Steamy and gargantuan, Hong Kong has evolved into one of Asia’s most lovable cities. Its incredible skyline- part neon, part steel-and-glass, part towering hills – is one of the most majestic in the world, but it’s a mere backdrop to the 24-hour flurry of activity that makes Hong Kong what it is.
Situated at the mouth of the Pearl River Delta on China’s south-western coast, Hong Kong is a city that has a remarkable mix of Eastern and Western influences. The handover of this territory from Britain to China was back in 1997, but the centuries of British rule still have a lasting legacy, tangible in everything from the grand period architecture to the local passion for horse-racing. Even the name of Hong Kong’s centrepiece – the iconic Victoria Harbour – harks back to another era, and today there’s an international flavour to the destination that sets it apart from other Chinese cities. The gastronomy, nightlife and shopping are all world-class.
Hong Kong is one of the most densely-populated places on earth. Composed of three different islands (Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories), there are more than enough sights and sensations to soak up during any type of trip you have planned. From traditional street markets and beautiful temples to the fast-moving, skyscraper-dotted streets, to the endless food and drink options, there is so much to do here. Hong Kong Island, with its glistening skyscrapers and high-end shopping malls, is in many ways the heartbeat of the city. Get down to street level, however, and the laneways, wet markets and traditional Chinese haunts are a reminder that beyond the city lies a working class populace still making ends meet the old fashioned way – and often the hard way. It’s also worth remembering, of course, that there’s far more to Hong Kong than the city itself. Its natural attractions include hiker-friendly ranges, volcanic landscapes, pristine woodlands, sleepy islands, protected marine parks and miles of golden beaches.
With effect from January 23, 2017, the Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has made Pre-Arrival Registration a compulsory requirement for all Indian nationals who intend to visit Hong Kong visa-free for 14 days. Each pre-arrival registration for an Indian national will be valid for six months or until the expiry date of the Indian passport linked to it, whichever is earlier. We can assist you, and the process is fully online The online platform for pre-arrival registration has been opened on December 19, 2016. Indian passport holders must complete Pre-arrival Registration (PAR) online prior to arrival in Hong Kong.
The government of Hong Kong recently made it mandatory for all Indian nationals to pre-register and obtain a successful pre-arrival registration notification slip online, except some limited categories of persons who have been exempted. However, by and large, this is applicable to almost all visitors to Hong Kong.
Pre-arrival Registration is required for each individual. If you are traveling as a family, each person in the family must apply for Pre-arrival Registration individually.
A person admitted as a visitor in the HKSAR is not allowed to take any employment, whether paid or unpaid; establish or join in any business; or become a student at a school, university or other educational institution in the HKSAR. If you wish to enter the HKSAR for employment, study, training or residence, you should apply for an appropriate visa to the Immigration Department of the HKSAR under the existing arrangements.
Each Pre-arrival Registration is linked to a specific passport. So, in the event of loss of passport or passport renewal, a new Pre-arrival Registration must be made.
Kindly also note that an Indian national coming to HKSAR for a stay exceeding 14 days or for a purpose other than visit (e.g. for employment, study, or to take up residence in HKSAR) must apply to the Immigration Department for an appropriate visa.
Places to visit in Hong Kong
1. Disneyland Hong Kong
Hong Kong Disneyland is the first theme park inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and is the fifth Magic Kingdom-style Park. Located at Penny’s Bay, Lantau Island. Come & experience the wonderful magical moments with your special ones in Disneyland Hong Kong.
2. Ocean Park
Ocean Park is a major attraction in Hong Kong, any visit to Hong Kong should include the world famous Ocean Park.
The park has won several awards, including The World’s Seventh Most Popular Amusement Park and 33rd Most Visited Tourist Attractions in the World by Forbes. Ocean Park has now grown to about 40 attractions and rides.
3. Victoria Peak
The Peak is one of the most prominent places to visit in Hong Kong. Being the highest point on the Hong Kong Island, Victoria’s Peak provides breath-taking views of the cityscape with its skyscrapers glistening in the sunlight. Apart from witnessing the stunning views of the city, one can also enjoy other sightseeing titbits on The Peak like Madame Tussauds wax museum, the Peak Tower, & Sky Terrace 428.
4. Victoria Harbour & Symphony of Lights
Victoria Harbour is a natural landform harbour situated between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon in Hong Kong offering stunning view of the city skyscrapers. While the Symphony of Lights is the “World’s Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show” by Guinness World Records, has been further expanded to include more than 40 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour. The stunning, unforgettable spectacle synchronised to music and narration that celebrates the energy, spirit and diversity of Hong Kong. Performance starts 8pm daily.
