We caught up with Personal Travel Manager Penny Neophytou after her recent trip to Hong Kong. Being one of her most favourite destinations, she met a lot of first time visitors to Hong Kong and here is what they wish they knew.
Arriving at Hong Kong International Airport on Lantau Island, it is a modern, sleek and massive airport with about 530 gates. It is ranked among the world’s best! You can take a sleek Airport Express train and be in the city in just over 20 minutes. Or, a $60 cab ride.
You can be standing under a wall of neon-lit skyscrapers with a harbour full of container ships on one side and a green mountain ridge on the other. So much contrast and so much energy in this small city.
Buy an Octopus card on arrival at the airport OR download the digital version to your phone wallet. It’s a form of universal currency when in Hong Kong. You will use it to pay for trains, ferries, buses, convenience stores, vending machines and even some restaurants. Just tap & go.
October to May are the best times to go, when the humidity is much lower, making it ideal for hiking and walking outdoors. June to September is Hong Kong’s summer and while the weather is hot and humid, travellers will enjoy fewer crowds.
Real estate is at a premium in Hong Kong. Because of this, some of the city’s coolest hidden gems – speakeasy bars, Michelin-rated restaurants and quirky boutiques are hidden on the higher floors of some commercial buildings. Don’t just look at street level; look at the building directories and ride the lifts up! Don’t miss out on Mizunara, Ando & WING.
You have to ride the Peak Tram and The Star Ferry. Be sure to take the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak just before sunset, and you’ll get to see the city in the light and just as the city lights flicker on across the harbour. Be sure to purchase the Ruby Pass. It’s an express pass, so you skip most of the queues, and you get to go right to the top. It’s about an extra $20 but worth it. It’s like a village up there with plenty of shops and restaurants. Get in early to beat the crowds. Sunset is stunning but will also have the crowds.
If you’re feeling energetic, you can walk down to the harbour afterwards and take the Star Ferry across the harbour back to Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. It will cost all of $1.00. Public transport is cheap! Of an evening, this harbourfront promenade is buzzing. I suggest you sit at one of the wine bars, order a drink and just people watch along as the city lights up across the water every night.
For families, there’s always Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park. A day at each of these would be sufficient.
If you want to shop at the markets, there are a few of them.
The best one is the Market in Mong Kok. It’s famous for inexpensive women’s clothing, accessories, cosmetics and souvenirs. It’s about a half hour walk from the harbourfront in Kowloon; otherwise, you can take the MTR.
Then there’s the Temple Street Night Market. It’s a daily market from 5-11 pm where you can browse for antiques, jade, electronics and also get to enjoy the local street food.
Hong Kong is a city that’s built on eating. It has over 15,000 restaurants, from humble street stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants. Dim-sum is not negotiable when in Hong Kong. Then there are the egg waffles and egg tarts, which are the classic street snacks and so much more.
Be sure to try Dim Dim Sum at 106 Tung Choi St, Mong Kok. A cozy and spacious modern dim sum chain with traditional favourites. Well priced too.
If you want a great roof top bar, and the budget allows, be sure to try Ozone at the Ritz Carlton in Kowloon. It’s one of the highest roof top bar in the world and is known for its stylish drinks.
If your looking for some amzing egg tarts, Bakehouse is a chain in Hong Kong who makes the yummiest with crispy flaky pastry and silky custard.
Hong Kong is one city that awakens all the senses! Talk to one of our Personal Travel Managers who can guide you every step of the way.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
We improve our website, content and services by using Microsoft Clarity to see how visitors use our website. By using our site, you agree that we and Microsoft can collect and use this data. View our Privacy Policy for more details.
