In all my five years of living in Hong Kong I never got sick of that skyline. In fact, saying goodbye to that view was the very last thing I did before I left for the airport. And with so many incredible angles to see the city from, it’s hard to pick my favourite. Here are just a few of the best views in Hong Kong.
Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront
We can’t talk about the best views in Hong Kong without talking about TST. This is where the iconic picture of HK’s epic skyline can be found, which is especially breathtaking lit up at night. Although the nightly light show is pure mature cheddar cheesy, it’s also worth a watch at least once.
Even better, get a seat on the Star Ferry and cross the water to see the skyline from both the island and Kowloon.
The Cable Cars at Ocean Park
Aside from rollercoasters, special events such as Halloween Fright Night and a zoo with pandas, Ocean Park also has some pretty special views of the south of Hong Kong Island and Aberdeen.
Taking a trip in one of the cable cars on a clear day (or climbing up to the highest drop of a rollercoaster) offers some really stunning views.
The Peak
It’s no exaggeration to say that The Peak has spectacular views of the harbour. If you head up there in the late afternoon you can see the city as it lights up below you. If you don’t suffer from vertigo, you can even take the Pake Tram up and watch the skyscrapers disappear beneath you.
Lion Rock
Lion Rock is a strong symbol in Hong Kong, standing for hard work and pride (plus, you know, it looks like a lion). The hike up to the lion’s head is amazing and the views out to Kowloon are equally impressive.
The Ritz Carlton
If you really want to test how you feel about heights, head up to the Ritz-Carlton in the ICC Building. Don’t be fooled by Sky100, the ‘viewing platform’ on the hundredth floor – the charge to get in costs more than a drink at the Ritz-Carlton bar, an extra few floors up.
Ritz-Carlton’s Ozone is officially the tallest bar in the world, though I prefer a cocktail at the less trendy Lounge Bar, where the floor to ceiling windows allow you to take in the whole city.
The MacLehose Trail
To be honest, most of the hikes in Hong Kong offer beautiful views of the SAR. However, the MacLehose Trail is definitely up there as having some of the best views in Hong Kong, particularly in the east of the New Territories.
One of my favourite lookout spots is this one. You turn a corner to be greeted by Tai Long Wan: three picturesque beaches staggered along the coast. You can also hire camping equipment at Ham Tin Beach (the first one) from the local bar and restaurant.
Top Deck of a Tram
It may not be as tall as a skyscraper or as high as The Peak, but my personal favourite view of the city has to be the one I get from riding top deck in a ding ding. Plus, a trip from one end of the island to the other only costs a bargain $2.3.
10,000 Buddhas
The (supposed) 10,000 buddha statues that line this temple complex are worth a visit in themselves. There are also some alternative views of the city looking out over Sha Tin, where Kowloon blends into the New Territories.
Ma Wan Beach
Did I ever tell you about the time I moved to Hong Kong and lived inside a life-size replica of Noah’s Ark?
Well, that was how my Hong Kong adventure first started: sitting outside the Ark (how do they know it’s ‘life-size’?) on Ma Wan Island, drinking cheap 7-Eleven beers and marvelling at the Tsing Ma Bridge lit up at night.
Cable cars up to the Big Buddha
Of all the places in Hong Kong that are ‘must-see’, I never understood why the Big Buddha was up there. The statue itself is a recent build and the surrounding Ngong Ping village is a Disney-style mock-up with the sole purpose of luring in tourists.
However, I do enjoy the cable car ride from Tung Chung up to Ngong Ping and watching the buddha come into view from behind mist and greenery.
The Best Views in Hong Kong
Finally, one of the best views in Hong Kong has to be the view from the pavement. Towering skyscrapers that make your neck hurt when you try and see the top, hills of green and endless turquoise horizon.
Don’t forget to look up!
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