The 15 Best Things to Do Outdoors in Hong Kong
From morning Tai Chi classes in the park to junk boat rides across the harbour, there’s no shortage of things to do outdoors in Hong Kong. Here's our guide to the best al fresco activities in the harbour city.
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Get beached
1/16Yes, Hong Kong has beaches and yes, they’re worth seeking out. Take in a classic at Repulse Bay or Shek O, or seek out the lesser-known shores of Big Wave Bay or Ham Tin Wan.
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Go green
2/16Escape the concrete jungle by exploring one of the manicured green spaces of Hong Kong. Get lost in the hedge maze at Kowloon Park, take yourself on a leisurely amble in Victoria Park or be dazzled by the flora and fauna (tortoises included) on display at the Zoological and Botanical Gardens, one of the oldest of its kind in the world.
Unearth a treasure trove of pristine beaches, lush forested mountains and thriving marine parks in Hong Kong. Book flights at qantas.com – and don’t forget your swimsuit.
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Rock it
3/16Strange and stunning rock formations from 400 million years ago can be found at Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, one of the city’s many famous but unexpected natural spaces. Take a guided tour of the park to see the volcanic rock piled into hexagonal columns – it, ahem, rocks.
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Hit the streets
4/16Hong Kong is a city best enjoyed at street level, where you can haggle with market vendors, grab an egg tart on the go and bathe in the omnipresent neon glow. So go pound the pavement and enjoy its irrepressible energy.
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Do Disneyland
5/16Indulge your inner child with a day out at Hong Kong Disneyland. While you can expect several of the global theme park's most iconic attractions – the It's a Small World boat ride and Hyperspace Mountain roller-coaster among them – there's a number of Hong Kong-only drawcards to discover, too. The first you'll notice is the Castle of Magical Dreams, which replaced the former Sleeping Beauty castle, and is inspired by the animation studio's beloved princesses and queens. The park layout is also designed following feng shui principles and you'll find Disney-inspired takes on local dishes including dim sum classics.
Strap on your walking shoes to get a taste of life in Hong Kong, from bustling markets to Disney day trips. Book flights now at qantas.com.
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See the million-dollar view
6/16Hong Kong’s best view is at the top of Victoria Peak, which towers a mighty 552 metres high. Take the Peak Tram to the lookout where you can gape at the city skyline, or walk the popular Morning Trail up to the top.
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Float on a junk boat
7/16Take in Hong Kong's impressive skyline while you sail along Victoria Harbour in one of the city's signature junk boats (traditional ships once used for fishing). You can charter one for a cruise around the outlying islands or splurge and upgrade to a modern yacht with catered food and flowing drinks.
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Climb up to The Big Buddha
8/16Perched atop a mountain on Lantau Island is the 34-metre-tall Tian Tan Buddha. Join the flocks of admirers who climb the 268 steps up to the base of the “Big Buddha” for a closer look at its enormity.
Climb mountains or hike stairs – either way, you’ll need a few extra dim sum on your dinner plate. Book your Hong Kong adventure at qantas.com now.
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Ride a cable car
9/16You might not technically be outside, but take a ride in one of Hong Kong’s cable cars and you’ll be treated to a pretty spectacular view of the great outdoors. The aerial gondolas connect downtown Tung Chung with the highland of Ngong Ping and offer a beautiful look at the landscapes of Lantau Island below.
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Take a Tai Chi class
10/16Relieve stress, balance your yin and yang then soak up the sun by starting your day the way locals do: with a Tai Chi class. The city’s parks are typical staging ground for the classes, some of which are even offered in English.
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Catch sunrise on high
11/16Lantau Peak is one of Hong Kong’s favourite places to see the sunrise and once you reach the top, you’ll know why. But you have to earn it. You'll need to head off on the hike at 4 am to be at the summit when the dawn breaks around two hours later.
Find meditation in motion in non-stop Hong Kong with ancient martial arts and sunrise treks. Book your flights now at qantas.com.
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Eat al fresco
12/16For fresh air without the exertion, pull up a stool at one of Hong Kong’s many outdoor eateries. Grab a budget bite at one of the lively 'dai pai dong' street food stalls around the city or upgrade to a spot on the outdoor terrace of a classic restaurant such as Duddell’s.
Coast the world’s longest escalator
13/16Looking for a Hong Kong fun fact? It’s home to the world’s longest outdoor escalator. The Central-Mid Levels escalator stretches for more than 800 metres, serving 78,000 pedestrian trips daily. Ride it all the way or hop off to sample the street food and small bars found along the way.
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Bliss out at Nan Lian Garden
14/16A green oasis in the middle of Kowloon’s metropolis, Nan Lian is a tranquil garden in typical Tang Dynasty style - complete with pagoda, tea pavilion, koi pond and Buddhist pines. Come here for postcard-perfect relaxation.
Imagine: Mid-Levels in the morning, the serene Nan Lian Garden in the afternoon and an iconic dai padong at dinner time. Book your flights at qantas.com now.
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Hike Dragon’s Back
15/16Hong Kong has a wealth of hiking trails to choose from but if you only do one, make it Dragon’s Back. One of the easiest and most centrally-located walking trails in Hong Kong offers ocean views and ends at the glorious Shek O beach. Scenery has made this hike a favourite with locals.
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