Ultimate Guide To Hong Kong: Part 2

Ultimate Guide to Hong Kong: Part 2

By Anna Purpurpurpur

Happy New Lunar year of the Fire Horse which starts on the 17th of February 2026 – let’s celebrate it with a new article about Hong Kong!

Hong Kong might be small, but its significance in merging West and East is enormous.

The first time we visited was in 2020, and five years later we returned to explore more of this SAR of China.

Many things have changed, but still Hong Kong remains a unique destination.

Following our new trip, I prepared the second part of the places to see there, and I’m pretty sure that there are enough spots to cover the third part as well (just to mention Ocean Park, Global Geopark, and some photogenic spots!).

See my selection of spots to see, and of course, don’t miss the first 20 landmarks and some delicacies you have yo try here!

21. Tai Kwun

Tai Kwun is a former Central Police Station Compound built in the 19th and 20th centuries by the British.

This complex consisted of numerous buildings and included the police station, Central Magistracy, and Victoria Gaol. Now, this symbol of British administrative power has been turned into a national monument and is home to numerous shops, restaurants, and art exhibitions. During our visit, we admired the photography exhibition Book of Changes: The Art of Basil Pao.

And of course, you can learn about its history here – especially at the Victoria prison and the Prison yard with the Waiting pavilion installation by Alicija Kwade.

I was surprised by how crowded this spot gets (probably because of the gorgeous Christmas decorations and gastro venues) – it’s clearly very popular!

Here in Tai Kwun, we accidentally found the best spot for dim sum too: Madame Fu-Grand Cafe Chinois is a must-stop if you’d like to spend some time with quality views in a historical building – a real gem.

22. Hong Kong Observation Wheel

You’ve probably seen images of the Hong Kong Ferris wheel, as it’s one of the city’s most famous landmarks!

It opened in 2014 and is located in the central part of the city on Hong Kong Island. The Wheel has 42 gondolas and stands 60 metres high, and your ride lasts 15 minutes (three rotations around) – and for around $21 (160 Hong Kong dollars), you can hire a private cabin! The views of the skyscrapers of Hong Kong, the Victoria Harbour, and the piers are spectacular – and I presume they might be even better in the evening!

Around the Wheel, there is AIA Vitality Hub and a large entertainment area to explore.

23. The Hong Kong Museum of Art

The Hong Kong Museum of Art, sitting right on Tsim Sha Tsui, is the main destination for those who want to admire the best of Chinese art: porcelain, calligraphy and various scripts, jade pieces, and modern drawings and sculptures.

Initially, the museum was established in 1963, and now its collection includes about 17,000 items! Art objects are presented in a very aesthetic environment, contributing to better visitors’ perception.

We were lucky to visit the temporary ‘Engaging Past Wisdom: Min Chiu Society at Sixty-five’ exhibition – it’s a must-see if you’d like to observe how ordinary everyday objects were transformed into art pieces during various periods of Chinese history.

And the views from the museum over the Harbour are just amazing as well!

24. Temple Street

Temple Street near Yau Ma Tei is one of the liveliest parts of Hong Kong because of the night market!

You can try so many delicacies here: dim sums, durian pancakes, fresh and fried seafood, skewers, Tanghulu candied fruits (my personal favorite since my Shanghai visit), and even some dishes from other Asian cuisines.

Besides that, you can buy cheap goods here, such as clothes, fans, plastic goods mimicking jade, labubu dolls, etc.

25. Hong Kong Space Museum

The Hong Kong Space Museum is one of the iconic buildings of the city, made in a spherical shape of a planet (or an egg, depending on your imagination)!

Inside, you can watch one of the scientific movies shown in the movie theatre or visit the exhibition halls. You can learn here about the Big Bang, other planets and galaxies, space exploration – there are numerous interactive displays to try! Your kids will love it.

26. Dukling

A junk boat ride is a symbol of Hong Kong, and when it comes to rides, your options are quite limited.

Last time, we took a trip on Aqua Luna, and this time we opted for Dukling!

This is actually a real restored fishing boat that was built in Macau in 1955. This is the last original boat operating in Hong Kong – all others, including Aqua Luna, are replicas.

To be honest, it’s much better to watch the A Symphony of Lights show from the boat; it looks much better from the water! The show takes place daily at 8 PM at the Victoria Harbour.

27. Nan Lian Garden

Looking for a tranquil oasis in busy Hong Kong?

Nan Lian Garden is a gorgeous landscaped area designed in Tang Dynasty style, which lasted from the 7th to the 10th century and is considered a golden age for China.

