Hong Kong Travel Guide
At first glance, Hong Kong is nothing short of daunting: a thicket of skyscrapers perched on a South China Sea island. But the city can be one of the most engaging and unexpectedly beautiful urban spectacles on Earth.
Hong Kong explodes with life daily; every square inch occupied by someone selling, buying or simply taking in the view.
Yet behind the whirl of people and red and cream taxis, Hong Kong has a more reflective side, although you’re unlikely to find it atop the Peak.
Dominating the city skyline, Victoria Peak towers to 554m (1818 ft) and was once home to a sleepy neighbourhood of colonial villas occupied by the British officials that ran the metropolis until it was handed back to China in 1997.
Guarantees aimed at securing freedom of speech and elected political representation were enshrined in the treaty, although the latter remains elusive as the 2014 Umbrella Protests made only too clear. Don’t expect to be left in peace to enjoy the view at the Peak – it is no less bustling here than anywhere else.
Back down in the city, there’s no shortage of things to do. Explore the backstreets and unexpected traditional temples of Central, then step into the sensory overload of Mongkok where markets selling live birds sit side by side with medicine shops and hipster boutiques crammed with chic threads.
Causeway Bay, just across Victoria Harbour, is another shopping mecca and boasts stores and stalls selling a truly mindboggling array of wares.
The preponderance of buildings, shops and people can leave you thinking that Hong Kong is nothing more than a vast urban sprawl, but that’s not quite true. Quaint fishing villages, gorgeous beaches and a network of cycling and hiking trails are a short bus ride away.
Nowhere is lovelier than the Kadoorie Farm’s striking series of elegant gardens, but after just a little peace, you’ll soon miss the bustle and tussle of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s status as one of the world’s leading ports is drawn for a long history dating back over 2,000 years. Subsumed by China’s Qin dynasty between 221 and 206BC, the modern territory of Hong Kong developed into a key trading post. It flourished under the Tang Dynasty, receiving the brutal attentions of invading Mongol hoards in 1276 during the Song dynasty.
The arrival of Portuguese merchants in the 16th century saw foreign trade become an essential cornerstone of the area’s economy, before Chinese rulers enforced an isolationist policy, banning business with outsiders. It wasn’t until the early nineteenth century that Hong Kong once again became a vital place for foreign trade, changing the course of history in this corner of Asia until the present day.
China’s refusal to allow opium imports from British traders led to the first opium war of 1839.
(
Website: www.bbc.co.uk ) leading to Britain occupying Hong Kong in 1842 and raising the Union flag over the city. A long period of colonial rule began, with the UK handed control of the territory under the Treaty of Nanking.
British control extended further following the second opium war, leading to the area of Kowloon being added to the colony in 1860. By 1898, relations with China had thawed enough to allow the signing of a 99 year lease for Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s population boomed in the early 20th century as it established itself as a global port. In 1941, however, the city fell to Japanese forces (
Website: www.bbc.co.uk ) that were not removed until the end of WWII. The post–war years saw Hong Kong grow upwards as slums were converted into high rise tower blocks, while strict border controls were implemented with now Communist China.
The British officially handed Hong Kong back to China in July 1997. The Chinese agreed to run the city and its territories, now a Special Administrative Area, under a ‘one country, two systems’ principle, allowing for a judiciary and the rule of law. Democracy, however, remains managed by a few, with 2014 seeing protests demanding universal suffrage for the election of Hong Kong’s chief executive
(
Website: www.theguardian.com )
Hong Kong suffers from typhoons, the most fierce of which ripped through the city in 1937, killing 11,000 people.
Hong Kong is the name of the region, not the city. Victoria, on the north of the main island, is the capital.
The tram system dates back to 1902.
The best to visit Hong Kong is in
winter (October) and early
spring (March), when temperatures average 17°C (61°F) and the climate is mild and fresh. Come May, the ever-present humidity skyrockets and summer becomes hot and frequently wet. Expect temperatures then to average 28°C (82°F). Typhoons hit during
summer and early
autumn, while ferocious rainstorms fall intermittently. For locals, a signal eight typhoon can mean a day off work, visitors shouldn’t venture out if the typhoon warning exceeds signal three.
Getting around Hong Kong
Hong Kong has an extremely efficient public transport system.
The Mass Transit Railway (
MTR)
Telephone: +852 2881 8888
Website: www.mtr.com.hk runs the city’s underground metro lines and the Airport Express link. Fares are metered by the number of stations, with only limited zoning. You can buy single tickets, day passes, or use a pay-as-you-go Octopus smartcard.
