Hong Kong
Travel Guide
Hong Kong Travel Guide 2026
How to use my travel guides
My travel guides are organised in two main sections:
Overview
This will help you to decide if this is a location for you, and if so, where you may want to spend your time. For larger countries, I also provide additional overviews of different regions, states and territories.
Best things to do
Here I list specific things to see and do. For each, I provide star ratings so that you can easily see how good, unique and adventurous each place is. This means that you can easily pick out where sounds right for you!
Photos note: All of the photos you see on my website are taken by me or of me!
Overview
Hong Kong is a coastal city with many islands and hiking opportunities around it. The centre of the city around Victoria Harbour spans the gap from Hong Kong Island to the mainland. It is a modern city and stands apart from most other Chinese cities as it was a British Colony for much of its recent past. To this day, it still retains some autonomy and you will see traces of its British past. Many people speak English here and tea is drunk the proper way, with milk! Most Hong Kongers are ethnically Chinese and speak Cantonese as their first language. The city is a lot of fun with great nightlife, temples and food. What surprised me the most, however, was the amount of hiking and beaches which can be accessed easily from Hong Kong and which feel like another world compared to the hustle and bustle of the city.
Language
Most people speak Cantonese as their first language, but can also understand Mandarin Chinese. Hong Kong was a British Colony until 1997, with many people able to speak English in the city to varying degrees.
Economy and Safety
Hong Kong is an affluent city and financial centre. It is largely safe, although still keep your wits about you.
Ease of travel
Hong Kong is really easy to get around. You have boats, taxis, trams, you name it. The airport is also a transport hub, so it’s easy to head off from here. I also recommend you go for at least a day trip to Macau while you are here, which I will provide more information on separately.
Beaches
Hong Kong has lots of beautiful beaches around the city, which you can enjoy. I recommend some specific beaches under my specific recommendations section.
Wildlife
Hong Kong city itself, being an urban environment, has limited wildlife, however, I was shocked by the amount of beautiful hikes available so close to the city. You also have the chance to see marine life.
The City
Hong Kong city is split into two by Victoria Harbour, which separates Hong Kong Island in the south from the mainland to the north. It’s a city with high-rise buildings and a great atmosphere. If you are lucky, you may also see a Junk (traditional Chinese ship) in Victoria Harbour.
The People
People in Hong Kong are very nice. Be aware that, as with many cities, people are often busy. Just as in London, New York, Tokyo and every other major city on the planet, people are going about their daily lives. It is the third largest financial centre in the world after New York and London and the locals are more than used to foreigners, so don’t go expecting people to roll out the red carpet for you like you’re something special. That being said, the locals are really friendly, nice and polite. There are also lots of immigrants in Hong Kong, so you can find a good blend of culture and food.
History
Before the British took possession of Hong Kong, the area was home to a collection of small fishing villages. Hong Kong Island was ceded to Great Britain after the first Opium War in 1842.
Britain saw Hong Kong’s location as a great place for trade and their colony rapidly expanded as a hub for trade and commerce. Hong Kong was also incredibly tolerant towards different peoples and faiths during this time, which led some to move to Hong Kong given its religious tolerance.
Britain’s territory around Hong Kong Island expanded after Hong Kong Island was acquired in 184. The Kowloon Peninsula (the land immediately north of Victoria Harbour on the Chinese mainland) was ceded to Britain in 1860. In 1898, a great deal more land known as the ‘New Territories’ was transferred to Britain under a 99-year lease; the other land having been ceded in perpetuity. The New Territories added far more land on the mainland to the colony, as well as many islands, including the large and beautiful Lantau Island to the west.
In 1997, when the 99-year lease for the New Territories expired, Britain chose to hand the entire colony of Hong Kong to China, including the land which had been originally ceded to Britain in perpetuity. Given how recent this was, you can easily find videos of the handover ceremony online, which is an interesting watch.
Hong Kong was and is a wealthy city. In 1997, when it was reunited with China, it is estimated its population made up 1% of the Chinese population, but which made up 18-20% of China’s GDP.
Fun Fact: The handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997 is the date often quoted by historians to mark the formal end to the British Empire. An Empire which lasted for nearly 400 years and which at one time at one time, ruled over a quarter of all people on the planet.
Overview Summary
Hong Kong is a great place. It’s got loads of variety from city life and food and boat trips to hiking and beaches. It’s one of the world’s most famous cities and for good reason. Make sure you check out Victoria Peak when you are there and take in one of the most iconic views in the world.
Best things to do in Hong Kong 2026
I provide star ratings for each of my recommendations so that you can quickly narrow down what appeals to you. Explanations for what these mean can be found here.
