Hong Kong
Hong Kong was originally a small fishing and farming community under Chinese rule for centuries, with evidence of human settlement going back thousands of years.
In 1842, after the First Opium War, China ceded Hong Kong Island to Britain under the Treaty of Nanking. Over time, Britain expanded its control to include the Kowloon Peninsula (1860) and the New Territories (leased in 1898 for 99 years). Hong Kong became a major trading port and financial hub under British rule.
During World War II, Japan occupied Hong Kong from 1941 to 1945. After Japan’s defeat, the British resumed control.
In the decades following WWII, Hong Kong saw rapid industrialization and economic growth, transforming into a global financial center and one of the “Four Asian Tigers.”
On July 1, 1997, Britain returned Hong Kong to China under the “one country, two systems” principle. This allowed Hong Kong to maintain its own legal and economic systems for 50 years.
💡Hong Kong: Good to Know
🛂 Visa: most European countries plus Canada, Australia, the US, Korea, and Japan are visa-exempt for a stay of up to 90 days
✈️ Closest Airport: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
💬 Language: Chinese, but English is also spoken; street signs, announcements, and signage on trains and buses are in English
🏷️ Price Level: more expensive than other Asian countries, it is said that Hong Kong is generally about 10% more expensive than the US and European countries
🍔 Big Mac Index: US: US$5.69 / Hong Hong US$ 3.40
💰 Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HK$)| 1 USD = ca. HK$ 8)
☀️Best Times to Visit: spring (March to May) and fall (September and November); Hong Kong experiences a humid subtropical climate with distinct seasons and hot and humid summers while winters are cool and dry.
🚘 Transportation: MTR trains, buses and minibuses, ferries and taxis
🔌 Adapter: Hong Kong uses type D and G plugs. No adapter is needed if you are from the UK but it is needed when coming from Europe and the US.
🛜 WiFi: widely available; Wi-Fi.HK is a free, government-provided public WiFi service that can be accessed
🏧💰ATM and “Cash or Card”: Cards (credit/ debit or Octopus) are the preferred payment method, while cash is mainly used in smaller, local stores; ATMs are available throughout the city
💸 Tipping: A 10% service charge is usually added in restaurants, but locals often leave a few extra coins. Tipping isn’t expected elsewhere, but is appreciated for hotel porters or taxi drivers.
🚢 Cruise Terminal Address: Kai Tai Cruise Terminal, Shing Fung Rd, Kowloon City, Hong Kong (docked)
✈️ 🚇🚕 Getting There and Around
🎟️ The Octopus Card is a rechargeable smartcard valid on MTR and most forms of public transportation. The card costs HK$150, which includes a HK$50 refundable deposit and HK$100 worth of travel. The most convenient way is to download the Octopus card through Samsung or Apple Pay to add value on the go.
✈️ Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is located in western Hong Kong, around 25 miles (40 km) from Central. Several companies operate more than 40 bus routes to the airport from various parts of Hong Kong, but the fastest service from the city to the airport is through the decimated rail link, the Airport Express (fare to Hong Kong Station HK$110 with the Octopus Card).
🚇 The metro system (MRT) serves four million people daily, and the fast, efficient service is one of the quickest ways to get to most destinations in Hong Kong. Stations have designated numbers and letters, which makes getting around more convenient than having to remember the station name.
⛴️ One of the most iconic ferry rides is with the Star Ferry between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui (leaving from Pier 7 in Central, fare from HK$2.20). Other ferries operate regularly to the Outlying Islands from the different piers in Central. While Lantau can be reached by MRT and bus, ferries remain the only game in town for the other islands.
🚌 Regular city buses, as well minibuses, form an essential part of the transportation network and they will take you anywhere in the territory. Fares start from HK$4, buses run frequently and announcements are also made in English, making getting around very easy.
The cruise terminal in Kai Tak is served by several bus routes with express service offered when cruise ships are in town (click here for more information).
⭐️ Top Sights in Hong Kong
"Hong Kong Has More Skyscrapers Than New York City"
📸 Victoria Peak: Victoria Peak, also known as Mount Austin or The Peak, is the highest point on Hong Kong Island, reaching an elevation of 552 meters (1,811 ft). It offers panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and the city skyline, making it a popular tourist destination. The peak can be reached by the historic Peak Tram, a funicular railway, or by walking various trails.
📸 Peak Tram: The Peak Tram is a funicular railway in Hong Kong that transports people to the top of Victoria Peak. It's one of the city's oldest modes of public transport and a popular tourist attraction, offering stunning views of Hong Kong Island and the surrounding area. The tram journey, which takes about 5-10 minutes, climbs a steep 1.36-kilometer track with gradients between 6 and 26 degrees.
📸 Star Ferry: The Star Ferry was founded in 1888 and has been a vital part of Hong Kong’s transport network ever since. Passengers can enjoy panoramic views of Victoria Harbor and the ever-changing Hong Kong skyline for a few Hong Kong dollars. The two main routes are between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui and between Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui.
📸 Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha): This attraction is a large bronze statue of Buddha located on Lantau Island. It's one of the world's largest seated bronze Buddha statues, standing at 34 meters (112 feet) tall. The statue is a symbol of peace and harmony in Hong Kong, and the most scenic way is by taking the Ngong Ping 260 cable car from the Tung Chung MTR station.
📸 Macau: Macau is a Special Administrative Region of China located on the southern coast, near Hong Kong. It's known for its blend of Portuguese and Chinese cultures and is considered the "Las Vegas of Asia" due to its thriving tourism and gambling industry. Macau also maintains a high degree of autonomy within China, with its currency, passport, and economic rules. The city can be reached via bus (from HK$140, about 45 minutes) or ferry (from HK$175 one way, about 60 minutes)
🥾 The Victoria Peak Circle Walk is a scenic and accessible trail that offers panoramic views of the city's skyline, Victoria Harbor, and surrounding islands. This loop is approximately 2- 2.5 miles (3-4 km) and takes about 45 minutes to one hour to complete. It roughly follows Lugard and Harlech Roads, and the best times to visit are the early morning or evening. It is best reached by taking the Peak tram or bus 15 from Exchange Square in Central.
🍽️😋 Regional Specialties
Hong Kong's culinary history is a fascinating blend of Cantonese tradition and Western influences, shaped by its role as a British colony and a major trading hub. Cantonese cuisine forms the foundation, with influences from Thai and other Southeast Asian cultures entering through trade. Over time, Western dishes and culinary techniques, particularly baking, were adopted and adapted, resulting in unique Hong Kong-style dishes.
🍽️ Pineapple Bun: Hong Kong pineapple buns, also known as "bolo bao," are a sweet, fluffy bread bun topped with a crunchy, golden-brown, cookie-like crust that resembles the skin of a pineapple. They are a classic Hong Kong pastry, known for their delicious texture and flavor combination.
🍽️ Dim Sum: Hong Kong dim sum refers to a selection of small Chinese dishes, typically served for brunch or lunch, often with tea. It's a social and culinary experience, with a wide variety of steamed, fried, and baked items, usually meat or vegetables in dough or a wrapper.
🍽️ Curry Fishballs: Curry fishballs are a popular Hong Kong street food dish where fried fishballs are served with a rich and flavorful curry sauce. The fishballs, typically made from fish paste, are either deep-fried or boiled before being dipped in a curry sauce, which is often made with ingredients like curry powder, turmeric, and other spices.
🍽️ Egg Waffles: Hong Kong egg waffles, also known as "gai daan jai" in Cantonese, are a popular street food snack in Hong Kong. They're characterized by their crispy exterior and soft, chewy interior, and are typically made with an eggy batter and cooked in a waffle iron with semi-spherical cells.
🍽️ Chinese Barbecue: Hong Kong Chinese barbecue, known as Siu Mei, is a distinctive culinary tradition centered around roasting meats over open fires or in rotisserie ovens. This practice creates a unique, deeply flavored barbecue taste. The most famous example is Char Siu, a barbecued pork dish with a sweet and savory glaze.
🍽️ Egg Tart: Hong Kong egg tarts, also known as "dan tat," are a popular dim sum pastry featuring a crisp, flaky pastry crust filled with a smooth, creamy, and lightly sweet custard. They are a beloved treat in Hong Kong and Cantonese cuisine, often enjoyed as a dessert or part of a dim sum meal.
🥤Hong Kong-style Milk Tea: Hong Kong milk tea is a strong, sweet, and creamy black tea beverage originating in Hong Kong. It's characterized by its robust, often over-steeped black tea flavor, and is traditionally made with either evaporated milk, condensed milk, or a combination of both, often with added sugar. The tea is often "pulled" between teapots to create a smooth, creamy texture
🥤Yuen yeung (Yuanyang): A popular Hong Kong drink that combines coffee and tea. It’s made by mixing brewed coffee with brewed milk tea, and sweetened with condensed milk. The name "Yuen yeung" translates to "mandarin ducks" in Cantonese, which are known for their contrasting but harmonious appearance, mirroring the blend of coffee and tea.
📍🗺️ Maps, Apps & Links
🌐 Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus I
🌐 Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus II
🌐 Info about Ferry Service to Macau
🚕 Uber
🚕 HKTaxi