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.
Ready to go?
These tours & activities make it easy:
- Travel from Hong Kong to Shanghai in 2 weeks
- Complete your visit to Hong Kong with a day trip to Macau
- Discover China on a shoestring on an 18-day tour from Hong Kong
- Explore Lantau Island and see the Giant Buddha on a day tour
Last updated: Jan 17, 2013
Tips & articles
-
How to save cash in Hong Kong
10 April 2013
Hong Kong is not exactly known for being cheap. The former British colony, perched on the shore of the South...
-
Chūn Jié: a guide to celebrating Spring Festival/Chinese New Year
20 January 2013
This is an excerpt from Lonely Planet’s A Year of Festivals.Location: Beijing,...
Advertisement
Hong Kong
Things to do
- All things to do (975)
- Activities (150)
- Entertainment (144)
- Restaurants (330)
- Shopping (163)
- Sights (172)
- Tours (16)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Hong Kong
-
1 The Peak
Ride the hair-raising tram for unbeatable harbour and city views
-
2 Victoria Harbour
Float on one of the world's busiest and most exotic harbours
-
3 Happy Valley
Listen to thundering hoofs and cheering crowds right in the city centre
-
4 Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple
Divine the future alongside worshippers at the city's most interesting temple
-
5 Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
Spectacular harbour and skyline vistas day and night