Hong Kong

Hong Kong is where ancient culture and modern innovation clash together to create an amazing sensory experience.

This is a complex and innovative city that welcomes travellers from all backgrounds. Whether you’re staying in one of the city’s budget friendly boutiques or living it up in a luxury room overlooking the harbour, you’ll have a truly exhilarating time here.

The sights, smells, tastes and sounds might seem overwhelming at first, but you’ll soon get to grips with the exciting atmosphere. After a while, it will be hard to drag yourself away.

Feeling inspired? Plan an unforgettable Hong Kong adventure with Blank Canvas and you’ll get your own travel expert, who’ll put together a personalised itinerary to suit your exact needs.

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• History and Culture

  Hong Kong was part of the British Empire until it was handed back to China in 1997. However, it is its own region with its own government, traditions and attractions.

  You can take a cruise of the harbour on the Star Ferry to learn about the area’s history. It’s a hop-on-hop-off service so is a good way to get around and start exploring the city. Or you can spend a few hours in the Hong Kong Museum of History to uncover the region’s historical and cultural heritage.

• Nature and wildlife

  You may think of Hong Kong as a dense urban jungle, but did you know that up to 40% of the city is dedicated to nature reserves and country parks? You can spot pink dolphins in the waters surrounding Hong Kong, along with macaques on Monkey Mountain in Kam Shan Country Park and over 700 species of animals and birds in Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.

• Food and drink

  There’s a diverse range of fantastic restaurants in Hong Kong to suit all budgets and tastes, but make sure to try as many traditional dishes as you can.  Highlights include sweet and sour pork, steamed shrimp dumplings, chicken’s feet (seriously – try them) and Hong Kong style milk tea.

  Top tip – some of the best and most flavoursome food can be found in the street markets.

• Adventure and experiences

  To get your bearings in Hong Kong, the first thing to do is climb up Victoria Peak for the best views of the city and the green forests beyond. If you go in the evening, you’ll see the famous Hong Kong skyline lit up like a Christmas tree.

  And make sure you visit Temple Street Night Market, a riot of tastes, colours and smells. You might have to haggle a little, but it’s all part of the experience. Go to the Tian Tan Buddha or ‘Big Buddha’ in English. There are many steps to reach the top, but the sight of the Buddha will make the climb worth it. You’ll be amazed at the intricate craftsmanship and you’ll get a sense of how important faith and religion is in this area. This can sometimes be forgotten among the modern, flashy attractions of the city.

  It’s particularly easy to get around Hong Kong thanks to the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) system that covers most of the city. However, for a more adventurous mode of travel, try one of the double-decker trams.