There are few cities in Asia that we’ve found to be as photogenically pleasing as Hong Kong. Upon arrival, we were immediately aware of how similar it is to San Francisco’s rolling landscapes covered with ever-changing neighborhoods and charms. We found ourselves in an ever-changing array of photographic neighborhoods and stunning cultural charm. We wanted to share our limited experience and hopefully inspire others to venture to this often unappreciated city and explore its photograph potential.
There are countless locations and districts in HK to explore in a photographic way. While this list highlights our top locations, if you look around any corner of Hong Kong or Kowloon, you’re almost certainly going to find something worth photographing. This massive city is as large as it can be inspiring to any photographer hoping to explore a city of this level of legend. You’re certain to be haunted by the missed photo opportunities of Hong Kong, but you can always come back smarter and more focused. That’s our plan, at least!
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#1 | Neon Signs
One of the most obvious remnants from a former Hong Kong can be found in the city’s continued devotion to neon signs. While I’d never before been so enamored by these old fashioned signs, there’s something about beautiful glowing signs casting their ethereal hues on the city each night.
As the sun sets each evening, these lights act as beacons for street photographers. Nathan Road around Jordan is a great starting point for anyone wanting to glimpse these glowing beauties.
Tip: Photographing night lights can be a bit difficult, so try shooting in RAW for more editing capabilities. If your photo turns a bit grainy, you can always boost the luminance, to blur some of it out. Try using a tripod and use the widest aperture possible to reduce the chance of camera shake ruining your shots!
#2 | The Last Watershed
Once more common than today, one watershed remains on Hong Kong island. This beautiful pier is that last remaining “jumping off point” for swimmers wanting to brave Victoria Harbor’s water. Located on the northwestern corner of HK, sunsets are the perfect time to visit this photogenic location.
You’re likely to find other people lining up to take engagement photos, Instagram photos, or simply setting up to frame this beautifully posed platform with the setting sun. While most people will visit “Instagram Pier” if they’re nearby, the watershed is far and away a better photo opportunity.
Tip: We were a bit disappointed by Insta-Pier, but we could hardly drag ourselves away from the swimming dock. Go a bit early because the walk up the hill to get to the steps that lead to this spot is a bit steep. We nearly missed sunset by arriving a bit too late.Â
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#3 | Choi Hung “Rainbow” Apartments
Stacks of apartments, layered in progressing rainbow patterns? Yes, please! The Choi Hung Apartments (literally meaning rainbow in Chinese) are colorful in a way that no other apartment complex in Honk Kong is. Within the complex is a parking structure that boasts a basketball court as it’s roof and hosts the majority of the photos you might see from this location.
Many families and children can be found playing in this public space on the weekends if you’re wanting a human element amidst the lifeless rigor of endlessly repeating apartments.
Tip: Check out the position of the sun before coming. During the evening, the sun is behind the buildings and shadows will certainly make your shots less than spectacular. The early morning gives opportunity for unique angles, but around/after noon, the light highlights the building facing the basketball court and everything is really well-lit for photos.
#4 | Victoria Peak
No photo album from Hong Kong would be complete without some skyline photos with iconic buildings accompanied by Victoria Harbor in the background.
While the majority of tourists will end up in the massive people-trap that is commonly referred to as Victoria Peak, nearby, there is a hiking trail that bypasses the peak itself and offers, arguably, better views of Central’s cityscape and the harbor. We highly recommend this deviation from the standard tourist haunts on this one, Â and having a photo that’s different than the thousands of daily visitors to the peak with smartphone cameras will make the extra effort all worth the effort.
Tip:Â Again, we find sunset and sunrise to be the best time for photographing the bay as the golden light just does something truly magical across Hong Kong’s skylines.
#5 | Night Markets
Our love for night markets is well documented, but I’ve never had as elevated an angle as the one over Temple Street Night Market.
Not only are the night markets in the area worth visiting, but they offer endless photo opportunities. From the shop owners and stalls selling virtually everything to the parking garage across the street that affords this mesmerizing vantage; Temple St. Night Market is the perfect location to visit before you start wandering around perusing the neon majesty.
The market extends five blocks north and the aerial view is something straight out of an old Hollywood Chinatown movie.
Tip: Go just before sundown for some awesome sunset pictures and perfect lighting across the tops of the stalls. Stay until sunset to see the street light up and then go grab some dinner!
