The city of Hong Kong has a lot to offer visitors, whether you’re a foodie, a shopaholic, or a thrill seeker. From the beautiful skyline, to those rooftop bars, to the endless choices of restaurants and activities; there is truly something for everyone in this cosmopolitan metropolis.

But it’s not just the things to do in Hong Kong that make it so special – it’s how you experience them. Getting around the city is easy and affordable with the city buses, subways, and taxis. You can also rent a private car to tour the city at your leisure. There are also plenty of sightseeing tours to choose from, and Hong Kong is home to some of the world’s best shopping.

While Hong Kong may be a bustling city, there are plenty of spots for peace and tranquility. One of the most popular is Victoria Peak, which offers stunning views of the city and is a favorite spot for hiking. Another is the Kowloon Waterfall Gardens, which is a hidden gem where you can escape from the noise of the city and walk through winding pathways with waterfalls and flowers.

If you’re looking to get a bird’s eye view of Hong Kong, head to the Sky100 observatory. It is located atop the International Commerce Centre and offers breathtaking panoramas of the cityscape. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Mainland China.

A visit to Hong Kong is not complete without trying some of the city’s famous cuisine. The most iconic dish is dim sum, which is a savory and delicious combination of dumplings, steamed breads, and other treats. You can find the best dim sum in the city at the famous dim sum restaurant, Tim Ho Wan, or in many other stalls and restaurants around town.

Visiting Hong Kong is also the perfect time to experience some of the country’s rich culture. The biggest festival is Chinese New Year, which takes place in February and is celebrated by the people of Hong Kong with lion and dragon dances throughout the streets. Many shops and malls are decorated with red lanterns for the occasion, which is a symbol of luck in Chinese culture.

Other cultural experiences include the Temple Street Night Market, which is the largest evening market in Hong Kong. The market offers countless stalls selling cheap clothing, shoes, CDs and DVDs, and household items. You can also have your fortune told at one of the many late night fortune tellers near the Tin Hau Temple.

Those who want to take in the beauty of Hong Kong’s nature can do so at the Wetland Park, which is an oasis of greenery in the heart of the city. There are plenty of trails to explore, and you can learn about the area’s ecology at the various educational exhibits.

Hong Kong is a fashion lover’s paradise with everything from luxury boutiques to budget outfitters. It’s a good idea to be aware of the two sale seasons and savvy shoppers can find bargains throughout the year. The summer sale season is from July to September and winter sales are in December to February (with additional discounts for the Spring Festival).

A shopping paradise for fashionistas and electronic junkies, Hong Kong has something for everyone. The huge malls are filled with designer and brand names that make it easy to update wardrobes and buy a new gadget. The street markets are a bargain hunter’s dream with inexpensive clothing, jewelry and housewares. It’s a great place to buy souvenirs and gifts for friends and family back home. Short-term visitors can save even more money in the large stores and malls by showing their passports to receive tax rebates.

The massive IFC mall is a luxury shopping destination in Hong Kong with designer brands, young brands, cosmetic brands, gourmet food shops, a city super grocery store, multiple restaurants and desserts, and a Lane Crawford department store. You can easily spend a whole day shopping and eating at this massive mall. Many of the Admiralty hotels are connected to this mall which makes it extremely convenient for hotel guests to shop without having to venture outside and can even grab their dinner, snacks, and a taxi from inside the hotel!

While you are shopping for clothes in Hong Kong, be sure to haggle – the marked prices are often suggested and not set in stone. Many of the street markets are full of tourists and locals who want to get a better deal for their hard-earned cash. Some people may be approached by touts or sellers who try to lure you into their backroom to sell fake handbags, bootlegged movies, and other shady goods – don’t fall for these traps and always shop at trusted stores.

If you are looking for a great bargain, visit the Ladies’ Market in Tung Choi Street in Mong Kok and the Temple Street Night Market in Kowloon for an array of bargain-priced garments and trinkets. You can also purchase silk products, Chinese artwork, and luggage.

Another great option is Stanley Market, where you can find the same types of items that you would find at IFC Mall except at a quieter and cleaner location. My favorite finds here include limited edition watercolors of Hong Kong that hang in my home and name chops, which are personalized Chinese characters with your name written in calligraphy.

