This post will provide you with a little bit of history, tips for navigating this amazing city, and how to choose a neighborhood and hotel on your next trip to Hong Kong. For a full Hong Kong itinerary, check out my post, Three Days in Hong Kong, An Itinerary.
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A Bit of Hong Kong History
Before your trip to Hong Kong, you should know a little bit about its history. This brief history will give you some context before your trip to Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a fascinating place with a fascinating history. It has an East meets West and an old meets modern vibe that stems from its history as an important port city. Most people know that the UK used to govern this small yet big city, but most don´t know why.
The answer is that Hong Kong has always been, in reality, a part of China. As a result of the Opium Wars, China gave Britain use of Hong Kong as a port in 1842. Subsequently, in 1898, China leased Kowloon and the New Territories (in addition to Hong Kong Island) to the UK for 99 years. While it was only a small fishing village back in the 1800s, it grew into an enormous, and important port. The use of Hong Kong as a port by the British, and its subsequent lease, were essentially concessions by China to avoid war with the UK and to allow the UK to freely import opium into the country – something China had been fighting against for many years.
In 1997, at the end of the lease, the UK returned Hong Kong and its territories to China. However, they´d completely transformed it from a small fishing village to a thriving trade hub and financial center. It also developed its own distinct culture. Now, Hong Kong is a territory of China once again. Although Hong Kongers do have their own passport, government, laws, etc. It will be interesting to see how the city evolves over the next 100 years, as even in the five or so years since I´ve last visited, I already see the influence of China on the landscape of the city.
Important Details For Your Trip to Hong Kong
When planning a trip to Hong Kong, there are a few questions you might ask yourself. This is a small city, but densely packed, and these are the questions I would have asked before traveling there the first time. Hopefully, this makes your trip as smooth as possible! Comment below with any additional questions you may have.
Hong Kong Island or Kowloon?
There are essentially two major areas to stay in HK. Hong Kong Island is where a lot of the tourist attractions are located, so if it´s your first time, I would stay here. Kowloon has a more local feel and also has some amazing neighborhoods. Both are good, it just depends on what you´re doing and what type of experience you´re interested in. Regardless of where you stay, you should explore both.
How Should I Get from Hong Kong Airport to the City?
The airport express is your best option. When you exit customs, there will be a counter to your left before you get to arrivals. This counter sells airport express tickets. They cost between $70 – 115 HKD ($8 – 15 USD) one-way, and the train will get you to the city within 30 minutes. The train runs every 10 minutes from 5:54 AM – 0:48 AM. Note that you cannot use the airport express tickets on the metro. It requires a different ticket or Octopus Card. A taxi from the airport will cost between $200 – $300 HKD ($25 – $40) one-way depending on your destination. You must have cash to take a taxi from the airport and they will ask you before they get you a taxi. Below I explain why getting an Octopus Card as soon as possible is the best option!
Should I Get the Octopus Card?
The Octopus Card is an essential item to have in Hong Kong! It can be used in all modes of transport – metro, bus, ferry, peak tram, airport express, etc. (except sometimes taxis) in Hong Kong. You can only fill it with cash. There´s also an app you can connect to your bank, but this is unnecessary for a short stay. You can even use it at 7/11!
What Taxi Service Should I Use in Hong Kong?
Most taxis only take cash. Some take Octopus cards. The red ones can go anywhere in Hong Kong. The green ones serve the New Territories. The blue ones serve Lantau Island. I never use apps in Hong Kong – only taxis.
What Language is Spoken in Hong Kong?
Officially languages are English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, but don´t expect everyone to speak English. A lot of small shop owners and taxi drivers will not, so be prepared to show what you want or where you´re going.
Where to Stay in Hong Kong
There are a ton of hotels in Hong Kong. It´s important to know that for Asia, Hong Kong is quite expensive. We went to Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Indonesia on this trip and Hong Kong was by far our most expensive accommodation cost. That said, you can get something very nice for around $200 per night. Your money generally goes farther in Hong Kong (and definitely in Asia in general) than in the U.S. Obviously, this all depends on your frame of reference.
Central
Central is, no pun intended, the most central location you can stay in in Hong Kong. It´s close to a lot of tourist attractions (Victoria Peak, Star Ferry, etc.), and the neighborhoods of SoHo and Lan Kwai Fong (LKF). If it´s your first time in the city, this is a great option. There are also a ton of restaurants around here and we ended up going to Central a lot to eat. One downside is that because it´s so central, it´s also more expensive.
- The Pottinger – This hotel has a classic design with a bit of a Hong Kong touch. If you´re looking for a more traditional hotel with an upscale feel, this is your spot. The location is also very close to Central station and many great restaurants.
- The Murray – I´ve had my eyes on The Murray since it opened in 2018 and I´d love to stay there someday. It´s a modern, chic option with a ton of amenities. It´s located on Hong Kong Park very close to the Peak Tram, so it´s also a great option for tourists.
- Mandarin Oriental – This is the most pricey option, but I think the Mandarin Orientals in Asia are some of the best. If anything, you can visit the restaurants. Obviously, it has incredible amenities and is in a very central location as well.
Wan Chai
Wan Chai is just east of Central and it´s the neighborhood I have always stayed in for work, so it´s familiar to me. I also like that it´s near Central (two metro stops) but not in Central. There are also many amazing hotels here. This is where we stayed and we really enjoyed it.
- The Fleming – Ultimately I chose this hotel for our stay, and wow, it was amazing. The design details are incredible, the bed was extremely comfortable, and it was the perfect place to land after a long flight or day out. It was so quiet and it felt luxurious. They were also nice enough to upgrade us to a Medium room and provide breakfast, which was great. We loved it and would stay again.
- The Hari – This was my second choice hotel for our stay. It has 5 stars, it´s located a few blocks from Wan Chai station and it has a relaxing, Japanese style. Ultimately I went with The Fleming because I liked the more vintage design, but The Hari is a minimalist oasis, which can be great in a city like Hong Kong.
- The Aki – This hotel also has a Japanese, simplistic style, and it has great reviews. I also like that it has a little gym because that feels like a luxury in Hong Kong hotels. Space is so valued in this city that any amenity is a luxury.
Kowloon
Kowloon is a big area with many neighborhoods. I´ve stayed in both Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, and I think if you´re in Hong Kong for a second time, or looking to explore the city on a deeper level, it´s absolutely worth staying in Kowloon. A few neighborhoods you might want to check out include Tsim Sha Tsui, Sham Shui Po, and Mong Kok. Here are a few hotels I´d recommend on the Kowloon side.
- Page 148 – We stayed at Page 148 for one night on our way back from Asia this time and it was a great spot. It has a cool coffee shop below it (a nod to the neighborhood) and is located close to the Jordan metro station. We loved staying here and just exploring the surrounding area. This hotel would be a great jumping-off point for your stay. I also think it´s great value for your money.
- The Penninsula Hong Kong – The Penninsula Hong Kong is so iconic that it would be a dream to stay there. It is a luxurious hotel known for its decor and high tea in addition to its five-star service. It is well-located in Kowloon, and if you´re looking for a five-star experience, it´s the option.
- Mondrian Hong Kong – If you´re looking for amazing views of the harbor, you´re going to get them on the Kowloon side. There are many hotels that provide incredible, views including The Rosewood, K11 Artus, The Four Seasons (HK Island side) and more. The Mondrian is a great option if you want the views without breaking the bank. At the very least, get a drink at one of their sky bars to see the view without the price tag!
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