7 most Instagrammable places in Hong Kong.
As I wandered through the towering streets of Hong Kong I could feel the cosmopolitan vibes, however, there is also another side to the city.
A culturally charming side, which I fell in love with instantly!
This blog details the 7 most Instagrammable places in Hong Kong, after my awesome adventure exploring the Pearl of the Adriatic.
There is a combination of world famous skylines, Cantonese islands, and the best view of the city!
I have added what you can expect from each location, along with how to get there and the best time to visit.
If you are intrigued by mystical Macau, then keep reading to the bottom, as I have added an extra section on the mysterious land.
Exploring Lantau Island.
The Victoria Harbour Skyline.
A great place to start on our hunt for the most picture-perfect settings in Hong Kong is the famous Victoria Harbour.
The skyline is iconic and stands tall across the water from the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade.
It is made up of some of the tallest and most globally recognisable buildings in Hong Kong, including the International Commerce Centre (ICC), Bank of China Tower, and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
If you want to catch a striking Instagram worthy shot then you should look for a spot on the promenade with a traditional sampan floating by, so you can catch the real essence of the city in its most historic area.
You can capture both the ancient and modern aspects of Hong Kong if you are patient and persistent.
Overlooking Victoria Harbour.
If you want to feel all the magic the Victoria Skyline has to offer, then you should wait until the sun goes down and head over to the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade for the daily Symphony of Lights show.
The unique show begins at 8pm and includes over 40 buildings which are dazzled with synchronised lights, lasers, and music, creating a spectacular display!
You should head by MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui Station, which is a short walk from the best spot.
The world famous skyline.
Observation Wheel.
I remember the first moment that I first spotted the observation wheel at the Central Harbourfront, as it illuminated the night sky next to one of the tallest skyscrapers in the city.
Whether you want to capture a unique city shot for Instagram, or just brighten up your evening, the observation wheel can do both!
You can enjoy different perspectives if you decide to pay the cheap HK$20 (£2), as the views from the top of the 60 metre high wheel include panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Island, and Kowloon.
The area is an entertainment hub with food and drink options located in and around the attraction.
A big draw to the wheel is its fame from the 2021 movie ‘Godzilla vs Kong’, where the wheel was demolished, along with most of the city!
Its unique aesthetics, Hollywood appearance, and the iconic Victoria skyline make the observation wheel an easy choice for one of the most Instagrammable places in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong comes alive at night.
Lantau Island.
Lantau Island offers a charming escape from the city life in Hong Kong.
Fishing villages, monasteries, and beautiful hiking trails are a world away from the Central District, and they make Hong Kong’s biggest island an ideal spot to enjoy some stunning landscapes.
The Idyllic setting offers a peaceful getaway to experience traditional Cantonese culture and be at one with nature.
My highlight is the Big Buddha statue which is approximately 34 metres in height and looks over the whole island.
A unique aspect of the Tian Tan Buddha is that it faces north, keeping watch over the Chinese people, which is rare for a Buddha statue.
You will have to overcome a climb of over 250 steps if you want a close up picture of the popular attraction.
It is well worth it though!
The Big Buddha is the highlight on Lantau Island.
Some steep steps up to the iconic statue.
A close up shot.
The spiritual heritage of the Island dates back over a century to when the Lo Pin Monastery was first established.
The monastery features traditional Chinese architectural elements, blending them with unique modern touches to accommodate the growing number of visitors.
There are some awesome photo opportunities inside and outside the Cantonese temple.
Buddhist education, meditation, and spiritual practice are all major aspects of the monastery which draws in monks, nuns, and laypeople from all over the world.
There are some beautiful temples on Lantau Island.
Yik Cheong Building.
Long before I visited Hong Kong, I had seen the unique architecture of the Yik Cheong Building.
Also known as the ‘Monster Building’, the Instagrammable spot has an urban aesthetic and looks way more unpolished and worn compared to the modern buildings in the city.
The laundry hanging from different apartments always brings the picturesque building to life, knowing that there are estimated to be over 5000 people living in the interconnected residential building.
To capture the best authentic photos, you should visit in the daytime to witness the natural colours of the facade.
Standing in the centre of the courtyard looking up is an ideal angle for a colourful perspective of the monumental structure!
I spotted many other photographers in the area, so don’t worry you won’t be alone in seeking the perfect photograph.
The Monster Building in Hong Kong.
This is another spot in Hong Kong where its unique aesthetics gained Hollywood recognition.
The building was featured in movies such as "Transformers: Age of Extinction", meaning its cinematic appearance makes it another popular spot for movie buffs and photographers looking to capture a piece of film history.
If you want to make the same Hollywood walk that Optimus Prime did, then you should head to the Quarry Bay Station on the MTR Island Line (Blue Line), then it is only a short 5 minute walk.
The famous colourful building is iconic in Hong Kong.
Victoria Peak.
One of the things which makes Hong Kong one of the most aesthetic cities in Asia is how close its beautiful nature is to the city life.
My favourite perspective of Hong Kong is from the top of Victoria Peak, especially at sunset when the sky turns colourful. The dynamic landscape of mountains, water and skyscrapers can be panoramically viewed from the peak, which is ideal for an Instagram shot.
