1.Old Town Central Street Art
Old Town Central is one of the oldest neighbourhoods on Hong Kong Island, located around the Central and Sheung Wan areas. It’s a must-visit for travellers to Hong Kong, thanks to its cool and eccentric mix of old and new vibes. Street art and murals decorate many corners of the neighbourhood, and you’ll also find quaint shops and narrow alleyways that call to be explored.
For first-timers to Old Town Central, the mural of old townhouses located on the corner of Hollywood Road and Graham Street (pictured above!) is definitely worth dropping by. There’s also plenty more street art to capture as you explore the surrounding area.
Check out this guide for some of the other must-visit art spots in Old Town Central. Beyond the street art, there’s plenty of other noteworthy things to explore, from antique flea markets to buildings with stunning traditional architecture. Jamia Mosque (Hong Kong’s oldest mosque) is also located in Old Town Central, so you can drop by while exploring to perform your prayers or just marvel at the beautiful green structure.
Getting there: Head to Sheung Wan or Central MTR stations. From there, you can walk out to explore Old Town Central. If you’re visiting the old townhouses mural (at the intersection of Graham Street and Hollywood Road), it’s about an 8-minute walk from either station.
Nearby Muslim-friendly eatery: Ebeneezer’s Kebab & Pizzeria
Ebeneezer’s Kebab & Pizza is a halal-certified chain of restaurants in Hong Kong serving up a mix of Indian, Middle-Eastern, and western dishes. With over 15 outlets located all across Hong Kong, it’s a wonderfully convenient dining option for Muslims. For those visiting Old Town Central, head to the outlet located on Hollywood Road that’s super near the old townhouses mural. Choose from dishes like kebabs, biryani, pizza, salads and more. If you’re going for the kebabs, we liked the mixed kebab that comes with a combination of lamb and chicken!
Halal status: Halal-certified. Please note that alcoholic beverages are served here, but are prepared and kept separately (in line with The Incorporated Trustees’ halal certification guidelines)
Average price: HKD70-100
Opening hours: Mon-Fri; 10.30AM-6PM, Fri-Sat; 10.30AM-7PM
Address: G/F, 24 Hollywood Rd, Central Hong Kong
Website
2. Victoria Dockside
The downtown Hong Kong area is always morphing with brand new developments, and one of the places you have to check out on your next trip to the city is Victoria Dockside. Located on the famous Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, this new development includes apartments, offices, and a shopping mall.
We had a chance to visit the mall (called K11 Musea) on our last trip to Hong Kong and were blown away. The mall has a unique concept of being a cultural hub as well as a retail space, and the architecture and interior design illustrate this so beautifully! The mall is filled with various art installations and furnishings that are superbly photo-worthy, with the main star being the Opera Theatre (the centre atrium of the mall).
For a unique selfie spot, head upstairs to the Bohemian Garden located at the top floor. The elevator that leads up to the garden is covered by an archway that’s beautiful to behold and makes a perfect backdrop.
From K11 Musea, you can easily walk to the harbourfront and stroll along the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, where you can enjoy iconic views of Hong Kong Island. As you snap photos by the harbour, check out the Avenue of Stars too, Hong Kong’s version of the Hollywood Walk Of Fame!
Getting there: Take the MRT to either East Tsim Sha Tsui (take Exit J1 & J2) or Tsim Sha Tsui (Exit E) and walk to the Victoria Dockside area.
Nearby halal eatery: Hung’s Chinese Restaurant (5 - 12 minute walk from Victoria Dockside)
All that walking around Victoria Dockside will surely work up an appetite, so head on over to Hung’s Chinese Restaurant for some crispy roast chicken! This Muslim-owned eatery is located in Chungking Mansions, a building that houses a variety of shops and eateries along Nathan Road. Depending on which part of Victoria Dockside you’re coming from it’ll take between a 5 to 12-minute walk to get there. The roast chicken served at Hung’s is succulent and makes for the perfect pairing with other dishes available like fried rice, black pepper beef and battered prawns.
#HHWT Tip: If you’re in the mood for something other than Chinese food, there are other halal eateries at Chungking Mansion too, including Indian and Pakistani cuisine!
