Choose from 85 Fun Things to Do in Hong Kong Sar
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Lei Yu Mun Fish Market
After the decline of the mines, fishing became Lei Yu Mun's main industry and stilt villages sprung up to house the stock. As trade took off, restaurants appeared, and the Lei Yu Mun fish market became a popular attraction, allowing diners to select their dinner fresh from the stalls, then take it to a local restaurant for an alfresco dining experience.
The Basics
Nestled in the channel separating Kowloon from Hong Kong Island, this sprawling fish market is a popular sight on harbor cruises, when you can glimpse it against a backdrop of a former quarry. For more intimate experience, stroll the now-paved walkways and glimpse the selection of live seafood up close. For an even more immersive experience, though, you can find a fish, choose a restaurant, and sit down to enjoy an authentic Lei Yu Min meal.
Things to Know Before You Go
- It's usual to bargain with vendors, especially if you're buying large quantities.
- If you've supplied the fish yourself, restaurants will only charge preparation costs. Side dishes and accompaniments cost extra.
- Look out for restaurants with a QTS symbol, as these have passed the tourism board's service standards. If you're unsure, ask your market vendor for advice on the best spots nearby.
- This is a must for foodies and anyone interested in Hong Kong's social history.
- Note that the conditions that the fish are kept in can be upsetting to see.
How to Get There
The nearest MTR station is Yau Tong. From there, walk or take the Green Minibus no. 24 to Sam Ka Tsuen Pier.
When to Get There
The market is at its busiest in the evenings or at weekends, so midweek visits during the day are best to avoid the crowds.
Beyond the Market
Lei Yu Mun isn't just a fish market. Build up your appetite on a hike to Devil's Peak, or enjoy a gentle stroll along the pier after satisfying your stomach, with a visit to the Lei Yue Mun Lighthouse, Tin Hau Temple, or the remains of the former quarry.
Address: 6 Lei Yue Mun Path, Hong Kong, China
From $ 43
St. John's Cathedral
St. John's Cathedral is the oldest standing Anglican church in Hong Kong, completed in 1849. Gothic in style, it's built in the shape of a cross and features lancet arches and stained glass windows. The cathedral offers a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong in the heart of Central.
The Basics
One of only five cathedrals in Hong Kong, St. John's Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Hong Kong. It has held services every year since it was founded, other than during World War II, when it served as a social club for the occupying Japanese military. Badly damaged in World War II, it has since been restored, and a war memorial stands next to it.
Stop by on a self-guided tour or see it as a part of a small-group walking tour and visit other historical and notable attractions in the area, including the former Legislative Council Building and City Hall.
Things to Know Before You Go
- St. John's is a functioning cathedral, so visitors should be respectful of worshippers.
- Services are usually in English, but occasionally in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Filipino.
- A bookstore on-site offers books, stationery, cards, and items related to Hong Kong history.
How to Get There
St. John's Cathedral is located at No. 4"“8 Garden Road, Central District. To get there by public transit, take the MTR to Central Station (Exit K) and walk southeast. Alternatively, take bus 15C from Central Ferry Pier 6 to the Lower Peak Tram Terminus in Garden Road.
When to Get There
St. John's Cathedral is open daily to visitors, with different hours on different days. Those who wish to see the cathedral in action should visit during a service. Sunday mass is popular and usually crowded.
Nearby Attractions
St. John's Cathedral is surrounded by some of Hong Kong Island's iconic skyscrapers, including Bank of China Tower and Cheung Kong Center. For a change of pace, visit nearby Hong Kong Park and the Zoological and Botanical Gardens. Also nearby is the Peak Tram Terminus, which takes visitors to Victoria Peak for panoramic views over Hong Kong and Victoria Harbour.
Address: Garden Road, Hong Kong, China
From $ 74
Macau Museum
Set within the compound of the old Monte Fort, the Macau Museum was opened in 1998 as a means of educating visitors on the fascinating history of the Special Administrative Region of Macau. As Macau is one of the first areas in the Far East to experience a blend of European and Asian rule, the museum chronicles the curiosities and struggles of this tiny peninsula attempting to live under two distinct governments and cultures.
The first two floors of the museum are located in the subterranean tunnels of the old Monte Fort and primarily highlight Macau's cultural and political past. First floor exhibits known as the "Genesis of Macau" provide visitors with an understanding of the history of the peninsula and focus on the fusion and friction of the Portuguese and Chinese cultures. The museum's second floor shifts more towards the everyday lives of the people of Macau with exhibits covering daily customs, artwork, and traditional Macanese festivals. There is even a fully reconstructed Macanese street which depicts daily life in old Macau, replete with Chinese storefronts and colonial European architecture. Finally, on the third floor, with a view stretching out towards Macau's modern skyline, visitors can peruse the exhibits which point towards Macau's contemporary present and the prospects for a prosperous future.
