Are you done checking out the best temples in Hong Kong and hiking your way through the city’s country parks? We suggest waiting until the sun goes down so you can check out some of the most fun things to do in the city at night. There’s something for everyone, whether you want to try out local snacks and get a bargain at a street market, or want a late-night sweet treat after playing several rounds of Monopoly at a board game café. Read our list of the most happening things to do at night in Hong Kong to plan your next after-hours outing.
Hike The Peak at night — Victoria Peak
This walk up to Hong Kong Island’s highest peak is one of the most popular hikes in the territory because you get breathtaking views of Victoria Harbour surrounded by the city’s skyscrapers and hilltops. There are many ways to hike to The Peak, such as hopping on the Peak Tram from Central and then walking up Mount Austin Road.
However, we recommend you take the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator and walk to the Old Peak Road, then link up with Mount Austin Road — a route that will take you through the bustling Mid-Levels neighbourhood, the upscale residential complexes in The Peak neighbourhood, and landmarks such as Mount Austin Playground and Victoria Peak Garden. Remember that the highest point you can access is the freshwater service reservoir just beneath the top of The Peak.
Opening hours: 24 hours
Location: Victoria Peak
How To Get There: Take the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator to Conduit Road, turn right on Hornsey Road, climb up Old Peak Road, then follow Mount Austin Road to the summit (see the direction).
Ticket Price: Free
Take a night bus tour — Hong Kong Island & Kowloon
Want to explore Hong Kong by night, but don’t have the time or inclination to walk? Book an open-top night bus tour on any of these three routes: one each dedicated to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, and another that combines the best nighttime attractions on both sides of the harbour. Shuttle past Island-side landmarks such as Central Market, Man Mo Temple, and Lee Tung Avenue. The highlights of the Kowloon tour include the bustling Salisbury Street and Nathan Road. The Rickshaw Bus takes passengers from Central Pier to West Kowloon Cultural District via the Cross-Harbour Tunnel — an attraction in itself as it is Hong Kong’s first underwater crossing.
Opening Hours: 6:30pm-9pm
Location: Boarding points at Central Ferry Pier 7 and Tsim Sha Tsui
Ticket price: From HK$140. Book tickets here.
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Unwind at a rooftop bar — Multiple locations
Are you looking for a chilled-out spot where you can relax over a drink as you take in the views of Hong Kong’s iconic skyline? You’re in luck, because the city has a long list of rooftop bars where you can sip on your favourite cocktail as your eyes rest on vistas of twinkling city lights. And since summer days in Hong Kong are notoriously hot and humid, this post-sunset activity is one of the best things to do in Hong Kong at night.
Opening Hours: Depends on the bar (discover our favourite rooftop bars in Hong Kong)
Location: Across Hong Kong
Catch A Symphony of Lights — Victoria Harbour
This daily sound-and-light show involves more than 40 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour putting on a synchronised display of lights, lasers, and LED screens. For 10 minutes every evening, iconic skyscrapers such as the International Finance Centre, International Commerce Centre, and Bank of China put on a dazzling show set to a score by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. A Symphony of Lights is a non-ticketed event, making it one of the best free things to do in Hong Kong.
Opening Hours: 8pm-8:10pm
Location: Victoria Harbour
How To Get There: Take any of the ferries heading to Central, or head to East Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station (Exit J) and walk to Avenue of Stars.
Ticket Price: Free
Contact: Website
Stroll along Victoria Harbour — Central & Tsim Sha Tsui
If you’ve got a little time on your hands and want to do a some people-watching, we suggest taking a leisurely stroll down either side of the harbour. On the Hong Kong side — which has the city’s longest promenade along Victoria Harbour — you’ll see joggers getting some after-office hours exercise, revellers getting a post-work drink before taking the ferry home, and anglers doing a bit of nighttime fishing. The highlights of the Kowloon side are tourist spots like the Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, and Star Ferry pier, where you’ll spot photography enthusiasts getting that picture-perfect shot of Hong Kong Island’s high-rises across the harbour. As a bonus, these are among the best places to watch fireworks for free in Hong Kong.
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Location: Central Pier, Water Sports and Recreation Precinct (Wan Chai), Avenue of Stars
Ticket price: Free
Board a night junk or go squid fishing — Multiple locations
Hop on board an iconic red-sailed junk boat — a symbol of Victoria Harbour — for an evening cruise during which you will get stunning views of the city’s skyline on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Each 45-minute-long cruise includes a sundowner and a seat on a lounge bed from which you can enjoy your journey across this iconic harbour. There are several evening cruises, and a special one for the Symphony of Lights show.
If you want to pick up a new skill, learn squid fishing on boats departing from several piers — Central, Kwun Tong, Kowloon City, Sai Kung, or Shau Kei Wan. And the best part is that you get to cook what you catch! Remember that squid fishing is a summer activity, so it’s best to book a tour between May and September.
Opening Hours: Varies according to the cruise or boar ride
Location: Depends on the boat ride
Temple Street Night Market — Mong Kok
Temple Street Night Market is one of the best places to visit in Hong Kong at night as it has a bit of everything — souvenirs for tourists, street food and traditional snacks for foodies, and light art installations for photography enthusiasts. There’s a newly opened stretch between Jordan Street and Nanking Street where visitors can try out local snacks like curry fish balls and siu mai, in between shopping (and bargaining!). So if you want to explore Hong Kong’s street culture, we suggest making Temple Street your first stop, but if you’re looking for more options, read our guide to the best night markets in Hong Kong.
Opening Hours: 2pm-11pm
Location: Temple Street, Jordan
How To Get There: MTR: Get to the Jordan Station on the Tsuen Wan Line, head out via Exit A, then reach the market via Jordan Road, or take a bus.
