See and Do in Hong Kong

Expats rarely run out of things to see and do in Hong Kong, a city whose energy is hard to match anywhere else in the world. The city is always changing, and expats find this former British colony all the more fascinating for the ongoing influence of mainland China. New restaurants, bars, shops, and galleries open all the time, and there is already a long list of established attractions to work through.

English is one of the city’s official languages and is widely spoken, so expats can ask for directions and find their way around without much trouble.

Recommended attractions in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Disneyland

Millions of visitors pass through Hong Kong Disneyland each year, and it is one of the city’s biggest family attractions. Whether you are young in years or just young at heart, there is plenty to keep you entertained, from themed rides and restaurants to parades and photo opportunities with much-loved Disney characters.

Hong Kong Museum of History

New arrivals who want to learn more about Hong Kong’s transition from a fishing settlement to a global financial hub can spend a rewarding afternoon at the Hong Kong Museum of History. Its permanent exhibition is full of recreated street scenes and interactive digital displays, and entry is free.

Aberdeen Harbour

On the southern shore of Hong Kong Island, Aberdeen is known for its Tanka boat-dwelling families. A small number still live on the water, and from the promenade you can see their houseboats and sampans moored among fishing trawlers and gleaming private yachts. Behind them, the shoreline is packed with high-rises. A short sampan ride is the best way to take in the harbour, and the elderly Tanka boatwomen along the Aberdeen Promenade tend to find you before you find them.

Victoria Peak

Expats who ride the Peak Tram to the summit of Victoria Peak get some of the finest views in Hong Kong, out across the skyline and Victoria Harbour. It is the ideal way to get your bearings in your new home and take in the chaotic beauty of the place. Up top, you can browse the shops in the Peak Tower or grab a bite at one of the restaurants with views over the city. The tram is the oldest funicular in Asia, and queues can be long, so many expats ride up and take a bus back down, or vice versa.

Wong Tai Sin Temple

Worshippers flock to Wong Tai Sin Temple, one of the most popular in Hong Kong, to leave offerings for a Taoist deity said to have healing powers and to grant the wishes of sincere petitioners. The temple is best known for kau cim, a form of fortune-telling. You shake a bamboo cylinder until a single numbered stick drops out, then swap it for a paper slip and take that to one of the readers in the fortune-teller arcade for an interpretation. Wong Tai Sin MTR station on the Kwun Tong line is a short walk away.