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Average price: HKD50 - 100
Opening hours: Open daily; 11AM-11PM
Address: Chungking Mansion, 36-44 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
3. Sham Shui Po
You can’t think of photo-worthy spots in Hong Kong without heading to some of its iconic residential estates and neighbourhoods. If you’re looking to capture a slice of local life, Sham Shui Po is the place to go! This residential area located in Kowloon has some iconic sights of a Hong Kong that’s distinctively different from the bustling downtown area.
Must-visit spots include Tai Nan Street, which is famous for being used as settings in films such as Rush Hour 2 and Transformers: Age of Extinction. Flanked by flats and filled with colourful signage, it gave us a super nostalgic feel - it felt like we were being transported back to the 60s and 70s.
P.S. Are you planning to visit Hong Kong again in the future? We have a brand new Hong Kong itinerary for repeat visitors that includes Sham Shui Po, K11 Musea and more!
Credit: @yassakkaf on Instagram
Sham Shui Po is also known for its fair share of street art and eye-catching buildings, including the popular Man Fung Building! Fun fact: people usually associate the Man Fung with the bright yellow structure, but it’s actually the building to the left that’s covered with the colorful mural of a fox, while the yellow building is called the Kam Ning Building. But ultimately, the combination of the two is stunning and makes for a popular Instagram spot.
#HHWT Tip: Many people on Instagram have photographed the Man Fung and Kam Ning buildings from the rooftop of another building located across the road. However, do note that the local council has strongly advised against this as you would be trespassing on private property and have installed fencing on the rooftop to discourage such behaviour. Do respect the privacy of the residents there and stick to photographing the buildings from street level!
Nearby halal eatery: Ma’s Restaurant (7-minute walk from Sham Shui Po station)
Stop for some yummy Xinjiang cuisine in between snapping pics of Sham Shui Po! Ma’s Restaurant offers an extensive menu, from hearty rice and noodle dishes to beef and mutton specialities that are a signature of the Xinjiang region. They also serve goulash (pastries with meat fillings) that are a popular side-dish.
Make sure to also try some yummy Muslim-friendly street snacks while exploring the neighbourhood - check out our Sham Shui Po guide for more info!
Halal status: Halal-certified
Opening Hours: Open daily; 11.30AM-10.45PM
Address: Shop A, 21-25 Cheung Sha Wan Rd, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong
4. Nathan Road
No trip to Hong Kong is complete without strolling along Nathan Road. This 3.6km road is known as ‘The Golden Mile’ and runs straight through Kowloon, beginning from Victoria Harbour down south up to Sham Shui Po in the north. With shops, malls and eateries on each side of the road, it’s THE place for a quintessential sight of busy Hong Kong.
For those who love taking photos of urban cityscapes, Nathan Road is truly fascinating. Whether you walk the whole stretch or concentrate on exploring one of the several neighbourhoods the road runs through, there’s bound to be various photo opportunities. Popular areas include Mong Kok (known for shopping spots like Ladies Market and Sneakers Street) and Tsim Tsa Shui (close to the Victoria Dockside area).
P.S. Want to know the best spots to shop in Hong Kong? Check out this list!
Getting there: There are five MTR stations directly under Nathan road (Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kong and Prince Edward).
Nearby halal eatery: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (near Mong Kok MTR station on Nathan Road)
Credit: @thefoodbit on Instagram
Yes, you read that right! The Mong Kok outlet of this American fast-food chain recently had its halal certification reinstated and is the perfect place to go and have some yummy Cajun-style food while you’re exploring Nathan Road. You can never go wrong with some fried chicken ? Be sure to get the buttermilk biscuits too!
#HHWT Tip: Do note that only the Mong Kok Popeyes outlet is halal-certified!
Halal status: Halal-certified
Average price: HKD50
Opening hours: Open daily; 11AM-10.30PM
Address: Shop B01, B/F, T.O.P, 700 Nathan Rd, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
5. Tai Kwun Centre For Heritage And Arts
We got to visit Tai Kwun during our last trip to Hong Kong and loved it! Housed in a collection of buildings that previously made up the Central Police Station for Hong Kong, it now serves as a centre for heritage and arts in the city.
What makes Tai Kwun such a photo-worthy spot are the buildings themselves, which have been beautifully restored to their old glory. Admire the buildings from the Parade Ground, an open area surrounded by the Police Headquarters Block, Barrack Block, and Armoury.
You’ll also see some other newer buildings too, namely the JC Contemporary building, which is home to a non-profit art centre. The cool rugged exterior of the building is a nice modern addition, especially in contrast to the older heritage block that’s located beside it.
Getting there: Alight at the Central MTR Station. From there you can take the Mid-Levels Escalator (the covered elevator walkways) and head to the footbridge entrance at the intersection of Hollywood Road and Old Bailey Street.
Nearby halal eatery: Bombay Dreams (2-minute walk from Tai Kwun)
In the mood for a yummy Indian feast? Head to Bombay Dreams nearby! This Indian restaurant offers authentic Indian cuisine in an upscale setting. Here, food is meticulously prepared, with breads like naan and chapati as well as tandoori all cooked in-house. Bombay Dreams has a daily lunch buffet where you can sample all their best dishes, but if you’re not a big eater, they have an ala carte menu available too.
#HHWT Tip: If you’re heading there during lunchtime it’s best to make reservations in advance!
Halal status: Halal-certified. Do note that alcoholic beverages are served here but prepared and kept separately (in-line with The Incorporated Trustees’ halal-certification guidelines).
Average price: Buffet lunch: HKD198++; Ala carte menu: HKD150-200 for mains
Opening hours: Open daily; Buffet lunch: 12PM-3PM, Dinner: 6PM-11PM
Address: 4/F, Carfield Building, 77 Wyndham Street, Central
Website | Facebook | Instagram
6. Blue House
Credit: @tinalovestotravel on Instagram
We can’t get enough of the beautiful buildings in Hong Kong! Another Instagram-worthy one you need to capture is the Blue House that you’ll find in the Wan Chai area on Hong Kong Island. Named after its bright blue colour, this building’s history dates back to the 1920s. It’s known for being one of the rare remaining tong lau (low-rise buildings that were built during the pre-war period).
But what also makes the Blue House all the more aesthetically pleasing is the fact that it sits between two similarly brightly-coloured buildings, aptly called the Yellow House and the Orange House!
Getting there: Alight at Wan Chai MTR station. From there, it’s a 7-minute walk to the Blue House.
Nearby halal eateries: Islamic Centre Canteen (10-minute walk) & Wai Kee (13-minute walk)
We have two delicious options for you to choose from, Islamic Centre Canteen or Wai Kee!
Islamic Centre Canteen is usually a must-visit for visitors to Hong Kong to get scrumptious halal dim sum. It’s located in Masjid Ammar And Osman Ramju Sadick Islamic Centre, so it’s convenient to do your prayers here too! To get to the restaurant, take the lift up to the 5th floor. Some of our favourite dishes to order here include the steamed siu mai with chicken, har kow (steamed shrimp dumplings) and also the deep fried shrimp won ton.
#HHWT Tip: Do note that the dim sum is only available until 3pm. We recommend going as early as possible, as some of the dim sum can be sold out by as early as 12pm. But if you’re coming later, don’t worry, they offer other dishes like rice, noodles and stir-fried items too.
Just a short distance away in Bowrington Road Market you’ll find Wai Kee, the famous halal roast duck stall! Served on rice (similar to chicken rice!), the golden brown crispy duck will surely hit the spot ? The store also has other dishes - we particularly like their wanton noodles and their signature mutton curry rice!
#HHWT Tip: The food centre is located on the 2nd floor of the Bowrington Road Indoor Market building. Enter via the escalator on the Bowrington Road side of the building.
Islamic Centre Canteen
Halal status: Halal-certified
Average price: HKD60 - 150
Opening Hours: 10am to 3pm (dim sum), 6pm to 9pm (only Cantonese dishes)
Address: 5th floor, Osman Ramju Sadick Islamic Centre, 40 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Wai Kee
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Average price: HKD30
Opening Hours: 10am to 6pm (only take-away orders after 5.30pm)
Address: Shop 5, Bowrington Road Cooked Food Centre, 1/F, Bowrington Road Market, 21 Bowrington Road, Wan Chai
7. Ngong Ping 360
Did you know Lantau Island is the largest island in Hong Kong? This island is probably best known for being home to Hong Kong Disneyland, but it also houses another attraction you shouldn’t miss - Ngong Ping 360! This attraction features a cable car ride that gives you fantastic views of the island, as well as various shops, eateries and attractions (located at Ngong Ping Village).
