Despite its small size, Hong Kong is home to numerous parks that offer a refreshing escape from the bustling city life. After spending long hours immersed in the digital world and surrounded by towering skyscrapers, I find myself craving the rejuvenating energy of nature. These parks have become my spiritual backyard, providing a much-needed respite.
Stepping into a park feels like returning to the real world. Whether I’m alone or taking a stroll with a companion, I always find endless tranquility and healing within these green spaces.
In Hong Kong, apart from occasionally exploring the shopping districts, parks offer an excellent alternative route. Let’s take a look at how enjoyable Hong Kong’s parks can be!
Kowloon Walled City Park
Have you recently watched the popular movie “Kowloon Walled City: The Besieged City”? Are you captivated by the stories of the heroic figures from that passionate era?
Come and visit the actual location of the “Kowloon Walled City”!
After the demolition of the Walled City in the 1990s, a park was built on the original site, which is now known as the “Kowloon Walled City Park.”
From the “Sung Wong Toi” MTR station, follow Shing Nam Road and pass through the Thai Street. In no time, you’ll reach the “Kowloon Walled City Park.”
Walking through the park’s sports and recreational facilities, you’ll find the “Kowloon Walled City Ruins” further inside.
The entire park was constructed in the style of a Jiangnan garden after the demolition of the “Kowloon Walled City.”
Directly in front of the entrance, you’ll find the preserved ruins of a “Qing Dynasty Official Residence.”
The residence has been transformed into a historical exhibition hall, showcasing a partial model of the original Qing Dynasty residence and a more extensive display of the development history and stories of the Kowloon Walled City.
The park’s pavilions, terraces, towers, and water features, reminiscent of classical Jiangnan garden landscapes, make it an ideal location for capturing retro, Chinese-style, and cheongsam or Hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing) photos!
The park is not crowded, allowing you to sit in a pavilion on higher ground, overlooking the waterfalls and scenery below. Listening to the murmuring water and the rustling of leaves in the wind, you can spend a peaceful afternoon here.
“Kowloon Walled City Park” is more than just a park attraction; it is a place filled with stories and emotions.
Here, you can feel the weight of history and find your own relaxation and tranquility.
- 🕑: 6:30am-11:00pm
- 🚇: Sung Wong Toi Station, Exit B3
- 📍: 18 Carpenter Road, Kowloon City, Hong Kong
Signal Hill Garden
To avoid crowds and enjoy a pristine view of Victoria Harbour, head to “Signal Hill Garden,” often referred to as Tsim Sha Tsui’s backyard.
The signal tower in “Signal Hill Garden” has a history of 100 years and is listed as a Grade I historic building in Hong Kong.
When you find the park entrance, be prepared to climb a short uphill path, which takes about ten minutes to reach the top.
From the hilltop, you can enjoy a new perspective of the Victoria Harbour scenery.
The entire park is very tranquil, with plenty of shady trees, making it an ideal spot for gazing at the sea, couples’ dates, friendly walks, picnics, reading, or whiling away an afternoon.
It’s recommended to visit this park on a clear, sunny day when there are hardly any people around. The world is yours, and you can quietly enjoy the scenery without being disturbed.
- 🕑: 7:00am-23:00pm
- 🚇: Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Exit D1, 5-minute walk
- 📍: Signal Hill Garden, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
West Kowloon Art Park
West Kowloon, Hong Kong, is simply too beautiful!
Backed by the M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, it also boasts a view of Victoria Harbour. There are restaurants, cafes, and vast lawns – a perfect park!
You can lay out a mat on the lawn for a picnic, enjoy the sea breeze while taking in the city views and sunset, and indulge in some snacks and drinks. It’s incredibly relaxing.
By the way, this is a pet-friendly area. In the evenings, many people bring their dogs for walks, making it quite lively on weekends!
The park seamlessly combines the sea, grasslands, seaside promenades, an art park, and urban architecture. The moment you arrive, you feel a sense of relaxation wash over you. Sitting by the sea, you feel completely at ease. (Be sure to choose a day with good weather to enjoy a truly picturesque sunset.)
In a fast-paced city where every inch of land is precious, this is a place where you can slow down. West Kowloon Art Park is a very healing corner of the city.
- 🚇: Kowloon Station, Exit D1, navigate to West Kowloon Art Park
- 📍: West Kowloon Art Park
Kwun Tong Waterfront Promenade
Here is a hidden gem of a waterfront park, the “Kwun Tong Waterfront Garden.”
The grass area is not very large, and the sea view is not very vast, but it was formerly the Kwun Tong Public Cargo Working Area, transforming from an industrial zone into a seaside leisure area.
The walkway inside the “Kwun Tong Waterfront Park” is about 1 kilometer long, perfect for a stroll while enjoying views of Victoria Harbour and Lei Yue Mun. (The sunset is incredibly beautiful!)
The park also features various facilities, such as viewing pavilions and parent-child recreational facilities, making it suitable for resting and relaxing on the grass. (There are also many well-groomed dogs!)
Some people come here for picnics, while others come to dance. There is also a cafe in the park where you can sit outside, drink coffee, and enjoy some food.
