Hong Kong Sevens is one of the most popular annual events in Asia, bringing the world’s best rugby players together for a spectacular three-day sporting extravaganza every April, with this year’s taking place from April 7-9 2017.
Whether you’re travelling to Hong Kong for the Sevens Rugby, leisure, business or all three, visitors looking to make the most of their time in this cultural South-East Asian region are spoiled for choice.
Here are some of the best tourist attractions and activities to do while in Hong Kong for the big scrum off.
Place your bets at Happy Valley Racecourse
Hong Kong Sevens matches now take place at the magnificent Hong Kong Stadium – a modern sporting arena able to seat 40,000 fans – but the first tournament in 1976 was played at the Hong Kong Football Club Stadium in Happy Valley. For those who enjoy the occasional visit to the horse races, you can always pay a visit to the Happy Valley Racecourse, which is one of the most famous horse racing venues in all the world ahead of the tournament, to try your luck at picking the winning horse.
Go bar-hopping through Hong Kong Island
Many bars, pubs and restaurants offer special rates on a variety of unique and authentic dishes throughout Hong Kong Island before, during and a little while after the three-day Sevens match. When you’re not cheering for your favourite rugby team, it’s worth spending some time wandering through the streets – particularly in West Kowloon, a district known far and wide as heaven for foodies. If you have the time and don’t mind queuing, Tim Ho Wan and Tin Lung Heen are Hong Kong’s most famous Michelin-star restaurants to visit.
Enjoy activities and events planned especially for HKSevens visitors
Since Hong Kong is truly “where the world comes to play”, Sevens weekend is jam-packed with activities and events for everyone from business travellers to holiday-makers. The HK Sevens Fan Walkcelebrates all things rugby, turning the popular Lee Gardens shopping centre into a rugger wonderland for the entire weekend, complete with live rugby broadcasts, celebrity appearances and a Cathay Pacific fan booth. There will also be a concert taking place on April 6 at the Sevens Village opposite the Hong Kong stadium, featuring international musical acts.
Immerse yourself in centuries-old monuments and scenery
It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of Sevens weekend and forget that Hong Kong has plenty more to offer. The Tian Tan Buddha, or the ‘Big Buddha’ as its affectionately known, sits beside the Po Lin Monastery in Lantau Island and stands 34 metres tall. This, along with the 300-year-old Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin, are some of the many cultural hotspots to visit while in Hong Kong. Be sure to make the trek (or, if you’re short on time, take the tram) up to Victoria Peak for a little reprieve from the excitement of HKSevens weekend, where you can enjoy 360-degree views of the city below.