Hong Kong Travel Guide
1. Facts about Hong Kong
2. Vibe
3. Price level
4. What to see and do
5. Useful books
6. Safety in Hong Kong
7. Local tips
8. Where to stay in Hong Kong
9. Health
10. Climate
11. Hong Kong transport travel guide
12. Geography
13. Hong Kong history
1. Facts about Hong Kong
Currency: Hong Kong Dollars
Population: 7.5 million< Area: 1,088 square km (420 square miles)
Governmental status: Special administrative region within the People’s Republic of China
Languages: English and Chinese (Cantonese)
Driving side: Left
Climate: Humid subtropical climate
Religion: Multi-faith – Buddhists (1 million+), Taoists(1 million+), Christians (860,000), Muslims (300,000), Hindus (100,000) and Sikhs (12,000)
Electricity: Standard 220 V, 50 Hz. Plugs and sockets are generally of type G and D
Measures: The metric system, British Imperial units, Chinese units
Visa: Visa-free access for most nationalities for a duration of 7 to 180 days. Check if you need a visa.
‘Facts about Hong Kong Travel Guide’
Facts about Hong Kong Travel Guide
2. Vibe
Hong Kong is a vivid, bustling Asian metropolis, which is rich in history. It is a cultural melting pot created by all the people belonging to the region today. With roots in several world religions and cultures, it is an international, multi-faith society. 92% of the citizens are ethnic Chinese, distributed across multiple faiths and ethnic groups. Due to the great diversity, you will see a blend of traditional Chinese hats, turbans, and business-dressed people in the streets.
Not surprisingly, in addition to the Chinese background, Hong Kong is greatly influenced by the former British reign. Therefore, the metropolis has developed its unique character and atmosphere where the Chinese traditions and heritage blend with the Western lifestyle as introduced by the British. The culture, the languages spoken, the cuisine, and everything else in the city reflect this.
It is an exclusive mixture of ancient and new, Western and Eastern, high-tech and old traditions. The city stands out as a top business city and is one of the world’s most significant financial centres. In 2019, it ranked among the top 3 world financial hubs in the Global Financial Centers Index Report.
Skyscrapers and futuristic-looking buildings go hand in hand with local markets of fruit, flowers, souvenirs, antiques, pearls and jade across the city. As a paradise for shopping addicts, the metropolis attracts, with its world-class shopping opportunities, a multitude of visitors every year. In Kong Kong, you will find all kinds of electronics, jewellery and fashion.
Hong Kong is lively 24/7 and has a vibrant nightlife with bars, nightclubs and native cuisine restaurants, as well as the most spectacular skyline by night!
Take a stroll in Hong Kong by night and experience the most impressive light show | Photo: Travel In Culture
3. Facts about the price level in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is generally one of the most expensive cities in the world.
Convert Currency: Convert prices in Hong Kong Dollars into your own currency (or vice versa) here: Convert Currency
You can get an impression of the price level by comparing the most recent update of our cost of living indices in Hong Kong with the cost in your own country:
Beer: Compare the price of a beer in Hong Kong with the price of a beer in your country of origin: Beer Price
McMeal: Compare the price of a McMeal in Hong Kong with the price of a McMeal in your country of origin: McMeal Price
Taxi: Compare the price of going by taxi in Hong Kong with the price of going by taxi in your country of origin: Taxi Price
Tipping is not as common in Hong Kong as in some other countries. It is optional and not expected, so there is no obligation to tip.
HK travel | Photo: Alp Cem / Pixabay
4. What to see and do in Hong Kong – Travel Guide
- Get up early to watch graceful tai chi in one of the Hong Kong parks, for instance, Hong Kong Park. Here, you will be met by Hong Kong citizens performing the traditional tai chi sport.
- Take one of the Star Ferries zigzagging between Victoria Harbour on Hong Kong Island and Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon since 1888. It is cheap and a good alternative to a formal harbour tour.
- Try the world’s longest escalator on Hong Kong Island, the Central Mid-Levels Escalator, which is an 800 m long escalator system. Hong Kong Island is hilly and has, therefore, plentiful outdoor covered escalators and travelators.
- Have dim sum for breakfast or lunch. Dim sum is the traditional, tiny Chinese tapas pieces arriving at the table in conventional bamboo steamer baskets.
- Shop at Nathan Road, the renowned 3.6 km (2.2 miles) thoroughfare in Kowloon. It is a vivid street abounding with shops, restaurants and street vendors. Whether you are after electronics, fashion, watches or jewellery, you will find it here.
- Visit the Jade Market, the Temple Street Night Market, the Ladies’ Market or some other of the numerous Hong Kong markets for odd finds.
- Take the Peak Tram from 1888 and travel up to Victoria Peak to get the most breathtaking view of the Hong Kong skyscrapers. The 7-minute ride to the very top is an ascent with the steepest funicular railway in the world.
