Hong Kong

Destination Guide

How to use my destination guides

My destination 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.

Specific Recommendations
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.

The 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.

Travel Ease
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.

The 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.

The 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.

Specific Recommendations

How to interpret my specific recommendations

My specific recommendations are listed below. Firstly, you will find: its name, a quick link to locate and save it to your Google Maps, and for some, a photo. The photos, if present, like all those on this page, have either been taken by me or feature me in them. If you save the location to your Google Maps, I suggest that you add a note on there too, to remind you that you heard about it here. A good way to do this is by copying my website link into the location description. This way, you can check back here nearer the time of your visit to jog your memory as to what is there. I use Google Maps to plan all of my trips and, when used to its full potential, it is incredible! If you haven’t already, check out my blog post on how I use Google Maps to revolutionise my travels!

Google Maps Blog

I provide a description of each location, as well as a duration estimate for how long you may want to spend at that location, to help with your planning.

I also provide star ratings for three categories.

Andy Argo

My overall rating

Worth seeing if you’re passing

Worth a detour if you have time

A must see!

Adventure

The level of exertion and danger involved

Easy to access, low risk and no strenuous exercise required

Some exercise is required, such as hiking. Some risks, such as bad weather, uneven ground, steep edges, etc.

Involves more exercise, greater danger or both. Examples include diving or scrambling up mountains, where experience is required.

Uniqueness

How well known and unique a destination is

A well-known destination or one that is not overly unique. I have listed restaurants in this category as food is everywhere.

Somewhat unknown or unique

Very unique

Some other points to note are:

I like a bit of danger and history, so you may find that my ‘Andy Argo’ star ratings are sometimes (but not always) a little biased in favour of these types of locations.
On my ‘Andy Argo’ stars, if I have given something one star, it’s good and worth doing. Having one star doesn’t mean it’s bad; it’s still high praise, as I only include the crème de la crème on this list!
My duration recommendations are based on what I think is the minimum amount of time you would want to spend there. I always recommend being spontaneous when travelling and changing plans depending on your circumstances, how you feel, and following advice from locals. Remember you’re there to enjoy it, so don’t feel rushed and stressed, you’re on holiday!
In a small handful of instances, I have included somewhere I have been with zero Andy Argo stars. I have done this a handful of times for very touristy places. These are locations which I have been to and which are sufficiently famous that I think people would wonder why they aren’t on the list, but which, in my opinion, don’t make the cut and are overrated (sorry).
I have been to the vast majority of these recommendations; however, sometimes I include several locations which I haven’t been to for the following reasons:
- - A friend of mine has been there and has highly recommended it to me.
  - Internet searches suggest it sounds noteworthy enough to include.

Disclaimer – I am not responsible for your safety or enjoyment at any of these locations. Everything I have recommended here is based on my experience and opinion. I may have recommended places I visited years ago or, as mentioned previously, a handful which I have had recommended to me. Do your own research before visiting any attractions to ensure that you think you will enjoy them and that they are sufficiently safe. My recommended duration times are also estimates based on my opinion; do your own further research and plan accordingly. I have recommended places which I think people will like, but it is all based on my opinion; I may love something that you hate. Be sure to have sufficient travel insurance and make your own judgments. Check weather forecasts and consult reputable local guidance before visiting anywhere you seek to visit. For more adventurous activities, ensure that you are physically and mentally prepared and that you have the right supervision, equipment, and training for the activity. Long story short, use some common sense and don’t sue me, I’m broke enough already. Happy travels, Andy

Specific Recommendations

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.

Hong Kong

Destination Guide

How to use my destination guides

Overview

Overview Summary

Specific Recommendations

How to interpret my specific recommendations

Specific Recommendations

City

Victoria Peak

Victoria Harbour

Shelly Street Area

Kowloon Park

Sky 100 Hong Kong, Observation Deck

Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple

Chi Lin Nunnery & Nan Lian Garden

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

Territory

Hong Kong Island hikes

Long Ke Wan Beach

Cheung Chau

Stanley Main Beach

Repulse Bay Beach

Tian Tan Buddha, Lantau Island

Trip to Macau