Hong Kong

Eco-friendly travel guide to Hong Kong advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Hong Kong, Asia.

City view of Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, and the Hong Kong skyline

Air quality: 3.5 / 5

Exploring by foot: 3 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 4.5 / 5

Public transportation: 5 / 5

Parks: 5 / 5

Outdoor activities: 5 / 5

Locals' English level: 3.5 / 5

Safety: 4 / 5

Accommodation: US$10 - $600

Budget per day: US$40 - $800

Responsible Travel

Hong Kong is a metropolitan area sitting on Pearl River Delta's eastern region of the South Chinese Sea. Although Hong Kong comes under China, the region maintains separate governing and economic systems. In the past, Hong Kong served as a home to farming and fishing villages in South Asia, but presently, it is the world's most significant financial and commercial center. The city's official language is not just Chinese, but English as well. You will find that more than 90% of the ethnic groups in Hong Kong belong to the Han Chinese groups, where about 4% are of Filipino and Indonesian ethnic groups. The city covers a total land area of 2,755 square kilometers, which is approximately 1,064 square meters. The town's population is one of the highest in Asia by more than 7 million (2019). The city has various ranks and recognitions, which are as follows;

Rank 4th on the United Nations Human Development Index

Largest numbers of skyscrapers globally

Highest life expectancy number worldwide

Ranks 5th in the Global Financial Centres Index

Because of so much recognition, Hong Kong is undoubtedly a financial, cultural, economic, commercial, and tourism hub. The Hong Kong territory consists of 18 districts, and each of them has its district council. When you travel to such a significant city, there are some responsibilities that you need to fulfill; some of them are;

Hong Kong’s pollution levels are in control, but they are not the best in the world. While visiting the city, you must try to keep your carbon footprint minimal. By doing so, you can have a better experience while contributing to healthier choices. This can include things like walking more, eliminating the use of plastic and shopping from local markets as opposed to international franchises.

Having so many colossal buildings, there's no doubt that the hotels in Hong Kong will serve you with world-class services. You will find that not all the hotels are good choices. Most high-end hotels promise to provide you with luxurious facilities but often exploit the local environment while doing so. As a tourist, you should prefer to opt for such accommodation options that are friendly to the local environment and have a sustainable model. You can go to green hotels, hostels, apartments or opt for couchsurfing, and camping. These options are better than the 5-star hotels in affordability and help you maintain your carbon footprint.

You will find that the local communities in Hong Kong are well-educated and have a good standard of living. These communities will help you understand the local culture and traditions. While visiting the city, you must try your best to support the local communities. You can do this in many ways. One of the most preferred ways to help the locals is by participating in volunteering activities. These activities include spreading awareness about the various issues and helping out children, elders, and low-income groups. Another way is by preferring local businesses over other international companies. These micro and small businesses provide customers with products made using localized materials. These products are often hand-made and of excellent quality.

Air Quality and Pollution

Compared to cities in mainland China, the pollution levels in Hong Kong are better and more in control. You will find that the people are well-educated and aware of various societal, political, cultural, and environmental issues persisting in their city. Because of such knowledgeable residents, the Hong Kong government can keep the pollution levels in control. You will find that use of plastic is low and the people use public transports or electronic vehicles instead of motorized vehicles. The air pollution in Hong Kong is moderate, while the air quality is a bit lower than the required standards. If you have any respiratory illness like asthma, you should carry proper medications and follow appropriate precautions. Here are some statistics to help you understand the air quality and pollution in Hong Kong.

PM10 – 34

PM2.5 – 23

PM10 Pollution Level – Moderate

Pollution Index – 67.41

Pollution Exp Scale – 119.99

Respect the Culture

The culture in Hong Kong is one of the most dynamic ones in the world. Being under British protection to becoming a separate Chinese metropolitan area has ensured that Hong Kong has a diverse culture. While visiting Hong Kong, it becomes essential that you understand the local culture and respect it. It is perhaps the way to make your Hong Kong trip more enjoyable by living like the locals. You can either opt for visiting culturally significant places or participate in some cultural activities. Attending the local festivals and celebrations, mingling with local people is a great way to learn more about the local culture and experience the true essence of Hong Kong. With their traditional dances and activities, these festivals will show you how the present culture in Hong Kong formed. Some of these cultural events happen during the day, whereas others occur in the evening. These cultural activities light-up the city and make it look more alive than usual. Here are some festivals and cultural events that you should lookout for while you are in Hong Kong.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival: Cheung Chau Bun Festival is part of the Taoist ritual festivals that occur in Hong Kong. It is native to Hong Kong's island, Cheung Chau. The festival marks the birth of Buddha and is a typical rural festival. You will find that this festival is as famous as any other prominent festival in Hong Kong. About thousands of tourists visit every year in May just to experience it. This festival's key feature is the Kwon Kam Kee buns that the locals produce in a large quantities as more than 60,000 just for the festival day.

Hong Kong Arts Festival: If you are a fan of arts, then this Hong Kong festival is an excellent opportunity for you to explore the unique art collection, meet local artists, and attend various art-related performances. The main genres of this festival are; drama, dance, Chinese, western classical music, world music, and Chinese opera. Many prominent opera performances and artists once performed in the festival. You can buy various art pieces and meet the artists who made them. The art festival will help you understand how deep culture and art go hand in hand in Chinese history.

Ghost Festival: Also named the Hungry Ghost festival, it is a Chinese festival with Buddhist and Taoist origins. The festival occurs every year in August and worships the members and ancestors who have passed away. Many locals believe the mythology states that the realm of hell, heaven, and Earth open on the day of the festival, and the dead's spirits can come to Earth. The families burn incense and joss paper to pay homage to their departed family members. Many locals also build the Ghost King's papier-mache effigies.

Lunar New Year Fair: It is a pre-celebration Cantonese festival for the Chinese New Year. The festival takes place at the end of January every month and goes on for a whole week. The locals’ set-up various flower selling stalls that feature some remarkable flowers like chrysanthemum, peach, peony, and some fruit plants in the festival. The festival takes place in Victoria and Fa Hui Park in Hong Kong. You will find more locals than tourists as it is as significant to them as the Chinese New year.

