A Love Letter to Hong Kong: A Photographer’s Paradise
Hong Kong’s Most Instagrammable Spots
Everyone knows Hong Kong is a hotspot for photographers, but do you know where the best places are for you to sharpen your eye for the gram? We’ve compiled a list of everything Hong Kong, from retro chic holes in the wall to modern contemporary attractions, find the spots that resonate best with you!
Architecture
Tai Kwun
10 Hollywood Rd, Central, Hong Kong
Brief Introduction: The Tai Kwun centre for Heritage and Arts is situated in the restored Hong Kong Central Police Station compound. It offers the most authentic way to experience the rich heritage of Hong Kong, through the use of contemporary and performing arts.
Features: The compound is comprised of three declared monuments — the former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison. Exhibitions are updated regularly, presenting anywhere from six to eight exhibitions annually.
Instagrammable spot: The spiral staircase, the outdoor architecture of all three building, the local eatery, and of course their art exhibitions themselves.
Ping Shek Estate
Kwun Tong District, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Brief introduction: The Ping Shek estate is a public housing estate that from the outside may seem like any other housing estate, but the real magic is found in the courtyard.
Features: The estate consists of 4 identical buildings, forming an internal courtyard at the center of them. When you look up, it gives the impression of being trapped in a long pathway leading to a square/rectangular opening.
Instagrammable spot: The underground tunnel, the courtyard located in the middle of four buildings.
Choi Hung Estate
Wong Tai Sin District, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Brief introduction: Being one of the oldest public housing estates in Hong Kong, Choi hung estate definitely shines as the most colourful building. In fact, “Choi hung” means rainbow in Chinese.
Features: It is known for its rainbow-coloured homes, consisting of eight different “pastel” colours painting the building as if it were a canvas. It was decorated this way to help lift the spirits of the residents living there.
Instagrammable spot: In front of the colourful building in the basketball court.
Lok Wah South Estate
Ngau Tau Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Brief introduction: Located on the roof of the Lok Wah Estate carpark, this unlikely spot has become a hidden gem for photographers. The estate itself was completed in the 1980’s and over time, the once bright colors have dulled to a more rustic feel, adding to its allure.
Features: It presents sky blue/turquoise coloured walls stacked one after the other giving the impression of an infinite circular tunnel. The bars that span the top of the structure can also reveal unique shadows to spice up pictures.
Instagrammable spot: Car park where the circular tunnel is located.
Yick Cheong Building
Quarry Bay, Hong Kong Island, 英皇道1046號
Brief introduction: Aka the “monster building”, the Yick Cheong building is known for its five residential buildings that takes on an extremely dense and stacked design, creating an imposing appearance.
Features: While looking up at the building from ground level, you will have your mind blown by the gigantic and symmetrical design. Due to its astounding visual aesthetic, it was even featured in movies such as, “Ghost in the Shell” and “Transformers: Age of Extinction”.
Instagrammable spot: In front of the stacked residential complexes. Many photographers will try to capture the symmetry of the building, which translates brilliantly to film.
Lai Tak Tsuen Estate
Lai Tak Tsuen Rd, Tai Hang, Hong Kong
Brief introduction: This public housing estate was one of the first public housing developments in Hong Kong, boasting 2,677 apartment flats. In the 1970’s, shortly after it was completed, it was recognized with an award-winning design.
Features: Bicylindrical design: circular structures that define each of the building’s floors. The open space built into this design allows for ample natural light, illuminating every level.
Instagrammable spot: From the centre of the ground floor or the centre of the top floor. (basically anywhere inside the building)
Flea Markets
Flower market/ bird garden/ goldish fish market/ ladies night market/ Temple Street
Around the Mong Kok Yau Tei Area
Brief introduction: Hong Kong’s street market is an authentic local experience. They have the best street snacks, independent shops and/or electronic stores. Every store fills the streets with their own unique colour and flavor. It’s definitely eye-catching for the gram!
Features: Different stalls selling unique items difficult to find elsewhere and haggling with shopkeepers!