5. Old Town Central Art Walk
Apart from the stunning high rises in Central, lies a starking contrast of modernization and tradition that coexist for years that attribute to Hong Kong culture. A cumulative of street arts were borne out of inspiration from the contrast. To capture all the picturesque art, take a stroll along Hollywood Road, Graham Street, Staunton Street.
6. Tai O Fishing Village
Situated on a river mouth, the village is just the ticket if you want a dose of traditional fisher folks which has reside for generations. The houses are built on stilts over the river and its narrow lanes are filled with shops selling fish and other day-to-day items. The citizens here are mainly the Tanka people who are descendants of Hong Kong’s first settlers. Take a walk across the quaint bridge that straddles the river where you’ll find back-street lanes twisting through the clutter of houses.
7. Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower
The old Clock Tower was erected in 1915 as part of the Kowloon–Canton Railway terminus. Standing 44-metres tall, the station is long gone however its red brick and granite tower are now preserved as a Declared Monument. It also serves as a memorable landmark for the millions of Chinese immigrants who struggled and started their new lives in Hong Kong.
8. Man Mo Temple
Man Mo Temple is one of the oldest Taoist temples in Hong Kong paying tribute to the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo). The temple is located about halfway along the road and a stop in its quiet, incense-shrouded interior makes a pleasant break.
9. Temple Street Night Market
Temple Street named after Tin Hau temple located in the centre, is the busiest flea market at night in the territory of Jordan and Yau Ma Tei in Kowloon. Popular with both tourists and locals alike in the evening, it is common to see the place crowded at dusk.
10. Ngong Ping 360
Preserving the natural ecological environment and features of the Ngong Ping area and converging the custom and culture of the Lantau Island. Ngong Ping 360 is sure to refresh your body and enlighten your mind, as soon as you step on the Cable Car.
Ngong Ping Village is set on a 1.5 hectare site on Lantau Island, adjacent to Ngong Ping Cable Car Terminal and the Tian Tan Buddha Statue.
Looking up to the southwest from Tei Tan square in the middle of the Po Lin Monastery plaza, you will see a flight of 268 steps leading to the world’s largest outdoor bronze statue – the Giant Buddha.
11. Fa Yuen Street Market
While Ladies Market is by far the bigger and brasher of the two, Fa Yuen Street is also a brilliant introduction to consumerism, Hong Kong style.
There is so much to see and buy here that the path that runs down the center is no wider than one person at some points while the stock is stacked so high that vendors need to use poles to retrieve many items.
12. Lan Kwai Fong
The night is always young at Lan Kwai Fong, a buzzing centre of clubs, bars and restaurants. It is a must for party goers & people watchers to visit this Western-style restaurant, nightclubs, delicatessens and bars.
13. Stanley Market & Murray House
Stanley Market is a popular market town on the sunny south side of Hong Kong Island. With its relaxed ambiance, crisp sea environs and bargain buys have made it world famous. You will find an interesting array of little shops selling silk garments, sportswear, art, Chinese costume jewellery and souvenirs. A hard morning of shopping is always nicely finished off by a sumptuous lunch at one of the many restaurants such as Murray House. The 160-year-old restored three-storey colonial building that was dismantled in 1982 and transplanted from its original site in Central to be rebuilt on the Stanley waterfront.
14. Jade Market
The Jade Market, just west of Nathan Road on the junction of Kansu and Battery Streets, is where vendors sell various shades and qualities of jade, a greenish stone found in East Asia. Jade is a unique ornamental stone that can be found predominantly in East Asia and the world’s biggest trading centre for Jade is Hong Kong. Visitors can purchase various kinds of products made out of Jade at the Jade Market. Its product line includes jade rings, jade animals and e
ven jade statues of Buddha. Special jade souvenirs and various trinkets are an ideal piece of memory to take home with.
Top quality jade is pure green and very expensive. Most pieces have a yellow tinge but no brown or grey should be in the finished piece. The best jadeite is semi-transparent. Opaque jadeite with cloudy patches typically has less value.
15. Yuen Po Street Bird Market / Flower Market / Goldfish Market
Yuen Po Street Bird Market is a charming Chinese-style garden is the favoured gathering place of Hong Kong’s songbird owners, who carry their beloved pets around in intricately carved cages. The market contains some 70 songbird stalls as well as interesting courtyards and moon gates. Open from 7am to 8pm. The Flower Market features an array of bright and colourful, sweet-scented flowers of different interesting species. A jungle of exotic blossoms, luck-bringing houseplants and sweet scents to be found in more than 50 shops. It’s fun to walk around the market admiring the huge variety of flowers and plants for sale.
