Hong Kong – Travel Guide
Hong Kong is a fascinating modern city, known for its dynamic fusion of Chinese and British cultures. Explore its stunning skyline and lively nightlife. Take a ride on the iconic Star Ferry and explore the island’s vibrant cuisine. Visit the world-famous Victoria Peak and explore its historic neighborhoods. Head to one of the city’s many parks, museums, and cultural attractions. Take a day-trip to the magnificent beaches of Lamma Island and enjoy the scenic view from the peak. Believe it or not, the beautiful Hong Kong is a bustling hub of modern civilization, offering a unique blend of culture, history, and energy.
All about Hong Kong
Hong Kong FAQ
What is Hong Kong known for?
Hong Kong is where the East meets the West and a shoppers paradise with one of the most thriving economies in the world. A fascinating cosmopolitan city reflected in its culture, customs, and traditions with Western and Asian influences. The city can be enjoyed through delicious food including unusual dishes such as snake soup, Chiu Chow pig`s blood with chives, and Cow innards! Soak up the stunning viewpoints in the city, vibrant festivals, and sports. Views from Victoria Peak is amongst one of the many viewpoints in Hong Kong providing million-dollar views as well as rooftop bars and observation decks.
Stunning vibrant modern architecture can be seen in many buildings in the city including the HSBC Building, a Norman Foster masterpiece, and the Bank of China Tower with a unique design made to look like a meat cleaver. Sprawling verdant lawns and vibrant gardens like Victoria Peak Garden which not only provides towering views over the city but its a beautiful location for a walk. The Tai Po Waterfront Park in Hong Kong sits in a pleasant location with lawns perfect for picnicking. Hike through the mountains dotted with temples and villages. Shop at bustling vibrant night markets and dine at 4 of the top 100 restaurants in the world then enjoy some of the best nightlife entertainment districts in all of Asia.
What are the best places to visit in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong is a vibrant city, a floating metropolis with an iconic skyline decorated with sparkling skyscrapers. A glamorous city with so much to offer including world-class cuisine, luxury shopping, ancient temples, and beautiful beaches. Hike along the breathtaking coast, scope out the street markets, and head up to Victoria Peak for some of the best views around. Dine on dim sum, visit museums and cruise on the Star Ferry and witness the colorful Symphony of Lights show.
How many days should I spend in Hong Kong?
We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel, and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.
What is the best way to get around Hong Kong?
By Tram: The city features a historic tram system onboard double-decker streetcars that were established in 1904 and run along the northern coast of the Island. An affordable, scenic way to see parts of the city with some of the best views around and some great prices. A flat fare of HK$2.30 is paid when you exit the tram, passenger`s board at the rear, and trams run from 6:00 am until midnight.
By MRT: Hong Kong features a very fast and efficient Mass Transit Railway system (MTR) that covers all the major attractions in the region with 11 rail lines including 5 underground lines, 3 subway lines, over landlines, and Light Rail. The stations in the city are color-coded and the most frequently used lines for visitors include the Tsuen Wan Line which is red, the Island Line which is blue, the Tung Chung Line is orange and the Disneyland Resort Line is pink. The trains run every 2 – 14 minutes starting at 6:00 am until around 1:00 am, with the busiest times during peak hours from 7:30 am to 9:30 am and 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm during the weekdays.
By Bus:Hong Kong`s extensive bus system will take you just about anywhere in the territory. Since Kowloon and the northern side of Hong Kong Island are so well served by the MTR, most visitors use the buses primarily to explore the southern side of Hong Kong Island, the New Territories, and Lantau Island. Buses run from 5:30 am until around midnight with a few buses that run through the night from 12:45 am until 5 am. Prices start around HK$4 and go up depending on the distance and destination. Night buses cost around HK$7.
What is the currency of Hong Kong?
The Hong Kong dollar (HKD, HK, $) is the currency used in Hong Kong you will need to exchange your dollars for Hong Kong dollars. The official exchange rates are fixed and USD$1 = HKD$7.80. Try to avoid major banks and popular tourist areas as you tend to get the worst exchange rates. ATMs are featured in urban areas and most retailers accept major credit cards. For more detailed information, consult our guide by clicking here Tipping in Hong Kong.
Do people speak English in Hong Kong?
The spoken language in Hong Kong is Cantonese and English. Most people in Hong Kong can speak and understand English especially those working in the service industry. We suggest you get a good English-Cantonese guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1 – 10.
Best time to visit Hong Kong
Hong Kong has bloomed into an exciting year-round destination. Its subtropical location results in generally mild winters and extremely hot and humid summers. A pleasant time to visit is October through December with comfortable temperatures in the 70s.
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Tourism picks up significantly in January despite the colder temperatures and higher hotel prices. The Chinese New Year usually falls between the last week of January and the first week of February. Spring, between March and May, offers temperatures in the mid-60s and high-70s with some rain and fog and wonderfully affordable options for travelers on a budget. Summer, between late-May and mid-September, remains a popular tourist time despite stifling hot and humid conditions. Severe tropical storms, known as typhoons, can be particularly prevalent in September and are closely monitored with excellent warning systems throughout Hong Kong.
Tipping in Hong Kong
The questions “when?” and “how much?” can leave some travelers confused, as the practice varies. This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these “tips” will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.
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Tipping in Hong Kong
Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use Hong Kong dollars?
The Hong Kong dollar (HKD, HK, $) is the currency used in Hong Kong you will need to exchange your dollars for Hong Kong dollars. The official exchange rates are fixed and USD$1 = HKD$7.80. Try to avoid major banks and popular tourist areas as you tend to get the worst exchange rates. ATMs are featured in urban areas and most retailers accept major credit cards.
Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?
Some restaurants add a 10% service charge to your bill and some don`t be sure to check your bill for the service charge and feel free to leave an additional tip if you received great service. Giving a 10% tip would be considered polite at sit down restaurant and leaving your change as a tip works too at other eateries such as street food stalls and take out restaurants. Some restaurants may not take a tip, but at high-end restaurants you should leave at least HK$10 – HK$20, but this is also not expected.
Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?
At hotels in Hong Kong tipping is mandatory; you can leave HK$15 – HK$20 for bellboys and maids but be sure to check if there is a service charge added to your bill. In some of the more upscale hotels, there are bathroom attendants; it is customary to offer them a few coins for their service. Hotel employees are usually paid a good salary and therefore don’t rely on tips, use your discretion.
Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?
Taxi drivers in Hong Kong generally do not expect a tip, a common practice is to round up your fare to the nearest dollar or leave the change for the driver.
Tour Guides: Is a tip required?
Most tour guides in Hong Kong do rely on tips, a recommend amount would be between HK$10 – HK$70 per guide who will normally split this amount with the driver.
Spas in Hong Kong do not expect a tip but it is recommended to leave some change if you were happy with your service
Final Thoughts:
Remember that it is perfectly okay to abstain, especially if you are not happy with the service provided. This is also true for hotel staff, however, if you should encounter a problem with the service within the hotel, we highly recommend speaking with the manager. When paying for services in cash (which we generally recommend for services other than your hotel) remember to take your receipt. This is important for two reasons; If you leave a tip on a credit card, the person providing the service may not always get it, and if there is a discrepancy it is important to have your receipt to settle it with the manager of the establishment and to prove that you paid for the service.
When paying for services in cash (which we generally recommend for services other than your hotel) remember to take your receipt. This is important for two reasons; If you leave a tip on a credit card, the person providing the service may not always get it, and if there is a discrepancy it is important to have your receipt to settle it with the manager of the establishment and to prove that you paid for the service.
Top cities in Hong Kong
What to expect while traveling
