Hong Kong is known as the Pearl of the Orient and a mix of Eastern and Western world. Not only do you have an international city fill with skyscrapers and people, but there are quaint villages and traditional temples, too. A lot of people have the misconception that Hong Kong is a small place and can be done in a few days, but it isn’t true. In fact, I never fail to find new things to do every weekend since I’ve moved back a year or so ago. Now it begs to question: what exactly are the top things to do in Hong Kong? Here are my top 5:

A lot of people have the misconception that Hong Kong is a small place and can be done in a few days, but it isn’t true. In fact, I never fail to find new things to do every weekend since I’ve moved back a year or so ago. Now it begs to question: what exactly are the top things to do in Hong Kong? Here are my top 5:

Now it begs to question: what exactly are the top things to do in Hong Kong? Here are my top 5:

Here Are My Top 5 Things to do in Hong Kong

1. Sample some local street food

A delicious egg waffle with meat floss and seaweed filling

Hong Kong people like variety, and it’s no exception when it comes to street food. From local egg waffle (my personal favourite) to Korean Fried Chicken, there isn’t a snack that you can’t find in Hong Kong. In fact, one of my weekly activities involve strolling the street of Mong Kok with egg waffle in one hand and a bubble tea in the other. In case you don’t know what egg waffles are, they are egg or bubble shaped waffles originated in the streets of Hong Kong in the 50s. You can find

In fact, one of my weekly activities involve strolling the street of Mong Kok with egg waffle in one hand and a bubble tea in the other. In case you don’t know what egg waffles are, they are egg or bubble shaped waffles originated in the streets of Hong Kong in the 50s. You can find

In case you don’t know what egg waffles are, they are egg or bubble shaped waffles originated in the streets of Hong Kong in the 50s. You can find where best to eat them in Hong Kong here.

You can get fish ball and fish siu mai for less than twenty Hong Kong Dollars!

Honorable snack mentions are egg tarts, fish siu mai, fish balls, sugar cane juice, stinky tofu and fresh fruit juice. Some of the best places to hunt for street food is Dundas Street and Temple Street in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon.

2. Go Hiking

Hong Kong seen from the top of Kowloon at Suicide Cliff

Did you know that over 50% of Hong Kong are green? Of

Of course, you don’t! Most people automatically think of Hong Kong as the concrete jungle. Yet, the truth is that Hong Kong is home to some of the best hiking trails around the world. I have hiked no less than twenty trails and haven’t even covered a fraction of the trails available in Hong Kong. People are always surprised by my hiking photos on Instagram.

Most people automatically think of Hong Kong as the concrete jungle. Yet, the truth is that Hong Kong is home to some of the best hiking trails around the world. I have hiked no less than twenty trails and haven’t even covered a fraction of the trails available in Hong Kong. People are always surprised by my hiking photos on Instagram.

I have hiked no less than twenty trails and haven’t even covered a fraction of the trails available in Hong Kong. People are always surprised by my hiking photos on Instagram.

High Junk Peak on a clear day!

Some of my personal top five are the Suicide Cliff, High Junk Peak, the Devil’s Peak, Lion Rock Mountain and Shui Long Wo. My most recent hike up Tai Tun Mountain’s view

My most recent hike up Tai Tun Mountain’s view rivals the best tropical paradise. So if you ever come to Hong Kong, don’t miss the chance to hike one of these trails. Some, like the High West Peak, is so close to the city that you have no excuse. I have

I have a whole section on hiking in Hong Kong if you are interested.

3. Visit a housing estate

The scarily dense Montane Estate

Now back to the conception of Hong Kong as a high density, over populated city. Because it is true. Hong Kong is home to many housing estates that consist of

Hong Kong is home to many housing estates that consist of tightly grouped highrises, and many have become a photographer’s dream come true. You have the rainbow

You have the rainbow colored Choi Hung Estates, which is also one of the oldest housing estates in Hong Kong. Another famous estate is the Montane Mansion, whose courtyard offer only a slight glimpse of the sky because the buildings are so close together.

4. Go Temple Hopping

The Sai Kung TIn Hau Temple during its anniversary celebration

There are many Buddhist and Taoist temples dotted around Hong Kong, some of them dating as far back as the 17th century. From the sea goddess to the Imperial god, each of the

From the sea goddess to the Imperial god, each of the temples is unique in its own way and a beautiful work of art.

There is the famous Wong Tai Sin Temple that features the twelve Chinese Zodiac statues and the tradition of kai chim in Kowloon.

Goat ornament at the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

One MTR station over is the Chi Lin Nunnery with the Tong-style Chinese Garden and beautiful wooden architecture. On Hong Kong Island, there is the Man Mo Temple, dedicated to the gods of Literature and Martial. And up on a hill in Shatin are ten thousand Buddhas in the aptly named Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery.

And I’ve only named the tip of the iceberg.

5. Enjoy the view of Victoria Harbour

Victoria Harbour viewed from the Lion Pavillion on the Peak

Victoria Harbour, while not very large, is one of the most famous stretches of water in the world. Separating the Kowloon Peninsular and Hong Kong Island, the harbour not only witnesses the growth of the city but also become an integral part of it.

With its nightly light show, the Victoria Harbour and the skyscrapers that line it are one of the most photographed places in the world. People head up to the Peak to take the spectacular view over it.

A ridiculously beautiful sunset at the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

People take the Aqua Luna cruise or the Star Ferry across it. People stand on the Central or Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade to admire it.

Honestly, the one view that I never get tired of is the Victoria Harbour, not matter which angle I am looking at it from. So when in Hong Kong, make sure you see as many sides of Victoria Harbour as you can.