How to Plan a Family Tour of Hong Kong

Hong Kong Snoopy GardenHong Kong Snoopy Garden

Hong Kong is a tourist attraction for the whole world, and for kids and families from all over the world too! Here are our suggestions about having your family tour Hong Kong.

What do you all most enjoy? Amusement parks, nature, scenic sights, historical sites, shopping, hiking, beaches, camping or eating? Hong Kong has all these things to do and see.

Also read Tips for Senior Travelers

Here is a way to plan your Hong Kong trip.

  • First, decide on a 1- or 2- day tour.
  • Second, pick an amusement park per day. See the amusement park information below.
  • Then, see the suggested 1- or 2- day tour itinerary below that is fully-customizable at China Highlights.

We have tried to suggest options that won’t put too much strain on your budget or force you to spend too much time in travel. The point is to have a wonderful time.

What Makes Hong Kong Special for Families?

Hong Kong Convenient MTRHong Kong Convenient MTR

There are man things that make Hong Kong special: the relative safety (crime is low) and the decency (a combination of Confucian standards and English morals) mean that the people are generally respectful. These social aspects play a large part in making a happy family visit.

Other positives are the modern infrastructure and hi-tech attractions, the nature preserves, the ease of transportation, the cleanliness and low pollution, and the relatively low cost.

Also, the weather is generally wonderful. Warm, it never snows, and has a subtropical climate. There are great beaches and hiking trails.

Also read Tips for Traveling with Kids

Children’s Attractions

At the top of the list are three amusement parks:

Hong Kong Ocean ParkHong Kong Ocean Park

Ocean Park

In Hong Kong the local favorite attraction is Ocean Park for its big modern thrill rides and hi-tech educational facilities, the sea world exhibition, performing animals, and children-oriented zoo. From the high flying tram you can see it all and the surrounding sea and view.

It is currently one of the world’s top 15 amusement parks in terms of annual visitors.

Also read the most popular aquariums and ocean parks in China.

Disneyland

Do you want to go to Disneyland? There is one in Hong Kong on Lantau Island.

There are Disney cartoon characters, thrill-rides, and brand new theme lands called Grizzly Gulch and Toy Story Land, which small children would especially like.

Also read China's top theme parks.

Noah’s Ark

Do you want to teach your kids about creation, the world, and themes like love and family? Then Noah’s ark is a prime option, not only for its themes, but also for its great seafood buffet restaurant and hotel.

Noah’s Ark Amusement Park is especially designed for families. The room rates and meal prices are low. Located at the eastern tip of Lantau Island, the life-guarded public beach there, Tung Wan Beach is also good for families.

Also Read Chinese New Year celebrations in Hong Kong

The Tour Itinerary That the Whole Family Can Enjoy!

This two-day tour itinerary will give you a knockout family fun trip, and also enable your family to have a great educational tour of Hong Kong. However, you may choose just one day.

The ICC TowerThe ICC Tower

Morning, Day 1: The ICC Tower for the Tip Top View and the Best Dining

The world's fifth tallest building has a special upper observatory called Sky 100 with exhibits about Hong Kong and its attractions and the ICC Tower's construction and history. The 3-D multimedia theater and memory-lane time tunnel will allow your family to learn about Hong Kong. (Entry about 150 HKD (19.50 USD).

Breakfast: The Lounge & Bar at the Ritz Carlton (floor 102) offers a breakfast buffet (305 HKD or 40 USD per adult, including fee) and great views until 10:30am. Customers should not wear shorts or sandals. Hotel room reservation isn't required.

After Breakfast, Day 1: The Avenue of Stars

Take a look at the harbor from this pedestrian walk and look at the sculptures and the movie star hand prints. Then board the Star Ferry with your kids for an almost free boat ride (25 US cents per person), and enjoy the view of the harbor.

Day 1, Noon: Victoria Peak for Seeing the View and Dining

Board the Peak Tram, take Bus 15, or take a taxi up to Victoria Peak. You can get a view of the whole city, Victoria Harbor, and the western sea and far off islands.

Lunch: You can have lunch with your family at the restaurants in the mall area.

If you and your family want a 45-minute walk down through the jungle on an access road, see our Hong Kong hiking page for a suggested route.

Day 1, Afternoon and Evening: Your Favorite Amusement Park

Take your family to your favorite amusement park. See above.