Bus routes run throughout the territory, with cross-harbour routes via the tunnel. Locals use the fast and furious green and red minibuses, but unless you know Hong Kong well, the routes can be confusing. There are double decker buses too: Kowloon Motor Bus, New World First Bus and Citybus offer routes covering Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Destinations are displayed in English and Chinese on the front of the bus. Exact change is required when paying with cash, with fares rising with distance. Octopus cards are also accepted.
Trams only operate on Hong Kong Island. They are frequent and cheap and you can pay with an Octopus card or exact change as you exit. Locally known as Ding Ding, there are six main routes running between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan every day from 0600 to midnight. Sit upstairs at the front for cool breezes and the best views:
Telephone: +852 2548 7102
Website: www.hktramways.com
The Peak Tram, on the Island, is a funicular tramway to the upper terminus on Victoria Peak.
The Star Ferry
Telephone: +852 2367 7065
Website: www.starferry.com.hk
ride across Hong Kong harbour is a tourist ‘must do’, as well as the cheapest way to make the crossing. You can pay with an Octopus card or exact change. Star Ferry terminals are in Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Wan Chai and Hung Hom. Other ferry services also connect with the outlying islands of the territory and other destinations.
Taxis are plentiful in Hong Kong and Kowloon and are extremely cheap. There are taxi ranks in busy locations but you can flag them down anywhere on the street, except in certain restricted zones. Red taxis serve Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, green ones serve the New Territories and blue ones Lantau Island. Taxis with a rectangular red plaque on their dashboard are generally cross-harbour taxis meaning passengers only pay a one-way toll for using the cross-harbour tunnel.
Some journeys incur extra tolls, and charges are also sometimes added when carrying luggage. It is common for passengers to round up the fare to the nearest dollar, although this is not mandatory. Many drivers speak a little English but it’s a good idea to carry a map or have your destination written in Chinese characters. It is also wise to ask if the taxi is a Hong Kong or Kowloon taxi when boarding, especially late at night – drivers are happiest sticking to their own side of the water.
HKTEx
Telephone: +852 3709 2826
AmyExpress Asia
Telephone: +852 6736 6120
Driving in Hong Kong is best left to professionals. With one of the best public transport systems in the world and ubiquitous taxis, there is no need for visitors to risk going behind the wheel. Rates on cars are strong deterrents, with a 100% vehicle import tax and petrol tax, as well as hefty insurance and vehicle registration fees.
Major car parks in Central are at the City Hall, Murray Road, and the Airport Express Terminal, Man Cheung Road. In Causeway Bay, the World Trade Centre is the main parking point, while in Kowloon, you can find parking at The Sun Arcade, Kowloon Park Drive in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Despite the heavy traffic and appalling air quality, there are places in Hong Kong to enjoy cycling – out on the islands or in the New Territories. Explore the backstreets of Lamma, Cheung Chau or Peng Chau islands and you’re likely to find someone willing to rent a bike at a reasonable price. There are plenty of shops offering bicycle hire around Tai Po MTR station. Bicycles are also available for hire from the
Friendly Bicycle shop
Telephone: +852 5233 5876
Smart Bicycle Co.
Telephone: +852 2690 0616
For mountain bike gear, contact
Flying Ball Bicycle Company
Telephone: +852 2381 3661
Website: www.flyingball.com in Cheung Sha Wan.
In partnership with Get Your Guide
Book popular activities in Hong Kong City
Things to see in Hong Kong
Attractions
- Big Buddha and Po Lin (Precious Lotus) Monastery
The Big Buddha on Lantau Island is the biggest sitting Buddha statue built outdoor. This majestic statue sits atop the peak of Mount Muk Yue. Po Lin Monastery has taken 12 years to plan and build this bronze Buddha statue that symbolises the stability of Hong Kong, prosperity of China and peace on earth. Visitors can also enjoy the special delicacy of vegetarian dishes of the monastery.
Address: Ngong Ping, Lanatu Island, Hong Kong city.
Telephone: +852 2985 5248
Opening times: Daily 09:00-18:00.
Website: www.plm.org.hk
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
One of the world’s most beautiful theme parks and ranked as the 7th most popular theme parks in the world by Forbes – the home-grown destination includes an iconic Marine Land, Amazing Asian Animals (giant pandas, red pandas, asian otters, etc.), and cable cars as well as state-of-the-art, world-class facilities such as Polar Adventure, Thrill Mountain, and Aqua City.
Address: Wong Chuk Hang Road , Hong Kong City.
Telephone: +852 3923 2323
Opening times: Daily 10:00-19:00.
Website: www.oceanpark.com.hk
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
A miniature hill station in colonial times, Victoria Peak is stratospheric in its social exclusiveness and its rents. Groundlings can still visit, ascending by the vertiginous Peak Tram – a funicular in use since 1888, which feels more like a Victorian-era Space Shuttle, or by taxi or bus. Atop the hill is the Sky Terrace 428 viewing platform, Madam Tussauds waxwork museum, several restaurants, and the revamped Peak Galleria shopping arcade. Hikers can scale the real peak, some 140m (459ft) above the tram terminus, or leisurely follow the Peak Circuit route with vistas over Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the outlying islands. Both are signposted.
Address: The Peak, Hong Kong.
Telephone: + 852 2522 0922
Opening times: Daily 07:00-23:55 (Peak Tram).
Website: www.thepeak.com.hk
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
With its dazzling ensemble of modernist buildings, Statue Square is an essential stop for architecture fans. Designed by Norman Foster, HSBC’s headquarters form the south side of the square, with I M Pei’s Bank of China Tower to its east, where visitors can ascend to the 43rd floor for a stunning view of Central. Other key buildings include the Legislative Council Building and the soaring 88-storey International Finance Centre (known as ‘Two IFC’), home to a Four Seasons hotel and the city’s showpiece shopping mall.
Address: Des Voeux Rd Central, Hong Kong city.
Opening times: Daily 24 hours.
Website: www.amo.gov.hk
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Green and white tub-shaped ferries have been a familiar sight around Hong Kong since the 1920s and are a much-cherished symbol of the city. More importantly, their decks give one of the best available views, day or night, of the waterfronts of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon – not to mention the plethora of ocean traffic surging through the shipping lanes.
Address: Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 2367 7065
Opening times: Daily 06:30-23:30.
Website: www.starferry.com.hk
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Travelling 5.7km (3.5 miles) between Tung Chung Town Centre and Ngong Ping on Lantau Island, this cable car offers stunning views across North Lantau Country Park, Tung Ching Bay and the giant Tian Tan Bhudda statue. Part of the development is Ngong Ping Village, a small theme park incorporating family-friendly attractions such as Walking with Buddha, the Monkey’s Tale Theatre and the Ngong Ping Tea House.
Address: Tung Chung, Lantau Island, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 3666 0606
Opening times: Daily 10:00-18:00.
Website: www.np360.com.hk
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
The Hong Kong outpost of Disney’s magical wonderland is every bit as alluring as its European and US counterparts, and is great for kids and adults alike. There are two excellent themed hotels on site for visitors wishing to get the full Magic Kingdom experience, plus a slew of super rides and rollercoasters guaranteed to get the heart pumping.
Address: Lantau Island, Hong Kong City.
Telephone: +852 3550 3388
Opening times: Daily 10:30-20:00.
Website: www.hongkongdisneyland.com
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Offering great views of the spectacular Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island waterfront, this esplanade is where couples go in the evenings for a romantic stroll. The colonial-era Clock Tower, by the Star Ferry piers, makes an attractive historic terminus. Watch out for visiting cruise liners, which moor at Ocean Terminal. Shoppers should head to Harbour City shopping mall. Stretching along the promenade, the Avenue of Stars features hand prints and commemorative plaques honouring Hong Kong’s greatest film stars such as Jackie Chan, Maggie Cheung and Bruce Lee.
Address: L’Avenue des Stars, Hong Kong city.
Opening times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
An ornate temple in the heart of Kowloon, Wong Tai Sin Temple combines Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist traditions. Wong Tai Sin himself was a Zhejiang shepherd/alchemist who supposedly concocted a marvellous cure-all. His statue in the main building was brought from the mainland in 1915. The building is spectacularly colourful with its red pillars, golden ceiling and decorated latticework, although not particularly distinguished. Far more fascinating are the fortune-tellers in their arcade of booths and the throngs of worshippers.
Address: 2 Chuk Yuen Village, Hong Kong city.
Telephone: +852 2327 8141
Opening times: Daily 07:30-16:30.
Website: www.siksikyuen.org.hk
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- Hong Kong Museum of History
Opened in late 2001, the Hong Kong Museum of History houses ‘The Hong Kong Story’ exhibition which covers the region’s history from prehistoric times, including some spectacular period sets. There are traditional costumes, a huge collection of period photographs, replicas of old village houses and an entire street, circa 1881, with its own Chinese medicine store.
Address: 100 Chatham Road South, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 2724 9042
Opening times: Wed-Mon 10:00-1900.
Website: www.hk.history.museum
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Wednesday means horse racing in Happy Valley, where the floodlit racecourse, hemmed in by towering apartment buildings and steep hills, attracts hardcore Chinese gamblers (it’s the only legal form of gambling in Hong Kong) and boozing expats. Order a drink from the beer marquee and stand by the home straight as the horses gallop in, or admire the views from the grandstand.
Address: Happy Valley, 2 Sports Road, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 2895 1523
Opening times: Only Wed, Sun 11:00-18:00.
Website: www.happyvalleyracecourse.com
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware
Situated in the beautiful Hong Kong Park, Flagstaff House dates from 1846 and is the former residence of the colonial Commander-in-Chief. The oldest surviving colonial building in Hong Kong, it now houses a fine museum of tea ware, seals and other ceramics and includes many fine examples of the famous Yixing teapots. The museum also holds regular demonstrations, tea gatherings and lecture programmes to promote ceramic art and Chinese tea drinking culture.
Address: Central, 10 Cotton Tree Drive, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 2869 0690
Opening times: Wed-Mon 10:00-18:00.
Website: www.hk.art.museum
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Address: Star Ferry Pier, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 2508 1234
Opening times: Daily 08:00-21:00.
Website: www.discoverhongkong.com
Hong Kong’s tourist board offices can help with tours, accommodation and onward travel. Get the inside line on the latest events, where to eat and what to do, with the chance to charge your mobile phone at some offices as well. There are also offices at Lo Wu Station (Arrivals Hall, 2/F, Lo Wu Terminal Building) Hong Kong Island (Peak Piazza, between the Tower and the Galleria) and Kowloon (Star Ferry Concourse, Tsim Sha Tsui).
Tourist passes
Disneyland Hong Kong (Combo Pass only) and the Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck, plus either access to Ocean Park, a Big Bus Hong Kong Tour, a Watertours cruise or a three-course meal at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant. The 5-day pass is available to buy online.
Things to do in Hong Kong
- Feel the sand between your toes
If white sandy beaches are your jam, get a ferry (
Website: www.hongkongliving.com ) to Lantau Island and kick back at Cheung Sha. Lantau is also the location of the vast Shek Pik Reservoir Dam, with its mind-boggling 24 million cubic meters of water.
Head across the New Territories on Hong Kong’s longest hike, the 100km-long (62-mile) MacLehose Trail. If the full stretch sounds a little daunting – which it is – the route has been split into 10 sections, each taking from 90 minutes to five hours. Information on the route can be found on the official
Enjoy Hiking (
Website: www.hiking.gov.hk )
How you feel about the aptly named
Goldfish Market (
Website: www.goldfish-market.hk ) will largely depend on your opinion on fish in captivity. Thousands of plastic bags containing goldfish of every hue line the walls of these shops in Mong Kok, and are destined for bowls and aquariums across the city.
The Hello Kitty image of image is famous the world over, but in Hong Kong Kitty’s so popular there’s a restaurant.
Telephone: +852 8202 8203
Website: www.hellokittychinesecuisine.com.hk that’s been fully licensed by the owners of the brand. A must stop-off for any foodie, their Kitty-decorated dim sum are the ultimate banker for Instagram likes.
- Walk amongst the flotsam at Chunking Mansions
Chunking Mansions
Telephone: +852 9316 8547
Website: www.chungking-mansions.hk achieved cult fame when it was featured and name-checked in Wong Kar-wai’s 1994 film Chunking Express. This 17- floor building was ground zero for vice in Hong Kong for quite some time, but since a facelift in 2004 it’s no longer quite the den of iniquity it once was. The three vast shopping malls that have taken their place are still worth walking around, though.
Hong Kong tours and excursions
Hong Kong tours
Hong Kong Watertours provides a variety of harbour and island tours of the city. They have pick-up pointsthroughout Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, although they set sail from Pier 9 in Central on Hong Kong side or the Kowloon Public Pier on Kowloon Side. For a nostalgic sailing on a converted junk boat, the Aqua Luna offers a semblance of Hong Kong past.
Telephone: +852 2926 3868 ,
+852 2116 8821
Website: www.aqualuna.com.hk
Big Bus Tours operate open-top sightseeing bus tours of Hong Kong with a multilingual audio system. Each ticket is valid for 24 hours and allows you to hop on and off at your leisure, day or night.
Telephone:
+852 2167 8995
Website: www.eng.bigbustours.com
Sky Shuttle offers a taste of the high life with daily helicopter trips from Hong Kong to Macau or vice versa. Naturally, tours offer some of the finest views of the city’s skyline as the choppers whirl over towering skyscrapers, islands and beaches for a fantastic aerial outlook.
Telephone:
+852 2108 9898
Website: www.skyshuttlehk.com
Hong Kong excursions
Home to Chek Lap Kok Airport, Ngong Ping 360 and Disneyland Hong Kong, Lantau Island is situated 45km (28 miles) from Central Hong Kong and more than half of its territory is designated country parkland. Walking tours and hikes are popular here, although the principal attractions are the Po Lin Big Buddha, claimed to be the world’s largest seated outdoor Buddha effigy, at 26.4m (87ft) tall, and the Po Lin Buddhist Monastery, Hong Kong’s largest. There is a tea garden nearby and the beaches and waterside restaurants along the southern shore are also idyllic. To get to Lantau Island, visitors should take either the MTR Airport Railway link to Tung Chung, followed by bus 23 to Po Lin, or the ferry to Silvermine Bay (Mui Wo) from Central, followed by bus 2.
Situated on the southeastern coast of China, about one hour from Hong Kong by ferry, Macau is changing at a furious pace. Long recognised for its relaxed blending of Mediterranean and Cantonese rhythms of life and spicy cuisine, the ante has been upped several gears in recent years. Though much of its fine colonial architecture has been carefully restored and repainted, several new tourism attractions have been added, including several mega-casinos and luxury hotels, the gigantic Fisherman’s Wharf theme park and a harbour side dining/drinking district. Macau can be reached by jetfoil or jet boat from Macau ferry terminal, near Shun Tak Centre, Central or from China Hong Kong City terminal at Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
Telephone: +853 2831 5566
Website: www.en.macautourism.gov.moShopping in Hong Kong
Once famous for bargain electronics and imitation brand names, Hong Kong is no longer as cheap as it once was and prices are now closer to European or American averages if not higher.
Shops selling Chinese art objects and souvenirs cluster around the escalator up to the Mid-Levels and nearby Cat Street. More expensive antiques, art and collectibles can be found along Hollywood Road. However, any bargain hunter also planning to visit mainland China should do their research in Hong Kong but save their purchases for north of the border. Within Hong Kong, Shanghai Tang, right by Central MTR station, is probably the best venue for quality Chinese goods – silks, fabrics, ornaments and furniture. There are computer superstores in Causeway Bay, Wan Chai and Mong Kok, full of tiny booths selling the silicon equivalent of Hong Kong tailoring and teenage hustlers pushing pirated software.
Although famous for its designer malls, Hong Kong also has some great markets that provide a cheaper and more vibrant alternative to the luxury shopping experience. For the best bargains, head to the Ladies’ Market on Tung Choi Street in Mong Kok, Kowloon. It’s open from noon until 2300 and sells everything from souvenir chopsticks to T-shirts and sunglasses. For the best atmosphere, check out the Temple Street Night Market where you can haggle over handbags, listen to wannabe Chinese opera stars or have your fortune told. The market starts coming alive around 1800 and stays open until midnight. Get the MTR to Jordan and leave at exit A. For gifts or collectibles, the Jade Market, at the junction of Kansan and Battery streets in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, is also a good option.
Mall rats in Hong Kong have plenty of warrens to choose from. The most swish of the lot, IFC Mall in Central, has everything from Swarovski crystal to McDonald’s burgers. Pacific Place, in Admiralty, has three floors of almost entirely luxury brands, while The Landmark and Prince’s Building vie for the custom of chic Hong Kongers. Harbour City, near the Star Ferry terminal in Kowloon, is jam-packed with designer brands and boasts a flashy Lane Crawford, HK’s own upmarket department store. Causeway Bay has the big Japanese department store, Sogo, and Hong Kong-born homeware store G.O.D as well as the towering Times Square.
Standard opening hours for shopping in Hong Kong are 10:00-19:00 daily and later in many cases.
Take your pick – you can buy just about anything in Hong Kong from jewellery, watches, authentic and fake designer fashion wear, to beauty products, leather goods, electronics, computers, antiques, art, furniture and traditional items such as porcelain, hand-painted tea sets, tableware and made-to-order Chinese clothing. Pick up Chinese food and spirits too, such as Chinese cakes, dried seafood and yellow wine, a popular rice-based drink.
Hong Kongers bridle at the very idea of a sales tax, so visitors can forget about hoarding their receipts until the government finally decides to plug its deficit this way.
Restaurants in Hong Kong
Hong Kongers are famous for their love of food, so it’s no surprise that the city has hundreds of fantastic restaurants to suit every taste and budget. The Hong Kong restaurants below have been grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over HK$500)
Moderate (HK$250 to HK$500)
Cheap (up to HK$250)
These Hong Kong restaurant prices are for a three-course meal including a glass of house wine or the cheapest equivalent. They don’t include service charge or tip. A 10% service charge is almost always added to restaurant bills. In theory, this is discretionary, although in practice, it is better not to challenge it, except in cases of exceptionally poor service.
Expensive
Cuisine: Chinese, French
High-end restaurant spotlighting a Chinese-French tasting menu paired with wine or a cocktail. You can taste thebrand new asian cuisine from Posh Duck Roll, Edamame & Truffle Gyoza to Jasmine Tea Smoked Ribs. The restaurant is designed in a way that celebrates the art of asian architecture with a modern flair.
Address: 198 Wellington St, Central, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 2711 8639
Website: www.vea.hk
Cuisine: Chinese
Sit beneath beautiful decorative birdcages and admire the spectacular views over Hong Kong at this stylish contemporary Northern Chinese restaurant. Designed to resemble an upscale Chinese dining hall, Hutong is decorated with charming antique Asian furniture. Signature dishes include lobster fried with red pepper and sweet chilli sauce and Kung Po-style spicy fish fillet with cashew nuts.
Address: 1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong kong.
Telephone: +852 3428 8342
Website: www.hutong.com.hk
Cuisine: Cantonese
Kin’s spectacular menu is based around Cantonese home cooking. Whatever you order will hit the spot, but most people head here for the smoked chicken. Oil is poured over once the chicken is cooked, making it super crispy. The spicy dipping sauces will leave your fingers messy and your stomach sated.
Address: Wan Chai, Floor 5, W Square, Hennessy Road, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 2571 0913
Website: www.kinskitchen.com.hk
Moderate
Cuisine: Chinese
It would be remiss to leave Hong Kong without having tasted some traditional Cantonese dim sum, eaten locally for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The queue for seats might be a little tedious when tummies are grumbling but the wait is worthwhile given the quality of the dumplings that are plonked on the table. Try the pork steam buns and shrimp dumplings with chilli.
Address: City Hall, 5-7 Edinburgh Place, Hong Kong City.
Telephone: +852 2521 1303
Website: www.maximschinese.com.hk
Cuisine: Cantonese
There is no better place to try some delicious Cantonese dishes than this Michelin-starred restaurant. There are more than 20 seafood dishes on the menu, including popular local favourite wok-fried prawns with dried chilli and shallots, and shrimp and scallop dumplings with XO sauce. Chinese antiques, red columns and dark-wood panelling create the perfect ambience for a Hong Kong feast.
Address: Central, 4/F, Four Seasons Hotel, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 3196 8882
Website: www.fourseasons.com
Cuisine: Italian/Japanese
Stylish Italian & Japanese restaurant with the best views in Hong Kong. aqua redefines dining with stylish interiors and panoramic rooftop views of Hong Kong’s harbour and skyline. Step into our award-winning space to experience the finest Italian and Japanese cuisine, or enjoy delicious signature cocktails from our extensive bar on our rooftop terrace.
Address: H Zentre, 15 Middle Rd, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 3427 2288
Website: www.aqua.com.hk
Cheap
Cuisine: Thai
Wing Wah Lane has a charmingly chaotic atmosphere and is packed with cheap and cheerful alfresco Thai and Malaysian restaurants. One of the most popular is Good Luck Thai, which is the perfect place to eat green curries or pad thai before heading to Central’s nearby party zone, Lan Kwai Fong. It’s open until 0200 making it great for a late-night snack.
Address: 16 Wing Wah Lane, Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 2802 3288
Cuisine: Vietnamese
It’s best to book a table in advance at this cheap (yet chic) Vietnamese restaurant because there is usually a long queue outside. The big attraction is the deliciously fragrant bowls of pho but the ‘specials’ menu is also packed with tasty delights such as barbecued pork and herb patties, which come skewered on a lemongrass stalk. The service is fast and friendly, and the dishes are great value.
Address: Harbour City, 17 Canton Road, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 2199 7779
Website: www.nhatrang.com.hk
- Tim Ho Wan, the Dim-Sum Specialists
Cuisine: Chinese
Tim Ho Wan is often called the most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant in the world. The accolades for serving superb food at affordable prices. There are many dim sum dishes on the menu, including popular pork buns, Steamed Egg Cake, Beancurd Skin with Pork & Shrimp, Pan Fried Carrot Cake and Steamed Chicken Feet with Black Bean Sauce. They are not pre-steamed and reheated, but made-to-order so as to retain its much intended flavour and texture.
Address: Hong Kong Station Podium Level 1, IFC Mall, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 2332 3078
Website: www.timhowan.comHong Kong Nightlife
Enterprising night animals are likely to get invited to a local karaoke party or join in a lively dice game with beer-swigging regulars in the bars of Tsim Sha Tsui, but it’s Lan Kwai Fong, the famous square mile of Central with the most relaxed drinking hours and the most intense partying, that is still a beating nightlife heart. SoHo (‘South of Hollywood Road’) is slightly more chic with a relaxed concentration of bars and beer spots, just off the Mid-Levels Escalator. Chinese locals favour Tsim Sha Tsui, riddled with bars and clubs.
Those wanting a dose of culture can check out one of Hong Kong’s up-and-coming local bands, stroll around the hip contemporary art galleries on Hollywood Road or catch a local film. While Hong Kong isn’t exactly a cultural hotspot, it should be remembered that this is Greater China’s film and media powerhouse and one area where Chinese arts and culture have flourished without political and ideological interference. The main ticketing agents are:
HKTicketing
Telephone: +852 3128 8288
Website: www.hkticketing.com
Urbtix
Telephone: +852 2111 5999
Website: www.urbtix.hk Listings can be found in
Time Out HK (
Website: www.timeout.com.hk )
BC Magazine (
Website: www.bcmagazine.net ) expat magazine
HK (
Website: www.hk-magazine.com )
Bars in Hong Kong
This rooftop fixture, at the top of the Peninsula Hotel, is famed for its circular bar, a quiet spot ideal for grabbing a pre-dinner drink. But what really makes it stand out is the gent’s loo. There aren’t many urinals that afford a better view: looking straight out across Victoria Harbour.
Address: The Peninsula, Salisbury Road, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 2696 6778
Website: www.peninsula.com
At 490m (1,607ft), this is one of the world’s highest bar. People come for the views, but the brash decor and boldly mixed cocktails won’t disappoint either. The drinks blend Korean and Spanish styles (thanks to the chief mixologist’s heritage), meaning you’ll find booze here unlike anywhere else in the city.
Address: Tsim Sha Tsui, 1 Austin Ave, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 2263 2270
Website: www.ozonebarhongkong.com
While this Central–based spot isn’t the highest drinking spot in Hong Kong, with the bar serving up top notch cocktails. Dress for the occasion.
Address: Wah Shin House, 6-10 Shin Hing Street, Hong Kong
Telephone: +852 2813 5787
Website: www.coa.com.hk
Clubs in Hong Kong
Claiming to sell more champagne than any other watering hole in Hong Kong, Dragon-i is the hangout of the stars, and although it’s socially exclusive, it’s also surprisingly ordinary. The door policy here is strict, with owners boasting that “only the stylish and beautiful need apply”, but the tunes are generally good with Jazzy Jeff and Louie Vega among its former wax spinners.
Address: The Centrium, 60 Wyndham St, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 3110 1222
Website: www.dragon-i.com.hk
OMA nightclub Live DJ’s & cocktails are the draw at this cozy nightspot with a funky entrance below street level. The bar serving up top notch cocktails.
Address: Harilela House, Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 2521 8815
Live music in Hong Kong
- The Iron Fairies Hong Kong
Iron Fairies promises a bewitching night of live jazz and blues, innovative comfort food and exceptional mixology, amidst other worldly interiors that captivate and invigorate imaginations. With 10,000 butterflies on thin copper rods swinging from the ceiling and thousands of small iron fairies scattered around the tables, Iron Fairies brings a touch of magic to Hong Kong’s entertainment and night scene.
Address: LG Floor, 1-13 Hollywood Road, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 6202 0000
Website: www.theironfairies.com
The Wanch has been bringing live music to Hong Kong since 1987 and is the oldest true music club in Hong Kong. It offers live music seven nights a week with different performers every night. There is a great selection of beverages too.
Address: Henan Building, 90 Jaffe Rd, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
Telephone: +852 3692 5933
Website: www.thewanch.hkHong Kong City Food and Drink
Food In Hong Kong City
From melt-in-your-mouth honey-glazed char siu pork and crispy suckling pig to fatty pork belly and succulent goose or duck, nothing beats some good ol’ Canto-style barbecued meats, aka ‘siu mei’. Joy Hing in Wan Chai offers a solid selection of roasted meats, with its pork being particularly popular thanks to its perfect ratio of meat to fat. Alternatively, head to West Villa Restaurant for their famous char siu rice dish or visit Mott 32 for some Iberico char siu.
f you’ve ever wanted to build the perfect bowl of noodles, this is the way to do it. Cart noodles are mix-and-match affairs that allow diners to choose from a bunch of different ingredients, including soup bases, noodle types and toppings. The list of ingredients varies from restaurant to restaurant, but common favourites include beef brisket, daikon, fishballs and dumplings. A local favourite is Man Kee Cart Noodle in Sham Shui Po, which has been serving customers for over a decade.
Available during the colder months of the year, this hearty, warming dish is made up of rice and various toppings in a clay bowl that is traditionally slow-cooked over charcoal stoves. This process toasts the rice, giving the bowl a crunchy, carby crust. Click the button below for our list of the city’s best claypot rice restaurants.
Curry fishballs are probably Hong Kong’s most iconic street snack. Though they’re mostly made from flour these days and contain almost no fish meat, this has had little effect on the snack’s popularity. Springy in texture, the bite-sized spheres bob about in a strong curry sauce before they’re skewered on a bamboo stick or ladled into a takeaway bowl. Head to Fishball Gor, located near Mong Kok’s Langham Place, and try their fishballs in original or spicy flavour cooked using a secret recipe of herbs and spices.
No Hong Kong experience is complete without a dim sum meal. Traditionally served in bamboo steamers, these small plates are designed to be shared, allowing you to taste a bit of everything. Must-orders include steamed siu mai (pork dumplings), har gow (prawn dumplings) and the fluffy barbecued pork-filled buns known as char siu bao. Click the button below and peruse our recommended dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong.
Egg tarts are a Hong Kong sweet staple. Creamy custard nestles in a golden crust that’s either butter-cookie in style or made from crumbly, flaky pastry. There’s fierce debate over which style of crust is better, but either way, these tarts are best eaten fresh and warm straight out of the oven. Sun Wah Cafe, located on Cheung Sha Wan’s Castle Peak Road, has served patrons for over half a century. Along with cha chaan teng classics, they serve perfectly baked, crisp, yet flaky egg tarts filled with a delightfully smooth egg custard that never fails to satisfy. For those seeking a different flavour experience, the café also offers Portuguese-style egg tarts.
Egg waffles, eggettes, ‘gai daan jai’, or whatever you want to call it, this eggy snack is a quintessential part of our city’s street-food culture. Warm and fluffy on the inside and crisp on the outside, these bubble-shaped waffles are the perfect grab-and-go snack. There are plenty of street vendors that offer egg waffles, often with a wide variety of fangled creations – topped with ice cream, different colours, shapes, and flavours, some even have molten centres! Whether you prefer to try funky flavours of cheese and charcoal or are looking for the popular star-patterned variety, click below to see where to get your hands on the best egg waffles in Hong Kong.
The humble scrambled egg sandwich occupies a special place in the hearts of Hongkongers. A good egg sarnie should contain a fluffy, creamy centre between two slices of butter-smeared white bread – it’s simple, yes, but also incredibly satisfying, whether it’s enjoyed during breakfast or as an afternoon snack. There are also other renditions where you can add fillings such as ham, cheese, and our favourite, corned beef.
French toast might not be of Hong Kong origin but the local rendition of this dish is an indulgence like no other. Instead of being merely browned in a griddle or pan, the bread is drenched in an eggy mixture and then deep-fried until crisp and golden. It’s then served with a fat pat of butter and a healthy dose of syrup. Oh, we forgot to mention that French toasts à la Hong Kong are almost always plumped with some sort of sinful filling. The mainstay is peanut butter but you can find more creative ingredients such as kaya, cheese, molten salted egg yolk, and even beef satay.
While most of us might associate mooncakes as one of the key things to eat during autumn, another crowd favourite has to be hairy crabs. Typically in season from September to late November, these crabs are an autumn delicacy that can be enjoyed anywhere from the comfort of your own home to some of Hong Kong’s most luxurious restaurants. Known for their sweet flesh and buttery golden roe, the value of these crabs can easily go over triple digits, but they’re definitely worth their hefty price tags. Bookmark the link below to get updates on where to eat hairy crab during its season.
Drink In Hong Kong City
The most common drink you can find in a cha chaan teng is the ever-popular milk tea (奶茶; naai5 caa4). Hong Kong-style milk tea is made with strong black tea and condensed milk, so it’s sweeter, smoother, and creamier than your average cup of black tea with milk.
Bai jiu (a fearsome white spirit). Kaolian (a whisky) and Maotai. Popular beers are the locally brewed San Miguel and Tsingtao (from China). Yum cha (drinking tea) is an integral part of Hong Kong’s culinary culture and is the perfect compliment to most dishes.
Yes, generally you can drink the tap water in Hong Kong. The water treatment in Hong Kong matches that of the US and Western European countries and WHO standards. The main risk is contaminants from pipes in older buildings and unregulated contaminants such as microplastics.