Hong Kong is one of those cities where I never want to put away my camera because there is always something worth photographing. If you’re looking for Instagrammable places in Hong Kong, you won’t have to look very far. Between the skyscrapers, neon-lit streets, traditional buildings, mountains and harbour, there seems to be a photograph waiting around every corner. Hong Kong is a unique city with so many different sides. Sometimes it feels incredibly futuristic, while traditional architecture, peaceful gardens and chaotic markets sit alongside huge panoramic views and tiny details that are easy to miss.
I have been lucky enough to visit Hong Kong more times than my photographer, and somehow I keep discovering new places. Some of the locations on this list are famous landmarks that you’ve probably seen before, while others were completely accidental discoveries. I’ve found beautiful photographs in shopping centres, on quiet streets, beside market stalls and even from the window of a museum.
So, grab your camera, some snacks and explore with Team Veganosaurus. These are 19 of my favourite Instagrammable places in Hong Kong.
DISCLAIMER: Posting photographs of these locations on Instagram is not required, despite what the post title may suggest. You can share them on Facebook or choose to keep the locations private to prevent them from becoming overcrowded tourist hotspots in the future.
1. Victoria Harbour
Some skylines don’t need an introduction; they are so distinctive, you recognise them before working out where the photograph was taken. Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong is one of them.
No matter how many times I walk along Avenue of the Stars, I always stop to enjoy the view. Few places can squeeze futuristic skyscrapers, traditional junk boats and the greenery of Victoria Peak in a single scene. I am always reminded of how small I am when I gaze upon Victoria Harbour, even if I am only 1.5 Kitkats tall.
My photographer loves to visit late morning because the soft sunlight hits the skyscrapers, making it appear as though they go on forever. One of my favourite things about photographing Victoria Harbour is that there is not one single “best” viewpoint. Every few steps, the reflections change, the Star Ferry drifts across the scene, or the light catches the skyline differently. You could take one million photographs here and never end up with the same one twice (but you might fill your camera).
Photo tip: Stand on the Avenue of Stars with your back to Bruce Lee (don’t worry, he doesn’t get offended) and aim slightly west. This gives a great shot of Central’s skyline, the harbour and Star Ferry all in a single frame.
Victoria Harbour is a place where thousands of people share the same view, but you still feel as though you are discovering it for yourself.
🦖 Rex Tip: Visit in the late morning if you want clearer light on the buildings without waiting until evening.
2. M+ Museum
M+ is famous for a rather photogenic spiral staircase. But I don’t want to call every staircase in Hong Kong photogenic, or my blog might turn into a fitness page. Yes, there is the Instagrammable spiral staircase in the centre of the gallery, but my favourite view lies in a quiet corner. I don’t usually head to museums for the view outside, but M+ has my favourite view in Kowloon.
The stark modern building has columns separating the window into several separate scenes. I simply love how the skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island line up perfectly between the window frames. The grey tones make the city feel as though it is creeping into the gallery, especially on a cloudy winter day. In this moment, the city feels incredibly modern, though the iconic Star Ferry occasionally passes by, giving this scene a timeless feel.
On rainy days, when the world feels extra moody, M+ is the perfect spot to hide. My photographer pointed out the neon signs and their stark contrast against the low-hanging clouds.
🦖 Rex Tip: Don’t rush through the galleries looking for the famous photo spots. Keep an eye out for windows and seats in quieter corners — my favourite view was one I wasn’t expecting.
3. Blue House, Wan Chai
I am always excited to find something blue when I travel because it is my favourite colour. Hidden among the skyscrapers of Wan Chai is the Blue House, a piece of Hong Kong’s history housed in one of the city’s most colourful buildings. The 1920s Tong Lau has shops on the ground floor and apartments above, giving you a glimpse of how this part of Hong Kong once looked.
I love how the bright blue building clashes beautifully with the neighbouring yellow and orange houses. Together, they create a little rainbow of old Hong Kong against the modern grey skyscrapers.
Personally, I had never heard of the Blue House, and came across it purely by happy accident. Sometimes it pays to walk a different route to a favourite coffee shop. That is what I did and found something beautifully photogenic in the process.
For me, that’s what makes the Blue House so photogenic: it isn’t just beautiful on its own; it makes everything around it look more interesting too.
