Hey Maya, great to hear about your trip. Thanks for asking, I’m sure you’ll get a few responses.
I actually lived in Hong Kong but sadly it was during 2020 when the world wasn’t doing so great!
However, during that time I can still recommend the following:
– Peak Tram. It’s very touristy and can get very busy (go off-peak) but it is well worth it in my opinion. You’ll arrive with an incredible view of one of the world’s great skylines (in my humble opinion).
– Take a ferry to Lantau Island to meet the Big Buddha.
– For some peace and quite away from the hectic Island Line, head to Stanley. I always liked this spot to relax for a day.
– Speaking of the Island Line. This is where you’ll find many stops, many of them so unique. Wan Chai is a great area to just stroll and explore. I always loved Sheung Wan and Tin Hau also, so many little things to discover. Central and Mid-Levels has the famous street escalators which intertwine between one another. Very cool to see.
– If you like hiking, you’ll love HK. There are a multitude of opportunities. During COVID I used to hike up to Bowen Road and run 10km along the narrow path (which is often quite busy). Once again, you get some killer views of the city as you go.
– Away from the island, you’ve got Mongkok, Tsim Sha Tsui (often referred to as TST) and Kowloon which are all popular spots to experience a more “local side” of Hong Kong * the banks, finance and money are typically on the island.
Another bonus recommendation I must give is the Happy Valley Horse Racing Course. Whether you are a gambler or not, this place has an amazing atmosphere and has racing most Wednesday’s. I’d highly recommend it. They have lots of food, DJ’s and plenty going on with an incredible backdrop. No need to worry about betting if you don’t wish.