Hong Kong

Where East Meets West

Hong Kong stands out as a major financial center in Asia with a unique mix of Eastern and Western influences. The city features towering skyscrapers alongside traditional temples, offering diverse food options from street markets to high-end restaurants. Its efficient public transport makes moving around simple for visitors. Hong Kong’s harbor provides scenic views day or night, while nearby islands add natural beauty to the urban environment. The blend of modern life and cultural heritage creates a distinct atmosphere that draws people from all over the world.

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State/Prefecture in China

$$$+

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 8.6

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	9
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	6

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken, especially in business areas, hotels, and tourist spots. However, in local markets and small eateries, Cantonese is the main language, so having a translation app or basic phrases can be helpful.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Hong Kong Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Outstanding for skyline views and urban energy. Ride ferries across the harbor, visit markets and temples, hike scenic hills and enjoy global food.

Place score

9.3

Best at:

Large cities

Fine dining

Local cuisine

Luxury shopping

Luxury

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

👩 8

Solo

China – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type I Type A: Type I: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) £1 ≈ CN¥8.88
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in China, particularly in urban areas. Mobile payment services like Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in China and is not expected, although it may be appreciated in high-end restaurants or by hotel staff for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in many places in China, but it is common in restaurants and bars.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, such as restaurants and public transport, but enforcement can vary.

Chinese New Year (January/February)	Major holiday with family gatherings and public celebrations
National Day (1 October)	National holiday with parades and festivities

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	DiDi, Uber
Other:	China is known for its vast cultural heritage, including historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army. It offers diverse landscapes ranging from mountains to beaches.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Hong Kong, China

🌤️

Jan

☁️

Feb

☁️

Mar

🌦️

Apr

⛈️

May

⛈️

Jun

⛈️

Jul

⛈️

Aug

⛈️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

🌤️

Dec

High season:	Jan., Oct. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	Feb. - April
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Typhoon season May to November, peak July to September; a signal 8 or higher shuts down transport and businesses

Lunar New Year late January to mid February: many shops and restaurants close for several days, fireworks and parades

Hiking and outdoor sightseeing best October to December; summer trails are hot, humid and slippery

Don't miss

🌇 Ride the Peak Tram and admire skyline views from Victoria Peak
⛴️ Sail across Victoria Harbour on the iconic Star Ferry
🥢 Shop and eat street food in Mong Kok’s bustling markets
🙏 Visit Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island and climb the steps
🚶🏻 Stroll along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade at sunset
🍸 Explore the vibrant nightlife and bars of Lan Kwai Fong

You've been here?

Why travel to Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is a paradise for food lovers, shoppers and culture enthusiasts. Whether you're savoring dim sum in a traditional teahouse, exploring bustling night markets or admiring the skyline from Victoria Peak, the city never fails to impress. For nature lovers, the outlying islands, hiking trails and beaches offer a refreshing escape from the urban hustle.

🏙️Cities & Regions

1 Kowloon
A bustling urban hub on Hong Kong’s northern shore, Kowloon offers dense markets, historic temples and panoramic views of Victoria Harbour. Its mix of colonial architecture and modern skyscrapers creates a vibrant, fast‑paced atmosphere.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Victoria Peak
Perched above Hong Kong's bustling skyline, this historic hill offers panoramic views of the harbor and city. Lush gardens, colonial villas and cable car rides make it a serene escape from the urban energy below.
2 Tian Tan Buddha Statue
This massive Buddha statue stands as a serene landmark in Tian Tan, overlooking Victoria Harbour. Visitors come for its peaceful atmosphere and stunning views of Hong Kong's skyline from this iconic Buddhist site.
3 Wong Tai Sin Temple
4 Hong Kong Disneyland
5 Man Mo Temple
6 Ocean Park
7 Chi Lin Nunnery
8 Star Ferry
9 Avenue of Stars

