Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China, and its status as a world economic hub also makes it a significant tourist attraction.
As a British Colony until 1997, Hong Kong is a unique combination of European and Asian cultures, providing a varied range of attractions and entertainment across the city.
As a large and bustling city, taking a tour can be a great way to navigate the many facets of Hong Kong, with a wide variety of experiences on offer.
These are the 15 best tours you can take in Hong Kong.
1. Victoria Harbour Night or Symphony of Lights Tour
Source: getyourguide.comThis night cruise is a great way to experience Hong Kong’s dazzling nighttime skyline from Victoria Harbour.
There are multiple time-slots available – including a trip during the Symphony of Lights, where the biggest buildings in Hong Kong put on a magical light display.
The regular night boat option has a more local feel, allowing you to take in the impressive architecture of Hong Kong by night.
An open bar is included as part of your ticket, letting you sit back and relax with unlimited refreshments.
2. Private Tour with a Local
Source: i viewfinder / shutterstockHong Kong can be overwhelming when you first arrive; a great way to tackle this is to let a local take care of your itinerary for a day.
This tour can last anywhere from two to six hours, depending on how much you want to cover. It is entirely personalized; your local guide will discuss your preferences with you before setting up the perfect trip.
You can opt for them to meet you at your accommodation for a tour of the local area, or in a central location to explore the main attractions. This is a great way to discover Hong Kong through the eyes of a local.
3. Great Buddha Walk with Skip-the-Line NP360 Cable Car
Source: JoeyPhoto / shutterstockLocated in the hills over Hong Kong, Ngong Ping Monastery is a tourist attraction in its own right.
This tour starts with a complimentary ride on the NP360 Cable Car, taking you up to the monastery quickly and safely. There, you will be greeted by an expert guide who will show you around the area.
You will also be given the opportunity to take photos with the Great Buddha – an enduring icon of the Buddhist faith in Hong Kong. You will receive skip-the-line entrance to the monastery and refreshments during the tour.
4. Hong Kong Big Bus Tour & Skip-the-Line Peak Tram
Source: getyourguide.comHop-on hop-off buses are a great way to discover a place in your first couple of days – especially in a city as vast and intimidating as Hong Kong.
With this pass, you will have 24 hours of access to the Big Bus hop-on hop-off route, taking you around the main sights and attractions in Hong Kong.
This bumper ticket also entitles you to one ferry ride, a sampan ride, and your choice of the Peak Tram or Sky100 Observation Deck. For a little extra, you can also include the night tour.
5. Evening Cruise Tour in Chinese Junk Boat with Wine
Source: getyourguide.comThis is another excellent evening cruise in Hong Kong Harbour, with a more authentic theme. You will head out onto the water on a Chinese Junk Boat – a traditional sailing vessel that dates back to Ancient China.
There are two options available – one at sunset for a more romantic feel, or one later in the evening when you can take in the lights of the Hong Kong skyline in all their glory. The boat has lounge beds on board, with blankets in case it gets cold.
6. Kowloon Market Walking Tour
Source: getyourguide.comFor a more local experience, Kowloon is a great area to discover the traditional side of Hong Kong.
This tour centers around the Kowloon market; you can check out the flowers for sale and visit the highly popular Goldfish Market, where aquarium supplies are sold. You will then taste samples of local food and see Tin Hau Temple.
The experienced local guide will help you learn about the long history of Kowloon and the important cultural icons across the area. Any necessary public transport tickets are included in the price.
7. Macau World Heritage Excursion With Lunch at Macau Tower
Source: Sean Hsu / shutterstockColonized by the Portuguese, Macau has a similar back story to Hong Kong; however, it is smaller and has a slightly more Latin flavor.
It is only a short boat journey from Hong Kong and allows you to experience a culture heavily influenced by both China and Portugal.
This tour includes your boat trip from Hong Kong and a short guided tour of the city. After this, you will enjoy lunch at Macau Tower – the most recognized icon of Macau.
Before returning to Hong Kong, you will be able to try your luck at one of the largest casinos in the city.
8. TramOramic Ding Ding Tour and Unlimited Hong Kong Tram Pass
Source: getyourguide.comNow the most popular form of transport on Hong Kong, the public tram system was developed during British occupation in the 1920s.
This tour takes you on board an open top tram for one hour and gives you unlimited access to the public tram network for two days.
You will learn about the combination of Chinese and British culture in Hong Kong and how it is still prevalent to this day.
The audio guide is available in eight languages and narrates the stories of real locals to you throughout the journey.
9. Kowloon: the Dark Side of Hong Kong Walking Tour
Source: getyourguide.comAs with any city in the world, Hong Kong has some problems and darker parts to its history. This tour lets you see the aspects of Hong Kong that the tourism industry tries to hide.
You will learn about the daily struggles of many locals, including housing shortages, high living costs and the decline of traditional industries.
The tour allows you to listen to locals tell their stories of survival in a city that is pricing them out of their previous lifestyles.
This is a great way to see beyond the modern sheen and economic powerhouse narratives of Hong Kong.
10. Premium Hong Kong Island Tour with Dinner Cruise Light Show
Source: getyourguide.comThis full-day tour is a great way to pack in as many attractions as possible if you are only in Hong Kong for a short time.
You will begin in the central business area of Hong Kong, where you can experience the flashing lights and economic boom of the region.
The tour also includes a tram ride up Victoria Peak, entrance to Sky Terrace 428, a ferry ride to Kowloon and a lunch cruise on a traditional Chinese junk boat in the evening.
At Victoria Peak and in Kowloon, you are given free time to explore the area at your own pace.
11. Victoria Harbour Guided Heritage Cruise Day Tour
Source: getyourguide.comThis tour is similar to the Chinese Junk Boat Experience, however, takes place during the day. This is great if you have a limited itinerary or would rather check out the skyline during the day time.
There is a tour guide on board who will talk to you about Hong Kong’s history as a small fishing town, and later expansion into the major city of today.
It lasts for 45 minutes, and there are plenty of photo stops along the way for you to capture the iconic views across the harbor.
12. New Territories: Heritage Tour
The largest part of Hong Kong by land area, the New Territories are a great way to get out of the dense city and experience the nature and traditional culture of the region.
With this tour, you will visit temples and pagodas in the area, as well as traditional villages located just outside of the city.
You will also explore a typical street market and sample some local cuisine. Entrances to each location are included, and a local guide will show you the area.
13. Hong Kong After Dark: 3-Hour Night Tour
Source: getyourguide.comHong Kong has a vibrant and varied nightlife, with many activities available across the city 24/7. This three-hour tour allows you to explore the city by night and discover where the locals hang out.
You will visit luxury shopping strips, local night markets and gritty suburbs filled with multi-ethnic communities. You will also discover the cultural attractions in Kowloon and learn how locals let their hair down after working hours.
This is a great way to start a night out in Hong Kong; the expert guide will leave you with excellent bar recommendations to visit after your tour.
14. Deluxe Island Tour and Lunch
Source: getyourguide.comSimilar to the Premium Hong Kong Island Tour, this tour is better if you are sticking to a budget but still want to pack in some sights on a single day.
You will take a tram ride up Victoria Peak, as well as gain access to Sky Terrace 428. The tour takes place on a rickshaw-style open top bus and is fully guided to allow you to discover Hong Kong’s cultural heritage and main attractions.
The tour includes a traditional dim sum lunch at a popular restaurant, where you can sample the best food Hong Kong has to offer.
15. Living Heritage Cultural Experience Guided Tour
Source: getyourguide.comThis is a fantastic tour for seeing beyond the modern architecture and luxury shopping in the city and learning more about Hong Kong’s cultural heritage.
You will explore the Tai Kwun, Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui districts of Hong Kong, where you can explore markets and engage with local culture.
The tour includes rides on the tram, ferry, and rickshaw buses across Hong Kong, and an afternoon tea at the Kee Wah Bakery.
You will learn about the combination of British and Chinese cultural heritage, and how it influences local lives.