- Visit the Man Mo Temple from 1847 in Central. It is a tribute to the God of War (Mo) and the God of Literature (Man) – and is the largest Man Mo Temple in Hong Kong. Especially students have come here to pray for success in their exams!
- Stroll around the financial district on Hong Kong Island, where the old capital Victoria used to be under British rule. Today, it is the business and financial centre with impressive governmental buildings and other architectonically alluring high-rise constructions in the Wan Chai district.
- Visit The Hong Kong Museum of History. The Permanent Exhibition in the Hong Kong Museum of History features eight galleries, each presenting distinct periods in the city’s fascinating history. Spending 2-3 hours wandering through the museum exhibitions is both a pleasant and excellent way to get the feel of the highlights of the multifaceted Hong Kong history. Alternatively, you may visit the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre, Hong Kong Science Museum, June 4th Museum, or some other fabulous Hong Kong museums. Many museums have free admission on Wednesdays.
- See the Hong Kong skyline from Victoria Peak on Hong Kong Island, from the Avenue of Stars in Kowloon accompanied by the Symphony of Lights, or from the waterfront at Tamar Park on Hong Kong Island. Every evening, the buildings around Victoria Harbour take part in a light show superior to anything else.
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Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. It features more skyscrapers than any other city. It has over 1,500 skyscrapers above 100 m (328 ft) and more than 9,000 high-rise buildings, making it the highest-density urban region in the world. The building density is due to the city’s limited area to build on. Not surprisingly, this results in Hong Kong having one of the most breathtaking skylines in the world. It is amazing, both during the day and at night. The tallest skyscraper is the International Commerce Centre (484 m or 1,588 ft), which ranks as the ninth tallest building in the world. - Enjoy a beach day on one of the numerous pristine Hong Kong beaches, for instance, Clear Water Bay Beach.
- Travel from Hong Kong city to Lantau Island to see the Big Buddha, which impresses by weighing over 200 tons. The sitting bronze Buddha atop the peak of Mount Muk Yue is also known as the Tian Tan Buddha. It faces north towards the capital of China, Beijing.
HK travel | Photo: Kanghee Han / Pixabay
Photo: Travel In Culture
Itinerary:
For a one-day sightseeing itinerary in Hong Kong, see here:
A Touch of Hong Kong Culture – One Day Itinerary.
5. Useful books about Hong Kong
Find inspiration for more things to see & do in Hong Kong in a handy travel guide.
6. Facts about safety in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is generally considered among the safest regions in Asia and has a low crime rate.
Crime: Compare the crime rate in Hong Kong with the crime rate of your own country: Crime Rate
Anyway, it is, like for all other destinations, always a good idea to take appropriate safety measures and follow travel safety tips to have a safe trip as your travel guide to Hong Kong.
The general corruption level is also low.
Corruption: Compare the corruption index in Hong Kong with the corruption index of your own country: Corruption Index
Finally, check if you need a travel insurance for your trip – in the unlikely event of something unexpected happening.
7. Local tips – Hong Kong travel guide
Jump on the upper deck of one of the iconic double-decker trams, or ‘Ding Dings’ as the locals say, on Hong Kong Island to make your budget sightseeing tour. It is an attraction on its own and an excellent way to experience Hong Kong Island and see the myriads of skyscrapers, historical districts like Sheung Wan, busy shopping areas, as well as the less prominent parts of Hong Kong Island. Going by the trams is a unique glimpse of old Hong Kong. The trams date back to British colonial times in 1904 and are still frequently used by Hong Kong citizens.
Hong Kong Island features tiny, quirky streets in quaint neighbourhoods | Photo: Travel In Culture
8. Hotels
9. Health issues – travel guide to Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a relatively clean city, and there are not as many health risks as in many other Asian countries.
As a precaution you may want to check up on potential health issues and recommended vaccinations before going: Recommended vaccinations.
The pollution level is in general low, and the environment is clean. The daily real-time updated pollution index for Hong Kong and surrounding areas can be viewed here: Real-time Pollution Index.
Smoking is banned in most public places and public transport.
The Hong Kong double-decker trams is an efficient means of transport to get around | Photo: Travel In Culture
10. Facts about Hong Kong climate
The climate is humid subtropical. Summers are hot and rainy, whereas winters are humid and mild. In summer, temperatures are often around 30 degrees centigrade (80-90 degrees Fahrenheit). There is not such a pronounced difference between day and night temperatures.
Therefore, if you visit in summer, do bring an umbrella! During the summer months, it often rains above 300 mm per month. On average, it rains half of the summer days. Contrary to this, there are only a few rainy days during each of the winter months.
It is a typhoon and monsoon region, and Hong Kong is frequently affected by typhoons between March and November. Hong Kong Observatory has a tropical cyclone warning system with signals and symbols. They are on display at various locations in Hong Kong for everyone to be informed about potential risks. You should follow the situation closely and act accordingly when the warning is level 3 or above.
