The 23 most unusual things to do in Hong Kong

Who wants to look at artworks in a gallery when you can see them in creepy abandoned houses? The Wang Tong Art Walk first started in 2021 as a community project to create a space to hang up unwanted artwork in a little alleyway amongst abandoned buildings. Since then, it has evolved into an outdoor hidden art gallery located just behind Silvermine Beach in Mui Wo, open to the public for free all year round. The artworks on display change every three months with different exhibitions curated by local artist and founder of Wang Tong Art Walk, Plastered 8. As you explore around, you'll discover pop art and sculptures hidden in the forest whilst peeking through empty windows, and at night, the space is transformed by solar-powered lighting, coming alive with backlit light boxes and disco balls floating above the alley. To stay up to date with the changing artwork and events, follow @wangtongart on Instagram.

Okay, before you rush to your shoe cupboard, know that we're actually talking about villain hitting. It is a cultural practice that involves writing your enemy's name on a piece of paper – be it your boss, an ex, or that annoying neighbour of yours – and beating it with a shoe or slipper while reciting chants as a form of symbolic punishment. If you want to experience this unique ceremony and gain insight into the traditional rituals that are performed, head to underneath the Canal Road Flyover between Causeway Bay and Wan Chai where there are professional villain hitters who will help you release some of that pent-up frustration.

Ditto Snap is Hong Kong's first Korean top-view selfie studio. Located at CTMA Centre in Mong Kok, this photo spot features a high-angle camera inside a small room that's fully decked in yellow. There are also props you can use to make your pictures more fun, including rabbit ears, 'Y2K' sunglasses, headphones, and more.

Simply choose the number of frames you want, insert your cash, and start snapping away. When you're done giving all your best poses, select your favourite photos, choose from various frame designs, and print them out like a sticker photo. Talk about the throwback vibes!

Arguably the most famous things to come out of the Star Wars movie franchise, lightsabers are just fun to play with no matter what age you are. It's a good thing then that neon-light event space Crossfire Arena offers neon sabre classes that will teach you drills and combat sequences, as well as spinning and handling techniques before you get to challenge a friend, a frenemy, or perhaps even your evil father to the ultimate neon sabre duel.

Not a huge SW fan? Crossfire also has a whole host of other fun neon-themed games, including bubble soccer, archery tag, and dodgeball, that make for memorable party activities and badass photo ops. 

Instead of letting the camera or your eyes eat first, embrace the darkness and enjoy your dinner without a single beam of light. Put together by the Dialogue In The Dark (HK) Foundation, a charitable organisation with an aim to raise awareness for those living with disabilities, Dinner in the Dark is a unique experience where diners will get to truly savour a meal in complete darkness and discover how sight affects the way we taste food. The event is held once a month and booking in advance is highly recommended.

The 431 steps leading up to 10,000 Buddhas Monastery are lined with life-sized, gold-painted Buddha statues, each entertainingly unique and immortalised in different poses. Once you reach the complex, also known as Man Fat Sze, you’ll be dazzled by 12,000 more gilded statues, as well as gorgeous pavilions and a crimson pagoda – not to mention the Instagram-worthy panorama of Sha Tin and its mountainous surrounds. 

Explore the cemeteries of the Happy Valley District on a private tour with Hong Kong a la carte and discover the fascinating stories of famous people who helped shape Hong Kong. The tour will take you around to various cemeteries in the area to learn about Hong Kong's diverse cultures and religions, and there'll be no shortage of anecdotes and historical facts about Hong Kong's past shared by your lovely private guide. The tour also includes public transportation. Prices vary based on group size.

Join a 45-minute guided tour and ride through the storied typhoon shelter on a Walla-Walla boat, a type of motorboat that once carried passengers between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. The tour will take you on a fascinating journey to see fishermen's boats up close, learn about local fishing culture, catch the Noonday Gun daily salute, and even visit the Triangular Island Goddess of Tin Hau Shrine (if you're lucky!)

What every city needs – an indoor fishing shrimp farm. HA Cube is Hong Kong’s first and only indoor venue where people can fish for shrimps, lobsters, and all things crustacean, then barbecue your catch straight afterwards. The venue provides everything from fishing rods and bait, so all that's left is for you to sit back and wait for your meal to take the bait.

Hong Kong might be hard up for space but there are still several abandoned villages scattered across the city and outlying islands. Beyond a scenic trail along Starling Inlet, in the far northern borderlands of the New Territories, lies the deserted strip of houses that make up Kuk Po. This Hakka village once had a population of around 1,000 villagers who farmed rice and other crops to sell in nearby Sha Tau Kok. Numbers started dwindling in the 1960s as residents were offered an opportunity to start a new life in Britain. By the 80s, the majority of the remaining residents were elderly. As you emerge from the inlet, past the Kuk Po village school, where a section has been converted into a tiny temple, you’ll notice a little more than a cluster of cows eyeing you lazily amongst the sun-soaked greenery and a row of fascinating but slowly tiring structures.

