A dynamic destination like Hong Kong always has something new to discover. Even if you’ve visited a dozen times, the city will surprise you with its rich cultural experiences, hidden bars and stunning natural scenery.
If you’ve already explored the usual sights and activities — or simply want to see another side of things — dig deeper on your next visit with seven of Hong Kong’s best-kept secrets.
Plan a one-of-a-kind dinner date
In Central, dine like culinary royalty at Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star The Krug Room, hidden inside the Five-Star Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. It’s the only one outside France, and you’ll need help finding it.
A few minutes before your reservation begins, meet your server at The Chinnery then follow him through a swinging door and down a hallway lined with candles. Turn a corner, and an elegantly designed space that feels like an Old World train carriage appears out of nowhere. Offering a view of the buzzing hotel kitchen, the white marble table has just 12 seats. Book a few spots or the whole room to enjoy 10 to 14 artistic courses by executive chef Robin Zavou paired with Krug champagnes. Each multi-sensory course arrives with dramatic presentations and storytelling to delight your taste buds and spark your imagination.
If you can’t snag a dinner reservation, check out the Krug-tasting sessions on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, with delicious snacks from Zavou.
Travel back in time to Lai Chi Wo
Originally home to a community of Hakka people, an ethnic group that migrated from northern China, this 350-year-old walled village is one of the oldest and largest settlements in Hong Kong. Inside Lai Chi Wo, you’ll find more than 200 well-preserved houses, temples and ancestral halls, some of which have been remodeled into shops and cafés.
After admiring the architecture, follow the short Lai Chi Wo Nature Trail to explore the surrounding “fung shui” woods, farmlands and coastal mangrove forests. Fair warning: It’s a trek. The village is accessible via a scenic 10-mile hike or a 1.5-hour ferry service (from Ma Liu Shui Public Pier, about 30 minutes from Central), so plan your day trip in advance.
Weave in some textile history
If you’re a culture maven, you’ll undoubtedly have hot spots like Tai Kwun, PMQ and the West Kowloon Cultural District — home to M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum — on your radar. But if you’re keen to venture off the beaten path, head over to The Mills in Tsuen Wan, about 30 minutes on the MTR from Central. At this destination for heritage and innovation, industry giant Nan Fung Textiles Limited transformed its former cotton-spinning mills into a creative revitalization complex devoted to Hong Kong’s fashion and textile industry.
In addition to exploring fascinating relics, seasonal exhibitions, beautiful murals and architectural details at the textile heritage museum dubbed CHAT (Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile), you can partake in hands-on workshops and tours. Afterward, enjoy a meal at one of the artisanal restaurants or shop for eco-conscious lifestyle products and indie fashion on The Mills Shopfloor. One of the boutiques, Fabrica X, features creations from The Mills Fabrica, an accelerator for sustainable fashion technology and agri-food startups.
Take home a piece of porcelain
For Hong Kong souvenirs that you’ll treasure forever, find your way to Yuet Tung China Works. Concealed in a commercial building in Kowloon Bay, this treasure trove of hand-painted ceramics overflows with racks of high-quality porcelain, from decorative tableware to vases, lamp bases and even children’s cups and bowls.
Specializing in guang cai (a style of overglaze decoration dating to the Qing Dynasty), the family-run company was established nearly 100 years ago in 1928 and is one of the last of its kind in Hong Kong. Amid the store’s narrow aisles and jam-packed shelves, you’ll likely see an artist at work, hand-painting tiny flowers and animals onto delicate pieces.
Catch a delicious pop-up
Looking for a low-key night out? Don’t miss a chance to experience a pop-up dinner at Test Kitchen. Located in a cool, loft-style warehouse in Sai Ying Pun, a vibrant neighborhood west of Central, this experimental space invites chefs worldwide to showcase their limited-time menus.
Past experiences have included everything from a Danish pastry journey and Balinese feast to a farm-to-table menu by influential Hong Kong chef Devon Hou, who has worked at Five-Star establishments such as Amber and the Mandarin Grill + Bar.
Track down killer cocktails
Whether tucked away in nondescript commercial buildings or hidden behind playful facades, Hong Kong bars are fun to find. The city’s first speakeasy-style lounge, 001, recently moved from its original location amid the bustling market stalls on Graham Street to an even harder-to-find spot in Tai Kwun. Wander deep into a converted prison and navigate a maze of hallways, stairwells and seemingly identical black prison doors until you spot a discreet vintage doorbell — your ticket inside. Once you’re in, sip on a signature Earl Grey Martini, reminiscent of a gin sour, at this jazzy, jewel-toned cocktail bar.
While the night’s still young, slink over to Five-Star The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. Head up the stairs and step inside the vintage phone booth at the back of MO Bar. Push any button to enter PDT (Please Don’t Tell) — a collaboration with the famed New York cocktail bar. With just 25 seats, the intimate, wood-clad space feels a world away from the busy streets of Central.
Savor a Benton’s Old Fashion, a locally inspired gourmet hot dog (like the Typhoon Shelter Dog) and “Cheung Fun” tater tots to get the full experience. Alternatively, you can join one of the Sunday School cocktail masterclasses for a spirited day out.
Make a secret splash
If you love a great hike with sea views, plan a day trip to the Ap Lei Pai tide pool to see another side of Hong Kong. Take the MTR down to the South Side, near Aberdeen, and hop off at Lei Tung station (Exit B) on Ap Lei Chau island. Walk south on Lei Tung Estate Road until you see a McDonald’s on the left. Straight ahead, two yellow booths mark the start of the hidden trailhead. From there, follow the short but challenging 2.2-mile coastal loop. Steep concrete steps will take you up the hill, past a playground and onto a dirt trail over Mount Johnston, then across a narrow sandbar onto Ap Lei Pai island.
You’ll spot the white Mount Johnson Lighthouse at the island’s southern tip. Continue around the coastline, and you’ll find the tide pool about 350 feet to the right. Clamber down the rocks into the pool, soak up the serene atmosphere, then hire a local sampan boat or hike back to Aberdeen. There’s little shade on this hike, so we’d recommend going on an overcast day or early in the morning. Be sure to pack lots of water, gloves, shoes with good grip and sun protection.
