After recently spending a period of time in Hong Kong, I can safely say there is much more than meets the eye to this oasis of sunshine and skyscrapers. From the city to the coastlines, Hong Kong is a world full of adventure waiting to be explored.

In this Guide I will be sharing how you can make the most of your visit to the wonderful region of Hong Kong, sharing information and insights on the best areas to visit, where to stay, and how you can get around this chaotic but yet so beautiful city and beyond.

Furthermore, if you’re looking to explore more of Hong Kong and broaden your horizons outside of the city, you can view further information on some of the best days trips within Hong Kong in an accompanying blog to this travel guide here.

Why Hong Kong?

From the concrete jungle to the fishing villages and the coast, Hong Kong has a lot more layers than you could ever imagine. A colourful playground of exploration and adventure, wherever you may be in the region, the vibrant nature of an area is always on full display. Divided into a number of districts and territories, each area of Hong Kong provides its own flavour and distinct cultural experiences for all to discover and enjoy. Within central Hong Kong you’ll find a bustling cosmopolitan city built on the impact of business and trade, however moving further afield you will come across looming mountain ranges and a series of coastlines and fishing villages with locals plying their trade. From the old to the new, Hong Kong showcases itself through its wide range of historical features beautifully.

When to Visit

With ridiculously hot and humid summers, and with the winters being cool but generally more dry, to have a more reliable and comfortable experience weather wise I would recommend coming between these times. Therefore around March-April or October-November I’d suggest would be the sweet spots. In my previous visits, I’ve been to Hong Kong in April a number of times where the weather was pleasant and just beginning to heat up, and most recently for a few weeks during July… yes it was hot and humid with a mix of weather, however if you enjoy the heat, then this time of year gives you another option.

How Long and Where to Stay

If you’re planning just a quick visit to see the main sights then 3-4 days will be enough, however in order to get a real feel for Hong Kong I’d suggest to stay a week. With a week to play with, you can take things slower and explore at a more even pace. Furthermore, these extra days will allow you to see a wider range of what Hong Kong has to offer outside of the city walls.

As for where to stay, on the numerous occasions I’ve been I’ve always stayed in Wan Chai or Causeway Bay. Located on the north shore of Hong Kong Island, these two areas sitting side-by-side offer a more high quality and business-like experience compared to elsewhere. A major shopping, leisure and cultural area within Hong Kong, these areas are home to a wide range and collection of shopping centres and restaurants for you to enjoy. Furthermore, another great reason to stay in this area is because both Wan Chai and Causeway MRT stations are ideally and centrally located to move around elsewhere. Located on the blue Island Line, you can get to anywhere on Hong Kong Island moving east or west quick and efficiently. In addition to this, you’re only a few stops from getting across to Kowloon. Whichever way you want to go, the choice from here is yours.

Getting Here and Around

From Hong Kong International Airport, the fastest and easiest way of reaching the city is by using the Airport Express. These trains cover the 35km distance in as little as 24 minutes, making it a speedy journey into the heart of Hong Kong. Further options include Bus routes servicing the whole of Hong Kong, and of course Taxi. While of course a more expensive option, a Taxi offers a flexible and door-to-door option of reaching your required destination.

Transportation around Hong Kong is very well connected, whether you’ll be using the MTR (Mass Transit Railway), Buses, Ferries or Taxis, they will get you where you want to be. For easiest use of Public Transport, I suggest purchasing an Octopus Card asap when arriving in Hong Kong and loading it up with money. A simple tap on and off system for the Metro and Buses makes for easy use. The Octopus card can be used for convenience purposes and in Restaurants too, and they are purchasable at all MTR Stations.

Photography/Camera Gear

As far as photography goes within Hong Kong, it is a match made in heaven. From the city skylines and the business scaling architecture, to the hustling market streets, the wide open landscapes and beyond, Hong Kong provides such a wide variety of unique genres for to you to shoot with and enjoy. Each day you’ll find new and interesting places, subjects, and viewpoints to photograph and discover. Every area of Hong Kong brings a different perspective to shoot from, keep you’re eyes open and shoot to your hearts content.

Photography is widely accepted and popular in Hong Kong as a whole, however when visiting certain areas such as religious temples, please be respectful of those worshipping and give attention to specific details regarding what you are and aren’t allowed to photograph. Throughout the trip I mostly found myself shooting with a 35mm or below due to the tight and crowded nature of the winding and busy streets. When it comes to landscape and architecture, the forever trusty 24-70mm is the way to go.

Hong Kong Island

To kick things off, we are going to start in the region of Hong Kong Island, and with the first activity being a favourite of many, Victoria Peak. Victoria Peak, or more locally just known as The Peak, offers sweeping views across the area down to Victoria Harbour and beyond. From here you can see skyscraper after skyscraper right across the city to the horizon of the mountains afar, and in my opinion it’s one of the best views and landscape scenes in Asia. To reach The Peak you have a few options, take the famous Peak Tram from Central, a public Bus, catching a ride in a iconic red Taxi, or if you fancy a workout, of course you can Hike.

