With elevations as high as nearly 1,000 meters over the South China Sea, Hong Kong is naturally packed with sky-high attractions. Beyond the mountains, add the city’s hyper-modern skyscrapers that define the Hong Kong iconic skyline and it’s easy to spend most of your time here quite literally off the ground. Whether you’re a hiker or prefer sipping luxe cocktails 100 stories above street level, here are some of the top (sorry!) attractions in Hong Kong.
Read MoreThe best of Hong Kong’s sky-high destinations
Lantau Peak
As the second-highest peak in all of Hong Kong, Lantau Peak’s hiking trail takes about two and a half hours to scale up and another two and a half to walk down (not including the additional time you’ll need to admire the ocean and Big Buddha views). Easily one of Hong Kong’s most beloved hikes, Lantau Peak is not too difficult to summit — a pathway and even steps don’t require much outdoorsy skill — and is accessible via public transit and close to the Po Lin Monastery, so you can fit in some culture (and reputable vegetarian fare) before or after your hike.
Ozone Bar
Located on the 118th floor of The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, Ozone is said to be the tallest bar in the world (though the claim to fame is contested, depending how you measure) and offers amazing views. Hotel guests get priority seating, but standing near the windows with a fantastically unusual craft cocktail in hand (ingredients range from seaweed-infused sake, sushi rice-infused bamboo vodka, and Dom Perignon foam) at any time or day of night is a rare treat, seeing a city from such a high perspective.
Dragon's Back
Part of the longer Hong Kong Trail (which begins at Victoria Peak and ends at Big Wave Bay), this popular 8.5-meter-long urban hiking trail is easy to access and offers incredible coastal views. Though the athletic walk isn’t excessively difficult, you’ll want to be able to carry half a day’s worth of water, snacks, and, because you end at the beach, swim gear. Go early to beat crowds and the beating sun.
Tian Tan Buddha
You’ll have to climb 268 steps to get up close to this 34-meter-high bronze statue of a seated Buddha — the tallest in the world when it was built in 1993 — but once you reach the top, you’ll get a full 365-degree view of the enormous statue. Visiting during the day offers coastal and mountain views, as well as the opportunity to walk the nearby Wisdom Path, but nighttime offers an encapsulating view of the illuminated Big Buddha.
Victoria Peak
Colloquially referred to as The Peak, at 552 meters tall Victoria is the highest point in Hong Kong. The Victoria Peak tram allows non-hikers (though hiking is an option) to reach the top via vertical climb, on which seated travelers will breeze past skyscrapers and reach the top for unbelievable views of both architectural and natural wonders.
Lion Rock Park
Named for a rock that can be seen as a lion from various perspectives, this urban park on the MacLehose Trail (which can take a week to complete on foot) offers a short but scenic hike with views of the Kowloon Peninsula and other distinct parts of Hong Kong. Ample flat ground makes this spot ideal for picnicking, potlucks, reading, and just relaxing outdoors.
Above & Beyond 天外天
Hong Kong is lush with hotel restaurants boasting fine dining with a side of views, and though the price tag of many of these acclaimed spots remains daunting, this Cantonese restaurant on the 28th floor of the Hotel Icon offers affordable dim sum and a la carte chef-driven cuisine, so you can stuff your face with steamed dumplings and egg noodles while simultaneously admiring the impressive views.
Sunset Peak
Advanced hikers (who aren’t afraid of the dark, or at least scaling down the trail past dusk) hike up Sunset Peak to, of course, watch the sun set with unobstructed views all the way to Macau on Hong Kong’s third-highest peak.
High Junk Peak
At 344 meters high, climbing the challenging High Junk Peak may explain why Hong Kongers typically refer to hikes in measurements of timing rather than distance: At just over six kilometers, the arduous trail leading up and down the sharp peak can take over three hours to traverse. To fuel up, you’ll be able to stop at Poi Toi O, a popular fishing village with plenty of small restaurants and vendors.
Fu Lu Shou
Though it’s only seven floors up, this casual, funky, open-air rooftop bar and restaurant offers a quirkier side of Hong Kong closer to street level but still high enough up that you can appreciate the tall breezes and proximity to other architecturally intriguing buildings. Those hoping to imbibe playful craft cocktails and snack on updated versions of local finger foods will also need to procure a password for entry, via Facebook or phone call.
Cape Collinson
Peace out of the city to Cape Collinson on the island’s east coast for some of the best diverse terrain Hong Kong has to offer. Cape Collinson is one of the area’s most accessible climbing spots and has routes for all levels of climbers.