0.34 mi (0.55km) from City Center
Travel in Hong Kong—City Guide
Hong Kong is the meeting of Chinese and Western cultures, the high degree of cultural diversity makes Hong Kong what it is today, an all-encompassing international metropolis.
Asides from the hustle and bustle, the city has some of the most advanced transportation, prosperous business areas, along with crowds of people from multiple countries. It has also a quiet side: slow cable cars on Taiping Hill, sea views at Repulse Bay, port scenery at the Outlying Islands to name but a few.…
Hong Kong is a place where shopping meets food, amusement parks meet free harbors, fashion meets tradition, Chinese locals meet foreigners, and the oriental culture meets the western culture. So, Hong Kong is just like what its nickname tells us: The Pearl of the Orient. Without a doubt, the most interesting part of travelling in Hong Kong is the enticing vibe of a city that mixes Asia with the rest of the world!
Where Land Meets the Sea: An Oriental Free Harbor
Hong Kong is geographically divided into three areas: Kowloon, Hong Kong Island and the New Territories (including the Outlying Islands).
Kowloon and Hong Kong Island across the Victoria Harbor take up only a small part of the entire Hong Kong, but they are Hong Kong's most prosperous areas.
On the small lands, Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon and Central District in Hong Kong Island are sitting on both sides of the Victoria Harbor, both working as the center of Hong Kong’s economy and culture, and as the core areas of the city.
The New Territories covers most of Hong Kong in size. This includes several outlying islands, country parks, the famous Lantau Island, Lamma Island, Sai Kung, Cheung Chau, and other beautiful islands.
Don't Miss the Following Destinations in Hong Kong
Victoria Harbor, also known as Victoria Bay, is located between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula. This is the No.1 harbor in Asia and No.3 in the world. With skyscrapers skirting the coast lines, at night, this makes for an incomparably beautiful night view with lights that shine through the dark sky. It is one of the top three night views in the world along with Hakodate, Japan, and Naples, Italy.
Any travel tips wouldn’t fail to introduce the Oriental Hollywood film industry in Hong Kong, the Avenue of Stars, which is a sea-viewing waterfront promenade by Victoria Harbor built to commemorate the history of Hong Kong film industry. There, you can not only find your favorite movie stars’ palm prints, but also take photos with the famous Bruce Lee statue. Why not make your own Kung Fun move with him!
Hong Kong Disneyland is a fusion of California Disneyland and all other featured Disneyland theme parks. Here, you can see all your Disney friends together while viewing the parade and having an unforgettable fantasy night watching the Disney in the Stars fireworks!
Besides Disney, there is another place in Hong Kong for you to go: Ocean Park Hong Kong, which has marine aquarium and themed amusement park. Since its opening, it has become one of the most popular and most visited themed parks in the world. At Ocean Park, fun is guaranteed for all ages!
Travel Tips
If you are a TVB fan, go to "World's No.1 Bay" Repulse Bay; where TV shows often shoot scenes. Walk along the long beach in the soft sand and enjoy the romantic sea wind, as if you are in your very own TV show!
The University of Hong Kong at Pok Fu Lam Road is full of old Western-style buildings. In 1939, Eileen Chang was here studying in the building of Faculty of Liberal Arts. In fact, many sites of the beautiful campus can be seen in movies.
From the busy downtown area on Hong Kong Island, it takes only half an hour to get to Lamma Island by sea. Take a short trip and surround yourself with the refreshing air, beautiful coastlines, for a carefree holiday far away from the hustle and bustle of city life!
Whatever You Need for Lodging
Whatever you desire from Hong Kong, you will be catered to. Hotels can meet all sorts of different needs that tourists may have. You may stay at a certain hotel because you want to shop around or enjoy delicious food, but it is always best to stay at a hotel close to a subway station for convenience. When choosing a hotel, you may consider hotels along Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, and Tsim Sha Tsui on Nathan Road, as well as Causeway Bay at Hong Kong Island. Hotels in these areas are close to subway stations and shopping malls for your convenience!
Tsim Sha Tsui is undoubtedly the top accommodation choice for first-time visitors to Hong Kong, due to the night view of Victoria Harbor and the ease of access to all tourist attractions, including shopping ventures. You will also find that it is easy to go to the Hong Kong Space Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower, Kowloon Park, and other tourist attractions.
Unlike Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay is both a shopping paradise and a land of nightlife and food. Staying in a hotel here, you will enjoy not only all the great food by the streets by day, but also the exciting nightlife.
Mong Kok can be reached by all means of transportation; including mini bus, bus, subway, and night bus. By staying there, you can easily go and have some treasure hunting fun on Garden Street, Tung Choi Street, and Computer Street. Here, you can also encounter featured local snacks.
There is Nothing Else to Do in Shoppers’ Paradise
Hong Kong is known as the Shoppers’ Paradise, leading the world with its strengths in price, variety and service. Generally, there are two major shopping zones, Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Kowloon has several shopping areas such as Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Jordan and Yau Ma Tei, whilst Hong Kong Island has Central, Causeway Bay, North Point and Admiralty.
