Beneath the façade of modern skyscrapers and industrial activity, Hong Kong emerges as a surprisingly family-friendly destination when looked at closely. The bustling metropolis, with its vibrant culture and delectable cuisine, might not be the first choice for a family vacation, but it boasts a number of attractions and experiences that are sure to leave both the kids and adults in your family enthralled. Here is a sneak peek into Hong Kong as a family destination.
The Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island are one of Hong Kong’s most popular tourist attractions, and people from all across Asia pilgrimage to see the stately statue of Big Buddha. It is a slightly touristy destination but offers an opportunity to shop, eat at restaurants and markets, and indulge in entertainment in the Ngong Ping Village. The nature walks are the perfect activity for you if there are avid walkers in the family.
What makes the journey even more enthralling is the ride on Ngong Ping 360, a cable car offering stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding valley. The cable car ride eliminates the need to endure a windy bus ride and also allows the kids to have some fun. There are private, general, and glass-bottom cable car rides.
Both the monastery and the Big Buddha are open Monday through Sunday, the latter from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the former from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Contact them for accurate ticket prices for kids and adults.
More preferable for some than the Hong Kong Disneyland, which is perpetually crowded, the Hong Kong Ocean Park is the perfect opportunity to combine entertainment with education. It has a vast aquarium and is divided into two levels, the upper of which gives stunning views of Hong Kong. A submarine-themed train or a tram takes you from one level to another. It also has animal exhibits and educational presentations. You can do everything from meeting a giant panda at the Panda Habitat Centre to riding a hair-raising rollercoaster; this park truly has adventures of every kind for everyone.
The park is open seven days a week from 10 am to 7:30 pm, so book your tickets in advance to avoid long queues.
The designated UNESCO World Heritage Site is Global Geopark, known for its famous rock formations created by the Earth’s rotations. The park has two central regions, the Sai Kung and Northeast New Territories, each consisting of 4 geo areas. There are hexagonal volcanic formations, a 400-year-old village, and sea arches spread across these two areas. Most families prefer to visit the Sai Kung region because it has a shorter hike and a waterfront park that hoists the Volcanic Disney Park, which gives guided tours to show how the rock formations were created.
The red sail junks are one of Hong Kong’s most recognisable and iconic images. They are often seen in advertisements and are a sight that lends Victoria Harbour immediate recommendation. Duk Ling is the last authentic sailing Junk in the harbour. It has been restored with great effort and can offer tourists and visitors a short cruise during the weekdays or can even be hired privately.
The Aqua Group, the Aqua Luna, offers another available red sail Junk. It provides sailing and dining facilities and is known for a more comfortable experience with posh seating, wine and good food. If you aim for a more authentic experience, don’t think twice before returning to Duk Ling.