15 things to do (and 4 NOT to do) in Hong Kong - Travel Guide.

Nature and futuristic buildings, breathtaking views and avant-garde shopping centres. The charm of Hong Kong all lies in the profound contradictions that have made it one of the main cities in the world to visit, the point where east and west meet, where the super modern metropolis intertwines with tradition. There is certainly no shortage of attractions and there are so many things to do in the city!

So let's find out together what to see in Hong Kong, the best attractions and things to do!

1. Victoria Peak.

The ideal place to enjoy a suggestive panorama of Hong Kong is undoubtedly Victoria Peak! This is the highest peak in the city (554 meters), can be reached via a funicular in 5 minutes. What you need to calculate mainly, however, is the time to board the cable car itself: often the queues are endless!

Once at the top, there are two "poles" of interest on the promontory: the Peak Tower and the Lion Kiosk, preferential points from which to draw fabulous cover-worthy panoramas, both by day and by night.

2. Temple Street Night Market.

Located on the Kowloon peninsula, the night market along Temple Road, known as Temple Street, is a glimpse into authentic old Hong Kong. Here merchants of all kinds gather, from electronics to clothing, from precious stones to typical food, until you find, along the road, numerous fortune tellers who contribute to making the atmosphere mystical and evocative.

The items on sale have prices for all budgets and, after shopping, we recommend stopping to eat in one of the many restaurants to try tropical fruit, shellfish and all the other typical Cantonese dishes. Furthermore, along this road there are also several old clinics where it is possible to be treated using traditional Chinese medicine.

3. A Symphony of Lights.

A Guinness show: it is the largest permanent light and sound show in the world and takes place on the Avenue of Star. It is called A Symphony of Lights and is a real "luminous concert" that lights up the entire city of Hong Kong.

It begins at 20:00 each evening and lasts 14 minutes, during which 45 buildings along the Hong Kong skyline project lights towards Victoria Harbor in time to the music. It takes place in five phases, each with a different meaning: Awakening, Energy, Heritage, Collaboration and Celebration, all dedicated to the soul of the city.

4. Tian Tan Buddha and Lantau Island.

The imposing effigy of Buddha overlooks Ngong Ping, on Lantau Island, the largest and wildest island in Hong Kong, albeit the least densely populated.

The statue of Buddha Amoghasiddhi, built in 1993 and located inside the Po Lin Monastery, is actually a 34-metre-high mausoleum and can be reached "only" after climbing a staircase of 268 steps! It represents the symbol of the union between man and nature.

Despite the titanic undertaking to be supported, the Tian Tan Buddha is stormed every year by faithful and simply curious.

5. Sky 100 Hong Kong Observation Deck.

Among the many things to see and do in Hong Kong, you certainly cannot fail to admire the skyline from above! And for that experience there's the Sky 100 Hong Kong Observation Deck, located in the ICC, the tallest building in the city! The platform is at the 100th!

This is the highest viewing platform, where you can enjoy a wonderful 360° view of Hong Kong! To go up you will have to take a high-speed lift, which covers the distance from the ground floor to the 100th floor in just one minute!

Get ready to have your ears plugged, but you will surely forget it as soon as you see the panorama from the large windows!

6. Ocean Park.

Hong Kong is one of the world capitals of entertainment, thanks to its large water amusement park, where you can drive a bumper car and, at the same time, admire local fauna species, from fish to the famous pandas.

The Park is divided into two macro-areas, the Waterfront and the Summit.

Adrenaline junkies won't miss the Thrill Mountain area, with at least five jaw-dropping rides, while animal enthusiasts will love the Rainforest area, a rainforest home to dozens of different animal species, guiding visitors discovering biodiversity.

Due to its particularity, Ocean Park in Hong Kong is undoubtedly among the most attractive amusement parks in Asia and one of the most visited in the world: the latest rankings, in fact, even place it in twelfth place!

7. Central District.

The financial heart of Hong Kong is called Central District, in the local language Chung Wan, and is located in the northwestern part of the island.

It owes its name to the "Centrale" underground stop and today it can be considered the "Mecca" of luxury and power of the city: here there are skyscrapers, luxurious shops and several important buildings, such as those that house the various consulates, as well as the government.

But here there is also a piece of history: it is precisely in this district that, in fact, by taking the Queen's Road, you will be able to walk along the first street of the city.

8. Lan Kwai Fong (LKF)

The full name is Lan Kwai Fong, but it is known by all as LKF: it is the busiest district in Hong Kong, the one completely dedicated to nightlife and nightlife. In this block, in fact, there are hundreds of bars, restaurants and pubs, as well as numerous discos where you can go wild all night long.

This characteristic is due to its history, which in the 1980s consecrated the neighborhood as a meeting place for expatriates, who they want to have fun and have fun in the evening.

