12 Instagram-worthy Spots in Hong Kong That Deserve a Spot on Your Feed

Matt Olivares

Last updated 30 Apr 2024

Photo credit: @michaela_rihova

Scenic and picturesque sightseeing destinations on the island

Hong Kong is more than just its extravagant city. Beyond its busy streets and skyscrapers, you’ll find patches of colorful spots in between the concrete, plus wide panoramic spaces, many of which are untainted by modernity. We’ve compiled a list of the 12 best places to visit to look for visual treats and to snap jaw-dropping photos to curate for your Instagram account.

Kam Tin Mural Village
Victoria Peak Garden
Bishop Hill and Reservoir
Kowloon Walled City Park
Tai Mo Shan
Ching Chung Koon Temple
Man Mo Temple
Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
Nathan Road
Lee Tung Avenue Rooftop Garden
Lin Ma Hang Caves
Cape D'Aguilar

1. Kam Tin Mural Village

Hong Kong has a vibrant mural scene and a good chunk of the wall murals you can find are in Sheung Wan and some of the streets and neighborhoods near it. But these aren’t the only places to visit where you can marvel at street art!

Located in the town of Yuen Long in the New Territories is the famous Kam Tin Mural Village. A local art teacher by the name of Kwok Yin-ming drew inspiration from the mural boom and made it a mission to take students around the area to paint. Their works are charged by their hopes, dreams, and ideals. Taking the time to admire their murals might remind you of the childlike wonder you’ve had, or if you’ve never lost it, intensify it and inspire you.

Address: Kam Tin Village, Yuen Long, Hong Kong
How to get there: take the MTR from Austin Station to Kam Sheung Road Station. It’s a short walk from there

2. Victoria Peak Garden

This garden is close to the summit of Victoria Peak and was once part of the Mountain Lodge, a now-demolished residence of the Governor of Hong Kong. The garden was preserved in all its verdant splendor and is accessible to the public - especially those looking for a brief respite from the busy streets of the city.

The best part? It’s pet-friendly! In fact, it’s one of the few public areas where you can bring your pets. It’s also one of the best places to enjoy a marvelous view of the Hong Kong cityscape, especially at night.

Address: Mount Austin Road, The Peak, Hong Kong
How to get there: it’s recommended to ride the Peak Tram to get there. Riding it is an experience in its own right

Need a ride? Book a Victoria Peak Tram Sky Pass on Klook!

3. Bishop Hill and Reservoir

Shek Kip Mei is an area in new Kowloon and is gaining popularity because of Bishop Hill. This hill attraction is known because of a community that turned it into a recreational space where people could exercise and practice healthy lifestyles. The area is not meant to be a recreational space. However, locals have contributed exercise machines, free for everyone’s use.

Aside from the recreational space, there was a recent discovery in Bishop Hill: an underground reservoir! Workers were aiming to demolish the area, but this discovery put a halt to it, and it's now being preserved and treated as a heritage site. This romanesque reservoir is not yet open, but the government is aiming to do so before the end of 2021.

Address: Shek Kip Mei, New Kowloon, Hong Kong
How to get there: take the MTR (Kwun Tong Line) to Shek Kip Mei Station. It’s a short walk from there

4. Kowloon Walled City Park

Kowloon Walled City was once a seedy underbelly in Hong Kong, but gone are its sketchy vibes and days of lawlessness. The Walled City was demolished and turned into a vibrant and picturesque park that’s open to the public. It retains much of the architecture from the Qing Dynasty and several remains of the Walled City, such as the restored Yamen, a government office from a bygone age.

There are also relics and artifacts on display for those looking to learn about the park’s history. Take the time to explore the whole park and visit attractions like the Garden of Four Seasons, the Mountain View Pavilion, and the Chess Garden. They’ll serve as beautiful backdrops for your photos!

Opening hours: 06:30 - 23:00
Address: Kowloon City, Hong Kong
How to get there: take the MTR (Kwun Tong Line) to Lok Fu Station. It’s a short walk from there

5. Tai Mo Shan

At the very center of the New Territories is an inactive volcano called Tai Mo Shan. Not only that, but it is also the highest peak in all of Hong Kong. If you’re looking for a challenging hike, then this will definitely prove to be a worthy conquest for you.

The hike is approximately 10.37km and it’ll take almost three hours to reach the top and return down. Your reward for reaching the summit is an incomparable, jaw-dropping view of the surrounding landscape and the New Territories. You’ll feel like you’re on top of the world!

Address: Centre of the New Territories, Hong Kong
How to get there: take the MTR to Kam Sheung Railway Station, then ride the 64k bus and get down at Ng Tung Chai Bus Stop. From there, cross the street and look for the entrance to the Ng Tung Chai Trail on the other side of the road from the bus stop. Follow the signs leading to Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls, and eventually, you’ll see signs that lead to Tai Mo Shan

6. Ching Chung Koon Temple

The Ching Chung Koon Temple is a Taoist holy site in the town of Tuen Mun. It’s considered to be one of the most tranquil places in the area, making it a must-visit destination not just for those with a fascination for religious sites but also for those looking for some peace and quiet.

