Where to Go for the Best Street Art in Hong Kong

Hong Kong street art is some of the best in the world, featuring pieces by artists from all corners of the globe. Don’t miss these vibrant neighbourhoods!

Over the past few years, street art has truly taken off in Hong Kong. The appearance of mainstream street art is a relatively new phenomena and culture in this metropolitan city.

Many local and international artists are leaving their mark in the form of captivating murals – there’s nothing cookie-cutter about the street art pieces in Hong Kong!

This makes Hong Kong one of the most colourful places to explore, and you can easily spend an afternoon or two walking around the various neighborhoods and stumbling upon funky and colorful street art hidden down tiny side streets.

Going on a self-guided street art tour is one of the most unique things to do in Hong Kong!

If you are a street art-loving traveler who is excited to explore new destinations around the world, here’s what you should know if you are planning a trip to Hong Kong!

Quick Hong Kong travel must-knows

✈️ To get into Hong Kong you’ll need to fly into Hong Kong International Airport. A cab from the airport to the city costs approximately HK$350-450 and typically takes less than 45 minutes/1 hour from door-to-door, or you can pre-book your private airport pick up or drop off here.

The fastest and most efficient way to get into Hong Kong from the airport is via the Airport Express train which stops at Tsing Yi, Kowloon and Hong Kong. Once you have arrived at one of the stations you can hop on a bus, train or taxi to get you to your accommodation.

One of the best ways to not stand out as a visitor when you’re traveling abroad is to look like you know where you’re going and what you’re doing. Before you take the Airport Express train, purchase your ticket ahead of time like the locals do – a voucher containing a QR code will be e-mailed to you immediately so you don’t waste time queuing for a physical ticket.

🛂 Most visitors to Hong Kong do not require a visa for entry. See here for more details.

💱 The local currency is the Hong Kong dollar. Most places accept Visa or Mastercard, and I’d say 40-50% of places will also accept American Express.

📱 Buy a local SIM card. You can get a 7 day Hong Kong tourist SIM card and pick it up from the airport on arrival.

🎟️ Most tour operators, car charters, spas and major attractions are listed on Klook. Just click here and search for places you want to go, and book online for discounted entry or head on over here to read more about how to use Klook to book travel experiences.

🚗 There are plenty of cheap, safe and clean transportation options to help get you around the city. The last subway train and bus typically departs around midnight, and metered taxis can be found on every street corner. On Hong Kong island and Kowloon the taxis are painted red (they are green in the New Territories and blue on Lantau Island).

One of the first things you have to do when you arrive in Hong Kong is get an Octopus card. It is a stored value card that works on all public transportation (but not in taxis). You can purchase your tourist Octopus card in advance here – pick it up from the airport when you arrive, and it comes with HK$50 already pre-loaded.

🌤️ Weather in Hong Kong: The summer months (July to September) are are hot, humid and occasionally stormy, and it can get blistering cold during the winter months (December to February). The best time to visit Hong Kong for milder weather is typically from March to early June, and late September to November.

🌐 Language in Hong Kong: The main language spoken in Hong Kong is Cantonese, a local dialect. Many people speak English (or at least basic English), and almost all signs are bilingual.

🗓️ Wondering how many days to spend in Hong Kong? For a first time visitor looking to visit the top attractions in Hong Kong I would recommend spending no fewer than 3-4 days in the city. If you plan on embarking on any Hong Kong day trips or exploring the city off the beaten track, you should set aside 5-10 days for your Hong Kong itinerary.

🛏️ Booking hotels in Hong Kong: Most visitors opt to book hotels on Hong Kong island or on Kowloon side. I usually recommend visitors to check out hotels in Wan Chai, Central, Soho, Sheung Wan and Causeway Bay.

There are some fantastic boutique hotels in Hong Kong: I personally recommend The Fleming (a boutique hotel in Wan Chai which features Hong Kong-inspired design and décor); The Hari (a sophisticated hotel with functional, stylish rooms); Little Tai Hang (a modern, cozy hotel in a quiet neighborhood on the edge of Causeway Bay; Tuve (an industrial-chic boutique hotel in Causeway Bay); Ovolo Central (a funky homegrown hotel in the heart of Central); Island Shangri-La (a legacy luxury hotel in Admiralty) as well as The Murray (a luxury heritage hotel between Central and Admiralty, within walking distance of Hong Kong Park).

