Introduction
Hong Kong is a popular destination for tourists, but Hong Kong can feel overwhelming. There are so many things to do and see and it’s hard to know where to start. With this guide, we’ll break down all the essentials so you can enjoy your Hong Kong vacation without any stress.
When to Visit Hong Kong
The best time to visit Hong Kong is spring and autumn. These seasons are cooler, less humid, and more comfortable for visitors. The summer months (June–August) can be extremely hot and humid, while the winter months are cold, wet, and windy. It is unpredictable in temperate zones like Hong Kong so it’s best to avoid visiting during these seasons if you want a comfortable trip.
The best time to visit Hong Kong would be between March and May or September through December when there are fewer crowds at tourist attractions such as museums or beaches because many locals are on vacation during this period too.
Where to stay in Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Macau are the three major cities in China. They are all on the South China Sea coast, between Guangdong province and the island of Taiwan. You can choose to stay in one of these cities or you can choose to stay in a neighboring city (e.g., Guangzhou).
In Hong Kong, there are many different types of hotels that you can stay at luxury 5-star hotels, 4-star business class hotels, 3-star budget hotels, or even hostels if you’re looking for an adventure! We recommend staying at any of those listed above because they have great reviews online plus they’re very close to attractions like Ocean Park or Victoria Peak (for tourists). If you want something cheaper then try Airbnb instead!
How to get around Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a very compact city. The public transport system is excellent, so you can get around by tram, bus or metro with ease.
Ferries are also available for short trips across Hong Kong Harbour or to a few of the outlying islands.
If you want to see the best of Hong Kong’s attractions in one day then hop on a bus tour from one of the major hotels in Central that will take you to several different locations within the city as well as over to Macau for a day trip (see more information below).
What to eat in Hong Kong
If you’re trying to find a place to eat, don’t worry. There are many different types of food from all over the world. Some popular Chinese dishes that you can try are:
- Dumplings.
- Dim sum.
- Roast goose and/or duck meat.
- Roast pork (baked or roasted) with vegetables (carrots, peas, and potatoes) with sauce or gravy made of soy sauce & hoisin sauce, and local spices.
You can also try some international fast-food restaurants such as McDonald’s or KFC if you want something quick, cheap, and easy! But if you want something more local there are many other options available too including chow mein noodles which contain chicken feet! If you’re not too keen on eating duck then maybe try a few other options such as egg tarts (a sweet pastry filled with egg custard), waffles (sweet pancakes), and egg custard buns(a steamed bun filled with egg custard), which all sound delicious right?
Day 1: Street food crawl around SoHo
The first place to start is at the intersection of Hollywood Road and D’Aguilar Street. This area is filled with small alleyways and winding streets, which are home to some of Hong Kong’s best dumpling shops. It’s one of my favorite streets for food in all of Hong Kong! You’ll want to try a few different dishes or styles here: if you’re feeling adventurous, try some fish maw soup or pig organ soup; if you want something more familiar but still delicious, go for wonton noodle soup; or if you just want something cheap but satisfying (and filling), get yourself a plate of pork cutlets over rice noodles.
- Best time to go: Lunchtime (around noon).
- Best dishes: Dumplings—they’re everywhere!
Day 2: Exploring the Victoria Peak and admiring the skyline from above
Today, we’ll begin with a trip up to Victoria Peak. This is Hong Kong Island’s highest point and one of the best places to view the city skyline. The peak also offers unparalleled views of the harbor, which will be especially spectacular at sunrise or sunset.
If you want to get more than just a quick look at the city—and if you have time—you can also explore some of Victoria Peak’s hiking trails. Our guide recommends starting with either Lion Pavilion Hike or Observatory Hike (be sure to bring along water and snacks), then continuing with other trails that lead down the mountain for an unforgettable day out in nature!
Day 3-5 for those willing to travel outside of Hong Kong
- Day 3-5 for those willing to travel outside of Hong Kong.
- Travel to Macau for a day trip. You can reach the gambling city in about 1 hour by ferry or helicopter (my recommendation). There are many things to see and do in Macau, but I recommend exploring its historic city center first and foremost:
- The Ruins of St. Paul’s.
- The Macau Tower, one of Asia’s tallest buildings (if not THE tallest) offers great views from above. If you want an even higher view and better photos, consider taking the Skywalk from there down into Taipa Village or up into a shopping mall called Jumbo City near Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro! If you’re still hungry for more heights after this experience.
- Visit the Macau Museum of Art which is housed inside what used to be an old fort built by Portugal during their colonial rule over Macau until 1999 when they gave it back over sovereignty issues with China.
Things to see and do are definitely worth your time
If you have a few days, there are many things to see and do in the area and it’s definitely worth your time.
Hong Kong is a great place to visit. It’s also a great place to stay for a few days if you want some downtime with family or friends. There are many things to do in the area, so it’s definitely worth your time!
Conclusion
If you are willing to travel outside of Hong Kong, some great day trips are worth taking. One of my favorite things about this city is the opportunity to visit other places in China and Asia without leaving town!
