5 Unique Ways to Discover a Different Side of Hong Kong
If you’re a fan of TVB dramas, Hong Kong is probably high on your travel bucket list. Known for its skyscrapers lining Victoria Harbour and its ultra-modern vibe, the city also offers popular attractions like Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, and Ngong Ping 360. But beyond the glamour lies a completely different Hong Kong—gritty, raw, and real. Let’s uncover five lesser-known ways to experience this unique side of the city.
1. Explore the Low-Income Housing Estates Around Apliu Street Market
Before heading to the iconic Victoria Harbour, spend a day wandering around Apliu Street Market, a famous flea market near Sham Shui Po MTR Station in Kowloon. Known for second-hand electronics and phone accessories, the market is surrounded by aging, cramped apartment buildings that contrast starkly with the city’s modern skyline.
Inside these estates, you’ll find clotheslines hanging across narrow alleys, old air-conditioning units perched outside windows, and stairwells that often smell of garbage and mildew. If you’re lucky, you might find unlocked rooftop access, where you can take in a panoramic view of Hong Kong’s contrasting architecture. Rooftops often double as junkyards for unwanted furniture, broken fans, and even tangled TV antennas—a throwback to Hong Kong’s past.
2. Visit the Hometown of Old Master Q
Old Master Q (also known as Mr. Thoong), along with his quirky friends Xã Xệ and Lý Toét, are iconic comic characters created by a Hong Kong artist. Not many know that Wan Chai is their “hometown”—a neighborhood where local comic artists once lived and worked.
Today, you can visit Comix Home Base, located about 600 meters from Wan Chai MTR Station. Once a complex of ten pre-WWII buildings for blue-collar families, the space has been transformed into Hong Kong’s first comics and animation hub. The government is actively promoting this space to share local comic culture with international visitors.
3. Attend a Horse Race Like a Local Elite
Horse racing is a popular pastime among Hong Kong’s upper class and expat community. There are two major racecourses: Happy Valley on Hong Kong Island and Sha Tin in the New Territories. The racing season runs from September to July, and races are held weekly.
If you’re short on time, head to Happy Valley after 8 PM when entry is free. You’ll only pay for beer and any bets you place. Major races like the Hong Kong Derby or Queen Elizabeth II Cup transform the stadium into a buzzing nightlife venue, with music, lights, and a classy crowd mingling beneath the stars.
4. Go Hiking and Experience the Green Side of Hong Kong
Despite being a dense metropolis, over 70% of Hong Kong’s land is actually made up of forests, parks, and nature reserves. While the urban sprawl is mostly confined to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, places like Tai Wai and Lantau Island are surrounded by green hills.
One top trekking spot is Lion Rock, a granite mountain rising 495 meters between Kowloon Tong and Tai Wai. Named for its resemblance to a lion’s head, it offers a rugged yet scenic hiking trail. On weekends, locals come here to picnic, hike, and fend off mischievous monkeys that roam the area. From the summit, you’ll enjoy a bird’s-eye view of a much greener and more serene Hong Kong.
5. Discover the Iconic Yick Fat Building—A Transformers Movie Location
If you love bold architecture, don’t miss Yick Fat Building in Quarry Bay, just 300 meters from Tai Koo MTR Station. This residential block gained international fame as a filming location in Transformers: Age of Extinction.
Unlike many tourist attractions, this place is still under the radar. You can wander around freely like a local, searching for the perfect low-angle shot of the densely packed apartment blocks. With the right lighting and camera angle, your photo at Yick Fat will probably be the most liked shot of your entire Hong Kong trip.
Ready to Discover a Different Hong Kong?
All of these experiences offer a raw, authentic glimpse into Hong Kong beyond its glitzy malls and touristy spots. Whether you’re climbing rooftops, watching horse races, or diving into local comic culture, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the complex and layered identity of this incredible city.