Freespace Fest: It is another arts festival in Hong Kong that is open to all locals and tourists. You will find that this festival takes place in the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade. At the festival, you can find people indulging in the public reading of books and Cantonese poetry. There are various stalls of Chinese handicrafts that are run by the locals. A farmers market is also part of the festival where the farmers promote sustainable living by organic farming and their products. Many live music performances also attract many young men and women, making it Hong Kong's best music festival.

Lantern Festival Hong Kong: It is a spring festival, and you should not miss out on while visiting Hong Kong. The festival takes place on the last day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations and is as old as 2000. It is a significant part of the Chinese culture, where people lit up paper lanterns and let them into the sky. Many locals write their wishing on the lanterns as they believe that their wishes might get fulfilled. The flying lanterns make the night sky look enchanting, like the scene in Disney's Rapunzel.

Chinese New Year: The Chinese New Year is the most significant festival in all of China that the locals and the tourists take part in celebrating. The celebration in Hong Kong is a grand celebration where red shock lanterns cover the city. The festival makes the whole town light-up and brings positive energy into the atmosphere. The locals visit the traditional temples to pray for themselves and their loved ones' health and fortune. The most astonishing thing about this festival in Hong Kong is that they feature massive dragon boats. It takes place in February every year.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival

Top 10 Places to Visit

Tian Tan Big Buddha : It is one of the iconic statue attractions, also known by the name of the Big Buddha statue. It is made of bronze and sits outside Po Lin Monastery. It is the 2nd largest outdoor statue ever. It sits on Mount Muk Yue's peak in Lantau and is about a 10-minute walk from NgongPing village. The Buddha's face is facing north towards Beijing, the capital of China. It consists of 2 parts; the statue's body is approximately 26.4 meters tall, 34 meters from the base; the Buddha's Lotus throne. It was cast with about 250 tons of bronze and took about 12 years to complete. The imparting fearlessness mudra Posed by the right hand of Buddha indicates the compassion to save other beings from sufferings. The left hand fulfilling wishes mudra, which showcases resting on the lap, implies the grants of wishes and happiness.

Dragon's Back: It is a mountain ridge on the southeastern side of Hong Kong Island. While walking through the trail, you will see many people paragliding and flying gliders controlled by radios. The paragliders hang in the air and then eventually drift into the nearby beach; Shek O. This place is famous for hiking. The starting point is Sheik O road, and the endpoint is Big Wave Bay. The average hiking time is about 4 hours, and the trail is as long as 8.5-kilometers. Moreover, there are no refueling stations on this trail. Almost the whole route is good, but there is a steep stone path at the start and end. It comes among 23 world's best tracks by CNN (124). There are many tourists' rules while hiking like they have to carry their litter as there are no trash bins. Slippers and sandals are not allowed as the trail is steep and rocky at some parts, etc. One of the best places in Hong Kong for adventure sports lovers.

Hong Kong Disneyland: It is the biggest Disney-themed park in China. This Disneyland is inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. It started operating in 2005. The total capacity of the park is 34,000 visitors daily. This park has seven areas that are of different themes. They are; Main Street, Fantasyland, U.S.A., Mystic Park, Tomorrowland, Toy Story Land, and Grizzly Gulch. The guides or helpers in the park can speak Mandarin, English, and Cantonese. Moreover, the directions here are in English, traditional Chinese, and simplified Chinese. The park has 5.6 million visitors on average. Other than theme parks, it has various entertainment and celebrations held in it. Some of them are Flights of Fantasy Parade, "We Love Mickey" Projection Show, Disney Paint the Night, and many more.

Hong Kong Skyline: Hong Kong has one of the most beautiful skylines in the world. Hong Kong's skyline represents both the natural environment as well as the city's development. Moreover, the government of Hong Kong has put a limit on the height of the buildings here, so that people can see the mountains. The best time of the year to experience Hong Kong Skyline is from October to February. Every day at 8:00 in the evening, a light show in Hong Kong city starts, which immerses the skyline in an ocean of laser and music. The skyline which Hong Kong is famous for consists of skyscrapers. Some of them are Rising Bamboo, High Timer, Luxury housing, and many more. Some of the best places where people can experience the skylines are Victoria Peak, Star Ferry, Sky 100 Hong Kong Observation Deck, and many more.

Wong Tai Sin Temple: It is the most prominent cultural attraction in Hong Kong. It is also a very famous shrine dedicated to the Great immortal Wong or Wong Tai Sin. A practice called KauChim is prevalent here, which is a practice of fortune-telling. The temple is as large as 18,000 square meters. A nine dragon wall is present here, which is an inspiration from a wall in Beijing. The temple's infrastructure is similar to the Chinese infrastructure's golden roof, red walls, blue frizes, and multi-color carvings. The temple also has a collection of literature which belong to Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist. There are two halls, namely the three Saint Hall and the Great Hall. Three saint hall is an inspiration from Guan Yin, Lu Dongbin, and Lord Guan. The temple consists of three archways. The temple experiences a large number of visitors during the Eve of Chinese New Year. Taoist weddings also take place here. For the visitors' convenience, the temple is open daily from 7:00 a.m; to 5:00 p.m. It is also free to access during the Eve of the Lunar Year.

Temple Street Night Market: It is a street which is in Hong Kong. This place is known for its markets, which are open at night. The food and merchandise here are cheap when compared to the rest of Hong Kong. This place is trendy amongst tourists during the evening and night. For the convenience of visitors and locals, this place is open from 2:00 p.m. Moreover, no vehicles can go through the area when it gets flooded with locals and tourists. The site has more than a hundred stalls of almost everything. The shops or stalls contain t-shirts, shoes, jeans, lighters, pants, and many more. Moreover, some second-hand things are also available here. They are old newspapers, cassettes, videotapes, antiques and many more. There is also a Cantonese opera show which the tourists here can enjoy. The street has Chinese geriatric clinics that treat patients with traditional Chinese medicines. Not only merchandises, but the market is also famous for its street food, that serve local cuisines, seafood, etc.