Ticket Price: Free
Contact: Website | Facebook
Hong Kong Observation Wheel — Central
Feel on top of the world — or Hong Kong, to be precise — by taking a ride on the city’s largest ferris wheel. Sit back in comfort in your air-conditioned gondola while you get a bird’s-eye view of the nocturnal goings-on at Victoria Harbour, and get a great vantage point to admire the city’s skyscrapers. Each ride takes about 15 minutes and includes 2-3 rotations — enough time to get that IG-worthy shot of your view from Hong Kong’s nighttime sky.
Opening Hours: 12pm-10pm (Monday-Thursday), 11am-11pm (Friday-Saturday and public holidays)
Location: 33 Man Kwong Street, Central
How To Get There: Take the MTR to Central Station (Exit A) or Hong Kong Station (Exit A2), board a ferry to the Central Pier, or hop on a bus to Exchange Square Bus Terminus.
Ticket Price: HK$20. Book tickets on Klook.
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram | +852 2339 0777
Watch street performers — Multiple locations
If you happen to be in the vicinity of the Central or Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry pier areas after sundown, you may come across street performers showing off a wide range of skills. Think singing, dancing, trick football shots, and costume performances. Sing along as the performers belt out popular English and Cantonese hits and cheer as they show off seemingly impossible stunts with footballs. Hong Kong even has official busking spots in Sha Tin and at M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum.
Opening Hours: 6pm onwards
Location: Star Ferry piers in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, Central Pier 3, Stanley Waterfront
Ticket Price: Free
Snacking and shopping — Mong Kok
Experience the best of Hong Kong after sunset by doing a bit of late-night shopping and snacking. And the best place to do that is Mong Kok, the vibrant Kowloon district that’s full of street food and markets. Pick up a bowl of siu mai — a Hongkonger’s favourite go-to snack — which you can dip in soy sauce or chilli oil (or both!) while you browse stalls in Temple Street Night Market. Or grab a helping of savoury curry fish balls or stinky tofu as you wend your way through Ladies Market in search of gimmicky goodies. In need of a sweet fix? Help yourself to a pineapple bun and go sneaker shopping in Fa Yuen Street.
Opening hours: Depends on the store and market
Location: Across Mong Kok
Book a karaoke session — Multiple locations
Hong Kong has a lively karaoke scene that gives wannabe singers the option of booking a room or performing in a restaurant dining area. You can pick a basic room with snacks and drinks, or an upscale lounge with plush interiors, café-style food, and board games. Karaoke experiences in the city can also vary from walk-in lounges with a song list to members-only clubs that allow you to pick songs from your phone. So if you’re in the mood to croon the latest Cantopop hit, English chart-topper or K-pop bop for a birthday or bachelorette celebration, pick up a mic and sing!
Opening Hours: 12pm-4am
Location: Across Hong Kong
Ticket Price: Depends on the lounge
Night photography — Multiple locations
The 852 truly comes alive once after sunset, so one of the best things to do in the Hong Kong at night is to do a spot of night photography. If you want to capture the buzz of the city, head to Tsim Sha Tsui and photograph the neon signs in one of the territory’s busiest shopping districts or to Hong Kong Island to get pictures of its famous skyscrapers. If you’re looking for something a little off the beaten track, we suggest making a trip to Quarry Bay to shoot the famous Monster Building or hiking up Braemar Hill for sweeping views of Victoria Harbour and the city lights. And if you’re heading to a night market, bring your camera along to capture the colourful goings-on at these bustling areas.
Opening Hours: 6pm onwards
Location: Across Hong Kong
Ticket Price: Free
Grab a late-night meal — Multiple locations
If you’re on the prowl for an after-cocktails meal that won’t break the bank, there’s a whole foodie subculture in the city dedicated to late-night food called siu yeh. And if you’re wondering how late is ‘late’, some of these joints only open at after midnight! Case in point: Sun Hing Restaurant in Kennedy Town, which serves up favourites like har gow and siu mai from 3am onwards. Want something a little more hearty? head to Black 19 Doggie’s Noodle, named for the tail-like shape of their speciality dish. Night owls with a sweet tooth can head to a tong sui po (dessert shop), for goodies like tofu pudding and mango pomelo sago.
Opening Hours: Depends on the restaurant
Location: Across Hong Kong
Play board games in a club — Multiple locations
Not in the mood to face the crowds in the city or head out for a night on the town? Then how about spending the evening at one of the city’s board game cafés? Several of these cosy spots serve up full meals or café food, as well as speciality tea and coffee. You can play in the café’s common area in a space like 808 Board Game, or rent a room at a spot like Maple Tree Boardgame and Party if you and your pals want more privacy. Many of these joints are open past midnight on weekends, so call ahead to check before you head there.
Opening Hours: Depends on the café
Location: Across Hong Kong
Go night diving — Multiple locations
Explore Hong Kong’s diverse marine life at night by doing a spot of night diving. There’s an array of nocturnal reef animals that are busy once the sun goes down — and, as a bonus, there’ll probably be fewer people in the popular diving spots at this time. You can see underwater creatures in a different light — quite literally, as there is less ambient light to get in the way — and even photograph them differently. Several companies like Splash Hong Kong, Sai Kung Scuba, and Diving Express arrange night dives across the territory.
Opening Hours: Depends on the diving school schedule
Location: Across Hong Kong
Now that you know about the best places to visit at night in Hong Kong, have a look at our guides to other fun activities in the city, including:
- The best things to do in Hong Kong
- The best free things to do in Hong Kong
- The best tourist attractions in Hong Kong
- The best events for all in Hong Kong
- The best events for families and kids activities in Hong Kong
- The most beautiful places to visit in Hong Kong
Header image credits: VogelSP via Canva, Hong Kong Tourism Board, iris pat via Google
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