Hong Kong is by far one of the most memorable cities I never visited, it has the perfect combination of western influence while feel grounded with my own Chinese roots. This episode will showcase the best of this modern Oriental Odyssey, including all the free and must-see attractions, parks, shopping, introduce you to lots of tasty street food, tips on saving on admissions on paid attractions and free drinks on ladies nights.
- Money Exchange
- Where to stay
- The Central
- Mongkok
- Tsim Sha Tsui
- Local transportation and airport transfers
- Octopus Card
- Public Buses
- Airport Express and Metro Subway (MTR)
- Ferries
- Free attractions
- Man Mo Temple
- Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens
- Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and Avenue of Stars
- Wong Tai Sin Temple
- Hong Kong Park
- Victoria Park
- Circle Walk and Victoria Peak
- Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery
- Must-see paid attractions
- Hong Kong Space Museum (Free Wednesday)
- Hong Kong Museum of Art (Free Wednesday)
- Hong Kong Heritage Museum (Free Wednesday)
- Free and inexpensive activities
- Morning Tai Chi Classes
- Lion Dance and Kung Fu Demonstration
- Horse Race at Happy Valley Racecourse
- Free Tea Sampling at Flagstaff House Museum of Teaware
- Morning Bird Watching at Hong Kong Park
- Ladies Night in Wan Chai and Lan Kwai Fong
- Places to visit
- Flower’s Market
- Avenue of Comic Stars
- Cheung Chau Island
- Tung Wan Beach and Kwun Yan Beach
- Cheung Po Tsai Cave
- Sai Tai Road
- North Lookout Pavilion
- Pak Tai Temple and Kwan Kung Temple
- Seafood Street
- Bargain Hunting
- Ladies Market
- Jade Market
- Street Food
- Graham Street and Hau Fook Street
- Temple Street
- Note on Disneyland and Ocean Park
Money Exchange
Exchanging money will be super important here in Hong Kong as accommodations, attractions and transportation are fairly expensive compare to other destinations. I don’t recommend you exchange money at any airport, but you’ll also need some cash to pay for shuttle fare or metro to get downtown, therefore I recommend you either exchange small quantity of U.S. Dollar or Euro for Hong Kong Dollar and exchange rest of it once you get to a bank. Since there is so many banks in Hong Kong, they are very competitive and will typically give you the best exchange rate. Alternatively, you can also withdrawal money directly from the ATM machines. The withdrawals are free on ATM operated by China Construction Bank, if your bank are a member of Global ATM Alliance, including Bank of America, Barclays, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, Santander Serfin, Scotiabank, Westpac, ABSA, and UkrSibbank.
Where to stay
Although Hong Kong is small, each area has its unique characteristics. Here is three areas which we recommend, they are all easily accessible by the metro or MTR and full of surrounding attractions that be travel by foot.
The Central (中環)
This is the central business district of Hong Kong, surrounded by skyscrapers, government buildings, parks and lots of street foods. Some of the attractions in this area includes, Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Garden, Government House, Victoria and Hong Kong Park and more.
Mongkok (旺角)
One of the most density populated shopping and residential districts in Area, filled with street food vendors, famous for Ladies Market and most important lots of affordable hostels. Stay here if you like great food and finding bargains.
Tsim Sha Tsui (尖沙咀)
This is where Heather stayed, she chosen it because her love of the city lights at night, breathtaking view of the Hong Kong skyline. It is located close to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong Space Museum, Museum of Art and Promenade with Avenue of Stars.
Transportation and Airport Transfers
After choosing where to stay, its time to choose a way to get there. The most inexpensive way is the bus shuttle and alternatively, the metro MTR Airport Express Services. We recommend you buy a Octopus Card which can be used in all buses, trams, ferries, and MTR metros, as well as use it in shops. You can refill balance in the MTR stations, street kiosks and convenient stores, the unused balance is completely refundable along with HK$50 card deposit.
