Located in the heart of Asia, Hong Kong is a small city that is known for its gourmet food, beautiful skyline, and wonderful hiking trails. If you are planning a trip to Hong Kong, here’s a short guide to help you.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and purchase an item, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
When to Visit
Hong Kong is an ideal destination that you can visit all year round. That said, you might want to consider the weather before planning your trip. There are 4 seasons in Hong Kong: Spring (March-May), Summer (June – August), Autumn (September – November), Winter (December – February).
The best season to visit is autumn, the weather is cool and much stable. Winter is also a popular choice for tourists. It is also one of the most expensive times to visit Hong Kong due to the Christmas and Chinese New Year holidays. The hotels are more expensive and attractions are packed with tourists.
You can check out the 9-day weather forecast from Hong Kong Observatory.
Sim Card
There are some malls that offer free public WiFi, but I highly recommend getting an eSim card to stay connected with your loved ones. I started using Airalo eSim to avoid high roaming charges during my travels. One of the benefits of using an eSim is that I don’t have to spend time looking for my previous SIM card. Airalo eSim is a popular choice that offers coverage in over 200 countries and regions.
Use my code “OIKWAN1737” to get $3 off your first eSim purchase!
Transportation From the Airport To the City
From the airport, you can take airport buses, taxis, or airport express trains to the city.
- By Bus: This is the cheapest way to go to the city, but it takes about 1-1.5 hours travel time.
- By Taxi: This is a good option if you are a group of travelers or if you’re traveling with family. It costs more, but it is faster and more convenient because a taxi will drop you off right in front of the hotel.
- By airport express: this is the fastest way to the city, it takes less than 30 minutes from the airport to Hong Kong Station, but it is also the most expensive option. You can check out the package deal from Klook and purchase your tickets in advance.
An added benefit when you take the airport express is that you can enjoy the in-town check-in service for major airlines and shuttle bus service to some hotels. The in-town check-in service is located at Hong Kong Station and Kowloon Station.
Transportation
Before anything else, make sure to get an Octopus Card—it’s an essential tool for navigating Hong Kong with ease. The card simplifies your trip, allowing you to conveniently pay for public transportation. Plus, you can use it to purchase food, drinks, and merchandise in shops, making your experience even more hassle-free.
MTR
It is the major mode of transportation in Hong Kong. It has more than 10 metro lines connecting Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and New Territories which makes it easy and convenient to explore this city. You can purchase a single journey ticket from the MTR ticket machines or customer service counter, but using an Octopus card is slightly cheaper.
Bus
Another way to get around is to take a bus. Bus fare depends on the distance to your destination. When you board the bus, just tap your Octopus card or pay in cash (bear in mind that no change will be given). The bus announces the name of the next station in three languages – English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. If you are getting off at the next stop, simply press the red “Stop” button attached to the handrails. You don’t have to tap your Octopus card again when you get off.
Mini Bus/Public Light Bus
Besides buses, there is another kind of transportation called the minibus or public light bus. These vehicles are like alternatives to buses, it serves areas and routes that are difficult to reach by bus. Each vehicle can accommodate up to 16 passengers, standing is not allowed inside the minibus. Similar to buses, you pay the fare when you get on the vehicle, and you don’t have to pay when you get off.
One thing I find difficult when taking the minibus is that you have to be familiar with the route. Although some minibusses added a “Stop” button, there is no clear information or announcement as to what the next stop is. Passengers usually call out to the driver, informing him that they will get off at certain streets or landmarks.
Taxi
Hong Kong taxis can seat up to 4-5 passengers, you can check out the allowed number of passengers beside the plate number of the taxi. Taxis in Hong Kong have 3 colors – red, blue, and green. Red taxis are the most common ones – they operate in the urban areas, while the green taxis operate in New Territories and blue taxis operate in Lantau Island only. All taxis are metered; the taxi fare is based on distance traveled plus extra charges such as luggage, toll fees, pet charges, etc.
Tram
These double-decker trams, also known as “Ding Ding”, can be found in Hong Kong Island only. It is the cheapest and oldest mode of transportation in Hong Kong. It runs 6 routes, from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan, it will pass by busy districts like Central, Wanchai, and Causeway Bay.
Unlike buses and minibusses, it has a fixed rate system regardless of distance traveled. Some things to note when you board the tram. The tram has a front door and a back door. The front door is for passengers getting off the tram. The back door is for passengers boarding the tram.
When you board the tram, you don’t have to pay, payment is done when you exit at the front door of the tram. Tram accepts cash and octopus as payment. If you’re paying by cash, be sure to prepare the exact amount as no change will be given. The tram has no “stop” button, but it will stop at every tram station.
Ferries
Aside from trains and buses, tourists can also take the star ferry from Hong Kong Island (Central & Wanchai) to Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui), and vice versa. It is an affordable way to cross the Victoria Harbour while enjoying the scenery.
There are also other ferry services from Central Pier going to outlying islands such as Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, and Lamma Island.
