Hong Kong: Top 7 Must See Spots, Things & Places

A trip to Hong Kong will definitely leave you dumbfounded.There is just too much beauty in a single place. 

Commonly known as H.K., Hong Kong is the Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. H.K. is located on China's south coast and bordered by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea.

Considered one of the most populated areas in the world, H.K. has so much stunning sights to offer to its visitors. A 3-day 2-night tour to Hong Kong was enough to make me question whether the sights I beheld were real. H.K. is hands-down dreamy, unreal, and out of this world. This may sound cliche but its true.

Of the four areas - i.e. Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, and over 200 offshore islands, Hong Kong Island waas the most overwhelming for me. I was blown away right from when I landed at the airport.

It is a heck of a destination! Yea, it is.

Hong Kong has some of the most scenic architecture, infrastructure, and skylines in the world. Below are some of must see and visit places.

1. Victoria Peak

Victoria Peak offers a gorgeous view of Hong Kong central, Victoria Harbor, and the Kowloon Peninsula.

Image Credit: Ryan Cheng

How To Get To Victoria Peak

The best way to get to the Peak is via the Peak Tram.

Option 1:

By Foot - From Central Station MTR to the Peak Tram Terminus

Take the MTR to Central H.K. and leave through exit J2 at the Central MTR station. Turn right, via Chater Garden, cross Queen’s Road Central and go up through Garden Road. If you see the Bank of China Tower and Citibank Plaza on your left; and St John’s Cathedral on your right, then you're on the right track. The terminus is to your left.

Option 2:

By Bus to the Peak Tram Lower Terminus Located at Garden Road

Hope on the Peak Tram shuttle bus number 15C at the Central (Near Star Ferry Pier 7) Bus Terminus.

Bus Shuttle Operating Hours

The bus shuttle that leaves  from Man Kwong Street outside Central Hong Kong (Pier 7) and operates daily from 10:15 am to 11:55 pm; and leaves every 15 to 20 minutes.

The bus shuttle that leaves from Garden Road Peak Tram Lower Terminus operates daily from 10:15 am to 11:55 pm and leaves every 15 to 20 minutes.

The fare is HK$4.20 for adults

2. The Symphony of Lights Show

This is a coordinated external ornamental light and laser multimedia show that features 45 buildings on both sides of the Victoria Harbor. The show is usually accompanied with music and last approximately 10 minutes. To view the show, find a comfortable place by the Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront in Kowloon. 

Image Credit: Kroon

How to Get to the Symphony of Lights Show

At the MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station, use Exit J. Signs to the Avenue of Stars and Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront should lead you to the viewing point.

3. The Hong Kong Skyline

Dubbed as one of the city skyline with the largest visual impact of all world cities, you have to see it to believe it.

Image Credit: Ryan Cheng

Iconic buildings that can be spotted here include:

• The International Commerce Center (ICC), which towers at 484m (1,588 feet) high. This is the tallest building in Hong Kong and the third tallest in the world, by height to roof measurement.
• HSBC Headquarters Building
• Central Plaza. This is the triangular-topped building with a pyramid-shaped spire visible in the picture above.
• The Center. Famous for its nightly multi-colored neon light show.
• I.M. Pei's Bank of China Tower. Its the one with a sharp, angular facade in the photo above. 

4. The Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

The Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade commences from the historic Clock Tower and heads up to Hung Hom. Notable landmarks along the promenade include:

• The Hong Kong Cultural Center
• The Hong Kong Space Museum
• The Hong Kong Museum of Art; and
• The Avenue of Stars.

How to Get to the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

Option 1: Leaving from Kowloon

• At the MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station, use Exit E.
• Walk along Salisbury Road then take a right turn. 
• Go through the pedestrian tunnel / subway next to the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA). If you spot the Hong Kong Cultural Center, you are on the right track. 

Option 2: Leaving from Hong Kong Central or Wan Chai 

• If leaving from Take the Star Ferry at pier 7 headed to Kowloon. 
• The Promenade is near the Star Ferry Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui.

5. The Clock Tower

How to Get to the Clock Towr

Option 1: 
Leaving from Kowloon

• At the MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station, use Exit E.
• Walk along Salisbury Road then take a right turn. 
• Go through the pedestrian tunnel / subway next to YWCA. If you spot the Hong Kong Cultural Center, you are on the right track. 
• Turn right again and walk towards the water front. The Clock Tower is the red brick and granite tower that greets you.

Option 2: 
Leaving from Hong Kong Central or Wan Chai 

• If leaving from Take the Star Ferry at pier 7 headed to Kowloon. 
• The Clock Tower is located near the Star Ferry Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui.

6. Ocean Park Hong Kong

Do not pass. For some of the most thrilling roller coaster rides and a very large aquarium.

7. Hong Kong Disneyland

Bonus Tips for Planning Your Hong Kong Visit

• Take advantage of budget airline offers such as Air Asia and Tiger Airways by subscribing on their websites. 
• Book your airline ticket in advance of your trip to get cheaper options.
• Book your accommodation way in advance of your trip. Use aggregation sites such as www.booking.com, www.agoda.com, etc.
• Winters in Hong Kong can be very cold. Therefore, carry warm clothing especially if planning a tour of the Peak. 
• Take offs and landing at Hong Kong International airport offers some of the most breathtaking views of H.K. If you arrive to the country in the morning, try and make your departure in the night. And vice versa.
• If you have the time, incorporate Macau into your Hong Kong itinerary. Macau is just a 1 hour boat ride away and can be toured in a day.
• Upon landing at Hong Kong airport, purchase an Octopus Card.

