Hong Kong City Guide - attractions

Victoria Peak
Much of the pleasure derived from a trip to Victoria Peak lies in the journey to its summit. The funicular railway or peak tram has steadily made its way up the mountain since 1888. Energetic travellers can scale the real peak that extends 140m (459ft) above the tram terminus. From the top, marvellous vistas open out onto central Hong Kong and across to Kowloon. Victoria Peak used to serve as a hill station in colonial times and later became the location of exclusive summer homes. Today it is a popular tourist spot offering a cooler perspective from which to contemplate the pleasures of travel to the region. The Peak Tower on the summit houses numerous attractions, like a Ripley's Believe it or not 'Odditorium', shops and restaurants.
Telephone: 2522 0922 (Peak Tram)
Website: www.thepeak.com.hk
Transport: Take the Peak Tram from Garden Road or bus 15C. There is also a shuttle bus (daily 9am to 7pm) that departs from Star Ferry Terminal
Opening times: The Peak Tram runs every day, including Sundays and public holidays, between 7am and midnight. The tram departs every 10-15 minutes

Hong Kong Disneyland
Disneyland in Hong Kong, while being the smallest of this famous franchise, has hundreds of attractions (and freshly baked cookies) to lure kids. As with the others, this Disneyland has the usual castles, characters and sets from the Disney stories to entertain children, but it also has features that highlight the local Chinese culture... anyone seen Mulan around? Children visiting Disneyland must try one of Tomorrowland's restaurants, an energetic hub of robots and rocket ships.
Telephone: 2183 0830
Website: www.hongkongdisneyland.com
Transport: Tung Chung Line of the MTR
Opening times: Daily 10.30am to 8pm

Western Market
This indoor market is held in a four-storey red brick colonial building that was constructed in 1906. After extensive renovation it re-opened in 1991 and now occupies an entire block at the western end of Central Hong Kong. The building houses a variety of shops and stalls that sell a range of products from curios to assorted silks and fabrics. From here one can hop onto Hong Kong's ancient double-decker tram headed for Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Happy Valley.
Telephone:
Website:
Transport: Take the MTR to Sheung Wan, exit B or C; bus or tram along Des Voeux Road to Sheung Wan
Opening times: Open daily from 10am to 7pm

Police Museum
The Police Museum showcases a display tracing the development and history of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force from 1844 to today. The main exhibit encompasses a significant number of artefacts relating to the Hong Kong Police Force from uniforms and firearms, to historical archives and photographs. Other exhibits look at the major factions which have influenced the status quo namely the triad societies and narcotics (Hong Kong was founded on the narcotics trade). The Police Museum is an interesting visit, which provides insight into the dedication of the officers who served within this elite force.
Telephone: 2849 7019
Website:
Transport: Take NWFB Bus No.15 (from Exchange Square to the Peak). Get off at the stop between Stubbs Road and Peak Road
Opening times: Wednesday to Sunday 9am to 5pm; Tuesday 2pm to 5pm. Closed Mondays and public holidays

. Statue Square
This square is an amalgamation of Hong Kong's contemporary architecture that reaches its most spectacular manifestation in the designs of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and the Bank of China Tower. The most significant feature of the HSBC building is that it has been designed without a central core, a feat of structural engineering blended with the ultimate in aesthetic principles. The Bank of China Tower became a much-debated conversation piece following its construction, largely because of the asymmetrically-designed pinnacle that acquires differing perspectives depending on one's vantage point.
Telephone:
Website:
Transport: MTR Central station, exit K
Opening times:

Hong Kong Museum of History
The Hong Kong Museum of History showcases Hong Kong's archaeological, cultural and natural history through a display of cultural objects, artefacts, photographs, traditional costumes and models that span 6,000 years. Glorious period sets tell the story of Chinese life in replicas of village houses, streets and stores. These memorials to the past are contained within an incredible building opened in the year 2000.
Telephone: +852 2724 9042
Website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/hkmh
Transport: MTR Tsim Sha Tsiu, then walk via Granville Road; maxicab no 1 from Kowloon Star Ferry in Tsim Sha Tsiu to Science Museum Road
Opening times: Monday and Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 6pm; Sunday and public holidays 10am to 7pm. Closes at 5pm on Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year's Eve. Closed on Tuesdays and first two days of Chinese New Year

Wong Tai Sin Temple
This grand Taoist temple is one of the most frequently visited temples in Hong Kong. It is dedicated to Wong Tai Sin, a legendary hermit who reputedly had healing powers and could foretell the future. A number of fortunetellers ply their trade in the temple complex and there is also a large pharmacy. The ornate temple with its red pillars, gold ceilings and decorative latticework is usually full of people burning incense and making floral offerings.