Victoria peak: It is on the western half of Hong Kong Island. Also known by the name of Mount Austin, and has a rise of about 552 meters. It is the highest hill on the Hong Kong island, apart from Bing rank 31 in elevation in the Hong Kong Special Administration Region. It is under the radio telecommunications facilities and is not accessible for public visits. The surrounding area comprises the box and a very high valued residential area, and the area is mainly known as the peak. The central tourist spot or the destination up here is that it offers the view of Victoria Harbour, Lamma Island, and the surrounding islands. The peak provides a panoramic view of the city of Hong Kong and has a very temperate climate compared to the subtropic environment in the Hong Kong region. On the peak, the 6th governor of Hong Kong, Sir Richard MacDonnell, had Little incidence in the summer, and his statue is present that dates back to 1868. It also has a tram service upon the hill that started operating between 1904 and 1930. The mountain peak is also home to different birds, mostly the black kite and the front number of butterflies, wild boars, porcupine, and various snakes.

Star Ferry: It is a passenger ferry that is quite popular and is or a tourist attraction in Hong Kong. The critical principle routes it follows and carries passengers from one island to another island that is it serves for Hong Kong island and Kowloon. Star Ferry started operating in 1888 as Kowloon's Ferry company and later got renamed Star Ferry in 1898. The company employs about 12 ferries on the two routes available across the harbor and carries over 70,000 passengers per day and 26 million a year. Even though rail and road tunnels cross the dock, the Star Ferry is the charmer as it is an inexpensive mode of harbor crossing. The company follows the main route, which runs between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui.

Lantau Island: It is the largest island in Hong Kong and is on the West of Hong Kong island and Southwest of the Kowloon Peninsula, the middle part of new territories. It is a district island part of Hong Kong and has a small northeastern portion in Tusen wan District with around 147.16 square kilometers. Lantau Island is almost twice of Hong Kong Island. Lantau Island used to be a fishing village, but in the 20th century, it underwent construction of Tung Chung Newtown on its northwestern coast.

Happy Valley Racecourse: It is a significant tourist spot in Hong Kong. There are two racecourses in Hong Kong, and this is one of them. The racecourse can hold 55,000 people at a time. The Hong Kong jockey club owns it. This place's primary focus is on horse races, which occur here every Wednesday night. The races here are open to the public, tourists as well as the members of the club. The stands here are seven storeyed. Along with the horse racecourse, the course also consists of leisure activities and sports activities such as hockey, rugby, and football. A museum known as the Hong Kong Racing Museum, which first opened in 1996, is present here. This museum is currently on the second floor of the racecourse. The museum consist of four galleries named the Origin of our Horses, Understanding Horses, Shaping Sha Tin, and Thematic Exhibitions. It must-visit place for everyone where you can see a museum, an archive, and horse races

Hong Kong Disneyland is one of the most popular tourists spots in Hong Kong

Explore

Hong Kong has many national and city parks, museums, landmarks, beaches, and other culturally and historically significant places that will make your Hong Kong worth it. For people who want to explore nature and love to explore the local wildlife and nature's beauty in Hong Kong, then the city parks and national parks are an excellent choice for them. There are plenty of them and offer all their visitors an opportunity to spend some quiet and peaceful time with their friends and family. These places offer different things like the city parks offer great picnic spots, playgrounds, gardens to stroll in, shaded grass areas, ponds, food stalls, etc. On the other hand, national parks, forest reserves, and sanctuaries offer an opportunity to step into the wild and meet and see different animals, birds, insects, flowers, trees, and many more outlandish things. If you are more into exploring the historical and cultural beauty of Hong Kong, then the landmarks and museums are the places for you. These places are excellent choices for learning history, culture, art, traditions, etc. The beaches are also a fantastic place where you can enjoy with your loved ones. There are many beaches in Hong Kong. These beaches provide some peaceful time where you can sunbathe or enjoy the waves. Different water and land sports like surfing, beach volleyball, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, boating, etc., are available.

City Parks

While visiting the different tourist spots in Hong Kong, every tourist needs some time off from all the tourist-packed places and enjoy some quality time with their loved ones or alone. City parks are places located inside the city that offer an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate your mind. You will find that these parks are great for jogging, going on a date, picnicking, fitness exercise, strolling, sleeping, boating, and even exploring the street food culture. Most of the city parks are quite significant as the city's landscape has proper distribution for skyscrapers and greenery. These parks are present throughout Hong Kong. Some of these parks even sit on top of mountain peaks.

Hong Kong Park

Victoria Park

Lai Chi Kok Park

Cheung Kong Park

Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Park

Kowloon Walled City Park

The lake and waterfall in Hong Kong Park

National Parks

Hong Kong has several national parks, reserved forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and many more places scattered on the mainland and the islands. These parks home to some endangered and rare flora and fauna species. These parks are quite large in area, so you can spend a whole week or even more exploring the beauty of nature and spending some quality time with your loved ones. There are various camping sites where you can set up your camp. Although you can't hunt or poach in these parks, you can catch fish from the ponds and lakes. Not all ponds and lakes are for fishing as some of them are under protection, and fishing may land you in jail. It would be best if you take a guide with you or follow the instructions while exploring these parks. There are many hiking trails present that range from beginner to challenging ones. You can create some irreplaceable memories here.

Aberdeen Country Park

Pok Fu Lam Country Park

Shek O Country Park

Lung Fu Shan Country Park

Tai Tam Country Park

Kam Shan Country Park

Lantau North Country Park & Extension

A view of the Dragon's Back trail from its highest point near Shek O, looking back towards the northern coast of Hong Kong Island.

Beaches

While exploring the different Hong Kong places, your trip will be entirely incomplete if you don't visit the many beaches this city offers. Most beaches are present in the southern regions and are some of the best ones in South Asia. You must-visit these beaches with your loved ones or just to spend some quality time by yourself. Many beaches offer fantastic sunbathing facilities, swimming, bars, kids swimming area, aquariums, cafes, restaurants, and sports. The sports activities are of two types here; water and beach sports. The beach sports include standard land games like beach volleyball, football, tag, etc. On the other hand, water sports consist of all activities with water. They include; snorkeling, boating, scuba diving, surfing, boat surfing, sailing, deep-ocean diving, and many more. The water sports activities will help you explore the marine life and unlock the adrenaline in your body, while the beach sports will help you interact with the locals and befriend them.

