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YMT Fruit Market
Photograph: ShutterstockYau Ma Tei Fruit Market

The best Instagram spots in Hong Kong

The city's best places and spaces that your 'gram will love

Jenny Leung
Written by
Jenny Leung
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Picking the best picture-perfect spot in Hong Kong is tough. After all, our city is practically built for Instagram. There are amazing places to admire the sunset, beautiful architecture, scenic cycling routes, and so much more. To help make things easier for you, we've put together a list of some of Hong Kong's most famous Instagram spots, as well as a handful of beautiful, must-visit gems. We'll be updating the list regularly too, so be sure to hit that bookmark button!

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Hong Kong Island 

Kowloon 

New Territories & outlying islands 

RECOMMENDED: If you enjoy basking in nature, Hong Kong has numerous secret islands you can check out. 

Hong Kong Island

Art Lane

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In an attempt to revitalise certain old buildings in Sai Ying Pun and to add kudos to some fancy new residential complexes – thanks, land developers – Ki Ling Lane and Chung Ching Street (next to MTR exit B3) were given a colourful facelift to create Art Lane. Numerous vibrantly coloured murals now decorate the facade of buildings in the area. Whether you’re looking for a kaleidoscopic canvas for your next selfie or you’re simply interested in seeing the neighbourhood in a new light, Art Lane should be a port of call on your next street art tour around Hong Kong. 

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Cape D’Aguilar

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Cape D’Aguilar, at the southeastern tip of Hong Kong Island, provides a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city’s skyscrapers. The lighthouse is a declared monument of Hong Kong and a fortunate survivor of history. However, it’s the magnificent ocean views, incredible mountains, and Insta-worthy sunsets that are the real draw here.

Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum

Located in Kom Tong Hall, Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum is a must-visit at least once in your life. The museum holds a vast array of free exhibitions, memorabilia, and relics of the first provisional president of the Republic of China. You’ll learn about Dr Sun Yat-sen's education in Hong Kong, his revolutionary ideas, and of course, get in tons of great snaps inside the colonial structure.

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Man Mo Temple

Located close to the many nearby antique stores that dot both Hollywood and Cat street, Man Mo Temple is a Grade I historic building and a declared national monument. A place of worship dedicated to the King Emperor Man (the Civil God) and Holy King Emperor Kwan (the Material God), the atmosphere created by the heavy clouds of incense is a world away from the bustle of Central racing past outside.

North Point Fire Station

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Sitting on the edge of the waterfront between Quarry Bay and North Point, the fire station is not your obvious photography spot. But if you get your compositions right, you'll be able to capture one of the most unique photos. Set your camera in front of the Fire Services Headquarters Building (right next to the station) and you'll instantly see the pop of colours from the folding gates and building facade. Wait for a few passersby to get in frame to add a sense of movement to your photo. It'll take you a few tries but the end result is certainly worth it.

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Hong Kong Park

Hong Kong Park is a great place to go if you want to grab a quick nature shot without having to leave the city. There's an artificial lake, waterfalls, a conservatory with all sorts of botanicals, as well as colonial structures such as the Flagstaff House Museum of Teaware and the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre. Take your pick and snap away!

Sai Wan Swimming Shed

The Sai Wan Swimming Shed is the only swimming shed in Hong Kong still open to the public. Carefully tucked away from the sprawl of nearby high-rise buildings, this gem offers a picturesque view of crashing waves and seaside views.

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Tai Kwun

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Tai Kwun is a popular gathering ground for locals and visitors alike for its stunning colonial architecture as well as the abundance of food and drink options available. Aim your camera at the open courtyard from anywhere and you're bound to capture a great photo for the 'gram. You can also head inside the JC Contemporary art gallery and snap a pic of the beautiful spiral staircase. For a fantastic Instagram shot, tell a friend to take a candid snapshot of you walking down the stairs.

The Repulse Bay

Resembling the architectural style of European resort towns, The Repulse Bay is a residential complex with a series of recreation facilities built on the historic Repulse Bay Hotel. The vintage and royal design of the building exudes an elegant grandeur that will not only make your heart flutter, but will also keep your hands busy pressing the shutter button on the camera.

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Yik Cheong Building (Monster Building)

Known for its industrial and residential complexes, Quarry Bay is an ideal spot to capture Hong Kong’s famed urban density. Yik Cheong Building and Montane Mansion are the most well-known locations and were featured in movies like Ghost in the Shell and Transformers: Age of Extinction. In fact, this spot is so popular that a sign has been erected stating visitors should ask for permission before taking photos. However, it has done little to deter the many happy snappers.

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Kowloon

China Hong Kong City

Marvel over China Hong Kong City’s golden walls as they shimmer all around you. Sitting near the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, this Instagram spot is at its best during sunset when its extreme colouring gives off an iridescent glow.

Choi Hung Estate

Something of a local icon thanks to Instagram, the vibrant Choi Hung Estate is a perennial Insta favourite due to its rainbow-coloured facade. Much of it has now faded though, so photo editing skills might be required.

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Dragon Centre

  • Shopping
  • Sham Shui Po

Located on the ninth floor of Dragon Centre is Hong Kong's first and only indoor roller coaster. Sadly, the attraction closed down in 2003 due to safety reasons, but the rails and carts still remain. Since it is still legally licensed, there are regular staff checkups to ensure the entire structure is still safe. If you're lucky, you might be able to catch it going around for a spin.

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Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre (JCCAC)

  • Theatre
  • Shek Kip Mei

Standing nine storeys tall, the JCCAC building was an industrial estate before it was given a facelift and a new lease on life in 2008 when it was reopened as an arts hub. The space now provides venues for burgeoning and established artists alike to display their creations, and also houses a theatre, craft shop and tea house, among other facilities.

