10 Amazing Free (or Almost Free) Things to Do in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has a reputation for being an expensive city, and in a lot of ways, it can be. But some of the very best things to do here cost next to nothing, or nothing at all.

Thanks to its affordable public transport network, and abundance of public spaces, it's remarkably easy to explore Hong Kong on a budget.

And unlike destinations that revolve around expensive attractions, many of Hong Kong's highlights are simple experiences: riding historic ferries and trams, wandering through bustling street markets, exploring beautiful parks and gardens, and taking in some of the best skyline views in the world.

During our 100-day trip around the world, we were travelling as a family of four, which meant paying much closer attention to costs than on our previous visits to Hong Kong as a couple.

If you're planning your own trip, our 5-day Hong Kong itinerary and best things to do in Hong Kong with kids guide cover many of the city's must-visit attractions, including some of the bigger-ticket experiences worth budgeting for.

In this guide, we're focusing on the other side of Hong Kong: the free and low-cost experiences that make the city so rewarding to explore.

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Map of Free Attractions in Hong Kong

Whenever we plan a trip, we always start with Google Maps. It helps us visualize locations and create efficient itineraries. We've added all the attractions in this post to the map below to help you see where everything is and plan your own visit.

To save the map to your Google Maps account, click the star next to the title. To access it later, open Google Maps, go to "Your Places," and find it under "Maps."

1. Hong Kong Park & the Zoological and Botanical Gardens

Tucked right in the middle of Admiralty's skyscrapers, Hong Kong Park is a beautiful park that includes an aviary, ponds, waterfalls, and plenty of green space between the high-rises. It's genuinely one of the best inner-city parks in the world, and it's hard to believe you're still in the middle of one of the busiest cities on earth.

We have lots of photos in our daily diary showcasing just how beautiful this park is, including some great close-up shots of the resident turtles.

Just across the road, the Zoological and Botanical Gardens are home to a variety of exotic birds, primates, and reptiles, set among beautifully maintained gardens.

Both are completely free to visit, making them two of the best-value stops in the entire city.

2. Hong Kong Peak, via Bus

Victoria Peak offers some of the best views in Hong Kong (and arguably the world), but the famous Peak Tram isn't cheap. The good news is that you don't have to hike to the top to avoid a large fare, although it's a lovely walk if you're looking to get some exercise.

A much cheaper option is taking the bus instead, and you get dropped off in exactly the same place that the tram takes you to.

Once you reach the top, there's no need to spend money chasing the best views. As we explain in our Hong Kong itinerary, there's a fantastic free viewpoint that offers many of the same panoramas as the paid observation decks.

The viewpoint can be reached via the Peak Circle Walk, which is an easy trail that loops around the summit. You may be saving money, but you're certainly not sacrificing the views.

If you want a laugh, check out our daily diary entry for a video of us getting absolutely belted with rain up there.

3. The Star Ferry

In a city famous for its skyline, some of the best views are from the water.

Riding the Star Ferry gives you a front-row seat to Victoria Harbour, with skyscrapers rising on either side as you make the short crossing between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

There are plenty of paid boat tours offering similar views, but the Star Ferry is so cheap it’s almost free (around $1), atmospheric, and about as classic Hong Kong as it gets.

An evening crossing is even more spectacular, offering a different perspective of Hong Kong's illuminated skyline. If you're lucky enough to catch A Symphony of Lights, you'll have one of the best seats in the city.

4. Avenue of Stars & A Symphony of Lights

The Avenue of Stars is one of the best places to take in Hong Kong's harbourfront. Stretching along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, it's a lovely place for a stroll. Along the way, you'll pass handprints and monuments honouring some of Hong Kong's biggest film stars, including the legendary Bruce Lee.

The uninterrupted views across Victoria Harbour are spectacular at any time of day, with a front-row seat to the constant stream of boats crossing the water. After dark, it's also one of the best places to watch A Symphony of Lights, and there's something special about watching Hong Kong's skyline light up in sync while the whole waterfront stops to watch together.

And if you're planning to combine sightseeing with a bit of window shopping, Nathan Road and the surrounding shopping districts are just a short walk away.

Just remember, this is a guide to free things to do in Hong Kong, so maybe leave your credit card in your pocket.

5. Ride the Ding Ding Trams

Riding one of Hong Kong's iconic ding dings is both a practical way to get around and an attraction in its own right.

These historic double-decker trams have been rattling across Hong Kong Island for more than a century, and give a unique perspective on the city at a fraction of the cost of most sightseeing tours.

