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.
How to explore Hong Kong
Before I visited Hong Kong, I thought that it was akin to Singapore and it was ‘just a city’ with only an urban area. How wrong I was! Hong Kong Territory includes many islands, beaches, and hikes. Some of the most beautiful hikes I have done have been a short boat ride from the main city. There is loads to do in the City and Territory and because of this I have made separate sub-pages (links below) with my top recommendations for the best things to do in each.
I have also linked my travel guide for Macau, which is a former Portuguese colony, which can be explored as a day trip from Hong Kong (by boat being the best way) or for several days if you are inclined.
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
For your ease of planning, I listed recommendations for the best things to do in the city (urban area) and the Territory (activities outside the urban area). I have also included a link for Macau: this former Portuguese colony is a short boat ride from Hong Kong and can be explored as a day trip from Hong Kong.
Best adventures in the Hong Kong Territory which are outside the urban area
This interesting city is a former Portuguese colony and can be explored as a day trip from Hong Kong
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