Hong Kong is one of the world's great cities — a dazzling collision of soaring skyscrapers, mist-wrapped mountains and island beaches where East meets West at every turn. Beneath its iconic harbour skyline lies a place of frantic markets, world-class dim sum, double-decker trams and, surprisingly, some of Asia's finest hiking, with country parks and beaches barely a ferry ride from the neon. Efficient, exhilarating and endlessly international, it is a uniquely easy Asian city for newcomers.
Hong Kong has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, steamy summers, mild winters and pleasant, drier autumns. As a former British territory and global financial hub, it has a huge international community, and English is an official language used everywhere alongside Cantonese — making it one of the easiest cities in Asia to settle into. The cost of living, especially rent, is high, but salaries are strong and the transport, safety and sheer convenience are world-class.
Location Info
- Hugely international and English-friendly, with a world-class standard of living
- One of the safest major cities anywhere, day or night
- The superb MTR metro, trams, ferries and buses make getting around effortless
Top Experiences
Victoria Peak
Ride the historic Peak Tram up Hong Kong Island's highest point for the most famous view in Asia — a breathtaking panorama of the harbour and skyscraper canyons, especially after dark.
Victoria Harbour & the Star Ferry
Cross the harbour on the century-old Star Ferry for the price of a coffee, then catch the nightly Symphony of Lights show as the towers on both shores blaze and dance.
Dim Sum & Yum Cha
Hong Kong is a food capital. Spend a morning at a clattering teahouse over baskets of har gow, siu mai and barbecue pork buns — pure, delicious local ritual.
Temple Street & the Markets
Haggle and graze your way through the buzzing Temple Street Night Market and the surrounding maze of jade, flower, bird and goldfish markets in old Kowloon.
Hiking & the Beaches
Swap the neon for nature on the Dragon's Back ridge trail or the beaches and fishing villages of the outlying islands — three-quarters of Hong Kong is green country park.
Big Buddha & Lantau Island
Take the cable car over the hills to the giant Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery, then explore the old stilt-house fishing village of Tai O on Lantau Island.
Getting Around
Hong Kong has one of the best transport systems on Earth, and you'll rarely need a car. The fast, spotless MTR metro reaches almost everywhere, complemented by century-old trams, the Star Ferry, buses and minibuses — all paid for with a single tap-and-go Octopus card that also works in shops. Taxis are plentiful and reasonable, and the whole city is wonderfully walkable, if famously hilly.
When to Go
Autumn (October to early December) is the finest season — warm, dry, sunny and clear, ideal for hiking and the harbour. Spring is mild but humid and misty, summers (June to September) are hot, sticky and prone to typhoons and downpours, and winters are mild but can feel chilly and grey.
Good to Know
- The Hong Kong dollar (HK$) is the currency, and rent in particular is among the highest in the world.
- Cantonese and English are both official, and English is very widely spoken — settling in is easy.
- An Octopus card covers transport, shops and more, and is the first thing to pick up on arrival.
- Unlike mainland China, the internet is open and unrestricted, with no VPN needed.
- Hong Kong is extremely safe, with very low crime even late at night.
- The city runs on Hong Kong Time (GMT+8).
