X
VIEW ALL RESULTS
VIEW ALL RESULTS
    X
    X
    VIEW ALL RESULTS
    VIEW ALL RESULTS
      • Professional Services

      Forbes Travel Guide Stories

      Attractions and Landmarks, Destinations

      10 Top Hong Kong Attractions
      By Correspondent Kate Springer

      December 7, 2017

      Home to 7.3 million-plus people, Hong Kong is small compared to other Asian cities, however, the Chinese territory moves at breakneck pace, constantly refreshing itself with new restaurants, bars and buildings.

      Whether choosing epic city views at the Peak, an Old World afternoon tea at The Peninsula Hong Kong, sky-high cocktails, dazzling architecture and art or famous foot massages, you will love the dynamic experiences in this cosmopolitan hub. There’s an endless list of things to do in Hong Kong, but these are 10 of our favorites.

      Walk to the Peak

      Victoria Peak is famous for a reason — it’s not only one of the oldest neighborhoods in Hong Kong, but it also boasts panoramic views of the city, reservoirs and outlying islands. To reach the mountaintop, take the 19th-century Peak Tram or hike up the shady Morning Trail and then amble around the Circle Walk.

      Take the Star Ferry

      The iconic green and white Star Ferry has been shuttling Hongkongers across Victoria Harbour since the late 1800s. In addition to the double-decker’s usual commuter route from Central and Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui, on the Kowloon Peninsula, the ferry also provides scenic circular tours of the harbor — a relaxing way to spend an hour and avoid the jostling crowds.

      High Tea at The Peninsula Hong Kong. Credit: The Peninsula Hong Kong

      Sit Down for High Tea

      A British colony for 150 years, Hong Kong has assimilated many cultural experiences from England, including a penchant for extravagant high tea. The decadent experience at Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star The Peninsula Hong Kong is the grande dame of them all.

      Sit down in the resplendent lobby, with its frescoes and regal pillars, and get ready for white-gloved service, handmade pastries, pewter tea sets and violins playing in the background.

      The Oriental Spa at The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. Credit: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

      Relax with a Foot Massage

      Of course, there are dozens of cheap and cheerful massage parlors in Hong Kong, where an excellent acupressure rubdown costs roughly $20 to $30. But for a unique experience, head to The Mandarin Barber at the Five-Star Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong.

      Patronized almost exclusively by men, this intimate spot provides an unforgettable foot service: the Shanghainese Pedicure, where experts sculpt nails and shave dead skin away with scalpels and straight-edge razors.

      Also worth a splurge is the Bastien Gonzalez Duo pedicure experience at the Five-Star Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. This technical pedicure is followed by a four-hand (two-person) hand and foot massage, which will leave you feeling like you’re walking on air.

      Lung King Heen. Credit: Four Seasons Hotels

      Try Posh Cantonese Cuisine

      To taste the best of Cantonese cuisine, go to one of Hong Kong’s most prestigious restaurants. Stunning dishes and harbor views await at Five-Star Lung King Heen, inside Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong.

      Nearby, Five-Star Man Wah at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is a romantic address, featuring city vistas, Peking duck and delicately prepared dim sum.

      And across the water, Four-Star Tin Lung Heen, on the 102nd floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, offers a spectacular atmosphere and signatures such as steamed crab claw, barbecued Iberico pork with honey, and shrimp dumplings with black truffle.

      Mott 32 Spread. Credit: Mott 32

      Devour Old-School Dim Sum

      Much of Hong Kong’s social and dining culture revolves around dim sum. There are plenty of upscale dim sum spots around town, including Mott 32 and Dim Sum Library. But if you’re craving an old-school experience, then you can’t go wrong with Maxim’s Palace at City Hall, Lin Heung Tea House in Central, Saam Hui Yaat in Pok Fu Lam, or LockCha Tea House inside Hong Kong Park.

      Head to the Islands

      Hong Kong is home to more than 260 outlying islands — each with its own personality. A few of the easiest to reach are Lantau Island, home to water buffalo and amazing hiking trails; Lamma, known for its laid-back village life and alfresco seafood restaurants; and Cheung Chau, which is perfect for a bike ride or hike through the mountains.

      Many of the islands can be reached from the Central Ferry Pier, with rides ranging from about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

      City View at Tosca. Credit: The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company LLC

      Dine with a View

      Many of Hong Kong’s best restaurants frame Victoria Harbour and the surrounding skyscrapers. For city vistas and impeccable French food, snag a table at Amber, a Five-Star restaurant inside the Landmark Mandarin.

      On the opposite side of the harbor, Four-Star Tosca restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong lures in diners with its elegant Italian fare and skyline views from the 102nd floor.

      Anchoring the eastern side of Hong Kong Harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui, newly rebranded Rech by Alain Ducasse at the Five-Star InterContinental Hong Kong spoils you with fresh seafood, aged Camembert and front-row seats to the harbor.

      And, of course, beloved Felix bar and restaurant at The Peninsula Hong Kong is not to be missed. The Philippe Starck-designed space does modern European dishes and specialty cocktails like no other.

      Cat Street Gallery. Credit: Cat Street Gallery

      Hunt for Art

      Home to Art Basel, the Asia Contemporary Art Show, Art Central and dozens of galleries, Hong Kong is fast becoming a destination for contemporary and classic art. Big names such as Gagosian and White Cube saddle up alongside more indie, experimental spaces, such as Para Site, Above Second and The Cat Street Gallery.

      To see a bit of everything, roam through a few floors of galleries at the colonial-era Pedder Building in Central; stroll west on Hollywood Road; or venture into burgeoning areas such as Wong Chuk Hang, on southern Hong Kong Island, where warehouse galleries and pop-up spaces abound.

      Limewood on Repulse Bay. Credit: Limewood

      Hit the Beach

      With its subtropical climate and miles of coastline, Hong Kong is a surprisingly great destination for a beach getaway. The most happening spots of sand are along the southern coastline of Hong Kong Island, in areas such as Shek O, Stanley and Repulse Bay, where a new mega complex of trendy restaurants, shops and bars sits pretty right on the beach.

      But the cleanest beaches are up north in Sai Kung, along the hard-to-reach Tai Long Wan bay. A hike here traces rolling hills to beach after beach, each more pristine than the next. But if you’re short on time, there are also boats for hire in Sai Kung town.

      Share
      Tweet
      Pin
      Share
      Amber Felix Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong Hong Kong InterContinental Hong Kong Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong Lung King Heen Man Wah Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong Rech by Alain Ducasse The Peninsula Hong Kong The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong Tin Lung Heen Tosca
      by Correspondent Kate Springer 

      About Correspondent Kate Springer

      View all posts by Correspondent Kate Springer

      Related Posts

      • Rosewood Hong KongLook Inside Hong Kong’s Largest Suite
      • The Colony HotelHotels And High-End Brands Unite To Elevate Luxury Travel
      • JW Marriott Mauritius ResortForbes Travel Guide’s 2025 Star Award Winners
      • Hong Kong's Gaddi'sMeet The Peninsula Hong Kong’s Secret Culinary Weapon

      Copyright © 2025 · Prima Donna theme by Georgia Lou Studios

      Dreaming of your next trip?

      Let us inspire you with weekly special offers and stories about what's new and exciting in luxury travel.
      THANK YOU! CONFIRMATION EMAIL SENT.
      You can withdraw your consent at any time. Visit our Privacy Policy and Terms or Contact Us for more information.

      Sign up for our newsletter

      * indicates required