Beauty lovers will love Hong Kong, as it has a wide range of cosmetics and skincare products from Western to Asian brands. You can also score some of the best deals in the world on beauty products thanks to the lack of sales tax. Many major departmental and chain stores carry makeup from Western and Asian brands. For shoe lovers, the Fa Yuen Street sneaker market is worth a trip to see the mind-blowing selection of sneakers spread out over 50 stores.

With the COVID-19 pandemic slowly abating, demand for travel to China has begun to recover and premium cabins on international flights into the country are starting to fill up again. However, it will be months before large-scale international travel begins again and ticket prices are likely to remain elevated as airlines work to bring capacity back online.

China continues to impose strict restrictions on travel by foreign nationals, including the requirement for all visitors to have an approved visa. The Chinese government has recently eased some of these restrictions, but travellers should be aware that it is still a high-risk destination and that restrictions can change quickly.

The majority of Chinese internet users access the internet via mobile devices and use mobile payments for online transactions. Increasingly, these transactions are made through mobile payment apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay. These apps have expanded the reach of online shopping across the country and are also driving the growth of mobile-based e-commerce in China.

While the number of Chinese international travelers has climbed as the COVID-19 pandemic has diminished, bookings for group tours to China have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. This is due to the high cost of airfares, which have increased by as much as 50 percent during the pandemic. In the short term, many travelers will be able to only afford business class flights to China and that will limit their opportunities for leisure travel.

There are significant restrictions on political activities in China, and you can be detained if you participate in protests or send private electronic messages critical of the government. Travel near military installations is restricted and photographs of these facilities are not allowed. Commercial surrogacy arrangements are illegal and you may be arrested if you engage in this activity.

Chinese authorities can place exit bans on specific individuals to prevent them from leaving the country. These can be related to investigations, civil or criminal matters and are sometimes related to employment-related issues. If you have concerns that you might be subject to an exit ban, consult a lawyer or contact the nearest office of the Government of Canada.

If you have dual citizenship, carry evidence that you have formally renounced your Chinese citizenship. If you enter China using a Chinese passport or identity card, you will be treated as a Chinese citizen by the Chinese authorities and the Embassy of Canada cannot provide consular assistance.

It is not advisable to visit Tibet, the Tibetan Autonomous Region or other parts of China that are closed to tourists. This could result in a lengthy detention or worse. See Local laws and customs and Safety and security for more information. If you have any questions or concerns about your citizenship or identity in China, contact the nearest office of the Government of Canada.

Hong Kong is at once exactly what you expect it to be and completely unexpected. It’s a compact city bursting with energy and glamour, jutting up against green open space dotted with hiking trails, swimming beaches, and subtropical flora. It’s a place where East and West collide and clash in an exhilarating, chaotic harmony that draws visitors from all corners of the globe.

Getting Around

The best way to get around is by public transportation which is fast, clean, and cheap. The MTR is the most popular form of transport, and you can pick up a tourist Octopus Card at most metro stations or ferry ticket offices in Central. The cards have HK$50 pre-loaded and can be refilled at the same location for even more value (they’re also fully refundable if you don’t use them). If you plan on using the MTR often, this is definitely the way to go!

If you prefer to get around by bus, minibus, or tram try to book your tickets ahead of time as queues can be long. Taxis are available if you’re in a hurry, but they can be expensive and often overcrowded during rush hour. Having navigation like Google Maps installed on your phone will help you find your way.

Where to Stay

The best place to stay in Hong Kong depends on your budget, but either the Hong Kong Island or Kowloon side are both great options. On the Hong Kong Island, the Central and Wan Chai area are great walkable spots that are easily accessible to the MTR. On the Kowloon side, staying closer to the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade will put you in a good position for all the restaurants and nightlife.

When to Visit

The weather in Hong Kong can be quite unpredictable so make sure you have a flexible itinerary! The summers are hot and humid, and the winters are chilly. The best times to visit are from March to early June, and September to November.

What to Do

There’s so much to do in Hong Kong, from wandering through Song dynasty villages and cheering at the city-center horse races to kayaking among volcanic sea arches and exploring a reconstructed pirate village. But don’t be overwhelmed by choice – it’s easy to narrow down your options by picking a few must-see attractions and then letting the rest of your trip be spontaneous.