Curiously, it is located at the very end of the Central district, so much so that it can be considered a fraction of it, and so you are in an instant from a luxurious working environment to one of continuous entertainment!

9. The Escalator.

Just a few hundred meters from the stop that leads to Victoria Peak is the Central-Mid Levels Escalator, the longest escalator in the world. It runs about 800 meters and can be accessed from every road it crosses.

Built in 1994 in order to allow a particular tour of the city of Hong Kong, this escalator connects the Central District with the Western District and has now rightfully become one of the main attractions of the city, a destination for millions of tourists who enjoy a very special 25-minute free ride through the whole city. An unusual way to tour without getting tired!

10. Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and Avenue of Stars.

The Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, also known as the Central Harbourfront, is an incredible place in the Hong Kong bay: here, in fact, it seems to live at a different pace than in the central districts of the city. The large and modern shopping centers flank the port where the ferries come and go and, together, frame the imposing colonial clock tower, which certainly projects you into another time.

Furthermore, it is a perfect vantage point to admire the financial districts of Hong Kong and Kowloon, as well as the best spot to stop and enjoy the A Symphony of Light show.

11. Hong Kong Museum of History.

The Hong Kong Museum of History is the perfect place to learn about the entire history of the city, from prehistoric times to the present day. The Museum, in fact, houses a permanent exhibition and various temporary exhibitions.

12. Lama Island.

Hong Kong's green lung, as well as the city's third largest island. The island of Lamma, with its characteristic Chinese "Y" shape, makes ecology and an easy lifestyle its forte. People move on foot and the only means of transport contemplated is the bicycle.

A whole other world, which is worth exploring, especially by nature lovers, who will be able to find numerous hiking trails on this island. But the island of Lamma is also a genuine and somewhat naive island, so much so that it is even called the "island of creatives", due to its bohemian atmosphere, accentuated by small craft shops and independent boutiques.

The island is free and always accessible and, to reach it, you need to take the ferry from Central Pier 4 to Yung Shue Wan

13. Hong Kong Disneyland.

Disneyland Hong Kong is the Asian version of the first and well-known Disneyland Paris. In fact, it is not a copy, but the Chinese headquarters and, therefore, it is almost the same in all respects as the French parent company. It was inaugurated in 2005, representing the fifth opening worldwide.

This Park is also divided into seven thematic areas although, in terms of occupied area and number of attractions, Disneyland Hong Kong is smaller than its European cousin; in any case, inside there are Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Adventureland (the largest area of the Park), Tomorrowland, Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point and Toy Story Land.

Its peculiarity, however, lies in the It's a Small World section, which is an attraction that allows you to ideally cross the different continents by boat, in the meantime admiring the puppets in traditional clothes who sing and dance.

14. Hong Kong Unesco Global Geopark.

Until now we have imagined Hong Kong as a large ultra-modern centre, where large skyscrapers alternate with markets with innovative technology products. But the city is also home to an incredible area, completely natural and dedicated to landscape and geology enthusiasts: it is the Hong Kong Unesco Global Geopark.

It is a portion of territory about an hour away from the center that contains a series of truly unique attractions. They range from hexagonal columns of volcanic rock to mangrove forests; from coral communities to temples revealing ancient cultures.

Furthermore, there are several fishing villages that can be reached by renting boats or by boarding the ferries. For those wishing to enjoy a little relaxation, however, it is possible to rent a kayak from Sha Ha Beach and paddle towards one of the many beaches on Sharp Island.

15. Macau.

Defined as the capital of gambling, not only in Asia, but throughout the world, it stands out for its very particular urban architecture, with a clear Portuguese reference (as it was a former colony of the European country), for a gastronomy completely opposite to that of Hong Kong and for the very humid tropical climate, influenced by the monsoons.

Macau is only an hour by ferry from Hong Kong and, since there are very extended opening hours, from early morning to late evening, it can without a doubt be considered a day trip, during which it is possible to visit many of the city's attractions.

Among the most important, the Guia Lighthouse (€0.50), located next to a fortress and the Senate Square (free), also in Portuguese style. If, on the other hand, we want to enjoy a panoramic view of Macao, we cannot fail to climb the Macao Tower, 338 meters high, with its 56 floors that house bars, restaurants and other businesses.

16. Warnings.

The myriad things to do in Hong Kong don't make it difficult to spend your time here. Here's what to avoid on holiday in Hong Kong.

Do not ride the Peak Tram. First opened in 1888, it was Asia's first funicular. A place full of attractions, long lines are a problem. Unless your goal is to waste a whole day in line, avoid going up.

Do not visit the bronze statue of the Big Buddha as it will take up a lot of time and you may not be able to see it once you get there.

Don't spend all your time visiting Hong Kong Island, which while full of fun, only shows one side of Hong Kong.

Do not take a taxi during rush hour, as you risk being stuck in traffic.