Tsim Sha Tsui is located at the southern tip of the Kowloon Peninsula, bringing together high-end boutique stores, various chic fashion products, and all kinds of cosmetics. Newport Center, Sun Plaza, Miramar Shopping Center, Harbor City are all large shopping centers; also, along the Nathan Road there are great stores which are also worth exploring.
Mong Kok, located at the northern end of Nathan Road, is a popular shopping place for local people. The crowded area is shared by banks, business buildings, and delicate stores. Nathan Road is the essence of all, home to many special-featured streets; such as "Sneakers Street", "Bird Street", "Flower Market", "Woman Street" and so on.
In Causeway Bay, all high-end fashion items can be found. With department stores like Lane Crawford at Times Square, top brand-name items can be found. It is also a hot spot where luxury brands fight to set up their flagship stores. Local designers’ and celebrities’ stores also have their own supporters here.
Unlike Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok and Causeway Bay, Sheung Wan has maintained an old and nostalgic atmosphere, it has become a very distinctive shopping street in Hong Kong. Hollywood Road is a treasure trove of antiques and handicrafts, Upper Lascar Row is home to many rare antiques for sale, and Wing Lok Street and Ko Shing Street are historic street of medical materials, where you can find shops for deer velvets, ginseng, antiques and old furniture.
If You are Foodie, This is The Right Place to Be
Hong Kong, is not only a world-renowned paradise for shoppers, but also a food paradise beyond borders and cultural differences. Ordinary cafes for daily meals, top Michelin star restaurants, and authentic street snacks can all be accessed here. In Hong Kong, you will be able to experience international dishes alongside local cuisine.
If you want to eat like a Hong Kong local, you may want to go around Causeway Bay or Mong Kok. There, you will find a variety of traditional Hong Kong-style food stalls, cafes, herbal tea shops, porridge and noodle restaurants, siu mei deli, dessert shops, as well as several Western-style restaurants. You can also find cheap and authentic snacks along Tung Lung Street in Causeway Bay, Jardine Street, and Matheson Street, or Temple Street in Yau Ma Tei.
Want to try a Michelin restaurant? Go to the InterContinental Hotel Hong Kong, the hotel in Hong Kong that has three Michelin restaurants. All three have received prestigious awards: The Steakhouse Winebar + Grill, Yan Toh Heen, and Spoon by Alain Ducasse.
In addition, Guangdong Road, Knutsford Terrace and Hillwood Road in Tsim Sha Tsui form an international cuisine hub making it a great choice for foodies. You may also go to Sai Kung, Lamma Island, and Cheung Chau to experience fresh seafood and the unique port culture!
When Culture is Different
Hong Kong is known as “Hollywood in the Orient". Founded in 1977, the Hong Kong International Film Festival is one of the oldest film festivals in Asia and the grandest event in Hong Kong’s film industry. It is also known as the "Film Festival of Film Festivals". Each year, more than 330 works from more than 50 countries, get screened here, attracting more than 600,000 viewers.
Every April, the Hong Kong Film Awards, one of the most important awards in Hong Kong and the Greater China area, are presented at the Hong Kong Cultural Center Theater. The Awards were founded in 1982, with an aim to encourage the production and development of outstanding Hong Kong films. It is the most important annual event in the Hong Kong film industry.
The Hong Kong Book Fair is one of the largest book exhibitions in Asia. It has been held in Hong Kong every July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center since 1990, becoming an annual cultural event in Asia. With its growing scale, increasingly diverse content, and developing influence; it has now become a festival for scholars, readers, and publishers. It is also now an important event and an iconic brand for Hong Kong.
Have a Wonderful Night in Hong Kong
Many people say that the essence of Hong Kong lies in its nights. Hong Kong under the night sky can be so dreamy and elegant, with its colorful neon lights fully lighting up the gorgeousness of this "dynamic city". All visitors can enjoy Hong Kong movies, bars, bookstores, jockeys, and night views that contribute to the entertainment lifestyle of Hong Kong.
There are variety of bars in Hong Kong, ranging from quiet and refreshing ones to noisy and exciting ones. You can find quiet, laid back bars in Lan Kwai Fong and Knutsford Terrace, while busier ones in East Tsim Sha Tsui, Hillwood Road, and Mong Kok Prince Edward, one of the most famous bars in Lan Kwai Fong, is located on a L-shaped uphill trail, which translates to ‘Orchid Laurel Square’ in English. Great bars can also be found in hotels. For example, InterContinental Hotel Hong Kong's Lobby Lounge is a must go-to destination for the night views of Victoria Harbor.
As night falls, the city truly wakes. In addition to the vibrant bars that line the streets, you can also visit the Hung Hom Coliseum for a lively concert. Experience rare moments of delight with the annual Hong Kong International Film Festival, where you can be fully immersed in iconic nightlife scenes. Relish in the tranquility found in Hong Kong’s independent bookstores that are well hidden within the city, offering you another way to experience the metropolis.