Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) is the ultimate shopping capital of Asia. You can buy absolutely anything that piques your fancy. There’s the latest tech, the latest fashion trends, and the latest aesthetic treatments. Hong Kong is brimming, overflowing with things to offer. There is fine-, mid-, low- and every level in between when it comes to shopping and dining. You have to be THE pickiest person on earth if you can’t find something you like in Hong Kong. As a shopping mecca, every inch of the city is designed to get you to part with your money; the entire place screams spend, spend, spend. It’s an assault on the senses when you land in Hong Kong, but worth your while if you enjoy spectacular big cities. 

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase after clicking on one of the affiliate links. I only recommend products I’ve personally used and liked. All opinions are my own. 

Essentials 

Language: Locals mainly speak Cantonese Chinese, but Mandarin Chinese is common too. Most businesses are also comfortable speaking in English. 

Currency: the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD). 

Voltage: 220 volts. Hong Kong uses the 3-pronged UK-style plugs. See my post on Essential Items to Pack in your Carry-on for tips on what plug adapters to buy.

Major Train Station: MTR is the main subway station for getting around Hong Kong. To get to mainland China, head to either the Hung Hom or West Kowloon high speed train stations which are all accessible by the MRT subway. See MTR System Map for more info. 

Major Airport: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) 

Best time to visit: During the colder months of November to February or April. It gets really hot and humid so bring plenty of water and sunscreen. 

Getting There 

There are plenty of direct flights to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). Keep in mind the flight takes about 14 hours from Toronto, so definitely wear comfy clothes and pack some good books to pass the time!

Depending on your accommodation location, the airport express from HKG is super convenient for getting across Hong Kong. It’s located on the MTR Subway line (Hong Kong’s major subway transportation) and should get you to anywhere you need. Ask the customer service counter for how to get around and which ticket you need to buy to hop on the airport express. Make sure to get an octopus card! These tap on/tap off cards make the city run. Get one, add some money to it, and simply reload when you run out of credit. It makes travelling around the city ultra convenient.

There’s always the option of taking a taxi or Uber which’ll cost you around 350 HKD to get to the Kowloon side. 

Where to Stay 

Hong Kong is composed of several islands, but the two main parts are Kowloon (attached to mainland China) and the island of Hong Kong (you’ll see this simply referred to as Hong Kong on road signs). The infamous Victoria Harbour separates the two landmasses and you can get across easily either by the Star Ferry or the MTR underground subway. 

Hong Kong island is newer and more modern since it’s the main business district. The Peak tourist attraction is located on this island and might make it slightly more convenient for you to visit it. However, both sides are filled with lots of shopping, dining, and tourist sights, and it’s easy to get around in the MTR. I say take into account the distance to tourist locations and price of accommodations to help you decide which parts of Hong Kong you want to stay at. 

Avoid staying in ChungKing Mansion on Tsim Sha Tsui. It’s in a prime location but, unfortunately, it’s a building of ill-repute and unsafe for visitors. You’ll see some tourist websites touting it as a cool place to go for far-flung cuisine, but I recommend to avoid it in general for safety reasons. 

What to See and Do 

There are an infinite number of things you can do in Hong Kong. New shops pop up like daisies everyday and you truly can shop until your feet hurt (or until you’ve emptied your bank account). Like I said earlier, Hong Kong is designed to get you to part with your money, so here’s a list of things to see and do that I think are worth paying for. 

Buy tours with Viator to explore Hong Kong with local guides. A good, curated tour saves you the hassle of commute and planning. Check out my list of curated Viator tours to Hong Kong.

Best Spots to View Victoria Harbour 

Tsim Sha Tsui and the Avenue of Stars 

A boardwalk right along the harbour of Tsim Sha Tsui with the most famous view of Victoria Harbour. Best part: it’s free to walk! Definitely come here during the day and in the evening to catch both views of the skyscrapers. All the towers are lit up at night and they flash advertising and play funky animations, making it a great chance to get some night time photos. Walk down further to the Avenue of Stars to view some celebrity handprints and the great statue of Bruce Lee. 

Star Ferry 

The little wooden boat has been in operation since British Colonial rule. It ferries passengers back and forth from Kowloon to Hong Kong island and it’s a fun and breezy way to get a great view of Hong Kong. It’s cheap to ride (about 6 HKD) and the trip takes about 15 minutes. I mean, you could just take the MTR subway if you’re in a rush (the ride only takes 2 minutes to cross under the harbour!) but you won’t get to enjoy the view. 

Hong Kong Museum of Art (MOA) 

A fantastic and free museum to see some classical Chinese antiquities. Stroll along the corridors on each floor and there are floor-to-ceiling windows giving you a fantastic view of Victoria Harbour. There’s also a restaurant here called Hue (discussed further below) which, if you walk all the way to the bar, has a wonderful view of Victoria Harbour as well. Enjoy a cup of coffee here with the incredible view. 

