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From quirky markets and eccentric cafes to a vibrant street art scene; here is the ultimate guide for finding the best of Hong Kong off the beaten path.
With its rich and complex cultural heritage, Hong Kong is a place of great contrasts and is full of surprises. If you are planning to visit, we have some recommendations for you to enjoy Hong Kong off the beaten path: unique sites, offbeat places to eat, and fun things to do.
Back in the day, Hong Kong used to be a sparsely populated area with some farming and fishing villages. And for almost 150 years, it was a British colony. Until it became a Special Administrative Region of China in 1997. Today, Hong Kong is a major connection hub in East Asia, one of the world’s most important financial centers and the fourth most densely populated region on Earth. So it is no wonder why travelers from all over the world come to experience its diverse spirit and culture.
Hong Kong Off the Beaten Path
Unique Places in Hong Kong
1. The Nan Lian Garden
Set amidst high-rise apartment buildings, the Nan Lian Garden covers an area of 3.5 hectares. This Chinese classical garden was designed in the Tang Dynasty style. If you are looking for a place to escape the busy urban pace of Kowloon, this well-kept park is a peaceful oasis.
The park was built in 2006, so it’s relatively new. From the entrance, there is a path that circles the garden and takes you through all the main highlights: lily ponds, cascades, galleries, pavilions, terraces, bridges, etc. This is definitely a great spot to take some nice photos.
Also, you can easily combine a visit to the nearby Chi Lin Nunnery, an impressive Buddhist complex also built in the Tang dynasty style. It was originally built in the 1930s, but it was rebuilt in 1998. And no nails were used in its construction, it is all made of wood.
Good to Know
To get there, take the MTR (Green Line) to Diamond Hill and take exit C2. Then, you just need to walk a couple of minutes to get to the garden. Entrance to the park is free. Make sure to check the permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Opening hours: every day from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.
2. Hong Kong’s Quirky Markets
Hong Kong’s street market culture is legendary and you can find many lively markets specialized in anything from electronics and cheap clothing to goldfish and anything in between. These are some of the quirkiest:
- Chop Alley: located in Sheung Wan, this street (officially called Man Wa Lane) is filled small printing shops, where you can order business cards. However, what makes this place special are its chop-makers. A chop is a personalized stamp carved in jade, usually with the owner’s initials. If you are looking for an original souvenir this is the place to go!
- Flower Market: Hong Kong’s famous flower market is not that odd, but it’s so pretty! This colorful and fragrant market offers a great contrast to bustling city life.
- Cat Street: usually referred to as an antique market, you’ll find mostly trinkets and quirky souvenirs. If you are looking for authentic antiques, better go elsewhere. Still, this is a good place for treasure hunting.
- Jade Market: the place to shop for anything made of jade, which signifies good luck and prosperity in Chinese culture. Many people wear jade it to ward off bad luck.
Good to Know
Don’t hesitate to haggle in the bigger markets, especially if you are buying mass-produced goods. Foreigners are usually charged more, so it’s OK to negotiate. Keep in mind that most markets are closed on Sunday.
Opening hours: The Flower Market is open daily from 7 am to 7 pm. The Cat Street market is open from 11 am to 7 pm from Monday to Saturday. The Jade Market is open from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
3. Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
Located in Sha Tin, in the New Territories, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is built on the side of a steep hill. So you will have to climb a lot of stairs to get to it, but it’s worth the effort. As you walk up, the way is lined with unique golden Buddha statues, each featuring a different expression and character.
The complex at the top includes five temples, four pavilions, one verandah, and a 9 story pagoda. There is also a small vegetarian restaurant and a gift shop. And the panoramic view of Sha Tin is wonderful. But beware of the food-stealing monkeys!
Good to Know
The entrance to the path that leads to the monastery is not well-marked, so make sure you know where you need to go beforehand. In summer, it can get hot and humid, so don’t forget to bring water. Also, if you’d prefer to take photos without other people, it’s best to arrive early or just before closing time. Still, this place doesn’t get too crowded, though. Admission is free.
Opening hours: from 9 am to 5 pm.
4. Edward Youde Aviary
Set in Hong Kong Park, next to the Botanical Garden, the Edward Youde Aviary was built over a natural valley in Central, in the heart of Hong Kong. This peaceful oasis in the middle of the city is perfect to escape the busy urban pace for a moment.
