Happy Valley

Hong Kong Island

Photo provided by Hong Kong Tourism Board
Happy Valley
Happy Valley
Happy Valley
Photo by Brandy Lynn

This affluent residential area is also home to a famous Hong Kong racecourse.

Horse racing first arrived in Hong Kong in the 1840s, within just a few years of the British arriving in Hong Kong. In those days the sport was enjoyed only by the city’s elite. Today, horse racing is very much a part of mainstream life in Hong Kong, and a visit to Happy Valley is a fun, cheap and exciting way to soak up the local culture.

Join the cheering crowds at the side of the track to experience the atmosphere and observe world-class racing. As you’re swept along with thousands of fans rushing to place their bets, you’ll find the atmosphere at Happy Valley is markedly different from the relatively sober settings of American or British racecourses.

Most races are held at night and walls of well-lit skyscrapers form a dazzling backdrop to the racetrack. Trackside beer tents and food stalls, and live music in between races make for a real party atmosphere.

Roughly 6 million bets are placed at each meet, and Happy Valley welcomes gambling pros and amateurs alike. Check the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s website to learn about the many different bets you can place.

The racing season features several large events including the Hong Kong Derby, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup or the prestigious Hong Kong International Races at which you can experience the sport at its most glamorous and competitive.

Racing season is between September and July. If you visit during the day when there’s no race being held, it’s possible to walk around inside the grounds for no charge, enjoy the view and see locals playing various sports.

Happy Valley is located on northern Hong Kong Island. The closest MTR station to Happy Valley Racecourse is Causeway Bay. If you’re coming from the north side of Hong Kong Island, take the scenic route to the racecourse by hopping on any tram marked "Happy Valley." Trams are not the fastest mode of transportation, but they are the cheapest.


Popular places to visit


Happy Valley Hotel Deals

Harbour Grand Kowloon

Harbour Grand Kowloon

5 out of 5
20 Tak Fung Street, Whampoa Garden, Hunghom, Kowloon
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$3,574 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
NT$3,574
NT$4,039 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Kowloon. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"It is"

Reviewed on 2025/7/27

Harbour Grand Kowloon
Eaton HK

Eaton HK

4 out of 5
380 Nathan Road, Jordan, Kowloon
The price is NT$2,990 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
NT$2,990
NT$3,378 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Kowloon. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,423 reviews)
"Staff was awesome"

Reviewed on 2025/7/31

Eaton HK
ibis Hong Kong Central And Sheung Wan

ibis Hong Kong Central And Sheung Wan

3.5 out of 5
No. 28 Des Voeux Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
The price is NT$1,818 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
NT$1,818
NT$2,054 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified hotel in Hong Kong Island. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,823 reviews)
"Good and convenient."

Reviewed on 2025/7/31

ibis Hong Kong Central And Sheung Wan
Hopewell Hotel

Hopewell Hotel

4.5 out of 5
15 Kennedy Road, Hong Kong
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Hong Kong Island. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Ocean Park and Times Square ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (229 reviews)
"I think was strange that I booked a suite and only 1 breakfast was included instead of 2. Makes no sense for someone to book a suite alone, so providing 1 breakfast makes no sense too. If the purpose was to get a purchase of the 2ns breakfast, then I feel it's not something expected from a 5 stars ..."

Reviewed on 2025/8/3

Hopewell Hotel
Royal Plaza Hotel

Royal Plaza Hotel

4.5 out of 5
193 Prince Edward Road West, Mong Kok, Kowloon
The price is NT$3,007 per night from Aug 28 to Aug 29
NT$3,007
NT$3,398 total
Aug 28 - Aug 29
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kowloon. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a health club. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,295 reviews)
"Great hotel, with good transport links. In retrospect I should have booked for Hong Kong island or central Kowloon. Annoying self-service checkouts when multiple staff could do this for you."

Reviewed on 2025/8/1

Royal Plaza Hotel
Cordis, Hong Kong

Cordis, Hong Kong

5 out of 5
555 Shanghai Street, Mongkok, Kowloon
The price is NT$4,296 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
NT$4,296
NT$4,854 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Kowloon. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,515 reviews)
"That is a great hotel, a lot of option around the hotel food / shopping great place, very clean and the staff is very helpful"

Reviewed on 2025/7/29

Cordis, Hong Kong
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Happy Valley

Hong Kong SAR which includes a city and night scenes

Wan Chai

4/5(487 area reviews)

Bustling with office towers, parks, and hotels, this commercial hub features street-stall shopping on Tai Yuen Street, cultural institutions, and performances at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Savor local cuisine at cha chaan tengs, dim sum spots, and pubs on Jaffe Road.

Wan Chai
Tin Hau Temple showing a temple or place of worship and religious elements

Tin Hau

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Tin Hau. Spend some time visiting top spots like Victoria Park, and catch the metro at Lau Sin Street Tram Stop or Hong Kong Tin Hau Station to see more of the area.

Tin Hau
Causeway Bay which includes a city and street scenes

Causeway Bay

4/5(144 area reviews)

Major shopping and cultural hub, Causeway Bay boasts malls like Sogo and Times Square, alongside attractions such as Victoria Park and Hong Kong Central Library. Easily accessible via Island line, trams, and buses.

Causeway Bay
Default Image

Fortress Hill

While there might not be top attractions in Fortress Hill, you can explore the larger area and discover places like North Point Ferry Pier and Victoria Park.

Fortress Hill
Hong Kong SAR showing a city, night scenes and landscape views

Admiralty

The island views, captivating waterfront views, and popular shops are notable features of Admiralty. Make a stop by Pacific Place or Hong Kong Park while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Cotton Tree Drive Tram Stop to get around town.

Admiralty
Hong Kong SAR showing a city, landscape views and a sunset

The Peak

Well-liked for its waterfront and architecture, The Peak is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like Peak Tower and Madame Tussauds, and jump on the metro at The Peak Station to get around the city.

The Peak

Happy Valley