Hong Kong – Asia’s World City

A magical place. By day, this densely populated city moves at a hundred miles an hour amongst the skyscrapers. By night, the neon lights come to the fore, giving off the feeling of a bygone era in Hong Kong. This is a city that never stopped evolving. Evidence of which is seen in the constant building work going on as you walk the streets. I’m afraid that this certainly has its downside. Changing for change’s sake may lead to Hong Kong losing what makes it so special. The Dai Pai Dongs (open-air food stalls), many of which have already been shut down, and old businesses that have been trading for generations are lost to the ever-expanding business-like model that Hong Kong seems to be aiming for.

There must be room for the old Hong Kong among this new. A city that has amazing food around every corner, food that certainly isn’t being served at five-star restaurants, but at establishments that are loved by locals and tourists alike. The small winding streets of central, the neon lights, the melting pot of cultures that is Kowloon, these things are what makes Hong Kong so special. The city is made for life to be easy. Unfortunately, it comes at a high price. Hong Kong is certainly not a cheap place to visit. That being said, time here doesn’t have to be budget breaking. I was surprised by what could be seen and done in this city, whilst eating well of course, without spending crazy money. This and many other things, I am sure, contributed to it being one of my favourite places I have ever visited!

Currency Converter – €1.09/£0.97/$1.27 = 10HKD

Weather

Hong Kong gets mild weather for more than half of the year. The winters are relatively dry and the summers are hot and humid. Spring is the cloudiest time of the year. It is said that the best time of the year to visit Hong Kong is from October to December when the weather is sunny and cool. April and June are on average the wettest months of the year.

Visa Policy

Visitors from over 145 countries are permitted visa-free entry for periods ranging from 7 to 180 days. It is mostly only African and Central Asian countries that need to apply for a visa. For full information on the visa policy specific to your nationality, click here.

Where To Stay

Most, if not all, of Hong Kong’s budget accommodation, is situated across the river from Central. I stayed at Homy Inn, which was located on the 15th floor of an apartment building. Even though the room was quite small and the hostel lacked much of an atmosphere, at 109HKD per night it was great value for money. The average price for a hostel dorm is slightly higher than this. For a private room, you can expect to pay considerably more per person. If you want to take your chances, turn up at buildings like Chungking Mansion looking like you want somewhere to stay and you will be approached with an offer of accommodation. It might not be pretty but it sure will be cheap. Avoid staying in Central, it will always be more expensive than the other side of the water. With such easy, affordable access to that part of the city, there is no need to overspend to see it.

Things to See and Do in Hong Kong

The Peak – The most popular tourist attraction in the city. The Peak can be reached by taking the world’s steepest tram. From here you will get unbeatable panoramic views of the city below. Also at the top are some restaurants, cafés and shops to enjoy. But it is all about that view for me. Taking the tram to the top will set you back 52HKD, but I suggest the package deal, which also gives you access to the Sky Terrace for 99HKD. It is possible to get a glimpse of the view without paying for entry to the terrace, but it certainly won’t be as good. The queue for the tram can be quite long, so prepare for a bit of a wait. For a different experience, take the tram to the top after dark, this will give you a view of the city lit up in its full glory.

Eat as the locals do – I am sure that, with a bit of exploring, you would find restaurants from any country that you wish in Hong Kong. Of course, some of them may be good and some bad. For the best food, you have to look at what Hong Kong does the best, food that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Queues will go around the block, with locals braving the sun just to eat at their favourite joints. Most of the time, when you see a queue like this, it is worth the wait. Don’t overpay for food in Hong Kong. Instead, my advice remains the same, eat the cheap food that is eaten by the locals every day. It is the best food you can find here and is what makes Hong Kong one of the ultimate destinations for food lovers.

To read about my favourite budget-friendly eats in Hong Kong click here

Take the Star Ferry – For some, it is part of their daily commute, but when visiting Hong Kong the star ferry can be used as an attraction in itself. The star ferry sails from one side of the city to another. It provides amazing views of both sides of the water. Unfortunately, the journey doesn’t take too long, but it is still excellent value for money, (from $2.20 each way). Not only do you get beautiful views, but you also get a small insight into the unique way that workers must commute every day.

Explore Hong Kong’s Parks – For such a tall and populated city, you can still find many green areas here. Kowloon Park, Hong Kong Park, Kowloon Walled City Park, Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens and many more. The city is full of beautiful areas where you can enjoy the sun, free of charge. During weekends these parks can be quite busy with locals, but during weekdays they are quiet and peaceful. Make use of the takeaway option in most eateries and bring a picnic for yourself and chill out for a few hours. It is a good way to relax and switch off from the busy city around you.

Walk the Hills and Streets of Central – In among the skyscrapers are a lot of winding streets, hidden away from most onlookers. It is here that you can get a small glimpse of Hong Kong of old. Market stalls and small shop owners make a change from the Gucci and Calvin Klein which seem so popular here. This is where you can find some of the best food in the city. You will get an idea of what Hong Kong was like years ago before it became all about money.

Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade – Directly across from Central, is the promenade providing some amazing views of the Hong Kong skyline. Start at the Garden of the Stars, which is also well worth a visit. There is a cool statue of Bruce Lee and a signed plaque of Jackie Chan’s handprint there. Then take a walk along the water as far as the Hung Hom ferry pier. You will be joined by some tourists, local couples out for a romantic walk, a lot of people exercising and a few fishermen. Make sure to do this walk at night, there is something special about this area in the moonlight, illuminated by street lights, with the view of Central all lit up across the water.

Kowloon – Certainly an unusual area of the city. Kowloon is filled with different nationalities and cultures that have left their home countries in the hope of something better. You will find most of the budget accommodation available here as well. This is more than likely where you will end up staying. Five-star hotels share the streets with infamous buildings, like Chungking Mansion. World famous brands sit alongside small eateries from all over the world. It is a melting pot of cultures which, in my opinion, tends to always combine the best out of all of them, making this a great area to explore.

Take a trip out to Mong Kok – This area of the city is a great way to see a bit of the local life, outside of the skyscrapers and fancy buildings. Here you will find many markets, cheap cafés and an area, in general, aimed at the more working class. It can be a good place to spend a few hours wandering the streets, grabbing some food and taking in a different side to Hong Kong. There are also some shopping malls here that are worth a look.

What To Eat in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is packed full of good food. Some of them can cost you a lot of money. As in most places that this is the case, it is the budget, cheaper meals that will give you the most satisfaction. For my guide to the best budget eats in Hong Kong click here.

Typical Costs in Hong Kong

Accommodation – Hostels in Hong Kong start at 100HKD and average at 180HKD. Be careful to check reviews when booking hostels, there are quite a lot of bad hostels in Hong Kong. For hotels prices start at 200HKD for a decent to a poor hotel. Expect to pay 450HKD for an average 3-star hotel.

Transportation – Getting around Hong Kong is easy. The star ferry to take you across the water costs between 2.50HKD and 3.70HKD depending on which time, day and route you take. The MTR prices start at 3.50HKD and go up depending on the distance you travel. There are over 80 MTR stations in Hong Kong and this is the best way to get to anywhere in the city, especially if you are in a hurry.

Food – As with most things in Hong Kong, how much you spend on food is decided by how much you want to spend. You could spend a lot less than 50HKD on a meal just as quick as you could spend 1000HKD. There is food to fit all budgets. The most common local fare is the cheaper eats. The more expensive food tends to be more extravagant and western.

How To Save Money in Hong Kong

Avoid Entrance Fees – Apart from The Peak Tram and Sky Terrace I would not recommend paying money to enter anything else there. Hong Kong is an expensive city, and if you want to spend crazy money then it is very easy to do so. The thing is, there is no need to. There is so much to do in the city for free, you will have no problem filling your days without shelling out money. Move slowly here and let the city move around you. In my opinion, a city like Hong Kong is an attraction in itself, enjoy your time here.

Public Transport – Hong Kong has it all, subways, buses, taxis, trams and ferries. Many modes of public transport are aimed at getting you from A to B as quickly and easily as possible, and they do. That being said, it can still cost you a lot of money if you use them frequently. I would recommend the Star Ferry, as it is the cheapest and gets you across the river, but apart from that, walk. Hong Kong has amazing sights around every corner, walking allows you to discover that and see more of the city, all whilst saving you money.

Fast Food – When I say fast food, I don’t mean McDonalds or KFC. I am talking about the places where you line up and get almost dragged in. Then you order quickly, get your food quickly, eat, pay and leave. In fact, a lot of locals will get their food to go as there just isn’t enough time to sit. This is the food aimed at locals going about their day. This is where you reduce your food bill for the time you are here, getting excellent local Hong Kong fare in the process. On a side note; I am in no way dissing McDonald’s, their Ice Cream is some of the cheapest and tastiest sweet snacks you will find in this city. They were doing an amazing Mango Ice Cream while I was there, great for cooling down without overspending.)

Avoid Grocery and Convenience Stores – Even though, in most countries, they can be a real money saver, in Hong Kong this doesn’t tend to be the case. Sweets and soft drinks should be avoided at all costs. Even water can cost a lot of money here. With a bit of luck, you will be able to refill your bottle in your accommodation. For fresh food, stick to the markets. This is where you will find your fruit for a fraction of the cost.

Avoid Alcohol – I can honestly say that Hong Kong is only the third country I have been to without touching a drop of alcohol. The first two were for religious reasons. It was not acceptable to drink there, but this is the first place where my budget simply did not allow it. Prices here are comparable to cities like London or Sydney for a beer. I could not bring myself to pay for it. To be honest, after seeing how much it would cost, I can’t say I was even tempted. It is just not a wise thing to do if you don’t want to spend a lot of money. Save the drinking for countries that offer better value for money.

This is a city I could move to, no questions asked and settle in very quickly. It was really hard to leave and I am certainly not the only person to feel like this. I do worry though that when I inevitably return to Hong Kong it won’t be the same city I left. I got the impression that every day the city is getting further and further away from what makes it so unique. Maybe it was a case of getting in while the going is still good. That being said, the city is so spectacular that maybe it will never lose the charm that it has. Hopefully, this guide will inspire you to visit or help you with your visit to Hong Kong. I sincerely hope you enjoy it as much as I did.