For more Hong Kong insider tips on the best places to visit, where to eat and where to stay check out this collection of Hong Kong destination guides!

Now that we have the Hong Kong travel 101 out of the way, here are some neighborhoods rich in street art culture in Hong Kong that you won’t want to miss.

1. Soho and Sheung Wan

Though Soho and Sheung Wan are only a stone’s throw from Central, the city’s main commercial and business district, these neighborhoods are as eclectic as they come. There are cocktail bars, speakeasies, retail shops, art galleries, boutique hotels, heritage sites, temples, restaurants and pockets of residential areas scattered around Soho and Sheung Wan.

For those looking for the best graffiti in Hong Kong start at Graham Street and walk along Hollywood Road towards Sheung Wan and the hip Tai Ping Shan area.

Keep your eyes peeled as there are pieces high and low – the HKWalls organization has held four iterations of its annual street art festival in these neighborhoods. Check out the maps from 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2023 here.

Don’t miss: The colourful facade next to the G.O.D. shop on Graham Street by Alex Croft; the Bruce Lee mural by Xeva on Tank Lane; the geometric patterned mural by Pasha Wais on Square Street (now replaced by new murals by Jurne and Lauren YS); the gorgeous red ladies by Neil Wang on Square Street; the laughing woman by Elsa de Jean De Dieu on Peel Street.

2. Sai Ying Pun

Once largely a residential neighborhood, Sai Ying Pun has been the new “cool kid” in town for only a couple of years. A mix of the traditional “Old Hong Kong” and new, hipster shops and cafes, Sai Ying Pun (or “SYP”) is home to ARTLANE, a project by a local real estate developer.

A handful of streets around Ki Ling Lane, Shek Chan Lane and Chung Ching Street have been transformed into a multi-coloured canvas for vibrant murals by Hong Kong and international artists. Navigate through the little side streets and nooks and crannies to see all of what ARTLANE has to offer.

If you love taking street photos you should also venture along Des Voeux Road West to snap some candid shots of the traditional dried seafood and Chinese herb shops. It can be reached easily by hopping on the MTR to Sai Ying Pun on the Island line (blue), and taking exit B3.

Wondering where to go to take street photos in Hong Kong? Here are some of the best places for street photography in the city!

Planning your Hong Kong trip and not sure where to stay? Click here to book accommodation in Hong Kong!

You may want to check out Ovolo Central (a boutique hotel right above Lan Kwai Fong in Central), The Figo (a funky modern city hotel conveniently located between Sai Ying Pun and Sheung Wan) or Island Shangri-La (a luxury Hong Kong heritage hotel).

3. Wan Chai

I just love Wan Chai. Wan Chai is one of the best places in Hong Kong to explore traditional culture and heritage, and has so much character that sometimes I feel like I never need to leave. And since HKWalls’ 2019 street art festival in Wan Chai, I’m lucky enough to spot world-class street art in Hong Kong on my daily dog walks around the neighborhood. I was even fortunate enough to actually be in Hong Kong during the festival and caught a few of the artists in action!

In Wan Chai, start on Queen’s Road East near Hopewell Centre and make your way towards Morrison Hill Swimming Pool – make sure you explore all the different side streets as there are some smaller murals tucked away from prying eyes.

Don’t miss: The Huskey by Yopey on Kennedy Street; the “Knowledge Girl” by Fluke on Oi Kwan Road; the psychedelic wheel by INSA and neon street art by the KWAN CLAN on Oi Kwan Road; Joker & Gus Eagleton’s massive animal mural outside the SPCA.

4. Wong Chuk Hang

Largely an industrial area in southern Hong Kong, Wong Chuk Hang is not on the typical tourist radar.

For those in the know, the warehouses and industrial buildings are home to spacious galleries, showrooms, restaurants and homegrown breweries.

What you might not expect from Wong Chuk Hang is the Hong Kong graffiti that adorns its streets. The area hosted the fourth edition of HKWalls’ Hong Kong street art festival in 2017, and to this day a number of vibrant murals still remain. Hop on the MTR and get off at Wong Chuk Hang station on the light green line, exit A1 or A2. The vast majority of the street art pieces are within this three block radius.

Don’t miss: The cartoon mural by SEENAEME and Messy Desk next to the Wong Chuk Hang playground; the graffiti dragon by SPOK on Heung Yip Road; the Blue Girl by SNIK on Yip Fat Street.

