Hong Kong
Destination Guide

The Ultimate Guide Before You Plan for your Next Trip

The former British colony of Hong Kong embraces the East and the West, together. The cosmopolitan appeal of the place will certainly overwhelm you as you get to savor the best of both the worlds. The skyline of this well-known global financial hub is studded with various skyscrapers and a trip to the highest peak will certainly give you a sensational experience. This fascinating little region is also a fabulous shopping center and you one trip to this place is certainly not enough. Whilst the bespoke tailoring markets and the fishing villages will give you a feel of the authentic oriental appeal the Temple Street Night Market will pamper you to the core.

Attractions in Hong Kong

From the mind-boggling peaks to charming ocean-view, Hong Kong has many spectacles to offer to its guests.

Ngong Ping 360

Hong Kong is known for its many heights and Ngong Ping 360 is certainly one of them. This cable car ride will allow you to enjoy a panoramic view of the Lantau Island as you will certainly get mesmerized by the lush green scenery of this place. The cable car will drop you near the Tian Tan Buddha Statue which is also known as the Giant Buddha. It is by far the world's biggest bronze statue of Lord Buddha and it took around 12 years to complete this statue. The entire Po Lin Monestary Plaza is considered to be a sacred region and you can also witness the enchanting Shek Pik reservoir along with Hong Kong's fascinating tea plantation region.

Tsim Sha Tsui

Thanks to this entertaining region of Kowloon Hong Kong is regarded as one of the most delightful tourist destinations of the world. This indeed is a shopping and entertainment hub of entire Hong Kong as you can witness plenty of foreigners flocking this area from the dawn to the dusk. Browse through the Nathan Road and the Cannon Road of old Kowloon and purchase the latest gadgets and fashion wear from there. The place is also known for its scrumptious street foods and you must also visit the Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower and the Hong Kong Space Museum in the vicinity.

Golden Bauhinia Square

This square has a great significance in the history of Hong Kong as it was built in the year 1997 marking Hong Kong's independence from the British rule, as a colony. The square is centered on the fascinating Wan Chai waterfront as the Chinese government has built a enormous gilded bauhinia statue to mark the splendid occasion. Since then Hong Kong is regarded as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Chinese Government. Once you are out there you should not miss out on the opportunity to visit the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Victoria Central Business District

A trip to Hong Kong cannot be completed without a visit to the central financial district of the place. All the banks and the financial institutions has Eastern Headquarters set in that region as you can witness the massive building of the Bank of China, which is till now regarded as one of the tallest buildings of the world. Apart from the skyscrapers the place will also lead you to the Hong Kong Zoological Garden and the Botanical Garden. There is also the famous Man Mo Temple, the oldest Chinese Temple in Hong Kong, in the vicinity.

Temple Street Night Market

This dazzling nighttime market in Kowloon is certainly a major attraction in Hong Kong. Considered to be one of the largest and certainly the most vibrant market in the Eastern Hemisphere this marketplace will offer you a chance to browse through the most exotic electronics products in entire Asia. The range of the items will certainly tempt you to make many purchases as apart from the gadgets you can also buy food, clothes, and many other items. The lane on which the market is held is always glittering with lights and you can also hear some Cantonese opera is performed outside the Tin Hua Temple.

Star Ferry

Hong Kong is known throughout the world for its famous Star Ferry which started back in the 1800's. This cruise ride will take you down the famous Victoria Harbor where you can rejoice the various views of the green mountains scattered around in the forms of islands down the main channel connecting the Tsim Sha Tsui to the Central. The best part of the Star Ferry is that you do not need to schedule a ride in advance as there are many rides taking passengers from one end to the other. The evening trips are even more appealing as you can watch the nightly laser shows happening.

Wong Tai Sin Temple

This temple in the Kowloon district of Hong Kong was built back in the 1920's for the worship of a local Chinese God Taoist god Wong Tai Sin who is believed to bring good luck and help in the recovery from various ailments. The complex architecture made from several buildings lures many tourists as the most famous of them are Hall of Three Saints and the Good Wish Garden. The place itself has a very mystic appeal as you can find many fortune tellers lining up in the hall and the tranquil spirit will completely engulf you and will certainly win you over.

