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CityBasic
Hong Kong
CityBasic Guide

Hong Kong

Where East meets West in a vertical city of neon, dim sum, and skyscrapers.

Best Time

Spring / Fall

Currency

HKD (Hong Kong Dollar)

Language

Local Language

Section Guide

Best Time to Visit

Jan

14°C - 19°C
Cool & Dry

Light jacket, long pants, layers

Clear skies

Chilly evenings

Feb

15°C - 20°C
Festive

Light layers, jacket for evening

Chinese New Year

High hotel prices

Mar

18°C - 23°C
Warming Up

T-shirts, light layers

Pleasant weather

Humidity rising

Apr

21°C - 27°C
Humid Start

Breathable fabrics, umbrella

Warm days

Humidity spikes

May

24°C - 30°C
Hot & Sticky

Shorts, tank tops, rain gear

Beach season begins

High humidity

Jun

26°C - 31°C
Peak Summer

Minimal clothes, sunscreen

Dragon Boat Festival

Oppressive humidity

Jul

27°C - 32°C
Hottest Month

Light, breathable fabrics

Beach life

Extreme heat

Aug

27°C - 32°C
Typhoon Season

Rain gear essential, light clothes

Tropical storms exciting

Typhoon disruptions

Sep

26°C - 31°C
Still Hot

Summer clothes, rain backup

Mid-Autumn Festival

Typhoons continue

Oct

23°C - 28°C
Golden Season

T-shirts, light jacket for evening

Perfect weather

Crowded weekends

Nov

19°C - 24°C
Ideal Weather

Light layers, comfortable shoes

Best month overall

Popular (book ahead)

Dec

15°C - 20°C
Festive & Cool

Jacket, long pants, warm layers

Christmas markets

Chilly mornings

Section Guide

Neighborhoods & Where to Stay

Central
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Central

The beating heart of Hong Kong's business district. Glass skyscrapers, luxury malls, and the famous Mid-Levels Escalator. Expensive restaurants and rooftop bars dominate.

Tsim Sha Tsui
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Tsim Sha Tsui

Kowloon's main tourist hub on the harbor. Museums, luxury hotels, tailors, and the iconic Avenue of Stars. Best views of Hong Kong Island skyline.

Mong Kok
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Mong Kok

The densest neighborhood on Earth. Neon signs, street markets, electronics shops, and constant energy. Ladies Market and sneaker street are here.

Sheung Wan
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Sheung Wan

Traditional Chinese medicine shops next to hipster cafes. Dried seafood wholesalers beside art galleries. The gentrifying edge of old Hong Kong.

Causeway Bay
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Causeway Bay

Hong Kong's retail epicenter. Massive malls, department stores, and street-level shops. Locals come here to shop, eat, and hang out.

Sham Shui Po
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Sham Shui Po

The most authentic Hong Kong neighborhood. Electronics markets, fabric wholesalers, and cheap street food. Minimal English, maximum character.

Section Guide

Culture

Dos & Don'ts

  • Octopus Card is Life: This rechargeable smart card works on all public transit (MTR, buses, ferries, trams) plus 7-Eleven, Starbucks, and vending machines. Buy one immediately at any MTR station.
  • Queue Culture: Hong Kong takes queueing seriously. Form orderly lines for everything—MTR, escalators, restaurants, taxis. Cutting in line is social suicide.
  • Escalator Rules: Stand on the right, walk on the left. MTR escalators move fast and locals don't tolerate blockers. This rule is strictly enforced.
  • No Tipping: Service charge is included in restaurant bills (10%). Additional tipping is not expected or necessary. Rounding up taxi fare is polite but optional.
  • Name Cards Matter: In business settings, receive name cards with both hands and study them briefly before putting away. It's a sign of respect.
  • Shoes Off: Some traditional restaurants and all homes require shoe removal. Look for slippers by the entrance as a signal.
  • Chopstick Etiquette: Never stick chopsticks upright in rice (funeral symbolism). Don't point them at people. Place them on the rest, not the bowl.
  • Dim Sum Protocol: Share everything. Pour tea for others before yourself. Tap two fingers on table to thank someone for pouring your tea. Servers tally dishes at end.
  • Public Behavior: Keep voices down on MTR and in restaurants. Loud phone conversations are frowned upon. Public drunkenness is rare and embarrassing.
  • Respect for Elders: Give up MTR seats for elderly, pregnant women, and anyone with a baby. It's not optional—locals will judge you.

