Places to Visit & Things to Do in Hong Kong

The bustling international gateway that is Hong Kong – home to 7.4 million people – is a cluster of islands, where dense urban areas are surrounded by greenery. The city is alive with tastes, sights, sounds, and, not least, fantastic shopping opportunities.

Sights & Attractions in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s skyline is the star attraction, especially at night when illuminated by neon lights. On a clear evening, take the Peak Tram up to the island’s highest point for an iconic view from Sky Terrace 428, located in The Peak Tower. Then take the Star Ferry from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui and enjoy the panorama from the harbour as you sail across. Or head over to the ICC in West Kowloon, to observe the city from 100 storeys up from the Sky100 Observation Deck. For a taste of old Hong Kong, hop on a ferry to one of the outlying islands: car-free Cheung Chau offers temples, fresh seafood, and an annual bun festival in late May. It’s also home to Cheung Po Tsai cave, said to be the loot hiding place of a 19th century pirate. Over on Lantau Island, the Tian Tan Buddha and Tai O fishing village are worth a trip. Macau, the Las Vegas of the East, is only an hour away by ferry from Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan. Sample mouth-watering food from places like authentic Portuguese Fernando’s and Michelin-starred Jade Dragon. Then soak up the old-world charm of the Portuguese-style architecture of this former colony. History buffs shouldn’t miss the Ruins of St. Paul’s next to Mount Fortress in Macau’s historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Art & Culture in Hong Kong

To experience the city’s thriving contemporary art scene in full swing, visit during the annual edition of Art Basel in Hong Kong, usually held in March. The prestigious fair ushers in a week-long whirlwind of exhibitions, parties, performances and more. Spend an afternoon wandering the galleries in the neoclassical Pedder Building where names such as Gagosian and Pearl Lam have set up shop. Pay a visit to Tai Kwun, Hong Kong’s Centre for Heritage and Arts in the restored Central Police Station complex (a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Award winner) for inspiring exhibitions, performances and workshops. If photography is your thing, Blue Lotus gallery is also worth a visit, featuring the works of Greg Girard and Fan Ho, both highly acclaimed for their photographs of Hong Kong. In Tsim Sha Tsui, the Space, Science and History Museums are within walking distance of each other. For a unique cultural treat, venture to the easternmost part of Hong Kong Island for the Museum of Coastal Defence – a converted fort full of intriguing exhibits, including hidden ammo stores and a preserved wartime torpedo.

Shopping in Hong Kong

You could spend weeks in the city and never leave a mall, so plentiful are the opportunities for shopping, sampling and spending. For luxury labels, start with high-end Lane Crawford, with its flagship store located at IFC Mall, and Harvey Nichols at the Landmark. Pacific Place is also a go-to spot for luxury brands as well as high-end beauty. It’s home to the hip Lab Concept, where you’ll find Free People and Urban Outfitters, and Chinese label MO&Co. For home-grown style and a street-level vibe, head to Gough Street in Soho or Star Street in Wan Chai. The Jade Market in Yau Ma Tei is great for souvenirs, while the Flower Market in nearby Prince Edward is a sight to behold, especially in the lead up to Chinese New Year (January or February), as families flock to fill their homes with plants that bring good luck and fortune.

Food and Drink in Hong Kong

With 200-plus Michelin-rated restaurants and a steady stream of new openings, foodies are spoiled for choice. Lung King Heen at the Four Seasons and T’ang Court each boast three Michelin stars. For a really authentic meal, look no further than a bowl of wonton noodle soup at Mak’s Noodle on Wellington Street, which has been serving the iconic dish since the 1960s. A visit to Hong Kong is not complete without a round of dim sum: Cuisine Cuisine at IFC Mall offers a contemporary take on the Cantonese lunchtime tradition, while San Xi Lou in Causeway Bay serves the classics with a Sichuan kick. For a trendy look, Mott 32 is our pick, and for old-school trolley service, head to Maxim’s at City Hall. The British introduced afternoon tea to Hong Kong but the city has given this ritual its own culinary spin. The Peninsula hotel’s Lobby and Clipper Lounge at the Mandarin are the go-to spots. Head to The Peak Lookout for lunch with spectacular vistas. Rooftop bars are hugely popular in Hong Kong, too. Sevva, and Sugar at the top of EAST Hong Kong offer the best views. Underground watering holes and speakeasies are on the rise: try Foxglove for great jazz and an art deco vibe.

Unique to Hong Kong

An hour’s ferry ride from Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan is the former Portuguese colony of Macau. Known as Asia’s Las Vegas, the eclectic city offers glitzy casinos, luxury hotels and world-class shows such as the House of Dancing Water – not to mention Michelin-starred restaurants Jade Dragon and The Tasting Room. There’s more to it than gambling and fine dining, however. Don’t miss the Ruins of St. Paul’s and the nearby Mount Fortress in For all its urban buzz, Hong Kong offers lots of opportunities to get outdoors. There are many country parks and nature reserves. Few Hong Kongers will turn down a weekend hike on one of its myriad trails. Tai Mo Shan Country Park has 1,440 hectares of nature and the famed Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls. Hiking is best in the cooler months of November to March. Springtime ushers in junk season – when boats can be rented for the day or overnight. As temperatures leap into the 30s and humidity is high, the water is the place to be. Beaches are packed in the warmer months, too (although the extra keen will swim year-round). Top spots include Repulse Bay on Hong Kong Island, and Pui O and Cheung Sha on Lantau.

Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR)

Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR): Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Charge Card Members and Centurion® Members. Platinum Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Platinum Charge Card Members or Centurion® Members, are not eligible for FHR program benefits. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property. The US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members travelling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, please call the number on the back of your Card.

The Hotel Collection Terms and Conditions

The Hotel Collection (THC): The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more, with participating properties, made through Platinum Travel Service, Centurion Travel Service or American Express Travel Online (americanexpress.com.au/travel or americanexpress.com.au/thc; Online bookings currently only available to Primary Card Members. Bookings are valid only for eligible Card Members of the following American Express Cards: American Express® Rewards Advantage Card, American Express® Explorer Credit Card, American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card, American Express® Gold Card, American Express® Gold Business Card, American Express® Business Gold Plus Card, American Express® Platinum Card, American Express® Platinum Business Card and American Express® Centurion Card. Excludes Gold Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Rewards Advantage, Gold or Platinum Charge Card Members. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

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