Some of the most interesting activities in Hong Kong happen at the break of dawn when shops are closed and streets are calm. If your early bird kiddos are up at sunrise, take advantage of the moment by exploring one of these cool, early morning outings in Hong Kong! Here are our top 20 recommendations of things to do in Hong Kong in the early morning.
Kodak House 1, 321 Java Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Grab a couple of bagels on the go and head to the beach to build a sandcastle. R&R Bagels opens at 7:30am during the week and 9am on weekends in Central and offers a breakfast menu until 10am. Once you’ve got breakfast covered, catch the ferry to Mui Wo, where you can beach hop from Mui Wo Beach to Pui O and then onto Cheung Sha for a long walk along the water’s edge. Or, take a bus to Southside beaches and have a picnic.
If you are grabbing bagels and breakfast from their Quarry Bay branch, you're in luck as the closest beaches are Shek-O and Big Wave Bay which is just about 20 minutes away by bus from Shau Kei Wan bus terminal.
Want more? Check out our full list of the Best Outdoor Playgrounds In Hong Kong.
Cheung Chau Island is packed on the weekends with hoards of day-trippers renting tandem bikes and pedaling around the island on the hunt for infamous snack stands selling everything from potato chips on sticks and fish balls to dessert soups. Weekdays are a lot more peaceful, and with regular early morning ferries every forty minutes, you have plenty of time to get there and take a stroll along the boardwalk before renting bikes from one of the many stands by the pier. You'll be back in the city by the afternoon or choose to stay there for the entire day if you'd like!
Cheung Chau Island, Ferry Pier, Pier 5, Central, Hong Kong. Click here to check out our guide and video on Cheung Chau Island.
For an easy morning adventure, make your way to Kowloon Park. The huge, lush park has ponds, beautiful birds, flowers and banyan trees in the many themed gardens, and even a maze. It’s also a popular spot to practice tai chi in the mornings, so take a seat and watch or join the fun. There are free guided birdwatching tours every Friday from 7:30am - 9:30am.
Tai Chi at Kowloon Park, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, www.lcsd.gov.hk.
Click here for the Little Steps' Tips to adventure in Kowloon Park!
Founded in 1913, the Yau Ma Tei Fruit market is the oldest in the city dedicated to only fruit. Though there are tales of kung fu masters hiding in the stalls back in the day, now 70% of all fruit that enters Hong Kong does so via this bustling market within walking distance to Elements. Get there between 2am-6am to see wholesalers at work selling the freshest fruits in the city, and be sure to sample a few!
Yaumatei Wholesale Fruit Market, Shek Lung Street & Reclamation Street, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong
Once a Chinese imperial fort, the Kowloon Walled City remained Chinese territory during British colonial rule. However, the remaining troops were forced to vacate, and the city became an enclave for criminals. Kowloon Walled City Park is now a testament to Hong Kong’s history and the pristine Jiangnan-style gardens with its pretty pagodas and ponds are open to the public as of 6:30am everyday.
Kowloon Walled City Park, Tung Tsing Rd, Kowloon City, Hong Kong, www.lcsd.gov.hk.
Click here for the Little Steps' outing to Kowloon Walled City Park!
Lin Heung Teahouse, 160-164 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2544 4556, https://www.openrice.com/
Want more? Read on for more places on where to go for The Best Family-Friendly Places For Dim Sum In Hong Kong
Long before there were skyscrapers, Hong Kong was a fishermen’s paradise. Get to the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market early to see all manner of fish. This is an excellent way to teach your kiddos about marine life, and if you have the appetite for an early lunch, head to the Aberdeen Fish Market Canteen afterwards. Open from 4am to 2pm for business.
Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market, 102 Shek Pai Wan Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong
Head over to either one of these quick, easy breezy hikes to get that cardio in! These hikes take more or less about 45 minutes to an hour depending on your speed, and whether or not you're either with friends, pets or kids. There are a few inclines and slopes. What's amazing is you'll also end up with views of different parts of the city.
