Hong Kong Travel Guide

Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, is home to over 7 million people and 7500 skyscrapers, all crammed into less than 1100 square kilometres. Concentration is the key to the world’s most vertical city, a pressure cooker of Cantonese and British culture.

Steamy footpaths overflow, the constant chirping of conversation fills the air and as darkness falls, streams of supercars form a slithering neon python. Originally a sleepy, rugged peninsula, Hong Kong has transformed into a global financial centre, gaining a reputation as an exciting place to be. Today, chaotic Hong Kong is as hectic as it ever has been.

See and do

Hong Kong’s main attraction is the soaring skyline, equally stunning when viewed from above or from the harbour, as described below.

Rising above even the tallest of towers, Victoria Peak frames the city centre.  Crowning the densely vegetated, steep slopes is the Peak Tower. The tower offers a sensational aerial perspective of the city, as well as shops, restaurants and a museum. Dusk is a particularly special time to be on the peak and very popular with locals. As darkness falls the enormous light show begins, a mosaic of colourful illuminations. The laser display at 8 o’clock every evening is definitely worth staying around for. Victoria Peak can be reached by the historic Peak Tram or a long, hair-raising bus ride, both of which are memorable journeys.

A trip out on Victoria Harbour leaves you gazing in awe at the forest of steel and glass pillars. The cheapest and most popular way to get out on the water is by taking The Star Ferry to Kowloon however all manner of sunset and dinner cruises are available. The best trips are on traditional junks, whose wooden hulls and billowing red sails are extremely photogenic.

Kowloon, just across the water from Central Hong Kong, offers a number of worthwhile attractions. The Hong Kong Museum of History vividly details the region’s troubled past in an accessible exhibition. There is a particular focus on the contentious years of British rule, which ended in 1997. Kowloon is also home to the flagship Peninsula Hotel. Frequently rated as the world’s premier hotel, the original Peninsula is famous for its facade, fountains and fleet of 14 Rolls Royce Silver Phantom limousines, painted in the hotel’s trademark green. Not far away is the Avenue of Stars, another venue offering beautiful city views.

Surprisingly, the soaring metropolis only takes up 30 percent of Hong Kong’s territory. Beyond the bustling capital, there are peaceful fishing villages. So if you feel claustrophobic or want to really stretch your legs,
head out to the countryside holds a much slower pace of life, a place of stilted houses, rickety old boats and serene temples.  Getting there is easy - just take a ferry from the wharves along Man Kwong St.

Local flavours

Hong Kong is home to a myriad of eating options. The city offers simultaneously some of the cheapest and most expensive dining on the planet. The cuisine is primarily Chinese, however, thanks to a colourful historical past and a strong international community you can find almost anything. 

On the street, piping hot bowls of beef brisket soup, ladled straight from the hawker’s stand, are yours for only a handful of coins. The mid range is made up of many colossal Chinese restaurants, the kinds of places with menus 25 pages long and huge fish tanks where you can pre-select your dinner. The upper end of the spectrum is the domain of some of the world’s top chefs.  Masterfully prepared 12 course degustation menus are plated in 72nd floor dining rooms. 

Getting in and around

Hong Kong’s International Airport, designed by British architectural legend Sir Norman Foster, is epic. On numerous occasions, it has been voted the best in the world. There are daily Flights to Hong Kong from all continents. These arrivals and departures connect directly to a dizzying number of destinations. Consequently, by far the easiest and most popular way to arrive is by plane.

The Airport Express Train leaves 5 times every hour. The train delivers passengers to the heart of Hong Kong in less than half an hour, accompanied by great views during the approach to the city. On the other hand, airport taxis are very pricey and the traffic can be terrible during peak times.

In the city of Hong Kong, over 90 percent of the population relies solely on public transport. Fittingly, the train, tram and bus services are nothing short of amazing. Signs are displayed in English and staff members are always happy to help out. Navigating Hong Kong’s maze of elevated pathways on foot can be great fun, not to mention very scenic. Don’t miss out on taking a ride on the world’s longest escalator.

Weather

Hong Kong experiences a powerful sub-tropical climate with a vast seasonal range. Winters can be chilly, with evening temperatures often in the single figures. In contrast, summers are unmistakably tropical. The temperature frequently soars above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, 30 degrees celsius, and the air commonly approaches 100 percent humidity. Typhoon season is June to September so the best times to visit are spring and fall, which enjoy moderate temperatures.

Good to know

Hong Kong hosts fiercely contested Dragon Boat races and the most exciting event of The World Rugby Sevens calendar as well as legendary track days at Happy Valley Racecourse, hosted by The Hong Kong Jockey Club. During these events, over $72 billion is laid down in bets and the whole place goes absolutely mental, the nightlife in particular.

Despite officially being a Chinese region, thanks to a colonial past and a large expat community, English is widely spoken.

Staying here

Hotels in Hong Kong are highly priced, a result of the soaring price of real estate. Accommodation ranges from fairly simple to remarkably lavish, however, it is very expensive by Asian standards. The top rooms occupy the upper levels of the tallest towers, with floor to ceiling windows affording surreal views. Cheaper options can be found a little out of the centre and in neighbouring Kowloon.