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Thousand of stopover visitors arrive each day looking for the best things to do in central Hong Kong.
Packed with stunning skyscrapers, fancy malls, and the vibrant Victoria Harbor, the offer in central Hong Kong is amazing even if you only have a few hours.
For those staying a bit more, the food and the bustling nightlife in Lan Kwai Fong are other things worth checking into.
So if you want to learn the most amazing things to do in central Hong Kong keep reading.
Top 11 things to do in central Hong Kong
1. Ride the peak tram to the highest point of Hong Kong
Situated at 552m, Victoria Peak is the highest point in Hong Kong and probably the most amazing things to do in central Hong Kong
You can get there in just 8 minutes if you take the Peak Tram, one of the older if not the oldest funicular in Asia, which will give you the best scenery of Hong Kong. I
f you are not very keen on heights, you can take the public bus and walk all the way up which is a pleasant walk.
The best time to do it is before sunset you can see how the skyscrapers light up when the sun is down. You can upgrade your experience by going to the highest 360º viewing terrace in Hong Kong, called The Sky Terrace 428.
2. Meet some of the most famous film stars in the Avenue of Stars.
Do you want to meet the most famous film stars in Hong Kong?
If the answer is yes, then head to the beautiful Tsim Sha Tsui promenade– it is a nice place to take a stroll in the morning and meet these idols, find their handprints, some sculptures and information boards.
Find out what it feels like to be in front of Bruce Lee or being a movie producer!
3. Enjoy the best light show in the city.
This is probably one of the most unique things to do in central Hong Kong at night.
Get the best view of your visit to Hong Kong Skyline at night followed by Symphony of Lights, a light show that includes music with the participation of around 40 buildings!
A pure spectacle for all your senses
4. Visit Man Mo Temple.
Man Mo Temple is one of the oldest Hon Kong’s temple and is a must-see.
It is part of a complex that also includes the areas Lit Shing Kung and Kung Sor. Lit Shing Kung was created for the worship of all heavenly gods, while Kung Sor, built to the temple’s west, was an important assembly hall where community affairs and disputes were often discussed and settled.
It opens every day between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm.
5. Dine at the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world
Who said that eating at a Michelin star restaurant has to be expensive?
Dim Ho Wan is considered one of the best dim sums restaurants in Hong Kong and also one of the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurants in the world.
There is no visit to Hong Kong without trying some of them. Don’t miss out on the opportunity of trying the unforgettable dishes served here!
6. Visit an exhibition at Tai Kwun
What it used to be the Central Police Station today is known as Tai Kwun.
Tai Kwun is a new center for heritage and arts offering culture and leisure experiences for all to enjoy.
But the offer goes beyond that. If you want to find all you can do in Tai Kuwn check this link.
7. Ride the longest escalator in the world.
Have you ever seen an escalator that covers 800m? Then head to the Central – mid-level Escalator to witness it yourself.
It links central and western districts in Hong Kong being acknowledged as the longest escalator in the world!
Get off at Staunton and walk around the Soho district where you will find exotic restaurants and lively pubs.
8. Grab a drink on top of the world.
Are you keen on heights?
If you are, then Hong Kong gives you the opportunity to grab a drink or have dinner at the highest restaurant in the world, Ozone in West Kowloon.
Probably one of the highlights of the things you can do in central Hong Kong.
9. Take a ferry and enjoy the spectacular Hong Kong skyline
Head to Victoria Harbour and catch the Star Ferry.
It is the fastest and cheapest way to travel between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central.
It takes less than 5 minutes from one shore to the other so you should better have your camera ready to take some stunning pictures from a different perspective.
10. Go shopping to the fancy malls
Shopping in central Hong Kong is a popular tourist activity.
Not only for those interested in buying but also for those who just want to see some spectacular architecture design, hang out with a coffee or just cool down from the heat outside.
There is one in each corner and each of them feeds the needs of anyone in search of deals.
A must-visit is the International Finance Centre (IFC) Mall. It offers pretty much anything you can think about.
11. Explore Lan Kwai Fong
With plenty of bars and a vibrant nightlife, Lan Kwai Fong is a great place for those looking to socialize.
Get there on time for the happy hour cocktail to finish your day like you deserve!
11+1.Visit the Big Buddha in Lantau
Now you know the top 10 things to do in central Hong Kong island.
But even though the Big Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha) is located in Lantau Island, it is well worth a visit.
This magnificent bronze sculpture of a seated Buddha is 34 meters high and weighs over 250 tonnes, which makes it the biggest seated Buddha in the world.
Be prepared to go all the way up the 260 steps to get a closer glance at Buddha, absolutely worth it. You can also get spectacular views of the greenery lush surroundings.
Get there early in the morning if you want to get a better picture with fewer people and try to avoid weekends if possible.
You might want to check out this tour which makes things easier.
11+2. Go for a relaxing walk at Nan Lian Garden.
Not far from Hong Kong central, Nan Lian Garden will make you forget you are in a bustling city
Get out the traffic and civilization and get immersed in the peace that this place keeps for its visitors.
Inside, there is a temple that can be visited if you feel like continuing with your meditation.
Resources
Here you can find a list of some resources which will make it easier for your visit to Hong Kong.
- Discover Hong Kong: The official tourism guide for Hong Kong
- Skyscanner: This will find you the best flight fares to fly to and from Hong Kong. A great tool to find nearby destinations very cheap.
- World Nomads: You should travel to Hong Kong with good travel insurance, and this is our recommendation. You can get a free quote here.
- GetYourGuide: From here you can book any activity and also discover some interesting things to do in Hong Kong.
- China Travel Budget Calculator: This will help you to estimate your travel budget for your trip.
Get inspiration with other amazing destinations you can visit in Asia
Conclusion
Regardless of the time you have, there are many amazing things to do in central Hong Kong, but also in other areas.
Try to visit Hong Kong downtown early if possible because it is normally a populated area.
Hong Kong is a fun place to visit with a great offer from food to temples and much more, so be ready to have a hell of a experiences on this stunning city!