Hong Kong can be a very expensive place to stay and visit, however, there are still a lot of cheap and free attractions that you can do. And with cheap public transport, you can easily reach these attractions. Here are my top 20 free attractions Hong Kong.
Lantau Island
1. Tian Tan (The Big Buddha) and Po Lin Monastery
Catch the MTR to Tung Chung Station, where you can catch the Ngong Ping cable cars to take you up the mountain to Tian Tan (the big Buddha) and monastery for $185 HKD (return) or the cheapest option, take bus #23 for only $17HKD. ($2.19USD).
Hong Kong Island
2. The Peak Lookout
Catch a glimpse of Hong Kong and across the bay to Kowloon from above! This is especially beautiful in the evening and on a clear day. Catch the MTR to Central Station, exit J2 and follow the signs to the Peak Tram Terminal. The 7-minute sleep train ride up the mountain to take 7 minutes and cost you $88HKD for a return. BUT, bus #15 from Central Pier bus station will take you to the top of the peak for $10HKD (40mins). ($1.29USD).
3. Stanley Waterfront and Markets
Stanley is a popular day out for locals and tourists alike. The waterfront is lined with restaurants and cafes, and the markets are very popular with tourists looking for copy items. Catch bus number 260, 6, or 6X from the Exchange Square bus station. Bus number 260 is usually the fastest, while bus number 6 will give you beautiful views of mountains and the shoreline. The bus will cost around $10HKD. ($1.29USD).
4. Visit the world's most expensive shopping strip – Causeway Bay
Recently listed as the world's most expensive shopping area in the world, Causeway Bay is home to all the major high-end designer and high street brand name stores you can think of. The area is also surrounded by local and inexpensive shopping streets, malls and street food! Catch the MTR to Causeway Bay, exit A to Times Square.
5. Happy Valley Races
Visit Happy Valley Racecourse on a Wednesday night and be amongst locals and expats betting and enjoying some inexpensive after-work drinks at the weekly race meets in horse racing season. Tickets to enter $10HKD or $20 if you'd like a seat. Catch the MTR to Causeway Bay, exit A (and walk for about 20 minutes to the track). ($1.29USD or $2.58USD for a seating ticket).
Tsim Sha Tsui
6. Avenue of Stars
Hong Kong's version of the Hollywood walk of fame. Showcasing many famous Hong Kong and Chinese actors and directors from centuries past. Catch the MTR to East Tsim Sha Tsui, exit P1.
7. Sound and Light Show / Hong Kong Skyline
A stroll along the Kowloon waterfront for a beautiful light show displayed on the buildings on Hong Kong Island is stunning and especially beautiful in photographs. Check out the area during daylight too, you can see just how busy the harbour is. Catch the MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui, exit E.
Mong Kok / Prince Edward
8. Mong Kok Sunday Pedestrian Street entertainment and buskers
Sai Yeung Choi Street South is closed to traffic on a Sunday, and the busy shopping street turns into a crazy, loud and crowded scene. With interesting local and foreign buskers filling the street, dancing, singing, doing tricks and flips! It's crowded and noisy but very entertaining! Catch the MTR to Mong Kok, exit E2.
9. Ladies Market
The famous and very popular tourist attraction (trap) is Mong Kok's ladies market, which sets up on Tung Choi Street in the early morning and runs late into the night! Here you will find clothes, bags, belts, hats, pillows, clocks, souvenirs and a whole host of trinkets! Catch the MTR to Mong Kok, exit E2.
10. Cycle Tai Wai to Tai Po waterfront path
hire a bicycle for just $50HKD a day and take a ride along the beautiful waterfront and cycle tracks from Tai Wai to the Tai Po Waterfront Park. Catch the MTR to Tai Wai, exit A. ($6.44USD for bike rental).
11. Visit the Flower Market
If you're into flowers, markets, or simply just want to see the strange and different plants and flowers on sale in Hong Kong head to the flower market. You can see rainbow coloured roses and plants that wiggle when you touch them, as well as the closing fly trap plants and a huge range of fluorescent and brightly coloured flowers. Catch the MTR to Prince Edward, exit B1.
12. Goldfish Market
Check out the colourful, strange and beautiful fish and range of reptiles at the Goldfish Market on Tung Choi Street North. Catch the MTR to Mong Kok, exit B3.
Outlying Islands
13. Visit Lamma Island
For a nice secluded beach, a 6km easy hike (the length of the island) for beautiful views/photos and a visit to a fishing village. Catch the Lamma Island ferry from Central Pier 4, the trip will take approximately 30 minutes and cost $16HKD. ($2.19USD).
14. Visit Cheng Chau Island
This island is super popular in the summertime, with a beautiful beach with nets, a hike around strangely shaped rocked formations lining the coastline, and a beautiful village complete with boutique shopping, markets, and a waterfront lined with restaurants and filled with boats. Catch the Cheng Chau Island ferry from Central Pier 5, the trip will cost $25 for the faster ferry (30 mins) and $13HKD for the ordinary ferry (55 mins). ($1.67).
Wong Tai Sin
15. Wong Tai Sin Temple
Catch a glimpse of locals during their daily visit to this beautiful temple to pray for good fortune (as different temples are dedicated to praying for different things). There's a large number of fortune-tellers in tents around the temple grounds. Catch the MTR to Wong Tai Sin, exit B2.
Diamond Hill
16. Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian gardens
The nunnery is a large temple complex of wood architecture, while the Nan Lian gardens is a 3.5 hectare landscaped park built in the style of the Tang dynasty. Catch the MTR to Diamond Hill, exit C2.
Beaches
17. Clearway Bay Beach
This beach is beautiful in the summer, protected in the bay, the beach is a calm and safe area to swim in, with lifeguards and nets. The beach is lined with trees and a picnic area, with showers and change rooms. Take the MTR to Tseung Kwan O, exit A1 or A2, then catch minibus #103M to Clearway Bay Beach for $8.40HKD. ($1.08USD).
Factory Outlet Malls
18. Kwan Tong Sportswear Outlets
This is my all-time favourite area for sportswear shopping in Hong Kong. Here you can find Nike, Adidas, NB, Reebok, Skechers, Clarks. The Nike store is my favourite. Catch the MTR to Kwan Tong, exit B3 and walk straight down Hoi Yuen Rd to the Camel Paint Buildings (outlet stores are here).
19 Citygate Outlets
Tung Chung outlet mall has recently become one of my favourite shopping malls in Hong Kong. Here is will find sportswear, street, high street and designer stores. My favourites, Nike, Guess and Esprit, you can also find Timberland, Levis, Armani, Coach, Burberry, Kate Spade, Michael Kors etc. Catch the MTR to Tung Chung Station, exit C.
20. Sneaker Street
This street is a crazy busy area on Fa Yuen Street South (in Mong Kok, very near to Ladies Market). Here you will find a street lined with brand name sportswear stores, stocking all the sneakers, casual shoes and everything in-between. Except to find, Nike store, Adidas, Crocs, Puma, Reebok, Keds, Converse, Vans, etc. Look for Sportshouse (name of a sporting chain store in HK) sales, they always have good sales on Nike & Adidas footwear! Catch MTR to Mong Kok Station, exit D3 (walk along Argle Street to Fa Yuen St).