View today’s weather warnings from Hong Kong Observatory: Weather warnings
Photo: Andy Leung / Pixabay
11. Hong Kong transport travel guide
Public transport in Hong Kong is easy.
The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) system connects with its rail lines and light rail system in nearly all districts in Hong Kong. Moreover, it has an intercity train service to mainland China.
The fastest way to get to Hong Kong from the airport is by the MTR Airport Express. It takes only 24 minutes to travel to Hong Kong Island. Once inside Hong Kong, possessing an Airport Express ticket, you can take one of the free shuttle buses from Kowloon and Hong Kong stations to several hotels.
Purchasing the Octopus card for transport can prove useful if you need to get around by public transport. You hover the Octopus card over the reader at the stations and on the buses, and the correct fare is deducted from your stored value.
To take the Hong Kong Tramways is another option on Hong Kong Island. The old, stylish trams are frequent and popular. Pay with the Ocupus card or have the exact flat fare ready when you get off.
A number of ferries operate between Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and other islands. The most spectacular is the passenger Star Ferry that runs from Central or Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island to Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. It is popular to use the Star Ferry as an affordable harbour tour!
Finally, you can also take one of the plentiful taxis. Compare the taxi fare in Hong Kong with the one in your own country: Taxi Price
Photo: Travel In Culture
12. Geography
Hong Kong is located on the southern coast of China in East Asia. It is an island region consisting of numerous peninsulas and about 200 islands. The main areas are the densely populated Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and Lantau Island. Besides, there are also rural areas and pristine sand beaches, for instance, Turtle Cove Beach, Shek O Beach, Big Wave Bay Beach or Clear Water Bay Beach.
Hong Kong’s deep-water seaport has played a significant role in the development of the city as a prime trade hub. Still today, the giant container terminal is one of the busiest ports in the world, with container liner services to over 500 destinations.
Hong Kong is a natural gateway to China and Macau.
13. Facts about Hong Kong history
The Dynasties – From the early Han to the recent Qing
Understanding the development of Hong Kong is not easy without some basic facts about and knowledge of the many dynasties and the cultural impact they have had on the Chinese people and Hong Kong society throughout the years.
The Chinese dynasty era began in the Hong Kong region in 221 BC with the invasion of the first emperor of the Qin dynasty. The Qin armies defeated the Yue tribes and incorporated Hong Kong into China. This was the beginning of the dominance of the Chinese dynasties. A Chinese general founded the kingdom of Nanyue and proclaimed himself king. The Nanyue kingdom was, though, conquered by the Han dynasty around 112 BC.
In the years to come, the dynasties, most importantly the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD), the Song dynasty (960–1279 AD), the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) and Quing dynasty (1644–1842), followed.
From 1661 to 1669, the Quing dynasty’s emperor ordered the Great Clearance, implying that the coastal areas of Guangdong were evacuated and banned. In this way, the Hong Kong region was depopulated at the time. Later, the Hakka people occupied it. In the New Territories, there are, still today, numerous Hakka villages with descendants of the Hakkas.
HK travel | Photo: Tee2tee / Pixabay
The Opium Wars
The British had a high demand for silk, porcelain and tea. In return, they sold large quantities of Indian opium to China. However, the Chinese refused to legalise opium, and this crisis triggered the First Opium War. Despite some disagreement, the Quing surrendered, and in 1842, Hong Kong Island was formally ceded to the United Kingdom in the Treaty of Nanking. The reign of Imperial China over Hong Kong ended, and Hong Kong got its first governor, Henry Pottinger.
Nevertheless, tensions persisted between the British and the Quing over the opium trade and escalated into the Second Opium War. Again, the Quing were forced to surrender and ceded the Kowloon Peninsula and Stonecutter’s Island in the Convention of Peking in 1860.
From here, the Hong Kong economy developed rapidly, with foreign investors seeing new opportunities in the country. Britain obtained a 99-year lease of the New Territories.
The Japanese Occupation
In 1937, at the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War, Hong Kong was declared a neutral zone. A possible attack was foreseen, and all British women and children were evacuated in 1940. The Japanese Army attacked Hong Kong on 8 December 1941, which was the same day that Pearl Harbor was attacked. Hong Kong was now occupied by Japan. Britain only resumed control after four years, on 30 August 1945.
Facts about the political situation in Hong Kong in recent times
In the Sino-British Joint Declaration, from 1984, the United Kingdom agreed to transfer Hong Kong to China on 1 July 1997 after 156 years of British rule. China guaranteed to secure the economic and political system for another 50 years – ‘one country, two systems’. Nevertheless, massive emigration started taking place since many people didn’t trust their rights any longer.
Hong Kong has undergone several crises in recent years, both political and financial crises, as well as crises owing to the outbreaks of avian flu and the SARS epidemic. Since 2019, massive protests have taken place in response to a proposed bill permitting extradition of fugitives to mainland China.
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