South Bay Beach

Repulse Bay Beach

Hung Shing Ye Beach

Turtle Cove Beach

Deep Water Bay Beach

Lamma Power Station Beach

Stanley Main Beach

Hair Pin Beach

Shek O Beach

The magnificent South Bay Beach in Hong Kong

Landmarks

There are both historical and cultural landmarks present in Hong Kong. These landmarks will help you in learning about the local culture and history in-depth. You will find that these places include statues and monuments and bridges, buildings, parks, towers, etc. You can opt for a guided trip that takes you around all the city's significant landmarks, but the best thing to do would be to explore the city all by yourself. It might seem risky as you may get lost or robbed, but the crime rates in Hong Kong are not as high as they are in other metropolitan cities. Also, most of the road signs are in Chinese and English; therefore, you will not have a hard time navigating. The locals are also well-educated and can speak English fluently, so you will not have much trouble. By doing so, you can explore many hidden gems of the city, interact with the locals, and create memorable times in Hong Kong.

Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower

Peak Tower

Harbour Promenade

Golden Bauhinia Square

Soho, Hong Kong

Avenue of Stars

Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Rainbow Stairs

The Garden of Stars

Standing at 44-metres tall, the old Clock Tower was erected in 1915 as part of the Kowloon–Canton Railway terminus. The once-bustling station is long gone, but this red brick and granite tower, now preserved as a Declared Monument, survives as an elegant reminder of the Age of Steam

Museums

Apart from the various city parks, reserved forests, national parks, sanctuaries, beaches, landmarks, and other places, museums are excellent places to get in-depth knowledge of the history, art, and culture of Hong Kong. Unlike the landmarks, these museums possess collections of different historical events, artists, cultural findings, etc. You can understand a lot about Hong Kong just by exploring these museums in-depth. These museums are some of the best in China and have various artifacts and remains of the ruling dynasties, ruins of forts and ancient buildings, and many more mind-boggling items. These items are in the proper order to connect them and understand the reason for their preservation.

Hong Kong Museum of History

Hong Kong Space Museum

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence

Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum

Hong Kong Film Archive

Hong Kong Maritime Museum

Heritage of Mei Ho House

Sam Tung Uk Museum

Inside the Hong Kong Museum of History

Eat

While exploring Hong Kong, it is evident that your trip will be wasted if you don't experience the local food culture. The food items in Hong Kong are popular all over the world. You will find that Hong Kong homes different eating places that offer traditional Chinese food and other cuisines like Indian, American, Japanese, Korean, Italian, French, Mexican, Turkish, etc. Apart from conventional food items, some places serve some modern dishes as well. These places include restaurants, cafés, eateries, food trucks, hawkers, etc. You can also find vegetarian and vegan food items in many of these places. Hong Kong's restaurants, cafes, and hawkers can fulfill all tourists' and locals' wants. A massive part of the local culture is the traditional cuisine and while you have the option to try various different cuisines in Hong Kong, make sure you try the local ones first and truly experience the culture of Hong Kong.

(left) Typical fare at a dim sum restaurant; (right) cha chaan teng breakfast food with Hong Kong-style milk tea

Traditional Local Restaurants

From Chinese cuisines to International cuisines, all are available in Hong Kong. The traditional restaurants serve Chinese food items, but they also do standard food items from different countries. These restaurants are great places for exploring conventional Chinese dishes and let your mouth get some satisfaction. For tourists who miss their country's food, international cuisines restaurants serve authentic dishes from different countries. You can learn a lot about people's local history and culture as many of them hang around the restaurants. You can interact with them and learn more about Hong Kong.

Tin Lung Heen

Yat Lok Roast Goose

Bo Innovation

T’ang Court

Caprice

Amber

Frantzen’s Kitchen

Man Wah

Arcane

Vegetarian and Vegan

With the increasing popularity of healthy lifestyle choices, vegetarian and vegan food is becoming common in Hong Kong. Many restaurants serve food items made purely out of plant sources. You can find some unique dishes and food combinations by the professional chefs in restaurants serving this type of food. These restaurants often mix cuisines of different countries and regions to create an exotic dish. Some of these restaurants also serve non-vegetarian dishes; therefore, you should ensure that the waiter serving you knows your preferences while placing the order.

Veggie S.F.

Pure Veggie House

Kind Kitchen by Green Common

Confusion Plant-Based Kitchen

P.O.P. Vegan

Bijas Vegetarian Restaurant

Thai Vegetarian Food

Green Veggie

VEDA

Street Food

File:HK SYP 西營盤 Sai Ying Pun Kwan Yick Building 名星海鮮酒家 Star Seafood Restaurant food 吞麵 Wonton dim sum October 2020 SS2 02.jp

Wontons are definitely a staple street food option in Hong Kong

Sweet and sour pork: Traditionally prepared using deep-fried meat and egg pieces and a sauce made from pineapple, onions, and green peppers. Often seasoned with light soy sauce, white sugar, vinegar, tomato, starch, and coriander. This dish originated in China. This dish is highly rich in proteins, calcium, phosphorous, niacin, and iron. It is sometimes served with orange sauce also.

Wontons: They are nothing but dumplings or momos with a meat filling and served in a clear soup. Sometimes, they are also fried instead of steaming. They can be made into various shapes depending on the region. The clear soup consists of pork, duck, and chicken, put on a low flame for some time. In Hong Kong style, instead of salt and pepper, they use pieces of fish. It is a trendy dish in Hong Kong with and accompanies rice.

Steamed Shrimp Dumplings: It is known as HarGow in Hong Kong. It is a little heavy on the budget but still the most ordered dish in Hong Kong restaurants. It comes in a bamboo steamer, which contains 3-4 dumplings each. Each dumpling consists of a little pork and 2 to 3 dumplings wrapped in a sheet. The sheet is thin and translucent. On the outer, it looks like a crystal-like shining wrapper, which people cannot resist to eat. It often contains fresh shrimp, which is juicy on the inside instead of being too dry.