Victoria Peak

No list of Hong Kong's top tourist attractions can be complete without the mention of the fabulous Victoria Peak. This enchanting tram ride to the top of the hill will allow you see the entire region of Hong Kong along with the sea. You can see the surrounding islands all scattered on the water whilst the high skyscrapers appear to be tiny boxes from the top. Like everything else in Hong Kong, the trip to the Victoria Peak also becomes more fascinating during the evening. The glittering and shimmering lights around the harbor will give you a dreamy feeling which you will savor forever.

Ngong Ping 360

Tsim Sha Tsui

Golden Bauhinia Square

Victoria Central Business District

Temple Street Night Market

Star Ferry

Wong Tai Sin Temple

Victoria Peak

Ngong Ping 360

Tsim Sha Tsui

Golden Bauhinia Square

Victoria Central Business District

Ocean Park

Hong Kong is also a destination of many theme parks and Ocean parks is certainly the most exotic amongst all of them. Housing several plants, animals, and aquatic creatures this park is visited by many tourists from all over the world. Whilst the kids will enjoy an odd ride on the roller coasters they will also be fascinated by the giant panda exhibit. However, the major attraction of this place is certainly the Grand Aquarium which is the largest dome aquarium of the world. There are as many as 400 aquatic animals inside the aquarium and people can also go for a mini-panda safari witnessing the giant pandas, the red pandas, and also the giant salamander.

Hong Kong Disneyland

"For the First Time in Forever," you can immerse yourself fully in the epic world of the beloved "Frozen" films, brought to life before your very eyes. Debuting at Hong Kong Disneyland this year, "World of Frozen" invites guests into the majestic frost-covered fjord where the kingdom of Arendelle celebrates "Summer Snow Day", a special holiday that commemorates the day Anna saved Elsa and the kingdom with an act of true love.

Dragon's Back Hike

Hong Kong is not just about its skyscrapers and urban dwellings as there are also some natural landscapes to explore. The Dragon's Back is definitely one such destination which will allow you to come closer to the nature in this enchanting little territory. The view of the ocean, from there, is simply heavenly and the trail leads you to the various charming points like the Shek O, the Mount Collison, Stanley, and the Big Wave Way. The hike is comfortable and the scenic appeal is mesmerizing as you can hear the different bird songs on your way.

Repulse Bay and the Beaches

Hong Kong is not known for its beach destination but nonetheless there are some exotic seaside locations which will certainly win you over. The most popular amongst the beaches is certainly the Repulse Bay which is characterized by its typical oriental appeal. Once you are there you will be welcomed to the Hong Kong Life Saving Society clubhouse and witness the strong colonial influence of this place. The beach also has plenty of shopping and eating destinations and you should definitely a take a day trip to the Big Wave Bay.

Tai O Fishing Village

The urban dazzle of Hong Kong will not make you believe that a place like the Tai O Fishing Village actually exists. Far away from the hustling crowd the city life is this charming little fishing village where the villages welcome the tourists with open arms. The community of fisher-folk will allow you to enjoy a fascinating time inside the village as you can browse through the seafood markets and take a boat ride down the sea. It is the perfect place to see the exotic pink dolphins out in the wild as this village rests quitely by the edge of the water.

In the Spotlight

Due to its cosmopolitan appeal Hong Kong boasts a wide variety of restaurants and eateries, spread all across the territory. The places has a huge colonial appeal which is completed well with the Cantonese style cooking. Starting from dim sums to green tea, the restaurants offer a wide range of delectable menus for the tourists to come and choose. The aesthetics of the place will charm you whilst the food will win your heart.

Lung King Heen : This three-Michelin star winning restaurant is Hong Kong's most famous and popular one. Located near the touristy area of the Victoria Harbor this place is always booked in advanced. Read More

The ambiance is superb and you will often encounter more foreigners than locals here in this restaurant. Try out the fabulous dim sums for which Hong Kong is famous and you can also order the succulent meat menus especially the crispy grilled pork ribs. The Cantonese appeal of the place is evident from the decor and the menu and you will realize that with each and every bite you take. Read less

Duddell’s : Now if you are looking for a truly authentic Cantonese experience then this garden terrace restaurant is certainly the one to visit. Read More

The place evokes a traditional Cantonese appeal with its ornate decor with the help of many plants and flowers. Despite being located in the middle of the city it will give you a feel that you are in a distant Kowloon garden with song-birds surrounding you all over. Sip the classic green teas in here and dip your soul in the fabulous dim sum sauces. The place offers appetizing vegetarian options also and a visit is absolutely mandatory. Read less

