Happy Valley Racecourse

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Lonely Planet review

Horseracing, worth more than US$1 billion annually, remains the most popular form of gambling in Hong Kong and it is one of the quintessential things to do while you're in town. The punters pack into the stands and trackside and the atmosphere is electric.

The first horse races were held in 1846 at Happy Valley and became an annual event. Now meetings are held both here and at the newer and larger (but less atmospheric) Sha Tin Racecourse in the New Territories.

If you know nothing about horse racing but would like to attend, consider joining the Come Horseracing Tour available through Gray Line or Splendid Tours & Travel during the racing season. The tour includes admission to the Visitors' Box of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Members' Enclosures and buffet lunch. Tours scheduled at night last about 5.5 hours, while daytime tours are about seven hours long.