Cheap things to do in Hong Kong

Get your culture fix for the low, low price of $10. While some museums in Hong Kong are free to the public like the Hong Kong Space Museum and Hong Kong Heritage Museum, most museums require a small payment to gain entry. Impress your next date by expanding your knowledge on local history, fine arts and astronomy. And it’s not all dry information at these museums. There are plenty of fun interactive exhibitions on display and top quality exhibitions.

Even if you’ve only got $10 in your pocket you can still pop along to Happy Valley Racecourse for the regular Wednesday night shindig. With monthly-themes ranging from Bollywood to Christmas celebrations, the weekly horse racing nights promise plenty of action and excitement on and off the track. And who knows, you might win big with a lucky bet. Not that we endorse gambling, of course.

Hong Kong is a shopaholic’s paradise where you can find cheapest bargains and amazing knock-offs that can easily fool anyone for the real deal. If you’re in need of some retail therapy without blowing the bank, hit up the city’s famous shopping streets including the Mong Kok Ladies' Market for the best in fake brand name fashion items, Golden Computer Arcade in Sham Shui Po for deals on computer parts and accessories, Oriental 188 Shopping Centre to find the best prices for the latest console games and Temple Street Market for some eclectic bric-a-brac.

Break a sweat on two wheels while riding through some of the most picturesque scenery that Hong Kong has to offer. The New Territories is our go-to area for the best cycling routes in the city, in particular the track between Sha Tin and Tai Po, which takes you through the Hong Kong Science Park, the Pak Shek Kok Promenade as well as the Tolo cycling track. All-day bike rental only costs around $30 during the week and hovers around $80-$100 during weekends depending on how successful you are at sweet talking the rental owners.

Thanks to the Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Hongkongers can makes waves out on the sea and enjoy watersports without spending over $30. Pop over to any one of these water centres: Chong Hing Water Sports Centre and Wong Shek Centre in Sai Kung, Stanley Main Beach, St Stephen’s Beach and Tai Mei Tuk, and you can go kayaking, sailing and windsurfing for as low as $16-per-hour on a weekday, and only $27 per hour for more than three-hour rentals. If you’re dying to hit the water, this is the way to go!

Instead of splurging on the latest console game, save some moolah by going retro-gaming. There’s still a handful of old-school game arcades dotted around the city, mostly around Mong Kok. Game Centre in Central is a particular favourite of ours, though. Slot in a $5 coin and start battling with pals on Street Fighter II or strike up a beat on Taiko Drum Master. It’s a super budget-friendly way to spend a couple of hours kicking virtual butt.  

Back in 2015 PMQ ran an experimental art project and pop-up series titled Play Me, I’m Yours to encourage members of the public to join in and play on 16 street pianos and share their happiness amongst strangers. Though the project has now finished, one beautifully decorated piano remains. It can be found tucked away in a corner on the fourth floor and the public is free to jam on the keys. Whether to show off your badass piano skills or simply Chopsticks, take the opportunity to jam and brighten the mood.