You might be surprised to learn that tucked away beneath Tsing Ma Bridge is (apparently) the world’s first full-sized replica of Noah’s Ark. The theme park opened its doors in 2009 and features 67 pairs of life-sized animal sculptures, an Adventureland with zip-lines and all, a collection of ark models and one of the large size meteorites ever exhibited in Hong Kong. And, if you can't bear to tear yourself away, there’s hotel accommodation on the top floor of the ark. The park is a fun family activity and an educational experience to boot.  

How about a spot of tea? Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware Flagstaff House, located in Hong Kong Park, was built in the 1840s and was formerly the office and residence of the Commander of the British Forces in Hong Kong. It became the Museum of Tea Ware in 1984 and houses a large collection of teaware including the world’s oldest surviving teapot. Join in demonstrations and tea gatherings to learn more about China’s tea-drinking culture. 

Cup noodles are hard to resist, especially when you get to make them just the way you like. Opened in 2021 in Tsim Sha Tsui, the Cup Noodles Museum offers visitors a chance to create their very own cup noodles with flavours and toppings of their choice. You can even add colours and doodles to the cup to make it completely unique.

There's also an instant ramen workshop, where you'll get to learn hands-on about the process of how instant ramen is made, and a granola workshop, you know, if you're into that healthy stuff. Drop by the gift shop before you go and browse through a variety of exclusive souvenirs and gift sets, or take a look at the rare Nissin-themed toys and collections on display.

This coffee shop in Kowloon City is converted from a traditional Chinese medicine store that was opened in the 1930s. To preserve and celebrate its history as an apothecary, most of the original furnishings and decor – including its iconic gold signage – are kept intact. You can order contemporary Western items like cold-brew coffee and avo toast or go for Chinese medicine-inspired drinks like vitality tea and dampness-dispelling tea. 

Tsim Sha Tsui’s Sandbox VR offers a hyperreality, immersive escape room experience that is straight out of science fiction. Step into an exhilarating augmented reality, complete with guns or crossbows so you can protect yourself from the pirates, zombies, skeletons and rats coming to attack. After the game, players can also enjoy viewing footage of themselves shooting at virtual monsters. Expect plenty of screaming. 

Want to get close to some furry friends in Hong Kong? Head to Go Green Organic Farm and meet their adorable alpacas. These fluffy creatures are one of the farm's top attractions where visitors can pet and feed them. Visitors can also take part in handicraft workshops, try out some pineapple-themed nibbles, or even sow their own plants on the farm. Plus, you can stock up on fresh organic produce while you're there, so you can feel good about your healthy choices while making some new animal friends. There's really no reason not to go.

Don’t you hate how you’re not allowed to eat on buses in Hong Kong? Well, Crystal Bus invites you to do just that with the introduction of a dim sum set meal. Adding a spin to the usual touristy bus rides around Hong Kong; stuff your face with delicious dim sum from One Dim Sum as you take in the beautiful scenic views and cultural landmarks of our city. Aside from dim sum, guests can also enjoy noms from Crystal Bus' partnering restaurants.

How about a quirky staycation on your next long weekend? Forget the Four Seasons, Galaxy Garden is where it’s at. Go glamping on Lantau Island and stay inside a semi-transparent bubble-shaped tent where you can quite literally fall asleep under the stars. The tents vary in size and can cater up to seven people at a time. Other facilities such as barbecue areas are also available.

Ever heard of night diving? Fascinating and adrenaline-pumping at the same time, this activity puts marine life in a whole new light – a different cast of reef animals that sleep during the day come out and play after the sun goes down. Get in touch with Sai Kung Scuba to find out more about their night diving experiences in Hong Kong.

Rabbitland Café is the first in Hong Kong where diners can pet adorable rabbits in between sips of coffee. Situated in an upstairs space in Causeway Bay, the cafe has up to eight adorable furry rabbits for you to make friends with. Remember to wear or bring socks and don't forget to make a reservation before you visit.

Cube O Discovery Park is an interactive ocean experience centre that welcomes all to explore the mysterious ocean and its marine life. From a jellyfish kaleidoscope, where mirrors and colourful lights give off the illusion of countless jellyfish dancing in all directions, to multimedia games for you to learn about the work of professional conservationists, this unusual museum even turns into a restaurant at night where you can dine next to jellyfish! 

On the peaceful island of Peng Chau lies a secret garden like no other. Walk along Wing On Street and you'll find yourself in front of an alleyway – marked by a fascinating collection of colourful ornaments – with a signboard that says 'Leather Factory My Secret Garden'. The alleyway leads to a former leather factory which has been revitalised into a wacky junkyard that's filled with art pieces, from scrap iron robots to a chair-stacked tower. It's one of the island's main attractions, so go ahead and snap away.

Tucked away in a residential building on busy Cheung Sha Wan Road is Vinyl Hero, a treasure trove filled with Ah Paul's record collection. In a small, cosy space, Paul has stacked to the roof boxes upon boxes of records from vinyl's heyday in the 70s and 80s, spanning all genres for the discerning ear. Go ahead and rifle through the collection or tell Paul what you're looking for and he'll gladly climb around to help you find it.