Travel doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think, and even some of the most expensive destinations in the world have some amazing free sites and activities to keep even the tightest of budgets happy.
Hong Kong is one of the world’s major financial powerhouses and one of China’s most flamboyantly expensive cities with a wealth of options and choice for those with deep pockets. It is very easy to blow any normal budget out of the water here, but in amongst the glitzy high rise hotels, glass and chrome skyscrapers and premier shopping boutiques and high class restaurants, there is still an undercurrent of the old Hong Kong, the bustling, vibrant back streets and islands that give backpackers plenty of options to stay within their budgets, and the good news is, some of the best ones are even free!
5. Visit the zoo.
Seriously, it’s free! Located on Victoria peak, the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens is a huge, serene sea of greenery in the middle of the city. They don’t have many animals compared to other Zoo’s, but they have a decent collection of mammal, bird and reptile enclosures set amongst the gardens and a fair ethos toward conservation. Seriously, just go, you will not believe that it is free to visit!
4. Go to a museum.
China’s rich cultural and historical heritage are in display in a dazzling range of museums, galleries and cultural centres throughout the city. The Hong Kong History Museum is one of the most popular, but for anyone with a specific interest there are so many others to choose from; from the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Science Museum, to museums dedicated to the cities rich cinema culture or even Hong Kong’s space program! Normally many of these have a fee to enter, but if you go on a Wednesday most are absolutely free to enter!
3. Learn Tai Chi.
Head to any park early in the morning to see large crowds of locals practicing Tai Chi, simply stand and watch these graceful demonstrations or take a class and join in! You’ll have to get up early though! Kowloon park, Victoria park or the zoological gardens are the best places to watch this ancient martial art in practice.
2. See the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddha’s.
In fact, go and see any Buddhist shrine or temple, most are extremely beautiful, picturesque and serene places for a visit and to learn about Buddhist culture and religion. This one however is one of the grandest and is guaranteed to have you staring in awe.
1. See the Symphony of Lights.
The Hong Kong skyline is one of the most famous in the world thanks to the proliferation of Hong Kong cinema and Hong Kong’s presence on the world stage, and viewing it at any time of day is a free attraction in and of itself. But if you head out at 20.00 at night you will be treated to a dazzling light and laser display. Head over the water to Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon for the best views.
I hope you are enjoying this ‘free things to do in …’ series and find it useful, if you have any specific requests then please let me know in the comments section below. If I have been there then I’ll add it to the list!
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Michael Huxley is a published author, freelance travel writer and founder of Bemused Backpacker. He is also a charge nurse by vocation with an interest in emergency nursing and travel medicine, but his real passion is travel. Since finding his wanderlust a decade ago in South East Asia, he has bounced from one end of the planet to another and has no intention of slowing down.
The zoo is free??? Seriously?! I absolutely love Hong Kong and I’m desperate to go back with my children, it’s one of my favourite cities. This is a brilliant guide, thank you!
Thank you. 🙂 Yep! Seriously, it’s free! It has more of a public park feel than a traditional zoo, and you can watch a free Tai Chi display in the gardens if you get there early enough!