After making your way back down, take the time to explore and digest in the many offerings that Central provides. The main business hub of Hong Kong at heart, this area is crammed with iconic towering architecture, swanky hotels and restaurants, but however also places away from the hustle and bustle such as Hong Kong Park.

Staying towards the centre of Hong Kong Island, another area I recommend visiting is that of Man Mo Temple and Hollywood Road. Hollywood Road is a historic figure point of the region as it was one of the very first roads to be built when the colony of Hong Kong was founded. Featured along this road is a series and collection of antique shops full of cultural and tasteful designs, from furniture to rugs and glass design, in these wacky independent stores you can find all sorts. Interestingly, the first Police Station in Hong Kong is located on this road also.

A feature point and iconic location in this area is Man Mo Temple. One of Hong Kong’s oldest and famous temples, this temple is recognised by its distinctive red colours and burning lanterns inside. As a place of worship, it’s important to be respectful and polite to those who are around you . Through the billowing smoke and the vibrant colours, you can feel a real sense of cultural impact and historical past inside.

From here, work your way back down the hill towards and through Graham Street Market. This market is Hong Kong’s oldest wet style and open-air market. Weaving its way between the skyscrapers and futuristic architecture of Central above, this market offers an abundance of foods and various items available to pick up on the go. Vegetables, Meats, Fruits galore, each stall has their own variation of products for you to try and explore. If you want to experience life from a local perspective, this is a great place to visit.

Moving east along Hong Kong Island, we come to the areas of Wan Chai and Causeway Bay. Both located side-by-side on the north shores of Hong Kong Island against the harbour and the bay, these two districts are more commonly known as the some of the busiest and most influential commercial areas in the region. Littered with iconic architecture and and high-rises alike, the vibrant and diverse nature of the community here welcome visitors with open arms and invites you to come and play.

If retail therapy is what you’re after, Causeway Bay offers some of finest shopping experiences around. Packed with department stores, luxury hotels and malls, this energetic area of Hong Kong features a bustling neighbourhood containing everything from the cool to the sublime. In addition to this, Causeway Bay also hosts a list of top dining locations and a high-end number of drinking joints and bars. If there’s one location in Hong Kong that has everything you need in one place, you’ll find it here.

After making your way across to Wan Chai, alongside a blend of retail hotspots, restaurants and bars, you’ll notice this area is where you’ll also find vibrant street markets and historical landmarks for you to explore and enjoy. Creating a unique blend of cultural charm and modern fantasy, Wan Chai is home to some of the regions most fascinating architecture and hidden spots you’ll struggle to find elsewhere. To view a glimpse of the historical and cultural aspect of Wan Chai, check out the impressive Pak Tai Temple, one of the largest temples in Hong Kong.

In my opinion, an underrated and alternative location worth visiting on this side of the bay is Kennedy Town. Located at the very west end of the blue Island Line, Kennedy Town still gives you that intercity vibe, but also a blend of coastal nature, and it’s away from the crowds. Down this end of town you’ll find things are much more calm and relaxed compared to the much more busy scene towards the centre of the city. Out here you can spend the day taking it easy and seeing things at a much slower pace, and the benefit of Kennedy Town is that it’s situated at the entrance to Victoria Harbour. Therefore down at the waterfront you can take strolls along the coastal walls and view the beautiful open landscape at the mouth and entry of the harbour and beyond. Within this area is also a number of interesting markets and trading areas to explore, have a look around and see what you can find.

Kowloon

As the most densely populated area of Hong Kong, Kowloon builds and prides itself on the reputation of moving at a frenetic pace. When mentioning Hong Kong, the name of Kowloon quickly follows. Historically, the actively progressive region of Kowloon was once home to the famous walled city, a hugely densely populated slum-like district in the heart of the region. Moving forward to the present day, although modernised in places, this urban area stills showcases many elements of its cultural past.

To start your exploration of Kowloon, there’s no place better than to visit Tsim Sha Tsui. Located at the very south of Kowloon along the bay, this great location provides stunningly beautiful scenery against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour and the opposing skyline over on Hong Kong Island. Take in the majestic views with a stroll along the promenade, start at the Star Ferry terminal and work your way along to the Avenue of Stars. Modelled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, this avenue honours the celebrities of the Hong Kong film industry.

Tsim Sha Tsui acts as major touristic hub in Hong Kong, alongside an extensive list of high-end malls with shops, restaurants and bars, this area is also home to many of the regions museums and cultural experiences. The most prolific of these being the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, located on the promenade, this multi-purpose facility hosts mainstream concerts and musicals amongst other significant events.

Now here is where things start to get a little more frenetic, but in a good way. Located just a few stops north of Tsim Sha Tsui, you’ll find hustle and bustle in motion within the district of Mong Kok. The busiest and most densely populated area in Hong Kong, Mong Kong is a blend of the old and the new, featuring maze after maze of narrow streets on end crammed with stores of all sorts and markets hoping to capture the attention of a shoppers delight.