Public Buses
The express shuttle is the most inexpensive ways to get to all parts of Hong Kong, those shuttle routes are divided into, “A” Routes (Airbus Services), “E” Routes (External Bus Services), “N” Routes (Night Bus Services), “S” Routes (Shuttle Bus to Airport) and “R” Routes. The various according to your route and provider used – full schedule here, but we have posted a most likely route you’ll be using:
| Routes | Destinations | Operating Hours | Fare (HK$) |
| A10 | Ap Lei Chau Est | 06:50 to 00:20 | 48 |
| A11 | North Point Ferry Pier | 06:10 to 00:30 | 40 |
| A12 | Siu Sai Wan (Island Resort) | 06:00 to 00:10 | 45 |
| A21 | Hung Hom Station | 06:00 to 24:00 | 33 |
| A22 | Lam Tin Station | 06:00 to 00:10 | 39 |
| A31 | Tsuen Wan (Discovery Park) | 06:00 to 24:00 | 33 |
| A33 | Tuen Mun Station | 1 departure daily at 17:10 | 26.1 |
| A41 | Sha Tin (Yu Chui Court) | 06:00 to 20:00 | 21 |
| A41P | Ma On Shan (Yin On) | 07:05 to 24:00 | 26.1 |
| A43 | Fanling (Luen Wo Hui) | 07:00 to 24:00 | 29.2 |
| A35 | Mui Mo | 5 departures daily at 06:25, 06:55, 08:35, 18:20, 23:30 | 15 (Mon. to Sat.) 25 (Sun. & public holidays) |
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- To get to Central, use route A11 or E11 and get off at Jardine House
- To get to Mong Kok, use route A21 and get off at Hung Hom Station
- To get to Tsim Sha Tsui, use route A22 and get off at Shanghai Street Jordan
- There is many public bus operator in Hong Kong, the fares based on the route.
- Thanks to Ryan Lim for providing us with bus schedule here
Airport Express and Mass Transit Railway (MTR)
Alternatively, if you are staying in Hong Kong for only few days, you can buy a 3 days tourist pass, which includes round trip MTR Airport Express, 3 consecutive days of unlimited travel on the MTR, Light Rail and MTR Bus for HK $300 ($220 for one way airport) – click here or you each way on Airport Express is HK$90 plus fare for transferring to another line to get final destination. MTR fares are based on distances and hours of operations are based on
- To get to Central, use Airport Express and take off at Hong Kong Station
- To get to Mong Kok, use the Airport Express and take off at Kowloon Station
- To get to Tsim Sha Tsui – click here for full directions
Ferries
Similarly, Hong Kong ferries are operated by various companies and for adults, the cost is HK $2.20 between Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui, children and the disabled cost HK$1.30 and seniors are free. The Tsim Sha Tsui and Central, Central and Hung Hom, and Hung Hom and Wanchai routes adults cost HK$5.30; children and the disabled cost HK$2.70 and seniors are free.
Free Attractions
Man Mo Temple (文武廟) – 126 Hollywood Rd, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
- Hours: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
- MTR Sheung Wan Station Exit A2 then walk along Hillier Street to Queen’s Road Central. Then proceed up Ladder Street (next to Lok Ku Road) to Hollywood Road to the Man Mo Temple.
- Bus 26 outside Pacific Place at Admiralty to Hollywood Road and get off near Man Mo Temple.
This is the oldest temple in Hong Kong, dedicated to the worship of the civil or literature god Man Tai. Many students and parents comes there to pray for improvement in their studies.
Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (香港動植物公園) – Albany Road, Central, Hong Kong,
- Hours: Fountain Terrace Garden 5:00 am – 10:00 pm, Green House/ Education and Exhibition Centre 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and other Areas 6:00 am – 7:00 pm.
- MTR Central Station
- Bus 3B, 12, 12M, 23, 23A, 40, 40P, 13, 40M, 23B, 103
This free attractions was first opened in 1871, 5.6 hectares near the northern slope of Victoria Peak and one of the oldest zoological and botanical gardens in the world. The gardens consist more than 1,000+ spices of plants, 600 birds, 70 mammals and 40 reptiles, including Greek Tortoise, Malayan Box Turtle, Radiated Tortoise.
Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and Avenue of Stars (星光大道)
- MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Exit J
This part of the promenade celebrates and honors the names that helped make Hong Kong the ‘Hollywood of the East. The Avenue includes commemorative plaques, celebrity handprints including those of Jackie Chan, the history, and a life-size bronze statue of kung fu action hero Bruce Lee.