We recommend:
Want more? Here are some inspirations for family hikes under 2 hours in HK.
Chi Lin Nunnery, 5 Chi Lin Drive, Diamond Hill, Hong Kong, www.chilin.org.
Beat the crowds! If you're up early and you want to tire out your kiddos, do the challenging hike from Tung Chung up to The Big Buddha (the hike takes approximately 3-4 hours, up a flight of never-ending stairs).
It is best to start the hike in the early morning, so you can arrive at the Po Lin Monastery, which opens at 9am, and The Big Buddha right when it opens at 10am. With all that walking, you'll surely be hungry so make sure to grab lunch with the many restaurants around the area.
Big Buddha, Ngong Ping Road, Lantau Island, Hong Kong, www.plm.org.hk.
One of the most famous temples in the city, Wong Tai Sin is often packed with bus tours who flock to the temple claiming “to make every dream come true upon request”. The celebrated attraction is home to Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, with religious structures dedicated to each. Get here early on a weekday and appreciate the calm environment of the feng shui-friendly structures representing the five elements.
The temple opens at 7:30am, ideal for early-risers!
Wong Tai Sin Temple, 2 Chuk Yuen Village, Wong Tai Sin, Hong Kong, www.siksikyuen.org.hk.
Residents of Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay are always seen embarking on one of the many hikes in the area, and it does get quite busy in the weekend and on public holidays with people coming in from the city. For a smooth and refreshing morning hike past wooded areas, deserted Chinese houses, and arriving at a white sand beach, nothing beats Tai Long Wan. Follow up the hike with a taxi boat back to Sai Kung and brunch at one of the family-friendly restaurants in the town square.
Tai Long Wan, Sai Wan Road, Saikung, Hong Kong. Click here for details.
Want more? Here's a list of Hikes With Kids In Hong Kong!
There are numerous stroller-friendly walks around town with easy access to cute coffee shops and great views of the sea. For those on the Westside, we recommend popping by Little Cove Espresso in Kennedy Town then head to Sun Yat Sen Park.
We recommend:
Venture to Victoria Park and walk around the numerous gardens, play tennis or simply watch adults race their motorized miniature boats across the makeshift pond, plus there are several playgrounds for kids. Afterward, make your way to the Hong Kong Central Library (opens at 10am) and browse through the extensive children’s book collection with numerous English and foreign language books on offer. And for a sweet finale, head over to Elephant Grounds at Fashion Walk for a cup of coffee and ice cream sandwiches for all!
For the Top 10 Libraries to Visit In Hong Kong - click here!
Diving into one of the city’s many indoor and outdoor pools is a great way for your munchkins to get some exercise while having a blast! Hong Kong public pools are hygienic and cleaned weekly, so it’s best to check individual pools to see which day they’re closed. All public pools are open from 6:30am, though, to avoid the pre-office crowds, it’s advisable to arrive at 9am with your water-loving tribe ready to take the plunge.
Public Pools, www.lcsd.gov.hk
Want more? Click on and check out Little Steps guide on Top Outdoor Pools In HK!
If you’re tired of your daily toast and cereal routine, spoil yourselves with an excellent breakfast in town, whether you are looking for Western or even an Asian-style breakfast check out our recommendations!
We recommend:
Want more? Read on for more ideas on where to go For The Best Family-Friendly Breakfast Spots In Hong Kong
For an updated list of museums and exhibitions to visit in Hong Kong right now, click here!
Yes, you've read that right! You can watch a movie at any of the major cinemas in Hong Kong and there are showings as early as 9:15am. And... prices are usually cheaper than showings during the day! Super ideal for movie junkies and you can avoid spoilers from friends and family too.
Make sure to check the ticketing website for inquiries so you can get that booking in!
We recommend:
Click on for a list of The Best Movie Theatres For Families In Hong Kong!
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