We rustled up a guide to how to do Hong Kong in 72 hours which made sure to include all the big hitters that you just can’t miss, but if you’re itching for some more off the beaten path ideas, then this is for you. From old sanatoriums turned performing arts venues to an incredible alternative to Victoria Peak (without the crowds!), here’s a bunch of Hong Kong hidden gems.

First up on our list of Hong Kong hidden gems is at 65 Peel Street in Central and inspired by Wong Kar-wai’s classic film “In the Mood for Love,” – think elegant arched windows, mosaic tiles, and green metal window grids – Kinsman Bar is all about paying homage to Hong Kong’s rich heritage by crafting cocktails using Cantonese and Chinese spirits, like Yuk Bing Siu and baijiu. Definitely try their Kowloon Dairy, which is the bar’s innovative interpretation of Hong Kong milk punch.

They also serve up Cantonese-inspired dishes, like tea-smoked jammy quail eggs, shrimp toast with mayo and chili sauce, and a baked wagyu ox tongue rice. A perfect blend of old-world charm and modern mixology.

Once a densely populated and largely ungoverned settlement that was demolished in the early 1990s, Kowloon Walled City has transformed into a serene park filled with lush vegetation and stunning water features.

Originally a Chinese military outpost in the 17th century, it became a bit of a lawless enclave in the 20th century, with thousands of residents living in an extremely dense and unregulated environment, with maze-like alleys, illegal businesses, and a serious lack of government control.

Opened in 1995, the park’s designed in the style of a Qing Dynasty garden, featuring traditional Chinese architecture. Don’t miss the bronze model of Kowloon Walled City – a 3D representation of what the city looked like before demolition.

Situated along Pok Fu Lam Road on Hong Kong Island, next up on our list of Hong Kong hidden gems is The Bethanie, built in 1875 in Neo-Gothic style, featuring arched windows, stone walls, and a chapel. Originally a sanatorium – the first of its kind in Asia – The Bethanie served as headquarters for the Paris Foreign Missions Society until 1964, used by priests recovering from tropical diseases.

Today, it’s home to the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts’ School of Film and Television, hosting performances, exhibitions, and events.

Ever wished you could escape the city’s hustle and bustle without traveling too far? Peng Chau, a quaint, car-free island, offers a glimpse into Hong Kong’s slower-paced lifestyle. Once a bustling industrial hub with over 100 factories, one of its been transformed by a local resident into an art junkyard, showcasing quirky displays and vibrant graffiti.

Stroll through narrow lanes and visit the old Fook Yuen Leather Factory, temples like Tin Hau, dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea, and Wing On Street, the island’s main street, filled with traditional shops, seafood vendors, and cafés.

With walks like Finger Hill, which offers up panoramic views of Hong Kong, Lantau Island, and Disneyland, and Peng Chau Family Walk, a scenic trail passing through beaches, forests, and quiet fishing villages, it’s a perfect little day trip to experience a different side of Hong Kong.

Why jostle with crowds at The Peak when you can enjoy a serene sunset at Braemar Hill? One of our fave Hong Kong hidden gems (also known as the Red Incense Burner Summit), this easy and short hiking trail offers a panoramic view of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and Victoria Harbour.

Home to elite schools like the Chinese International School (CIS) and Victoria Shanghai Academy, it’s considered a luxury residential area and popular among expats for its quiet, family-friendly environment. Don’t miss nearby Choi Sai Woo Park, a relaxing public park with walking trails, playgrounds, and sports courts.

Think Hong Kong is all skyscrapers and shopping malls? Think again. The Mai Po Nature Reserve is a wetland conservation area located in the northwestern New Territories of Hong Kong, near Deep Bay (Shenzhen Bay).

Managed by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF Hong Kong), it’s one of Asia’s most important stopover sites for migratory birds – you might just see rare ones like the Black-faced Spoonbill, Eurasian Curlew, and Pied Avocet. The best time to spot them? From October to April.

Explore scenic trails through mangroves and floating boardwalks and learn about wetland ecology and conservation efforts with guided tours led by WWF Hong Kong.

Originally Nan Fung Textiles, a major player in Hong Kong’s booming textile industry during the 1950s-70s, this mill eventually closed as manufacturing declined, and the site was repurposed. In 2018, it was reborn as “The Mills” – a space for heritage, art, and technology.

Part museum-like space showcasing Hong Kong’s textile history (think old weaving machines, textile samples, and archival photos), part co-working and incubator space for fashion tech and startups, and part shop floor with boutiques, cafés and restaurants serving artisanal coffee and deserts, this is one seriously multi-purpose space.

Tucked away in Lung Fu Shan Country Park is a secluded herb garden that serves as a link to traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Established by a local walking group, the garden features around 300 herb species used in traditional remedies. Unlike more manicured gardens, it retains a wild and natural state.

You’ll find it within Lung Fu Shan Country Park, accessible via trails that meander through the park’s lush landscapes.

If you’re searching for some Hong Kong hidden gems, The Yick Fat Building is your perfect pick. This public housing apartment complex with pop culture relevance has long been a favorite photo spot among visitors to Hong Kong.

Located in Quarry Bay and built in the 1960s-70s, the Yick Fat Building is actually part of a five-block complex including: Yick Cheong Building, Montane Mansion, Oceanic Mansion, and Fook Cheong Building, showcasing the city’s ultra-high-density living conditions. It’s a classic example of Hong Kong’s public housing design, with its narrow corridors, stacked apartments, and laundry hanging from balconies.

You might recognise it from the big screen too, it’s been in films like Transformers: Age of Extinction and Ghost in the Shell. If you do visit, remember that people live here, and you’re visiting their home – be respectful and stick to public areas.

A vibrant corridor spanning from Centre Street to Bonham Road in Sai Ying Pun, High Street was originally part of one of Hong Kong’s earliest Chinese settlements. But unlike Central or Lan Kwai Fong, High Street has a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere, making it great for casual nights out or weekend brunches.

It also happens to be a coffee lover’s paradise, with absolutely loads of artisanal cafes serving  speciality brews – local favourites include NOC Coffee Co, Fineprint, and Why 50. But if you like something a little stronger, High Street also has a bunch of great little wine bars, like La Cabane Bistro, a French wine bar with organic wines, and the Flying Pig Bistro, great for comfort food as well as drinks.

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