There are plenty of beautiful spots in Ngong Ping Village, but don’t forget to venture out to nearby attractions such as Tian Tan Buddha and also Po Lin Monastery! The majestic bronze seated statue of Buddha as well as the traditional architecture of the monastery make for beautiful snapshots.
Ngong Ping Village also constantly hosts different events and special exhibitions, many of which are often perfect for Instagram! During our last visit, there was a super cute We Bare Bears exhibition that featured fun and colourful displays of Ice Bear, Grizz and Pan Pan. Besides those, don’t forget to check out the permanent photo spots such as the Bodhi Tree that’s hung with wishes!
Admission fee: For ticket prices for the cable car ride, please refer here . Admission to Ngong Ping Village itself is free, however select attractions require payment (find out more about the attractions here).
Getting there: Alight at the Tung Chung MTR station and take the cable car up to Ngong Ping Village.
Nearby halal eatery: Ebeneezer’s Kebab & Pizzeria (in Ngong Ping Village)
Once again, Ebeneezer’s is here to save the day! Ebeneezer’s has an outlet in Ngong Ping Village, so getting a bite to eat while you explore will be a breeze.
#HHWT Tip: In the mood to try something different? There is also a vegetarian restaurant located inside Po Lin Monastery! All ingredients are plant-based, with no alcohol used in the cooking process and no alcoholic beverages served.
Halal status: Halal-certified. Please note that alcoholic beverages are served here, but are prepared and kept separately (in line with The Incorporated Trustees’ halal certification guidelines)
Average price: HKD70-100
Opening hours: Mon-Fri; 10AM-6PM, Sat-Sun; 9AM-6.30PM
Address: Shop No. 9A, Ngong Ping Village, Ngong Ping, Lantau
Website
8. Hong Kong Disneyland
We couldn’t complete our list without including magical Disneyland! The park offers an experience filled with fun, excitement and childhood nostalgia, so it makes sense that it’s also one of the most Instagrammable spots in all of Hong Kong ?
Keep your eyes peeled and your phone or camera ready, because there will be plenty of photo opportunities you’ll want to document! Whether it’s a picture of your Minnie Mouse ears that are oh-so-cute, the regal Sleeping Beauty Castle, or the amazing lights and colours of the nightly parade, Disneyland promises an amazing time.
#HHWT Tip: The park has a handy list of some of the best photo spots for you to take pictures at! Be sure to also take a ride on the Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad train to get some beautiful panoramic shots of the park.
Credit: Hong Kong Disneyland on Facebook
You’ll also want to get a picture with some beloved Disney characters. Mickey, Minnie and their friends will usually greet guests in the Main Street Area (near the park entrance) when the park opens in the morning, but we usually recommend readers to head straight to their favourite rides to beat the queues. Instead, snap pictures with them later on in the day at the various character experiences available in the park!
#HHWT Tip: Download the free Hong Kong Disneyland app which not only has a GPS-enabled map and lets you check on wait times for rides, but you can also use it to see when and where your favourite characters are making appearances in the park!
Nearby halal eatery: Tahitian Terrace and Explorer’s Club (located inside the park)
One of the best things about visiting Hong Kong Disneyland is that halal food is easily available! Head on over to the two halal-certified restaurants available in the park - Tahitian Terrace or Explorer’s Club. Both offer flavourful Asian cuisine, with Tahitian Terrace specialising in curry dishes while Explorer’s Club has a menu with Korean, Japanese, Indian, Indonesian and Vietnamese dishes!
Halal status: Halal-certified
Average price: HKD100-200
Location in the park: Tahitian Terrace is located in Adventureland, while Explorer’s Club is located in Mystic Park
Hong Kong has such an eclectic mix of beautiful spaces, be it cityscapes, panoramic scenery, or nostalgic neighbourhoods that are calling to be captured. Whether you’re looking for a good spot for a selfie or want to photograph stunning architecture, you’ll be all set for snapshots that will totally up your Instagram game ? It’s time to start planning your next trip to Hong Kong!
This article was brought to you by Hong Kong Tourism Board.
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