🎡Places for activities

1 Ocean Park Hong Kong
A marine‑themed amusement park on Hong Kong Island offers roller coasters, animal exhibits and a giant aquarium. Visitors can explore wildlife habitats, enjoy thrill rides and view panoramic harbor views.
2 Hong Kong Global Geopark
The Global Geopark in Hong Kong features dramatic cliffs, ancient lava flows and rare fossils. Its rugged terrain offers hiking trails through volcanic landscapes, showcasing geological history alongside urban development and natural beauty.
3 Victoria Harbour
4 Ngong Ping
5 Dragon's Back
6 Lan Kwai Fong
7 Sai Kung Public Pier

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Kowloon Walled City Park
2 Hong Kong Wetland Park
3 Tai Mo Shan
4 Shek O Beach
5 Lantau Island
6 Lamma Island
7 雅翠園 Emerald Gardens
8 Sai Kung East Country Park
9 Nam Lian Garden
10 Lion Rock

🛍️Shopping

1 Temple Street Night Market
This bustling night market in Hong Kong's Temple Street offers vibrant food stalls, colorful souvenirs and lively crowds under neon lights, creating an unforgettable sensory experience for visitors seeking authentic local culture.
2 Harbour City
3 Stanley Market
4 IFC Mall
5 Ladies Market
6 PMQ
7 Times Square

🎈Events

Chinese New Year Celebrations
Dragon Boat Festival
Mid-Autumn Festival
Hong Kong Rugby Sevens
Hong Kong Arts Festival
Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival
Lan Kwai Fong Beer & Music Festival
WinterFest
Ching Ming Festival
Hungry Ghost Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Get an Octopus card for effortless payments on transport, shops and restaurants.
City is very safe, but guard valuables in crowded markets, MTR stations and popular nightlife districts like Lan Kwai Fong.
Avoid political discussions in public; follow local laws and check current advisories, especially around demonstrations or large gatherings.
Stay in Tsim Sha Tsui or Central for easy MTR access, harbour views, classic skyline walks and fast connections to outlying islands.

How to travel to Hong Kong

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is one of the world's busiest and best-connected airports. The Airport Express train gets you to the city center in 24 minutes. High-speed trains connect Hong Kong to mainland China and ferries serve Macau and nearby cities.

Access summary

From Hong Kong International Airport (HKG): Airport Express train to Central, about 24 minutes.
From Shenzhen: High-speed trains to West Kowloon Station, roughly 15–30 minutes.
From Guangzhou: High-speed trains to West Kowloon Station, usually 1–2 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Hong Kong

Hong Kong offers everything from luxury hotels with harbor views to budget hostels in Mong Kok. Staying in Central or Tsim Sha Tsui gives easy access to major attractions, while quieter areas like Sai Ying Pun or Lantau Island provide a more relaxed experience.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Royal Plaza Hotel

8.8

Nina Hotel Tsuen Wan West

8.2

Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong

The Cityview - Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Hong Kong

The MTR (Mass Transit Railway) is the fastest and most convenient way to travel around Hong Kong. Buses and trams cover areas the MTR doesn't reach, while ferries connect the islands. The Octopus Card is a must for easy payments on public transport.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-15 %

Daily expenses in Hong Kong are around 15% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-1 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CNY) is 1% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£174	£257	£788
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£144	£192	£578
🍝 Food per day	£25	£58	£189
🚕 Transportation per day	£5	£7	£22

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£24
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£6
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.80
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£9.50
☕ Cappuccino	£4
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£5

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.15
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£13
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.30

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£10
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£49
🤧 Cold medication	£13
💇 Basic haircut	£18

Safety information overview

General safety

Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world, with low crime rates. However, be mindful of pickpockets in crowded areas and avoid unauthorized tour operators or overly aggressive street vendors.

Health & Medical

Medical care in Hong Kong is excellent, with world-class hospitals and clinics. Pharmacies are easy to find and over-the-counter medications are widely available. Tap water is safe to drink.

Accessibility

Most major attractions and public transport in Hong Kong are accessible, but older buildings and some streets can be challenging due to stairs and steep slopes. The MTR has accessibility features, but some stations lack elevators.

Tap water

Hong Kong’s tap water is safe to drink, but many locals prefer bottled or filtered water. Public water fountains are rare, so carrying a refillable bottle is recommended.