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“He who never leaves his country is full of prejudices.” - Carlo Goldoni
The world is full of tourist destinations, but there are different places for different people. With its skyscrapers, shopping, nightlife, and unmissable sights, Hong Kong is a pretty versatile destination. This versatility is why most people will want to plan a trip. With an eight-hour time difference in winter and a seven-hour time difference in summer, Hong Kong is a destination with a lot to see and do. Hong Kong is a gem, which is probably why it’s sometimes called The Pearl of the Orient. Curious? Have you had this destination on your list for a while? Here’s our guide to visiting Hong Kong.
Why Visit Hong Kong?
Whether it’s a city surrounded by beaches, a famous bay, tourist attractions, or faraway lands, there are plenty of reasons to various destinations. Hong Kong is no exception to the rule and there are plenty of reasons to go.
- Hong Kong is a green city: Hong Kong has 24 natural parks and the weather is quite nice for both locals and tourists. Your notion of Hong Kong might be one of skyscrapers. What better way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
- Hong Kong is a culinary paradise: those who love food will love Hong Kong. There are local markets for the curious and a dynamic lifestyle when it comes to eating. Everywhere you go, there are places to eat.
- Hong Kong is a bright city: With its sound and light show on the Avenue of Lights, Hong Kong is bright. If you head up to the top of any of the taller buildings, you can enjoy the lights of the city itself. It’s breathtaking.
- Hong Kong is full of history: The city’s colonial past can be seen in its trams and the Victoria Harbour ferry. You can enjoy the past of this forward-facing city.
- Hong Kong is a shopper’s paradise: We already mentioned this, but if you like shopping, Hong Kong is the place to go. When it comes to shopping, Hong Kong is actually cheaper than London. A good reason to go there.
If you’ve been travelling around China, you’ll actually see that Hong Kong is quite different. Have you got your ticket? You’ll need somewhere to stay. Find out more about why you should visit Hong Kong
Choosing Accommodation in Hong Kong
“The man who seeks to educate himself must first read and then travel in order to correct what he has learned.” - Giacomo Casanova
Finding accommodation in Hong Kong is no more difficult than in any other city. However, like with other cities, you need to know what to look for. There are plenty of ways to look for accommodation in Hong Kong:
- By neighbourhood: Whether it’s right in the centre with the offices and restaurants, Wan Chai, which feels a little more authentic, or SoHo, where you can find the best nightlife, Hong Kong’s different areas all have their own identities.
- By price: As a popular destination, Hong Kong has plenty of places to stay. You can find accommodation of all kinds from hotels to hostels and holiday rents.
- By activities: There are probably a few things you’ll want to do in Hong Kong and you might want your accommodation to be nearby. If you’re planning on doing a lot of shopping, you might want an accommodation that’s right by all the shops.
How Much Does it Cost to Visit Hong Kong?
Your budget will often decide whether or not a trip is viable. Hong Kong is famous for being quite expensive, but you’ll actually see that it’s not as expensive as you think. Find Mandarin courses London here on Superprof.
- Taxi: Around £40 for a 30-minute trip.
- Train: Around £10 for a 25-minute trip.
- Bus: Around £4, but the journey takes over an hour.
Generally, with taxis, you leave a tip. Accommodation might seem quite expensive with rooms for between £60 and £80 a night, but you can find cheaper places. Youth hostels, for example, are cheaper than luxury hotels. You can get rooms in BnBs for closer to £40 or £50 a night. As for food, Hong Kong is more expensive than mainland China, but is still very affordable. For around a tenner, you can get a nice meal in the city. Getting around Hong Kong is quite simples as there aren’t “zones” like in other cities. A tram ticket will cost a maximum of £2 with a “Adult Tourist Day Pass” costing closer to £6 and around £3 for kids. Shopping also tends to be cheaper in Hong Kong than in the UK. Of course, there are also plenty of free activities like going to parks. There are plenty of tourist activities, too, like:
- Disneyland Hong Kong: HK$619 for adults and HK$458 for children.
- Art Museum: HK$10.
- Ocean Park: HK$280.
- Madame Tussauds: $HK265 (adults), $HK215 (children).
Find out more about the cost of visiting Hong Kong So which are the city’s most popular attractions?
Things to See in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a nice place to visit and it’s helped by the decent weather. It can be tempting just to see the tourist attractions. However, they are a good place to start.
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