Hong Kong is a vibrant city with interesting geographical layout, versatile entertainment and futuristic cityscape. Hong Kong though being such a small city it is jam packed with tourist attractions, temples, theme parks and more.
As a tourist you will find it fascinating how developed and diverse the city and its people are. Due to the beautiful skyline and high skyscrapers of the city and being located on the South China sea it is also called the “Fragrant Harbour”. It has two main divisions mainland Hong Kong and Hong Kong Island, and both are equally glamorous and scenic.
To make sure your itinerary is packed with all the best things to do in Hong Kong, check out this comprehensive Hong Kong Travel Guide.
Hong Kong travel guide: Preparation
Visa: Hong Kong is quite relaxed about visas. Most people can visit without needing a visa in advance. However, the rules can vary based on your home country and how long you plan to stay. Typically, visitors get a stay of 7 to 90 days upon arrival, but if you need more time, you should apply for a visa beforehand. It’s always smart to check with the Hong Kong Immigration Department or your local consulate to make sure you have the right documents before you travel.
Travel Documents: Ensure that you have a valid passport with at least six months’ validity from your intended departure date. Depending on your nationality, you may also need a visa to enter Hong Kong, so check the visa requirements well in advance.
Flight and Accommodation: Book your flights to Hong Kong and secure your accommodations. Hong Kong offers a wide range of hotels, hostels, and guesthouses to suit different budgets. Consider the location of your accommodations in relation to the places you want to visit.
Travel Insurance: It’s advisable to purchase travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and other unforeseen circumstances.
Currency Exchange: Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD). Check the exchange rates and consider carrying a small amount of local currency with you. Hong Kong offers a lot of cashless online payment options like Paypal, Alipay and Wechat’s payment. To make your transactions more convenient and cashless, it is recommended to purchase an Octopus payment card in advance or at the airport.
This card can be used for various modes of transportation such as buses, taxis, and subways. Additionally, if you have a Mastercard or Visa debit or credit card, you can enjoy additional benefits and credit facilities, although there will be an extra cost of HK$1 per transaction. Having an Octopus card will ensure hassle-free transactions throughout your journey.
Language: While English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas, it’s helpful to learn some basic Cantonese phrases or download a translation app to ease communication. You can use apps like Koalssky’s offline translate, cantonese translator, Nemo cantonese.
Weather and Packing: Check the weather forecast for your travel dates and pack accordingly. Hong Kong has distinct seasons, so bring appropriate clothing, including rain gear if you’re visiting during the wet season.
Adapters and Power Plugs: Hong Kong uses a three-prong power plug with a voltage of 220V. If your devices use different plug types or voltages, bring suitable adapters and transformers.
Local Customs: Familiarize yourself with local customs and traditions. Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city, but it’s essential to be respectful of local customs, especially when visiting temples or other cultural sites.
Health Precautions: Check if any vaccinations or health precautions are necessary for your trip to Hong Kong. Carry any essential medications and bring a basic first aid kit. Most Hongkong pharmacies are not open 24X7 and hence carry your daily medicines.
Research Attractions and Activities: Make a list of places you want to visit and activities you’d like to experience. Hong Kong offers a diverse range of attractions, from cultural landmarks to bustling street markets and picturesque hiking trails.
Public Transportation: Familiarize yourself with Hong Kong’s efficient public transportation system, including the MTR (Mass Transit Railway), buses, and ferries. An Octopus Card is a convenient and cost-effective way to pay for public transport and some purchases.
Safety: Hong Kong is generally a safe destination for travelers, but it’s always good to exercise common sense and take basic safety precautions, such as keeping your belongings secure and being aware of your surroundings.
Best time to discover the city
The best time to visit Hong Kong is during the months of October to December. During this period, the weather is cooler and more pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). These months are perfect for outdoor activities, exploring the city’s attractions, and enjoying festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival and Christmas celebrations.
Hong Kong Travel Guide: Topmost Attractions
The two main areas of the region are divided by the scenic victoria harbour. As a tourist it is always advised to start your tour from mainland Hong Kong to cover most of the top-tier landmarks and attractions.
Victoria Peak:
Victoria peak is the most popular hill in western islands of Hong Kong, and it is also known as “The Peak”. The peak offers a viewpoint for the panoramic view of the city. The peak stands at a height of 552 meters from sea level. You can either hike up to the top or take Peak team, the funicular railway. The funicular railway has been operating there since 1988 and the scenario visible while going up is worth the visit.
For hikers, there is the Peak circle walk which is easy and enjoyable. At the summit you will see Peak Tower and Peak Galleria. There you will find a variety of shopping and dining and entertainment options. There is also a Madame Tussauds gallery.
The observation deck is located at the top of the Peak Tower and is called Skyscraper 428 from where you will get a beautiful view of the mighty city. The nighttime view from the deck is quite spectacular. You can come here for dinner and visit the beautiful city.
