Things to see and do Hong-Kong 香港

Timetable

Museums. They are generally closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and are open from 10am to 6 or 7pm (sometimes there's a nocturne).

Parks. These are generally open 7 days a week between 6am and 10 or 11pm.

Temples. Opening hours vary from temple to temple, but in general they are open 7/7 between 7.30am and 8am and close between 4.30pm and 6pm.

Smart tip. Try to plan your vacation so that you visit the sights and museums on weekdays rather than weekends. School vacations, public holidays and weekends are the busiest times.

Public holidays. Some museums and sites may have reduced opening hours on public holidays. Hong Kong has 17 public holidays a year. Some* are based on the lunar calendar so dates may vary from year to year. Here's the list: new Year's Day (01/01), Chinese New Year* (29/01-31/01), Ching Ming Festival* (O4/04), Easter* (18/04) and Easter Monday* (21/04), Labour Day (01/05), Buddha's Birthday* (10/05), dragon Boat Festival* (06/19), Anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China (07/01), Mid-Autumn Festival* (09/26), China National Day (10/01), Chung Yeung Festival* (10/29) and Christmas (12/25-26).

To be booked

If you're a stickler for organization, many activities can be booked in advance (at preferential rates), so why miss out when it's just a click away? And don't worry: outside weekends, bank holidays and school vacations, queues are rare.

Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park. Both parks are very busy at weekends, so book in advance.

Tsz Shan Monastery. Reservations are essential, as the number of visitors per day is limited. Admission is free. Reservations open one month in advance.

Ngong Ping 360. The cable car to the Big Buddha is easily booked online.

M+ Museum and Palace Museum. Some temporary exhibitions are very popular and tickets can sell out quickly.

Guided tours and excursions. Guided tours and boat cruises in the bay are best booked a few days in advance.

Shows. The Hong Kong Cultural Centre, for example, has a fine program of ballets and other performances. Booking a few months in advance is essential for concerts and other shows.

Budget & Tips

Amusement parks. Approximately HK$500. Ocean Park is free on your birthday if you are a Hong Kong resident.

Palace Museum. Approx. HK$90. Prices drop if you book for a specific day and time.

Victoria Peak. A HK$75 ticket allows you to climb to the Sky Terrace (top floor of the Peak Tower) to enjoy the iconic view over the bay. Smart move: go to the top floor of the Peak Galleria, right next door, to enjoy the same view for free.

Free activities. Temples, parks, hikes and street markets are all free. The Symphony of Lights show, which illuminates the Hong Kong skyline every evening at 8 p.m., is also free. See it from the TST promenade. Finally, every weekend at PMQ, there are designer markets and various activities: free of charge.

Main events

Hong Kong is a dynamic city with regular festivities, markets and other events. For an overview of the main festivities, go to the "Agenda" section of the guide. Time Out Hong Kong 's online events calendar is the perfect place to get the lowdown on what's going on when you're in Hong Kong.

Here's a list of our favorite Hong Kong events of the year:

Chinese New Year illuminations (January-February): Tai Kwun courtyard, Lee Tung Avenue in Wan Chai, Victoria Park in Causeway Bay and the Peninsula in TST are particularly magical at this time of year.

New Year's Eve fireworks (12/31): for a front-row seat, take a boat cruise in the bay (book well in advance) or head for the promenade at TST, Tamar Park (Central) or Victoria Peak. The Ozone Bar at the top of the ICC also offers an unforgettable experience.

Horse racing at Happy Valley Racecourse. Every Wednesday evening from September to June. The atmosphere is incredible and the spectacle unusual, in the midst of skyscrapers. Let yourself be tempted by a bet!

The Dragon Boat Festival in June. The local sport in Hong Kong, the boats are magnificent, the atmosphere is electric and the races are the culmination of months of training for all the teams - not to be missed!

The Mid-Autumn festival in September. This is an opportunity to taste mooncakes, a round local pastry delicately decorated with Chinese motifs, symbolizing the full moon and family union. Traditionally stuffed with a salted egg yolk, they are now available in a wide range of flavors and colors.

Guided tours

Hong Kong à la Carte. For guided tours in French, this has long been the reference! Whether you're looking for a 3-hour tour or a full day with a certified guide, a cooking tour, a Chinese medicine tour or an off-the-beaten-track tour, you'll find what you're looking for. https://hkalacarte.com/

If you're comfortable with English, there are other possibilities open to you. We recommend

Hong Kong Free Tours : their tours last between 2 and 2.5 hours, in groups and by registration, every day. Some, like "Introduction to Hong Kong", are free (in fact, a tip of around $200 is strongly recommended). Others, like " Dark side of Hong Kong ", take you on a tour of Kowloon's working-class neighborhoods to learn more about local life, far from the gilded expat life of Central. Very interesting. https://hongkongfreetours.com/

DocomomoHK. Little known to travelers (and expats), this organization aims to promote Hong Kong's architecture, urban planning and heritage. They regularly organize guided tours(Walk&Talk) in places where tourists never go, to discover, for example, the history of Hong Kong's public housing, some of which is in buildings with unique and impressive architecture. A fascinating experience. Contact them on Instagram @docomomo.hk.

TramOramic Tour. A guided tour of the island's must-sees, on the iconic double-decker streetcar, with an audioguide (French available). Count $150/1h. www.hktramways.com/en/tramoramic

Classic networks:

On the official Tourism website. You'll find a multitude of themed guided tours in English, to discover the city's must-sees or more remote corners. Daily departures. www.discoverhongkong.com > Plan > Excursions & Tours.

Big Bus tours. The classic tourist bus. Several routes, several formulas. A practical way to discover the city and get an introduction to its history and must-see buildings. From HK$50. www.bigbustours.com

Smokers

Smoking legislation is stricter than in France. Officially, smoking is prohibited in public places. This includes restaurants, cafés, bars, terraces, parks and beaches, bus stops and so on. Depending on the location, there may be designated smokingareas. In fact, smoking does take place on certain terraces and rooftops, and even in nightclubs! The presence of ashtrays is the best indicator of whether or not you can smoke. You should also be aware that Hong Kong has banned the sale, import and possession of electronic cigarettes and vaping products. Fines can be steep, so don't play with fire: no ashtray, no cigarette.

Tourist traps

On the whole, there are few scams in Hong Kong. There are, however, a few not-so-bad tourist traps that can easily be avoided. For example, beware of "passes" sold online that combine several attractions such as the Peak, the Buddha or others. Their prices are often disadvantageous.

Pink dolphins at Tai O. On Lantau, in the village of Tai O, some of the boat trips on offer can be a little misleading. Local operators promise the sight of pink dolphins, but in reality, it's very rare - but not impossible! - but not impossible. Good luck with that.

What's very local

Here's a list of activities and tips for experiencing Hong Kong like a local:

Beaches and hiking. At weekends, Hong Kongers love to go to the beach at Shek O or Repulse Bay, or to go hiking. The Dragon's Back trail is popular with locals and visitors alike for its splendid views.

The Peak. Climb early in the morning or on weekdays to avoid the crowds.

Horse racing. On Wednesday evenings, don't miss the races at Happy Valley.

Temples. There's no strict dress code, but please respect the site by removing your headgear, avoiding stepping on the top step and keeping quiet.