Hong Kong will surprise you with the awe-inspiring views; the verdant terrain, and the glittering skyscrapers among the horizon. Taking in the atmosphere is part of the best thing about Hong Kong, though Hong Kong is probably one of the best places to find things to do that is free. With all the temples, beaches, and trails, there is something for everybody to do.
1. Visit the Museums – Free on Wednesday
Hong Kong Museum of Art is Hong Kong’s most prestigious museum. It’s a must-see for art and history buffs, or anybody wanting to walk around and look at beautiful creations including more than 15,000 art objects such as calligraphy, antique Chinese treasures, paintings of historical significance, and works by local artists.
Hong Kong Science Museum is educational, as well as fun with nearly 500 exhibits. Excellent fun and excitement for children. Popular exhibits are the computer area, a real, however stationary, car that visitors can drive in a driving simulation, and a small life-sized stationary aircraft that has a video of a flight around Hong Kong playing in the cockpit.
Hong Kong Heritage Museum’s time tunnel displays chart the development of Hong Kong from its days as an imperial era fishing village. However, People don’t just come for the architecture. The museum is divided into 12 galleries, each with a treasure trove of relics that express the history, culture, and arts of early Hong Kong and the nearby South China region.
2. Walk along the Central and Western Heritage Trail
The trail, which was established with generous financial support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, was set up by The Antiquities and Monuments Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department which links historic buildings and sites enabling visitors to develop a better understanding of the growth and development of these districts. The entire trail is comprised of three routes: Central Route, Sheung Wan Route, and the Western District and the Peak Route.
3. Visit a Temple
With approximately 600 temples, shrines and monasteries, there is something for everybody. Buddhism and Christianity is the most widely practiced, but most religions are represented in the Special Administrative Region.
4. Walk the Golden Mile of Nathan Road
This North to south running street has major points that would interest tourists, as well as small shops and hotels, though if you stop at a small shop, be cautious with your belongings because some of them have a reputation for selling fake products and substandard goods to foreign tourists.
5. Visit The Avenue of Stars
The most visited attraction in Hong Kong is also free! It’s Hong Kong’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and is 400 meters long and celebrates many Chinese film notorieties.
With so many fun and free things to do around Hong Kong, you might get hungry from all that walking around. Make sure to download the Local Eats app from the Apple ITunes store and the Google Play store. Always be careful when downloading apps over public Wi-Fi, as your phone is vulnerable to hackers and malware. I always use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on my phone to protect my personal information and to get me around the internet censorship blockades that some countries have.