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From Hong Kong Wetland Park to the Botanical Garden, there are plenty of wonderful places to watch wild animals, farm animals, fish, birds and more in Hong Kong. Here are some of the best places to see and interact with Hong Kong animals.
Did you know that March 3 is World Wildlife Day? Why not celebrate it with the family by taking your children to some of the great places where you can see and teach children about the wide variety of animals in Hong Kong? It’s also a great excuse to get outside and enjoy the temperate weather, as well as visit some parts of Hong Kong that you and your family may not have ventured out to yet. Here are some of the best places in the city to see (and sometimes touch!) a variety of critters.
Editor’s note: We at Sassy Mama care very much about how animals are treated and housed. If you visit any of the locations mentioned here and see something you don’t like, you can contact the Hong Kong SPCA on its 24-hour hotline: 2711 1000 or contact the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).
Jump To:
Where To See Animals On Hong Kong Island
Where To See Animals In Kowloon
Where To See Animals In The New Territories
Read More: Pet Adoption In Hong Kong – Animal Charities And Rescue Organisations
Where To See Animals On Hong Kong Island
Edward Youde Bird Aviary
There are more than 600 birds and 70 different species at the Edward Youde Bird Aviary, which has been open to the public since 1992. The birds here are mostly indigenous to the region and there is a raised walkway so you can catch all the birds in action without disturbing them. The facility is enclosed by 3,000 square metres of mesh, with an emphasis on preserving the already existing trees and foliage.
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm daily
Edward Youde Bird Aviary, Hong Kong Park, 19 Cotton Tree Drive, Central, Hong Kong, 2521 5041, hkpmo@lcsd.gov.hk, www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/parks
Cat Island Café at Cat Store
Rumour has it, that this cat café is one of the oldest in the world! Cat Island Café, formerly known as Ah Meow and Cat Store, has been open in Hong Kong for 18 years. This small, quaint and warm café has a delightful mix of cats with a variety of personalities. The cats are well-loved at this café and with a variety of vegetarian options and kid-friendly meals (that are all cat-inspired), this is a great place to take the family if you need a little kitty fix.
Admission: Entry is free, menu items start at $48
Opening Hours: 12pm to 9pm daily
Cat Island Café at Cat Store, 3/F, Flat D, Po Foo Building, 84-94 Percival Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 2710 9953, catisland2018@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/阿貓地攤與貓仙島-Cat-Island-Cafe
Ocean Park Hong Kong
Ocean Park is one of Hong Kong’s biggest amusement venues with plenty of animals and rides to partake in and enjoy. Pandas, sharks, stingrays, dolphins, penguins, sea lions, walruses and large manta rays are some of the headline animals to see at Ocean Park. The venue has scrapped it’s widely criticised dolphin show, which has been replaced with a Marine Mammal Caretaking Workshop.
Admission: $360 per adult; $280 per child
Opening Hours: 10am to 6pm
Ocean Park, 180 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, 3923 2323, www.oceanpark.com.hk
Read More: Visiting Ocean Park Hong Kong With Kids – Ocean Park Rides, Animals, Tips And More
Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens
As the oldest park on the island, the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens were built in 1860. The gardens cover a 5.6-hectare area and include a fountain and play area, as well as a few memorials. The zoo compromises a variety of birds and mammals, including two orangutans. Like Ocean Park, it has come under scrutiny from international animal welfare organisations for the unnatural habitation and lack of psychological stimulation for its larger mammals.
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: 9am to 4:30pm
Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, Albany Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2530 0154, dmhkzbg@lcsd.gov.hk, www.lcsd.gov.hk
Places To See Hong Kong Animals In Kowloon
Jurassic Garage
If your kids want to get hands-on experience with some fascinating critters then talk to Toni Kingston at Jurassic Garage, a mobile educational experience that caters to schools, kids and adults parties, as well as photoshoots with an emphasis on education. It has everything from snakes, hedgehogs, iguanas, giant tortoises and more, plus it offers phobia treatment and snake removal services.