Wong Tai Sin Temple (黃大仙祠) – 2 Chuk Yuen Village, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon
- Hours: 7 am to 5:30 pm
- MTR Wong Tai Sin Station, Exit B2
The Wong Tai Sin Temple is popular as it has the reputations of making all your wish come true. This is where the many Hong Kong natives come to pray for fortunate, love, divine guidance.
Hong Kong Park (香港公園) – 19 Cotton Tree Drive, Central
- MTR Admiralty Station, Exit C1
This park is is popular with bird watchers and offers free guided bird watching walks every Wednesday. The park consist of 80 species of tropical birds, a lily ponds, playgrounds, waterfalls and even a marriage registry.
Victoria Park (維多利亞公園) – 1 Hing Fat Street, Causeway Bay
- MTR Causeway Bay Station, Exit E
- MTR Tin Hau Station, Exit A2
Circle Walk and Victoria Peak (太平山) – Central/Mid Levels
- MTR Central Station Exit J
- MTR Hong Kong Station Exit D
The peak is has an altitude of 552 m (1,811 ft), it is the highest attitude on Hong Kong Island, it is also most popular attractions in Hong Kong given the breathtaking panoramic view over the city. One of the things we recommend is the Peak Circle Walk starting from Lugard Road – maps found here.
- The fastest way to get up to the Peak is a vertical tram from the lower tram terminal located at the Garden Road. The cost is HK $83 for adults and HK $40 for children, including access to Sky Terrace 428. The hours of operation is 7:00 am to midnight each day
- CityBus Bus Route 15 from the Exchange Square
- Hiking up the Peak from Old Peak Road, between Albany Road and Robinson Road, continue on the Tregunter Path until you reach Mount Austin Road, which will take you to the summit. Be sure to be fit and have water with you as the hike can last for 90 minutes or more each way.
Tian Tan Buddha (天壇大佛) and Po Lin Monastery (寶蓮禪寺) – Ngong Ping Rd, Lantau Island
- MTR Tung Chung Station Exit B, then take Ngong Ping Cable Car (round-trip – HK $$165 Standard Cabin & HK $255 Crystal Cabin)
- MTR Tung Chung Station Exit B, then take New Lantao Bus 23 from Tung Chung Town Centre
- MTR Tung Chung Station Exit B, then hike up by follow the direction here
- Catch ferry from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo, then take New Lantao Bus 2 to Ngong Ping Village
This is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Hong Kong, and commonly “Big Buddha”, the large bronze statue of a Sakyamuni Buddha was completed in 1993, and located at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island. The base is a model of the Altar of Heaven model after Temple of Heaven in Beijing. The large statue can be seen across the bay from as far away as Macau on a clear day. Across the statue is Po Lin Monastery, and contains many architectural structures, such as the Main Shrine Hall of Buddha, the Hall of Bodhisattva Skanda.
Must-see paid attractions
For Complete Admission Hours and Ticket Prices for Hong Kong public museums, please click here
Hong Kong Space Museum (香港太空館) – 10 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
- Adult: HK $10.00 and student & seniors HK $5.00, Free Wednesday
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday : 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday : 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
- MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit J
- Star Ferry from Central or Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, the planetariums dome consist of Stanley Ho Theatre and is also the home to Hall of Space Science, and the Hall of Astronomy. There is over 50 exhibits in the main hall, including a full mock up of the Space Shuttle cockpit and noise, digital planetarium projector, and seats installed with multi-language and interactive Mars robotic arms.
Hong Kong Museum of Art 香港藝術館 – 10 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
- Closed Thursdays (except public holidays), and the first two days of the Chinese New Year, Monday to Wednesday, Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday, Sunday and public holiday 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year’s Eve 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Standard Ticket: Adult HK $10.00 & Student, Seniors: HK $5.00, Free Wednesday
- MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit J
- Star Ferry from Central or Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui
- Bus: 1, 1A, 2, 5, 5A, 5C, 6, 6A, 7, 8, 8A, 9, 13X, 26, 28, 35A, 41A, 69B, 77M, 81C, 87D, 98D, 110, 208, 215X, 219X, 224X, 230X, 234X, 237A, 242X, 252B, 257B, 259B, 260B, 260X, 261B, 268X, 269B, 973, K16, A21
This art gallery holds more than 15,000 pieces of calligraphy, antique arts, paintings of historical significant and art works by local and artist worldwide.