Fishballs: It is a snack which is made from fish meat and is as old as 1950. There are two varieties of fish balls sold in Hong Kong. Street vendors sell the first version. One of the snacks sold in street shops or by street vendors who sell them a bit spicy or with sweet sauces. The other variety is un-cooked, and it comes with a hotpot. Fishballs became one of the main ingredients in a hot pot. Sometimes, the locals cook it along with noodles in soup. This version is a bit more costly than the previous version. It is one of the most essential and native dishes in Hong Kong.

Egg tarts: It is a kind of pastry in Hong Kong. It is consists of flour and butter along with a sweetened egg filling. Egg tarts are as old as 1940. They were a famous kind of pastry in tea shops and restaurants in Hong Kong. They still accompany afternoon tea in Hong Kong, but currently, the local bakeries, restaurants, tea cafes, and other cafes sell them. However, they are not available in street shops and hawker stalls, but still, they are a popular dish in bakeries and all over Hong Kong.

Drink

Ice milk tea in Hong Kong. The tea cup is placed in an icy water bath so the tea can be kept cold without getting diluted by the melting ice

Hong Kong Ice Tea: It is traditionally created by mixing black currant, tequila, Lillet Blanc, and Jasmine tea. If we see the taste, it tastes citrus and has a bitter aftertaste. Moreover, it also has a crisp, fruity, and alcoholic blend. The alcoholic content of this drink is low, so everyone in a limited quantity can consume it. The best place to drink this is Mott Black in Central Hong Kong.

Chuan Energy: It is a cocktail. It is a drink loved by people who love spices. The main ingredient used to make this drink is vodka. They add things like lychee liqueur, vanilla, Sichuan pepper honey and top it with lime in vodka. It saves the taste of alcohol and heat. Most of the time, one drink is not enough for people. However, this drink contains alcohol content, so it is not advisable for everyone to drink. It is a must-try drink for people who love alcohol and spice.

Hak Lo Mai: It is a rice porridge made from black, glutinous rice. The other ingredients used are water, palm sugar, castor sugar, pandan leaves, dried logans mixed with cornflour, coconut milk, and a little salt. Some bars and restaurants garnish the drink with some coconut milk. Moreover, black glutinous rice is gluten-free and is very nutritious as well as acts as an antioxidant. It is not at all sweet. Hak Lo Mai has a mild nutty flavor, which also deepens when roasted more.

Red Bean Ice: It is a drink which is popular during the summer. The essential ingredients include evaporated milk, a syrup made from rock sugar, and adzuki beans. Some people also add a scoop of ice cream to make it ice cream. At some places, they top this drink with jelly. It tastes like vanilla, and the beans are tasteless; they serve to add crunch. As it is a highly cold dish made with ice, you should avoid drinking this in winters. We can also say that this drink becomes rare or unavailable during the winter season.

Hong Kong styled milk tea: It merely is black tea with the addition of milk. To enhance the tea's taste, they use condensed milk or evaporated milk, which gives it a creamy texture. The locals check the milk tea quality by seeing the smoothness and the white foam accumulated around the cup while serving. It shows the quality of the milk used. It is a typical drink in the afternoon lunch in Hong Kong cuisine.

Tap-water

When it comes to the tap water supply in Hong Kong, you will find it safe to drink. Even tourists can drink it directly from public fountains, taps, and other sources. The U.S. Center for Disease Controls advises people to not drink from tap water and water bottles as they may contain dirt, fungi, infection, etc. On the other hand, the Water Board in Hong Kong states that the water is entirely safe to drink. They also say that if anyone lives in an old building with outdated plumbing and unclean tanks, then the water supply to their taps will not be safe to drink. Many tourists in Hong Kong prefer bottled water over tap water, but if you learn about the environmental issues present in Hong Kong, you will find that the landfills are filling up with plastic items every day. It is the reason why pollution levels are at a moderate rate. You should avoid water bottles, opt for local water suppliers, or use a water filter. You will find that even though the water pollution is at a moderate level, the water quality and availability are excellent all over the city.

Organic Cafés

Organic cafés are an excellent choice for people who are cautious of what they eat. These cafés serve a variety of food items made entirely from organic and local sources. You will find that these cafés either produce the ingredients of their dishes on farms by themselves or set a deal with a local farmer. Therefore, the ingredients are entirely organic and localized. You can find some cafés serving non-vegetarian dishes as well. The meat of these dishes also comes from organic sources, which means it is fresh-cut and void of any artificial injecting and other animal cruelty things. These cafés will serve you with fantastic food items that are healthy and look ravishing.

Dandy’s Organic Café

Greenwoods Raw Café

KALE

O.V.O. Café

L.N. Fortunate Coffee

MANA! SoHo

Ohms Café & Bar

Breweries

Hong Kong has many home breweries that are so popular that their beers go for commercial use outside the country. These breweries produce some delicious beers that are either for the local or commercial use. These breweries have some fine beers that both locals and tourists enjoy. You can find these breweries all over Hong Kong. They make their beers using local ingredients and following traditional practices. You can visit many Hong Kong breweries and learn about each of their' unique ways of creating beer. Some of these breweries have their commercial outlets in different parts of the city, from where you can buy some good quality and right-priced beers.

Clack Kite Hong Kong Brewery

Hong Kong Beer Co.

Young Master Brewery

Yardley Brothers

Moonzen Brewery

Gweilo Beer

Carbon Brews

Back to School Brewing

L.A.B. Brewer

H.K. Lovecraft

Activities

Hong Kong has many activities available for tourists and locals. These activities will help you understand the local culture and get some fantastic time full of fun and adventure. These activities include various tours, festivals, events, landmarks, and more that will make your Hong Kong tour even more enjoyable. By participating in these activities, you can become part of the local culture. It will also help you in befriending locals or fellow travelers.

Attend local festivals and cultural events; Hong Kong Summer Fun, Hong Kong WinterFest, Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

Visit the Hong Kong Arts Festival

Attend the Chinese Opera Event

Visit the Hong Kong Cultural Center

Attend Hong Kong Sevens Rugby tournament

Visit the Symphony of Lights Show

Hike around Lamma Island

Pray at Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan

Visit the Sky100 at the I.C.C.