Admission: Make your booking here.
Opening Hours: Depending on booking and availability.
Jurassic Garage, WhatsApp: 9042 8438, snake@jurassicgarage.hk, www.jurassicgarage.hk
Read More: Sassy Mama’s Guide To Party Entertainers
Kuri Café – Home of Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are wonderful little creatures that are full of personality and if you or your family have never seen one before, you are in luck! The Kuri Café in Kowloon Bay is Hong Kong’s first hedgehog café featuring 13 pygmy hedgehogs for your viewing pleasure, along with scrumptious hedgehog-inspired food and drinks. The owners of Kuri Café aim to educate potential pet owners about how wonderful hedgehogs are as pets and how to look after them.
Admission: Entry is free; prices for menu items start at $58.
Opening Hours: 12pm to 10pm
Kuri Café, Tak Bo Garden Block B, 3 Ngau Tau Kok Road, Jordan Valley, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 9297 9821, www.facebook.com/kuricafe
Places To See Hong Kong Animals In The New Territories
Hong Kong Dolphin Watch
Did you know that Hong Kong has pink dolphins? These rare and endangered animals have been spotted in Hong Kong over the last 300 years and are under threat due to their polluted and crowded habitats. Hong Kong Dolphin Watch started in 1995 to provide educational tours to the public and to support further research on these little-known animals. Tours take place on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, departing from Tung Chung and are around 3 to 4 hours in length.
Admission: $460 per adult; $230 per child under 12 years; $50 per child under 3 years.
Opening Hours: 9am to 6pm
Sassy Mama Tip: While the boat departs from Tung Chung, in-town pickup is offered from Tsim Sha Tsui.
Hong Kong Dolphin Watch, 2984 1414, info@hkdolphinwatch.com, www.hkdolphinwatch.com
Read More: That Mama: Janet Walker, Spokesperson Of Hong Kong Dolphin Watch
Go Green Organic Pineapple Farm
At Go Green Organic Pineapple Farm you’ll see how pineapples are grown and a variety of animals including goats, rabbits and even alpacas! The staff are attentive to the animals and visitors, although you’ll have to pay an additional $60 to enter the alpaca enclosure.
Go Green Organic Farm, Si Pai Shek, Kam Tin, Yuen Long, New Territories, Hong Kong, 5579 2178, info@gogreenlife.com.hk, www.gogreenlife.com.hk
Read More: Go Green Organic Pineapple Farm: Pineapples, Playgrounds And Alpacas
Hong Kong Wetland Park
Located in Tin Shui Wai in the New Territories, Hong Kong Wetland Park holds 61 hectares of diverse wetland as well as a modern and beautiful visitor centre, exhibition galleries, theatre, souvenir shop and indoor play area. It’s home to a variety of birds, insects, turtles, rodents, small mammals, amphibians, fish, spiders and even a crocodile named Pui Pui! It’s extremely family and stroller-friendly, and with the size and range of activities available, you can easily make a day of it.
Admission: Adults – $30; children – $15
Opening Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays to Sundays from 10am to 5pm; closed on Tuesdays except for public holidays.
Hong Kong Wetland Park, Wetland Park Road, Tin Shui Wai, New Territories, Hong Kong, 3152 2666, info@wetlandpark.gov.hk, www.wetlandpark.gov.hk
Read More: Hong Kong Wetland Park — An Eco Day Trip To Hong Kong’s Wetlands
Kadoorie Farm and Botanical Garden
Kadoorie Farm is an active organic farm, garden and wildlife sanctuary that initially started as a way to provide agricultural aid to poor farmers in the New Territories in 1956. The farm’s animals are all rescued and unable to return to their wild settings, but the enclosures are very well maintained and mimic their natural environment well. You’ll see hawks, owls, parrots, boars, small reptiles, alligators, flamingos and even a couple of Asian leopard cats. You can also visit the exclusively vegetarian cafe, with the ingredients coming directly from the farm.
