Hong Kong tourist attractions include Symphony of lights, Happy Valley Horse Racing Track, Victoria Peak, Star Ferry cruise, and Hong Kong Disneyland.
Daily Hong Kong skyscraper light show, officially “Symphony of the Lights” (tourism.gov.hk/symphony/), is one of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong.
By themselves, the 7,500+ skyscrapers in Hong Kong (the most in the world) are a breathtaking attraction, but every night at 8pm, the skyscrapers are made even more magical, as they are illuminated by a light-show of lasers and spotlights.
According to some estimates, best views to the light-show is available from one of Hong Kong’s most famous bars and restaurants, Felix (www.peninsula.com/Felix), located on the roof of Peninsula Hotel.
The most popular light show viewing spot, however, is from the raised “Marine Deck” observation platform, located near Avenue of the Stars and the Star Ferry terminal, next to the Tsim Sha Tsui district.
From that observation platform, you hear the lights show’s official music and a presentation of the buildings that take part in the event.
Hong Kong Jockey Club’s world-famous Happy Valley Horse Racing Track, meanwhile, is the older of two horse race tracks in the city, (the other being Sha Tin horse racing track), located in Happy Valley district of Hong Kong.
The racecourse was originally built in 1845, with the track’s owner, Hong Kong Jockey Club (hkjc.com) today being a not-for-profit organization that organizes, in addition to the horse races, also lotteries and betting in Hong Kong.
At the racetrack, you can also find the Hong Kong Jockey Club Museum, located on the second level.
Sha Tin Racecourse, owned by the same entity, it also worth experiencing, as it is bigger, fitting up to 80,000 spectators at one time.
Of the Hong Kong tourist attractions, Victoria Peak mountain(thepeak.com.hk) is Hong Kong’s most popular attraction, located within Hong Kong Island.
From the peak, which is at an altitude of 552 meters (1,811 ft) above sea level, you can find observation decks, which provide stunning views over the modern, skyscraper dominated skyline of Hong Kong.
From these observation platforms, you can see, in fact, Hong Kong’s Central district, Kowloon, Victoria Harbour, and nearby smaller islands.
To get to the top of the Victoria Peak, you can either take a double decker bus 15C, which departs from the Star Ferry pier, or use the historic tram, ‘Peak Tram’, which has a station at the foot of the mountain.
If you take a double-decker bus, you should go to the top level, from where the panoramic views are better than from the lower level.
Star Ferry ferry ride (starferry.com.hk), meanwhile, departing from Victoria harbor and using one of the four possible routes, is an alternative way to observe Hong Kong’s dramatic skyline.
The best way to take advantage of the ferry ride is to take a “Harbour Tour” cruise, a special route for tourists, making stop at all the Victoria Harbor stops:
- Tsim Sha Tsui,
- Central,
- Wan Chai and
- Hung Hom.
Finally, Hong Kong tourist attractions also include Hong Kong Disneyland(hongkongdisneyland.com), open to visitors since 2005, and located within Penny’s Bay, on Lantau Island.
As is the case with most other Disney-owned amusement parks, HK Disneyland is divided into four sections: Main Street, USA, Fantasyland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland.
Highlights in Disneyland Hong Kong include…
- Sleeping Beauty’s Castle,
- Space Mountain roller coaster, and
- Tarzan’s woodhouse (within Tarzan island).
You should also check out the daily parades: “Disney on Parade” and “Disney in the Stars” — and later in the day, the Disneyland fireworks show.