The Ladies Market and the Flower Market are two standout locations here, however the most famous of them all is Temple Street Market. Just a little further south in the district of Jordan, Temple Street Market is a world famous night market known for its electric night time scene and authentic cultural experience. Stocking everything from clothes, to gadgets, multimedia wholesale foods and so much more, you could easily find yourself getting lost and caught up in the fun here for a few hours or more. Furthermore, if you’re a fan of street food, then by coming here you have made it to the right place for sure.

Overall, the districts located from Mong Kok and Prince Edward to Jordan are elaborated further by its nightlife scene. During the day things are still busy, however it’s when the night falls things really start coming to life. From the bars, nightclubs, to just the general aesthetic of it all, when the neon lights get switched on and the Moon comes out to play, it creates such a sense of buzz and excitement, so even if it’s just for one night, this is an area I definitely suggest to explore.

For a more relaxed and chilled experience this side of the bay, I suggest hitting up the areas of Diamond Hill, Choi Hung, and Kowloon Bay. Located next to and easy to jump from one to another on the Kwun Tong Line (MTR), a day spent here allows you to have a day spent at a more calmer pace.

Starting off at Diamond Hill, here you’ll find two of the most renowned and famous attractions in Hong Kong, and better yet they’re free. The Chi Lin Nunnery is a Buddhist temple with architecture built in the style of the Tang dynasty, and as a further connection directly opposite the temple there is Nan Lien Garden. Once again, the garden is designed in the same style and is shaped out to be a classical Chinese garden, complete with water features, rocks and trees. A leisurely stroll around these two locations is something I recommend.

Making a quick stop at Choi Hung, when you exit the station, look out for the adventurous and dynamic market full of stalls as far as the eye can see. A market within a maze, you could easily spend a lot of time here wandering down each aisle exploring what you can see. Clothes, Food, Gadget, Toys and Furniture, there’s not much you won’t see. However, the main reason I suggest stopping here is to make a visit to the Choi Hung Estate. Not sounding much on the face of it, this is a place you more than likely have seen. Firstly, make your way up to the top of the Choi Hung Estate Car Park, then here you will find a wildly colourful Basketball Court, and in the background a beautiful view of the equivalently colourful estate behind. A place full of energy and enthusiasm, this location symbolises the joyful nature of Hong Kong.

For the last stop, get off the MTR at Kowloon Bay. A peaceful and relaxing area of Hong Kong, this a perfect place to escape the madness of the city and collect your inner thoughts with a scenic stroll along the bay. An area where the former Kai Tak Airport once was, this newer section of Hong Kong allows for views across Victoria Harbour and also the mountains beyond. The view of the skyline here is stunning, to be able to see the city with a clear view at ground level is breathtaking, and it emphasises the pure size and scale of Hong Kong.

New Territories

The region of the New Territories is one that a lot of people probably have not seen or heard much of. If Kowloon and Hong Kong Island is for business and corporate, then the areas within the New Territories is for the locals at heart. The New Territories is a region full of wetlands, parks and mountains, and is also the home of the outlying islands. Here you will find a more traditional relaxed culture and a personal way of life. Bound by a sense of freedom and community spirit, the day to day activity here is a slow burner compared to that in the city.

Including the most well known outlying islands of Hong Kong that includes Lamma and Lantau Islands, the New Territories actually make up a total of over 86% of Hong Kong’s territory, which considering how vast and desolate parts of Hong Kong can be, that’s a huge percentage compared to the world renowned central city.

To gain access to certain areas it can be hard, a lot of the islands can be discovered by Boat, but inland the MTR only goes out so far. Therefore to go further into the region, buses and minibuses alongside a taxi is your only hope. Personally, I haven't seen a lot of the New Territories region in my numerous visits to Hong Kong, however it’s somewhere in the future I’m looking to go back and explore.

Saying this, the island of Lantau and the area of Sai Kung are two areas within the region I have seen and explored. Both of them include the typical aspects and features you’d expect to see, a family orientated way of life and a more cultural dominant figure, these are two beautiful places in the area I fully recommend to visit. For more information on these two locations within the New Territories, keep reading and scroll down to the next paragraph, or easier yet, click the link for the adjacent Hong Kong Guide of Days Trips in Hong Kong here.

Day Trips in Hong Kong

In addition to the main areas and districts within Hong Kong, due to its towering architecture and densely populated territories, after spending a number of Days in the City, it is possible to feel overwhelmed. Fear not, thankfully Hong Kong is also host to a various selection of beautiful reservoirs and outback scenic paradises allowing you to relax and escape from the crowds.

From the laid back and scenic region of Sai Kung, to the golden sand beaches and rugged mountain landscapes of Shek O, and the stunningly beautiful fishing village on Lantau Island called Tai O, these are just a few choices in regard to escaping the City for the day. To find out more about these areas and other day trip options, please visit the accompanying guide which I will link here.