Here, you can stroll on a raised walkway (wheelchair accessible) and watch exotic birds from many levels. The aviary is home to about 70 different bird species, some of which are endangered.
Good to Know
Entrance is free, so you can come as often as you like.
Opening hours: every day from 9 am to 5 pm.
5. Man Mo Temple
Located in Central as well, the Man Mo Temple was built by wealthy Chinese merchants in the mid-19th century. This fascinating little temple pays tribute to the God of Literature (Man Cheong) and the God of War (Mo Tai).
The Temple is a fine example of the traditional Chinese vernacular architecture and features some exquisite decorations that reflect impressive craftsmanship, such as ceramic figurines, granite, and wood carvings, wood carvings, and murals. If you are in the area, it is worth it to make the detour to enjoy a welcome respite in its serene atmosphere.
Good to Know
There is no entrance fee.
Opening hours: every day from 8 am to 6 pm.
6. Kam Shan Country Park
Located north of Kowloon, Kam Shan Country Park is famous for the macaque monkeys that roam the area. It is also known as Monkey Hill since they are everywhere! There are a few trails that you can take to explore the area, as well as a family walk.
Good to Know
Some of the monkeys can be quite aggressive and boldly try to steal your food, so be careful. And remember that it’s actually forbidden to feed them and you could get a fine from doing so.
7. Chungking Mansions
Built in 1961, this building complex is a maze of shops, restaurants, and cheap guesthouses. The Chungking Mansions can be rough and overwhelming, so it is not the best place to visit for the faint-hearted or if you are traveling with children. Still, this buzzing melting pot offers quite a cultural experience for the more adventurous travelers.
Good to Know
There are many really cheap budget guesthouses in the Chungking Mansions. If you are considering staying here, look around because some are better than others. Also, beware of pick-pockets.
Planning a Trip? Here are some things you should know before going to Hong Kong.
Offbeat Hong Kong: Where to Eat & Drink
1. Cooked Food Centres
In the 1960s, the Hong Kong government decided to move street food vendors (the traditional dai pai dong) to indoor locations in order to improve sanitary conditions and ease street traffic. And that’s how Cooked Food Centres (CFC) started to rise.
Usually located on the top floor of most of the municipal buildings that house wet markets, CFC showcase the typical flavors of Cantonese cuisine at cheap prices. The food served is prepared using fresh ingredients straight from the wet markets and these places are usually packed with locals. So cooked food centers offer a quintessential Hong Kong eating experience that you definitely should not miss.
Good to Know
Be aware that quality among CFC can vary greatly, so it is worth to do some research to find out about the best places. Some of the top cooked food centers in Hong Kong include the ones on Bowrington Road, Tung Po, and Tai Po. The last two were featured in Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations. For a great list with more recommendations go here.
2. Tai Wo Tang Cafe
Housed in what used to be a traditional Chinese medicine store, the Tai Wo Tang café combines many details from its past with clean and modern design. Located in bustling Kowloon City, the cafe opened in late 2018 and became an instant hit with its unique atmosphere.
The renown medicine store was in operation for eighty years, providing remedies for many clients, which included some local politicians and celebrities. Many of the store’s original details, such as the old medicine cabinet, have been preserved.
Good to Know
The cafe serves breakfast classics all day long. Keep in mind that the locale is small, so it can get busy sometimes. To avoid the crowds, it is best to visit early in the mornings.
Fun Things to Do in Hong Kong
1. Sail on a Junk Boat
Junk boats are traditional Chinese sailing boats that have been around for many centuries. Their fiery red sails set against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s modern skyline are something beautiful to see. However, there aren’t that many traditional junks sailing around Hong Kong anymore. In fact, if you see the iconic red sails in the bay, it is very likely you are seeing one of two vessels: the Duk Ling or the Aqua Luna.
Sailing on a traditional Chinese junk is one of the most unique things to do in Hong Kong. But you’ll need to plan ahead because the sailing opportunities are limited. Also, these days, the term junk is used to describe any Hong Kong boat charter. So if you want the most authentic experience, make sure you are booking a ride on either of the vessels mentioned above.
