Top Rated Attractions in Hong Kong

One of the top museums in town and also free of charge for its permanent exhibits, Hong Kong Museum of History chronicles 400 million years of this island's history. That is indeed a massive amount of time to explore and understand. Spread across eight galleries, this bi-level repository is like stepping on a time-travel machine. Dioramas, multimedia exhibits and graphic panels give insight into the topography, nature, culture, history and growth of Hong Kong. With thousands of objects creating a storyline that is exciting and engaging, there is probably no other museum in the city that is as comprehensive as the Hong Kong Museum of History. They also have special exhibitions at times. However they have an entrance fee to it.

The Cat Street Gallery is committed to exhibiting the best of international contemporary and modern art by both established and emerging artists. The Cat Street Gallery opened in November 2006 in it's first home in Cat Street with a group show of Australian artists including David Bromley and recent Archibald Prize winner Guy Maestri and held various exhibitions before moving to 222 Hollywood Road in February 2008. The Cat Street Gallery is a bit different. Nestling amidst the cold store meat packers and coffin shops of downtown Hollywood Road. Vibrant, edgy and mercurial, it is a gallery that likes to make a noise.

One of Hong Kong's star attractions and one of the deepest container ports in the world, Victoria Harbour is shielded on both sides by stunning skylines – an army of towering skyscrapers and Victoria Peak on one side, and the Tsim Sha Tsui shoreline on the other. Everyday, hundreds of ferries, tugs, junks, speed boats, and barges chug up and down the shore, carrying people and cargo, only pausing for typhoons. The history of this iconic harbor dates back to the times of the First and Second Opium Wars, when China faced defeat at the hands of the British, promptly rendering Hong Kong a British colony. Christened Victoria Harbour after the Queen of England, the harbor's critical position on the South China Sea, wedged between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, facilitated a thriving trade economy which largely impacted Hong Kong's imminent development. The harbor, a natural landmark that straddles both the past and future of Hong Kong's progress, is a spectacle at night. It comes alive with a permanent light and sound show that features an enchanting dazzle of lasers, synchronized music, and twinkling buildings.

Perched atop a hill in the Sha Tin district of Hong Kong, Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is the labor of love of Yuet Kai, a Buddhist who dedicated his life to this iconic temple. First founded in 1933, the temple was constructed over the course of 24 years, with the last Buddha placed in 1957. The temple complex is remarkable, but it's the walk up that is the true visual treat. Thousands of Buddha statues, each one unique, line the path to the monastery, each begging a closer inspection. The monastery is the final resting place of Yuet Kai. If you've worked up an appetite, the monastery's vegetarian restaurant offers reasonably priced healthful cuisine with all profits going towards temple's maintenance.

Victoria Park is one of Hong Kong Island's largest parks and has a statue of Queen Victoria near the entrance. This waterfront park offers a panoramic vista of the ocean and surrounding skyscrapers. In the morning, early risers gather here for walking, jogging and practicing martial arts like Tai Chi. Facilities such as tennis courts and swimming pools are open to the public for a small fee. On special occasions like the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Chinese New Year, this park dons a festive look and is packed to the brim with ebullient children and adults. Victoria Park is also the site of important art and political events.

This new museum of history, art, and culture is the largest of its kind in Hong Kong. Located in Sha Tin, New Territories, this expansive museum is a treasure trove and will take you on a journey through the city's past and present. The museum boasts an extensive collection of exhibits that encompass various aspects of Hong Kong's cultural heritage. These include displays on Chinese folk art, traditional customs, festivals, craftsmanship, and more. To make the visit engaging for all ages, here you will be offered interactive displays and multimedia presentations. You can also participate in hands-on activities, view multimedia installations, and even enjoy immersive virtual experiences.