Like all great cities, Hong Kong still shines long after the sun goes down. If you are planning a night on the town, here are some ideas for the best things to do at night in Hong Kong.
1. Enjoy Spectacular Views from The Peak
Let us start with the quintessential Hong Kong experience – an ascent by Peak Tram. On a clear night, there is no place better to savour the sight of the city lit beneath you while a gentle breeze teases your cheek. Developers have shoehorned more skyscrapers than you ever thought possible between the busy waters of Victoria Harbor and the forested hill of the Peak itself. While this iconic sight is impressive under the tropical sun, at night it simply takes your breath away. We say the best view is on Lugard Road – try it and tell us if you agree.
2. Have a Laugh at a Stand-Up Comedy
Photo Credit: TakeOut Comedy
Tucked away in a basement on Elgin Street in Central you will find Hong Kong’s first full-time comedy club. TakeOut Comedy has been reducing delighted audiences to fits of giggles for over a decade, and the laughter isn’t showing any signs of subsiding just yet. Chinese American Jami Gong, the club’s founder, says that a comedian will know within 30 seconds of setting foot on stage whether the crowd is going to love the act or hate it. He should know – he has been a regular performer alongside popular acts like Paul Ogata and Pete Grella.
3. Stretch your Legs with a Night Hike on Lantau Peak
This one is for experienced hikers only – and well worth the trip over to Lantau Island. Lace up your sturdiest boots and be ready to be on the move by 4am– those in the know try to catch a few hours sleep at the Ngong Ping YHA before setting out. If you plan to begin at the base, you’ll need to be up a couple of hours before that. Lantau Peak is the territory’s second highest and will take even the fittest a couple of hours to make it to the summit in time to watch the sun come up. The trail is clearly signed from the portal near Wisdom Path, but you may wish to hire a local guide to accompany you.
4. Chill out on a Night Harbor Cruise
Step on board the Aqua Luna for an unforgettable jaunt around Victoria Harbour by night. This traditional, red-sailed junk sets sail in time for sunset. It is the ideal vantage point to catch the hypnotic Symphony of Lights sound and laser show, or simply lounge on one of Aqua Luna’s comfortable chairs and sip a sundowner with that special person in your life.
5. Place a Bet Wednesday Night Horse Racing
Things to do in Hong Kong at night don’t come any better than a night at the races. The very opposite of chilled out Aqua Luna is surely getting the adrenaline pumping as you back your favourite horse at Happy Valley. Wednesday Night racing has long been a tradition at Hong Kong’s favourite racecourse, with live music and plenty of food and drink to get the party going. Remember, be gamble aware: only bet what you can afford to lose. Racing season runs from September to June.
6. Taste the City on a Food Tour
We’re blowing our own trumpet here but with good reason – Temple Street Night Market is one of the best places in the city to hang out with the neighbourhood locals. We would describe it as energetic and eclectic, an area crammed with fortune tellers, street singers and food vendors. If you are looking for a Hong Kong night tour and that sounds like your kind of place, why not check out our website and book your tickets online to join our popular Temple Street Night Foodie Tour? As well as the market on Temple Street, you’ll explore vibrant Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei.
7. Shop Till You Drop at One of Hong Kong Famous Night Markets
You know that feeling when your head knows you have switched time zones but the rest of your body hasn’t got the memo? Make the most of a skewed body clock and watch the wholesalers deal at the Yau Ma Tei Fruit Wholesale Market. The action kicks off in the small hours on Kowloon’s Waterloo Road and Reclamation Street. To shop under cover of darkness at a more civilized hour, try the Temple Street Market of course, but also the Ladies Market, where you can be sure of picking up a bargain or two.
8. Try Your Hand at Night Photography
Pack a tripod and set out as the city lights switch on for some of the best photographic opportunities in Asia. Hong Kong has so many iconic night scenes you will be spoilt for choice. Hang out near the Star Ferry or capture the light trails of the traffic along Nathan Road. Wander the financial district after dark to shoot the high rises of Central, a stark contrast to the dying art of the neon sign that you still find tucked down the side streets of Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok. Engage a pro tutor if you are unsure about how to get the best out of your camera or browse online for inspiration.
9. Up the Culture Factor
No longer the cultural desert people once thought it was, Hong Kong is a great city when it comes to the performing arts and unique in that its offerings span two cultures. If you want to catch a performance of Chinese opera, we would recommend you check out Yau Ma Tei Theatre, the only remaining pre-World War Two theatre left in Kowloon. The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts also has a compelling programme of events; check out its website for details.
10. Chow Down on a Seafood Dinner
Hong Kong and the sea have long been synonymous and enjoying a seafood dinner at one of its famed restaurants should be an essential part of your trip. Its location in some of the richest waters of the region make for a uniquely diverse range of marine produce. We would recommend you head for Sai Kung, Lamma Island or Lei Yu Mun to enjoy some of the freshest fish and crustaceans in Asia. Most restaurants will let you pick from the tank and cook to order.
11. Nibble on Late Night Munchies
When it comes to late night munchies, street food is the way to go and dai pai dong are where it’s at. These historic hawker stalls prove that cheap eats can be a cut above. Translating as “restaurant with a big licence plate” – traditionally such stalls had to display a large licence – the term now refers to all open air food stalls. They are best known for their delicious stir fries. Though you’ll find them across the city, follow your nose to the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator in Central or Sham Shui Po in Kowloon to sample local favourites like fried oyster omelette and chilled crab.
12. Bar Hop in Style
Stylish bar flies will be in their element – Hong Kong’s legendary bars stay open late into the night. For cocktails, try Quinary for its signature Earl Grey Caviar Martini or Bloody Mary with wasabi-infused vodka. Lee Lo Mei draws a local crowd and has a generous happy hour from 3pm until 7pm every day. There are plenty of venues that offer a view as sweet as the drink in your hand. Our favourite is the open air rooftop bar at Wooloo Mooloo steakhouse in Wan Chai, with its fabulous view of Victoria Harbour.
What are your plans for tonight in Hong Kong? Have you tried any of our suggestions or do you have one for us?