Good to Know
The Duk Ling (which translates to Holy Duck) is the oldest traditional junk in Hong Kong. It sails daily around Victoria Harbour. The cruise takes about 45 minutes and you can board either at Tsim Sha Tsui Pier 1 or Central Pier 9. Prices start at HK $320 (about $41 USD) for adults. And you can book a regular day cruise or an evening cruise during A Symphony of Lights, a spectacular laser light show with music that takes place in the harbor every night.
On the other hand, the Aqualuna offers a hop-on-hop-off loop tour of the harbor with four stops. The service is available from 12 pm to 5 pm and a day pass that includes unlimited rides is HK $120 (about $21 USD). In the evenings, you can choose from different tours, including one to see the laser show and a Dim Sum dining option. Tickets start at HK $126 (about $27 USD).
2. Go Hiking
For such a densely populated place, it is surprising to find so many great hiking possibilities for all levels. For example, The Dragon’s Back is a scenic mellow hike that is easily accessible. But keep in mind that it’s also one of the most popular hikes in Hong Kong, so it can get quite crowded at times.
If you want something more challenging, head to Lantau Island and summit Hong Kong’s second tallest peak; which stands at 934 m.a.s.l. For the ultimate hiking experience though, have a go at the MacLehose Trail. National Geographic featured this 100 km trail as one of the world’s best. And if you don’t have time to hike the whole way, you can choose to do some of its eight sections.
Good to Know
For more information about some of the different trails that you can hike, go here.
3. Check Out the Street Art
Hong Kong’s street art scene just keeps getting better and better, thanks in part to HKwalls — a non-profit arts organization that promotes the local street art scene. Each year in March, they hold a street art festival that invites local and international street artists to come to paint the walls in a different neighborhood.
In 2019, for their 6th edition, the festival is focusing on the Wan Chai area. In previous editions, the festival has covered walls in Sham Shui Po, Wong Chuk Hang, Central, and Western District.
Good to Know
For maps showing the location of some of the HKwalls murals, click here for the 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015 editions.
4. Experience Life in Darkness
Dialogue in the Dark is an innovative exhibition that gives visitors the chance to experience different situations of daily life in total darkness. The idea is to offer some insight into what is like to be visually-impaired and to show that, even without vision, the world can be a very enjoyable place.
Good to Know
Besides the standard tour, you can also try other related activities, such as experiences for couples, dinner in the dark, birthday parties as well as family tours.
Places to Escape the City
1. Hong Kong Geopark
You don’t have to be a geologist to enjoy a visit to the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, which is world-famous for its volcanic hexagonal rock columns. Scientists have estimated that some of these rock formations developed some 400 millions of years ago.
The park consists of several sites spread over two main parts: Sai Kung with its volcanic rock formations and the sedimentary rock region in northeast New Territories. From the Geopark, you can hike several well-marked trails of varying difficulty to explore the area, including Part 1 of the MacLehose Trail.
However, some of the most impressive volcanic rock columns can only be viewed by boat, so it is best to join a tour, which lasts about three hours and takes you to see the main highlights.
Good to Know
It’s not really easy to get there independently, which is part of the charm. So sometimes is best to book a tour. Don’t forget to bring water and snacks!
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm, on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm.
So there you have them, if you are planning to visit Hong Kong it is worth it to go beyond the obvious and get off the beaten path.
Map of Hong Kong
Click on the map, to see the addresses and contact details for these unusual things to do in Hong Kong.
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Photo Credits
Cover and second pin image courtesy of Anthony Intraversato via Unsplash.
First pin image courtesy of Jen Loong via Unsplash.
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Have you been to Hong Kong? Which other unusual things to do or interesting Hong Kong attractions would you recommend? Share your tips in the comments section :)
Bianca Bauza
Travel Writer
Bianca is a world citizen who spent almost four years traveling around South America and Europe. Her passions include photography, street art, outdoor sports, and cooking exotic dishes. She’s now based in the Netherlands where she lives with her partner and young daughter. She still enjoys traveling, on her own or with her family, and is always looking for an opportunity to see new places.
Awesome tips. My parents are traveling to Hong kong in the coming week. Will bookmark this article for them. Thanks for sharing.