10 cool photo spots in Hong Kong: a perfect place for travellers and photographers

As I mentioned in my first-timer’s guide to Hong Kong, it had been on my list for a long time. I knew it was one of the most photogenic destinations out there, and that I’d find no shortage of cool photo spots in Hong Kong once I arrived.

Hong Kong is a dream for street photographers, Instagrammers, and travellers who love documenting their journey through a lens. With its dramatic skyline, colourful neighbourhoods, hidden alleyways and stunning nature, this city blends old and new like nowhere else I’ve been.

No matter what you like, urban chaos or peaceful temples, these 10 cool photo spots in Hong Kong will give you iconic backdrops, dynamic street scenes, and plenty of visual drama. Here are my top 10 favourites.

Dragon’s Back

Since I stayed in Hong Kong for over a week, I wanted to do some hiking and get outside the busyness of the city for a bit of contrast.

Dragon’s Back is a favourite among locals and travellers alike: a scenic ridge hike with panoramic views over Shek O, Tai Tam Bay and the South China Sea. The undulating ridgeline resembles a dragon’s spine, hence the name.

The trail is relatively easy and accessible for most fitness levels, although there’s a warning sign at the entrance advising against it for anyone with mobility issues. Having hiked it myself, I’d agree: it gets steep in places, with loose stones and slippery ground underfoot.

Top tip: Start early in the morning to catch the soft, golden light over the coastline. The Shek O Peninsula Viewing Point is the perfect spot for wide-angle shots.

How to get there: Take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan Station (Island Line), exit A3, then hop on bus number 9. Get off at the To Tei Wan stop, where the trail begins. You’ll need an Octopus Card for the bus. Be warned, this is a popular spot, and the queue for us was long. The bus comes every 15–20 minutes and only takes 16 people at a time. There are also double-decker buses, which we took on the way back, departing from a different stop nearby.

Arsenal Street

Located in Wan Chai, Arsenal Street offers a striking mix of modern and traditional architecture. Head up to the footbridge over the street for an excellent vantage point over the hustle and bustle below.

We stayed in a hotel right on the corner here, and for me, it turned out to be a genuinely perfect location on Hong Kong Island. I did a lot of research before the trip into the best areas to stay and the top hotels to choose from, you can find that full breakdown in my where to stay in Hong Kong guide, if you want to save yourself the legwork.

Top tip: Visit during evening rush hour to photograph the dynamic movement of trams and taxis, with the city’s neon lights adding a vibrant backdrop.

How to get there: Take the MTR to Admiralty Station (Island Line), exit F, and walk towards Arsenal Street. The footbridge sits near the junction with Queensway.

The Monster Building

Officially the Yick Cheong Building, this densely packed residential complex in Quarry Bay has become famous for its symmetrical, slightly overwhelming architecture. The courtyard offers a dramatic perspective that’s made it a magnet for photographers.

There were plenty of people taking pictures when we visited, and an actual queue to get the iconic shot on the stairs with the building looming behind. There are signs stating photography isn’t allowed, but since it’s technically a public space, it seems to be tolerated in practice. Worth being mindful, though, this is somebody’s home, and a constant stream of photographers can’t be much fun to live alongside. There are a few small shops inside the complex, and a nice little souvenir shop with postcards and books, worth popping in and buying something if you’re taking photos here.

Top tip: Use a wide-angle lens to capture the towering facades from within the courtyard. Early morning visits are best for avoiding crowds and harsh shadows. I’ll be honest, this one was tricky for me with a large lens, and not much easier on a phone either.

How to get there: Take the MTR to Quarry Bay Station (Island Line), exit A, and walk along King’s Road to reach the building. There are two separate courtyards worth checking.

The Peak

Victoria Peak offers an iconic view over Hong Kong’s skyline, Victoria Harbour and the surrounding islands. The Sky Terrace 428 gives you a proper panoramic platform to capture the city’s scale, I’d recommend buying a combined ticket if you’re going up.

Top tip: Arrive before sunset to secure a good spot and catch the transition from day to night as the city lights begin to sparkle. Just know that this is also the most crowded window of the day.

