In Hong Kong, there’s no shortage of color, culture, cuisine and constructions to photograph—and part of the fun of this Asian city is uncovering things you didn’t expect to find.
Sometimes people laugh at me for going on Instagram “tours,” but I consider these explorations like scavenger hunts, where you’re chasing a city’s beauty and taking away little square photo tokens of your adventures. It’s fun and crazy (sometimes sketchy) and always a good look at the character of the place you’re in.
So while some people get on open-top double decker bus tours or follow a handheld flag around for city walking tours, this is one way I choose to see a city.
And for any of you who are like me too, here’s a guide to Instagrammable Hong Kong, a seek and find adventure that will take you off the tourist drag and into the mix of local life.
Victoria Peak
If there’s somewhere to start on an Instagram tour of Hong Kong, it’s Victoria Peak. From this highest perch in the city, you can see out over all of Hong Kong and the water-surrounded concrete jungle. It’s one of the most famous views in Hong Kong, and on a clear day, it’s definitely a sight worth writing home about. To get the return trip tram ticket and entry to the Sky Terrace for the views will run you 99 Hong Kong Dollars ($12.61). It’s open from 7:00 a.m. to midnight, but it’s best to get there early as the lines—and wait times—can get long. If you’re solo, there are always more than enough people to pester to take your picture or you can just snap your own shots of the scene.
Address in Cantonese: 太平山
Choi Hung Estate
When it comes to Instagram, Choi Hung Estate might be the most popular. I’m always curious how everyday things land on the ‘Gram hit list, and while I don’t have the answer for this one, I know it was worth it for the color, and for how distinctly Hong Kong this image has become. Choi Hung Estate is one of the oldest housing estates in Hong Kong and it’s known for attracting notable visitors like Richard Nixon and Britain’s Princess Margaret. Today, the colorful basketball courts with the equally rainbow-colored building have solidified their place in Insta fame, attracting those flocking for photos. The best part, and something you’ll see all over Hong Kong, is the residents’ laundry hanging in the windows to dry—beauty in ordinary life. If you take an Uber to get there (which I would recommend since the place won’t really look like anything until you’re upon it), the driver may not drop you exactly where you need to be, but anyone around will be able to point you in the right direction, so it’s best to walk with a photo in case there’s any language barrier. You’ll have to look for the parking lot and take the stairs up to get there.
Address in Cantonese: 彩虹邨
Lok Wah South Estate Garage
For me, Lok Wah South Estate Garage was one of my most favorite random finds. It’s so beautiful that it looks like an art installation, but it sits at the top of a parking lot in a residential area, and since there are benches situated between each circled wall, it seems it may have been intended to be a sort of rooftop hang out spot. I think it’s much better known now as a fun place to take photos. To get there, I’d still recommend taking an Uber (they’re priced pretty well) and put in Lok Wah Estate Car Park). The driver should drop you right next to what looks like a random parking lot, where you’ll likely start to see others who look like they’re searching for the same thing. Take the stairs all the way up until you see the blue circles. *Pro tip: there are two levels that have these circles and most people will stop at the first level and crowd it up. Just walk a few steps up to the next level and you might get those circles all to yourself.
BONUS: If you come out of the parking lot and make a left, heading towards the children’s school, walk until you find a pink wall with some cool geometric lines, which also makes for great colorful photos!
Address in Cantonese: 樂華南停車場
Yum Cha
By now—if you’re doing this tour all in one day—you’ll probably be hungry. This may be the first time food has ever found its way into one of my Instagram guides, but Yum Cha is known for making dim sum that’s almost too adorable to eat. Barbeque pork buns come decorated like little piggies and custard buns are cute yellow blobs with crazy eyes. There are even roses and mustached faces depending on which location you go to. I’ve never had more fun photographing food, but if I’m being completely honest, the presentation was far better than the taste (we even ended up eating a second meal afterward since we were so unsatisfied!). But I still don’t regret the experience. If you decide to go, try to get there before 3:00 p.m. to have the most choices for your order, as the selection gets slimmer after that.
Address in Cantonese: 飲茶
Temple Street Market
There are a few fun night markets in Hong Kong, and Temple Street Market is one of them. There, you’ll find all your I Heart HK gear, beautiful chopstick sets, “silk” robes, tea sets to add to your kitchen, luxury bags that aren’t real and a heap of other things you may want but definitely don’t need. Bargaining is 100 percent recommended as vendors will often come down by more than half from their original prices without you doing much at all. The best thing to do is walk away like you’re not interested and you’ll hear shouts of the price falling behind you. Where your Insta shot comes in though, is if you’re looking down at the market from above, taking in the whole scene. I didn’t get a chance to do this one, but if you head to the multi-storey parking lot across the street from the market (see it on Google here), that’s where you’ll get the best bird’s-eye vantage point for this very vibrant Hong Kong shot.
Address in Cantonese: 廟街夜市
Montane Mansion
Hong Kong is known for building its residences pretty close together to pack people in, as most major cities do, and one of the most distinct reflections of this fact is a shot of Montane Mansion. It’s so distinct, in fact, that movies like Transformers were filmed here. The best is to stand in the center and take the shot looking up. Rumor has it that the building’s residents got sick of photographers loitering around for snaps and it’s no longer open to the public, but a local told me it’s likely no one will really be around to check. (This photo was also taken just a couple weeks ago). I’d suggest getting your photo and getting out quickly if you decide to go.
Address in Cantonese: 海山樓
Graham Street Graffiti, Sheung Wan
Mural chasers, this one’s for you. In Central Hong Kong’s Soho neighborhood, you’ll find great boutiques for shopping (mostly on Staunton Street), all the hippest restaurants (all over the area), a swell of expats (also all over the area), and murals around every other corner. This one by Alex Croft is probably among the most famed as it showcases old townhouses distinct to Hong Kong. You’ll find it on Graham Street, Central (near to the G.O.D. store at 48 Hollywood Road, Central).
Address in Cantonese: 48好萊塢路
Star Ferry Pier, Tsim Sha Tsui
If you time it right, you might make it to Star Ferry Pier, Tsim Sha Tsui, the harbor waterfront where you’ll find Hong Kong’s famed junk boats with their red sails just as the sun starts to settle. These boats were used as early as the 2nd century AD for ocean voyages. It’ll be a great way to wind down the day just taking a stroll along the waterfront walk, or sitting to watch the boats go by. If you’d prefer to take a ride in one of the boats, Aqua Luna does it and prices start at 220 HKD ($28) depending on what type of cruise you want to do.
Address in Cantonese: 天星碼頭