Key Phrases

Hello
Nei houNAY-ho
Thank you
M̀h'gōim-GOY
Excuse me
M̀h'gōim-GOY
How much?
Géi dō chín?GAY-daw CHIN
The bill please
Màaih dāanMY-daan
I don't understand
Ŋóh m̀h mìhngngor m-ming
Delicious
Hóu sihkho-sick
Too expensive
Taai gwaiTIE-gway
Where is...?
...hái bīndouh?...hi bin-DOH
No need (for change)
M̀h sáim-sigh
Section Guide

Must-See Attractions

Victoria Peak

Victoria Peak

太平山 (Tai Ping Shan)

The highest point on Hong Kong Island, providing the world-famous view of the skyscraper skyline and Victoria Harbour.

Local Name
太平山 (Tai Ping Shan)
Details
Star Ferry

Star Ferry

天星小輪

A legendary green-and-white ferry service that has been shuttling passengers across Victoria Harbour for over 130 years.

Local Name
天星小輪
Details
Symphony of Lights

Symphony of Lights

幻彩詠香江

A synchronized laser and light show involving over 40 skyscrapers on both sides of Victoria Harbour.

Local Name
幻彩詠香江
Details
Tian Tan Buddha

Tian Tan Buddha

天壇大佛

A massive 34-meter high bronze statue of Buddha sitting serenely atop a mountain on Lantau Island.

Local Name
天壇大佛
Details
Temple Street Night Market

Temple Street Night Market

廟街夜市

A lively nocturnal bazaar in Kowloon filled with street food, trinkets, fortune tellers, and opera singers.

Local Name
廟街夜市
Details
Ladies Market

Ladies Market

女人街

A kilometer-long stretch of street stalls in Mong Kok selling everything from clothing and bags to quirky souvenirs.

Local Name
女人街
Details
PMQ

PMQ

元創方

A creative landmark housed in a revitalized historic building, now filled with local designer boutiques and art galleries.

Local Name
元創方
Details
Man Mo Temple

Man Mo Temple

文武廟

A stunning, incense-filled temple dedicated to the gods of Literature (Man) and War (Mo).

Local Name
文武廟
Details
Wong Tai Sin Temple

Wong Tai Sin Temple

黃大仙祠

A sprawling Taoist temple complex famous for 'Kau Cim'—a form of fortune telling using bamboo sticks.

Local Name
黃大仙祠
Details
Tai O Fishing Village

Tai O Fishing Village

大澳漁村

A traditional Tanka fishing community famous for its stilt houses built over the tidal flats of Lantau Island.

Local Name
大澳漁村
Details
Dragon's Back Trail

Dragon's Back Trail

龍脊

A stunning ridge-line hike that offers panoramic views of Hong Kong Island’s coastline and the South China Sea.

Local Name
龍脊
Details
Sai Kung

Sai Kung

西貢

A coastal district known as the 'Back Garden of Hong Kong,' famous for its pristine beaches, volcanic rock formations, and seafood.

Local Name
西貢
Details
Mid-Levels Escalator

Mid-Levels Escalator

中環至半山自動扶梯

The world's longest covered outdoor escalator system, spanning 800 meters and climbing over 135 meters in elevation.

Local Name
中環至半山自動扶梯
Details
Ozone Bar

Ozone Bar

One of the world's highest bars, located on the 118th floor of the ICC tower in West Kowloon.

Details
Section Guide

Travel Essentials

Section Guide

Must Eat

Dim Sum

Dim Sum

點心 (Dim Sam)

The quintessential Hong Kong culinary experience, featuring bite-sized portions of steamed, fried, and baked delicacies served in bamboo baskets.

Local Name
點心 (Dim Sam)
Details
Roast Goose

Roast Goose

燒鵝 (Siu Ngo)

Succulent goose roasted to perfection with mahogany-crisp skin and tender, flavorful meat, often served over rice with a tangy plum sauce.