Opening Hours: The observation deck and the path to the peak is open from 7 AM to 12 PM for all 7 days of the week.
Hong Kong Disneyland:
Hong Kong Disneyland is one of the first opened Disneyland resorts in Asia and is quite entertaining and amusing. Disneyland is located in Lantau island and was established in 2005. The different themelands like main street, U.S.A, Toy Story Land fantasyland, Grizzly Gulch, Tomorrowland, Mystic Point will amuse any disney lover. Disneyland takes a full day to cover. The Main street USA is a 20-th century America’s layout and it’s the beginning point of the park.
After that, Head straight to Fantasyland where you can meet Donald, Mickey, Cinderella, Goofy, Winnie and other beloved Disney characters. From there go on exploring different worldwide attractions in adventure land and futuristic high-tech fun elements in tomorrow land and so on. You will also see a lot of parades and shows like the “Festival of the Lion King”, “Disney Paint the Night” and more.
You can also plan your trip to see seasonal celebrations like Chinese New Year, and Christmas. There is zodiac signed merchandise stores, Disney merchandise stores and delicious Chinese foods and fast-food stalls. There are also eight restaurants in the theme park for fine dining.
Opening Hours: Hong Kong Disneyland is open from 10 AM to 8:30 PM 7 days a week.
Tickets & Entry Fee: You may buy 1-day, or 2-day Disneyland tickets and the one-day tickets come at HK$759- and two-day tickets for HK$ 789 for adults. The fare for children between the age of 3 to 11, the ticket prices are $596 for two-day tickets.
How to reach Hong Kong Disneyland?
You can easily reach Hong Kong Disneyland through the MTR line that runs from Sunny Bay to Hong Kong Disneyland. And the Sunny Bay station is connected with other lines like Tun Chun, Tsuen Wan and others. For adults the train tickets cost around HK$21.
Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery:
Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery, this famous Buddhist monastery is located in Sha Tin and has numerous Buddha statues, made in the 1950s. The name reflects the huge number of statues as well as the presence of vast numbers of statues with various poses, showing the teachings of Buddha.
The monastery has several buildings and halls like the main hall, meditation halls and at the entrance you will see the nine-story pagoda. You can also see the shrines inside with Chinese decoration and old architecture. To reach the monastery you will have to climb the four hundred thirty-one steps along the way. There is no entrance fee to the monastery.
Opening Hours: The Man Fat Tsz monastery is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00PM.
Lan Kwai Fong:
If you want to taste the finest Chinese dishes and enjoy the nightlife of Hong Kong, you must not miss Lan Kwai Fong. It’s a vibrant neighborhood with clubs, pubs, breweries along with two beautiful art galleries. It’s home to a vibrant and energetic neighborhood with over 90 bars and restaurants.
In Lan Kwai Fong you can also see street parties, music festivals, and holiday decorations throughout the year. Lang Kwai Fong is most crowded during the new year’s. You can go to the area by public buses, MTR central station by metro.
Nan Lian Garden & ChiLin Nunnery:
Nan Lian garden is a picturesque public garden where you can take a stroll, visit beautiful architecture, pavilion and botanical collections. Nan Lian garden is meticulously designed with Chinese architecture including pavilions, halls, bridges and structures. Nan Lian garden is mostly known for its impressive collection of Bonsai trees.
At the center of the garden there is also a lotus pond and beautiful rock formations. While visiting the Nan Lian Garden, don’t forget to visit the Chinese tea house where you can enjoy traditional Chinese tea and sweets. Adjacent to the Nan Lian Garden, you can visit the Chi Lin Nunnery where you can see the Tang-dynasty style architecture.
Ding Ding (Hong Kong Tramlines):
The Hong Kong tram line or commonly known as ding ding because of the sound of its bell is one of the heritage transport mediums of Hong Kong city.
It is one of the oldest tramlines continuing to operate. Take a tram ride across the city and enjoy the slow ride from Kennedy Town in the west to Shau Kei Wan in the east. During the ride you can see the iconic Victoria peak, wan chai, north point, in the urban landscape of Hong Kong.
Siksik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple:
Wong Tai Sin temple is located in Kuwoon and it’s a temple of the Taoist god Wong Tai Sin. The temple practices beliefs of Taoist, Buddhist, and Confucian beliefs. You will see complex traditional Chinese architectural elements, like the vibrant colors along with ornate roofs, intricate carvings. The architecture and design are visually striking and hold cultural significance.
You will see an old form of fortune telling practiced in Siksik Yuen Wong Tai Sin temple. The temple celebrates different festivals throughout the year, especially the Taoist holidays. The Wong Tao Sin festival is the biggest one among them and it is on the eighth day of the lunar month.