🦖 Rex Tip: Look beyond the Blue House itself and include some of the colourful neighbouring buildings in your composition. The contrast makes the photograph much more interesting.
4. Lee Tung Street
The first time I visited Lee Tung Street, there wasn’t a lantern in sight. A Typhoon warning caused all of the lanterns to be taken down. The second time, the street had transformed for the Mid-Autumn Festival; red and fish-shaped lanterns floated overhead as I wandered beneath them. The difference made me realise that this isn’t necessarily somewhere you can visit once, tick off your list and expect to see the same thing as everyone else.
Everyone around me seemed to be making the morning commute from coffee shop to office, while I decided to meander slowly along the pedestrianised street. The bright red lanterns popped against the pastel shops and buildings, making the ordinary morning commute feel much more theatrical. Having seen two completely different versions of Lee Tung Street, I think that’s part of its appeal. The decorations can change with the season and festivals, so you never quite know what you’ll find hanging overhead when you visit.
🦖 Rex Tip: The decorations on Lee Tung Street change throughout the year, so don’t expect to find exactly the same lanterns as in my photographs.
5. Toy Street
Tai Yuen Street, better known as Toy Street, was an accidental finding for me, following a visit to the Blue House. Market stalls fill the narrow streets between the huge apartment blocks, making them appear even smaller than they actually are. Each stall houses something different, and yes, some are toys. My favourite was the flower stall where the lilies and orchids gave off the most delicious smell (no, I didn’t eat any this time).
Looking from afar gives an amazing perspective on how small the space a person takes up in Hong Kong actually is. What I loved most was seeing these ordinary moments of daily life happening beneath the enormous buildings. Stepping back gives you a completely different perspective: tiny stalls and people are dwarfed by the surrounding apartment blocks.
For me, that’s what makes Toy Street worth photographing. It’s not just about finding one perfect Instagram shot; it’s about capturing a little snapshot of everyday Hong Kong that you might otherwise walk straight past.
🦖 Rex Tip: Don’t walk through Tai Yuen Street too quickly. Look between the market stalls and up at the surrounding apartment blocks — some of the best compositions come from the contrast between the tiny street and enormous buildings.
6. Hysan Place’s Four-Storey Escalator
I normally wouldn’t include a shopping mall in an Instagrammable list, but somehow Hong Kong has convinced me to include two (we can blame my photographer for that). One of my favourite views in Hong Kong came from somewhere I never expected: an escalator. I rode this escalator several times just enjoying the scene. Finally, I found myself in a coffee shop on the ninth floor which had an incredible view of Causeway Bay. Personally, I think the places where you lose yourself in the location provide the best photographs.
The escalator glides alongside the glass wall for four storeys, while Hennessy Road bustles below. For some reason, the scene reminds me of Times Square in New York City, although I can’t quite work out why. Maybe it’s the combination of towering buildings, bright advertising and the constant movement below. Maybe that’s what makes it feel so quintessentially Hong Kong: futuristic billboards and glass towers alongside the Ding Ding trams, busy roads and endless shops.
🦖 Rex Tip: Ride the escalator before taking out your camera. I rode it several times, just enjoying the view, before I realised it was great to photograph.
7. Sheung Wan & Chinese Medicine Street
When searching for the more traditional side of Hong Kong, Sheung Wan and Chinese Medicine Street are my favourite places to go. Traditional signs highlight a treasure trove of herbs and ingredients used in Chinese medicine, while the smells take you back to a bygone era of bartering, browsing and knowledge. The streets are lined with shops that look incredibly similar from afar, but up close their unique products come to life. For visitors unfamiliar with traditional Chinese medicine, the ingredients and displays can look unusual at first, but they represent generations of knowledge passed down through families and practitioners.
The polished skyscrapers of Central create a feeling of order and modernity, whereas these quieter streets of Sheung Wan feel more lived-in and earthy. It isn’t the Hong Kong you usually see on a postcard; it’s a glimpse of the everyday city behind the skyscrapers. Late mornings and early afternoons are my favourite times to visit because the shops are full of life.
Bonus points if you manage to photograph one of the shop cats hiding in plain sight.
🦖 Rex Tip: Wander away from the main roads. The traditional shops, signs and tiny details are where you’ll find some of the best photographs.