Hong Kong Heritage Museum (香港文化博物館) – 1 Man Lam Rd, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
- Closed Tuesday (except public holidays), and the first two days of the Chinese New Year, Monday to Wednesday, Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday, Sunday and public holiday 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year’s Eve 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Standard Ticket: Adult HK $10.00 & Student, Seniors: HK $5.00, Free Wednesday
- MTR Che Kung Temple Station
- MTR Sha Tin Station
- Bus: KMB 80M, alight at the “Hong Kong Heritage Museum” bus-stop or Green Mini-bus : 68K
This museum is the largest in Hong Kong and provides comprehensive exhibitions to precious historical artifacts, including collection of beautiful Chinese paintings by the acclaimed artist Zhao Shao’ang, and artifacts showcase the history of Cantonese opera. The extensive collections is divided to 12 galleries, including history, culture and arts of Hong Kong and nearby regions.
Free and inexpensive activities
Morning Tai Chi Classes
- Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade in front of Hong Kong Museum of Art
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
- Limited to 40
- Free / on occasions HK $50
Lion Dance and Kung Fu Demonstration
- Sculpture Walk, Kowloon Park, 22 Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
- Sunday 2:30pm to 4:30 pm
- MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Exit A1
Free demonstration of lion/dragon dance and different disciplines of martial arts will be staged and play-in sessions will be organised for visitors.
Horse Race
- Wan Chai District, Hong Kong Island
- MTR Racecourse Station
- HK$10 for admission
Free Tea Demonstrations and Sampling
- 10 Cotton Tree Drive, Central
- Closed Tuesday (except public holidays), and the first two days of the Chinese New Year, Daily 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year’s Eve 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- MTR Admiralty Station, Exit C1 and follow sign to Hong Kong Park
- Free
Morning Bird-Watching Tour at Hong Kong Park
- Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
- Meet at Hong Kong Park Artificial Lake
- MTR Admiralty Station, Exit C1 and follow sign to Hong Kong Park
Ladies Night in Wan Chai and Lan Kwai Fong
- Free club admissions and drinks in many establish on Wednesday at Wan Chai and Thursday at Lan Kwai Fong – detail here
Places to Visit
Flowers’ Market Road (花墟道)
- Flower Market Road, Prince Edward, Kowloon
- MTR Prince Edward Station, Exit B1. Walk east along Prince Edward Road West until you reach the market.
- MTR Mong Kok East Station, Exit C. Walk to Sai Yee Street via the footbridge and follow the signs.
This is one of another one of the popular tourist attractions featuring open-air market with vendors selling a variety of cut blooms, seeds & bulbs and other luck bring house plants.
Kowloon Park / Hong Kong Avenue of Comic Stars (九龍公園/香港漫畫星光大道)
- MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Exit A
- Kowloon Park
This is a 100 meter long path featuring popular comic figures from the 90s era to the older classic characters to current popular ones. Located inside the Kowloon Park, it is just one of the attractions among the Hong Kong Museum of History, Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre, Rose Garden, Bird Lake and the Aviary and a large public swimming pool.
Cheung Chau Island (長洲)
- Take a ferry from Central Pier No. 5 to Cheung Chau Ferry Terminal, regular ferry duration 1 hour
- Regular adult ferry fare: HK $12.60 (Monday to Saturday) and HK $18.4 (Sundays and Public Holidays) – schedule here
- We recommend you rent a bicycle for approximately HK $40.00 or $8.00 U.S. Dollar a day to explore the entire island.
Tung Wan Beach (東灣泳灘) and Kwun Yan Beach (觀音灣)
- Cheung Chau Beach Road and Hak Pai Road
- From the Cheung Chau ferry pier, walk along Tung Wan Road
These two beaches are the most popular and longest in Hong Kong, popular with windsurfers and kayaks hobbies. The beach is equipped with free public showers and be sure to check the Rock carving near the Tung Wan Beach.