It’s suitable for running, picnicking, and fishing. On weekends with good weather, there are few people, and everyone lies on the grass in small groups, basking in the sun. This is the leisurely life of Hong Kong’s common people.
- 🚇: Ngau Tau Kok Station, Exit B6, navigate to Kwun Tong Waterfront Garden
- 📍: Kwun Tong Waterfront Park
Tamar Park
If you want a convenient location with easy transportation, come to “Tamar Park.”
It’s only a 5-minute walk from “Admiralty MTR Station” and features several lush, green lawns.
The park faces Victoria Harbour, so you can take in the beautiful harbour view while sitting on the grass. The sunken viewing platform is also an excellent spot for viewing the sea and taking photos.
There are multiple green lawns in the park where you can sit and have a picnic or relax, feeling the baptism of the sun. The park connects to the “Central and Western District Waterfront Promenade,” allowing citizens to stroll while enjoying the sea view.
It’s recommended to come around 3 or 4 pm. When the weather is clear, you can see the sunset glow and the lights of the Central Ferris wheel intertwining, creating a breathtaking view.
- 🚇: From Admiralty MTR Station, Exit A
- 📍: Tamar Park
Fortress Hill East Coast Park
This is a little-known gem of a park in Hong Kong for watching stunning sunsets and evening glow!
It’s a hidden treasure spot, with the park open for free all day. Compared to other parks, it has a smaller flow of people and is more tranquil.
“East Coast Park” is located west of Hutchinson Road. It was originally used for the Central-Wan Chai Bypass project and boasts a 360-meter-long Instagram-worthy waterfront promenade. The massive ventilation outlets are also very eye-catching.
It also features Victoria Harbour’s first breakwater open to the public. At the end of the breakwater, you can enjoy a nearly 360-degree view of the harbour.
The place is quiet with few people and boasts an unparalleled sea view. There are also lounge chairs that conform to the curves of the human body, perfect for sunbathing.
It’s also a dog-friendly park, with many dog lovers bringing their furry friends here for walks.
The sunset here is also breathtakingly beautiful. The park faces the sunset direction, allowing you to gaze at Tsim Sha Tsui in the distance while also seeing the building clusters in Central. It’s very suitable for relaxing and spacing out on weekends.
- 🚇: Fortress Hill Station, Exit A, within walking distance
- 📍: Fortress Hill East Coast Park
Victoria Peak Garden
Hong Kong’s highest rooftop garden – “Victoria Peak Garden”
Coming here means you have reached the highest point on Hong Kong Island.
The park’s original site was the “Governor of Hong Kong’s Peak Residence,” which was demolished in 1946 due to damage from the Battle of Hong Kong during World War II. The vacant land was then developed into “Victoria Peak Garden.”
Starting from “Peak Tower” at the Peak, it takes about 20 minutes to walk to this “rooftop garden” on Hong Kong Island (Victoria Peak Garden is located at the top of Victoria Peak, higher than the location of the Peak Galleria).
The centerpiece of “Victoria Peak Garden” is a charming sky-blue pavilion, surrounded by beautifully fenced flower beds.
The expansive lawn and the large park with its British colonial-era style and English garden architecture make it a popular wedding photography location for many newlyweds.
The “Old Governor’s Peak Residence Guard House” is also worth checking out.
This is also a pet-friendly park where you can bring your dogs and cats to run freely on the grass at the Peak.
On a clear day, you can overlook stunning sea views and the sunset from “Victoria Peak Garden.” (The westernmost observation deck offers views of West High Hill and the sea, right in the direction of the sunset.) (It’s best to wear flat shoes when hiking, and there are convenience stores at the Peak.)
- 🚇: Take the Peak Tram and get off at the terminal station, then walk towards the Peak.
- Take bus 15 from Admiralty Station/Central Pier 5 and get off at Peak Galleria, then walk towards the Peak.
- 📍: Victoria Peak Garden
Hong Kong Science Park
The “Science Park area” is considered a treasure trove for relaxation and unwinding in Hong Kong.
The location of the “Science Park” was originally the “Tolo Harbour Waterfront Area.” The scenic “Pak Shek Kok Waterfront Boulevard” attracts many jogging enthusiasts and cyclists.
The overall design and architectural style of the “Science Park” are full of a futuristic feel, and the environment is very comfortable and pleasant.
The entire area is not large, including the Science Park office park area and the waterfront promenade cycling and walking area.
Several technology companies have set up offices in the park area. You can start by exploring the Science Park, then follow the “Pak Shek Kok Waterfront Promenade” all the way to “Tai Po Waterfront Park.”
Many people walk, run, take their children, or walk their dogs along the “Waterfront Promenade,” making it a very pleasant place! (This is usually the favorite spot for cycling enthusiasts.)
The waterfront restaurants and bars here are quite popular on weekends. You can choose to take a walk and chat with good friends on weekends.
- 🚇: Take the East Rail Line to University Station, then transfer to 272A at the University Bus Terminal and get off at the Science Park bus stop.
- 📍: Hong Kong Science Park
Do you like any of the parks mentioned above?
If you also enjoy visiting parks, I think we can be friends! Let’s go for a park walk together when the weather clears up in Hong Kong!