The Peak Tramway 

The tram, leading up the peak, has been operating for over 130 years. Take this tram up over 1300 feet to get an impeccable view of both sides of Hong Kong. Once at the top, make sure to head to the Sky Terrace for the view. It gets pretty windy up there so watch your belongings. 

Lantau Island for the Big Buddha 

Lantau Island is home to the giant bronze Buddha. You might even be able to spot this Buddha on top of the mountain if you’re ever riding on a bus towards Lantau Island. Take the Ngong Ping 360 cable car up over water and mountains to land at the historical village leading to the Big Buddha. During your cable car ride (it takes about 15 minutes for the entire trip), watch out for the airport island and you can see planes taking off. You’ll also be able to see the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai Bridge. A 55 km bridge leading from Hong Kong SAR to Macau SAR. Once at the top, climb up several stairs to reach the Buddha and spot the lovely monastery in the distance. 

Restaurants with the Best Views of Victoria Harbour 

A restaurant with a fine view of Victoria Harbour is beyond fantastical. Fine-dining restaurants definitely charge a premium for a view of Victoria Harbour and some are worth splurging on. However, I’ve tried to curate a list of dining options where paying for a cup of coffee (needless to say it’ll be a more expensive cup of coffee) can get you a seat with a view of Victoria Harbour. 

The Lobby Lounge at the Regent 

The Regent hotel underwent a colossal renovation and re-opened to massive fanfare. It showcases Hong Kong luxury at its most luxurious and you can enjoy a bit of that luxury with a cup of coffee at The Lobby Lounge. It’s the ground floor restaurant with spectacular, eye-level views of Victoria Harbour. Your cup of coffee is going to be pricey, but it is absolutely worth it for the view. The decor is sumptuous so don’t skip out on selfies! 

Tin Lung Heen at the Ritz Carlton

Definitely my most splurge-worthy recommendation in this guide. Located on the 103rd floor, Tin Lung Heen is a 2 Michelin star restaurant serving Cantonese cuisine. You’ll get a fantastic bird’s-eye view of the entire Kowloon and Victoria Harbour skyline. A cool feature I think is the long golden corridor by the washrooms which is worth taking some selfies in. 

Aqua 

This place serves Italian and Japanese cuisine and the view of Victoria Harbour is incomparable from here. This restaurant also gives a bird’s-eye view of Victoria Harbour but it’s not so high up that you feel like you’re looking at toy models. The harbour is just close enough to give a deluxe view of the harbour, but high enough to give it scale. 

Hue at the Hong Kong Museum of Art 

A fine-dining restaurant of seafood and steak at the Hong Kong MOA. Walk all the way to the bar and there’s an alcove of a few seats by towering floor-to-ceiling windows with straight-on views of Victoria Harbour. I ordered a cup of coffee here to enjoy the view, but there are dining tables facing the views head-on if you’d like to have dinner instead. 

Starbucks on Tsim Sha Tsui 

A hidden little gem of a Starbucks on Tsim Sha Tsui. It has great head-on views of Victoria Harbour especially if you sit on the balcony on the second floor. Enjoy a grande latte here and sit for as long as you like. 

Shopping 

Hong Kong offers the finest shopping experience from top, luxury brands to bargain finds and everything in between. I’ve listed some fun, bargain buy places and fancier boutiques to give you a range of shopping experiences. 

Nathan Road Shopping 

Nathan Road is the main street in Mong Kok and there are countless clothing and tech stores along this road. There are name brands next to bargain buys next to knick knack stores. Really, you can find anything on this road. Simply stroll and walk into any store that looks interesting and you can end up all the way at Tsim Sha Tsui. 

Ladies Market at Mong Kok Station 

Yes, it’s a tourist spot but I love it for its eclectic mix of stuff to buy. It’s mainly clothing stores selling Japanese or Korean fashion, but there’s also costume jewellery and fashion accessories you can pick up on a whim. Note that the buys here are more for fast looks rather than quality. 

Park Lane 

A long lane of shopping where the clothing and accessories are much higher quality and pretty unique. It’s a lot of individual boutiques that sell trendy outfits. I highly recommend shopping if you want some ready-to-wear outfits where the quality is pretty decent. Again, fashion is influenced from Korea and Japan and lots of jewellery and accessories are available for sale. 

MOKO Mall

A well-rounded indoor mall in Mong Kok. If you prefer some mid-tier brand names and indoor shopping then this place could be for you. First floor is all cosmetics with the higher floors being all clothing, accessories, restaurants, and tech.

Ocean Terminal at Tsim Sha Tsui 

An indoor mall right by the harbour with lots of top-tier, expensive brand names to buy from. It’s splurge-worthy if you find something of high-quality you like. I personally liked visiting the MoMa design store where I found some lovely pop-up postcards. There’s a bar on the roof that’s great for a break if shopping gets too exhausting. 

