Hong Kong is an incredibly diverse city, defined by a blend of traditional and modern technology as well as Chinese, British and South East Asian culture. Ultra-modern skyscrapers create a glittering skyline, while ferries, junks and barges duck and weave on the harbour. Explore at street level for traditional Chinese dining in the covered markets and thriving restaurants.
Hong Kong was originally a string of fishing villages, before English colonisation in the 19th century and rapid modernisation after WW2 * Hong Kong translates as “Fragrant Harbour”, which seems ironic in light of today’s industrialisation * Hong Kong boasts over 8,000 skyscrapers of fourteen stories or above
Hong Kong is made up of 4 different areas: Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands. The common perception is that Hong Kong is a self-contained city but it’s actually a sprawling archipelago of 260 islands. The majority of people live in the Kowloon area which include Kowloon City, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok. Kowloon City and Tsim Sha Tsui are a good choice for families, with green space at the Kowloon Park and the nearby harbourside for when the kids need a break from the hectic streetscape. Mong Kok is a favoured base for serial shoppers, as it’s home to some of the best markets - the Ladies Market, and Computer Centre among them. Over on Hong Kong Island are the other popular districts of Hollywood Road (a good choice for art-lovers) and Causeway Bay, which boasts some of the biggest and best malls.
Hong Kong has an interesting history and it’s worth learning a bit about the city before you start to explore.The Hong Kong Museum of History in Kowloon uncovers the islands’ heritage and natural history, as well as its relationship to Britain and the Chinese mainland. Across the harbour, investigate the rich visual arts tradition of Hong Kong at Hollywood Road, a fantastic strip of antique shops crammed with museum-worthy rugs, porcelain, art and jewellery. Look out for the kitsch Chairman Mao paraphernalia too! With low taxes and very fierce competition between sellers, Hong Kong is a shopper’s paradise. Trawl the dozens of glittering malls for genuine or knock-off designer pieces, before moving on to the outdoor markets specialising in cheap clothes, shoes and jewellery. It’s also a great place to buy a phone or laptop if you are in the market for a new one.
Hong Kong is heavenly if you love Chinese and South-East Asian food. The dominant cuisine here is Cantonese, a riot of seafood and blended spices. For a Michelin starred experience, head straight to Lung King Heen, the world’s first Chinese restaurant to receive three of them: enjoy one of the finest Cantonese menus in the world, while soaking up the harbour views. A tour of the Kowloon District is one of the best w ays you could ever spend three hours, taking you on a whirlwind culinary walking tour of one of the most delicious districts in the city. You will be able to sample speciality dishes from the open-air food stalls such as wine chicken, crispy wonton noodles and minced beef clay pot. There are also several markets each night throughout the city, where hawkers serve up everything from Shanghai Dumplings to Frog Porridge.
Hong Kong city is easily reachable from the airport via the Airport Express train which leaves every ten minutes, and takes 24 minutes to Kowloon station. Hong Kong boasts one of the safest and most efficient public transport systems in the world. Get an Octopus Card which can be used for all forms of public transport (except most of the red-top minibuses and taxis), as well as being accepted as a payment method in almost all convenience stores. The MTR is Hong Kong’s metro system and is the best way to travel around the city. There are also the ferries connecting Kowloon with Hong Kong Island and the Outlying Islands. Hong Kong Island has its own double decker trams, which have been operating through Hong Kong’s busiest districts since 1904. Take a seat on the top deck and enjoy the views as you ride through bustling streets.
Wimdu is Europe's largest marketplace for private accommodation. With over 300,000 lettings in more than 150 countries, you're sure to find the perfect place to stay.