#6 | Rooftop Bars
While Victoria Peak and our suggested alternate path might be the most iconic skyline view of Hong Kong, there are numerous bars and clubs atop skyscrapers with stunning views of this wonderfully photogenic city.
The majority of these rooftop bars can be found in Central Hong Kong, but we very much recommend the alternate view back that looks back at Central from iSquare Shopping Mall from the perfectly positioned EyeBar. Looking back at Hong Kong from Kowloon is the perfect end to a night, or maybe a start if you’re looking to exploit this city’s endless night photography opportunities.
Tip: The happy hour deal at EyeBar gets you 30 percent off martini cocktails, 20 percent off wine and 50 percent off beer. Beware the hidden charges though; service will be added, as will the seemingly complementary nut bowl. We opted to stay for just one drink and then walked down to the harbor front with some to go beer from a local liquor store. The illusion of high living, with a much cheaper price tag!
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#7 | Man Mo Temple
Filtered smoke fills the air in this temple, as offerings to luck and in hope of granted wishes are burned relentlessly by thousands of visitors each day.
We visited on a weekday and this temple was still filled with people lighting large coils of incense and offering flowers in hopes of favor being swayed their way. With all of these people visiting Man Mo Temple for legitimate reasons, there are signs indicating that donations are welcome from photographers visiting for the sole purpose of capturing the smoke and majesty of the incense.
While camping out for a photo without background people, consider giving a few Hong Kong Dollars to this beautiful and unique temple experience.
Tip:Â Go earlier in the morning! They light the huge curling spirals of incense at the start of the day and they just get smaller and smaller as the day goes by, making photographing them impossible.
#8 | Hong Kong’s Mansions
If you’ve ever browsed pictures of HK on Instagram or Google Images, you’ve undoubtedly come across countless photos of beautiful cityscapes or strangely beautiful apartment buildings.
While much of the city is a concrete jungle surrounded by towering buildings, there are certain sights that stand apart as being especially photogenic. Montane Mansion in Quarry Bay is probably the most noteworthy apartment complex for photographers and visitors looking for architecture that is uniquely “Hong Kong.” This style of building is reminiscent of HK’s not-so-distant past, but mansions like these remain one of the most iconic and sought-after photos.
Tip: Try out taking some shots from different angles other than just straight on. These buildings are really interesting from any direction and so much fun to photograph.
#9 | Flower and Bird Market
This one is pretty self-explanatory: people like beautiful flowers en masse. The Flower Market is a long street of every colorful variation of flower you can imagine.
When you finish perusing the flowers and plant-arrangements, continue on to the bird market. Moving from the flower market to bird alley is a perfect hour of time well spent. The colors of the flowers mixed with the myriad of chirping and talking birds makes for a unique afternoon day trip. The bouquets of exotic flowers and beautiful handmade birdcages make for a very photogenic area.
Tip:Â Do be careful of the birds that are out of the cages, and only touch them if the owners say it’s okay. The birds that seem a bit stressed and fly around their cages erratically, leave them alone and don’t bother them by getting close and taking photos.
#10 | Big Buddha
Here is a #followmeto Hong Kong Big Buddha photo with @yourleo that we took earlier this year. #discoverhongkong
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Great photos and tips for the aspiring photographers… The night market from above is an awesome photo. Looks exactly like a movie set. Having one drink at the pricey bar and heading to a mart is excellent advice.Prices in Europe means we get to do have “posh” drink once a week or so. We’re still bummed we didn’t make it to Hong Kong. It looks amazing and as a bonus us South African’s don’t need a visa to go there yet! Did either of you venture into the waters of the harbour?
We didn’t venture out into the waters of the harbor as it was still “winter” there, no matter how warm the day actually was. Hong Kong was a lot of fun, so if you guys ever find yourselves back in Asia, we certainly recommend it!
I have not visited HK but those rooftop bars certainly look very tempting! I am impressed by how varried and different each location is. I have seen many pictures from HK Mansions and Rainbow appartments. These are at the top of my list!
We had always seen those shots too, but didn’t know how much more Hong Kong had to offer. It was a last minute decision to go there, and we totally made the right choice!
I’m a huge fan of the insta @yourleo so happy to see them featured and your parallax is so dope! And the great tips add a nice touch to each section! They’re really helpful btw, esp. the one about the shrinking spiral incense! You would never think that would be the case!
