Hong Kong, China | World’s Best Cities

Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong’s dynamism has always been rooted in its remarkable diversity. In a single day, visitors can experience a fishing village just an hour from downtown, relax on a sun-drenched beach, shop in either a glittering modern mall or a timeless back-alley market, indulge in globally renowned cuisine, and finish the evening in one of the city’s countless vibrant bars or cafés. Despite its political turbulence and Beijing’s tightening grip, the city still radiates pride and passion, holding strong at #4 for both Lovability and Livability.

Hong Kong continues to look forward with ambitious projects that are shaping its skyline and enriching its cultural scene. One such landmark is the West Kowloon Cultural District, a 100-acre marvel of reclaimed land along Victoria Harbour, designed by Foster + Partners. After 30 years of anticipation, the district has delivered world-class museums, performance spaces and sprawling parkland, offering much-needed breathing room for this dense metropolis. The city’s twin #6 rankings in our Museums and Shopping subcategories will only improve. For decades, Hong Kong’s reputation as a “cultural desert” overshadowed its culinary and commercial prowess. That perception is now obsolete. The West Kowloon Cultural District is a testament to the city’s artistic evolution, anchored by venues like the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which opened in 2022. With its ingot-inspired design, the museum houses treasures from China’s imperial past, including Ming dynasty ceramics and artifacts from the Forbidden City.

Nearby, the waterfront Art Park invites joggers, picnickers and museum-goers to unwind in green spaces dotted with cafés and eateries—a perfect spot for sunset views and experiencing the city’s #2 ranking for Nature & Parks. Freespace, the district’s versatile performance center, supports experimental theater and live music, while M+ rivals international powerhouses like MoMA with works by Ai Weiwei and an impressive design collection. The Xiqu Centre, with its shimmering fish-scale facade, champions Cantonese opera, offering an architectural respite even for those unfamiliar with the art form.Yet challenges persist. In the Kai Tak district, once envisioned as a gleaming hub of residential luxury, falling property prices have left many homeowners with underwater mortgages.