Admission: $50 per adult; $25 per child; $20 for adults over age 60′ entry is free for children under 5 years.
Opening Hours: 9:30am to 5pm daily, except certain closing days.
Kadoorie Farm and Botanical Garden, Lam Kam Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, 2483 7200, info@kfbg.org, www.kfbg.org
Mai Po Nature Reserve
The Mai Po Nature Reserve is a World Wildlife Federation (WWF) area and is listed under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance of Hong Kong, so while individual access is restricted, you can book guided tours to view the beautiful marshes. Over 90,000 birds naturally migrate to the Mai Po Nature Reserve every winter, plus are also some beautiful mangroves and a vibrant insect, fish and mudskipper population.
Admission: WWF organises visits to Mai Po Nature Reserve suitable for individual visitors, students and teachers, and specialists. Book your spot here.
Opening Hours: Daily 9am to 5pm,
Mai Po Nature Reserve, Mai Po, Yuen Long, New Territories, Hong Kong, 2526 1011, www.wwf.org.hk
Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park
Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park is another WWF offering here in Hong Kong. The marine park has over 60 different species of gorgeous corals and 120 different fish species. It offers an educational guided tour for kids aged five and over with all kids under 18 required to have parental accompaniment.
Admission: $300 with discounts for multiple tickets.
Opening Hours: Thursday to Sunday and public holidays; 10am to 5pm
Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park, Hoi Ha Wan, Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong, 2526 1011, hhwmlc@wwf.org.hk, www.wwf.org.hk
Kam Shan Country Park
Kam Shan Country Park is the place to go if you want to see monkeys. It has some beautiful hiking near the Kowloon Reservoir and is famous for its macaque population. Kam Shan Country Park is also home to many birds and squirrels, so it’s a great way to get the family outside and show them some real wild animals.
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Kam Shan Country Park, Golden Hill Road, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, www.afcd.gov.hk
Tuen Mun Reptile House
The Tuen Mun Reptile House is a small gem in the New Territories. Located inside Tuen Mun Park, which is conveniently beside the MTR, it holds 52 different live exhibits with 29 different species of reptiles from around the world. The Reptile House has an indoor and outdoor courtyard exhibit in which you can view a wide variety of reptiles like jungle carpet pythons, veiled chameleons, boa constrictors, Thai-water dragons and more.
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: 9am to 6pm daily
Tuen Mun Reptile House, Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road, Tuen Mun, New Territories, Hong Kong, 2451 1144, www.lcsd.gov.hk
Clearwater Bay Equestrian
Have a horse-crazy kid? Get them riding at the Clearwater Bay Equestrian Centre. The CEEC is a private member-based club that offers riding options to non-members. Non-members are able to book private lessons, one-hour rides and assessments. It even offers a package for children between the ages of four and five.
Admission: See full price list here.
Opening Hours: Daily at various timeslots, refer to schedule here.
Clearwater Bay Equestrian, Lung Ha Wan Road, Clearwater Bay, New Territories, Hong Kong, 6398 6241, info@ceec.hk, www.ceec.hk/non-member-riding
Hong Kong Snake Safaris
Established by nature enthusiast and snake catcher for the Hong Kong Police William Sargent, Hong Kong Snake Safaris takes small groups on night safari hikes (kids over 8 years old are welcome!) to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. It organises public and private snake safaries as well as special excursions to the remote uninhabited islands.
Admission: Public snake safaris from $600 per adult and $450 per child and private snake safaris from $3,600. See full price list here.
Opening Hours: Approximately from 7:30am to 10:15pm, exact timings will be confirmed upon booking.
Hong Kong Snake Safaris, Tai Mo Shan Country Park, Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong, www.gunghoevents.com/adventure
Editor’s Note: Where To See And Interact With Animals In Hong Kong was most recently updated in February 2023 by Najuka Redkar.