Read my full Sheung Wan & Chinese Medicine Street guide → Slow travel in Sheung Wan
8. Tai Kwun – Former Police Station & Prison
The best historical sites in Hong Kong aren’t always found in a museum; sometimes they are sitting in the middle of Central. Tai Kwun brings together the former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison, combining the original architecture with striking modern additions. I love how the historic buildings have been given a new purpose without losing the character of what came before.
I really enjoyed visiting the Over the Hill cafe, where I could enjoy a drink while sitting inside a former prison cell — which is certainly not an everyday café experience. Walking around the site, I found that many areas still go by their original names, such as the prison yard and Laundry Steps, making it easy to imagine how the site would once have been used.
The combination of colonial architecture, old prison details and bold modern design creates some really interesting photographic opportunities. You can turn one corner and find yourself photographing something completely different from the last. The modern steel staircases connecting the buildings and the imposing stone staircase were my favourite things to photograph, especially where the strong lines contrasted with the historic stonework.
🦖 Rex Tip: Look up as well as around you. The combination of historic stonework and modern steel structures creates some brilliant architectural compositions.
9. Monmouth Path & the Flowering Tree
Sometimes the most Instagrammable places aren’t famous landmarks at all. Sometimes they’re simply a tree in full bloom, a reminder of nature’s fleeting beauty and a striking pop of lilac against an otherwise grey street. I found this tree while riding on Ding Ding, and I knew I had to return to find where the colour was coming from. I love flowers, and this was a real surprise to find in the city. The jacaranda tree is easy to miss for most of the year, but I was lucky enough to see it in full bloom during my April visit to Hong Kong. The delicate flowers and fern leaves swayed gently in the breeze, creating a soft contrast with the square, modern buildings behind.
🦖 Rex Tip: If you want to see the jacaranda in full bloom, aim for April. I only noticed it because I spotted the colour from a Ding Ding and went back to investigate.
10. Central After Dark: Hong Kong’s Cyberpunk Side
Team Veganosaurus are adapting to a new way of slow travel. It can be difficult in a city like Hong Kong, where everything seems designed to keep you moving, but one perk is having more time to notice the things everyone else rushes past. The evening commute through Central and Admiralty is a perfect example. While everyone else is rushing towards the MTR, taking a moment to stop and actually look around has led me to some of my favourite atmospheric scenes in Hong Kong.
As darkness falls, the streets take on a completely different character. Traffic lights and headlights reflect in the glass windows, while moving lights across the buildings make them appear to grow upwards into the darkness. Neon signs and enormous digital billboards illuminate the streets, creating a scene that feels more like science fiction than an ordinary evening commute.
My photographer has always been fascinated by Cyberpunk, so these overpasses feel like stepping straight into the genre. There is something about standing above the traffic, surrounded by futuristic lights and towering buildings, while unexpected bursts of colour from flowers appear amongst all that concrete and glass. And honestly, the only thing missing was rain.
Moody, wet streets reflecting all those neon lights would have taken the atmosphere to another level. Although perhaps it’s for the best — but I wasn’t quite prepared to stand around getting soaked for the perfect photograph.
🦖 Rex Tip: Evening is the time to visit if you’re after the cyberpunk atmosphere. Look for reflections in puddles, illuminated signs and passing traffic rather than just photographing the buildings.
11. Lugard Road
I am embarrassed to admit it took four visits to Hong Kong and three trips to The Peak before I discovered Lugard Road. That classic Hong Kong skyline photograph is one of the most recognisable views in the city, and there is a very good chance you’ve seen a photograph from somewhere along this path.
Lugard Road is a surprisingly easy walk along a tree-lined path, with the Hong Kong skyline appearing and disappearing between the trees. The skyscrapers peek through the branches and become clearer as the path leads around the side of the mountain.
When the view finally opens up, the scale of Hong Kong becomes even more impressive because the trees are able to completely hide Hong Kong’s skyline for the first part of the Peak Circle Walk.
🦖 Rex Tip: Don’t assume you’ve seen everything just because you’ve visited The Peak before. The views along Lugard Road change constantly as the trees open and close around the skyline.
12. Kennedy Town
When the rest of Hong Kong feels like it’s permanently rushing somewhere, Kennedy Town provides the opportunity to slow down. Kennedy Town is a reward for making it to the end of the Island Line or Ding Ding’s route. All roads seem to lead to the ocean, and I love the laid-back feel of the area.
