Hong Kong is truly one of the world’s great cities. Whether on your first visit or your tenth, you will inevitably be amazed and astounded by the city’s pulsing life, hurried pace and frenzy of different lifestyles. Hong Kong is one of the world’s true global metropolises – a kind of Gotham City for Asia where almost anything you want – be it American donuts or Australian Shiraz – is available.
When describing Hong Kong to friends that haven’t been there, I always say that it is like London plonked down in the middle of Asia. Or London with lots and lots and lots of Chinese people. While a fair enough statement, that still doesn’t do Hong Kong justice, with its myriad of different cultures and lifestyles and cuisines.
Getting Around
There are two surefire transport options in Hong Kong: the Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and your own two feet. With these two tools at your disposal, you can see literally all of Hong Kong. When you first arrive, you’ll definitely want to pick up an Octopus Card, the city’s mass transit refill card that allows you to swipe onto any of the public transport options in Hong Kong, including buses and trains. This is much like the Oyster Card in London.
Getting to the city is easy, too, with plenty of cheap flights to Hong Kong from most major world cities, including Europe and North America.
What to see
What to see in Hong Kong depends largely on your interests. The first stop for most visitors is a trip up Victoria Peak Tram, a historic funicular railway that carries passengers on a near-vertical ascent up to Victoria Peak, the highest point in the city overlooking Hong Kong’s amazing skyline.
You might also want to sample Hong Kong’s vivid horse racing culture. Your best bet is to catch one of the city’s old street trolleys to Happy Valley Racecourse, where you can watch young horses race on grass under the dim sparkle of tall skyscrapers.
In exploring Hong Kong’s trendy Soho district, a series of tiny streets stacked upon each other bursting with cute boutiques, small restaurants and interesting architecture, you may also want to take a ride on the world’s longest escalator, Central-Mid-Levels-Escalator.
Hong Kong also has a plethora of interesting museums, or if you’re seeking something a bit more spiritual, you can take the intense trek up to the 10,000 Buddhas Monastery in Sha Tin, where hundreds of stairs lead you past hundreds of golden buddha statues to a hilltop monastery.
Hong Kong is also a shopper’s paradise. From the boutiques in Soho to the upmarket international brand stores and multi-level malls in Causeway Bay or the funky local markets on the Kowloon side of the city, you can pretty much find anything you’re after – and usually at a good price!
Where to stay
Most of Hong Kong’s budget accommodation options are located along Nathan Road, where a few high rise buildings house youth hostels and guesthouses run by local families. When booking these types of accommodations, make sure that you receive confirmation of your bed and be sure to check out the facilities before you pay, because some are fairly grotty.
Upscale options range from major international hotel brands to local boutique hotels. Generally speaking, it’s possible to pay just about any price for a hotel room or hostel bed in Hong Kong, based on your budget.
What to eat
There is only one thing better than shopping in Hong Kong, and that is eating. From small noodle joints to upscale French dining, you’ll find every type of restaurant, dining hall and snack stall on earth in Hong Kong. The Kowloon peninsula, particularly the Mong Kok neighborhood, is a haven for local Hong Kong restaurants and snack stalls peddling all sorts of strange and crazy bites to eat. On Hong Kong Island, especially in Soho and Central, there are plenty of upscale international restaurants for discerning food lovers.
When to go and what to pack
Hong Kong’s weather is virtually always mild, and can get quite hot and humid during the summer. The best time of year to visit Hong Kong is during the autumn, winter and spring when the temperatures are most liveable. Summers can be extremely humid and hot in Hong Kong.
It’s best to pack lightweight clothing that breathes and is comfortable for a day of walking. If you plan to travel during the winter, make sure to bring at least a light jacket or coat in case of a cold spell.
Photo by jonnyr1.
