Hong Kong is unlike any other city in the world, boasting food, culture and landmarks that make this island a spectacular place to visit. Whether you’re travelling here for a holiday or have a couple of days to roam around during a layover, here are 8 things to know about Hong Kong travel to make your trip the best it can be…
The Airport Express is super speedy
One thing to note about Hong Kong is that the airport is a fair distance away from the city centre and it could cost a small fortune catching a cab. The airport express is the quickest and easiest way to get to and from the city, travelling between Kowloon and the airport in under 24 minutes.
It’s worth noting that buying a ticket at the airport can be a timely process as there’s a long queue of people wanting to do the same thing. The best tip to consider is buying your ticket online – you’ll be able to skip the queue and the price is around 30% cheaper.
An Octopus Card makes public transport super simple
This card is a great way to travel around the city for cheap… and like a local! Just like an oyster card in London, the octopus card is a pre-paid card that you can use to get around the subway, which is the easiest and cheapest form of transport. In Hong Kong you can utilise the octopus in more ways than one; it can be used to pay for the Star Ferry, the Peak Tram, 7-elevens and even get you a McDonald’s.
It’s worth remembering you can purchase one of these at the airport if you didn’t pre-book, they’ll also require a $50 deposit for the card which is refunded on its return.
Taxis are Cheap
Being in an unknown city can, at times, make you feel uneasy about certain daily routines. Getting a taxi, for example, gives you the fear that you’re about to pay an extortionate price for a quick trip. Yet whilst HK is an undoubtedly expensive city, you’ll be glad to know that taxis are reasonably priced. Plus, Uber works here, so double bonus!
The views from Victoria Peak are incredible
Victoria Peak gives you the absolute best view of the city, whilst the Peak itself offers plenty to explore. There’s often a queue to get on the sky tram which can take a while but purchasing a ticket for this also grants you entry to the Sky Terrace, which is where you can take all the best snaps.
If you’re unwilling to wait, taking an Uber up can potentially save you money, but you’ll have to pay an entrance fee for the Sky Terrace. There are shops and restaurants at the top of Victoria Peak too, so you don’t have to worry about paying just to see a spectacular view.
There’s a Disneyland AND a water theme park
Hong Kong has its very own Disneyland and while it’s not the biggest one in the world, it certainly has enough fun inside for a day trip. If you have a day to kill and you’ve seen all the sites, Ocean Park is similarly another fun option – this water theme park offers excitement for all ages and should be your first choice if you feel a little too old to enjoy Disneyland.
The Symphony of Lights is free fun
Every day at 8 pm for 10 minutes, Victoria Harbour offers an amazing light show that can be seen across the water. Hell, it’s even in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest permanent light show in the world! It’s free, it’s fun and there’s no other city doing anything like it every single evening.
It’s home to the resplendent Tian Tian Buddha
Better known as the big Buddha, this is one of Hong Kong’s biggest attractions (literally), standing (or rather sitting) at 34 metres high. It stands above the Po Lin Monastery, which is a beautiful place to walk around and gives you a true experience of Chinese culture. Located outside of the city, getting to the monastery requires a trip on a cable car where you’ll travel across the sea and forests and have a great view of the rural countryside.
You can walk the Avenue of Stars (also free!)
Modelled in a similar fashion to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, the Avenue of Stars is a walkway along Victoria Harbour that lets you get to know some of the biggest names of the Hong Kong film industry. It’s a public walkway so if you’re looking for a free activity in one of the most scenic locations of Hong Kong, look no further.
Hong Kong is a wonderfully diverse and interesting place to visit. It’s one of the most spectacularly beautiful places to walk around and there is so much to see, do and eat! If you’re an adventurer looking for inspiration, this is definitely the destination to add to your bucket list!
