Hong Kong travel guide
Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China on the south coast, a dense city of skyscrapers, harbour ferries and dim sum, with mountains, beaches and country parks only a short ride away. It suits food lovers, city breakers and hikers, and its efficient transport makes it easy to see a lot in a few days.
Places worth the trip
Victoria Peak
The highest point on Hong Kong Island gives the classic view over the skyscrapers of Central and across Victoria Harbour to Kowloon. Ride the historic Peak Tram up, or walk the shaded Lugard Road loop at the top.
The Star Ferry
Green-and-white ferries have crossed Victoria Harbour between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central since the late nineteenth century. The short crossing is cheap and one of the best ways to see the skyline.
Tsim Sha Tsui and the harbourfront
Kowloon's waterfront promenade looks across to Hong Kong Island, with the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Avenue of Stars and an evening light show. Nearby Nathan Road and the side streets are full of shops and eateries.
Lantau Island and the Big Buddha
The Ngong Ping 360 cable car climbs to the Tian Tan Buddha, a giant bronze statue next to Po Lin Monastery. Nearby, the fishing village of Tai O has stilt houses over the water.
Dragon's Back
One of Hong Kong's best-known hikes, a ridge walk on the south-east of Hong Kong Island with views over the sea, ending near the beaches of Big Wave Bay or Shek O.
West Kowloon Cultural District
A waterfront arts district that includes M+, a museum of visual culture, and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which shows treasures on loan from Beijing's Palace Museum.
Markets and temples of Kowloon
Temple Street Night Market, the Ladies' Market and the Goldfish Market in Mong Kok, and the Wong Tai Sin Temple show everyday Hong Kong. On Hong Kong Island, Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan is filled with hanging incense coils.
Sai Kung and the outlying islands
The Sai Kung peninsula has a seafood waterfront, sea kayaking and the rock formations of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark. Lamma and Cheung Chau islands are car-free and reached by ferry from Central.
Interesting facts about Hong Kong
- Around three-quarters of Hong Kong's land area is countryside, and roughly 40 percent is protected as country parks and reserves.
- Hong Kong is made up of more than 250 islands as well as the Kowloon peninsula and the New Territories.
- The Octopus card, launched in 1997, was one of the world's first contactless smart cards for transport and everyday payments.
- Hong Kong's double-decker trams, nicknamed 'ding dings' for their bells, have run along the north shore of Hong Kong Island since 1904.
- The Central–Mid-Levels escalator system is one of the longest outdoor covered escalator systems in the world, carrying commuters up the hillside.
Best time to visit Hong Kong
October to December is generally the most pleasant time to visit, with dry, sunny weather and comfortable temperatures for hiking. January and February are cooler and can be grey; Chinese New Year brings festivities but also closures and crowds. Spring is mild but increasingly humid and foggy. Summer, from about June to September, is hot and humid with heavy rain, and typhoons are possible, when the Hong Kong Observatory issues warning signals that can close businesses and stop transport.
Getting around
Public transport is excellent. The MTR metro network covers most of the city and connects to the airport by the Airport Express, and buses, minibuses, trams and ferries fill the gaps. The Octopus card, also available in phone wallets on supported devices, pays for almost all transport and many shops. Taxis are colour-coded by area: red for the urban areas, green for the New Territories and blue for Lantau. Most sights are close together, and walking, via footbridges and covered walkways, is often quickest.
Practical details
- Capital
- Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region; government headquarters are at Tamar in Admiralty
- Currency
- Hong Kong dollar (HKD)
- Languages
- Chinese (Cantonese is the main spoken language), English
- Plug types
- G
- Voltage
- 220 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 999
- Driving side
- left
- Tipping
- Restaurants usually add a 10 percent service charge. Beyond that, rounding up or leaving small change is common but not required.
Staying online in Hong Kong
Mobile coverage is excellent across the urban areas, on the MTR, including in tunnels, and on most ferries, with 5G widely available. Signal can be weaker on remote hiking trails, in some country parks and on the far side of outlying islands. Free public Wi-Fi is available in many government venues, MTR stations and malls. Note that the internet in Hong Kong works differently from mainland China, and services blocked on the mainland are generally accessible in Hong Kong. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
Hong Kong eSIM plans
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Hong Kong, V2
Unbegrenzt
Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Hong Kong, V2
Unbegrenzt
Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Hong Kong, V2
3 GB
3GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Hong Kong, V2
Useful apps
- MTR Mobile: Route planning, fares and service updates for the MTR metro and light rail.
- Octopus: Topping up and checking your Octopus card, or using a digital Octopus on supported phones.
- MyObservatory: The Hong Kong Observatory's forecasts and official typhoon and rainstorm warning signals.
- Citymapper: Combining MTR, buses, trams, minibuses and ferries into door-to-door routes.
Hong Kong travel FAQs
English is an official language and is widely used on signs, in transport and in business. Cantonese is the main everyday language, and English levels vary among older residents and in small local shops.
Yes. Coverage is excellent across the city and on public transport. A travel eSIM gives you local data from arrival, so you can use maps and transport apps from the airport onwards.
Cards and phone wallets are widely accepted, and the Octopus card covers transport and many shops. Some small eateries, markets and minibuses are cash- or Octopus-only, so keep some Hong Kong dollars to hand.
When the Observatory raises Signal No. 8 or higher, many businesses close, ferries stop and some public transport is reduced. Follow official updates, stay indoors and allow flexibility in your plans during the typhoon season.