Your guide to Hong Kong
Hong Kong highlights
Skyline views
Hong Kong’s unmistakable urban skyline stands before forested mountains. For most, a trip to Hong Kong includes visiting the steep Peak Tram on Hong Kong Island for shifting skyscraper views. On a clear day, enjoy unrivalled Victoria Harbour vistas. To return to the city, follow the leafy Central Green Trail.
Harbourfront experiences
Victoria Harbour separates Hong Kong’s two main districts, Kowloon and Central. On Kowloon’s waterfront, the city’s famous cinema industry is celebrated on the Avenue of Stars. Across the water in Central, the Hong Kong Observation Wheel is a popular spot. Selfies on the Ocean Terminal Deck near Harbour City are a must when in Hong Kong.
Natural splendour
Despite the city’s urban infrastructure, Hong Kong also offers plenty of nature to explore. Ferry trips to harbourside Sai Kung and outlying islands offer great hiking and sunbathing. If you’re feeling more adventurous, scale the Dragon’s Back mountain ridge trail, a two-hour hike with stunning views. Then there’s Lantau Island, home of the world’s largest seated bronze buddha Tian Tan.
Hong Kong: Know before you go
| Language | Cantonese, English |
|---|---|
| Currency | Hong Kong dollar (HK$) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (HKT) |
| High season | July - August |
| Low season | February - March |
Find the best time to go to Hong Kong
Weather in Hong Kong
March – April: Subtropical spring brings a blaze of floral colour to the streets. And balmy temperatures make it a great time to be outdoors.
May – September: Summers are hot in Hong Kong, with daytime temperatures rarely dipping below 27°C. Pack breathable clothing to help with the humidity. Typhoon season peaks between July and September, bringing heavy rains and winds.
October – November: Autumn is still sunny but less humid. Ocean breezes make this the perfect time to head for the beach.
December – February: It never gets too cold in Hong Kong. Still, you’ll want a jacket starting in January, when temperatures can drop to around 13°C.
Events in Hong Kong
Chinese New Year (January to February): Dates change with the lunar cycle, but the New Year celebrations go on for weeks in Hong Kong. Visit the flower markets and join the street parade. Or watch the sky fill with lanterns on the final day of festivities.
Hong Kong Sevens (March): The city’s annual rugby sevens tournament is a 50-year-old tradition. It’s so popular that a new 50,000-seat stadium has been built to host it.
Mid-Autumn Festival (October): Hundreds of performers dance a fire dragon through the streets at this family-focused event. Join the locals heading to the harbour to gaze at the moon — and don’t forget to try the mooncakes.
The best neighbourhoods in Hong Kong
Central
Skyscrapers define Hong Kong Central, but there’s much more to see. Visit the walk-through aviary at the Hong Kong Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Indulge at the modern retail and dining options replacing the former food stalls of Central Market. Central is the best neighbourhood to stay in Hong Kong for dining and nightlife, with many pubs, bars and restaurants lining its Central-Mid-Levels Escalator, the world’s longest covered walkway system.
Good for: Zoo and gardens, shopping, dining
Tsim Sha Tsui
Whether you’re browsing brand-name boutiques in the Harbour City mall or searching for bargains at Granville Road’s thrift stores, the versatile Tsim Sha Tsui is undoubtedly the best area to stay in Hong Kong for shopaholics. All shopped out? Sample fine dining with harbour views or stretch those Hong Kong dollars further around Carnarvon Road, where the locals eat.
Good for: Shopping, good value, food
Causeway Bay
If Causeway Bay feels familiar, you may recognise it from movies like ‘Rush Hour 2’. Enjoy eating and haggling your way around street markets like Jardine’s Crescent, but be sure to save time for the real highlight, the rooftop lounges. This is also where to stay in Hong Kong for local experiences like pre-coffee tai chi sessions in Victoria Park and live sports at Hong Kong Stadium.
Good for: Nightlife, local life, entertainment
Things to do in Hong Kong
Shopping
Whether browsing boutiques along Causeway Bay's Fashion Walk, finding international brands in Harbour City, or just enjoying the atmosphere (and souvenirs) at Stanley Market, shopping in Hong Kong is always an adventure. To firmly feel like a local, test your bargaining skills at the Jade Market.
Take in the culture
Hong Kong packs a hefty cultural punch into its small footprint – not least from its 156 years under British rule. Rotating exhibitions at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum touch on this, plus topics like ancient culture and Bruce Lee movies. Perhaps the most unusual museum in Hong Kong is the interactive CUPNOODLES MUSEUM Hong Kong, which celebrates the story of ramen.
Nightlife
With sky bars, street markets and back-alley pubs, nightlife in Hong Kong appeals to most tastes. Enjoy sunset views at rooftop venues like Sugar or Ozone, before descending to the energetic markets on Temple Street, if that’s your thing. For something different, immerse yourself in the local rock music scene at The Aftermath.
Places to eat
The restaurants in Hong Kong bolster the territory's status as a global food hub. Dim sum is the order of the day on many menus, while street markets offer classic street food dishes like fish balls and sweet soup. Then there are Michelin-starred spots like Luk Yu Tea House and local favourites including Dim Dim Sum in Mong Kok. You’re spoiled for choice.
Free things to do
You’ll find free things to do in Hong Kong on trails, in unsuspecting alleys and around the harbour. Journey up Violet Hill and Twin Peaks for coastal views over the South China Sea. Practise tai chi or learn to play mahjong in the public parks. Roam the ever-changing graffiti-filled lanes of Sheung Wan. In truth though, it’s all about the sunsets, so find a hill, a beach or a rooftop bar to settle in before dusk. Be sure to bring a camera.
Beaches
It’s not all skyscrapers and lively street markets here – Hong Kong is also surrounded by natural splendour. From the city’s longest beach Cheung Sha to surfers’ paradise Big Wave Bay, escaping the city’s balmy weather in search of coastal solitude on beaches in Hong Kong is easier than you think.
Get ready for Hong Kong
Budget
It’s no surprise that a global banking hub is one of the world’s most expensive cities. But you can still enjoy an inexpensive stay in Hong Kong if you follow the locals. Seek out neighbourhood restaurants and street stalls where you can have a good meal for under 70 Chinese yuan (¥). A short taxi ride costs around ¥50, but the Star Ferry is less than ¥5.
Day trips from Hong Kong
For beach life with a hippie vibe, take a 30-minute boat ride to Lamma Island. Macau, on China’s mainland, is as famous for its Portuguese architecture and custard tarts as its casinos, and it’s less than two hours away by ferry. Or speed north by bullet train. The exciting megacity of Shenzhen can be reached in just 14 minutes.
Getting around Hong Kong
The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) covers the main districts, with buses and trams connecting stations. Ferries also serve Hong Kong’s coastal neighbourhoods, and buses and taxis connect rural attractions. Buy a reloadable Octopus Card at convenience stores or self-service machines in MTR stations to use for all fare payments.
