If you want to be blown away by efficiency and organization, then go to Hong Kong. I was very surprised to see how tourist friendly this city is. For starters it is important to highlight that Hong Kong was a British colony for more than 100 years and because of this, English is present everywhere you go. Was just 20 years ago that Hong Kong went back to China.
From the moment I set foot on this island I sensed how cosmopolitan this city is. A lot of international people living and working there, bringing a true global flavor to it. Known as a shopping mecca, with all major brands showcasing their last fashion trends to colorful farmer markets embracing their strong Chinese culture all around the city.
I never thought of Hong Kong as a fun an exciting place but this is far from the truth. Entertainment and nightlife is part of the culture. Hong Kong is truly a place of several faces that must be explored.
Valuable Tips
Below I am listing 7 valuable tips that can prepare you for your travels to Hong Kong.
- Don’t be afraid of the language barrier, most people speak some English.
- Very easy to move around. Directional signs throughout the city are bilingual (English and Chinese). Same at the airport, directional signs are very clear.
- Currency use is Hong Kong dollars. I recommend you exchange some money at the airport just to have handy for the first few hours to pay for transportation and meals. Then you can exchange more money at a better rate in the city.
- Getting to and from the airport you can take the Airport Express that costs HK$100, easy and fast to use. If you get in late in the day and you are tired, I recommend just taking a taxi. There are plenty of taxis waiting and it is not super expensive. I paid HK$350 one way.
- Transportation is very user friendly. The metro system takes you everywhere and very easy to use. Buy an “Octopus” card and add funds as you go. You can get the card at the customer service desk at any of the metro stations. Taxis are always an option but because of the good public transport you may never have to take one. There is also the ferry system that is very convenient as well. I was staying in Hong Kong Island and used it a couple times to cross to go to Kowloon. The scenery is very nice.
- Eating and drinking on the metro is not allowed. You can eat at the main level before you enter. Once you pass to the paid section no food or beverages are allowed. This is why the metro is so clean and nice.
- Traffic drives on the left side, British system. This is important to know for safety reasons when you are waiting to cross streets.
- For restaurants recommendations and reviews use Openrice.com. Is a well known application and widely used in many countries in Asia.
Hope these few tips gives you peace of mind and know that you will have no problem in Hong Kong. Have a good time and enjoy!
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