11 of the best things you can do for free in Hong Kong by Kate Springer on Jul 27, 2016, 1:25 PM  Hong Kong has a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities in the world, but rest assured there are plenty of budget-friendly sights and experiences.
Whether you’re traveling on a shoestring or simply love a great freebie, you can enjoy the best the city has to offer without spending a fortune — as long as you know where to look. SEE ALSO: 30 things every New Yorker should do this summer DON'T MISS: Follow Business Insider's lifestyle page on facebook! Watch the light shows.  Where else in the world can you watch an entire skyline come alive at the same time every night? During the coordinated Symphony of Lights, Hong Kong skyscrapers flash a wide array of neon-colored lights, all happening at 8 pm. Right beforehand, the iconic International Commerce Center puts on its own ICC Light & Music Show at 7:45 pm, and again at 9 pm, every night. The ICC show has won a Guinness World Record for "the largest light and sound show on a single building," so it's safe to say that the LED lights dancing across its façade are pretty impressive. There's also another light show worth noting: put on by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Hong Kong Pulse 3D Light Show is an audiovisual extravaganza that appears on the wall of the Cultural Center and the Clock Tower in Tsim Sha Tsui during the summer and winter seasons. The next 3D show is running in August 2016 — check the website for times and dates.
Insider Tip: You can see the Symphony of Lights from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront or from Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai — both locations play the accompanying music. You can also call 35-665-665 to hear the music and narration on your phone.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Hong Kong Guide
Explore Kowloon's colorful markets.  You're never far from a market in Hong Kong. Kitschy souvenirs abound, of course, but there's also no shortage of sensory delights that are free to enjoy. Starting in Prince Edward, there's the ever-fascinating Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, where people gather to walk their pet birds, while others sell the colorful creatures and beautiful bamboo cages. Just a few blocks west is a vibrant flower market that brims with exotic blooms, colorful cut flowers, succulents, and houseplants year-round. Head South on Tung Choi Street and you'll find the Ladies' Market, an all-day affair with merchants hawking bargain clothes and accessories. A short MTR ride to Yau Mai Tei will take you through the Temple Street Night Market (starts around 4 pm), where knick-knacks and alfresco dai pai dong cafés reign supreme. Venture farther south and you’ll discover the Jade Market (closes around 6 pm), an indoor market jam-packed with gorgeous jade jewelry, statues, and more.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Hong Kong Guide
Relax in the Edward Youde Aviary.  Explore the gentle hillsides above Hong Kong Park and you might just stumble upon the jungle-like Edward Youde Aviary. Taking its name from a former Hong Kong governor, the enchanting dome is home to over 600 types of birds. You can spot them from the wooden bridges suspended within the trees, which overlook small ponds and waterfalls. It's easy to spend a couple of hours exploring the enormous space, which feels like a tropical oasis far from the city. Insider Tip: If you love the aviary, then you'll also enjoy the Forsgate Conservatory just a few minutes away. Forsgate is the largest greenhouse in Southeast Asia and home to all kinds of botanical beauties. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Hong Kong Guide
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