20 Must-Visit Attractions in Hong Kong

Coronavirus Outbreak Explained and Travel Advice – LIVE

The Best Cafés and Teahouses in Chengdu, Sichuan

China, Asia travel guide

Education

Culture & Arts

Food

Attractions

Entertainment

Drink

Transport

Outdoors

Adventure

Wellness

Picture Hong Kong and the first thing that springs to mind is its skyline: a condensed sprawl of skyscrapers soaring over Victoria Harbour, backdropped by verdant hills. Behind its urban exterior, however, is a region that remains deeply connected to and proud of its distinctive culture, which blends Chinese, British and indigenous influences.

Each of Hong Kong’s neighbourhoods, districts and islands has a personality of its own. Kowloon serves up sprawling markets and fascinating museums, while high-end Hong Kong Island offers endless options for shopping, drinking and dining. The outlying islands of Lamma and Cheung Chau give off a more laid-back, artsy vibe, and those craving nature should look no further than the hiking hotspot of Tung Lung Chau Island.

Introducing Hong Kong

With everything from top-notch restaurants to delicious street food, Hong Kong’s renowned cuisine is reason enough to visit. To eat as the locals do, tuck into Cantonese noodles and roast meat, or stack up dim sum dishes and wash them down with fragrant tea. 

There are some must-dos on any Hong Kong trip: riding the historic Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour; practising the ancient art of tai chi; browsing the Mong Kok markets; visiting the region’s temples and monasteries; watching horse racing in Happy Valley; and experiencing traditional Cantonese opera at Sunbeam Theatre. Vibrant festivities take place year-round, from the Mid-Autumn Festival (also known as the Mooncake Festival) to the Lunar New Year.

The best of Hong Kong culture

Hong Kong neighbourhoods

Beijing, China’s sprawling capital city, is where the country’s long history of dynastic rule meets its ambition to become a high-tech giant. This dynamic plays out in the city’s architecture; ultra-modern structures built for the 2008 Olympics jar with the temples, palaces and hutongs (narrow alleyways) that have defined Beijing for centuries.

With six UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Temple of Heaven and the enormous complex of palaces that make up the Forbidden City, Beijing thrums with imperial history. Many visitors use it as a base from which to explore the Great Wall of China; Badaling, the most frequented and best-known section of the wall, is within easy reach of the city.

Introducing Beijing

It might be the epicentre of Chinese history, but today Beijing is the country’s capital of cool. Former brothels are now stylish coffee shops, traditional hutongs house tiki bars and microbreweries, and a revolving carousel of works at the achingly trendy 798 Art Zone places the city comfortably at the forefront of modern Chinese art. 

While new restaurants routinely pop up all over, the best of Beijing’s cuisine can be sampled at its old-school hotpot and Peking-duck restaurants. As China’s cultural capital, Beijing also serves up a superb showcase of traditional entertainment, including Peking-opera playhouses and breathtaking acrobatic shows at Chaoyang Theatre.

Beijing culture

Beijing neighbourhoods

China’s business and financial centre, Shanghai appears to be throwing itself headfirst into the future, with soaring superstructures, opulent shopping malls and the world’s fastest commercial train zipping back and forth from Shanghai Pudong International. Peel your eyes away from the skyline, though, and you’ll see a different side to the city.

To experience real Shanghainese culture, take a stroll along traditional longtang, narrow residential lanes peculiar to Shanghai; tuck in to skewered quail in Qibao Town; watch elderly local residents play cards in Fuxing Park or practise tai chi as the sun rises; and attend a marriage market in People’s Square.

Introducing Shanghai

Visiting Shanghai is a true East-meets-West experience. Buddhist temples, classical gardens and the Old City offer a taste of traditional Chinese culture, while periods of European and American occupation have transformed China’s ‘City on the Sea’ into an international metropolis. The Bund, Shanghai’s busy waterfront on the Huangpu River, is lined with historic buildings of numerous architectural styles that include Art Deco, Renaissance Revival and Neo-Classical. Western influence is apparent in areas such as the former French Concession (FFC), whose tree-lined boulevards, bijou bistros and hip boutiques give the area a distinctly Parisian character.

Shanghai culture

Shanghai neighbourhoods

Things to do

Food & Drink

Places to stay

From the Cotswolds Distillery to Warwick Castle, here are 25 of the best attractions in the Cotswolds.

Europe

United Kingdom

Must-Visit Attractions in the Cotswolds

From deep lochs to wild cats and wilder ceilidhs, here's our guide of the 25 best things to see and do around Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.

Scotland

Must-Visit Attractions in and Around Inverness, Scotland

Whisk yourself away to the English countryside for a much-needed break with one of these idyllic day trips from London.

England

London

The 5 Best Day Trips From London

Culture Trip lists some of the most noteworthy places in the Algarve, Portugal's holiday hotspot.

Portugal

The Top Must-Visit Towns in the Algarve

From Quebec City to Rome and Kyoto, read our guide for the most wonderful places to experience with your significant other.

Italy

The 10 Most Romantic Cities in the World

Marvel at twenty stunning photographs of the Highlands of Scotland, a landscape where exceptional light changes the view by the second.

Inverness

Most Beautiful Places in the Scottish Highlands

France has some of the most beautiful and popular ski resorts in the world. To help you choose the right skiing holiday for you, check out our list of the 10 must-visit ski resorts in France.

France

The 10 Best Ski Resorts In France

Our guide to Cornwall's best and most beautiful coastal walks, with pubs. Gentle rambles to cliff-top hikes, there's a beautiful Cornish coast walk for everyone.

The Most Beautiful Coastal Walks in Cornwall

From authentic dining to stunning architecture, discover the best things to do and see in Venice, Italy's most magical city.

The Top 10 Things to Do in Venice

Rediscover the country’s incredible beauty by visiting these picturesque natural spots.

11 Beautiful Places in the UK to Escape Into Nature

Read our guide to the 20 must-do things when visiting Devon, one of England's most beautiful counties in the south west.

Must-Visit Attractions in Devon

Are you planning on visiting Lisbon but aren't sure where to go or what to see? Read our list of Lisbon's 20 most appealing spots.

Lisbon

20 Must-Visit Attractions in Lisbon, Portugal

From small, cosy rooms to spacious suites, there is a place for everyone to rest their head in St Ives, Cornwall. Here’s Culture Trip’s guide to the best hotels in this beautiful little corner of England.

The 9 Best Hotels in St Ives, Cornwall

From a giant's stepping stones, to castles propped up by ancient rocks and pretty fishing villages, read our guide to the best that Cornwall has to offer.

17 Must-Visit Attractions in Cornwall, UK

Spending some time on Lake Como? Check out this list of 10 top restaurants where a meal is a journey through local tastes and smells!

The 10 Best Restaurants on Lake Como

From the roller coasters of Disneyland to thousands of Buddhas, these are the 20 things that every visitor must see in Hong Kong.

Culture Trip explains everything you need to know about Covid-19, including its symptoms, where it has spread and how to protect yourself from infection.

One of China’s most relaxed big cities, Sichuan’s capital, Chengdu, is full of old-world teahouses and quirky cafés.

The Best Travel, Food and Culture Guides for China, Asia - Local News & Top Things to Do

China

See & Do

20 Must-Visit Attractions in Hong Kong

From the roller coasters of Disneyland to thousands of Buddhas, these are the 20 things that every visitor must see in Hong Kong.

Health & Wellness

Coronavirus Outbreak Explained and Travel Advice – LIVE

Bars & cafes

The Best Cafés and Teahouses in Chengdu, Sichuan