Take a Hong Kong Dolphin Watch tour

Explore the food and drinking culture

Learn boogie boarding or surfing at Big Wave Bay

Go on a Museum exploration tour

Yoga and Retreats

There are many yoga studios, classes, and other fitness places present in Hong Kong. These places will help you in keeping yourself fit and healthy while exploring Hong Kong. You will find that these places offer different facilities and programs at different prices. You can select one that is most affordable and convenient for you. These classes will help you keep your mind at peace. Some locals and tourists take these classes, you can interact with them and befriend them. It will help you explore Hong Kong efficiently as these people will provide you with some useful information like what you should avoid, what places you should visit, etc.

Kita Yoga Hong Kong

Yoga Central

Iyengar Yoga Centre of Hong Kong

The Yoga Room

SambalaBhu Yoga

Infiniti Fit

Yoga BamBam

Accommodation

There are endless options available that range from luxurious ones to cheap motels when it comes to accommodation options. You will find that these places offer different facilities depending on the duration of your stay in Hong Kong. The various hotels, hostels, guest houses, rental apartments, campsites, and Couchsurfing hosts are the major accommodation options in Hong Kong. Before selecting an option that has the highest ratings on Google, you should put more emphasis on whether they are eco-friendly or not. Not all of these places are eco-friendly as they often exploit the local environment and are significant contributors to pollution levels. Therefore, you should prefer an eco-friendly accommodation option as they are not only cheap but will also provide you with sustainable facilities, which are often better than the high-end facilities of 5-star hotels and resorts.

Green Hotels

Green hotels are hotels that have a certification of sustainable practice by the local governing authority. These hotels are your typical hotels; the only difference is that they follow different eco-friendly ways to reduce their negative impact on the local environment. You will find that these hotels are cheaper than the 5-star hotels as they use localized items. Another feature of these hotels is hiring people from the local communities as their employees, supporting and growing the local communities. If you like staying in a hotel, then you should prefer these hotels. They will also help you keep your carbon footprint minimal with their eco-friendly measures like rainwater harvesting, organic food items, recycled and reusable items, solar power, L.E.D. Lights, etc.

Eco Tree Sheung Wan

Eco Tree Hotel Causeway Bay

Hostels and Guest Houses

Hostels and guest houses are some great alternatives to hotels. Usually, hotels overcharge you many unnecessary facilities and items that you don't use and often go unused. Hotels are great options for solo travelers. In hostels, you share a room or a dorm with other guests. There is a lack of privacy, but the upside of these hostels is that you can interact with different travelers and learn about the local culture. These hostels also provide private rooms, but you should prefer a shared space on a low-budget.

Hi Backpackers

Urban Pack Hostel

Budget Hostel Hong Kong

Kingston Inn

Traveller’s Hostel Hong Kong International

Hop Inn

Guesthouses, on the other hand, are excellent options for tourists that are traveling with their loved ones. You will find that the prices of these guesthouses are quite reasonable and affordable. You get complete privacy and a fully-equipped house.

Hong Kong Tai San Guest House

Lucky – Guest House

New Hong Kong Guest House

Kactus Guesthouse

Hong Kong Star Hostel

Apartments

If you are in Hong Kong for a long time, then you should prefer a guest house, or an even better alternative is a rental apartment. These apartments are cheaper and are better options. They might seem a bit pricey initially, but you will find that hotels and guest houses charge twice or thrice more amount for the same amount of time. While selecting an apartment, ensure that you prefer an apartment close to all facilities like railway station, bus station, restaurants, city center, etc. The apartments closer to these places are of better quality and security than those in the city's outer regions.

Ace Apartments

Pacific Place Apartments

The Mood SOHO Hong Kong Serviced Apartments

The Bauhinia Services Apartments

Skyla Serviced Apartments

Hong Kong Homes

Yin Service Appartment

18 Catchick Street

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is quite common in Hong Kong. The reason for the popularity of Couchsurfing is that the locals are amiable, hospitable, and kind-hearted. You will find that most of the population consists of young men and women, so they are modern minds. Many of these include young university and college students who are always eager to earn pocket money by providing a play to a tourist. You can look for Couchsurfing hosts on the Couchsurfing website. Another way to find such hosts is by asking the locals or befriending them. Couchsurfing is a great way to save plenty of travel money and get useful advice from the host.

Camping

If you are looking for a cheap but adventurous way of staying in Hong Kong, then camping is something you have to try. There are many camping sites in Hong Kong where you can enjoy an outdoor experience in the wild. Most of these campsites are entirely safe, and there are various precautions present in case of bad weather, natural disaster, injury, emergency, etc. You can try camping all by yourself only if you have a good camping experience. It would be best for beginners to take such risks and take regular campers and guides. Some of these sites are in forested areas, while some of them are within the city. If you are a beginner, you can try campsites inside the town in various parks and camping grounds. These camping sites also provide a full-packed experience where you camp and cook your food, travel through the areas, participate in extreme sports, and many more adrenaline and enriching things.

How to Get There

There are many ways to reach Hong Kong. The first and foremost way is airway, as it is the most efficient one. You can book a flight to Hong Kong International Airport. You can find both direct and transfer flights to this airport. Another great way to reach Hong Kong is by waterway. Although most international channels are illegal, there are a few legal ones that you can try. Other options like railways, buses, rental cars, etc., are available to reach the region after landing in China. While looking for a way of traveling to Hong Kong, always prefer friendly to the environment and your budget.

Air

The city of Hong Kong has the Hong Kong International Airport serving it. The airport provides flights to other cities in China and outside the country as well. The airport is the city’s primary airport is present on Chek Lap Kok Island. Another significant feature of the airport is that it is a gateway for destinations in China. It is the busiest cargo gateway worldwide and also comes under the largest passenger terminal buildings. It connects to different cities through its airlines like AirAsia, Air Canada, Air India, Air China, British Airways, American Airlines, Cambodia Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Etihad Airways, and many more. You can find a flight to this airport from any major airport in the world.

Outside the Terminal 1 of Hong Kong International Airport

Bus

If you are already in China, then you can take a bus to Hong Kong. You may need to show your passport or Visa upon entering the city as many political disputes are going on between the Chinese government and Hong Kong. Nevertheless, many public and private bus services in China can help you reach the city in total comfort and in less time. These buses are well-furnished and have different types of seating according to the distance. You will find that they are also air-conditioned and hygienic. You can find these buses from any Chinese city and at reasonable rates too. The only drawback of the bus service is that they are only available if you are present in China. These buses don't travel internationally.

