Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Cultural Centre, completed in 1989 and located on the waterfront of Victoria Harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui, is the prime venue for a variety of cultural activities including world-class concerts, operas, dance, drama, theatre and musical productions, film screenings, conventions, conferences and exhibitions. Check this venue out to see what’s on when you are in town. Address Information

The fishing village of Lei Yue Mun is a slice of old Hong Kong alive and well in the modern metropolis. About 150 years ago, this village was dominated by fishing, farming and mining. From the 1960s, it began to gain a reputation as a good spot for alfresco seafood dining. The ordering method is quite unusual: first you buy your fish from a tank in a market stall; then you take it to one of the nearby restaurants, which will prepare it for a fee. Overall, the price is reasonable and the seafood is very fresh. While experience the city’s living culture first-hand, drop by the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Lei Yue Mun Plus, an abandoned school that has been converted into educational, heritage and arts centre where you learn more about its culture and history.

Once the site of Hong Kong’s famed harbourside airport, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal is set to become one of the city’s most impressive and prestigious MICE venues and transform the city into Asia’s cruise hub. Capable of handling the world’s largest cruise ships, with up to 220,000 in gross tonnage, the terminal was designed by Sir Norman Foster (Foster+Partners) and encompasses an expansive 3,000 square metre arrivals hall that doubles as a versatile exhibition space. Its remarkably lengthy apron (850m by 30m) offers a pleasant setting for outdoor events and exhibits, while the terminal’s rooftop garden capitalises on the city’s breathtaking skyline to make a superb location for cocktail parties or pre-event gatherings.

Hong Kong Disneyland is presenting a series of spectacular events! From ‘Star Wars™: Tomorrowland Takeover’ to its 10th anniversary celebrations, these sensational events cannot be missed. Star Wars™: Tomorrowland Takeover Celebrate Star Wars with ‘Star Wars: Tomorrowland Takeover’ this summer, with exclusive experiences for Star Wars fans! Reimagined from Space Mountain, you will walk past a gigantic X-wing starfighter, flight suits and pilot helmets on your way to try your skill as a rebel pilot in the Hyperspace Mountain, before meeting legendary Wookiee warrior Chewbacca and resourceful astromech droid R2-D2 at Star Wars: Command Post. Experience Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple, adapted exclusively for Hong Kong Disneyland. Aspiring younglings (aged 4-12) will be recruited to don Jedi robes and join a secret training session with Jedi masters on how to use the Force, and their wit, to wield lightsabers! So join the Star Wars action by becoming a brave pilot, hero of the Resistance or Jedi Knight! Mickey and the Wondrous Book This brand new stage performance is an epic journey through an enchanted storybook. As the pages turn, you will be immersed in seven beloved Disney tales, including The Jungle Book with Baloo and King Louie; The Little Mermaid with Ariel; Tangled with Rapunzel; Brave with Merida; Aladdin with the Genie, Aladdin and Jasmine; The Princess and the Frog with Tiana and of course, an epic ‘happily ever after’-style Disney finale, Frozen with Princess Anna and Queen Elsa. Fairy Tale Forest — presented by PANDORA Have fun meandering through this enchanted living forest, where there will be miniature iconic scenes from five of the most cherished Disney Princess stories: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Tangled. Activate music box scenes to see them come to life with captivating music and animation, recreated in miniature perfection for your regal delight! ‘Disney in the Stars’ with All New Castle Projection During the 10th anniversary celebration, the nightly fireworks will be accompanied by an enhanced castle projection with cutting-edge technology and dazzling lighting effects. Your favourite stories and characters will be joined by some new friends, including Joy and Sadness from Inside Out, Nemo and Dory from Finding Nemo and the new upcoming release Finding Dory, Hiro and Baymax from Big Hero 6, and Lightning McQueen from Cars.

The Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple’s claim to ‘make every wish come true upon request’ might have something to do with its popularity. Home to three religions (Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism), its natural setting and beautifully ornamented buildings make it as much a scenic attraction as an important religious centre. The temple commemorates the famous monk of yore, Wong Tai Sin (also known as Huang Chu-ping), who was born in the Fourth century and became a deity at Heng Shan (Red Pine Hill). In 1915, Taoist priest Liang Ren-an carried a sacred portrait of Wong Tai Sin from Guangdong in southern China to Hong Kong. Now housing this precious portrait, the Wong Tai Sin Temple is where worshippers pray for good fortune through offerings, divine guidance and fortune telling. Feng shui enthusiasts may notice structures representing the five geomantic elements: the Bronze Pavilion (metal); the Archives Hall (wood); the Yuk Yik Fountain (water); the Yue Heung Shrine (fire), where the Buddha of the Lighting Lamp is worshipped; and the Earth Wall (earth). Other areas of the complex include the Three Saints Hall, the Confucian Hall and the extravagantly colourful Good Wish Garden that is lavishly decorated with chinoiserie.

Opened in 1977, Ocean Park Hong Kong is a marine-life theme park featuring animal exhibits, thrill rides and shows. In 2012, its impressive ability to offer guests a world-class experience that blends entertainment with education and conservation was confirmed when it became the first Asian winner of the biannual Applause Award, the most prestigious award in the amusement and theme park industry. The park is located on the southern side of Hong Kong Island, covering more than 915,000 square metres. The Waterfront and The Summit areas are connected by the Cable Car and Ocean Express funicular train. Ocean Park Hong Kong is committed to promoting and supporting animal conservation in Hong Kong and throughout Asia. Part of the proceeds from admission tickets and some retail items will go towards the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong to support wildlife conservation projects.

Lan Kwai Fong is one of Hong Kong’s most popular nightlife hot spots and home to over 90 restaurants and bars. The atmosphere ranges from stylish wine pairings to raucous jelly shots and the food on offer is as diverse as the clientele. Thanks to Hong Kong’s dominance in Asian cinema, this centre of late-night revelry is so renowned that its official street sign is more photographed than many of the celebrities who haunt its clubs. Mostly, the area is crowded with people from the surrounding offices of Central, eager to shake off the working day or week. Get in the thick of it with a street side perch, or watch the antics on the road below from one of the upper floors. Lan Kwai Fong usually hosts carnivals and other celebrations during major festivals, such as Halloween, Christmas and New Year and has its own beer festival.

If there is only one thing you can do in Hong Kong, go to The Peak. If you have many things to do here, still go to The Peak. The highest point on Hong Kong Island, this has been the city’s most exclusive neighbourhood since colonial times — back then it was the cooler air that attracted the rich and famous; in the post air-conditioning era, the views of one of the world’s most spectacular cityscapes keep them coming. That view is also what makes The Peak one of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong. By day your eyes stretch across sparkling skyscrapers and Victoria Harbour all the way to the green hills of the New Territories. In early evening this panorama melts into pink and orange before reincarnating as a dazzling galaxy of light, shimmering beneath you. And if you listen carefully enough, you can hear Asia’s world city humming below. Vantage Points The anvil-shaped The Peak Tower has a large viewing platform called Sky Terrace 428, in addition to dining and retail outlets. Nearby, The Peak Galleria has a free-entry observation deck, as well as shopping and dining options. More Head to Lugard Road Lookout and Lions Point View Pavilion for more stunning views. For leisurely unfolding vistas, take the 3.5-kilometre Peak Circle Walk. The Peak Tram Riding the Peak Tram is a visual experience in its own right — Hong Kong Island’s skyscrapers slide past your window at what appear to be impossible angles as you make the ascent to The Peak on the city’s historic, funicular railway. Located at Lower Terminus, The Peak Tram Historical Gallery is a way of paying tribute to The Peak Tram, its heritage and the history of Hong Kong. Since 1888, The Peak Tram has served Hong Kong, quietly witnessing 120 years of the city's changes. The gallery brings back many memories for local visitors and gives overseas visitors a glimpse of how the Pearl of the Orient has come to shine.