Things To Do in Hong Kong & Hong Kong Airport Layover Ideas
Things to do in Hong Kong if you have a Hong Kong Airport Layover or Extended Hong Kong Airport Stopover
You have several layover options right at HKG Airport:
- Play Golf: you can play 9-holes of golf at SkyCity Nine Eagles Course, day or night.
- Go Gaming: play soccer, basketball, golf, boxing, skiing, car racing, skiing, or shooting virtually at the i-Sports centre.
- Watch 3D: take in a show at the first airport IMAX.
- Shop: go shopping at the nearby, huge AsiaWorldExpo.
If you plan to spend your layover in Hong Kong, it is important to grasp the layout of this huge, vibrant city:
- Hong Kong Island is the site of the original British settlement; most of Hong Kong's highest skyscrapers and the financial centre can be found here, including its famous skyline along the northern coastline.
- Kowloon, the peninsula jutting south towards Hong Kong Island from the Asian continent, offers a chaotic mix of malls, street markets and residential tenements.
- Well-known weekend destinations for the locals, the Outlying Islands are most of the islands surrounding Hong Kong Island; they range from significant population centres to rocks poking out of the sea.
- Lantau is the largest of the Outlying Islands, twice the size of Hong Kong Island and famous for its high peaks, wild landscapes, great beaches and the HKG Hong Kong International Airport.
- The New Territories contain a curious mix of small farms, villages, industrial installations, mountainous country parks and towns that have populations the size of some cities.
View the cityscape from a ferry
One of the most interesting things to do in Hong Kong is to take a ferry between the islands. While there are several operators, the Star Ferry Star Ferry is the classic way to get between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
Take the BIG escalator
Hong Kong Island is dominated by steep, hilly terrain, which boasts unusual methods of transport up and down the slopes. The Mid-levels Escalator runs downhill from 06:00 to 10:00 and uphill from 10:30 to 24:00. Apart from transporting commuters, it is also a tourist attraction with restaurants, bars, and shops lining its route.
Catch the view from Peak Tower
Get a stunning view of Hong Kong Island on Victoria Peak atop the giant, wok-shaped Peak Tower! Peak Tower serves not only as an observation platform, it also doubles as a shopping mall offering shops, fine dining and museums. The Peak Tram runs from Central to the bottom of the Peak Tower. Although views of Kowloon and Victoria Harbour can be stunning, be prepared for the view to be spoilt by air pollution.
Shop!
Fierce competition, no sales tax and some wealthy consumers all add up to make Hong Kong an excellent destination for shopping. One of the more renowned shopping malls is the IFC Mall, is located near the Star Ferry and Outlying Islands Ferry Piers in Central. It has many luxury brand shops, an expensive cinema and superb views across the harbour from the rooftop. Can be reached directly from the HKG Hong Kong International Airport via the Airport Express and the Tung Chung line.
Visit a streetmarket
Illustrated in hundreds of Cantonese films, Temple Street is regarded as a must-see by most tourists. Sold items include cheap clothes for both sexes, toys, knockoff and fake labels, plus street food vendors, a handful of fortune tellers and a few Chinese opera singers.
Learn the Hong Kong story
Spend the afternoon visiting the Hong Kong Museum of History which is a 10 minute walk from Jordan MTR station down Austin Road. Give yourself around 2-3 hours to enjoy the 'Hong Kong Story' exhibition. Closed Tuesdays.
Give your eyes a rest
Dialogue in the Dark, a museum in Kowloon, features an experiential exhibition in complete darkness where you use your non-visual senses with the help of a visually impaired guide. In the 75 minute tour, you will visit five different, authentic settings, each with its own unique texture, sound, smell and even taste. Be prepared to have your senses heightened as your explore these foreign yet familiar places without the help of your eyes.
Hit the beach
You are never far from the sea in Hong Kong and going to a good beach is only a bus-ride away. Here are two popular ones:
- Repulse Bay is a large urban beach on the south side of Hong Kong island. It has recently had money spent on its facilities and will appeal to those who have young children.
- Middle Bay is popular with gay people and is a 20 minute walk from the crowds at Repulse Bay. Middle Bay has lifeguards, showers, changing rooms, shark nets and a decent cafe serving drinks and snacks.
As always, make sure you leave plenty of time to get back to HKG Hong Kong International Airport and clear security in time for your connecting flight. Enjoy your transit city rather than whiling away the time leaning up against your luggage in the departures lounge.
More Hong Kong Airport Transfer & Airport Connection Options
- Hong Kong Airport Information
- Hong Kong Airport Distance to City Centre
- Hong Kong Airport Currency Exchange
- Hong Kong Airport ATM & Cash Machines
- Hong Kong Airport Wireless Internet Access
- Hong Kong Airport Maps
- Hong Kong Airport Flights, Arrivals, & Airlines
- Hong Kong Airport Taxi Service
- Hong Kong Airport Onsite Hotels
- Hong Kong Airport Private Transfer Services
- Hong Kong Airport Shared Shuttle Transfers
- Hong Kong Airport Location & Address
- Hong Kong Airport Train & Subway
- Hong Kong Airport Hotel Shuttle Transfers
- Hong Kong Airport Shuttle
- Hong Kong Airport Buses & Coaches
- Hong Kong Airport Limo & Private Car Transfers
- Hong Kong Airport Car Hire/Car Rental
- Hong Kong Airport Other Ground Transportation
- Hong Kong Airport Parking & Passenger Pickup
- Hong Kong Airport Stopover & Layovers
- Closest Airports to HKG Hong Kong Airport
- Hong Kong Airport Services & Amenities