Lantau IslandLantau Island

Evening: Lantau Island for Camping and Hiking

Instead of staying in a hotel, would your family want to try tent camping? The campgrounds have full facilities and hiking trails, and are easily accessible by public transport. You can even surf or take your kids for body surfing at a life-guard-supervised beach called Pui O on Lantau Island. It has a great white sandy beach that is safe for kids.

Morning and Afternoon, Day 2: Amusement Park

Go over to your other favorite amusement park.

Evening, Day 2: Victoria Harbor and the Avenue of Stars for the Night-Time Spectacle

Go to the Avenue of Stars in the evening, and watch the Symphony of Lights. The performance starts at 8pm and lasts about 20 minutes.

Dinner:  You can have a fine meal at one of the restaurants at the Harbor Mall.

For Spacey Fun: The Hong Kong Space Museum 

Enter the strange white dome that rises mysteriously from the ground along the Avenue of Stars. In the Space Museum see what the cockpit of a space shuttle looks like inside. Learn about the origins of rocketry in China. The ancient Chinese led in rocketry and other sciences.

What the kids will really enjoy is the IMAX Theater presentations on the roof of the big white dome that houses the Space Museum. The video fills the whole dome, and the visitors wear earphones and select their language (English, Mandarin, Cantonese) to hear the movie.

Travel Back to your Hotel or Tent: Tsim Sha Tsui Station is a few minutes walk away. If you are camping near Pui O, remember that you can take the Star Ferry to the other side of the Harbor and then the Lantau Ferry to Mui Wo. The trip to the island takes either an half an hour to an hour.

Also read Top Family Tour Destinations in China

Further Reading

Hi, I'm Gavin Van Hinsbergh
I updated this article on April 12, 2013
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Q: BOLO Asked on 2013-05-09 Reply
Hi, We are interested in doing a 3 day tour . We are interested in shopping. Has it promotion and sale by begin of June 2013? / name of shopping center/
Dear BOLO, As far as I know, from the end of June to Sep. there are many promotions. I am not sure the situation in the early of June. It depends on the policy of the department stores. I suggest you check the exact situation. We listed some good shopping places for reference. Please click: http://www.chinahighlights.com/hong-kong/shopping.htm Lussie Lu Replied on 2013-05-10
Q: vincent Asked on 2013-04-21 Reply
hi, i''m planning to bring my wife, 1 child (4 yrs old) & 1 infant (23 mths old) by end of November 2013. I''m just wondering whether the weather over there will be very cold? i''m scared that its too cold until can''t go out to visit places like Disney / Ocean park. whts the temperature like during the proposed dates?
Dear vincent, Based on the former data, it is not very cold in Hong Kong during that period. The average temperature will be 16℃ - 20℃（60.8℉ to 68℉）. You could take some thick coats and a sweater. In general, it won't affact your Hong Kong tour. Lussie Lu Replied on 2013-04-22
Q: Terry Asked on 2013-04-10 Reply
Hi..my family &,my two kids 5 year daughter and 4 year old son going to Hong Kong on the 27th december 2013 to 3th January2013. for sure my kids will visit disneyland for 2 days, and the rest of the vacation, I am not sure where to go. Please advise,. Thanks Terry

Hi Terry, besides the Disneyland, the Ocean Park, Repulse Bay, Aberdeen Harbor, Victoria Peak, Lantau Island, etc.are all can't missing in HK, and suitable for your kids, too.

Whitney Liao Replied on 2013-04-12
Q: Alan Asked on 2013-03-30 Reply
Hi, my partner & I are interested in doing a seven day tour. We are interested in shopping, sight seeing but no fun parks. When is the best time to visit? We were looking at going around Christmas time 2013.

Hi Alan, Christmas is the perfect time for shopping while lots of stores or apartments there make promotion. And December is  a comfortable month for sight seeing.

Whitney Liao Replied on 2013-04-02
Q: Cindy Asked on 2013-03-18 Reply
Hi..my husband, my two kids 6 year daughter and 2 year old son n me going to Hong Kong on the 27th March to 3th April. I am not sure where to go. Please advise,. Thanks

Hi Cindy, the Disneyland, Ocean Park, Repulse Bay, Aberdeen Harbor, Victoria Peak, Lantau Island  etc.are all can't missing in HK. If you need any tour service, please feel free to contact me.

Whitney Liao Replied on 2013-03-19