Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin, one of Hong Kong’s most important shrines, happens to be one of its most beautiful, too. Bold reds, yellows and blues adorn the temple’s exterior while ornate latticework hints at the site’s true purpose as a fascinating place of worship for Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. Locals frequently gather here to pray to fourth-century monk Wong Tai Sin for good fortune and the temple is especially crowded during Chinese New Year, Wong Tai Sin’s birthday and on weekends.

Hong Kong has a number of fascinating galleries that don’t cost the earth – or even a cent. The Hong Kong Museum of History, for example, doesn’t charge an admission fee for entry to its permanent exhibitions and the Hong Kong Heritage Museum on the banks of the Shing Mun River does the same. The Hong Kong Science Museum, which boasts over 500 exhibits.

Although the exact age of Man Mo Man Temple is unknown, a brass bell on temple grounds dated 1847 gives a helpful clue. Dedicated to the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo), the temple sits halfway up the impressive Victoria Peak and is a riot of red dotted clusters of spiral incense sticks. No matter how tempting the sight is, remember flash photography isn’t permitted in the temple.

Although Hong Kong is best known for its highrises and buzzing, colourful marketplaces, there’s also an abundance of natural beauty waiting to be explored. There are three beaches in particular worth a visit, less than an hour’s drive from Hong Kong proper: Ham Tin Wan in Sai Kung could rival some coasts in Thailand with its white stretch of sand and surrounding jungle-topped peaks; Big Wave Bay, a surprisingly accommodating spot for keen surfers with its crescent-shaped shore; and Clearwater Bay which is edged by jungle-covered mountains.

Although the mountain-fringed Po Lin monastery feels a world away from Hong Kong, it’s just about an hour’s drive from Central to Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal. From there, you have myriad options for getting to the monastery: bus, cable car (this is the most scenic choice), taxi or by foot – travel time ranges from 25 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on what you choose. Once you arrive you'll be dwarfed by the towering Big Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha), a 34-metre-tall bronze statue of a seated Buddha. Ascend the 268 steps for a closer look and an uninterrupted view of the surrounding valleys and sky-blue ocean.

Before Kowloon Walled City Park was a haven of tranquil gardens, water features, meandering pathways and traditional Yamen (imperial government administrative buildings), it was a densely populated 2.7-hectare knot of 300 high rises, brimming with crime. Now, only few remnants of the buildings are left, scattered among the serene waterways and trees of the park.

If Hong Kong Disneyland can’t be on your family’s to-do list, take the little ones on this one-of-a-kind ride. The Central-Mid-Levels Escalator and walkway system is the world’s longest outdoor covered escalator system, transporting passengers an impressive 800 metres, taking around 20 minutes for the full journey. Just make sure you get your timings right: in the morning from 6am, the direction of travel is down to cater for commuters. After 10:20am, it’s up and away until midnight.

Dating back to the 1930s, Chi Lin Nunnery is a peaceful oasis in the middle of bustling Kowloon with courtyards lined by lotus ponds, bougainvillea gardens and wooden buildings constructed without a single nail. The Buddhist convent is a sanctuary of peace and tranquillity that was originally built in the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907) and designed according to feng shui principles: the buildings face south to the sea, with the mountains at their backs, to provide strength.

Named for the city’s governor from 1982 to 1986, the Edward Youde Aviary of Hong Kong Park features around 530 birds of 60 species fluttering through its 3000 square metres of tropical vegetation. Covered by an impressive mesh dome, this makeshift rainforest also features shallow pools and waterfalls, a tranquil contrast to the bustling city surroundings.

It’s hard to imagine a hike in Hong Kong involving anything other than traversing the city’s lively streets but in actuality, the majority of Hong Kong is open spaces of woodland, wetlands, beaches and mountains. Dragon’s Back, a walk that follows the ridge of a mountain in Shek O on Hong Kong Island, is particularly popular with visitors and, luckily, the amazing view hikers are afforded doesn’t cost a cent. The sightseeing platform at 284 metres from Shek O Peak displays the city’s skyscrapers as well as the scatter of craggy, offshore islands in perfect detail. The 8.5-kilometre trail begins just a 20-minute drive from Central.

23 Experiences You Can Only Have in Hong Kong