The blend of old industrial character, waterfront views and modern cafés gives Kennedy Town a very different feel from the skyscrapers of Central. I love how the fresh sea breeze floats ashore as the clouds break up to reveal the skyline in the distance.
The famous basketball courts are here too, but they’re not my favourite part of Kennedy Town. I’d much rather wander along the promenade, watching the boats and looking out towards the islands. It’s the kind of place where I don’t feel the need to rush off and find the next attraction.
🦖 Rex Tip: Walk all the way to the waterfront rather than stopping at the more famous Instagram spots. I much prefer photographing the boats, islands and industrial surroundings.
13. K11 Musea
And now we find ourselves at shopping mall number two. Don’t worry, I’m not suddenly recommending Hong Kong’s best shopping malls — K11 Musea is here because the building itself deserves a place on the list (my photographer also recommends it for shopping).
From the Avenue of Stars, K11 Musea looks almost as though it is sitting on its own island, surrounded by the harbour and Hong Kong’s enormous skyline. The exterior is ultra-modern, but inside it feels almost like stepping into a futuristic honeycomb, with unusual architecture and art installations appearing throughout the building. Even the bathrooms are worth a look.
My favourite spot is the atrium, where hundreds of red origami cranes appear to tumble from the ceiling above a giant golden sphere. The walls are soft bronze waves, creating a soft lifelike structure which changes as you ride the escalator, with the cranes and golden ball taking on a completely different perspective from each level.
I think that’s what makes K11 Musea so much fun to photograph: there isn’t just one photograph waiting to be taken. Look up, look down and change your position, and the building keeps giving you something different.
🦖 Rex Tip: Look up! K11 Musea has interesting details throughout the building, so don’t just photograph the main atrium. The escalators can also give you completely different perspectives.
14. Mong Kok’s back streets
Leaving the chaos of Nathan Road and simply getting lost is the best way to find yourself in Mong Kok. Rather than heading straight for the famous streets, I like wandering through the back streets and seeing what appears around the next corner.
Starting from Olympic MTR is a great way to experience a different side of the neighbourhood. The huge wet market seems to stretch through numerous streets, with everyday Hong Kong unfolding around you. Along the way, the Red Brick Building at 8 Waterloo Road, built in 1895, provides a striking contrast to the skyscrapers and a glimpse into the city’s history. As you reach Mong Kok, Tung Choi Street (Ladies Market) and the surrounding neon-lit streets bring back the chaos. I love visiting in the late afternoon, as the lights begin to shine and contrast against the grey buildings.
For something a little quieter, head to the corner of Soy Street and Kam Lam Street, where colourful signs sit against pastel apartment blocks. And if you need a caffeine break, Halfway Coffee makes a good final stop.
Mong Kok is at its most photogenic when you stop trying to find the perfect photograph and simply wander.
🦖 Rex Tip: Start wandering before you reach the famous streets. Mong Kok is at its most interesting when you stop following the crowds and see where the back streets take you.
15. Nan Lian Garden
After the noise and neon lights of central Hong Kong, Nan Lian Garden felt like I had walked through a secret doorway into another world. Tucked between Diamond Hill and numerous skyscrapers, this traditional Chinese garden is linked to Chi Lin Nunnery by a bridge. Surprisingly, it is free to visit, and I always feel as though I have walked straight into a Chinese drama.
The perfectly shaped trees lead you towards the koi lake and golden pavilion, while the soft curves of the trees and water features give the garden an incredibly peaceful feel. It is hard to believe that the skyscrapers of Hong Kong are just beyond the garden walls.
Across the bridge is Chi Lin Nunnery, a beautifully symmetrical complex that reveals another beautiful view through every doorway. I love how everything has its place; even the water lilies seem perfectly positioned.
Unfortunately, the final courtyard cannot be photographed, but I think that makes it even more special. It is the perfect opportunity to put the camera away, be present and enjoy the incredible Buddha statues.
🦖 Rex Tip: Take your time here and don’t rush straight to the most obvious viewpoints. The garden is full of little compositions, and the quieter corners are often the most peaceful.