Cheung Po Tsai Cave (張保仔)
- Cheung Po Tsai Road, Cheung Chau
- Turn right at Cheung Chau Ferry Terminal, follow the coast line for 20 minutes to Sai Wan Tin Hau Temple
It is a small cave, it is said to be the place where 19th-century Chinese pirate Cheung Po stored his prizes.
Sai Tai Road (西堤道)
- From the ferry terminal, turn right walk along Tai Hing Tai Road to Sai Tai Road
Since there is no motorized vehicles traffic, you’ll find it pleasant to scroll the coastal scenic path with sound of nature which leads you to great selection of street food vendors and Tin Hau Temple and Cheung Po Tsai Cave.
North Lookout Pavilion (北眺亭)
This pavilion is the highest point on the island and perfect for getting speculator view of the coastline, it is even more breathtaking if you go during the sunset as the entire view is bathed in orange and gold.
Pak Tai Temple
- End of Pak She Street
- Exit the ferry terminal and continue on to San Hing Praya Street and turn right to Kwok Man Road then left to Pak She Street
Kwan Kung Temple
- Kwun Yam Wan Road
- From the ferry terminal, continue on to Cheung Chau Beach Road along Tung Wan Road, walk towards Warwick Hotel. Turn to Cheung Chau Sports Road at Warwick Hotel and then walk to Kwun Yam Wan Road.
Seafood Street
- From the ferry terminal, turn left and walk along San Hing Praya Street
The name said it all, the Seafood Street close to the ferry terminal is one of the best place to sample fresh seafood, all restaurants are eager to dish out fresh catch of the day. Perfect for that fishy date!
Bargain Hunting
Ladies Market (女人街)
- Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok, between Boundary Street and Dundas Street
- MTR Mong Kok Station, Exit E2, walk along Nelson Street for two blocks
- Bus 1, 1A, 2, 6 or 9 from Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry pier and get off at Nelson Street station
This is one of the most famous shopping venues in Hong Kong, you can practically get everything from clothing, iPhone accessories to a rabbit, no kidding! The Ladies’ Market or Ladies’ Street originated from the amount of accessories on sale for women including cosmetics, watches, stockings, etc. There is over 100 street vendors for you to practice your hustling skill, here is a friendly advice: never accept the first price, bargain hard!
Jade Market (玉器市場)
- Kansu Street and Battery Street
- MTR Yau Ma Tei Station, Exit C, follow the Nathan Road to Kansu Street and continue on until reaching Jade Market
In Chinese tradition, jade has always being associated with long life and good health, therefore all newborn are given a jade from grandparents as a symbol in according to their Chinese zodiac sign. The Jade Market in Kowloon is perhaps one of the most active jade market in all of Asia, here you’ll discover jade accessories, including rings, bangles, pendants and earrings, but expect to come across some more unusual finds as well. Once again… bargain hard and never accept the first price.
Street Food
This is definitely my favorite section, the street food!!! Even though there are tons of places offering street food, we narrow it down to three that we can recommend.
Graham Street Market (嘉咸街)
- MTR Central Station
- Queen’s Road Central and Hollywood Road
This market is Hong Kong’s oldest continuously-operating street market and famous for open-air food stall “Dai pai dong” or 大牌檔, initially the colonial British government issued ad hoc licenses to families of deceased and injured civil servants for them to earn a living by operating food stalls in public. Since no new license are issued, there is less than 25 of these stall still operating in Hong Kong.
Hau Fook Street (厚福街)
- MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station, exit B2
Once again, you can find many of the few remaining Dai Pai Dong in Hong Kong, but on Hau Fook Street, you can also find many Shanghainese and Beijingnese dishes.
Temple Street (廟街)
- MTR Jordan or Yau Ma Tei Station
- Open late Daily 7 am – 11 pm
The different between Temple Street Food and other locations is it open late until 11 pm. It also focus more on the seafood street food and it is also where you can grab a inexpensive local beer.
So, we hope you enjoy this guide, please help us out by sharing and liking our videos, and be sure to also comment in our videos on this site.
- Host/Producer: Charles Huang
- Host/Script Editor: Heather Neary
- Camera: Stan Trac
- Editor: Kai Mathias/Charles Huang
Special Thanks to: http://www.discoverhongkong.com for many references used here.
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