It’s Hong Kong like you’ve never seen before. These underrated destinations are the gateway to glimmering new experiences and a treasure cove of memories
The finer things in life are often hidden out of plain sight like little treasures waiting to be uncovered. If you’ve ever traveled across South Asia, you may have thought you’ve seen the best of Hong Kong—a gleaming metropolis with coastlines stretching for miles—but you’ve barely scratched the surface. Beyond its popular tourist attractions lie a cave of wonders—undiscovered destinations that promise to bring you enriching new experiences. It’s about time to dig into the unexplored sides of Hong Kong. Here’s where and how.
RELATED: Discover Hong Kong’s Hidden Destinations with This AI Tool
Unboxing Hidden Gems
Hong Kong is truly the perfect place for those on the hunt for adventure, as shown in these series of videos. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) sent in special Hong Kong-themed blind boxes to several personalities, containing trinkets and fun facts about the city, listing which places are worth visiting and all the things you can experience.
Dining Experiences
Hong Kong’s culinary scene is a treasured part of its heritage. From local favorites to internationally recognized restaurants, there’s a plethora of food hubs available that allows you to fully savor the different flavors of Hong Kong.
Among our favorites are cha chaan teng or “tea restaurants.” Unlike traditional tea houses, a cha chaan teng sells ice-cold Hong Kong-style milk teas. One of the oldest chains in Hong Kong is Lan Fong Yuen, founded in 1952 along 2 Gage Street, Central. Its bestseller—the traditional silk stocking milk tea—is strained through a sackcloth bag, giving it its signature silky consistency.
For those who want to indulge themselves, there are multiple Michelin restaurants in Tsim Sha Tsui offering diverse cuisines. This includes Cantonese-style restaurant The Legacy House, which recently earned its first Michelin star. It overlooks the gorgeous Victoria Harbor and offers a wide-array of seafood dishes like minced fish soup and pan-fried fish head.
For high quality, but reasonably-priced options, there are also plenty of Bib Gourmand restaurants like Cheung Hing Kee located in Tsim Sha Tsui. It’s famous for its Shanghai pan-fried buns, which comes in a variety of options like shrimp, pork, crabmeat, and roe.
City Discovery
Hong Kong’s cities are often associated with towering shopping centers and vibrant nightlife, but this modern paradise can also take you back in time. Hidden within its bustling streets are vintage thrift shops that sell clothing items and other interesting knick-knacks.
Some of our favorites include Vintage 1961 located at 44-46 Bonham Strand West, Sheung Wan. This is the best place to go to if you’re seeking to recreate Audrey Hepburn’s glamorous style. The owner, a fan of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, sells an assortment of European jewelry and accessories including earrings, brooches, and handbags dating back to the 1960s.
There’s also the You Wu Studio x JikSap—a hidden bookstore located along 17 Shing Wong St, Central, Hong Kong. It features a wide collection of limited edition books, movie posters, stamps, and vintage typewriters—truly every bibliophile and cinephile’s paradise.
Cultural and Artistic Wonders
What trip is complete without sinking into the arts and culture scene of a destination? Hong Kong’s vibrant culture is reflected deeply in its artistic hubs, historical places, and festivities. Among these is the Tai Kwun, which means “big station”. A former colonial-era Central Police Station Compound situated in Central Hong Kong, it now serves as a heritage and arts center, hosting various exhibitions like this year’s “In the Land Beyond Living”, featuring contemporary artist Tao Hui’s works. It is also a popular spot for cafes, restaurants, and bars.
There’s also Cheung Chau, one of the many outlying islands in Hong Kong. It’s famous for the Cheung Chau Bun Festival, hosted annually since the 19th century in celebration of the end of a plague. One of its focal points is the Cheung Chau Bun Tower–towers covered in steamed buns–which competitors race up to while collecting the delicious treat.
It may seem intimidating to explore all these hidden destinations, but luckily, navigating Hong Kong is a lot easier than you may think. There are convenient transportation options available such as MTR, buses, trams, star ferry, and taxis that can take you anywhere you may need. The latter is color-coded too, depending on where it can take you. Red taxis service Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, green ones are for New Territories, and blue when going to Lantau Island.
Your Map to New Experiences
Still undecided on where to go? The Hong Kong Travel Board recently introduced this A.I. tool that recommends places for you to visit based on your personality.
It’s quite simple to use and several people have tried it already. By answering questions about your travel interests, it determines if you’re more suited for cultural, historical, culinary, or fashion hubs among other attractions. It also uses A.I. technology to transform the background of your selfies into Hong Kong’s destinations, giving you a glimpse of what it’s like to tour around the city’s hidden gems.
But of course, nothing beats the feeling of stepping foot into the city. Seeing and discovering Hong Kong for yourself is an entirely different experience, and it’s all yours to unlock. It’s time to create memories that you’ll cherish for years and discover the hidden beauty of Hong Kong.
Discover more hidden gems in Hong Kong. Visit HKTB‘s official page for more information.