Double decker bus in Hong Kong

Train

China's train system is one of the most developed and efficient ones to help you reach Hong Kong comfortably. The railway services have a metro system that runs using electricity from the country's hydro, wind, and solar power plants. It is the reason that railways are the most preferred choice of Chinese people. They are not only eco-friendly but also quite affordable. The metro trains are also only available if you are already present in China. These trains do not operate internationally.

R-Trains in University Station

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking is an excellent way to reach Hong Kong. Although this option is available only if you are in the country. Apart from airways and waterways, all other options are only available if you are present in China. You will find hitchhiking a bit challenging if you do not know how to speak Chinese. Some Chinese people can read and understand English, but it would be best to use Chinese to communicate. You will find that the chances of getting a lift are excellent on highways. If you want to reach Hong Kong, you have to be present on one connecting route.

Others

Apart from airways, roadways, and railways, you can also opt for waterways. As stated before, there are only a handful of boat services that operate legally. You can get a boat ride from a coastal city. While using waterways, ensure that the boat has the government's proper license and approval or transport authority. Another option is rental cars, which are not a great choice as they are some of the prominent contributors to air and noise pollution. You can opt for rental car services if the cars are electronic.

Moving Around

After reaching Hong Kong, there are various transportation options to move around the vast land area. You will find that the transportation system in Hong Kong is one of the best in the world, and you will rarely find any difficulty in navigating. It is because these transports use both Chinese and English to help the people navigate. The best way to explore Hong Kong is by using a bike or electronic vehicle as its land area is quite significant. Walking is also possible, but it will not help you in reaching all the regions. You can try walking in some places only. Other transportations methods like trains and bus services are also available that cover the whole city and even outside areas. While selecting transportation to move around Hong Kong, ensure that they are friendly to the environment and your budget.

Walk

Walking is a great way to explore specific areas in Hong Kong. You will find that it is perhaps the only free of cost way of moving around. It requires no extra pieces of equipment, navigation knowledge, or navigation mode like Google map, guide, etc. You can also opt for various walking tours that come with knowledgeable guides. These tours cover places within walking distances; therefore, don't expect to cover all of Hong Kong just by walking. Walking is ideal for people that can walk distance or are fitness freaks. People who have trouble walking long distances should avoid this mode of moving around.

Bicycle

Besides walking, it is the most inexpensive way of moving around Hong Kong. You will find that the best way to explore all of Hong Kong is by renting or buying a bicycle. You will find two types of bicycles available globally; a simple pedal-operated one and electric bicycles. The standard bicycles cheaper and available in more quantity, whereas the electronic bikes are a bit more costly. If you want to stay fit while exploring Hong Kong, you should go for the standard bicycles. Electronic bicycles require minimal effort and are easy to operate in hilly areas.

You will find separate lanes for bicycling and designated stands to park the bicycles all over Hong Kong

Electronic Vehicles

The availability of electronic vehicles is quite excellent in Hong Kong. The reason behind this is that the Hong Kong government is in full support of such sustainable practices. You will find that battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and hybrid electric vehicles are the three types available. Presently, the Transport Department of Hong Kong approved 73 E.V. models, including 51 private cars and motorbikes and 22 public cars. The pollution levels are comparatively better than other Chinese cities because of such extensive use of electronic vehicles and bikes.

Public Bus

If we come to public transport, then the public buses are the most affordable and readily available in Hong Kong. These buses not only provide comfort to the passengers but also travel efficiently. Hong Kong's public buses' most striking feature is that they have English and Chinese instructions. It is the reason why a lot of tourists prefer them over other modes of transports. These buses move around all parts inside and outside the city. You can select the bus according to the route and even buy tickets online. Buying tickets save wasting of paper and are a more efficient mode of paying. A lot of these buses offer discounts to tourists that you can avail of while exploring Hong Kong.

A local bus picking up passengers in Hong Kong

Tram, Train and Subway

Hong Kong's metro system is the best one globally. It is high-rated because it is very efficient with a low number of accidents or casualties. People in China and Hong Kong prefer the metro system over all other public transportation systems. You will find that the metro system possesses high-speed trains that can go at 220 miles per hour. These trains cover all significant areas inside and outside the city. You will find that unlike other country's metros, Hong Kong's metro trains are safe and hygienic. These trains are very cheap, and you can get a travel card for use in the metros. The travel card is usable while traveling to different Hong Kong areas and even in other Chinese cities. The more you use the travel card, the more benefits you can avail.

A Tram passes the Court of Final Appeal Building

Sustainable Shopping

When it comes to sustainable shopping, this trend is way more popular in Hong Kong than any other city in the world. You will find that the people and the government are very respectful towards their environment and efficiently meet their responsibilities. The prevalence of organic and duty-free products is present in Hong Kong. By sustainable shopping, people can help the local ethnic groups grow while also protecting and taking care of the environment. You will find that to help both tourists and locals indulge in eco-friendly activities, and various flea and food markets, eco-fashion shops, and used products stores are available, where you can try-out sustainable shopping. This type of shopping not only helps in supporting the local communities, but also the environment. The items available in these places are either organic and localized substances or recycled and reusable. These items reduce the amount of energy required in making new products; thus, reducing non-renewable energy utilization.

Food Markets

If you are looking for fresh produce made using organic farming methods and local sources, then these food markets are the places for you. You will find different types of food items, from fresh produce to baked items. Many of these markets also have food stalls where vendors sell local street food items. You can explore the local food culture while enjoying the freshness and quality of the ingredients. These markets work under local farmers, fishers, gardeners, bakers, chefs, and vendors. These people are from the local communities, and by buying items from them, you will support them. These food markets are great places to get food items at reasonable rates. These markets operate on selective days only, so that the people can get fresh items.

Queen Street Cooked Food Market

Kowloon City Market and Cooked Food Centre

Nelson Street Wet Market

Temple Street Night Market

Wan Chai Market

Java Road Market and Cooked Food Centre

Flea Markets

Flea markets are some of the oldest types of selling-markets in the world. These markets sell all kinds of items, from food to second-hand goods. You will find that some markets are for specific items, but some markets sell everything. These markets also operate on particular days of the week. Different flea-markets get different days of the week on which they work. While on the same days, the other markets don't work. You can find these markets spread all over Hong Kong. These markets sell very reasonable and adequate quality items. You can find almost all kinds of stuff and at low prices.

