HONG KONG TRAVEL GUIDE
Everything you need to know before travelling to Hong Kong.
Make the most of your trip to Hong Kong with expert tips, ideas and recommendations
Hong Kong Travel Guide
Tips for planning your Hong Kong trip
One of the most developed and populated hubs on the planet, many travellers love to visit Hong Kong to experience this dynamic Asian destination. Just under 56 million visitors arrived in Hong Kong in 2019.
Incorporating Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula (connected to the mainland), the New Territories and two hundred other islands, there is much more to Hong Kong than skyscrapers and amazing skylines.
From eating and drinking to exploring city life, to enjoying nature there is a huge choice of things to experience. With so many interesting ways to spend your time at this destination, our Hong Kong travel guide will set out our Hong Kong travel tips to ensure you get the most out of your trip.
In this Hong Kong travel guide:
- Hong Kong – Country facts
- Visit Hong Kong: Know the history
- Best time to visit Hong Kong
- Where to stay during your Hong Kong trip
- What to pack for your Hong Kong trip
- Getting to Hong Kong and around
- Hong Kong travel tips: Exploring Hong Kong Island and Kowloon
- Hong Kong travel tips: Getting out of the city
- Hong Kong travel tips: Eating, drinking, shopping
- Where is Hong Kong?
Officially part of China as a Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong is located on the East of the South Coast of China. It is about 2.5 hours from Shanghai and 3.5 hours from Beijing by airplane. - What is the size of Hong Kong?
The size of Hong Kong is 1,104 km2 or 426 sq mi, which is about 110 times smaller than New York. Such a small size makes Hong Kong rank number 183 in the list of largest countries by land area. - How many people live in Hong Kong?
The population of Hong Kong is around 7.5 million people, which makes it the most densely populated country in the world. - What language is spoken in Hong Kong?
For about 85% of the population, the main language in Hong Kong is Cantonese (a Chinese dialect originally from Guangdong). From travellers going to Hong Kong, it is important to note that English is the second official language with more than 50% of the population able to speak it fluently. - What is the currency of Hong Kong?
The official currency in Hong Kong is Hong Kong Dollar (sign: HK$; code: HKD). Currently (November 2020) the currency conversion rate is ~7.75 HKD to 1 USD. - What plugs are used in Hong Kong?
There are two types of plugs commonly used in Hong Kong, types D and G. Hong Kong operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz. - What is the country code of Hong Kong?
The country code for calling Hong Kong is the prefix +852, website domains from Hong Kong usually end with .com.hk.
Though, officially, Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, taking a Hong Kong trip offers a different experience to what you will find on the mainland.
Hong Kong island was home to a small fishing settlement when it was ceded to the British in 1842 at the conclusion of the First Opium War. It was under the 155-year rule of the British (with the interruption of the Japanese occupation during WWII) that the area changed dramatically.
The region was handed back to China, in 1997, and the transition to becoming a fully-fledged part of the People’s Republic of China is a defining and contentious feature of Hong Kong life today. It is advisable to be aware of the political situation before you travel.
Best time to visit Hong Kong
October to the start of December is a good time to visit Hong Kong as the weather is usually pleasantly cooler than during the summer months and there is plenty of sunshine. Alternatively, January to February sees some great festivals taking place.
See our article on the best time to visit Hong Kong for everything you need to know about planning when to visit.
Where to stay during your Hong Kong trip
There is a huge variety of places to stay on your Hong Kong trip, and a number of areas to choose from. Many visitors stay on either Hong Kong Island or the Kowloon peninsula. Both areas have great attractions, experiences, views, restaurants and nightlife, and it is easy to get between the two on the famous Star Ferry.
Stay on Hong Kong island to be in the midst of the economic centre and many tourist attractions, including Victoria Peak. Luxury hotels are plentiful here but reasonably priced hostels and guesthouses are also available if you search carefully.
Choose Kowloon for the majority of Hong Kong’s museums, markets, the Avenue of Stars (Hong Kong’s Hollywood Walk of Fame) and a good array of affordable guesthouses.
The New Territories is another option if you want easy access to hiking trails, beaches and tasty seafood.
Read more about Hong Kong nightlife and the best things to do in Hong Kong at night.
What to pack for your Hong Kong trip
Hong Kong is subtropical with hot, humid summers and very mild winters, so pack lightweight clothes on for your Hong Kong trip.
It is also an excellent idea to bring an umbrella and have it with you at all times as the weather is changeable and often very wet (particularly in the summer months of June-September) with an average of 101 days that see rain each year.
Comfortable walking shoes are also recommended as Hong Kong is hilly and you are likely to come across some slopes whilst exploring.
The Airport Express operates from Hong Kong International airports and delivers passengers to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon in less than 25 minutes.
It is a good idea to purchase your ticket online (you can purchase on Klook or Viator) to avoid potential queues. Ticket prices also tend to be cheaper online.
The MRT is comprehensive and easy to use. We recommend purchasing an Octopus card during your Hong Kong trip, which can be topped up at any Circle K or 7-Eleven shop, and used at all MRT Stations, on the Star Ferry, and at many convenience stores, supermarkets and even cinemas.
There is also a large network of trains and buses that operate between Kowloon, Hong Kong Island and the New Territories and multiple ferry-routes are the way to reach the surrounding islands.
Taxis are also surprisingly affordable, though we strongly recommend downloading the Hong Kong Taxis Cards App (available for Android and iOS) which will translate your destination to Cantonese for your driver.
There are highlights in both main parts of this dynamic destination when you visit Hong Kong.
On Hong Kong Island, walk or take the cable car to Victoria Peak. At 552m, this is the highest point on Hong Kong Island and offers amazing views. Or take a trip to the PMQ market, a former police marriage quarters that have been restyled into studios where developers promote artisan goods.
After, you can enjoy a classical Chinese concert or local music experience at the Hong Kong City Hall performance venue.
Kowloon is where you will get the incredible shots of the city harbour. Visit a rooftop bar such as Ozone Bar at the Ritz Carlton for the most dramatic views. The SkyDeck, located in the same building (the International Commercial Centre) which is Hong Kong’s tallest also offers stunning views from the 360-degree viewing deck. This side of Hong Kong is also great for museums. The Tsim Sha Tsui promenade is home to many including the Science museum, Space museum, History museum and Art museum.
Although Hong Kong is recognised as a very urban destination, travellers who visit Hong Kong should take the time to get away from the concrete jungle and breathe some fresh air. Over 70% of Hong Kong is made up of green areas including parks and mountains.
In the New Territories nature is easily accessible. Take the 5.7km glass-bottomed cable car tour at Ngong Ping 360 to see sublime views of mountainous Lantau Island. Or visit Pat Sin Leng Country Park and hike on rugged paths through the eight peaks, each representative of a Chinese mythic fairy.
Hong Kong is an expensive place to eat and drink however it is possible to find great food and some affordable places to dine.
On Hong Kong Island Sing Heung Yuen is a world-renowned dai pai dong (open-air food stall) where you can sample traditional and affordable Cantonese dishes. At Aberdeen Fishmarket, a hugely popular fish market, you can taste seafood as fresh as can be.
Mong Kok shopping area in Kowloon stretches across a maze of packed streets and offers a wide range of budget-friendly street food. Deep-fried sticky tofu and curry fish balls are must-tries.
Eating delicious Cantonese food should be a highlight of any Hong Kong trip and a food tour is highly recommended! Secret Food Tours are a well-rated provider.
There is much to see and do when you visit Hong Kong so use our Hong Kong travel guides and Hong Kong travel tips to get the most out of your experience.