10 Hong Kong Travel Tips You Should Know

Hong Kong is one of the most visited cities in Asia, but what should you know before traveling to Hong Kong? This list of 10 Hong Kong travel tips is ideal for anyone visiting Hong Kong for the first time or those who’ve already been a couple of times.

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1. Hong Kong is an easy city to visit for a tourist.

Let’s start off this list of Hong Kong travel tips with transportation. It’s super easy to get around Hong Kong with a reliable and convenient public transit network. On top of that, English is widely spoken around Hong Kong since it was a British colony for many years. 

Street signs, maps, most restaurants menus, and pretty much everything else can easily be navigated in English – especially in touristy areas. 

If you venture further out, the situation does look different. But anyone visiting Hong Kong and exploring the main attractions of the city won’t have much difficulty navigating their trip.

2. Lots of things are written in Chinese.

This slightly contradicts the first point. Even though Hong Kong was a British colony, a complete “Chinese makeover” took place all over the island after Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997. This undertaking included renaming street signs, districts, and building names in Chinese.

It’s also one of the most iconic things about Hong Kong – it’s many neon signs written in Chinese in districts like Temple Street. It’s what makes Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Fret not, mostly small shops, public ads, and commercial complexes are written in Chinese. Airport, street and public transport signs remain written in both English and Chinese. 

Nonetheless, I recommend getting a tourist and public transit map in English at the airport. In any case, you can ask anyone in English, and they’ll be happy to assist you in the best way they can. Hongkongers are very friendly.

3. Hong Kong Airport is enormous.

Hong Kong Airport is a central transit hub in Asia that caters to a lot of airlines daily. Expect a long line for baggage, check-ins, and security – but be courteous. 

At the same time, Hong Kong airport is known to be extremely efficient and fast – and should you get lost, ask one of the free English-speaking guide staff to help you out.

Hong Kong Airport is also connected with the center via its Airport train. Experience secure travel from the Hong Kong International Airport to the city center with this Hong Kong Airport Express ticket.

4. Traveling around the city without an Octopus card is hard.

Hongkongers use trains and buses extensively. Hong Kong boasts a well organized and sophisticated public transport that covers every inch on the island. 

The best way to navigate Hong Kong is by getting an Octopus Card. This is one of the most important Hong Kong travel tips. This transportation card is not only incredibly convenient but also helps you save some money. You can get a special transit card for tourists for short term use. You can also use the Octopus Card for purchases at convenience stores. Quite handy.

Conveniently pre-book and pick up your Octopus card with a preloaded credit at the Hong Kong International Airport.

5. Macau is only a boat ride away.

This is one of my favorite Hong Kong travel tips. While Macau isn’t part of Hong Kong (it’s a different special administrative region), it’s just an hour away by ferry. Macau and Hong Kong are well connected with frequent ferries, and passport holders of most countries don’t even require a visa to enter Macau. Be sure to check Macau’s visa policy for your country before you travel.

If you don’t have much time, it is possible to visit Macau on a day trip from Hong Kong. However, I highly recommend spending at least one night in Macau. 

The city is most spectacular at night. It is called the Las Vegas of Asia, and for a good reason. Lots of casinos and great entertainment are what Macau is known for. However, there are also a lot of historical attractions you should visit when in Macau.

Tip: Wait less and start your ferry travel instantly by merely entering the pier via the QR code on your pre-booked voucher.

6. Keep one day free – you might come across a neat event!

There’s always some event going down somewhere in Hong Kong, so it’s best to keep your itinerary open one day. You should check out the convention center website before heading to Hong Kong to see if anything interesting is happening.

7. Stay away from fake designer bags.

Some visitors might be tempted by the many fake designer bags you can find at street markets across Hong Kong. Naturally, these bags’ quality is questionable, and it is illegal to buy them in stores. 

The most popular places to find designer dupes are the Mongkok Ladies Market or Temple Street. However, I advise you to refrain from buying a fake bag because If you get caught, you will be warned, and the product will be taken away. 

8. Hong Kong is known for its dim sum, but you can also get exotic Chinese food.

Hong Kong is renowned worldwide for its delicious dim sums and with good reason. You can find authentic dim sum shops pretty much all around Hong Kong, and you can just walk into one and try your way through the mouth-watering menu. On top of that, they are also extremely cheap.

If you feel particularly adventurous, you should try some more exotic dishes, such as snake soup. Contrary to what you might think, snake soups aren’t that common in Hong Kong. In fact, it is considered a delicacy and is only served at certain restaurants in Shum Shui Po and Kowloon City.

Here are some fantastic dim sum places to try:

• Sheung Hei Dim Sum Master in Kennedy Town
• Chau Kee Dim Sum + Restaurant in Sai Ying Pun
• Ding Dim 1968 in Central 

9. Most restaurants have special late lunch discounts.

This one is a great money-saving tip for anyone visiting Hong Kong. You should avoid eating lunch around noon, as this is considered peak time. It’s when all the locals are on lunch break and head out to eat. 

Instead, have a late lunch and take advantage of special late lunch discounts between 2 and 6 PM. Most restaurants will have tea set specials during this time, and there won’t be a long wait.

10. Avoid traveling around 8/9 AM on weekdays and eating around noon.

Adding to the crowded lunch peak time, travelers in Hong Kong should also avoid taking public transportation between 8 and 9 AM on weekdays. 

The trains and buses are incredibly crowded during rush hours, and travel time takes a lot longer. After 9 AM, the trains are pretty much empty when all of Hong Kong is at work.

Don’t forget to follow me @lindagoeseast

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