Grab a seat on the upper deck, and enjoy one of the cheapest and most enjoyable experiences in Hong Kong.

6. Hong Kong's Markets

Hong Kong’s markets are some of the best places to feel the city’s energy up close, and it costs nothing to simply wander through them.

Temple Street Night Market in Kowloon comes alive after dark, and it’s chaotic in the best way, with street food stalls, fortune tellers, and bargain hunters packed into just a few blocks.

If you want to know exactly what food to look out for, our guide to 8 foods for kids to try in Hong Kong covers plenty of the dishes you'll spot here.

The Ladies’ Market on Tung Choi Street runs for almost a kilometre, and haggling is genuinely part of the fun, a good place to let the kids try their own negotiating skills on a souvenir or two.

Both markets are a must-visit, and between the two of them, you’ll get a genuine feel for local Hong Kong life without spending a cent, though good luck walking away without buying at least one souvenir.

7. Man Mo Temple

Man Mo Temple is tucked away among the busy streets of Sheung Wan, and it’s one of the oldest, most atmospheric temples in Hong Kong.

You’ll spot it instantly by the giant spiral incense coils hanging from the ceiling, filling the whole space with smoke and the smell of sandalwood.

It’s free to visit, and a good stop if you want to see a more traditional, cultural side of the city.

8. Tai Kwun & the Mid-Level Escalators

Tai Kwun used to be Hong Kong’s central police station, courthouse, and prison, and it’s since been transformed into one of the city’s most interesting heritage sites.

The restored buildings are now home to galleries, restaurants, and public spaces, and it’s free to wander through.

It’s also close to the Mid-Level Escalators, which are the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world.

It’s unique to Hong Kong and it’s pretty fun for the kids, as well as being pretty practical in the heat and humidity.

You glide past plenty of shops along the way, including M&S, which is always fun to spot as a British family.

9. Chi Lin Nunnery & Nan Lian Garden

Chi Lin Nunnery is located in Diamond Hill, in north-east Kowloon, and is one of the most remarkable buildings in Hong Kong. The complex was constructed entirely from timber using traditional Tang Dynasty joinery techniques, without a single nail.

Right next door is Nan Lian Garden, which is a beautifully landscaped Chinese garden with koi ponds, bonsai trees, and a stunning pavilion. It makes for such an amazing contrast to the towering skyscrapers in the distance.

Both are completely free to visit, and only a short walk from Diamond Hill MTR station.

10. Hong Kong Museum of Art

The Hong Kong Museum of Art is located right on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, and is just a short walk from both the Star Ferry and Avenue of Stars.

It’s home to over 16,000 pieces of art across six exhibition halls, and is made up of Chinese antiquities, calligraphy, and contemporary Hong Kong art.

General admission is completely free (only special exhibitions carry a separate charge), and the museum's waterfront views are worth the visit on their own.

How to Stay in Hong Kong for Free (Using Points)

Accommodation is often one of the biggest expenses in Hong Kong, especially for families. For this trip, however, we managed to eliminate that cost entirely by redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points for a stay at the JW Marriott Hong Kong.

Normally, this is a hotel that would be well beyond our budget if we were paying cash, but using points allowed us to stay in a fantastic central location without adding hundreds of dollars a night to our travel costs.

The kids loved the outdoor pool, the rooms were comfortable, and after long days exploring Hong Kong, it was the perfect place to relax and recharge.

It was also a great reminder that budget travel isn't always about choosing the cheapest option. Sometimes it's about using points and rewards strategically to reduce your biggest expenses.

If you're considering staying there yourself, I've written a full review of the JW Marriott Hong Kong, including details on the rooms, pool, location, and whether it's worth using Marriott Bonvoy points for your stay.

Free Things to Do in Hong Kong Summary

Hopefully we've shown that some of the best free things to do in Hong Kong are also some of the city's most memorable experiences. In fact, looking back on our time in the city, some of our favourite memories have cost little more than a Star Ferry ticket.

Whether you're exploring the city's many free gardens, riding century-old trams, wandering through night markets, or taking in the skyline from Victoria Peak, you'll find plenty to fill several fantastic days without spending a fortune.

If you're planning your own trip, our 5-day Hong Kong itinerary and best things to do in Hong Kong with kids guide cover many of the city's must-visit attractions, including bigger-ticket experiences like Hong Kong Disneyland and the Big Buddha & Lantau Island cable car worth budgeting for.

We're a Calgary-based family that travelled for 100 days, documenting each step so other families can get an honest, real-life look at long-term travel with kids.

You can browse the full 100-day daily diary contents list here.