Plan Your Trip to Hong Kong: Best of Hong Kong Tourism
Hong Kong, China
Essential Hong Kong
Things to do
Food & drink
Discover the best of Hong Kong with Shangri-La
Browse collections
Traveler Guides
Trending in the forums
Hong Kong Is Great For
Delicious dim sum and tea houses
Breathtaking parks and hiking trails
Hong Kong Travel Guide
Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Hong Kong
backpacker31
For the first-time visitor to Hong Kong, this compact, densely populated vertical metropolis may seem intimidating. However, boasting one of the world's best urban transport systems, a wide range of accommodation options, an international and regional array of culinary delights to fit every budget and countless activities and sights. Hong Kong is perfect for both the novice traveler as well as the seasoned globetrotter.
TassieTravellers99
Hong Kong is a multicultural metropolis. Being a popular stopover destination for many airlines that use Asia as a connection point makes this city an excellent one night stop over or for a longer five to seven day stay. There is a wide range of activities for all the family, interesting history, food, and shopping and plenty of green space and quiet natural areas to get away from the crowds.
Lincoln C
Although it is best known for its towering skyscrapers and booming city life, Hong Kong also has beautiful beaches and tropical paradises, just waiting to be explored!
What is the best way to get there?
flying
Major airlines fly into Chek Lap Kok Airport and the quickest way to get to downtown Hong Kong is the Hong Kong International Airport Express, taking approximately 24 minutes. Taxis also offer a door to door service to and from Hong Kong International Airport. Hong Kong taxis are color-coded according to their operating areas.
Learn more about arriving in Hong Kong here.
Do I need a visa?
If you’re visiting Hong Kong from overseas, visit the Hong Kong Immigration Department website to see if you need a visa.
When is the best time to visit?
Dry season (November to April): Generally speaking, Hong Kong's weather is mainly hot and humid. For this reason, many feel the best time to visit is from November to April during the cool and dry season. Average temperatures range from 20-23°C (68-73°F), usually with lots of sunshine. There is less rain and the humidity levels are lower, making it a more pleasant time of the year to visit. Learn more about Hong Kong’s weather and what to expect here.
Get around
bus, train, and ferry
Public transport in Hong Kong is excellent. There are bus routes covering most of the island, frequent ferries between the islands making up the region (The Star Ferry connecting Kowloon to Hong Kong island is a 'must see'), trains into mainland China and the superb MTR underground railway.
If you are staying in Hong Kong for a few days, and you intend to use the MTR or other public transport as your primary mode of transportation, consider getting an "Octopus" card.
Learn more about getting around Hong Kong here.
On the ground
What is the timezone?
Hong Kong Standard Time (GMT +8 hours).
What are the voltage/plug types?
The standard voltage in Hong Kong is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. Wall outlets accommodate plugs with either three round pins in a triangular pattern or three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern.
What is the currency?
The Hong Kong dollar.
Are ATMs readily accessible?
Yes.
Are credit cards widely accepted?
Yes.
How much do I tip?
Tipping is not part of the culture of Hong Kong and you will not see locals or mainland Chinese tipping. However, taxi drivers will usually round up to the nearest dollar amount as a tip to themselves.
For more information about tipping and etiquette in Hong Kong, see here.
Are there local customs I should know?
Drinking
The legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 18 years old.
Dining
If you’ve ever been to a dim sum restaurant, you might be wondering why so many Hong Kongers like to tap the table when tea is being poured for them. This light tapping of two fingers on the table is a gesture of appreciation. Think of it as a discreet way of saying "thank you" without actually saying it.
For more information about the culture in Hong Kong generally, see here.
- We recommend staying at one of the most popular hotels in Hong Kong, which include:
- Some of the most popular restaurants in Hong Kong include:
- Hong Kong is known for some of its popular attractions, which include:
- We recommend checking out these popular tours when looking for something to do in Hong Kong:
- If you're a more budget-conscious traveler, then you may want to consider traveling to Hong Kong between December and February, when hotel prices are generally the lowest. Peak hotel prices generally start between June and August.