Where to stay
As most of the tourist attractions are located in the city center, the most convenient place to stay is Hong Kong Island or Kowloon. It will give you more time for shopping and sightseeing. Sheung Wan, Central, Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mongkok are some of the popular choices. You might also want to consider the places you want to visit before deciding where to stay.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and purchase an item, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Shopping
- Causeway Bay – This is a go-to district for shopping if you are staying on Hong Kong Island. You can shop at luxury shopping malls such as Sogo, Time Square, Hysan Place, and Fashion Walk, or check out the Jardine’s Crescent Market street market.
- Mongkok – Mongkok is always crowded with people and is a popular area even for locals. You can go shopping in shopping malls such as Langham Place, or do some street shopping at Ladies Market or Sneakers Street, or buy the latest gadgets and games at Sino Plaza.
- Citygate Outlets – It is an outlet mall located near Tung Chung MTR. It has over 100 premium brands. It is also a popular choice by tourists because the mall is located near the Ngong Ping 360 cable car. Tourists can shop and dine in the outlet after a day spent in Ngong Ping.
Restaurants
Dimsum, roast goose, char siu, and street foods – these are just some of the must-try foods in Hong Kong. Listed below are suggestions where you can experience dining with locals and taste delicious Chinese cuisine.
Luk On Kui (Previously Lin Heung Kui)
Most of the restaurants now give you a menu and deliver the dim sum to your table. If you want to experience the traditional way of ordering dim sum, you should add this to your itinerary. Dining in Luk On Kui, you’ll have to get your dim sum from the pushcart ladies. Just bring your bill and order your dim sum, the ladies will mark it on your bill. It may be chaotic sometimes when a lot of people are ordering at the same time. Dining in a tea house during peak hours, the staff may assign you to share a table with strangers – this is a Hong Kong food culture.
Address: 2-3/F, 40-50 Des Voeux Road West, Sheung Wan
Opening Hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tim Ho Wan
It is an affordable Michelin-star Dimsum specialist restaurant. It is famous for its baked bun with BBQ pork. They have branches in different districts in Hong Kong, you can check if there are branches near you using the OpenRice app.
This is their location in Central.
Address: Shop 12A, L1/F, Hong Kong MTR Station, Central
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 21:00
Kam’s Roast Goose
A Michelin-star restaurant that offers roast goose, roast pork, soya chicken, and char siu.
Address: G/F, Po Wah Commercial Center, 226 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
Opening Hours: 11:30 – 21:30
Lan Fong Yuen
Experience the local style tea house in Central that is famous for its milk tea. The place can be very crowded during peak hours and you may be asked to share a table with strangers.
Address: G/F, 2 Gage Street, Central
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturdays 07:30 – 18:00
Kau Kee Restaurant
It is famous for its beef brisket noodles. Be prepared for the long queue outside the restaurant. If possible, try to visit during non-peak hours.
Address: G/F, 21 Gough Street, Central
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 12:30 – 22:30
Yee Shun Milk Company
If you are looking for a traditional dessert place after your meal, you can check out Yee Shun Milk Company. It is known for its milk-based pudding.
Address: G/F, 506 Lockhart Road, Causeway Bay
Opening Hours: 12:00 – 23:00
Auntie Sweet Dessert
This is another dessert place that offers signature Chinese-style desserts such as sesame soup, mango sago, grass jelly, and snow domes.
Address: G/F, 11 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay
Opening Hours: 14:00 – 23:30
Mammy Pancakes
Grab an order of freshly made egg waffles. The egg waffles are one of the famous street foods in Hong Kong. Mammy pancakes offer a variety of new flavours. There are several branches in different districts in Hong Kong, this is the address in Causeway Bay. You can check if there are other branches near you using the OpenRice app.
Address: Shop 17, G/F, Leishun Court, 1-5 Haven Street, Causeway Bay
Opening Hours: 12:00 – 20:30
Top attractions
Heritage sites
First of all, get to know Hong Kong’s history by visiting historical sites in the heart of Hong Kong. Sheung Wan and Central are two of the busiest districts in Hong Kong Island, but the location of these historical sites is within walking distance. Hence, you can easily visit all these places on foot, read about it here.
Victoria Peak
It is the Hong Kong island’s tallest hill and is one of the top tourist attractions. It offers a breathtaking view of Victoria Harbour. Aside from the view, you can also visit other attractions including the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Monopoly Dreams, 3D museum, etc. I spent half a day at the peak last year, you can read about it here.
Theme Parks
There are two theme parks in Hong Kong – Ocean Park and Disneyland.
Ocean Park
Ocean Park is situated in the southern part of Hong Kong. It is accessible by bus and MTR. Because of its location, Ocean Park offers an amazing view of southern Hong Kong. You can easily spend the whole day here, whether you came here for the thrilling rides, or to visit the adorable Pandas and interact with animals. There is plenty of fun for everyone of all ages. Besides the main theme park, if you visit Hong Kong during summer, you can visit the Water World Ocean Park too.
Some tips and pointers when visiting the park:
- Expect to walk a lot when you visit the park, if you are traveling with elders, Ocean Park offers wheelchair rentals (additional fees apply).
- Restaurants in the theme park offer Halal food and vegetarian foods.