The temple also has a lovely adjacent park called the 'Good Wish Gardens', a peaceful green spot with waterfalls tumbling over rocks.
Telephone: 2327 8141
Website:
Transport: MTR to Wong Tai Sin, exit B
Opening times: Daily 7am to 5.30pm, gardens closed on Mondays

. Ocean Park and Middle Kingdom
The Ocean Park and Middle Kingdom is a theme park spread over two parts, connected to each other by a cable car. A spectacular aquarium, reputed to be the largest in world, is complemented by a funfair containing a roller coaster, space wheel, octopus and swinging ship amongst its rides. Entrance fee also includes a visit to the ancient Chinese Middle Kingdom.
Telephone: 3923 2323
Website: www.oceanpark.com.hk
Transport: Take City Bus route 629 from either Amiralty MTR Station or Central Pier No.7. Bus fares are HK$10.6 for adults and HK$5.3 for children. Check out the website for other frequent public bus services
Opening times: Daily 10am to 6pm

Aberdeen
Some 200 years ago, Hong Kong's Aberdeen district was a haven for pirates. Located on the southern shore of Hong Kong Island, it is home to the Tanka boat people and has become a popular tourist destination where visitors can experience on hand the traditional lifestyle of boat dwellers and sample fresh seafood. Aberdeen is a lively marina crammed with junks, sampans, water taxis (kai do), cruisers and yachts. The fishing harbour is a wonderful way to experience the activity of life on water. Tours along Aberdeen's watery stretches can be enjoyed onboard one of the many sampans offering half-hour trips around the harbour and the sensory delights of Hong Kong cuisine can be experienced within the unique environment of the famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant.
Telephone:
Website:
Transport: Bus No.7 or No.70 from Exchange Square in Central
Opening times:

Hong Kong Science Museum
Four floors of exhibits cover a range of hands-on science and technology related subjects, including light, sound, motion, magnetism, electricity, robotics, virtual reality and much more. This museum is extremely popular because of its hands-on approach, allowing children and adults alike to learn through involvement. The most prominent exhibit is a 72-foot (22m) tall twin tower Energy Machine which, when activated, triggers a series of displays to produce spectacular audiovisual effects demonstrating various forms of energy.
Telephone: 2732 3232
Website: hk.science.museum
Transport:
Opening times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 1pm to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 9pm

Kowloon Park
A good outdoors attraction for children on holiday in Hong Kong is Kowloon Park, which has aviaries, outdoor swimming pools, canals and a waterfall for kids to enjoy. The lake is home to a beautiful flock of flamingos, and the themed sections and open-air sculpture area are also interesting to see. The Chinese garden, playground and soccer pitch are yet more fun features of the park.
Telephone: 2724 3344
Website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/parks
Transport:
Opening times: Daily, 6am to 12am

Ocean Park
Ocean Park, aka 'Big Park', is a great attraction for kids on holiday in Hong Kong. This is an exciting theme park featuring aquariums, dinosaur exhibits and roller-coaster rides set in beautifully landscaped gardens. The remote-control cars at Kids' World are a hit, and the giant pandas are not to be missed; the stingrays at Sea Jelly Spectacular are also fantastic to see. The ancient Chinese Middle Kingdom is linked to Ocean Park by a cable car, another must for children on holiday.
Telephone: 3923 2323
Website: www.oceanpark.com.hk
Transport: Take City Bus route 629 from either Amiralty MTR Station or Central Pier No.7. Bus fares are HK$10.6 for adults and HK$5.3 for children. Check out the website for other frequent public bus services.
Opening times: 10am to 6pm daily

The Peak
Kids on holiday in Hong Kong would love a ride on the rack railway (tram) up to The Peak, where there are plenty of attractions to amuse them. The wacky and sometimes gross Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum is a must see, as is Madame Tussaud's wax museum. Other features of The Peak for kids include a fantastic playground, and a restaurant with a Forrest Gump theme - bring on the shrimp!
Telephone:
Website: www.thepeak.com.hk
Transport: The Peak Tram Lower Terminus is reachable from the MTR in Central, or by public transportation
Opening times: Tram runs daily, 7am to 12am

Hong Kong Wetland Park
Children on holiday in Hong Kong who want to see crocodiles, butterflies and mangroves should head to the Hong Kong Wetland Park, a man-made oasis. Interactive and educational games are another feature to enjoy at the park, as are the sound booths where kids can compose wetland symphonies using the sounds of this fascinating eco-system.
Telephone: 2708 8885
Website: www.wetlandpark.com
Transport:
Opening times:

Toy Library
A favourite for kids on holiday in Hong Kong is the Toy Library, on the second floor of Central Library. The library has areas where children can play 'house' or 'doctors and nurses', and there is also a games catalogue available. On the same floor, the Junior Library has a large selection of books in English for kids, as well as a pleasant reading area.
Telephone: 3150 1234
Website:
Transport:
Opening times: Daily, 10am to 9pm