The garden opened in 2006 and is surrounded by skyscrapers – not a scene you encounter frequently. It’s so different from the rest of the city however it fits the unique heritage of Hong Kong perfectly.

You can explore the Golden Pavilion of Absolute Perfection with two red bridges over the blue pond with koi, Long Man Lou waterfall with a restaurant, a cafe, a tea house, and a few galleries. Although some buildings are closed to visitors, you’ll get a chance to explore a big part of the garden anyway.

Besides that, you can learn here about the skillful wooden architectural techniques that allowed builders to erect wooden buildings in ancient China without nails.

28. Chi Lin Nunnery

Across the road from Nan Lian Garden, you can find another hidden gem of Hong Kong, Chi Lin Nunnery. Actually, the establishment of the garden was initiated by this institution.

This Buddhist nunnery was founded in 1934, but it was rebuilt again in Tang Dynasty architectural style in 1998.

This place is famous for its lotus ponds – and they are truly magical, with water lilies and lotuses here covering the water surface like a multicolored precious carpet!

You can also walk through the colonnaded courtyard and see the halls during your visit.

29. Maritime Museum of Hong Kong

The Maritime Museum of Hong Kong is a must-visit because you can’t imagine the history of this place separated from the history of navigation.

The museum sits on the waterfront at Central Ferry Pier 8 and overlooks Victoria Harbour. Inside, you can learn about all aspects of maritime history in Hong Kong: scientific knowledge, boat models, trade, and wars.

Your journey starts from the earliest boats built by the Chinese and ends with the handover and the modern vessels.

30. Wan Chai

The Wan Chai is a very special district of Hong Kong to the side of the Central and across the harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui and the Avenue of the Stars where you can get a glimpse of Chinese traditions hidden among the skyscapers.

You can arrive here by boat (for instance, by star ferry – head to Wan Chai instead of the Central!) or just arrive by foot walking around the Hong Kong Island. The area offers not only impeccable views over Kowloon from the promenade but also a few landmarks.

And there’s more! For instance, you can explore the outdoor markets where vendors sell flowers, souvenirs, and clothes.

Also, spot a tiny white building on Queen’s Road East – it’s the Old Wan Chai Post Office, the oldest remaining post office in Hong Kong: it opened in 1915 and was in use until 1992.

Close by, there is Wan Chai Market; it’s a ‘wet market’ where locals shop – and you can find fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, and fish. It’s less touristy than Temple Street, so you can just observe a real local market here.

The Blue House is another historical landmark nearby, famous for its preserved architectural style (as well as the Yellow House not far away) – it used to be known as a spot for traditional Chinese clinics.

Lunch at Dynasty at the Renaissance Harbour View HK nearby is a great option too: rice, dim sum, and duck tongues are so good; you have to try them.

31. Gold Bauhinia Monument

Bauhinia × blakeana is a hybrid HK orchid tree; it’s a symbol of the city and is featured on their flag. If you’re in the Wan Chai area, explore the Gold Bauhinia Monument!

This spot gained special significance after the handover of Hong Kong from the British to China in 1997, and this is exactly where the daily flag-raising ceremony takes place, right beside the Bauhinia monument. The monument sits on the picturesque promenade occupied mostly by fishermen and tourists.

32. Lee Tung Avenue

Lee Tung Avenue is a rare pedestrian street in Hong Kong, and you can leisurely stroll there, enjoying a variety of shops and cafes. This area was also known as Wedding Card Street because many printing shops were located here.

We also found it gorgeously decorated for Christmas.

33. Hong Kong Museum of Science

The Hong Kong Museum of Science, located close to the Hong Kong Museum of History, is another place you might want to visit. Overall, there are around 500 exhibits, and almost all of them are interactive: you have to push buttons, turn wheels, and press images, etc. Kids love this!

Part of the exposition is closed for renovation, but you can still visit the Magnetic and Electric Fields sections and Natural Sciences, where you learn about earthquakes, tsunamis, the geography of our planet, and so on. On the top floor, there’s also a children’s gallery where kids play and learn at the same time. It reminded me a bit of the OliOli museum in Dubai or Qatar (but it feels a bit older).

34. MaiLok Studio

If you plan to visit Victoria Peak (and you probably do – the Victoria Peak is the highest hill on Hong Kong Island, reaching up to 552 metres), don’t miss the MaiLok Studio.

This is a nostalgic small venue with objects that used to be popular in the 70s and 80s of the last century. It’s located at Victoria Peak Station itself, among shops and cafes.

Get Ruby Pass to get access to it combined with the Peak observation platform 428 for the best views.