We didn’t think that would be the case either until we showed up midday and realized our mistake. Ah well!
Wow wow wow awesome photos!! We’ve just got back from Hong kong so a lot of those spots looked familiar, awesome tips! There is so much to see and do in HK, we loved how diverse the city is from drinking at a rooftop bar to haggling at a street market. Your photo of the neon signs is my favourite! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much! Did you enjoy Hong Kong as well? We were really surprised how much we enjoyed this big city.
Your photos are amazing! You’ve really got a great eye. I love the one at the Buddha Statue with her hand reaching back to grasp your hand. Well done! I put Hong Kong on the back burner but you’ve made me see the error of my ways. Next big three or four day weekend and I’m going!
We certainly recommend it!
Number 3 and 8 really stirred me. I think it’s because I’m going throgh a pastel color phase and those apartments are simply lovely! Your photos are very well done and I also enjoyed your advice on each picture included. How many days did you spend in HK? I’m visiting in summer but still need to do research!
Those apartments are some of the most iconic shots of Hong Kong! We spend 7 days there, but unfortunately Stephanie hurt her back and couldn’t do anything for three of them. It was still plenty of time to explore the city though.
I have something unique to add! I love shooting pictures of things with my name on it 😀 Even though it’s far from my favorite city, Hong Kong will always have a special place in my heart because it makes me feel like I’m king of the freaking world. Nathan Road, Nathan Hotel, Nathan this, Nathan that…
Good times.
Tai O fishing village was also another phenomenal photo spot. I really like taking pictures of the houses on stilts and the canals — bonus points if a boat is powering through with that day’s catch aboard.
Thanks for the photo inspiration, and for the chance to reminisce! Would love to make it back to Hong Kong to shoot some of these spots, particularly Man Mo Temple and the Peak.
HA! We noticed that too. They had a governor named Matthew Nathan in the early 1900s who apparently was a pretty awesome guy. Thanks for adding the fishing village to our radar! If we go back, we will certainly go check it out.
This post is great and as a fellow photographer, I get very excited about posts like these. I love your images, especially the one of Soho, Man Mo Temple and the Rooftop bars! I’ve been to Hong Kong twice already and have definitely “missed” some iconic shots, like of all the neon lights (a tripod would have been nice), night markets and Hong Kong’s mansions. I’m pinning this post for later reference and inspiration.
Thanks, Alla! I always find myself researching a country intensively before travelling there to find some inspiration for photographic locations. We thought it would be nice to finally have a post to share our favorite photogenic spots all in one place!
Ahhh Hong Kong never looked more beautiful! I LOVE all shooting tips after each picture. I’m dying to visit HK. There just seems to be a cool, cultural energy there. Good tip on hiking past Victoria Peak. Nothing I hate more is competing with a crowd. Also obsessed with the composition of that photo of Stephanie in Soho!
Thanks Sam!!! Hoping to inspire some people to get out there and be creative with their shots! Hong Kong was one of our favorite cities to photograph as there is inspiration literally everywhere you look.
Beautiful photos from your lens. I especially like the night market’s aerial view and the watershed. I thought I have seen most of Hong Kong though online photos (only been there in 2009!) but looking at HK though your lens is giving it a fresh perspective. Your photographer tips at the end of each photo is surely extra helpful.
WOW! Hong Kong looks absolutely beautiful. I honestly can’t pick just one or two things I would love to see the most because I want to see it all. Those pastel apartments and the mansions are very cool though, and I would love to watch a sunset at the last watershed.
Thanks for sharing these out of the ordinary locations, guys! Incredible list and great writing! A photo app I’m working for features the best photos spots in Hong Kong has recently released and I think you’d be interested! It’s called Explorest – it leads you to Hong Kong’s most beautiful photo locations using GPS coordinates & tips by the country’s best photographers. We’ll be expanding to New York and many more places soon! Check it out if you have some spare time! https://www.explorest.com/
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Pretty cool description about how to find each photo spot. But I have to admit that I was expecting to see more photo spots. NoFilter app (https://getnofilter.com) contains around 100 photo spots (or so) about Hong Kong. Consider adding them here.
Thank you a lot for sharing your knowledge. Awesome spots. There are ~5 of these that are not present in NoFilter. I’m gonna add them from my account.
Thank you again for your time sharing this kind of posts!