Caprice: Located in the charming corner of the Four Seasons Hong Kong is this exotic French restaurant. The mention of a French restaurant in a former British colony might sound a bit ironical to the history buffs but this place deserves every bit of reputation it has gathered. Read More

The carved wooden doorways along with the large halls will set the mood from the onset whilst the palatable food options will allow you to enjoy a scrumptious lunch. The open kitchen allows the visitors to witness the spectacle of how the chefs are creating the magic which are being then served on the plate. Read less

Ronin : Now before you can say that "Why isn't there any Anglo-Cantonese restaurants in your list" we mention the name of Ronin. Read More

This famous seafood eatery has a very prominent colonial appeal with its wooden bars and frames. The place smells of exotic whisky as various forms of seafood are ready to be ordered from the list. Starting from crab to calamari, salmon to lobster you will certainly a have taste of the Cantonese sea in its most authentic form. The dishes are available in the options of Raw, Smaller, and Bigger, and we recommend that you try some of all three if you can really manage. Read less

Samsen : Whilst many hotels boast their collection of Michelin-star winning restaurants, this street-side eatery of Hong Kong has gained its own name. Read More

This affordable dinning alternative located inside a very old Chinese shop-house offers various kinds of Thai and Cantonese delicacies. The eatery can be found just beside the Blue House in the Wai Chin district of Hong Kong and it is known as a very popular noodle-hub of the town. The place has an authentic Hong Kong flavor as you can meet more locals than foreigners in this place. Various forms of scrumptious noodle options are available here along with various meat and seafood sides. Read less

As a self-administered region Hong Kong has a separate currency when compared to China. It is called the Hong Kong Dollar. Hong Kong is a very professional and well managed zone and they do not accept any other currencies. As a big shopping destination Hong Kong accepts all sorts of international debit and credit cards. However, some of the markets do not accept card payment and for that reason you need to carry some currency.

Special Tips

You need cash for tipping and do not trip above 10 or 20 Hong Kong dollars.
In case you need to hire a taxi then also you need to pay by cash. However, do not tip a taxi driver.
For a week's trip to Hong Kong you need to have as much as $5000 HKD in total including your food and hotel fees.

Entertainment & Event

The land of song-birds, pink dolphins, and exotic orchids celebrates traditional festivals with food and fun.

Flora and Fauna

Flora and Fauna

Flora and Fauna

Hong Kong is not just a dazzling urban hub full of skyscrapers but it also a very rich natural forestation spread across its different parts. The country parks and the coastlines are home to all the different kinds of plant and animal species. Hong Kong boasts almost 3000 different kinds of flowering plants including many orchids and native tree species of China. The unspoiled beauty of the place allows many dragon flies and butterflies to grow as Hong Kong houses almost one-third of the entire bird species of China.

Larger animals like bears and deer are also available in Hong Kong as some of the National Parks houses some exotic varieties of red pandas and giant pandas. Due to its huge coastline Hong Kong is also home to many marine animals and the endangered pink dolphins are the certainly ones to win everyone's heart over. Apart from that there are also several civet cats, bats, and salamanders which can be sighted during some treks up the hills.
Festivals

Festivals

Festivals

Hong Kong celebrates most of the major Chinese festivals including the likes of the Chinese New Year and the Dragon Boat Festival. However, being an independent territory and a unique culture Hong Kong also has some celebrations of its own. The Tin Hau festival is very popular in the region because of its strong maritime culture. For those who do not know Tin Hau is the Chinese goddess of the sea and the people of Hong Kong worship her by a great extent.

The maritime festivals of Hong Kong does not only stop in the celebration of the Tin Hau temples but also through the Cheng Chau Bun Festival held in the different fishing villages of the place. Celebrating the Taosit God Pak Tai this festival is about making the traditional Cantonese sweet buns and also entering into various bun-making competitions.
culture

culture

Culture

The culture of Hong Kong is richly influenced by the British as well as the Cantonese. Cantonese is the most prevalent culture of the region as the people still rely on strong family bonds and traditions. The soft and sober natured people of Hong Kong believe in the values of the families just like us Indians.

Chinese and English are the official language of the place as people mostly speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. The people of Hong Kong are very hospitable in their approach and since English is easily understood and spoken, communication with the tourists is not a problem for them. In some part of the province you can still find strong British influence as many westerners still reside in Hong Kong.