 Considering Hong Kong's reputation as one of the priciest cities to visit in Asia (and it is), you might be surprised by the number of things you can do on the cheap—and as our Guide to Hong Kong / Macau Travel reports, "cheap" most definitely doesn't mean bad, either. Our list of cheap Hong Kong sightseeing is intended to be light on the pocket, but heavy on enjoyment. Although you won't need to take out a bank loan to enjoy these sights and activities, they are in many cases still Hong Kong's best. A combination of cheap Hong Kong sightseeing with quality Hong Kong sightseeing. 1. Best for Skyscrapers – CentralHong Kong's towering spires are one of the city's most iconic and inspiring sights. Banking Hong Kong's once quaint colonial streets, the city is now a maze of sky scraping buildings, a sight that is frankly unrivaled anywhere else in the world. Get amongst these temples to capitalism by heading to Central, Hong Kong's beating heart and home to its world renowned financial district, sitting shoulder to shoulder to its finest colonial architecture. 2. Best for Shopping – Causeway BayHong Kongers are incessant shoppers, possibly more than any other city, and the city is a shoppers haven, full of malls, markets and bargains. It's hard to pick one area for shoppers to start their bargain search, as it depends what you're looking for, however Causeway Bay is considered by most to be the best place to start any Hong Kong shopping expedition, with some of the best markets and malls, and streets literally bursting with shops. 3. Best for Beaches – Shek OOne of the least explored options of Hong Kong is its excellent seaside, boasting fantastic weather and some of the best urban beaches in the world, the one drawback is less than sparkling water. Nevertheless, to unwind during the city's energy sapping weather, the beach is a fantastic option. Shek O, a laid-back village on Hong Kong Island, is just an hour from the city center, with good access to the city's best surfing at the appropriately named Big Wave Bay. 4. Best for Markets – MongkokPart of Hong Kong's shopping tradition, and part of its heritage, the city's many markets feature an exhaustive selection of budget products. However, even if you aren't looking for a bargain, the noise, color and buzz of the markets are a must see. Mongkok features a couple of the city's most famous, including the bustling Ladies Market, the fragrant flower market and the twittering Bird Market. 5. Best for Nightlife – Lan Kwai FongWork hard, party hard is as much a motto in Hong Kong as it is in London or New York, and when Hong Kongers hit the pubs and clubs, they do it in style. From English style pubs, exported brick by brick from home, to cutting-edge dancefloors, Hong Kong has a place for everyone. Arguably the best conglomeration of pubs, bars and clubs is in Lan Kwai Fong, at the top of Central, also known as party central. 6. Best for Museums – Tsim Sha TsuiWith so much money splashing around the Hong Kong government, the city has been able to invest in some truly world class museums. Some of the best, all though by all means not all, are in Tsim Sha Tsui, including the top-notch Museum of Art and Museum of History, as well as the Space Museum and Science Museum, both of which have an unequaled reputation for distracting kids.
HONG KONG For FREE OR VERY LITTLE MONEY Take a Junk RideJunks, with their 'bat wing' sails, used to clog up Hong Kong's Harbour front, before making way for gargantuan container ships and decrepit cruise liners. Constructed as early as 2AD, these traditional boats have almost fallen out of existence. However, thanks to the HKTB, tourists can take a free one-hour ride, in one of the few remaining junks, the Duk Ling.Go HorseracingHong Kong horseracing is arguably the most exciting in the world. With a nominal HK$10 entrance fee, minimum bets as low as HK$10, spectators inches away from trackside, and regularly packed crowds, the experience is one not to be missed. Hong Kong has two racecourses; one at Happy Valley in the city; and one in at Sha Tin in the New Territories. The racecourse at Happy Valley is a hands-down world-beater; regular Wednesday night races are conducted against the backdrop of a circular wall of skyscrapers, making the place feel like the Coliseum. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has information about upcoming races.Price: HK$10 Take a Tram RideRiding the tram on Hong Kong Island is one of the best deals you'll get in the city; it's also a great way to sightsee. In operation since 1902, the trams are virtually unchanged since they hit the streets, slim and painted in a Royal Green the trams meander along Hong Kong Island, stopping roughly every 300m. For just two dollars you can cross the whole of Hong Kong Island and see almost the whole city in the process. Take the tram from North Point to Kennedy Town, which will take you roughly 1hr, and take you through Central, Admiralty as well as some more 'local' areas.Price: HK$2 Museum on TuesdaysHong Kong has a host of top-class museums, although the entrance fee to them is minimal, usually no more than HK$20, Tuesday is completely free. One museum that frequently earns star reviews is the Hong Kong Heritage museum.Price: Free Visit a TempleQuintessentially Hong Kong, and free to boot - the city's temples are a must visit. The various temples around the territory are all dedicated to various gods from various religions such as Buddhism and Taoism and vary from massive complexes to tiny, 'shoulder to shoulder' rooms. All temples are ornately decorated and fantastically colorful; they have none of the stuffiness of traditional churches and are usually buzzing with life - and with people on special holidays. Feel free to wander in to any of the temples and have a look around. One of the best is the Temple of the 10,000 Buddha's in Sha Tin.
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