The largest museum in Macau and undoubtedly the most popular, the Macau Museum is an easy place for history buffs and inquisitive visitors to lose themselves in the storied history of one of colonialism's longest lasting endeavors.
The first two floors of the museum are located in the subterranean tunnels of the old Monte Fort and primarily highlight Macau's cultural and political past. First floor exhibits known as the "Genesis of Macau" provide visitors with an understanding of the history of the peninsula and focus on the fusion and friction of the Portuguese and Chinese cultures. The museum's second floor shifts more towards the everyday lives of the people of Macau with exhibits covering daily customs, artwork, and traditional Macanese festivals. There is even a fully reconstructed Macanese street which depicts daily life in old Macau, replete with Chinese storefronts and colonial European architecture. Finally, on the third floor, with a view stretching out towards Macau's modern skyline, visitors can peruse the exhibits which point towards Macau's contemporary present and the prospects for a prosperous future.
The largest museum in Macau and undoubtedly the most popular, the Macau Museum is an easy place for history buffs and inquisitive visitors to lose themselves in the storied history of one of colonialism's longest lasting endeavors.
Address: No. 112 Praceta do Museu de Macau, Macau, China
Hours: Open Tues - Sun, 10am - 6pm
Admission: MOP 15 for Adults, MOP 8 for seniors and children 5-10, free for children under 5
From $ 279
Maritime Museum
Macau's heritage has long been linked with the sea, and the Maritime Museum celebrates the connection while tracing the maritime histories of Portugal, China and Macau. Fittingly enough, Macau's oldest museum opened in 1987 near the spot believed to be where the first Portuguese traders came ashore.
Visitors to the Maritime Museum's exhibits begin with an introduction to A-Ma, the goddess of the sea and protector of seafarers who gave Macau its name. Other exhibits delve into fishing techniques, model boats, navigational instruments, a collection of maps and a model of the Guia Lighthouse, the oldest on the South China coast.
Visitors will also find four aquariums, each representing a different aquatic environment: a riverbed, deep water, harbor and coral reef. A few outdoor exhibits include a real dragon boat similar to the ones raced during the annual Dragon Boat Festival.
Practical Info
The Maritime Museum is closed on Tuesdays. Children under 10 get free admission.
Address: 1 Largo do Pagode da Barra, Macau, China
Hours: Wed-Mon 10am-6pm
Admission: Standard: MOP$10, Discount: MOP$5, Child Under 10 Free
From $ 279
Kun Iam Temple
One of the three ancient temples of Macau, Kun Iam Temple was founded during the 13th century, although the present structures were built in 1627. Dedicated to Kun Iam, the Chinese representation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Mercy, this Buddhist temple is one of the largest and most important in Macau.
The Basics
The temple features three main halls, which are dedicated to Shakyamuni (Gautama Buddha), the Buddha of Longevity, and Kun Iam, and separated by open courtyards. Note the lavish decorations, porcelain figurines decorating the roofs, and the 300-year-old giant bell. In the Namesake Hall, don't miss the statue of Kun Iam, dressed in embroidered silk and wearing a crown that is replaced every year. She is surrounded by 18 arhats, one of which is said to represent Marco Polo, who studied Buddhism at the temple. Be sure to visit the beautiful terraced gardens in back of the temple.
A number of tours, including day trips from Hong Kong and Shenzhen, feature a stop at Kun Iam Temple, as well as other top Macau attractions that may include A-Ma Temple, the Ruins of St. Paul, and Macau Tower or a Macau casino.
Things to Know Before You Go
- This is a must-visit for those with an interest in history, architecture, or religion.
- This is a place of worship, so visitors should be respectful and quiet.
- There are a number of funeral rooms within the temple; please be quiet and do not take photos if a funeral is taking place.
- The temple is free to enter, but donations are accepted.
- Day trips from Hong Kong can last upward of 11 hours.
How to Get There
Kun Iam Temple is located on Avenida do Coronel Mesquita. It's easiest to take a taxi to the temple. You can also take bus 12, 17, 18B, 18, 23, or 28C to the temple.
When to Get There
The temple is open Monday through Saturday. It is at its most festive during the Lunar New Year and during celebrations for the birthday of Kun Iam, on the 19th day of the second, sixth, ninth and 11th lunar months.
Terraced Gardens
In the terraced garden behind the temple, the first Sino-American treaty was signed in 1844, and the round granite table of the signing still stands. There are also four intertwined trees, known as Lovers Trees; legend has it they grew from the burial site of star-crossed lovers who committed suicide because they could not marry. Elsewhere in the garden, you'll find fountains, groves of bamboo, and shrines to departed priests.
Address: Macau, China
Admission: Varies
From $ 144