I lived in Hong Kong for four years, from 2016 to 2020, and it remains the most visually unique city I have ever called home. Think about it: the highest concentration of skyscrapers in the world, hills and mountains blending into the skyline, a harbour, sea, and I was based on the island side. Many corners of Hong Kong felt like a different photograph waiting to happen. These are some of my favorite spots to shoot there.
Victoria Harbour
Every single time I am in Hong Kong, I end up spending hours just sitting by Victoria Harbour watching the boats go by. There is something almost meditative about it. The Star Ferry has been crossing these waters since 1888, and to me it still feels like the most iconic way to experience the skyline. The Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, with that full view of Hong Kong Island across the water, is a sight I will never get tired of. No matter how many times I have stood there, it still captivates me.
Kennedy Town Photo Spot
This one is very specific, and I want to give you the exact directions because the shot is worth it. Take the MTR to Kennedy Town station, use Exit C, then walk through the basketball court. The combination of the residential towers rising on the side of the street with tram tracks on the road and the sea in the background makes for a really strong urban composition. It is the kind of photo that looks effortless but requires knowing exactly where to stand.
Braemar Hill
When I first moved to Hong Kong, Braemar Hill was one of those places that felt like a local secret. I came to this viewpoint so often that I lost count of my visits. It sits above the city and the harbour, and on a clear day the whole skyline spreads out in front of you like it is sitting right there in the palm of your hand. The sunset from up here is something else entirely. The spot has gotten more popular since then, but it still holds a very special place for me.
Causeway Bay at Night
Capturing the energy of Causeway Bay after sunset is one of my favorite things to do in this city. The neighborhood lights up at night in a way that is hard to describe unless you have seen it in person. Shops, billboards, and neon signs stacked on top of each other, all reflecting off the wet pavement if you are lucky enough to be there after rain. People often compare it to Times Square, but honestly Causeway Bay feels bigger and brighter to me.
Central
Central is one of those areas where I would just tell you to wander. There are murals tucked into small alleys, steep escalator streets, colonial architecture sitting right next to glass towers, and the red taxis cutting through it all. I have spent whole afternoons here walking and shooting whatever caught my eye. Do not overthink it in Central, just walk and enjoy.
Hong Kong Trams
Locally the trams are known as “ding dings”, a nickname that comes from the sound of their bell. They have been running through the streets of Hong Kong since 1904, making them one of the oldest forms of public transport still in daily operation in the world. I probably have hundreds of photos of these trams in my gallery, shot from various angles and neighborhoods across the island. They are slow, a little bumpy, but absolutely iconic. Get on one, look out the window, and also turn around and photograph the one coming up behind you.
Rooftop Bars
Any rooftop bar in Hong Kong will give you a solid view and a real opportunity for a great shot. My top pick is Eyebar. The perspective over the city from up there is exactly what you want, and the atmosphere makes it easy to just stay for one more drink while the skyline slowly lights up around you.
A Few Honorable Mentions
Before I wrap up, a few more spots that deserve to be on your list: Choi Hung basketball court for one of the most colorful urban frames you will ever shoot, Lee Tung Avenue for its decorative walkway and warm festive lighting, and the Central Harbourfront for a clean and open view of the skyline without the usual crowds of Tsim Sha Tsui.
Four years of living there and numerous visits since, and it still feels like I am only scratching the surface.
Choi Hung basketball court
Lee Tung Avenue decorations
Central Harbourfront
Bus on the overpass at HKU
Night view from the Braemar Hill
Billboards in Causeway Bay
