Top Attractions
The Star Ferry is the main method of transportation across Victoria Harbour between Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui) and Hong Kong Island (Central), the two main parts that make up a large area of the city. It is the cheapest entertainment in Hong Kong as it costs 25 cents US/35 cents Canadian one way. During the 15-minute journey, you will enjoy spectacular views of the skyline of Hong Kong together with a glimpse of the harbour activity. Ferries depart every 6 to 12 minutes depending on the time of the day. If you want a longer ferry ride, you can take the one between Kowloon and Wan Chai further along Hong Kong Island. You can also partake in the Star Ferry's Harbour Tour which sails on a circular route for an hour around Victoria Harbour calling in at Tsim Sha Tsui, Central and Wan Chai.
Hong Kong has one of the most spectacular skylines anywhere and the promenade here is one of the best ways to obtain a fabulous view. Along the first part of the promenade is the Avenue of the Stars which pays homage to the Hong Kong film industry and its stars with handprints, sculptures and information boards everywhere. In the evening, the Symphony of Lights is a big attraction. This is a spectacular sound-and-light show involving 44 buildings on the Hong Kong Island skyline. The Symphony of Lights has been named the “World's Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show” by the Guinness Book of World Records. It is done with coloured lights, laser beams and searchlights which are all synchronized to music. There is a live narration in three languages, English, Cantonese and Mandarin, depending on the night.
Once a fishing village, Aberdeen is now a popular place visited on Hong Kong tours. It is situated on the southern side of Hong Kong Island. This historic area is known as the original Hong Kong since it was the first harbour that European explorers set foot in. The floating village here is full of boats which the locals use for fishing and trading. Nearby is the floating Jumbo Kingdom, a very well-known floating restaurant. A free shuttle ferry takes you to the restaurant. You can also have a Sampan boat ride around the harbour which lasts around 20 to 30 minutes.
Ocean Park is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, animal theme park and amusement park located in the Southern District of Hong Kong. This and Hong Kong Disneyland are the two large theme parks in Hong Kong. It has a total of 80 attractions and rides and is separated by a large mountain into two areas, the Summit (Headland) and the Waterfront (Lowland). These areas can be reached by a cable car system or the Ocean Express funicular railway. The attractions and rides include four roller coasters, and animal exhibits with different themes such as a giant panda habitat, a rainforest and polar displays. There is also an aquarium featuring the world's largest aquarium dome.
This world-famous theme park is situated on reclaimed land on Lantau Island and consists of seven themed areas: Main Street, designed to resemble an early 20th Century Midwest town in the U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventureland featuring jungle-themed adventures, Tomorrowland, an optimistic vision of the future, Grizzly Gulch, reminiscent of an abandoned mining town, Mystic Point, a dense rain forest surrounded by mysterious forces and supernatural events and Toy Story Land which brings characters and places from Disney's movies for children to life.
Reached by ferry from Central, Lantau Island is a much quieter and more serene place. There are a number of attractions on which to spend time here on a Hong Kong vacation. Ngong Ping 360 is a spectacular 5.7-kilometre/3.5-mile-long cable car journey that travels via an impressive cultural-themed village and the Tian Tan Buddha. At the themed village, there are a couple of attractions. These include the Walking with Buddha attraction which gives an interesting introduction to Buddha. The Monkey's Tail is a silent animated movie, The Tian Tan Buddha is the largest seated outdoor Buddha in bronze. Also on the island is the Po Lin Monastery which was founded in 1906. The main temple building houses 3 bronze statues representing Buddha of the past, present and future. Tai O is a traditional fishing village known as “The Venice of Hong Kong". Here the houses are built on stilts and for a small fee, some residents will take visitors out on their boats along the river and for a short trip into the sea to view Chinese white dolphins. The village is also a good place to see the sunset.
Reached by ferry from Centra, Peng Chau Island is definitely “off-the-beaten-track”. There are no cars, buses or taxis on this island; it is simply a place for walking or cycling and bikes are available for rent. The island has 8 temples including the Tin Hau Temple dating back to 1792. Along the coastline, you can view marine life including Chinese white dolphins. Finger Hill is a popular spot with panoramic views of the island. There are also a number of beaches dotted around the coastline.
There are a number of old buildings worth visiting such as the Man Mo Temple, Hong Kong’s oldest, located on Hong Kong Island and the Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden in Kowloon.
