About

About ULTIMATE Hong Kong City Guide

ULTIMATE Hong Kong City Guide is an independent guide for visitors to Hong Kong. We publish 14 curated lists: restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels, sights, museums & shows, parks, walks, shopping, spas & health, property, developments, motoring and getting around. We cover Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Sheung Wan and Tai Ping Shan, the Peak, the South Side, Tsim Sha Tsui and West Kowloon, with day trips to Lantau, Macau, Sai Kung, Lamma and Cheung Chau.

Our editor

Jai Michael is Editor-in-Chief of the ULTIMATE City Guides. With more than 25 years in the media industry, he founded ABSOLUTE brighton and London TV, and has worked with leading luxury brands around the world.

How we choose

Every place in our lists has been checked against its own website or an official source: the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Immigration Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Land Registry, the Estate Agents Authority, the Airport Authority, the MTR and the MICHELIN Guide. We never accept payment for inclusion, and we don’t publish ratings or property prices.

Before you go

Opening hours, entry rules and timetables change, and typhoon warnings can close attractions and ferries at short notice. Please check directly with each place, and with official sources, before you travel. Prices are in Hong Kong dollars.

For venues

Run a venue in Hong Kong and spotted something to update? We review our lists regularly and welcome corrections.

Photo credits

• The Central skyline and the IFC tower seen from the Star Ferry on Victoria Harbour, by Daniel Case, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The vaulted roof and concourse of Hong Kong International Airport, by Diego Delso, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• An Airport Express train on its way across Lantau, by LN9267, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The curving white atrium of the Xiqu Centre, with a wooden pavilion at its heart, by Ceeseven, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Hong Kong Island and the harbour at night from Victoria Peak, by Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Bruce Lee statue on the Avenue of Stars, facing the Hong Kong Island skyline, by [2], licensed CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The marble bar and sculpted ceiling of Ozone at The Ritz-Carlton, by Patty Mooney from San Diego, USA, licensed CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The bronze Tian Tan Buddha seated on its lotus throne at Ngong Ping, by Béria Lima de Rodríguez, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Tian Tan Buddha above the green hills and sea of Lantau, from above, by Huangdan2060, licensed CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A shaded walk under the aviary canopy at the Zoological and Botanical Gardens, by RG72, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Ocean Park cable cars above Deep Water Bay and Middle Island, by Ceeseven, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Afternoon tea on a three-tier stand in the Lobby of The Peninsula, by Connie Ma, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay from the hills above, with boats at anchor, by Sun8908, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The curving galleries and escalators of Times Square, Causeway Bay, by Exploringlife, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Central skyline and the IFC tower seen from the Star Ferry on Victoria Harbour, by Daniel Case, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A shop of Hong Kong souvenirs and neon inside Central Market, by LN9267, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Green-topped tables and booths in a Hong Kong cha chaan teng, by T1NH0 (talk), licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Painted fishing boats moored in Cheung Chau harbour, by Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, licensed CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the clock tower on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, by Katie Chan, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Tian Tan Buddha above the green hills and sea of Lantau, from above, by Huangdan2060, licensed CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay from the hills above, with boats at anchor, by Sun8908, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The calm water and sandy beach of Deep Water Bay, by Isaac Wong (惡德神父), licensed CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The bronze-coloured Hong Kong Palace Museum on the West Kowloon waterfront, by LN9267, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A bamboo steamer of har gow, siu mai and buns, by Peachyeung316, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Shrimp dumplings with roe in a bamboo steamer, by Peachyeung316, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Three golden Hong Kong egg tarts, by Donatingpictures, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The IFC tower and the Kowloon waterfront at night, seen from the Peak, by Ralf Roletschek, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The calm water and sandy beach of Deep Water Bay, by Isaac Wong (惡德神父), licensed CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.
• 1881 Heritage, the old Marine Police Headquarters, lit up at night above a fountain, by Jakub Hałun, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Hong Kong Island and the harbour at night from Victoria Peak, by Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Crystal chandeliers and a sitting area in the lobby of the Mandarin Oriental, by COLA CARKZ 222, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Crystal chandeliers and a sitting area in the lobby of the Mandarin Oriental, by COLA CARKZ 222, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The HSBC Main Building in Central, with its exposed steel frame, by Suicasmo, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge across the Pearl River estuary, by N509FZ, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The International Commerce Centre in West Kowloon, with a Star Ferry on the harbour, by Ank Kumar, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The bright atrium of