5 Locations You Must Visit in Hong Kong

It’s undeniable that Hong Kong is one of the most visited destinations in the world. As a prosperous commercial centre with a burgeoning nightlife and a reputation for being a haven for food-lovers and shopaholics, it’s a city that never sleeps where everyone is out and about around the clock.

We’ve chosen five locations you must strongly consider visiting after booking your accommodation in Hong Kong.

1) Enjoy a dazzling view of Hong Kong from The Peak

Known formally as ‘Victoria Peak’, this is a vantage point that offers spectacular views of the city.

Board the Peak Tram and enjoy the ride to the top. It’s a memorable experience as the tram ascends 1,300 feet above sea level, granting you stunning sights of the surrounding lush greenery.

The main draw is the Sky Terrace 428, where visitors are offered a 360-degree, panoramic view of Hong Kong. If you go at night, it’s even more beautiful as the cityscape is illuminated, providing a kaleidoscope experience. In addition, the Peak Tower, with its unmissable wok-like roof, possesses a fine selection of shops and restaurants.

And the ride back down via tram? Delightful.

2) Party at Lan Kwai Fong

“Put your hands up party people!”

An emcee bellows on the mic as a shower of confetti and sea rains down upon a landscape of bobbing bodies and raised champagne glasses as a globally-celebrated DJ pivots the turntable.

This scene is common at Lan Kwai Fong or ‘LKF’, the capital of Hong Kong’s infamous nightlife. It’s a street filled with Hong Kong’s hottest and trendiest bars and clubs, attracting a multitude of international and local patrons daily. If people-watching is a hobby, you’ll be delighted that arguably some of the world’s most beautiful people frequent this joint. People dress to impress so you’ll often be turning your head to catch a glimpse of a pretty face. You can also easily run into some of Hong Kong’s most famous celebrities here so get used to rubbing shoulders with the elite.

Although it’s mainly known for its brazen parties, LKF also features a bevy of delectable restaurants that serve a variety of international flavours –Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, Nordic, Russian, Thai and much more.

Ladies, you’re in luck if you visit on Wednesday or Thursday night because it’s ‘Ladies Night’. Most venues grant exclusive offers including free entry or complimentary beverages. Ain’t that a sweet deal?

3) Great for sight-seeing: Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

The sweet sights of Hong Kong are accentuated with a visit to this place. You have to go at night for a long gaze at the luminous skyline of Hong Kong Island. It’s a visually-pleasing experience that only gets better as the sun sets. Perfect for a romantic stroll in the evening –why not bring someone you fancy here?

The promenade also features the Avenue of Stars, where you can pose with an imposing statue of Bruce Lee or touch the hand prints of iconic celebrities such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Don’t be surprised if you run into a film crew here as the promenade has been a popular setting for quite a few movies.

4) A glimpse of grassroots Hong Kong life: Mongkok

It doesn’t get any realistic than this as you mingle with the populace and weave through a network of streets and observe everything around you. The loud chatter of natives speaking rapidly in Cantonese, the smell of freshly-steamed dim sim, the bright light flashing from neon shop signs, and the din of heavy traffic on Nathan Road. Yes, this is Mongkok, an area of Kowloon that reflects the essence of normal, everyday life in Hong Kong.

Traditional Chinese snacks and wares handcrafted from bamboo can be found at Shanghai Street and Reclamation Street. There’s also Langham Palace, a glistening shopping mall where you can browse or purchase some of the more upmarket products.

Be prepared for congestion though as the neighbourhood is always packed with a sea of people!

5) Shopaholic heaven: Causeway Bay

High-rise office buildings and gleaming skyscrapers dot this fast-paced area of Hong Kong, frequented by hundreds of thousands of people daily. Shoppers will fall in love with the boutique stores, shopping complexes and department stores that are found in abundance. Massive shopping mall behemoths include Sogo, Times Square and the World Trade Centre offer the trendiest and most fashionable products from internationally-acclaimed brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Chanel and much more.

Thrifters will love the shops on Jardine’s Crescent and Lee Garden Road. From handcrafted embroidery to cheap designer Tees, this is where you can bag a bargain if you wish to stick to a lower budget.

And when this slice of shopping galore becomes a tad overwhelming, simply retreat into a café or restaurant for some replenishment –many of which can be found on Jaffe Road, Houston Street and Canon Street.

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Author Bio: William Susetyo is the Editor-in-Chief of Accommodation.com. He was born in China and raised in Australia. Bitten by the travel bug, he has travelled extensively through Asia and Europe. Currently based in Sydney, he is a keen food enthusiast, hip hop dancer, dog lover, and jazz listener.

Photo credits: click on the image to find the source on Flickr. All images were under Creative Commons license at the time this post was published.