Instagrammable Places in Hong Kong and How to Get to Them

Hong Kong is the most visited city in Asia. Therefore, it shouldn’t surprise you that the city is home to many Instagrammable locations. Between modern Hong Kong island, and authentic Kowloon, you won’t struggle to find an aesthetic of your choosing. Today I’m sharing some of my favorite Instagrammable places in Hong Kong, and how to get to them.

Victoria Peak

One of the most popular locations in Hong Kong is Victoria Peak or “The Peak”. Victoria Peak is the highest mountain in Hong Kong, and offers stunning views of the entire surrounding area. There are a couple places to get the best Instagram shot from this location.

The two free options available are Lion Pavilion and about 20 minutes down Lugard Road. You can also purchase tickets to get a view from Sky Terrace 428 {the highest viewing platform in Hong Kong} for $52 HKD {approx. $7 USD}.

How to get there: Depending on what time you plan on arriving you can take the tram, a public bus, or jump in a taxi. We opted to take bus 15 {cheapest option} in the wee hours of the morning, getting us to the peak around 7:15 AM as the sun was rising. For step-by-step directions to do so, check out this blog post.

A Symphony of Lights

Each night at 8:00 PM, large crowds gather near the Avenue of Stars to witness a 10 minute light show. While I still think it’s worth a watch, I must admit the “show” is rather underwhelming. To be honest, the views of Hong Kong Island from the pier at night are worth the visit alone. The skyline is truly unmatched to most in Asia.

How to get there: Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, the Symphony of Lights is easily accessible from anywhere in Hong Kong. The closest MTR station is East Tsim Sha Tsui, and from there it’s only a 2-3 minute walk. See the map below for the best location to view the free show.

Western District Public Cargo Pier aka Instagram Pier

Instagram Pier is famous for… well, getting the best shot for the gram. This public pier is actually just filled with a bunch of junk nobody wants, but apparently that’s the vibe these days. While it’s not overly crowded, be prepared to wait for a couple of the popular backdrops.

How to get there: Located on Hong Kong Island, the best way to get to the Western District Public Cargo Pier is via MTR. Get off at HKU Station on the red line, and walk about 15 minutes to the pier. In total, it will take you less than 30 minutes from Central Station.

Sai Wan Swimming Shed

I’d never heard of the Sai Wan Swimming Shed prior to arriving in Hong Kong. Gena found this gem online, and I’m so glad she did. Technically, the swimming shed was built for again…. well, swimming. Now, however, {thanks to social media} it’s become a photographers paradise.

The walkway wasn’t extremely busy when we arrived, but you will have to queue to take a picture without anyone else in it. If you want to get a shot like the one below, you can keep walking further along {past the wooden pier}. Technically this area is closed off by a handrail, but I just hopped over it and sat along the edge of the cliff.

How to get there: This can be done on the same day as Instagram Pier. In fact, we walked between the two during our visit. If you plan on arriving here first {recommended – then walk back towards the pier}, you can hop on the Island Line to Kennedy Town Station. From the station it’s about a 20 minute walk, and part of it is uphill. Therefore, if you plan to visit during the summer months, keep this in mind. The entrance is also quite discrete, so check out this blog post for a detailed description of how to spot it.

Yik Cheong Building aka Monster Building

I believe this building became “Insta-famous” thanks to the movie Transformers: Age of Extinction. These densely packed apartment units draw tourists from all around the world. And it’s not hard to see why. Witnessing this incredible complex for myself left me speechless.

Unfortunately, as with many “residential-areas-turned-Insta-sensations”, the locals are becoming frustrated with the influx of tourists in their backyard. Therefore, a photography ban has been rumored to appear very soon. If you want to get a shot of this surreal building, I suggest doing so now. And, of course, if you do, please be mindful of the residents living there.

How to get there: The best way to get to the Monster Building is, once again, via MTR. Get off at Quarry Bay Station and exit out of “Exit A”. From here, walk along King’s Road. If you have access to Google Maps, just type in the address Hong Kong, Quarry Bay, 英皇道1046號 {or click on my map below} and follow the directions.

Ladies Market in Mong Kok

Markets are always a must in Asia, and Hong Kong is no exception. The Ladies Market in Mong Kok is home to hundreds of stalls, and stretches for an entire kilometer. More importantly, it’s crowded AF.

“According to the Guinness Book of Records, Mongkok is the most densely populated place on the planet. It squeezes in over 130,000 people per km2” – Trip Savvy

We didn’t spend much time exploring the market, mainly due to this reason. But it was delightful to wander about the crowds and shimmy our way through the stalls. The most popular item at the market is cheap clothing, but you can also find Chinese themed souvenirs. And, of course, there are so many Instagrammable places along the way. Don’t forget to haggle!

How to get there: The closest station is Mong Kok Station, exit E2. There are a few streets that host the market, but the most popular is Tung Choi Street. If you are already in Kowloon, the market is definitely within walking distance.

Choi Hung Estate Basketball Courts

And finally, the ever popular rainbow apartments! I have no idea when this parking lot became such an Instagram hot spot, but you won’t find me complaining. Like many of the other locations on the list, the Choi Hung Estate Basketball Courts are filled with people trying to get the best shot for the gram. I nearly deleted the people from my own pictures, but figured I’d leave them in the name of transparency.

This place might be my favorite Insta-worthy location in all of Hong Kong. Buildings throughout the entire city are painted colorfully to ensure a positive state of mind within the residents. Choi Hung Estate is no exception, and actually painted like the rainbow. Therefore, it makes for a stunning backdrop, and also put me in high spirits. I suppose the entire plan is working.

How to get there: Getting to the actual parking lot isn’t the easiest thing in the world. I met Gena there, so luckily I didn’t have to struggle with directions. That being said, The Blonde Abroad explains exactly how to reach the Instagrammable location in this post.