The temple is surrounded by bonsai trees and you’ll find elaborate gardens and pagodas. If you enter the temple itself, you’ll find a lot of treasures on display, the most notable being lanterns that came from the Imperial Palace in Beijing.

Opening hours: 09:00 - 17:30
Address: 8 Tsing Chung Path, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
How to get there: take the MTR to Siu Hong Station. From there, take a taxi to get to the temple

7. Man Mo Temple

The Man Mo Temple is one of the oldest temples in Hong Kong and can be found mid-way up the iconic Victoria Peak. It’s a place of worship for two deities: the literature god Man Tai and the martial god Mo Tai. Students come here to pray for good fortune for their exams. Depending on when you visit, you might catch some of them praying.

Inside the temple, you will find spiral incense hung upside-down from the ceiling. These are offered by worshippers and students when they make their prayers. The incense gives the interior of the temple a smoky haze, and you can use that to get creative with your photos. Just make sure to be respectful throughout your visit.

Opening hours: 08:00 - 18:00
Address: Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
How to get there: take Bus 26 from the Landmark along Des Voeux Road in Central. Get down at the second Hollywood Road Stop. It’s a short walk from there

8. Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

In the Sha Tin District’s Pai Tau Village, you’ll find the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery. Contrary to its name, you actually won’t find ten thousand monks living there. Instead of live monks, you’ll find over ten thousand golden Buddha statues, from the moment you make your ascent up the 430 steps leading to the monastery, and while you explore the grounds.

You’ll see them inside temples, up on pagodas, on rocks, and on shelves. These are displays like no other and they make for good subjects for those with a fascination for aesthetics.

Opening hours: 09:00 - 17:00
Address: Pai Tau Village, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
How to get there: take the MTR (East Rail line) and get down at Sha Tin Station. It’s a short walk from Exit B

9. Nathan Road

Nathan Road is probably the busiest place on this list. While the rest make for peaceful getaways, this one does not but that’s not a knock on it.

Nathan Road is one of Hong Kong’s most historic roads and many landmarks call it home, like the Chungking Mansions and Saint Andrew’s Church, plus popular shopping areas like iSQUARE and the Miramar Shopping Centre. During the off-hours, the place bursts into life with an array of gorgeous and vibrant night lights.

Address: Kowloon, Hong Kong
How to get there: take the MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui Station. It’s a short walk from there

10. Lee Tung Avenue Rooftop Garden

The Lee Tung Avenue Rooftop Garden is a hidden attraction in Wan Chai along Lee Tung Street and can be accessed through an entrance beside a shop called Vivienne Tam. The entrance will lead you to an elevator, which can take you to the garden on the fifth floor.

Once you enter the garden, you’ll be greeted by a romantic atmosphere. The garden’s theme is love and you’ll notice this through the red flowers and its decorations, making it a good place to spend quality time with your significant other. It’s also pet friendly!

Opening hours: 08:00 - 21:00
Address: Queen’s Road E, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How to get there: take the MTR to Wan Chai Station. It’s a short walk from Exit A3 or D

11. Lin Ma Hang Caves

If you’re adventuring around the New Territories, there are numerous hidden gems to uncover. Take the opportunity to visit the village of Lin Ma Hang in Sha Tau Kok. It’s slowly gaining popularity as a hiking destination, especially the trail that leads to the Lin Ma Hang Caves. Entry to these caves was once forbidden. You’ll even see warning signs about the caves and that no one is responsible for your safety, so exercise caution!

Given that it’s a cave, it may be dark to take pictures but on the way, you can take numerous scenic shots of lush nature and tell the story of your journey to the caves through them.

Address: Lin Ma Hang, Sha Tau Kok, New Territories, Hong Kong
How to get there: take the MTR to Fanling Station or Sheung Shui Station. Then, ride Minibus 52k or 79k to the last police checkpoint. From there, you’ll have to walk along the access road leading to Lin Ma Hang Village. Look for the stairs that lead you to Macintosh Fort. From there, you can go for a hike and you should encounter the caves as you move along

12. Cape D’Aguilar

On the southeastern section of Shek O on Hong Kong Island is Cape D’Aguilar, also known as Hok Tsui. It’s a peninsula with some of the most beautiful coastal trails in the world.

Not only are they some of the most beautiful, but they’re also easy to navigate so you don’t have to worry about having to traverse difficult terrain or getting lost. Following these trails will take you to Hong Kong’s oldest lighthouse and other attractions such as caves and even remnants from World War II.

Address: Hong Kong Island (southeastern section), Hong Kong
How to get there: take the MTR (Island Line) to Shau Kei Wan Station and leave from Exit A3, ride Bus 9 to Shek O via Dragon’s Back, then get down at Cape D’Aguilar Road Bus Stop