Instagrammable spot: Our videographer Erica chose the rooftop closer main to the entrance of the market. Also as you stroll down the street, basically anywhere can be a nice spot to capture the lively ambiance of street markets.
PMQ
Central, Aberdeen Street, Hong Kong
Brief introduction: This was previously the first government school in Hong Kong providing, western education to the public at the upper primary and secondary levels. It was severely damaged during WW2 and so, it was rebuilt as the first Police Married Quarters for married junior police officers.
Features: Vintage windows, cute coffee shops, authentic local stores by local artists, art exhibitions. -P.S. The themes change depending on the time so, make sure you check ahead of time before going to see if the theme is something you’re interested in.
Instagrammable spot: By the vintage window, at the leisure garden (between the two building), at their cute coffee shops, on the staircases.
Cafes
Halfway Coffee
Sheung Wan, Central, Hong Kong
Brief introduction: Halfway Coffee is best known for their vintage theme, emphasizing the rich hybrid culture of Hong Kong. Decorating their products and the restaurant itself to resemble the romantic stores of old.
Features: Their in-store teacups and takeaway paper cups are all outfitted with the vintage Hong Kong porcelain patterns.
Instagrammable spot: Within the coffee cups, in front of the Chinese vintage toys, in front of the coffee shop.
Tai Wo Tang Cafe
Kowloon City, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Brief introduction: Tai Wo Tang preserves the precious memories of Kowloon City. People can rediscover a timeless snapshot of the city. It was renovated from a Chinese medicine shop and now it is renewed as a vintage coffee shop.
Features: Hundreds-drawer medicine cabinet, the 100-year-old gate, wooden long chairs, and their historical golden-worded plaque.
Instagrammable spot: In front of the store, the gate and the cabinet, of course, holding your cup of coffee while you are at it.
Art Galleries
Hidden Planet “Pulse Monsters”
Repulse Bay, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
Brief introduction: It is an art gallery that integrates immersive sensory experience with interactive visual designs. Fully stimulating your senses, this experience is one you don’t want to miss out on if you’re in the area.
Features: The “Surreal Room”, “transition tunnels” and “infinity room”.
Instagram-worthy: This gallery is literally every instagrammers’ paradise for taking their best aesthetic pictures inside the LED-themed “Transition Tunnels” and “Infinity Room”..
Sceneries
Neon Light Signs
Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Brief introduction: A traffic jam of flashing neon signs, advertisements and people everywhere. There’s no better place to experience the awe of old-school neon signs than the streets of Hong Kong.
Features: Tons of neon signs that will simply make your night photography look bomb.
Instagrammable spot: Hau Wong Road, Bute Street, Kansu Street
Tai O
Lantau Island, a bus ride from Tung Chung
Brief introduction: Known as the “fishing village”. Some tourists refer to Tai O as “the Venice of the Orient”. However, it is nothing compared to the architecture of Italy. (so don’t get your hopes up too high) Nevertheless, it is a unique attraction to visit, with many places where you could take nice shots of the simple life in this small village.
Features: Visit its unique villages through its network of small streets, exploring the best seafood and snacks while you’re at it. Different from the busy downtown areas, this will be a far more calm and authentic side of Hong Kong.
Instagrammable spot: At temples, on the Sun Ki Bridge, in street markets, with the fishing boats, the village, the Tai O heritage hotel, the dried fish stalls.
Victoria Harbour
In between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central (You can appreciate it from both sides)
Brief introduction: Being one of the most tourist-popular areas of Hong Kong, it is truly a spectacular scenery that proudly displays the unforgettable skyline of HK skyscrapers.
Features: Symphony of Lights — at 8 pm every day, 44 buildings will present coloured lights, laser beams, and searchlights to perform a synchronized 13-minute display set to music.
Instagrammable spot: By the harbour, With the clock tower at TST, with the tall buildings across the harbour form TST.
Wow! You made it to the end, thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed that little taste of Hong Kong! We only covered a bit of what Hong Kong has to offer, it’s best experienced in person!