5. Sham Shui Po

Sham Shui Po is a bustling neighborhood on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong, filled with local markets and craft shops. The streets of Sham Shui Po always appear to be pulsing with frenetic activity on the surface, yet if you take a closer look the local residents are often found bonding and catching up on the daily gossip and chitter-chatter on street corners.

This traditional neighborhood is also home to some of the coolest street art in Hong Kong, visible between one of the many fabric shops or tucked away next to a secondhand electronics store.

Make an afternoon of exploring Sham Shui Po and take a break in one of its many third-wave coffee shops – it’s one of the most unique places to visit in Hong Kong.

Don’t miss: The insta-famous geometric bear by Okuda; the gorgeous pair of birds by Clogtwo; the funky fish by Dmojo.

Looking for the perfect base for your city exploration adventures? I’m a big fan of The Fleming (a Hong Kong-inspired boutique hotel in Wan Chai), The Hari (a sophisticated luxury hotel steps away from Wan Chai MTR station) and Little Tai Hang (a quiet boutique hotel on the fringe of Causeway Bay). You can also explore other accommodation options in Hong Kong!

6. Sai Kung

This charming seaside town hosted the latest HKwalls street art and mural festival in 2021. Located in the far northeast corner of Hong Kong, the village is a popular weekend destination for city dwellers looking for a breath of fresh air (literally).

Head to the main waterfront promenade to watch fishermen sail back in and hawk their daily haul, or hop on a boat to one of the many beaches scattered off the coast. My favourite is Tai Long Wan, a pristine bay that is home to some of Hong Kong’s best beaches. Make sure you venture through the small streets of Sai Kung village to spot some of the newest Hong Kong street art, and grab some Aussie-style brunch at Little Cove Espresso afterwards.

The most recent Hong Kong street art festival featured 22 Hong Kong-based artists who lovingly created new street art around Sai Kung town. One of the easiest ways to get to Sai Kung is via minibus number 1A which departs from Choi Hung MTR station, or it’s a HK$300-or-so taxi journey from Hong Kong island.

Don’t miss: the woman and chrysanthemum by Taka, Carol Bellese Choi’s gorgeous flower mural, and Devil’s “Sai Kung” graffiti.

Bonus: The Mills in Tsuen Wan

The Mills is a heritage landmark that was once the site of working textile factories – its history and preservation makes it one of the most unique places to visit in Hong Kong. Today, it has been revitalized and is a destination for boutiques, coffee shops, eco-living hubs and even a start-up incubator.

I’ve added The Mills as a fantastic place to see street art in Hong Kong as it showcases half-a-dozen pieces of seriously retro and vintage-inspired street art. However, it’s on this list as a “bonus” because the journey to get there is extremely long and can take up to an hour if you’re staying on Hong Kong Island. The Mills also only has a handful of street art murals along the entrance, so if your primary goal is to see street art in Hong Kong I wouldn’t necessary schlep over to Tsuen Wan.

That being said, if you have the time to spare and don’t mind the long travel time then The Mills is a great place to visit for the day – head there for a leisurely lunch, grab a coffee, check out the murals and immerse yourself in a corner of old Hong Kong.

Insider tip: If you really want to delve into the street art culture in Hong Kong, follow HKwalls, a non-profit arts organization that hosts annual street art festivals in the city.

The beauty of street art is that it’s not everlasting, which means that the mural you see today might not be there tomorrow! So make sure you take the time to explore these Hong Kong neighborhoods and catch the labors of love created by talented artists.

Have you seen the street art in Hong Kong? What was your favourite piece?

Wondering where to stay in Hong Kong? Look into hotels in Wan Chai, Central, Soho, Sheung Wan and Causeway Bay so you have easy access to public transportation – click here to book accommodation in Hong Kong!

You may want to check out TUVE (a small industrial-chic boutique hotel just next to Causeway Bay), Ovolo Central (a funky boutique hotel in the heart of the city) or The Murray (a luxury design hotel in Central which used to serve as government offices).

Headed to Hong Kong? You might also enjoy these guides:

• Check out these seriously colourful attractions in Hong Kong
• Photography lovers need to read this article on where to go for street photos of Hong Kong
• There’s much more to see than Victoria Peak – read on for the hidden gems and non touristy things to do in Hong Kong
• First time to the city and not sure what to expect? Here are some things to know before you travel to Hong Kong and iconic sights to explore and things to do

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