Hong Kong

Save

Advertisement

Noodle, Peking Garden, Hong Kong

Introducing Hong Kong

On first acquaintance Hong Kong can overwhelm. Navigate its teeming, tightly packed sidewalks and you’re met at every turn with neon signage, steam-filled canteens, molasses-slow traffic and a Babel of chatter.

Advertisement

Once this first sensory wave has rolled over you, though, take a deep breath and start swimming with the current, because you’ll find Hong Kong is a place to delight in. Utterly safe and fantastically well organised, it offers little moments of perfection. You may find them on a plastic stool enjoying a bargain bowl of beef brisket soup or simply gazing at the thrilling harbour vistas. You’ll find them taking afternoon tea in the cool of a five-star hotel lobby or enjoying balmy open-air beers in the party zones.

Hong Kong can nudge you out of your comfort zone but usually rewards you for it, so try the stinky beancurd, sample the shredded jellyfish, brave the hordes at the city centre horseracing and join in the dawn tai chi. Escape the city limits and other experiences await – watching the sun rise from a remote mountain peak, hiking surf-beaten beaches or exploring deserted islands.

If it’s pampering you’re after, money can buy the ultimate luxuries in a city well used to serving its tiny, moneyed elite. Yet Hong Kong is also a city of simple pleasures. Most often it’s the least pricey experiences – a $2 tram or ferry ride, a whiff of incense curling from temple rafters, savouring fishing-village sundowners and seafood – that are the stuff of priceless memories.

Make it happen

Last updated: Feb 25, 2010

Tips & articles

  1. Hong Kong, the birthplace of modern dragons

    24 August 2010

    Hong Kong has taken an ancient ceremony in China and turned it into one of the world’s fastest growing sports....

    Read more

  2. Top 5 China apps

    20 August 2010

    Taking your iGadget to China with you? Here are five must-have apps that work offline.1. Pleco Dictionary (free)Although having a...

    Read more

  3. The amazing views of Hong Kong

    18 August 2010

    Nothing quite matches Hong Kong from above but, then, it’s difficult to get things wrong with mountains on one side,...

    Read more

See all tips & articles for Hong Kong

Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. ben_19 avatar
    Survey

    by ben_19 13 replies, last post 02 September 2010

    I am a year 13 student studying Tourism in Australia. For my major assignment I am researching Pandemics. The issue concern is: how pandemics…
  2. caffrey28 avatar
    Round the world travel 2011?

    by caffrey28 0 replies, last post 28 August 2010

    Hello, I thought i’d sign up to Lonely Planet to meet anyone with similar plans to mine for a round the world trip in late 2011, as i’m…
  3. m4nn avatar
    Has anyone in hong kong received their british citizenship naturalisation ?

    by m4nn 1 reply, last post 26 August 2010

    hi, - Has anyone in hong kong received their british citizenship naturalisation certificate / british passport yet if you applied?.…

See all Thorn Tree forum discussions for Hong Kong

In our shop

Hotels & Hostels in Hong Kong

See all hotels and hostels in Hong Kong

Travel Insurance

Going to China? Make sure you're covered.

Get a quote

See all travel services

Advertisement