Local Name
燒鵝 (Siu Ngo)
Details
Wonton Noodles

Wonton Noodles

雲吞麵 (Wan Tan Min)

Al dente egg noodles served in a clear, dried-flounder broth with plump shrimp wontons hidden beneath the noodles.

Local Name
雲吞麵 (Wan Tan Min)
Details
Egg Tart

Egg Tart

蛋撻 (Daan Taat)

A silky, bright yellow egg custard nestled in either a crumbly shortcrust or a multi-layered flaky pastry shell.

Local Name
蛋撻 (Daan Taat)
Details
Pineapple Bun with Butter

Pineapple Bun with Butter

菠蘿油 (Bo Lo Yau)

A soft, sweet bun topped with a crackly, sugary crust, served warm with a thick slab of cold, salty butter inside.

Local Name
菠蘿油 (Bo Lo Yau)
Details
Hong Kong Milk Tea

Hong Kong Milk Tea

絲襪奶茶 (Si Mat Naai Cha)

A potent blend of several types of black tea mixed with evaporated milk, known for its creamy texture and high caffeine kick.

Local Name
絲襪奶茶 (Si Mat Naai Cha)
Details
BBQ Pork

BBQ Pork

叉燒 (Cha Siu)

Strips of boneless pork marinated in a sweet honey and five-spice mixture, then roasted until caramelized and tender.

Local Name
叉燒 (Cha Siu)
Details
Rice Noodle Rolls

Rice Noodle Rolls

腸粉 (Cheung Fan)

Silky, translucent rice noodle sheets rolled around fillings like shrimp or beef, drizzled with seasoned sweet soy sauce.

Local Name
腸粉 (Cheung Fan)
Details
Claypot Rice

Claypot Rice

煲仔飯 (Bo Zai Faan)

Rice cooked in a clay pot over an open flame with toppings like preserved sausage, chicken, or beef, resulting in a crispy, charred bottom layer.

Local Name
煲仔飯 (Bo Zai Faan)
Details
Cart Noodles

Cart Noodles

車仔麵 (Che Zai Min)

A highly customizable bowl of noodle soup where diners choose their noodle type, broth, and a variety of toppings like pig blood curd or daikon.

Local Name
車仔麵 (Che Zai Min)
Details
Hong Kong French Toast

Hong Kong French Toast

西多士 (Sai Do Si)

Thick slices of white bread with a peanut butter filling, egg-washed and deep-fried, then topped with golden syrup and a pat of butter.

Local Name
西多士 (Sai Do Si)
Details
Curry Fish Balls

Curry Fish Balls

咖喱魚蛋 (Ga Lei Yu Dan)

Spongy, bouncy balls made of fish paste, simmered in a rich, mildly spicy yellow curry sauce and served on a skewer.

Local Name
咖喱魚蛋 (Ga Lei Yu Dan)
Details
Century Egg & Pork Congee

Century Egg & Pork Congee

皮蛋瘦肉粥 (Pei Dan Sau Yuk Juk)

A thick, silky rice porridge flavored with bits of preserved 'century egg' and tender strips of lean pork.

Local Name
皮蛋瘦肉粥 (Pei Dan Sau Yuk Juk)
Details
Egg Waffle

Egg Waffle

雞蛋仔 (Gai Daan Zai)

A honeycomb-shaped waffle with bubble-like pieces that are crispy on the outside and soft and cakey on the inside.

Local Name
雞蛋仔 (Gai Daan Zai)
Details
Hot Pot

Hot Pot

火鍋 (Fo Wo)

A communal dining experience where fresh raw ingredients are cooked in a pot of simmering broth in the center of the table.

Local Name
火鍋 (Fo Wo)
Details

The Perfect 24 Hours in Hong Kong

9:00 AM

Dim Sum at Tim Ho Wan

"Start with Michelin-starred dim sum. Order BBQ pork buns, har gow, siu mai, and turnip cake."

11:00 AM

Central & Mid-Levels Escalator

"Explore Central's skyscrapers, ride the world's longest escalator, visit Man Mo Temple."

1:00 PM

Roast Goose Lunch

"Michelin-starred roasted meat at Yat Lok or Kam's. Half goose over rice for HK$100."

3:00 PM

Victoria Peak

"Take bus 15 to skip tram queue. Panoramic views of skyline, harbor, and mountains."

6:30 PM

Star Ferry Sunset

"Take the legendary harbor crossing at golden hour. HK$4 for one of the world's great journeys."

8:00 PM

Symphony of Lights & Night Market

"Watch the 8pm light show, then explore Temple Street Night Market for chaos and curry fish balls."

Getting Around

Hong Kong has one of the world's best public transit systems. Fast, clean, and intuitive.

The backbone. Covers all major areas, runs 6am-1am, air-conditioned, signs in English. Get an Octopus Card (HK$50 deposit + starting balance).
The iconic double-decker street trams run along Hong Kong Island's north shore. Dirt cheap (HK$3), slow, charming. Board at back, exit at front, pay when leaving.
Extensive but confusing for tourists. Double-decker buses go everywhere. Use Citymapper app for routes. Pay exact change or Octopus Card.

Airport to City

Hong Kong Airport (HKIA) is on Lantau Island, connected to the city by fast rail and bus.

Fastest option (24 mins to Central). HK$115 one-way. Runs 5
Cheaper (HK$40-50) but slower (45-60 mins). Routes go to every district. A21 goes to Tsim Sha Tsui, A11 to Causeway Bay. Comfortable and air-conditioned.
HK$250-350 to Hong Kong Island, HK$200-250 to Kowloon. Follow queue signs—don't accept street offers. Red taxis only (urban). 30-50 min depending on traffic.

Safety & Scams

Hong Kong is one of the world's safest cities. Violent crime is rare, but tourist scams exist.

You can walk anywhere at any time. Violent crime against tourists is virtually nonexistent. Women traveling alone feel safe.
Fake monks asking for donations (ignore them). 'Massage' card girls in Tsim Sha Tsui (legitimate spas don't street promote). Overpriced tailors targeting tourists.
Rare. Meters are used and honest. If driver refuses meter, exit immediately. Make sure they turn on meter at start.

Money & Payments

Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) is the currency. Cards widely accepted but cash still king in local places.

HK$1 ≈ $0.13 USD. Coins
Everywhere. 7-Eleven has ATMs. Withdraw from HSBC or Bank of China for best rates. Most accept international cards (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay).
Visa and Mastercard accepted at restaurants, malls, and hotels. Many small shops and dai pai dongs are cash only.

When to Visit

October-December is peak season. Summer is hot and humid. Avoid Chinese New Year if you hate crowds.

October-December. Dry, sunny, comfortable temperatures (18-25°C). Perfect for hiking and outdoor activities. Highest prices.
January-March. Cool and dry. Chinese New Year (late Jan/early Feb) is festive but crowded and expensive. Book 3+ months ahead.
June-September. Typhoon season, extreme heat (32°C+), oppressive humidity (80-90%). Daily rain showers. Everything is air-conditioned to arctic levels.

Language & Communication

Cantonese is the main language. English signage is everywhere but spoken English varies.

Cantonese (90%), English (official but limited proficiency), Mandarin (increasing).
All MTR signs, street signs, and tourist areas have English. Government and business use English. But many locals speak limited English, especially elderly.
Learn 'M̀h'gōi' (thank you) and 'Nei hou' (hello). Even basic attempts are appreciated. Pronunciation is tonal—don't worry about getting it perfect.

Health & Medical

Excellent healthcare system. Tap water is safe. Pharmacies everywhere.

World-class. Public hospitals are cheap but crowded. Private clinics and hospitals are expensive but fast. Get travel insurance.
Safe to drink. Hong Kong has high water quality standards. Hotels and restaurants serve it freely.
Watsons and Mannings are everywhere. Open late. Most medications available without prescription (antibiotics, etc). Pharmacists speak some English.

Essential Apps

These apps will make navigating Hong Kong infinitely easier.

THE transit app for Hong Kong. Real-time MTR, bus, ferry, and walking directions. Better than Google Maps for public transit.
Official app with route planning and service updates. Shows which exit to use at stations.
Hong Kong's Yelp for restaurants. Reviews in English and Chinese. Essential for finding good local spots.