Hollywood Road in Sheung Wan 

Also known as the antiques district because you’ll find endless stores selling Chinese antiques. Now, I’m not really sure how to tell if they’re authentic Chinese antiques or not. Some places are a bit more reputable, but definitely do your research if you’re serious about buying antiques. My personal recommendation is to assume you’re buying a nice piece of artwork versus an authentic antique and to simply appreciate the craftsmanship for what it is. You can absolutely bargain about the price and pay what you’re comfortable with — or walk away if the price sounds too absurd.

Heritage Sites 

1881 Heritage Site 

A lovely little hidden but not-so-hidden gem in the heart of downtown Kowloon. Located almost right next to the Peninsula hotel, the 1881 Heritage site was a former marine lookout where they’d warn sailors of imminent typhoons. It’s a really beautiful place with artificial waterfalls and art sculptures. 

Man Mo Temple 

A temple is Sheung Wan dedicated to the Gods of Literature and War. There are magnificent incense coils hanging from the ceilings and beautiful, but ghostly, hand-carved wooden gods on the altars. The temple offers respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s quite intimate and even feels haunted at times, but still quite a sight to see. 

Where to Eat 

There isn’t a spot in Hong Kong that doesn’t sell food! There are food stalls and restaurants on every street corner; you can’t possibly get away from Hong Kong without eating some good food. 

Best Places for Dim Sum

Cantonese fare involves classic dim sum: small bites meant to be shared (like Spanish tapas). 

Lei Gardens (Mong Kok) 

We usually head to this location when we’re in Hong Kong but, since it’s a chain, you should be able to find one closer to wherever you’re staying. Some classics I recommend include har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (shrimp and pork dumplings), spring rolls, and fried turnip patties. There is also gingko soup and even roast quail which is absolutely worth trying if you’d like to eat a bit more for lunch. 

Lai Ching Heen at The Regent Hotel 

At the Regent Hotel, I recommend Lai Ching Heen for a delicate and elevated dim sum experience. Though I still recommend ordering the classics, the beauty is seeing how creatively they’re shaped and served. 

Tin Lung Heen at The Ritz-Carlton 

You must order the char siu here! Here they use Iberico pork to make char siu and it is absolutely the best char siu ever served. Again, order all the classic dim sum dishes to see how beautifully and tastefully they serve it. The dim sum here is extremely delicate and very refined and the decor is stunning. 

Other Fare 

Halfway Cafe for Breakfast 

Get your morning caffeine fix here. Then order the beautiful breakfast options of scrambled eggs with smoked salmon on sourdough toast with arugula salad on top. There’s also a wonderful avocado toast as well. 

Yardbird 

Come here for the best yakitori chicken skewers ever! And be prepared to fall in love with all the side dishes as well (especially the roasted daikon and mushroom salad). This is where the sides are just as impressive as the mains. Book reservations early or be prepared to wait in line for a few hours. 

Schragels 

A jewish delicatessen in Hong Kong. Yep, you read it right. The owner recreated a delicatessen in Hong Kong after moving back there and the smoked white fish bagel is divine! The chef, the owner hired, literally recreated all the tastes from the owner’s memory of what smoked meat tastes like in New York. This is a hidden gem so don’t skip out on it! 

Ebeneezers 

A great chain for shawarma! You’re probably thinking why would you have shawarma in Hong Kong? Because you’re in the land of great food, of course! We tried the location on Lantau Island after having hiked up to see the Buddha and it was beyond delicious. Don’t skip this place if you want a great lunch after a good walk. 

JianJiu Noodles by Hong Kong MOA 

A little noodle joint right outside the Hong Kong Museum of Art. It’s a nice noodle restaurant that was perfect for a light lunch before heading into the museum. I got the hand-pulled noodles with truffle sauce while my partner got a bowl of light chicken noodle soup. The truffle noodle was great, but I say the chicken noodle soup was slightly better. 

Chesa at The Peninsula Hotel 

Chesa serves Swiss cuisine and it was a great hidden gem to find. It’s worth the splurge in a beautiful hotel and the Swiss dishes were very traditional and flavourful. We had dover sole deboned tabled-side, a Swiss fondue, spätzli, crepes stuffed with crabmeat and lobster bisque, and a veal sausage dish that was heavenly. For dessert, there was crêpes suzettes and a swiss log cake which were both sublime. 

Hong Kong is an endless treasure trove of goodies. There is endless shopping, endless dining, and endless sightseeing. The intensity of the city is overwhelming, so I encourage you to space out your itinerary and bring good walking shoes to walk off all the delicious calories you’ll ingest and to save your feet from all the shopping you’ll do. Hong Kong will leave you breathless.