- Take the cable car to the summit and take the train back to the waterfront. The waiting time for cable cars can take up to 1 hour (or more) during peak hours.
- If you plan to visit the Tuxedo restaurant, call and make a reservation first. In addition to the cute animal-shaped food, you also have a great spot to watch the penguins while dining in the restaurant.
- To get closer to the animals, check the feeding schedules.
Disneyland
Disneyland, on the other hand, is situated on Lantau Island. There are live stage shows, photo opportunities with Disney characters, parades, and nighttime fireworks. More information and tips to enjoy your trip to Disneyland can be found in this post.
Which one to visit?
It is difficult to choose one over the other because both theme parks are suitable for all ages and have a lot to offer. One thing to consider is your budget when choosing which park to visit. Ocean Park tickets cost less than Disneyland. Both parks offer priority access passes at extra costs (which is great because you can skip the long queue if you plan to visit during peak season).
To sum up, if you prefer thrilling roller coaster rides, or you are a nature and animal lover, check out Ocean Park. If you love Disney characters or enjoy watching stage shows and parade performances, I think a magical day at Disneyland is the one for you.
Avenue of the Stars
Renovated and reopened in 2019, Avenue of the Stars is located along the Victoria Harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui. It is a perfect spot to watch the Symphony of Lights and take pictures of the night skyline of Hong Kong. You’ll also find several handprints of celebrities along the way, similar to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Aside from handprints, there are also statues of celebrities such as Martial artist Bruce Lee, singer Anita Mui, and cartoon character McDull.
Ngong Ping 360 & Big Buddha
Ngong Ping 360 is the cable car system that connects Tung Chung and Ngong Ping. It has 3 kinds of cable cars – standard, crystal, and crystal+. It is a good idea to purchase the Ngong Ping 360 tickets online to skip the queue. I bought my tickets from Klook and redeemed them at the Klook designated counter. The queue is shorter and it is fast and convenient.
When the cable car is approaching Ngong Ping Village, you’ll get a glimpse of the bronze Buddha sitting on top of the mountain. The Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha) is the iconic attraction in Lantau island, it takes around a 10-minute walk from Ngong Ping Village.
Right behind the Big Buddha, is the Wisdom path. These wooden columns are arranged in the figure of eight, which symbolizes infinity. The words inscribed on the wooden columns are calligraphy of the verse of the Heart Sutra.
Other things to do in the village include visiting the Po Lin Monastery, experiencing the Walking with Buddha – a short presentation on the life of Buddha, shopping at local souvenir shops, treating yourself to some local delicacies, and lastly, taking pictures in front of art murals in the village.
Other useful information
Mode of Payment
- Octopus card – this is still the most widely used payment method when commuting in Hong Kong (except taxi). You can also make a purchase using the octopus cards in shops and restaurants.
- Credit Card, ApplePay, GooglePay, and AliPay – digital payments are widely accepted in restaurants and shopping malls. In addition, some buses now also accept credit cards.
- Cash – most of the establishment accepts the above payment methods, but you should still have some cash on hand. Small businesses may refuse $1000 bills, so it is better to have smaller bills.
Useful Apps
- Hong Kong Observatory App – You can check the weather forecast and plan your trip accordingly. You’ll receive notifications such as thunderstorm warnings, typhoons, and rainstorm warnings that might impact your visit to theme parks or attractions.
- Hong Kong Disneyland App – You can check park information such as the opening time of the park, show times, waiting times of the rides, etc.
- MTR App – The app has a trip planner function that can guide you where to change lines to get to your destination. It gives you an overview of the fare, estimated time, and some useful information such as fast exit to help you have a smooth journey.
- Octopus App – If your phone has an NFC function, you can use this app to check the balance of your Octopus card. You can then top up your octopus before using it to take a bus or train.
- CitybusNWFB, APP 1933 – KMB/LWB– These 2 apps show you the bus routes and the time of the next bus. It helps you estimate how long you have to wait for the next bus. If you are in a hurry, you can consider taking other modes of transportation.
- OpenRice App – This app helps you search for nearby restaurants, and read the reviews and recommended dishes of each restaurant. You can also check the opening hours, address, available mode of payment, and if they accept table reservations.
Day Trip to Macau
Macau is Hong Kong’s neighbour, it only takes about an hour ferry ride from Hong Kong. It is an ideal destination if you are planning for a day trip. You can take a ferry from the Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan or the China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui.
There are plenty of things to do in Macau. I haven’t tried it yet, but if you are up for some extreme activity, you must try bungee jumping from Macau Tower. It is the world’s highest bungee jump – with a 233-meter plunge, it is not for the faint-hearted. Then, enjoy a buffet at the Macau Tower before you go.
On the other hand, if bungee jumping is not your thing, you can check out the House of Dancing Waters show staged by City of Dreams. It is an 85-minute water-based stage show that combines visual effects, acrobats, and stunts.
To add to your itinerary, you can visit other attractions such as St. Paul Ruins, Senado Square, and Monte Fort; don’t forget to try out the famous Portuguese egg tart, pork chop bun, almond cookies, and pork jerky.