Starter Kit Hong Kong: City of Skyscrapers and Shopping Paradise!

sinjahaag
3. Aug. 2024
4 Min. Lesezeit

Aktualisiert: 25. Mai

For orientation matters, an initial glimpse onto the map of Hong Kong is beneficial to plan your travels: generally speaking, Hong Kong can be distributed into a total of 18 districts, covering 263 islands and is divided into 3 regions:

Hong Kong Island (south)
Kowloon (north)
New Territories (north of Kowloon, covering a majority of islands)

The most famous islands you will be considering to spend time at and/or that are listed in terms of sightseeing and tourist attractions are Lantau Island, Lamma Island, Tsing Yi, Chek Lap Kok, Peng Chau & Cheung Chau.

Why Hong Kong?

Convenient and well-developed transportation network
English as a convenient language to communicate and explore
Melting pot of kind and heart-warming locals with international backgrounds
Beautiful harbour views and breathtaking skyline scenery
A brilliant merge of skyscrapers, island life and green wooded landscapes to discover
Local food delicacies to eat your way through, e.g. Dim Sum
Shopping opportunities en masse
Breakout day to Disneyland HK
Opportunities to hop onto day-trips to mainland China

Do I require a visa to enter Hong Kong?

For Germans and the biggest part of Europe (with some exceptions, e.g. Norway), entering Hong Kong does not require any visa application up to 90 days. However, depending from your country of origin, visa requirements might differ, so in any case and the matter of "German safety": please cross-check visa entry requirements in your own country prior to hopping onto a plane.

Internet Access & Communication Tools

Staying connected in Hong Kong is quite easy. You will find several free Wi-Fi spots in malls, public gardens, tourist attractions and public places. In addition, you will be able to find free connection opportunities at the airport, in the MTR ("MTR Free Wi-Fi") and also several convenient stores and coffee shops, such as 7Eleven or Starbucks ("CSL Wi-Fi"). Another alternative is to get a prepaid SIM-card or an eSIM, e.g. Holafly Hong Kong.

As for my personal preference, I like to ensure having a stable internet connection all the way through my travels to also be able to check on Google Maps/Apple Maps and/or be able to call a taxi in case of getting lost or simply being too lazy to walk back. Thus, I prefer to purchase an eSIM prior to arrival to be all set. But again, that's a matter of preference and choice. you do you!

Language & Local Currency:

The official language of Hong Kong is Chinese (Mandarin), although everyday- language is still heavily dominated by *Cantonese, also English. This is due to the history of Hong Kong (formerly a British colonial territory) as well as its importance as an internationally active economic center. Compared to China or Taiwan, English as a communication language is convenient to use in most places and easy to get around with.

*What is the difference between Cantonese and Mandarin?

Both Cantonese and Mandarin fall under the term "Chinese" language but differ in both their phonetics and writing. Whereas Mandarin is considered the offical language with a total of 4 tones and simplified writing, Cantonese uses the traditional, and therefore more complex, writing of Chinese characters with a phonetic consisting of a total of 9 tones.

The local currency is Hong Kong Dollar.

Transportation Infrastructure

The transportation infrastructure in Hong Kong is very convenient and easy to use. From buses, to taxis, trains, ferries and the MTR (Mass Transit Railway), you will be enabled to get around regions & districts within no time.

In order to use public transport, you need to buy an "Octopus Card", which can easily be purchased at one of the service desks in the MTR or train station, alternatively at ticket machines. Top up your card with the desired amount of money and recharge at the vending machines at any times, either via cash or cashless methods, such as using Alipay. The Octopus card allows you to benefit from public transport holistically, meaning you can take the tram, train, bus, MTR. You even can purchase some selected items, such as foods&drinks at convenient stores or vending machines- simply look out for the Octopus card sign.

When is the best time to travel to Hong Kong?

The best time to travel is either in spring (March – May) or late autumn/winter (September – December). During these months, temperatures will be warm but not unbearably hot. If you decide to make a summer-holiday, like I did, you will most likely find yourself in a continuously sauna-comparable temperature of 30 - 35°C+ whilst bathing in a very high humidity. Sunrise already starts around 5am, which is also the time where you will find most joggers on the street. From 7am onwards, the first heat waves will start kicking-in. From the afternoon onwards, the heat will start to decrease. Decreasing, however, does not mean it gets chilly but rather that the temperature settles at around 30°C. Also pay attention to public holidays (e.g. June/July), as during these seasons sightseeing spots and public places will be more crowded than usual and tickets to several tourist attractions might require a reservation.

How much time shall I plan for traveling Hong Kong?

Depending on time and eagerness to explore the Hong Kong, I would suggest to at least plan 1 - 2 weeks for your trip. You will have plenty of opportunities to discover the 3 regions with various sightseeing activities, hiking opportunities, culture & art exhibitions as well as scenic spots. In addition, you do have the chance to plan one- or even several day-trip to China mainland or Macao, to spice up your travel experiences even more.

Visiting China mainland and/or Macao

Hong Kong is key point to several day-trip attractions, such as considering spending some time in China mainland or Macao ("Las Vegas of China"). Connections towards desired destinations, e.g. Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Macao, can be done via ferry, airplane, car and train. The most commonly used method is taking the train from Hung Hom train station via which a high speed railway connection will ensure for you you arrive to Macao in less than 30min. Please consider checking visa entry requirements for both China mainland and Macao prior to your travels!