Hong Kong Things To Do

This stylish funicular has been making the 1,200-foot climb to the top of The Peak since 1888 (the ascent is so steep that the buildings appear to be leaning at a 45-degree slant). The photo opportunities at the top are incomparable.

Relive the colonial past as you sip a cup of Earl Grey in the lobby of the elegant Peninsula Hotel, opened in 1928. If the fleet of Rolls Royces outside doesn’t impress you, the effortless glamour inside this “Grande Dame of the Far East” certainly will.

Part amusement park, part educational playground, this mainstay of Hong Kong family fun boasts thrilling coasters, a four-story aquarium, and a Giant panda exhibit. The breathtaking cable car ride across the park is a must.

For a fascinating primer on the last 400 million years of Hong Kong history (no kidding!), this state-of-the-art museum is a must.  Collections encompass culture, natural history, and archaeology, and include exhibits showcasing traditional costumes, burial objects from the Eastern Han dynasty, and historical stamps.

These iconic wooden ferries have been plying Victoria Harbor since the late 19th century and you simply can’t visit Hong Kong without boarding one of them. Take the route between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui for staggering views of both skylines.

Wong Tai Sin Temple is a sight to behold on any day, but never more so than on the first day of the Lunar New Year when thousands flock here to worship (exact dates vary from year to year depending on the position of the moon, but in 2009, the new year starts on January 26th). Stroll among the stalls at the entrance of the temple and admire the ample supplies of joss sticks, candles, oranges, and paper money for sale – offerings for Wong Tai Sin, who is said to be a human-turned-deity with the power of healing and granting wishes. Fortune tellers do a brisk trade all year round; for $50 you can “peak” into your future. Better yet, have the mystic read your child’s fortune (guaranteed they’ll receive strict instructions on working hard and respecting their elders).

The urban areas of Hong Kong are hardly the perfect place to walk a dog but taking a bird for a daily breath of fresh air is a different matter. In the early morning, elderly men gather to natter at the Bird Market, hanging their caged birds in the trees for a while. There are about 70 stalls in the market selling everything from handmade wooden cages to seeds and even birds themselves.

Wander over to Happy Valley on Wednesday or Saturday between September and June and this historic racecourse (it hosted its first race in 1846) will be buzzing with spectators eager to try their luck on the horses. With hundreds of floodlights and skyscrapers surrounding the track, there is no mistaking that you are anywhere else but the very middle of the city. Note that nearby roads are congested on race nights, so the easiest access is by tram or on foot from the Causeway Bay MTR. This is an event that the whole family will enjoy, and, at less than $2 per person, you won’t find a more budget-friendly activity.

For uninterrupted views of Hong Kong Island, few places beat the Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront Promenade which stretches from the Star Ferry to the MTR station at Hung Hom. It’s also a good place to pay tribute to the Hong Kong film industry and its denizens as the “Avenue of Stars,” located here, is Hong Kong’s version of Hollywood’s “Walk of Fame.” The best time to visit is 8 pm when the Symphony of Lights, a 15-minute musical laser show, illuminates the sky.