School’s out, fun’s in!
This article was written in collaboration with Amy Leong from Cardable. Find out more at the end of the article.
Mention Hong Kong, and you’ll hear many ladies squeal with delight at the prospect of being able to eat and shop till their heart’s content. But, did you know that the land of Dim Sum is also a very family-friendly country?
here’s a list of 10 fun-filled family activities that your family can do in this busy little city! These activities are suitable for people of all age groups – sure to delight everyone in your family.
1. Lion Rock Country Park
Source: Wikipedia
Get your kids off those mobile devices and embrace the great Hong Kong outdoors! A hike up Lion Rock Mountain (495 metres high) with family-friendly routes is the perfect alternative. Reach the summit for breathtaking views of Kowloon and an appetite for a delicious Cantonese dinner!
Getting Here:
- Take the MTR to Diamond Hill or Won Tai Sin station
- Take a 10-min taxi ride to Lion Rock Mountain
Pro-Tip: Remember to hydrate regularly and come prepared for the hike with comfy shoes and attire. Depending on how fast or gung-ho your kids are, the hike can take up to 4 to 5 hours.
2. Hong Kong Disneyland
No matter how many times you’ve visited a Disneyland park, it never gets old! The Space Mountain roller-coaster and themed food will excite the whole family and have your kids entertained for hours on end.
If your children are fans of the Marvel franchise, even better! Head over to Stark Industries and stand a chance to meet Iron Man in person! Don’t miss the Iron Man 4D ride for a thrilling journey into the day in the life of the Avenger.
Getting Here:
- Take the MTR to Disneyland Resort Station on the Disneyland Resort line
- Or bring the whole family there via private van transfer!
Pro-Tip: Check out our Hong Kong Disneyland guide to get you excited for your trip!
3. Ocean Park
Needless to say, theme parks are definitely a must for family with children, much less one which is easily accessible by MTR. Alight directly at Ocean Park Station for your children to be immediately immersed in this magical world. Park attractions include Old Hong Kong, Whiskers Harbour, Thrill Mountain and Marine World. Another park favourite is also the cable car which gives park goers a bird’s eye view of the park.
Aside from thrilling rides and animal shows, visitors would also get a chance to spend some time up-close and personal with some animals. Here’s your chance to experience getting close to wild animals through the dolphin encounter, penguin encounter, and even seal encounter! For those who would like to experience being a zookeeper, do set aside 2 hours of your time to go behind-the-scenes and be a panda keeper for a day!
Ocean Park tickets can be purchased at a steal from Klook – plus you can skip the queues with mobile e-tickets sent straight to your mobile phone! For additional convenience, you can also purchase a one-way coach transfer which even comes with a discount meal coupon!
Getting Here:
- Take the MTR to Ocean Park Station on the South Island Line
Pro-Tip: If you have young children who might need to rest their little feet after a long walk, you might wish to bring your own stroller along. Alternatively, you can rent a stroller at Aqua City for a rate of HKD100 per day with an additional refundable security deposit of HKD100.
4. Ngong Ping 360
Source: NP360
Head over to Ngong Ping, one of Hong Kong’s famous tourist attractions. A 2-min walk away from Tung Chung MTR Station (Exit B), you can head directly to Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal. Purchase your tickets in advance on Klook and beat the crowd with a special VIP lane separate from the main queue!
On this 25-minute cable car ride, you’lll see Lantau Island, Hong Kong International airport, Ngong Ping village, Po Lin Monastery, Tai O Village and the Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha). Look out at the sea as you cross over Tai O Village. If you’re lucky, you might get to spot some dolphins!
Getting Here:
- Take the MTR to Tung Chung Station, Exit B.
Pro-Tip: Opt for the Crystal Cabin for panoramic 360-degree views!
5. Tai O Fishing Village
A stone’s throw away from Ngong Ping is Tai O, a fishing village of traditional houses built on stilts. Home to the Tanka people, this village is vastly different from the city. Experience nature at its best as you spend a day outdoors in the countryside.