I use Google Maps to plan all my trips and it’s a game-changer! I’ve added links to Google Maps for each of the locations below so you can easily add them to your own map. Be sure to copy this web link into the description of each location you save so that you can easily refer back to this guide later. Check out this blog for more tips on how to use Google Maps to enhance your travels!
To make planning your trip to Hong Kong easier, I have separated my recommendations into two groups: ‘City’ for activities within the city itself, and ‘Territory’ for those located outside of the city but which are still within the Hong Kong Territory.
City
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Viewpoint
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Victoria Peak is located on Hong Kong Island, just south of the city and offers one of the most iconic views in the world. You can get here in a number of ways, including by tram, taxi, bus or by hiking up.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Harbour and viewpoint
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Hong Kong harbour is one of the most iconic on the planet. If you are lucky, you may also see a junk (traditional Chinese ship) sailing by. Have a walk down the Avenue of Stars and take in the views. You can also take ferries from here across the Harbour to Hong Kong Island, as well as to other surrounding islands and Macau; more on these later.
Shelly Street Area
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Street
Recommended Duration: 3 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Located on Hong Kong Island. I found that the nightlife was good around this area. I couldn’t tell you much in detail because I was rather merry at the time, but head down and find out for yourself.
Kowloon Park
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: City park
Recommended Duration: 30 mins+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
A nice city park located north of Victoria Harbour.
Sky 100 Hong Kong, Observation Deck
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Viewpoint
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
An observation deck with views of the city.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Temple
Recommended Duration: 30 minutes
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
A nice Taoist Temple, but not the best I’ve seen. If you haven’t seen one before though, then you may want to check itout.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Temple & gardens
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
A nice Buddhist Temple with beautiful gardens opposite.
Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
Category: Temple
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
A Buddhist temple located just north of the city.
Territory
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Hiking
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
There are some amazing hikes on Hong Kong Island. If you follow my Google Maps link for the ‘Mount Butler Viewing Point’, there are loads of hiking trails around here.
Take a look and find one that suits you in terms of time and difficulty. Take some water, as it can be hot out there. The hiking trails around here are really beautiful and make you forget that you are so close to one of the world’s most densely populated cities. Some other areas to look at hiking around are ‘Tai Tam Upper Reservoir’, ‘Tai Tam Mound Waterfall’ and ‘Tai Tam Family Walk’, which are all nearby Mount Butler. Just to the south-east is also the ‘Dragon’s Back’ ridge hike, which you can tag on the end of your other hikes around Mount Butler too, if you want to make it a longer day. It can be hot, but there are trees in some parts for shade, depending on which route you take.
Long Ke Wan Beach
Category: Beach
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
One of my friends and fellow travellers is from Hong Kong and highly recommended this beach to me. It takes a little while to get there but is said to be incredibly beautiful.
Cheung Chau
Category: Island
Recommended Duration: 6 hours+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
My friend from Hong Kong recommended visiting this island for half a day. It has beaches, cafes, restaurants and other activities.
Stanley Main Beach
Category: Beach
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
My friend from Hong Kong recommended this beach to me and it looks beautiful.
Repulse Bay Beach
Category: Beach
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
My friend from Hong Kong recommended this beach to me and it looks beautiful.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Statue, viewpoint and hike
Recommended Duration: 1 hour (or several hours if hiking, which I highly recommend you do)
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I loved going here! I got a boat to Lantau Island, which is just west of Hong Kong Island and then a bus towards here. You can get a bus/taxi to the giant Buddha and enjoy the amazing views, or you can hike up. I hiked up via Lantau Peak, which I loved. Depending on which route you take, it can be intermediate, the upper end of intermediate, or bordering on hard. Take water, etc., with you for the hike. This was easily one of my favourite things to do in Hong Kong. Try and early-ish though so that you can take your time with it.
I have included an additional Google Maps link here, which marks the start of the trail I took to the Buddha via Lantau Peak. You can avoid the peak when starting at this location if you like, as this section of the hike is more strenuous and dangerous.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Transport
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
To give you some backstory, Hong Kong was once a British Colony, with just to the west of the bay being the smaller but still impressive city of Macau, a former Portuguese colony.
Like Hong Kong, Macau is now part of China but has a large degree of autonomy. There is a bridge connecting Hong Kong to Macau; however, the easier and more popular option is to take a boat. I got my ticket on the day and visited Macau for just a day, which was enough, although staying overnight would be nice. I discuss Macau in more detail under its own travel guide for ‘Macau’.
I hope that you have found this free Travel Guide useful. It took a lot of time and travel for me to make this, so if you would like to show your thanks by sending a small donation, I would be very grateful. This can be done on my Support Me page. Thank you!
Happy travels!
Andy Argo
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Title image: Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong