Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Hong Kong

Hong Kong – It’s a compact, skyscraper-packed city infused with glamour and energy that also juts up against green open space that’s dotted with hiking trails, swimming beaches, and subtropical flora. Thanks to a wonderfully efficient transportation system, you can spend the morning shopping in the Causeway Bay neighborhood and noshing on dim sum in Sheung Wan, before escaping to Big Wave Bay for an afternoon of surf and sun on a tree-lined beach.

Time Zone

Hong Kong (GMT+8)

Things to Know

Currency: Hong Kong Dollar

Languages: Cantonese, English

How to Get Around

Trains / Light Rails / Buses: The city’s Mass Transit Railway (MTR) serves the urban areas of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories and includes trains, light rails, and buses. The services are clean and fast and rely on a fare system that’s as cute as it is easy to use (meet the Octopus card). To start, pick up an Octopus card at the airport (the 7-Eleven in the arrivals hall sells them), put money on it, and use it the rest of your trip (including your journey from the airport). When you need to top-up, just stop by one of the many Octopus service providers—including 7-Eleven, McDonalds, Starbucks, and Circle K.

Taxis:You’ll have no trouble finding a taxi in Hong Kong. In addition to Uber, local red taxis operate in the urban areas, green taxis serve the New Territories, and blue taxis operate on Lantau Island. Taxi drivers use meters so you don’t have to worry about being ripped off and fares are cheap compared to other world-class cities.

Car service: If you want to arrive in the city in style, consider a luxury car transfer with Hong Kong Car Service. You’ll be met by an English-speaking driver and can access all of Hong Kong and the neighboring Chinese province of Guangdong.

Things to Do

Star Ferry

Address: Star Ferry Pier (also called Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier), Hong Kong
Website

The Star Ferry is as touristy as it gets, but sometimes activities are popular for a reason. The Star Ferry is one of them. In addition to transporting you between the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island, the trip provides you unparalleled skyline views on both sides—especially at night.

Victoria Peak

Address: 128 Peak Rd., Hong Kong
If you’re looking for views over the city, nothing beats a trip up Victoria Peak, referred to simply as “The Peak.” You can take a bus or taxi to the highest point on Hong Kong Island, but the best views are found from the Peak Tram or the trail that traverses between the MTR Central Station and The Peak Tower. It doesn’t matter how you get there, just make sure you do—from the top, you can look down over the sea of skyscrapers (and the sea itself) toward Kowloon.

Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

Address: 128 Peak Rd., Hong Kong

One of the best ways to get oriented is to walk the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, which stretches from the colonial-era Clock Tower to Hung Hom. And while you can watch the ferries cross the harbor and take photos of the Hong Kong Island skyline during the day, nothing beats a walk on the promenade at night, when a sound-and-light show is projected onto the skyscrapers across the harbor.

Tian Tan Buddha

Address: Ngong Ping Rd., Lantau Island, Hong Kong

The Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island—the giant, bronze Buddha statue tops out at 111 feet. The hike to the statue and the surrounding area are well worth your time, as is a quick visit to the Po Lin Monastery at the foot of the statue.

Big Wave Bay

Address: Shek O, Southern District, Hong Kong

At first glance, Hong Kong has a distinct urban feel, but travel to the southern side of Hong Kong Island and you’ll find the area’s natural, subtropical flora. That’s why it’s worth a trip to Big Wave Bay, a popular surf and beach hangout north of Shek O. On this side of the island, you can hike, surf, or people watch without sacrificing easy access to restaurants (and surf board rentals).

Nan Lian Garden

Address: Fung Tak Rd., Diamond Hill, Hong Kong

Escaping modern-day Hong Kong is as easy as stepping into Nan Lian Garden. The Kowloon park, which was modeled after the Tang Dynasty style, boasts well-maintained pathways, lotus and koi ponds, and beautiful traditional Chinese architecture.