering tour, which costs around HKD500 per person, including shuttle buses and guides. The tour time is 4 hours, usually starts at 8:30.
How to get there: From Exit A, Shau Kei Wan MTR Station go to Shau Kei Wan bus stop. Take bus 9 or minibus with the “Shek O” sign on it. Get off at To Tei Wan Station, Shek O Street.
- Climb and cross the valley on Lamma Island
Not many tourists visit Lamma Island, possibly because it is quite far from the city center and not too popular.
Lamma Island is Hong Kong’s third-largest island, and most of the island’s population is engaged in fishing. There is limited public transport on the island, the only way to get around the island is by bike or on foot.
Looking around here you also find only a few foreign tourists. However, Lamma Island is a great Hong Kong tourist destination to temporarily leave the noisy, crowded center and enjoy nature.
On the island, you can enjoy a myriad of picnics, rock climbing, biking, and enjoying the fresh air in Hong Kong. Alternatively, you can go to Hung Shing Yeh beach, where there are white sand and clear water. The beach is also surrounded by giant rocks and green hills.
How to move:
From Central Pier 4, about 20 minutes by ferry will arrive at Sok Kwu Wan – the welcome gate of Lamma Island.
- Cheap shopping at Mongkok
Hong Kong is known as a shopping paradise. Therefore, during their Hong Kong tours, it is no wonder that many tourists still spend hours hunting things. And at the end of your journey, if you still need to find a place to buy some things for yourself and souvenirs for your friends then go to Ladies Market – Ladies Market in Mongkok.
Mongkok is a Hong Kong tourist destination where you can both shop and observes the bustling life of people. It sells all items in the world, from the latest fashion items to souvenirs. Most of the items on sale in Mongkok are very trendy and have a friendly price. This is a favorite shopping area for many visitors to Hong Kong.
How to move:
From exit E2 at MTR Mong Kok station, walk along Nelson Street, past 2 buildings will arrive.
Take bus 1, 1A, 2, 6, or 9 from Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Terminal, get off at the Nelson Road stop.
After participating in picnics in Hong Kong, every visitor must change their mind that this is not just a bustling, bustling city, crowded with people. Hong Kong has very peaceful places for you to relax, as well as participate in outdoor activities: climbing, jogging, cycling.
Hong Kong travel in autumn is the most ideal. At this time, the weather is cool but not too cold, suitable for outdoor activities. If you plan to visit Huong Cang city, you should plan your trip for another day or 2 to explore other corners of Hong Kong.