5 Kid-Friendly attractions in Hong Kong

A cosmopolitan metropolis and the financial hub of Asia, Hong Kong can seem like a bad place to take children. It is a city that thrives on business and the non-stop commotion can be overwhelming without the worry of toting around your rug-rats as well. But there are many child-friendly attractions in Hong Kong and knowing what they are can make a big difference for your children and your sanity. Here are 5 activities sure to be a winner with your kids:

1. Ocean Park

Ocean Park is part aquarium, part theme-park and fun that lasts all day for all members of your family. Aquariums with thousands of different fishes, roller-coasters, rides and museums highlighting Chinese heritage spread over acres on the far side of Hong Kong island, opposite the city metropolis. The park overlooks the ocean on one side and greenery on the other and has everything from restaurants, shops, walking trails, and rides for both the adventurous and the more cautious park-goer. There is no shortage of fun and entertainment here for children of all ages and although it isn’t Disneyland, it’s pretty darn close and can be more fun for older children and teens.

Admission to Ocean Park is $165HKG for adults and $85HKG for children under 11 and includes admission to Water World as well. Ocean Park can be reached from Central by taking Citybus Route 629 from Admiralty, which will take you straight to the park.

2. Swimming Pools and Water World

Making certain your hotel has a swimming pool will be a lifesaver. The weather in Hong Kong can be hot and humid and a dip in a pool will be a good break anytime of the day. If your hotel has a pool, it can be free entertainment for your children and hours of fun keeping cool and getting away from the bustle of the city. However, if your hotel does not have a pool or if you are seeking a change of scene, there is also a Water World. A water park complete with slides of all heights and a wave pool next to Ocean Park. There are plenty of shady areas good for picnics and pools of various depths for children of all ages.

Admission to Water World is $165HKG for adults and $85HKG for children under 11 and includes admission to Ocean Park as well. To get there from Central, take Citybus Route 629 from Admiralty which will take you straight to the park.

3. Zoological and Botanical Gardens and Hong Kong Park

Home to eight endangered species and thousands of flora, the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens are a calm and leisurely way to get away from the rush of the city. Admission is free and walking trails abound through the park, spotted with benches, picnic areas, and small playgrounds for children. Hong Kong Park is adjacent to the gardens and also has their own children’s park as well as aviaries, waterfalls, sports centers and a tai chi garden. The children’s playground is 1000 square meters over six platforms and has activities for all ages of children. You don’t need to make a day out of it, but it is nice to stroll through and provides plenty of shade at any time of the day, providing a nice surrounding to bring your little ones and let them walk around without fear of cars, trams, and too many pedestrians.

The gardens are located in Central Hong Kong and can be easily accessed from a staircase on Upper Albert Road.

4. Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car

In the New Territories, Ngong Ping 360 is a 25 minute cable car ride from Tung Ching Bay to Ngong Ping Village. On a clear day, the views can be quite breathtaking and Ngong Ping Village at the top offers many activities for the whole family. The Chinese-themed village is home to the famous Tian Tan Buddha Statue, the world’s tallest outdoor bronze Buddha. The village also has many restaurants, shops and a theater that shows an animated story that kids are sure to love.

From Hong Kong Island or Kowloon, the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car and village can be reached by taking the Tung Chung to the MTR Tung Chung Station Exit B.

5. Disneyland Hong Kong

And of all else fails, there is also Disneyland Hong Kong. Located on a portion of reclaimed land on Lantau Island, this theme park is arguably just as good as it’s classic in America. With Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland, the park takes many similarities to its Western counterpart and incorporates many Eastern elements such as traditional dress, customs, architecture, and adhering to rules of Feng Shui. The park has fireworks at night, weather permitting. Because rain is a large factor in Hong Kong’s weather, the park has found ways to work around the rain with parades such as Disney’s Rainy Day Express where characters have unique raincoats.

Hong Kong Disneyland can be reached from Central by taking the Tung Chung line and transferring to the Disneyland Resort line.

Wherever you chose to take your little-ones, rest assured that Hong Kong has plenty of fun activities that cater to children and will leave them with fun-filled memories of this magnificent Asian city.

View of Ocean Park, Hong Kong originally posted by unforth

Topic:  Travel with kids | 6 Comments
Tags:  family

About the author

C. O. Gumela is a graduate in English Literature from the University of California Santa Barbara and holds a Le Cordon Bleu diploma in Culinary Arts. She loves taking naps, makes a crème brûlée to die for and always reads before going to bed.