the IFC mall, Central, by Hangfook Lam Honga, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The round porthole windows of Jardine House, by Joybot, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A red-sailed junk crossing Victoria Harbour, by Own, licensed CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The curving timber ceiling on level two of K11 MUSEA, by Wpcpey, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The glass Health and Wellness Centre at Kai Tak Sports Park, by Ceeseven, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Seafood restaurants on stilts and boats in the bay at Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma, by Dinkun Chen, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The marble atrium of LANDMARK, Central, with its luxury boutiques, by Hon G Kagwuie IAMEEON, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Orchids above the atrium restaurants of LANDMARK, by Hon G Kagwuie IAMEEON, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Lugard Road, the shaded path round Victoria Peak, by 姒姓賢寧, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Afternoon tea on a three-tier stand in the Lobby of The Peninsula, by Connie Ma, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Senado Square in Macau at night, its wave-patterned paving lit up, by kewl, licensed CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A Cotai Water Jet ferry at the Hong Kong–Macau Ferry Terminal, Sheung Wan, by Exploringlife, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Giant incense coils hanging from the ceiling of Man Mo Temple, by Sarah Stierch, licensed CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Gilded columns, incense coils and bronze urns inside Man Mo Temple, by Aethelfirth, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Hong Kong Maritime Museum on Central Pier 8, with the towers of Central behind, by KTo288, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Ship models in lit cases at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, by Ceeseven, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Crystal chandeliers and a sitting area in the lobby of the Mandarin Oriental, by COLA CARKZ 222, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Murray House on the waterfront at Stanley, with fishing boats below, by Hankt, licensed CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• LED and neon signs on Portland Street, Mong Kok, at night, by Benlisquare, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Alhambra in Granada in the evening light, by Jebulon, licensed Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The floodlit Acropolis and Parthenon at dusk, seen from Philopappos Hill, by Giles Laurent, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The pink sand beach of Harbour Island, the Bahamas, by Rüdiger Stehn from Kiel, Deutschland, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The road winding out to the lighthouse on Cap de Formentor, Mallorca, above the open sea, by Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Grand Palace reflected at dawn, by Nawit science, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The golden sand and calm water of Paynes Bay, St. James, by Barry haynes, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Sagrada Família lit up at night, by Maksim Sokolov, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Belgrade's old town and the spire of the Cathedral Church of St Michael above the Sava at sunset, photo: © ULTIMATE International Media.
• The Romanian Athenaeum in its garden, by Jorge Franganillo, licensed CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Hungarian Parliament lit up at night on the Danube, by Tom Ek, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Bixby Creek Bridge on the Big Sur coast, by Diliff, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A cruise ship in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro, by Gzzz, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Burj Khalifa and Business Bay at blue hour, by Robert Bock, licensed CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A schooner silhouetted against the sunset off Key West, by Joe Parks from Berkeley, CA, licensed CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Aerial view of the white sand spit of Ses Illetes and Llevant, the salt pans and, across the strait, Ibiza and Es Vedrà, by Beni Marull, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Baie des Anges, Nice, by Tobi 87, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Blue domes of Oia above the Santorini caldera, by Norbert Nagel, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Helsinki Cathedral above the South Harbour, by Ввласенко, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Hong Kong Island and the harbour at night from Victoria Peak, by Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The walls of Dalt Vila and the cathedral above the harbour of Ibiza Town, in late sun, by Charles from Port Chester, New York, licensed CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Hagia Sophia and its minarets in golden evening light, by Nserrano, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Las Vegas Strip at dusk, by Dietmar Rabich, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Congress Square, Ljubljana, with the castle on its hill behind, by Petar Milošević, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Palace of Westminster and the Elizabeth Tower lit at dusk across the Thames, by Diliff, licensed CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Downtown Los Angeles at sunset beneath the snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains, by Alek Leckszas, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Metrópolis building at the start of the Gran Vía, by Diego Delso, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• La Seu, Palma’s Gothic cathedral, and the Almudaina above the old sea wall, seen from the Parc de la Mar, by Enric, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• An aerial view of a small island ringed by reef in the Maldives, by Luka Peternel, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Yachts in Puerto Banús, by kallerna, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Turquoise water below the pine-topped cliffs at Cala