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K11 Musea

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With its rustic wall-cladding, curved aluminium panels, and shimmery chandeliers made from iron tubes, the interior of K11 Musea appears to be an otherworldly arcadia. The rooftop garden (featuring a giant peacock slide) and the hovering golden sphere are the two most Instagrammable spots of the complex. Alternatively, head outside for an unobstructed panoramic view of the Victoria Harbour that's as beautiful during the day as it is at night.

Lok Wah South Estate

Feel your major throwback vibes itching? Look no further than Lok Wah South Estate and its beloved circular photo op. This blue-coloured play area whispers childhood memories spent outdoors rather than glued to electronic devices at home. Be sure to visit on a sunny day and wait till the sunlight hits at just the right angle for a more dynamic shot filled with diagonally striped shadows.

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Shek Lei Estate

Most of you might know Shek Lei Estate for its recently revamped basketball court featuring renowned illustrator and toy designer James Jarvis' signature characters, but there's also a beloved gem – a pastel one, to be precise – that's been attracting flocks of Instagrammers from around the city. Located between the Salesian Yip Hon Millennium Primary School and Shek Tai House, sits a beautiful pastel pink pedestrian bridge. No matter which angle you take your shot along the bridge, you really can't go wrong. As always, when it comes to photographing inside housing estates, be mindful of local residents and don't leave any rubbish behind!

Signal Hill Garden

Signal Hill Garden is a quaint little nook that offers a rare bit of serenity in the neighbourhood of Tsim Sha Tsui. There's a great view of the Victoria Harbour at the garden, along with a 62-foot-tall Signal Tower – which became a declared monument in 2015 – that was once used to signal time to mariners and the public. Head up the tower and admire the view from above!

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The Mills

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Formerly the city’s leading textile factory before turning into a cultural landmark, The Mills has plenty of photo ops. You can take a few snaps of the spacious shopfloor, glass link bridge, vintage signages, as well as artsy wall murals.

Wai Yip Street Pedestrian Bridge

There are few pedestrian flyovers anywhere that can boast as many Instagram hits as Wai Yip Street Bridge can. Originally made famous by being a location in hit movie Love in a Puff, the spot is hailed for its cool views and brushed concrete streaked with pale pink and blue. Whether you’re walking nonchalantly into its one-point perspective or perching precariously outside one of the windows, you’re guaranteed plenty of likes with this as background.

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West Kowloon Art Park

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Set against the stunning backdrop of Victoria Harbour, West Kowloon Art Park is a perfect place to capture the city’s gorgeous sunset. Ramble around the park’s open lawn area and head over to the quirky mural by artist and graphic designer Calvin Ho (@AtomicAttack) outside Freespace, or pay the park's signature pavilion a visit to capture the romantic ombre sky at twilight. You can also visit M+ where you'll get to explore all kinds of artworks and take a few dozen snaps for the 'gram while you're there.

Xiqu Centre

Xiqu Centre is a premier performing arts venue dedicated to promoting and celebrating the art form and rich heritage of Chinese opera. Referencing the shapes and curves of traditional Chinese lanterns, the design of the building is aesthetically sleek and streamlined to resemble parted curtains of a theatre stage. It's basically like a huge art installation waiting to be photographed.

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Yau Ma Tei Wholesale Fruit Market

  • Shopping
  • Yau Ma Tei

See a different side to the bustling YMT fruit market and visit around the early evening before wholesale stalls open. The dim street lights and empty shops make for an eerie and hauntingly beautiful side of the fruit market. But if colours and liveliness are what you’re after, head there early in the morning before the retailers open and discover colourful shutter art that your camera will love. Stick around as shops begin to open to shoot workers and shop owners going about their day.

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New Territories & outlying islands

Aircraft Maintenance Area

Looking out to the sea at the end of the runway, the aircraft maintenance area in Hong Kong International Airport is where photography lovers assemble to catch planes jetting off towards the clear sky. This place is also ideal for shooting sunsets, especially with planes flying through, so make sure you check the daily sunset hours beforehand and get there ahead of time to scout out the best IG spot.

Green Time Tunnel

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We might not have a real time-travelling tunnel to travel forward or back in time, but at least there is a fake one in Yuen Long for us to wander through and take a few photos while we're at it. With green corrugated metal walls and a bold bright yellow ceiling, this futuristic-looking background will definitely earn you several more likes.

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Kwong Pan Tin Mural Village

  • Property
  • Tsuen Wan

Known as the 'Hong Kong version of the Rainbow Village', Kwong Pan Tin is a quiet neighbourhood located on the foothill of Tai Mo Shan. Residents and volunteers turned the area into a colourful village filled with wall murals and rainbow staircases, and its Instagram-worthy appeal breathes new life into the area. 

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Pak Shui Wun

Pak Shui Wun is a quiet little nook tucked away behind the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). The small beach gives way to clear sea views where you can see nearby islands, while there's a bridge at the nearby Nature's Harvest organic farm that will give you a bang on photo spot. If you visit via the university's north entrance, you'll walk past a small but no less impressive waterfall too – talk about a paradise or what!

Sai Kung street art

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For 2021's HKwalls street art festival, Sai Kung was given a colourful makeover with an assortment of colourful murals! Explore the neighbourhood and check out stunning wall art by artists such as Kristopher Ho, Zoie Lam, Bo Law, and many more. Click here to discover them all.

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Yim Tin Tsai

Much like Japan's famous art island Naoshima, Hong Kong has its very own art island known as Yim Tin Tsai. Not only is the island filled with art pieces and installations set against lush greenery, but there are also historical buildings to explore such as the St Joseph's Chapel and the Yim Tin Tsai Village Heritage Exhibition Centre – all of which makes a perfect backdrop for an Insta pic.

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