You have two options to reach the top of Victoria Peak, either a challenging one hour steep hike, or a ride of the iconic Victoria Peak Tram.
The humidity levels and temperatures in Hong Kong are no joke, so it is no surprise that most tourists opt for the tram ride.
The century old Peak Tram ride is an aesthetic experience in itself, offering unique angles and perspectives of the city as you ascend!
Sunset vibes from the peak.
From a photographer’s point of view, it is essential to check the weather conditions before heading up to the peak.
Due to Hong Kong's subtropical climate, there are clear skies for less than 100 days a year up at Victoria Peak due to its high altitude.
The Autumn months between September and November are the best time to predict clear skies, with pleasant weather most days.
At the top, once you are finished taking your photographs of Hong Kong from above, you can enjoy some entertainment inside the Peak Tower.
There is diverse entertainment, including:
Madame Tussauds.
Sky Terrace 428.
The Peak Tram Historical Gallery.
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
The Trick Eye Museum.
You can also enjoy various dining options and shop for souvenirs.
The best view of the city.
The Avenue of Stars.
Another Hong Kong Instagram hot spot is the Avenue of Stars.
I have mentioned several Hollywood spots in the city, so it is only right that I included the famous walkway which took inspiration from the ‘Walk of Fame’ in Hollywood.
Walking along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui reveals bronze plaques embedded in the pavement, featuring handprints and autographs of famous Hong Kong film stars.
The area is dedicated to celebrating the Hong Kong film industry, along with its cultural significance on a global stage.
In total there are over 100 plaques to admire and photograph, and as we wandered down the promenade we noticed a mixture of actors, directors, and other significant figures in the Hong Kong film industry.
Then we arrived at a truly iconic sculpture!
The Bruce Lee star.
The Bruce Lee statue was unveiled in November 2005, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of his birth, and is one of the most popular photographs taken in Hong Kong.
The artist ‘Cao Chong-en’ designed the 2.5 metres tall statue depicting Bruce in his classic martial arts pose!
You are guaranteed to spot visitors replicating his pose for an Instagram picture.
The Bruce Lee statue.
Hong Kong Disneyland.
When it comes to picture-perfect settings, there aren’t many better places than Hong Kong Disneyland!
The park’s meticulous attention to detail in architecture, landscaping, and theming ensures that almost every corner is visually appealing and Instagram-worthy.
In total there are around 20 notable landmarks inside the famous theme park, and my favourite area is the section called Main Street, U.S.A. With an early 20th-century American theme, the vintage street’s buildings are mainly constructed of wood, which is rare in Hong Kong.
The iconic landmarks in the park come alive during Halloween and Christmas time, so if you want a unique experience and some seasonal photos, then plan your trip around these festivals.
Hong Kong Disneyland is another highlight of the enchanting Lantau Island, so you need to head to the Disneyland Resort Station via MTR.
Disneyland is a popular photo spot.
Macau is also abundant with Instagram spots.
Just a short ferry ride away from Hong Kong is Macau, a special administrative region of China that offers a unique blend of traditional charm and futuristic allure, creating some captivating settings for Instagrammers.
I found the Architecture to be one of the most fascinating aspects of Macau, with totally contrasting buildings just a short distance from each other.
The casino area of Macau offers distinctly different vibes from the traditional areas such as Taipa Village.
The Cotai Strip is visually appealing with skyscrapers, futuristic designed hotels, and beautiful exterior decor all the way down the strip.
I captured some surreal photos of the iconic hotels.
A picture perfect Macau.
Some of my favourite photo spots in Macau were inside some of the Globally famous casinos.
Some of the different themes are mind blowing with visually striking decor, and life size replicas of the landmarks.
My favourite was the Venetian which replicates the streets of Venice with stunning canals, gondola rides, and detailed architectural facades, offering an Italian feel to visitors walking through the hotel.
They aren’t cheap, but if you take a gondola ride you will capture some awesome photos!
Inside the Venetian.
If authentic Macau is in your plans, then you should head to the traditional Portuguese area, notably around the historic centre of Macau, which exudes a historical charm and slower pace to life.
The Cobblestone streets, colonial-era buildings, and churches highlight Macau’s past as a Portuguese colony, and offer a quaint setting to capture the true essence of the region.
My personal highlights for some Macau photos were Senado Square, Ruins of St. Paul’s, and St. Dominic's Church.
I also found some colourful and quirky buildings, which appeared to showcase the cultural heritage of Macau.
A quirky building in Macau.
Which is my favourite Instagrammable place in Hong Kong?
Photographing Hong Kong as I explored was an absolute pleasure!
I had visited the Cantonese Metropolis mentally way before I stepped foot into the Asian mega city, as I had seen so many beautiful Hong Kong city pics during my childhood.
I carefully selected these best photo spots in Hong Kong as I explored the different areas of the city, however, there is a clear winner for me.
Lantau Island is everything that I believed Hong Kong would be, beautiful nature, a charming vibe, and some Cantonese treasures to capture photos of.
The Big Buddha statue was my main highlight as I mentioned above, however, the temples on the island are also enchanting.
The Po Lin Monastery has exemplary architecture and its sacred shrine to Buddha offers a nice peaceful setting, along with an awesome opportunity to capture a photo of some of the culture of Lantau Island.
Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island.
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