What To Do In DB
Discover what to do in Discovery Bay with our guide to the best local activities and attractions: a must-read for visitors and residents alike.
SHOPPING & DINING
In Discovery Bay, community life centres on the two plazas, one at DB South and the other at DB North. Situated next to the ferry pier and main bus terminal, the circular oceanfront DB South Plaza is a great spot to sit and relax as you people-watch. DB North Plaza also faces the water and has a decidedly Italian feel, complete with clocktower. Both plazas are outfitted with small tables encouraging residents to relax and mingle.
Both plazas offer up a good range of shops including supermarkets, and DB South has an impressive, indoor retail arcade. There’s also a monthly Sunday market at DB South Plaza with stalls selling locally produced handmade arts and crafts.
Likewise, both plazas are packed with great places to eat (and drink): get ready to enjoy a constantly evolving selection of international cuisine from both big-name restaurant chains like PizzaExpress and Ebeneezer’s, and DB-only diners like Peony Chinese Restaurant and Koh Tomyums. Know that D’Deck, at DB South Plaza overlooking the beach, is Hong Kong’s largest alfresco dining hotspot.
DB is well known for its seasonal decorations and both plazas are elaborately decked out during public holidays and popular festivals. At DB South, there’s also a street-art mural by French artist Ceet Fouad to admire year-round.
OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS
Explore the Neighbourhood
Discovery Bay is an immensely walkable resort with plenty of tree-lined roads and seafront promenades to stroll. The best way to explore the neighbourhood is on foot, and you’ll discover numerous outdoor attractions along the way.
TAI PAK BEACH
At 400 metres and backed by rolling hills, Tai Pak Beach is arguably DB’s stand-out attraction, situated in DB South to one side of the ferry pier. Hong Kong’s first man-made private beach, it was created by the developer, HKRI, in the early 1980s, using 300,000 cubic metres of sand. A place to tan, swim and take leisurely evening walks, it’s a scenic spot and vibrant community hub. At the far end of the beach there’s a kids’ playground, the only beachside children’s playground in Hong Kong.
SIENA PARK
Make your way across town to DB North and you’ll find another, smaller beach, Sam Pak Wan, plus sprawling Siena Park, a picturesque spot for picnicking and dog walking. Greenery makes up two-thirds of DB’s 650 hectares and nowhere is this more evident than in the beautifully landscaped park, a large green space with walking paths, a children’s playground, ponds, streams, waterfalls and a thriving bee sanctuary. The park abuts the seafront promenade at DB North and is surrounded by a mix of residential buildings, typical to DB, including low-rise garden houses and state-of-the-art high-rise blocks.
INSTAGRAMMABLE HOTSPOTS
DB North’s Instagram-worthy outdoor attractions don’t end there however. There’s the famous Lovelock Promenade, where you can place a ‘lovelock’ to symbolise your commitment to a relationship; an amphitheatre for outdoor performances and events; and even the option to take a horsedrawn carriage ride. Be sure to stop off at the Pavilion, a prominent, glass-clad structure at DB’s only hotel, Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong. Also known as the White Chapel, it’s popular for weddings, proposals and photoshoots due to its elegant prism-shape and romantic waterfront setting.
Venture Further
Should you want to venture further, the DB Hiking Trails are an attraction in their own right, with paths to follow to South Lantau, Penny’s Bay and beyond. At 700-metres, DB Lookout provides amazing views across the resort to Hong Kong Island, and DB’s scenic rockpools, an easy 15-minute walk from DB South, are also well worth a look.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Social & Recreational Clubs
DB has several social and recreational clubs, including Discovery Bay Recreation Club and Club Siena, which offer sports facilities and fitness classes, plus dining and social events for members. There is also a members-only 27-hole golf course, and a world-class yacht club that provides mooring facilities and services for both local and visiting superyachts. Lantau Boat Club, meanwhile, is an ideal location for watersports enthusiasts of all skill levels, with a focus on non-powered activities such as sailing, paddling and rowing.
TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY
DB is a very tight-knit community and there are numerous clubs, charities and organisations to join. Sports enthusiasts of all ages are particularly well-served by the likes of DB Pirates (rugby and netball), Discovery Bay Football Club and DBees (ice hockey). There are dedicated kids’ clubs of every variety, plus a twice-weekly old people’s club. DB also has a rotary club and a homegrown eco-charity DB Green, which hosts monthly beach clean-ups.
AMAZING EVENTS
When it comes to events, DB is equally blessed: some are organised by local residents and businesses, notably the annual HLG Kart Race and the DB 10K, some by HKRI like the annual Dragon Boat Gala, DB Open Water Race Challenge, Splashtopia, Easter Egg Hunt and Nextwave XX25 Beach Music Festival.
INTERNATIONAL-SIZED ICE RINK
The icing on the cake? DB has its own international-sized ice rink: a state-of-the-art facility for ice sports and entertainment. Activities for all ages and skill levels include public skating sessions with skate rentals, figure skating lessons from professional coaches, ice hockey programmes, competitions and events.