How to get there: Take the Peak Tram from the Lower Terminus on Garden Road, or bus number 15 from Central Pier. The queue for the tram was genuinely enormous when we went, easily a thousand people deep. Either pre-book your tram ticket (you’ll still wait, just less) or walk up instead, a steep climb that takes around an hour. We walked down rather than queue, and it spared us a long, frustrating wait.

Choi Hung Estate Basketball Court

Choi Hung Estate is one of the most photographed spots in Hong Kong, and for good reason. This vibrant basketball court, ringed by pastel-coloured residential blocks, has become something of an Instagram sensation. The symmetry and colour palette make for a genuinely playful backdrop.

Top tip: Visit during golden hour for soft light that enhances the pastel tones. Weekday mornings are quieter, giving you more room to shoot without interruption. While you’re in the area, it’s worth visiting the local market too, a good chance to see the daily rhythm of local life beyond the photo spot itself.

How to get there: Take the MTR to Choi Hung Station (Kwun Tong Line), exit C4, and follow the signs to the estate.

Po Lin Monastery

Set on Lantau Island, Po Lin Monastery is home to the towering Tian Tan Buddha. The serene setting and intricate architecture make for a genuinely peaceful photography experience, a real change of pace from the city.

Top tip: Photograph the Buddha from the base of the staircase to really emphasise its scale. The monastery courtyard also offers plenty of detailed shots of traditional Chinese architecture. The monastery itself was wonderfully peaceful and crowd-free, unlike the Buddha statue area, which draws far more visitors.

How to get there: Take the MTR to Tung Chung Station (Tung Chung Line), exit B, then ride the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car to Ngong Ping Village. I’d recommend pre-booking the cable car ticket, it moved noticeably faster with one. I booked a crystal cabin with a glass floor for an extra dramatic view on the way up.

Nathan Road

Nathan Road is one of my favourite photo spots in Hong Kong. I walked this street many times during my stay and took countless photos, I particularly loved the vintage feel of a slightly blurry shot taken just before dark. Known as the “Golden Mile,” Nathan Road is a bustling strip lined with shops, neon signs, and a constant flow of people and vehicles. It’s a quintessential slice of Hong Kong life.

Top tip: Bring a tripod for long-exposure shots of the lights and moving traffic at night, something I didn’t have with me, and regretted. The intersection near Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station offers particularly dynamic scenes.

How to get there: Take the MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui Station (Tsuen Wan Line), exit B1, and walk along Nathan Road.

The Streets of Mong Kok

Mong Kok is sensory overload in the best way, dense markets, street food stalls, and constant street life. It’s a genuine paradise for street photographers chasing candid moments.

Top tip: Explore in the evening, once the neon signs light up the streets. Don’t be afraid to venture into the side alleys for more unusual angles.

How to get there: Take the MTR to Mong Kok Station (Tsuen Wan Line), exits B2 or E2, and let yourself get lost in the surrounding streets. I stayed in this area for a couple of days and would genuinely recommend [this hotel], right at the MTR station and just a few minutes’ walk from all the markets.

Victoria Harbour

Victoria Harbour delivers stunning views over Hong Kong’s skyline, especially during the nightly Symphony of Lights show. The Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade is the prime spot for capturing the illuminated skyline in full.

You can also take a boat tour across the harbour to see both sides from the water, a genuinely different perspective worth doing at least once.

Top tip: Arrive early to set up a tripod and claim a good spot along the promenade. Blue hour, just after sunset, gives the best light. Personally, though, I think any time of day works here, even a hazy afternoon creates its own nostalgic atmosphere.

How to get there: Take the MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui Station (Tsuen Wan Line), exit E, and walk towards the waterfront.

Temple Street

Temple Street Night Market in Yau Ma Tei is a bustling hub of activity, especially after dark. Lined with fortune tellers, street performers, sizzling food stalls and vendors selling everything from electronics to vintage trinkets, this is the kind of place where Hong Kong’s gritty charm really comes through. The glowing neon signs and crowded alleyways make for a rich, atmospheric canvas for street photography, full of movement and character.

Top tip: Arrive just after dusk, when the market comes alive and the lights hit their most vibrant. A fast lens helps with the low-light conditions and any candid portraits you want to capture.

How to get there: Take the MTR to Jordan Station (Tsuen Wan Line), exit A, then walk along Temple Street towards the heart of the market near Yau Ma Tei.

Did you like the post? Pin it for later: