The 7 alternative ways to celebrate the New Year

Characterised by a conglomerate of urban skyscrapers that are jam-packed against the sky and overlooking the Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong’s skyline is truly one of the most iconic and postcard-worthy sceneries in the world. To take truly memorable sunset pictures for the ‘gram, head to the best spots in the city to catch the sunset like The Peak, the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter, or hike to High West (Sai Ko Shan). For the ultimate romantic experience, have a picnic under the stars with your partner at West Kowloon Art Park.

If the thought of getting in touch with nature (waterfalls, anyone?) while embracing the first rays of the new year sounds idyllic to you, look no further – we’ve got it all planned out for you. Whether you’re a morning person who prefers a good night’s sleep before waking up nice and early, or a night owl who likes to stay up partying until the wee hours, our round-up of night hikes, as well as sites for stargazing, camping, and glamping would give you plenty of ideas for your sunrise itinerary. For an active start to 2024, try these short hikes and walks on the first day of the new year. For those looking for even lesser-known routes in Hong Kong, check out these heritage trails and alternative hikes.

While crowds inevitably throng both sides of Victoria Harbour for the New Year’s Eve fireworks, why not board a boat and wave goodbye to year from a different vantage point? NYE night cruise options include a buffet party cruise on the Harbour Cruise Bauhinia ($1,880), or the New Year fireworks cruise with Oriental Harbour Cruise ($1,499). The traditional Chinese junk boat Duk Ling also runs a holiday special cruise ($280) on December 31, but this coincides with the Symphony of Lights music and laser show, and not the NYE fireworks.

Even if you’re more of a homebody, you can still let your hair down by setting up your own bar at home. We’ve got a collection of recipes for DIY cocktails from Hong Kong’s bartenders in case you need some inspiration. Grab a couple of close friends to each bring some food, stick on some songs that will get any Hongkonger hyped, and enjoy not having to rub shoulders with any strangers.

If you’re tired of staring at the same four walls at home, then you’ll probably benefit from some peace and quiet at a relaxing staycation. Luckily for us, there are a variety of staycation packages around the city to cater to your every need. From coastal getaways to pet-friendly hotels, you’ll definitely be able to find the perfect refuge for yourself and your loved ones this New Year.

There’s nothing better than a cosy winter night in with a warm cuppa in hand and some good telly. For some chill New Year vibes from the comfort of your couch, look no further than classic Hong Kong romcoms, Studio Ghibli favourites, comedic masterpieces starring Stephen Chow, as well as our ultimate list of Hong Kong’s best movies so that you wouldn’t run out of things to watch this season.

This one’s for the ‘new year, new me’ gang. It’s never too late to hop on the hiking bandwagon but don’t fret even if you’re just starting out – we’ve got your back with our compilations of the most accessible hikes on Hong Kong island, and best local hikes for beginners. If you need extra motivation, have a go at these Nintendo Switch programmes to up your fitness game, head to these scenic spots for a jog, or get your friends to hype you up when you post about cycling on these Instagrammable routes. Health is a mindset that you can cultivate!