It conducts a wholesale and retail business of flowers at lucrative price offers. The fragrance and beauty of the flowers displayed in this market create a charming aura. Many bonsai trees and indoor plants signifying good luck are also sold out here. The Goldfish Market is on Tung Choi Street south of Prince Edward Road West, and it is the place for fish lovers to go to for all manner of fish-related products. The whole street is full of shops selling all sorts of colourful fishes from fresh water species to deep sea species.
16. Wong Tai Sin Temple
Wong Tai Sin Temple is one of Hong Kong most famous temple, dedicated to the Great Immortal Wong.
Locals & tourists could be seen daily making their prayers at the temple. The temple is known for granting any wishes thus lots of worshipers whose prayers were answered returning to thank the immortal.
17. Ladies Street
Anyone who visits Hong Kong would surely know the existence of this famous street.
However personally I find Ladies Street overrated. You can find the usual tourist souvenir, replica jersey here. For fashion head over to Fa Yuen Street instead
18. Golden Bauhinia Square
In 1997, marks the important occasion of the return of Hong Kong, the former British colony to the People’s Republic of China, and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
In celebration, China’s Central Government presented a gilded bauhinia statue to Hong Kong. The statue was placed in the square next to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre facing the Wan Chai waterfront.
19. Repulse Bay
This crescent-shaped stretch of sand is one of the most beautiful beaches in Hong Kong. Repulse Bay’s name comes from a 19th century battle in which the British army repulsed attacking pirates. Today, Repulse Bay is a luxurious residential area with the wide, wave-lapped beach is popular with locals and visitors alike. The beach offers exquisite experiences to every kind of visitor, which is why it is popular among couples and kids alike.
20. Hong Kong Wet Land Park
Home to a stunning array of wildlife including birds, dragonflies, amphibians, mammals, reptiles, butterflies and fish, Hong Kong Wet Land Park is a world-class ecotourism facility aimed at promoting green tourism, education on environmental protection and wetland conservation.
21. Lantau Island through the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car
Though there are many ways one could get to Lantau Island, the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car is undoubtedly the best one out of those. While the island is known for its rich ecological environment, its culture and customs, the cable car ride too is an absolute thrill in itself. Apart from giving one splendid views of the island and the Ngong Ping Village, the cable car ride would also provide mind blowing vistas of the famous statue of Giant Buddha. Owing to its profound natural beauty, Lantau Island is among the most preferred tourist places in Hong Kong.
22. Lan Kwai Fong
Hong Kong sightseeing doesn’t just include attractions for kids, families, & couples, but has something in store for the wild and wacky youngsters too. With an awesome assortment of nightclubs, pubs, & bars like the Hard Rock Cafe, Lan Kwai Fong is that glamorous and happening part of the city that comes to life at night. It is one of the best places to visit in Hong Kong for those seeking a kick-ass nightlife in this metro.
23. Star Ferry
One of the most inexpensive ways to explore Hong Kong is via the Star Ferry that lets one ride between Kowloon and Central. Named as the 50 ‘Places of a Lifetime to Visit’ by National Geographic, the 10 minute Ferry crossing ride gives one a stunning view of the city skyline and the world’s most photographed harbour.
24. Avenue of Stars
When in Hong Kong, tourist places like the Avenue of Stars is a must visit. Located along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui and established on Hong Kong’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the popular attraction featuring about 100 statues of celebrities, film stars, scriptwriters, & directors was created as a tribute to Hong Kong’s film industry. Though temporarily closed, a selection of their best exhibits is on display at the Garden of Stars, the Tsim Sha Tsui East Waterfront Podium Garden, and at the Starry Gallery, a pedestrian subway under Salisbury Road.
25. Big Buddha
The world’s second largest outdoor bronze statue– the Giant Buddha, is among the top rated tourist places in Hong Kong. In fact, the statue is so huge that you can easily spot this impressive 112 feet long figure near the Po Lin Monastery from your flight’s window seat! The Big Buddha, or Tian Tan, is also visible from the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car, which gives an almost eye-level view of the massive statue. But in order to truly experience this sanctum’s peaceful, charismatic and enlightening influences, one should definitely climb the 268 steps leading to the statue