Cat Street Flea Market

HKCC Creative Market

Apliu Street Flea Market

Marble Road Shops

Kam Sheung Road Flea Market

Lok On Pai Siu Lam Flea Market

Second Hand Stores

Second-hand stores are widely popular in Hong Kong. Since the city people are aware of the various environmental issues, they try their best not to make these problems severe in their city. You can find many second-hand stores selling all kinds of used items. From kitchen utensils to car parts, all used items are available in these stores. You will find that some of these second-stores often have some unique and antique items that are of great value. Most second-hand store owners don't know the cost of such valuables, so they sell them as everyday items. You can search for such items and get a good deal of them in antique stores.

Green Ladies Wanchai

Hipster 9

Eco Ring Hong Kong Limited

HAPPYSHOP HK

LUXTIFY

Vintage Maze

Eco-Fashion

In Asia, Hong Kong is one such city where eco-fashion is more like standard fashion. Even wealthy people prefer buying such sustainable clothes and accessories. You will find many local boutiques and stores selling such fashion items. These stores use various eco-friendly measures like organic materials, localized-items, and employing people from local communities. These stores not only protect the environment but also provide an opportunity for growth to the locals.

Audrey Limited

BWET Swimwear

Petit Tippi

1ofaKind

Retykle

Recycling

Recycling is an excellent way to control your impact on nature. In the present era, we are facing severe climatic and environmental issues. If we don't adopt better eco-friendly ways like recycling entirely in our lives, then these issues will continue to worsen. You will find that the Hong Kong people have proper recycling places to take their recyclable items every month to get them recycled. As a tourist, you must follow such responsibilities and take all kinds of recyclables to these shops. You must reduce the use of plastic and focus on using organic and degradable items. These shops are spread all over Hong Kong and are an excellent way to make the best of waste, but these shops also require some resources to convert these wastes into recycled items. Therefore, it would be best to focus more on reducing the waste, reuse it to its full potential, and get it recycled. If you follow such environmentally-friendly measures, you can keep your Hong Kong trip's carbon footprint minimal.

Waste

The Hong Kong government is stringent when it comes to waste management. You will find that the pollution levels are not that great, which has led the government to impose such strict policies and prohibitions. There is a ban on the use of plastic, even the restaurants, take out places, manufacturing units, and others use packaging approved by the Hong Kong government. To help the people realize their mistakes while disposing of waste, volunteering organizations hold regular environmental awareness activities on weekends. You will find that the locals consider it as their responsibility to keep their environment clean and beautiful. Unlike other cities metropolitan areas that only consist of tall skyscrapers and the urban regions, the landscape of Hong Kong has more than equal distribution for forests, national parks, sanctuaries, and many more green spaces. To help the locals dispose of their waste correctly, different garbage disposal containers, dumpsters, dustbins, and trucks are present in the streets. The local municipality cleans the containers regularly and keeps track of the waste of each locality. You must dispose of your waste items in these things, instead of littering them on the streets. People who don't follow the prohibitions and involve in activities that make the environment dirty can get penalized if seen by a local authority.

Work and Study Abroad

The education and career opportunities in Hong Kong, the world's financial and commercial hub, are better than any other metropolitan city in the world. You can find both world-recognized educational institutions and companies in Hong Kong. These companies are the top multinational companies globally. Most of their headquarters are in Hong Kong. The education institutes offer courses and international programs that are open to all students. These institutes provide a diverse range of courses. You can avail these opportunities by visiting or contacting the institute. You will need to fulfill the requirements of the program to become eligible for studying them. On the other hand, the companies maintain a proper ratio between the types of employees. They ensure that the proportion of international employees and local employees is as the company's policies. You can contact the human resource manager or talk to any person in authority for a job in any particular field. You will need to pass some eligibility tests, which can be written or oral. Since these companies are global, the competition in getting a job at them is very high. If you have an excellent resume and great experience, you can only score a career in these companies.

Exchange Student

The educational institutes are part of various international programs. Still, when it comes to inviting other students to study in their institute or sending their students out of the country, these institutes follow two types of programs. The first one is the global student exchange program, where all the universities and educational boards are part of it. The program enables the eligible students to study in dynamic environments of different countries. On the other hand, the second one; is a partnership student exchange program where the educational institutes send students to their partnership institutes in other countries. The chances of becoming an exchange student are higher in the global student exchange program, but it requires monetary donation to work. The other program doesn't possess great chances because the competition is often high, and you will need to be an excellent student to become a part of it.

Au Pair

Au pairing is common in Hong Kong. Its reason for the popularity is that the locals are all working-class and prefer hiring a nanny or an au pair to take care of their children and household. Many families have a housemaid that takes care of the whole house, cooks food, does the laundry, and takes care of the children and pets. The housemaid receives monetary benefits and also accommodation with the family. You can also search for families looking for a housemaid or an au pair. Since the standard of living is relatively high, you can get good monetary benefits. It is a great way to earn money and get a place to live in Hong Kong. While searching for a family, you must show yourself kind and gentle as the families want the right person for their children and house.

Volunteering

Volunteering is common in Hong Kong. The locals participate on their own in such activities on the weekends. The volunteering organizations in Hong Kong hold various activities on the weekends and holidays. The locals and the tourists actively participate in them. These organizations spread awareness on different issues relating to people's political, environmental, societal, and health well-being. You can participate in these activities and interact with the locals. It will help you understand the Hong Kong culture and people in depth. Many activities involve visiting nursing homes, orphanages, cleaning beaches, parks, and streets, planting trees, spreading awareness, etc. It will help you interact and befriends many locals and create some fantastic memories of your Hong Kong trip. Also, doing so will help you reduce your carbon footprint and make you a responsible tourist.

Agency For Volunteer Service

Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF

The Royal Hong Kong Regiment Association

Kids4Kids

Changing Young Live Foundation

Justice Centre Hong Kong

The Hub Children and Youth