Actually, the Peak Tram has undergone a massive upgrade since our last visit, and the tram station looks pretty modern now, and the tram itself is now Disney-themed for Christmas.

We opted for lunch there at Petit Jardin – their take of traditional Shanghai cuisine is amazing but be ready to queue if you arrive at the peak time!

35. St. John Cathedral and French mission building

Stop by St. John Cathedral, one of the five main cathedrals of Hong Kong. It was built in the middle of the 19th century – and it’s said to be always open during the daytime for those who might need to come here.

Right opposite, there is a former French mission building erected in 1917 in red brick and granite – from 1997 til 2015, it housed the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong.

36. Station Rail Voyage

The Station Rail Voyage is the museum for all transport enthusiasts and kids, where you can learn about the history of Hong Kong’s train transport system since 1910, when the Kowloon-Canton Railway opened.

Here, you can learn about the main events linked to the rail system covering all 18 districts of Hong Kong; personal stories of people who do various jobs here; and also visit the old trains right on the tracks!

And don’t forget to book online in advance, as you can’t get tickets on site!

37. Disneyland Hong Kong

Disneyland Hong Kong celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025, and we simply had to pay them a visit! It was the first Disneyland experience for George, and this was part of his Christmas present.

Important: We got here pretty early because I got the early access park tickets and also the premier access, which gives you a quicker queue to the eight most popular attractions as well as a better viewpoint at parades. You might consider this option as well however I must note that overall queues seem much shorter here than in Disneyland Paris.

The park is divided into eight areas which you can ex[lore in any order coming back to the Disney castle or visiting them one by one.

These zones are Main Street and the U.S.A. upon your entry; Fantasyland dedicated to the princesses; Adventureland with Tarzan, Zootopia, etc.; Tomorrowland mostly dedicated to superheroes and Marvel; Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, Toy Story Land, and World of Frozen, the latest addition.

I can totally see why the Frozen part is extremely popular: the attractions and the food are great. They actually built the village of Arendelle here. So many rides for kids of all ages!

It was also my first time attending a parade – it was fun, with different characters singing and dancing there: we spotted princesses, Zootopia, Duffy bears, Encanto, and of course Mickey Mouse and his friends. Besides that, there were some other live performances during tour visit.

In addition, you can also ride a train from the main station around the whole territory of Disney Park. Don’t miss the opportunity to try delicious goodies, from the cutest ice creams to various themed desserts. Omg, this is a matryoshka doll marshmallow in the Russian room of one of the restaurants.

38. Antique Street and Cat Street

Antique Street on Hollywood Road, one of the oldest roads in Hong Kong, is another destination for tourists. In the past, it was located close to the harbour (there is quite a large reclaimed land extension now), and European sailors used to buy here Chinese goods. If you’re looking for something with historical background, there are shops with precious items on sale.

On the Cat street (Upper Lascar street) nearby can find stalls here selling cheap (or at least reasonably priced) souvenirs like gua sha tools, Buddhah statues, zodiac figurines, trays, and vases. However,

Famous Man Mo temple (it’s covered in my previous post) is located nearby, so you can tick off two landmarks at once.

39. Old Supreme Court Building

The building of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal (it was moved here in 2017), or Old Supreme Court Building under British rule, is one of the signature buildings remaining in Hong Kong from its past life as a British colony. It was erected from 1900 to 1912 and designed by prominent British architects Aston Webb and Ingress Bell.

In winter, it’s one of the principal spots for Christmas celebrations with a futuristic Christmas tree, photo zones, and large light installations. The illumination show highlights the skyscrapers around it – we had the best views from our hotel suite (see below).

40. Jamia Mosque

While exploring Hong Kong, at some point you’re sure to see the Jamia Mosque, the oldest mosque in the city, dating to 1915-1916. It was commissioned by a Bombay merchant Mohamed Essack Elias to replace a previous, smaller, mosque dating to 1849.

The easiest way to get there is to enjoy the ride on the longest escalator in the world (last time, it was partly closed for refurbishment, but we made really good use of it this time -and yes, it’s extremely handy!).

For more islamic architecture in Hong Kong, head to the Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre.

Where to Stay in Hong Kong

For our second time in Hong Kong, we stayed at the iconic Mandarin Oriental for a few nights (there are two MO hotels in Hong Kong – there is also the MO Landmark; however, this is the original one).

We stayed in a fantastic Harbour view suite decorated with traditional Chinese ornaments and pieces of decoration. The skincare they provide guests with is from Diptyque.

The bathroom with a panoramic view over the harbour is just incredible! Oh, and did I mention that it’s one of the 50 best hotels in the world in 2025?