Disneyland Hong Kong

When I first landed in Miami, Florida on a stopover to Haiti, I knew I would one day be back for a visit to Disneyland with my little one. Unfortunately, that dream never came to fruition. So we shelved the idea for a later time. This year, while scouting for a vacation destination around Asia in mid-March,  the choice was between Hong Kong and Japan as they both have a Disney theme park. We settled for Hong Kong.

Getting There

With our guest house located in Tsim Tsa Shui, this is how we got to Disneyland after interchanging trains 2 times:

1. Crossed the road and walk for about 2 minutes to Tsim Tsa Shui MTR station
2. Took Tsuen Wan Line heading to Tsuen Wan then got off at Lai King Station.
3. Interchanged trains here to the Tung Chung line  
4. Before getting to Tung Chung, got off at Sunny Bay Station.
5. Lastly, interchanged trains to the Disney Land Resorts line. This train has blue seats and is decorated in Disney characters, so you can easily tell that you're on the right track. Upon arrival, the only exit opens to the resort's entrance.

Entire trip took as about 40 minutes max.

Tips for Making the Most of your Time at Disneyland Hong Kong

• If you arrive at Hong Kong airport early enough, make Disneyland your first stop since it is near to the  Hong Kong International airport. The resort offers safe secured baggage lockers, so not to worry about your luggage.
• Entrance tickets are cheaper when purchased at agent locations throughout the city rather than at the gate of the resort. You can also check with your hotel/guesthouse.
• If on a one-day pass and you'd like to enjoy as many of the attractions as possible, its best to ensure that you are at the gate of the resort by 9.30 am when they open.
• Stay on until 8pm to enjoy the "Disney in the Stars" Fireworks Display in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle.
• To record the fireworks show and for an excellent view, be seated by 7.30 pm latest.

Cheap Nice Clean Hotel in Hong Kong

Comfort Guest House, Chung King Mansions, Hong Kong: A Review

When we decided to visit Hong Kong, our first concern was where to get cheap, nice, clean and safe accommodation. So as usual, I visited www.booking.com and was lucky enough to land on Comfort Guest House on Nathan Road. The guest house is located on the 9th floor, Block E, at Chung King Mansions.

Other than the fact that on two nights of our stay they relocated us to another guest house - Catherine Inn - with terrible internet and of a lower quality, on the 10th floor; our experience at Comfort Guest House was memorable. The manager there - Paul - was kind to lend us his SIM card with prepaid internet. I also got a chance to visit their other property on the 10th floor in Block C which was equally clean and nice. I didn't try their internet but I guess it does work.

Pros

• Hot showers with high water pressure.
• Beddings are all white and clean. 
• Self-controlled AC
• Cheap if you book in advance. 
• Clean
• Very fast internet that is offered free. 
• Location
• 2 minutes walk to the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station
• Very close to most tourist attractions on the Kowloon Peninsula
• Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Clock Tower, etc
• About 5 minutes walk to Victoria Harbor

Cons

• Location
• Aside from the many guest houses on the top floors, Chung King Mansion is a building that hosts many shops, eateries, and idlers on its ground floor of the building.
• At the entrance of the building, there are also lots of idlers and people haggling you to stay in their guest houses or sell you this and that.
• By end of day, the ground floor looks like a damp site with trash strewn all over. But once you get onto 9th floor where the guest house is located, it feels safe and homely.

Room Tips:

• When you make a booking, insist that you want a room on the 9th floor in Block E or 10th floor in Block C.

How to Get to Comfort Guest House - Hong Kong by Public Bus from the Airport

1. Exit the baggage collection area and turn right
2. Walk down towards the McDonald's and make a turn to your left
3. Follow the Bus sign all the way down to the escalator
4. Make another right turn and keep following the bus sign
5. At the exit, make a left turn to the ticket counter and purchase an Octopus Card. 
• The card is very handy for easy movement and shopping around Hong Kong as it is accepted in MTRs, buses, many supermarkets (e.g. 711) , fast food restaurants (such as McDonalds), etc. Besides, the public buses have no conductors, only the driver, so if you want to use cash, you must have exact amounts as there is no change given for extra amounts paid.
• You will have to load a 50 HKD deposit to your Octopus Card, in addition to whatever other amounts you may want. If returned within 3 months, the 50HKD plus any unused funds( less a 9HKD handling fee) is refunded. 
• To obtain my Octopus Card refund, I visited the Customer Service Desk at the exit of Terminal 1/Entrance to Terminal 2. It is located just at the point where you board the MTR to the city.
6. With your back facing the ticket counter, the bus stop will be in front of you. Go to the bus stand located on the right side and you will see a stand marked A21.  This is where you take the bus that takes you to Comfort Guest House, Tsim Sha Tsui area. The fare is about HKD 33 for adults and HKD 17 for kids/children.
7. Once the bus arrives Tsim Sha Tsui area, alight at Middleton bus stop.