16. 10,000 Buddhas Monastery
There may be more than 10,000 Buddhas here, but thankfully there aren’t 10,000 steps to get there. With around 400 steps leading up the hillside, it is still quite a hike, but a great way to burn off some of those dim sum calories without venturing too far outside the city.
My favourite thing about the Buddhas here is that each one is unique. Some are small, others tall, and some even pull faces. Technically, the golden statues lining the steps are Arhats rather than Buddhas, but whatever you call them, they make the climb incredibly entertaining. Everywhere I have travelled in Asia, I haven’t come across another monastery quite like this one. The statues seem to watch you as you make your way up and down the hill, making the whole experience feel wonderfully quirky.
At the top, the nine-storey pagoda provides beautiful views over Sha Tin, but the real treat for me was exploring the different levels of the monastery. There are Buddha statues everywhere you look, each adding another layer to this wonderfully unusual place.
🦖 Rex Tip: Look closely at the statues lining the climb — they’re Arhats, and each one has a different pose and expression. Some of them look really cheeky.
17. Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery
Possibly the most “touristy” on my list, but it doesn’t have to be. Yes, the cable car is quite pricey, and the village of Ngong Ping is catered to tourists, but it is easy to bypass. Tian Tan Buddha is an incredible site, which I personally prefer from afar as it really highlights the size of the statue. The green mountains of Lantau Island contrast perfectly with the colourful designs of Po Lin Monastery and the white Buddha. Po Lin is a working monastery, so buildings which are open to enter can change. I like to photograph the small details here because it is so ornate; I feel like it is easy to miss some of the most beautiful things.
🦖 Rex Tip: Don’t feel like you have to photograph Tian Tan Buddha up close. I prefer seeing the statue from farther away, where you can appreciate its enormous scale against the mountains.
18. Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens
It’s easy to forget you are in the middle of Central when surrounded by this much greenery. There are many beautiful pink flowers here in the spring. I love how the blossom tree frames the fountain in the centre of the park.
But I have one main thing to mention here: dinosaurs (YAY!). You can have a photograph with a dinosaur because it is not something you would expect to find in Hong Kong. They peek out from the foliage as you walk up to the glass house. I love how mischievous they are because they manage to hide so well.
The tiny bamboo forest is also a really fun place to visit because it is strangely silent when you enter. No one ever seems to be in there, but it looks beautiful with the sunlight dappling through the stalks.
🦖 Rex Tip: Keep your eyes peeled for dinosaurs when you leave behind the serenity of the bamboo forest.
19. SKY100 Hong Kong Observation Deck
You didn’t think I would miss out on a view of Hong Kong at night, did you? After seeing Hong Kong in the day from street level, waterfront level and mountain level, at night there’s only one direction left to go: up. I arrived at Sky100 for sunset on a clear evening and was treated to views which seemed to go on forever.
Victoria Harbour is simply stunning at night, especially if you manage to see A Symphony of Lights from above. Hong Kong transforms into a sea of lights, reflecting on the water in the harbour. My favourite view was of the iconic Victoria Harbour, with the lights of Hong Kong stretching out around it.
There are 360-degree views over the city, which made me really appreciate just how densely packed Hong Kong really is. From this height, the sheer number of buildings is incredible, and it gave me a completely different perspective of the city I had spent the day exploring.
🦖 Rex Tip: Arrive before sunset if you can. Watching Hong Kong transform from daylight into a sea of lights gives you two completely different views from the same spot.
Conclusion
Hong Kong looks completely different depending on where you stand. It is not simply a city of skyscrapers and Victoria Harbour. Of course, the famous views are incredible, but some of my favourite photographs came from places I wasn’t expecting. A flower-covered tree spotted from Ding Ding, a tiny market street hidden between skyscrapers, and a quiet corner of a museum were some of my most memorable moments.
That’s what I love about photographing Hong Kong. The city changes depending on where you stand, what time you visit and, most importantly, whether you slow down enough to actually look around. Some of the best spots on this list were found by accident, which is a pretty good excuse for getting lost.
You definitely don’t need to visit all 19 in one trip. In true adventursaurus style, pick two or three in the same neighbourhood and leave plenty of time to wander. And if you don’t come home with the perfect Instagram photograph? Don’t worry. Sometimes the best memories are the ones you forgot to take a picture of.
Now, where’s my dim sum?