Explore this island by taking a leisurely stroll on foot, or opt to take a boat ride out to catch a good view of the pink dolphins. If you choose the former, do take the time to browse through the local market. Get a taste of the local street food, be amazed by the myriad of seafood snacks, and perhaps pick up a bottle of the famous shrimp paste or salted egg as a gift for friends who love to cook.
A haven for seafood lovers, families can enjoy their dinner as they view the beautiful sunset, before heading back to the mainland.
Pro-Tip: Bring a change of clothing if you decide to kayak. Be dressed in comfortable clothing should you decide to hike.
6. Hong Kong Street Art Tour
Join the Central Street Art Walking Tour to let your eyes feast on humble yet beautiful drawings of graffiti. Treat yourself to a local breakfast at the local “Cha Chaan Teng” (Tea restaurants) before assembling at the convenient meetup location.
Head to 48 Hollywood Road near Central MTR station (Exit D) to begin your one hour guided tour. As you explore different areas of Hong Kong’s SoHo and wind down the little streets, take the chance to discover different styles and techniques of artwork done by many artists. You can definitely expect loads of pictures to be taken, so it’s time to start practicing your poses at home!
Pro-Tip: Remember to bring your selfie stick, and to watch out for oncoming traffic on these busy streets. You might wish to use a baby carrier instead of stroller as there might be steps along the way.
7. Sai Kung
Sai Kung is home to many outdoor activvities sure to keep your adrenaline levels up! Aside from vigorous watersports such as windsurfing, wakeboarding and diving, there are many other child-friendly activities such as kayaking, biking and hiking in this district.
For those who wish to focus mainly on water activities, you can opt for junk boat day tours instead. To up your level of adventure, you can even go for a 2D1N Zipline and Abseiling Tour. This once in a lifetime experience to let you live outdoors in a tent and to survive on the minimal would definitely be one of the highlights of your Hong Kong trip.
8. Noah’s Ark
Head down to Noah’s Ark – a full-scale replica – located on Ma Wan Island in the New Territories! Be awed by this majestic structure as the children run around in delight, searching for their favourite animals among 67 pairs of life size animal sculptures.
Aside from this main attraction in the park, visitors can also visit the Ark Expo, Treasure House, Ark Life Education House, or even take a stroll in the Nature park. These attractions boast of facilities that allow multimedia experiences in a 4D theatre, interactive games for children and even adults to engage in. Aside, the Solar Tower not only hosts various exhibits to allow visitors to learn about our planet, and the solar system, it even has the ability to allow visitors to view activity on the surface of the sun.
Spend a day at the park and soak in its beauty, or if it’s not enough, you can even opt to have an overnight stay at the Noah’s Resort or the Solar Tower Camp.
Getting Here (by Shuttle):
- Opt for the Shuttle Bus Package for easy access from MOKO in Mong Kok
- Head to the Ark Express Terminus on the MTR to board the shuttle bus
Pro-Tip: Bring your own stroller or conveniently rent one at the main entrance or the Customer Information centre.
9. Go on a food adventure around Hong Kong!
Hong Kong is home to numerous F&B outlets offering tantalizing treats sure to satisfy the picky appetites of young children!
Go for some whimsical ice-cream at Emack & Bolio’s or adorable dim sum at Dim Sum Icon – the choice is yours (or maybe your kid’s)! For more food inspiration, check out these fantastic eats and where to find them.
10. Madame Tussauds
Your kids will jump at the opportunity to rub shoulders with their favourite singers, stars and even cartoon characters! Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is a long-running attraction at The Peak that’s a strong favourite for locals and tourists alike.
Getting Here:
- By Peak Tram from St. John’s Building Peak Tram Station
- Skip the queues with a special combo ticket and enjoy Madame Tussauds, Sky Terrace 428 and the Peak Tram!
About Cardable
Cardable is a platform that brings together the best in credit card loyalty promotions for the Asian consumer. Check out Cardable for the best credit card deals! Your wallets will thank you for it.