Lantau Island:
Lantau Island is located to the west of Hong Kong Island, and you can get there easily by the MTR, or ferry or bus. Lantau Island’s topmost attractions include Tian Tan Buddha, Po Ling Monastery, Lantau Peak along with beautiful hiking trails and other options. Lantau island has beautiful challenging trails for hikers and monasteries. Keep aside one day to tour Lantau Island. The main attractions of Lantau Island are:
- Ngong Ping 360
- Lantau Peak & Lantau Trails
- Po Lin Monastery
- Cheung Sha Beach and Pui O Beach
How do you reach Lantau Island from Hong Kong?
To reach Lantau island you can take the easiest way, that is by taking a ferry from Central to Mui Wo or Discovery Bay. You can also take public buses and trains that go to Tung Chung via the Tsing Ma bridge. A single ferry ticket costs HK$ 25.50 for adults and HK$13 for kids.
Tian Tan Buddha:
Tian Tan Buddha or big Buddha is one of the most celebrated and famous statues in Lantau Island. Tin Tan Buddha is a 112-feet buddha statue over the top of a hill from where you can see Nnog Ping, and you can visit the panoramic view of the whole island. You can visit the statue between 5AM to 10PM.
You have to take a flight of 260 stairs to reach the top. It is always recommended to buy the tickets in advance.
Victoria harbour:
Victoria harbour is a natural harbour located between Kowloon peninsula and Hong Kong Island. The victoria harbour looks very beautiful on the brink of Hong Kong with its beautiful skyline, with modern skyline and more. On the Tsim Tsa Tsui side of the harbour you will find a beautiful promenade called the Avenue of Stars.
The harbour is the most vibrant place with cultural fun activities like dragon boat races, firework displays, and lantern displays during the mid-autumn festivals and on other occasions.
Ocean Park:
Ocean Park is a marine theme park and indoor aquarium located in Hong Kong. It’s the perfect place for a day out with kids. The theme park has a lot of water rides in the Thrill Mountain, Aqua City, Amazing Asian Animals, Polar Adventure, and Rainforest sections of Ocean Park. You will see a diverse display of animals there including conservation for giant pandas and red pandas.
There are dolphins, penguins, sea lions, Chinese sturgeons and other marine life. You can also buy tickets to the shows displayed there like the animal performances, educational demonstrations and more.
Tickets: The tickets to the ocean park are HK$388 for adults and HK$233 per child.
How Many Days Are Required for a Hong Kong tour?
Hong Kong has a lot to offer being this vibrant and bustling city. From mountain peaks to beaches and harbours along with the temples the city has endless entertainment and attractions. Depending on your interests the time for the tour may vary.
For visiting only, the highlight attractions of the city it will only take you 2 to 3 days. Within 3 days you can cover the Victoria Peak, Victoria Harbour, Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, and a few key shopping districts.
But if you extend your vacation to 4 to 5 days you can explore a lot more of the city. You can spare one or two more days if you wish to visit the disneyland, ocean park, monasteries, street night market and the outlying islands specially Lantau.
If you are planning outdoor activity trips or cultural heritage trips, the recommended time would be at least 7 days. With 7 days in hand, you can plan hiking, boat races and other adventurous activities. Hong Kong is such a beautiful and affordable city that you cannot miss this out on your trip to China.
You can also plan the vacation in such a way that you also visit the nearby districts and cities like Macau or Shenzhen after visiting Hong Kong.
Hong Kong City Tour: Details, Timings, Budget
Hong Kong city tours are divided into a few aspects from which you can choose from based on your interests and set the itinerary like that. Hong Kong city tours can be family centric, cultural or active and fun.
You can look for local trip operators if you are not familiar with planning your own trips. But a little bit of research will help you save a lot of money and get the most out of your trip. You can find attractive Hong Kong vacation packages from global and local tour providers like Klook. So, here’s a breakdown of the expenses in Hong Kong city.
Hong Kong Transportation Cost: There are few ways you can get around the city. Most convenient is an available octopus card which gives you access to MTR, bus and ferry. Otherwise, MTR single trips generally cost around HK$4. The typical public bus travels may cost you around HK$4.50 to HK$15. The infamous Ding Ding ride or metro fare is HK$2.60 only.
And, if you are going to the nearby islands the Star ferry will cost you around HK$2.9 to HK$6.5 to go to Tsim Sha Tsui. And the night tour or Victoria tour on ferry will cost you HK$200 for an hour trip.
Accommodation Cost: Depending on the area you are staying in and the season you are travelling the cost for hotels, resorts, hostels may vary. But you will easily find multiple options for cheap stay as well as luxury hotels. You will also get serviced apartments for longer stay in Hong Kong. The cheap hotels start from HK$400 to HK$600 per night.
Hong Kong Food Cost: An average meal in Hong Kong generally costs around HK$60 to Hk$90. On an average you can expect to spend around HK$200 to HK$250 per person. Hong Kong food is generally very cheap.
Hong Kong is a melting pot of culture and an affordable city for travelers. Make Hong Kong the next spot on the bucket list.