5 ways to celebrate the New Year in Hong Kong

2022 is just around the corner. And regardless of whether you’re dreading this fact or excited about it, the truth is, you will have to spend New Year somewhere. It may be at home, chilling with friends and family, writing New Year’s resolutions with your closest friends or partying the night away.

But, if you’re looking for a particular place to celebrate that isn’t the typical party or restaurant, we’ve compiled a list of places you can visit.

Whether it’s for the spectacular views to start your year strong or something a bit more chilled and relaxed to ease the concerns and worries about the year ahead, here are some ideas on how to spend New Year in Hong Kong.

Belcher Bay Harbourfront

The Kennedy Town Belcher Bay Harbourfront, open 24/7, offers you a vast view of oceans and skyscrapers, encompassing many of the key elements that make Hong Kong beautiful. The wide space has small playgrounds, crates to sit on and separate tables, as well as a deck, right beside the ocean.

Free to the public, you can head over to do your New Year’s countdown, view the fireworks and just sit by the ocean to think and reminisce.

With various restaurants nearby, the Harbourfront provides a leisurely space for you to relax for the new year. But, even though we’re recommending Belcher Bay for the sweeping view of Hong Kong and the ocean, there are also other public parks that you can check out, like Tamar Park in Admiralty and Victoria Park in Causeway Bay.

The Peak

The Peak is another spot that is guaranteed to offer you breathtaking views of the city.

Whether you hike up the mountain or take the tram up, you will be guaranteed a stunning view of Hong Kong from up top. The plethora of skyscrapers integrated with the ocean view is bound to entertain you for hours, marking the perfect way to spend the first day of the year.

Walking up the Peak will take around two to three hours, while the tram takes just seven to eight minutes. While some may cringe at the thought of a hike, especially over the new year, give it a go! It may be a good way to start 2022 strong.

Avenue of Stars

The K11 Musea Avenue of Stars is a promenade extending from the K11 Musea mall.

Manifesting Victoria Harbour’s entire view, it’ll be bound to offer you a space to reflect and ponder. However, the Avenue of Stars is not called that for just any reason; there are “more than a hundred newly designed celebrity handprints” for you to see, which are paired with QR codes that list the biographies of celebrities. These biographies may be what inspires you to change something up in 2022, or they may just provide you with an enjoyable and insightful read during your walk at the promenade.

Hand-in-hand with a mall, after taking in the exquisite views, you can indulge in delicious foods and some shopping to start the new year!

Wong Tai Sin Temple

The Wong Tai Sin Temple is located in Kowloon City and is dedicated to Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism, paying tribute to the monk Wong Tai Sin. The temple is also dedicated to healing, which is fitting for both ending and starting the year.

The writings from Wong Tai Sin indicate that the place “is a symbol of the wings of a Phoenix, is blessed and it is the most appropriate place to set up a temple to propagate religious doctrines.”

Reflecting on significant religious teachings, you can find yourself solving your existential crises or just finding peace of mind on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Beaches

While spending New Year’s Day at a beach may perhaps be a bit basic, the beaches in Hong Kong are always beautiful and relatively less crowded during the colder months. This makes it a relaxed place to celebrate the new year with close friends and family.

Whether it be the Tai Pak Beach in Discovery Bay, or Repulse Bay Beach – the view of crashing ocean waves and the New Year’s fireworks that glow in the night sky make the perfect combination and activity to mark the new year.

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