On the Big Bus Hop-on/Hop-off Tour

If you’re visiting Hong Kong, and have passes to the Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus, take the Green Route that goes on the Stanley Tour.

And if you don’t have tickets for the sightseeing bus, let me help you with getting discounted tickets for the Big Bus Tour!
Discounted Big Bus Tickets

By Taxi

You can also take a red taxi to Stanley, but be mindful that it may be expensive depending on where you start. Stanley is located on the southeast side of Hong Kong Island, and it’s a relatively long journey by car from the main city.

And of course, you can always use Google Maps to find you the shortest and quickest mode of transportation to Stanley.

Stanley, Hong Kong

Things To Do In Stanley, Hong Kong

There’s plenty to do in Stanley for everyone. So, here are some of our favourite activities.

1. Shop at the Stanley Market

If you like street shopping then you will love Stanley Market! You can find everything from clothes, toys, and electronics to art, antiques and other collectables here. Stanley Market has something exciting for everyone. Discover quaint curios or cool souvenirs to take home, or linen for your bedroom.

For those of you who are looking for something more high street, check out Stanley Plaza, which is located on the other end of the promenade. Stanley Plaza is three floors of big brands and small boutiques selling clothes, sportswear, bath & body products and even grooming items for pets.

Also, don’t forget to check out the Lover’s Terrace at the Plaza, or go to the top floor for some awesome views. And if you’re in Stanley over the weekend, keep a lookout as there’s something always happening in the arena in front of Stanley Plaza.

2. Dine at Stanley Promenade

Stanley Promenade which overlooks the sea is lined with restaurants, bars, and cafés. The promenade has a very European vibe with its outdoor patio seating, overflowing crowds, and live musicians. It’s a perfect place to sit on a sunny day and enjoy a refreshing cocktail or beer and grab a bite.

The most iconic of all these restaurants is the Beesy Bay (formerly Boathouse Cafe), which stands out because of its bright yellow facade. The restaurants are open all day until 10 pm, so you can come in anytime. Just pick one, get seated and enjoy the experience.

The brightly coloured Beesy Bay restaurant (formerly Boathouse Cafe)

Next to the promenade is also the Stanley Waterfront Mart. This small market also consists of a few (cheaper) eateries and a couple of shops. However, most of the visitors prefer to carry their drinks and sit along the wall and admire the view. We suggest you do the same!

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3. Admire Murray House

Murray House is an iconic landmark in Hong Kong. This 160-year-old building, constructed during colonial times, was originally located in Central, Hong Kong. It was relocated to Stanley in the early 2000s. The three-storied building is now home to numerous restaurants and shops.

Murray House, Stanley, Hong Kong

Walk through the corridors of Murray House, and admire its beautiful window frames and tiles. There are also a couple of restaurants inside. Even if you choose not to dine here, we recommend walking through this building to soak in its colonial architecture. You may also come across some cool photo opportunities to flaunt on Instagram.

4. Stroll through Ma Hang Park

If you need from all that shopping and eating, take a walk through Ma Hang Park. This park, located adjacent to Murray House, is where once the old Ma Hang fishing village was situated. It runs along the shore with plenty of benches to relax and enjoy the views. You can also take the stairs up to the top deck for some unique vistas of Stanley.

Inside the park is also the Pak Tai Temple, once a major temple in the Ma Hang village. The temple was built in 1805 by the Chiu Chow fishermen to worship the Taoist god Pak Tai (God of the North), one of the protectors of the fishermen.

From the temple, you can enjoy the beautiful views of the sea, and can also take the steps down to the rocks along the shore.

Pak Tai Temple, Ma Hang Park

5. Relax at Stanley Beach

Stanley Main Beach is a ten-minute walk from the Stanley market & promenade area. You can rent a beach chair from one of the vendors at the beach or bring your mat and towel to relax. The beach does get very crowded, so we recommend going as early as possible to secure a good spot.

If you are in a big group and are looking for something fun to do, check out “Castles Can Fly” – a company that specialises in sandcastle building entertainment for people of all ages.

6. Hike to the Rhino Rock

If you’re looking for a bit of adventure and exercise in the form of a hike, why not check out a big rock in the shape of a rhino?

Rhino Rock in Stanley, Hong Kong

The Rhino Rock hike is an easy yet challenging hike in Stanley that should only take a couple of hours to complete. You could easily add it to your day’s itinerary and then complement it with another activity on this list.

All the information about the Rhino Rock hike in Stanley can be found in this separate post.

7. Explore the Devil’s Paw & Snoopy Rock

Speaking of odd-looking rocks that resemble things, Stanley’s Chung Hom Kok Peninsula is home to the Devil’s Paw/Devil’s Claw and Snoopy Rock.

The Devil’s Paw gets its name from the weathered, rugged two-toed paw-looking shape. Whereas, the Snoopy Rock resembles a dog’s head.

You can get all the information on exploring the Devil’s Paw/Devil’s Claw and Snoopy Rock in this post.

8. Admire Stanley Blake Pier

The Stanley Blake Pier is another iconic landmark from colonial times, named after the 12th Governor of Hong Kong in the early 1900s. It was originally located in Central and served as a landing place for Governors and British royals. Today, it has been relocated to Stanley, right in front of the Murray House.

When the Hong Kong government decided to dismantle the pier, the roof was put aside for several years until it was relocated to Stanley in 2007 and resumed serving its role as the roof of a pier. Even today you can see the British influence in its architecture. In our opinion, it is the most beautiful pier in all of Hong Kong!

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9. Visit Po Toi Island

Why simply admire Blake Pier, when you can travel from it? Take a trip to Po Toi Island, often referred to as the South Pole of Hong Kong. The island is particularly famous for its seaweed and peculiar rock formations.

The Tsui Wah Ferry Service operates on this route and the timings can be found on their website or the website of the Transport Department. Remember that the ferry service is extremely infrequent except on Sunday when it gets a little better. So, plan your itinerary well ahead. To learn more check out our blog on Po Toi Island.

10. Take the Aqua Luna to Stanley

The Aqua Luna is the iconic red junk boat that appears in all pictures of Hong Kong. Although the boat primarily takes visitors for a ride along Victoria Harbour, it also goes all the way to Stanley and docks at Stanley Blake Pier.

Hong Kong’s iconic Aqua Luna in the middle of Victoria Harbour

One of the reasons why going to Stanley on the Aqua Luna is a fun experience is because you’d get to see a different side of Hong Kong Island while travelling on water. The junk boat travels halfway around the island and on it, we guarantee that you’d get amazing views from Central to Kennedy Town and then the south side of the island, right from Cyberport to Aberdeen.

Click here to learn more about the Aqua Luna Cruise to Stanley and book discounted tickets.

Your Guide to Stanley, Hong Kong

We hope you enjoyed our concise guide on things to do in Stanley, Hong Kong. As always please feel free to share it on the social media platform of your choice.

The pillars outside Murray House