Hello Hong Kong! Here Are the Best Photo Spots for Your Next Hong Kong Travel

Hong Kong has always been one of the top travel destinations for Filipinos, and it’s easy to see why. Its proximity to the Philippines makes for easy (and more affordable) travel, while still offering a culture so different it’ll leave your sense of adventure inspired. Not to mention its beautiful sights and destinations—perfect for your travel photos.

But where are the best new spots to visit in Hong Kong anyway? There are the usuals: Victoria Harbour and Avenue of Stars, Ngong Ping Village, Causeway Bay, and Victoria Peak…but there is one amazing area that many tourists overlook—West Kowloon.

West Kowloon, located in Hong Kong’s Kowloon Peninsula, is one of the biggest hubs for arts and culture in Hong Kong. In fact, it’s home to the West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong’s largest cultural vicinity. That means you’ll find some of Hong Kong’s newest modern museums here, like the Hong Kong Palace Museum and M+ Museum, and get blown away by award-winning contemporary architecture.

But as one of Hong Kong’s oldest neighborhoods, West Kowloon is also home to structures that date back to the 1800s. It’s a neighborhood that’s full not just of modernity and innovation, but of stories and rich history.

From state-of-the-art museums to charming old buildings, here are some of the best photo spots in West Kowloon to add to your Hong Kong travel itinerary:

Hong Kong Palace Museum

Hong Kong Palace Museum is a beautiful modern structure located at the tip of the West Kowloon Cultural District. Its “barrier-free” design, high ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows provide space for exploration and introspection, while also giving a sweeping view of the iconic Victoria Harbour. Hong Kong Palace Museum houses nine main exhibition galleries and priceless pieces from all over the world.

Location: West Kowloon Cultural District, 8 Museum Drive

Xiqu Centre

Come for the Instagrammable spots, stay for the experience. Beyond the striking architecture that makes up this establishment, Xiqu Centre will move and inspire you with beautifully told stories. A performing arts center, within Xiqu Centre you’ll find two theater venues that promote Cantonese opera and traditional Chinese theater.

A guided tour will help you understand Xiqu Centre’s architectural and design features, but restaurants and cafes are also available for those who want to just sit and admire this lovely structure.

Location: 88 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui

M+ Museum

If you love visual art, design, and architecture, you will love M+ Museum. It’s one of the world’s largest museums for visual culture. But what we love is it’s also much more than that. M+ Museum is a destination on its own where you can find shops, cinemas, and restaurants. Its waterfront location also means stunning views of Hong Kong, so make sure to add this to your itinerary.

Location: West Kowloon Cultural District, 38 Museum Drive

Tin Hau Temple at Yau Ma Tei

If you’re looking to explore more of the spiritual side of West Kowloon, there’s no better place to visit in the neighborhood than Tin Hau Temple—the largest Tin Hau temple complex in Kowloon. Built around 1865, this temple used to be by the sea, where seafarers would go to pray for safety before they sailed. The area is now reclaimed land, but fishermen still come here to pay respects to Tin Hau, the goddess of the sea.

Location: Temple Street, Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei

The streets of West Kowloon

With art at the center of West Kowloon’s beating heart, the entire neighborhood is like a museum on its own. There’s no better way to get to know this cultural district than to walk its streets and find the urban art sprinkled all over town. Don’t forget your camera! You’ll want to document this experience. Make sure to look up, peek, observe, and look down to discover West Kowloon’s street art. You’ll never know if the steps you’re walking on will have art painted on it.

Here are some locations to get you started:

Flight of stairs: 81 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei

Building mural: Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market, Waterloo Road, Yau Ma Tei

Competition Pavilion

Located at West Kowloon’s Art Park is this gorgeous structure, Competition Pavilion. It’s the winning design of the 2017 Hong Kong Architects & Designers Competition. The structure, titled “Growing Up,” is made from slender timber pieces and is a reference to Hong Kong’s cultural growth. Competition Pavilion is also located waterfront with a view of Hong Kong’s harbor, giving you a superb two-in-one photo location.

Location: West Kowloon Cultural District

Red Brick Building

Amidst the shiny modern buildings in West Kowloon is the Red Brick Building, built in 1895. It’s a former pumping station, but now an office for the Yau Ma Tei Theatre. The distinct architecture of the building has made it an iconic landmark and is officially recognized as a historic building. Aside from its aesthetic red brick design, watch out for other charming design elements as well such as its cast-iron hopper heads and rainwater pipes, and arched verandas.

Location: 8 Waterloo Road, Yau Ma Tei

West Kowloon perfectly blends arts, city life, culture, and tradition—which is why it’s one of our favorite places to visit when in Hong Kong. And don’t forget to go equipped with your camera! You’ll want to snap an OOTD and document every corner thanks to this district’s IG-worthy sights and cultural structures.

Hello takes you to more. Say Hello Hong Kong and check out @discoverhongkong on Instagram for more photo and travel inspiration.

For more info, visit DiscoverHongKong.com to start planning your Hong Kong trip!

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