Macarella, Menorca, by Markus Trienke, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Art Deco hotels on Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, by Robbschultz69, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Monaco from above, Port Hercule and Monte-Carlo below the mountains, by Spike, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Taj Mahal Palace and the Gateway of India from the harbour, by iMahesh, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Sunset at the Naples Pier, by pmarkham, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The New York City skyline from Top of the Rock, by Dillan Payne, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Millennium Bridge over the Morača, by Desemeus, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Golden Gate Bridge seen from Battery Spencer, by Christoph Strässler, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Sebilj fountain and the square of Baščaršija, by Yukof, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Lujiazui skyline lit up at night across the Huangpu River, by King of Hearts, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Matterhorn in winter above Zermatt, by JoachimKohler-HB, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Warrior on a Horse fountain in Macedonia Square, Skopje, lit at night, by Diego Delso, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia, under a pink evening sky, by Jose Ligero Loarte, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A caparisoned elephant in the Esala Perahera procession, Kandy, by Daniel Liabeuf, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Gros Piton and Petit Piton, the twin volcanic spires of the UNESCO-listed Pitons, by xiquinhosilva, licensed CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The restored Pyramid of Tirana under a blue sky, by BBB2021, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Rolling green hills and a farmhouse near Pienza in the Val d’Orcia, by Tom Ek, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Calatrava’s Hemisfèric lit at twilight, reflected in its pool, by Diliff, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• St Mark's Church and its tiled roof on St Mark's Square, Zagreb's Upper Town, by Jorge Láscar from Australia, licensed CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The entrance plaza of Ocean Park Hong Kong beneath the hills, by Unknown authorUnknown author, licensed CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The marble bar and sculpted ceiling of Ozone at The Ritz-Carlton, by Patty Mooney from San Diego, USA, licensed CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The bronze-coloured Hong Kong Palace Museum on the West Kowloon waterfront, by LN9267, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A shaded walk under the aviary canopy at the Zoological and Botanical Gardens, by RG72, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Hong Kong Island and the harbour at night from Victoria Peak, by Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Hong Kong Island and the harbour at night from Victoria Peak, by Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Afternoon tea on a three-tier stand in the Lobby of The Peninsula, by Connie Ma, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Stilt houses, fish rafts and boats at Po Toi O, Sai Kung, by Underwaterbuffalo, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay from the hills above, with boats at anchor, by Sun8908, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay from the hills above, with boats at anchor, by Sun8908, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The sweep of Repulse Bay beach beneath green hills and towers, by Daniel Case, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A bamboo steamer of har gow, siu mai and buns, by Peachyeung316, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Giant incense coils hanging from the ceiling of Man Mo Temple, by Sarah Stierch, licensed CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The marble atrium of LANDMARK, Central, with its luxury boutiques, by Hon G Kagwuie IAMEEON, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Central skyline and the IFC tower seen from the Star Ferry on Victoria Harbour, by Daniel Case, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The sweep of Repulse Bay beach beneath green hills and towers, by Daniel Case, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Stanley waterfront and Murray House on a bright day, by Ceeseven, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The colonnaded Barrack Block and parade ground at Tai Kwun, by Wpcpey, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The red gateway of Temple Street at night, by Deror_avi, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The curving galleries and escalators of Times Square, Causeway Bay, by Exploringlife, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• An Airport Express train on its way across Lantau, by LN9267, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Bruce Lee statue on the Avenue of Stars, facing the Hong Kong Island skyline, by [2], licensed CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Tsim Sha Tsui and Victoria Harbour lit up at night, seen from high above West Kowloon, by Diego Delso, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Palms along the promenade of Victoria Park at dusk, by LN9267, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Lugard Road, the shaded path round Victoria Peak, by 姒姓賢寧, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The Central skyline and the IFC tower seen from the Star Ferry on Victoria Harbour, by Daniel Case, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The International Commerce Centre in West Kowloon, with a Star Ferry on the harbour, by Ank Kumar, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• A stone bridge and red pavilions in the gardens of Wong Tai Sin Temple, by Underwaterbuffalo, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The painted eaves of the Confucian Hall at Wong Tai Sin Temple, by Underwaterbuffalo, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• The curving white atrium of the Xiqu Centre, with a wooden pavilion at its heart, by Ceeseven, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.