Hong Kong is a city we know well – it’s our home after all! It’s a place of continuous change, but one always packed with tasty adventures and interesting experiences. Below is our ultimate list of the top 50 things to do in Hong Kong, from sipping cocktails in speakeasy bars to downing dim sum with the locals. Let’s do it!
EAT
1. Fight for a seat and enjoy yum cha with the locals at Sun Hing.
2. If that’s not your scene, you can splash out on some of the fanciest dim sum in town at Lung Keen Hing.
3. Indulge your sweet tooth with some Hong Kong Egg Waffles at Mammy Pancake.
4. Hit up some hip Chinese food joints and enjoy traditional flavours served for the new generation of diners in Central.
5. Try snake at one of the last remaining snake soup restaurants.
6. Taste the pinnacle of Hong Kong’s baked goods: egg tarts from Tai Cheong.
7. And if you head to Macau, sample their version: the Portuguese egg tart at Lord Stow’s and Margaret’s Café e Nata.
8. Elevate your taste buds with a high-end take on Chinese classics.
9. Eat the locals favourite meat: roast goose at Kam’s!
10. Get a protein and carb hit with some Hong Kong-style beef brisket noodles at Sister Wah.
11. Sit on a plastic stool, order a beer and eat local Cantonese food at a cooked food centre, Tung Po is our favourite.
12. Eat at a local cha chaan teng (tea cafe) like Kam Wah and enjoy breakfast the local way.
13. Enjoy some Hong Kong-style comfort food with the best char siu in town at Joy Hing in Wan Chai.
14. Tofu pudding, or doufuhua, is a favourite amongst the locals. Try it with a little extra sugar on top.
15. Be adventurous and order some street food in Mong Kok. We recommend the curry fish balls, grilled octopus and stinky tofu.
16. Need a break from Chinese food? You’re in luck. Enjoy world-class western food like handmade pasta at Pici!
17. Or if pasta’s not your thing, splash out on some of the best Japanese food in town at Ronin, a speakeasy Japanese restaurant with house-made sochu.
18. Enjoy an afternoon tea at modern tea cafe Teakha.
19. Sample every Hong Kongers guilty pleasure: a fresh pineapple bun. We love the ones at Kam Wah!
DRINK
20. Forget Starbucks and stop in at one of the neighbourhood coffee shops like Winstons and NOC serving up great craft coffee.
21. If you want to go a little more local, drink milk tea strained from a stocking at Lan Fong Yuen.
22. Hit up Hong Kong’s Craft Beer Scene and enjoy a range of locally brewed craft beers across the city.
23. Sip cocktails up high at one of Hong Kong’s best rooftop bars.
24. Or hide out in some of Hong Kong’s best small bars, The Old Man and Please Don’t Tell are our favourites.
25. Following that, visit some of Hong Kong’s more unique bars. If you’re feeling fancy, visit Ophelia – it has a swing!
26. Now that you’re primed, go partying in Lan Kwai Fung, better known as LKF.
DO
27. Catch the Star Ferry for a killer view of the Hong Kong skyline (Tip: Catch it from Kowloon for the best view).
28. Improve your Instagram-feed with some pics at Choi Hung housing estate.
29. Get moving and hike one of Hong Kong’s tallest peaks, Sunset peak!
30. Or if Lantau is too far, take on Kowloon Peak. One of our favourite hikes in Hong Kong, with views that are even better at night.
31. Grab some friends, hire a junk boat and enjoy a day out on the harbour and surrounding waters.
32. Get away from it all and go camping on one of Hong Kong’s smaller outlying islands.
33. If camping isn’t your thing, take a day trip to explore one of the more accessible outlying islands. Pick from Sharp, Lamma or Cheung Chau!
34. Hike up to The Peak for the best view of Hong Kong Island – it’s famous for a reason!
35. Pay a visit to the big guy. The Big Buddha that is…
36. This may be cheating, but if you’re feeling lucky head to Macau for the day to take in the extravagant casinos and charming colonial vibes.
37. Depending on how much hiking (or shopping) you’ve been doing, put your feet up and reset with a foot massage.
38. If you’re lucky enough to be in town on a Wednesday, head down to the Happy Valley Racecourse for ‘Happy Wednesdays’ – drinking and horse racing at one of the most unique horse tracks in the world.
39. The races after party takes place in Wan Chai, where you can rock out with late-night live music.
40. Pick up a nice surprise for a loved one at the flower markets in Mong Kok.
41. You can also check out all things aquatic and creepy crawly at the nearby goldfish markets.
42. Pick up some souvenirs at the Temple street night markets.
43. If that’s too touristy, do some grocery with the locals shopping at one of Hong Kong’s wet markets.
44. Shop some of Hong Kong’s boutiques at creative precinct PMQ.
45. Drop into Man Mo Temple, a traditional temple surrounded by high-rises.
46. Explore the alley’s and discover street art in Wong Chuk Hang and Sheung Wan!
47. Buy an ear picker or other random goods at a Chinese thrift shop.
48. Get some friends together (or make some new ones) and play beer pong at Billidart!
49. Go for a swim in the harbour at Sai Wan swimming shed (or just take a picture).
50. And last but not least.. wander around Kowloon at night and soak up the iconic neon signs before they disappear.
Have a great time in Hong Kong and be sure to tag us in any of your pictures – @anydoko and #ExploreAnywhere!
CREDITS
Writer: Dean Vowles
