Hong Kong is a global cosmopolitan city located in South-Eastern China. It was a former British colony that was restored to China in 1997. This acutely impacted the city’s population, making it a distinctive location. The ultra-modern city is both a corporate center and a major port city with an outstanding cityscape studded with skyscrapers.
Hong Kong is crowned as a one-stop destination for tourists. It offers a genuine travel experience ranging from luxury shopping options to legendary nightlife spots.
Hong Kong is undoubtedly one of the most visited destinations in the world. To maintain its position as a top tourist destination, a Tourism Commission was established in May 1999 by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This organization aims to help the development of new Hong Kong tourist attractions, enhance its tourism facilities, and organize events related to tourism which would in turn encourage tourists from around the world. The team at Unify holidays is here to help you plan your vacation to Hong Kong.
But first let’s learn the different ways one can reach Hong Kong from India.
The aerial distance from India to Hong Kong is about 3,640 kilometers. For travelling to Hong Kong from India, the quickest way is to board a direct flight from major international airports such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. The main airlines operating flights to Hong Kong are Air India, Jet Airways, Cathay Pacific, IndiGo, and SpiceJet.
Hong Kong has two airports: Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok and Sheh Kong Airfield in Sheh Kong. The most common flights are Cathway Pacific, Air India, Emirate Flights and Euro flights. A flight from Delhi to Hong Kong takes about 5 hours.
Hong Kong is not connected to the rest of the world through a network of roads but internally, the country has the best rail and bus transport system. The train services are extremely good and cover a large area of the country.
Buses can be used to reach a nearby metro station or to a particular destination. Its efficient system includes A routed buses (air buses), external bus services (E), overnight express services (NA), overnight services (N) and shuttle bus services (S). Cab and taxi services are also available which take less time, but they are quite expensive.
Hong Kong is not connected via a rail route with the world but internally, it has a very strong rail network that can take you to any place of your choice. Train networks such as the MTR network, the Peak Tram, the Hong Kong Tramways, the Disneyland Railroad, and the Ocean Express can take you from one place to another easily.
The ideal time to visit Hong Kong is between October and December when temperatures vary between 21°C and 27°C. Unlike the hot and humid summers or dry winters, the temperature is exceptionally comfortable throughout this period. This makes it the best time to visit for tourists.
From June to September, the subtropical weather is harsh, and humidity is at its peak in Hong Kong. This is the typhoon season in Hong Kong. Heavy rainfall during this time makes it non-ideal to visit the city. To save money on accommodation and travel, visitors should avoid coming around Chinese national holidays. Spring is another excellent season for inexpensive travel in the region.
Owing to its subtropical location, Hong Kong's weather is ideal for year-round tourism, making it one of Asia's most popular holiday destinations. However, the ideal time to visit Hong Kong is determined by the tourists' interests as well as the season that allows them to explore and enjoy themselves in the city.
Unify Holidays is here to help you with month-wise variation of the city’s temperature. It will help you decide the best time to visit Hong Kong.
Tourists who are unsure about what month to visit Hong Kong should plan their travels between October and December, as the summer season has just ended. This time is a good opportunity to get hotel discounts. Since the festival season is approaching, now is the best time to visit Hong Kong for shopping.
However, it is advised to avoid visiting during the first week of October, when many Chinese visitors travel here to celebrate a national holiday.
Tourists can also enjoy the Hong Kong Winterfest around this time.
With two New Year’s Eve celebrations, Hong Kong witnesses a large influx of foreigners to join residents throughout the festive week. Even though the temperature is fairly low during this time, it does not hamper the travel spirit of tourists.
Apart from the International New Year in January and the Chinese New Year in February, tourists can also enjoy the Hong Kong Arts Festival and the Hong Kong International Film Festival.
With the onset of April, Hong Kong welcomes the season of spring, which is another excellent time to visit the city. The city is covered with fog till the end of April which makes it a nice and cozy environment. Furthermore, if tourists plan their trips avoiding any national holidays, they can book their accommodation at a very reasonable rate.
When visiting Hong Kong in April and May, tourists can get the opportunity to attend events such as the Hong Kong International Film Festival and Hong Kong Cultural Celebrations too.
The summer season in Hong Kong is extremely hot and prone to typhoons. At this time of the year Unify Holidays would recommend tourists travel to other vacation spots for an amazing experience.
However, if tourists do travel to Hong Kong during this period, they may attend activities such as the Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is a bustling Chinese metropolis famous for its beautiful skyline, exciting nightlife, luxury resorts, multicultural traditions and shopping experiences. Hong Kong is known as the home of Buddhist temples and western architecture. It is a cultural melting pot combining Chinese and Western influences.
Let us explore the fantastic spots Hong Kong offers:
Victoria Peak, the highest point of Hong Kong Island, should be included in every tourist itinerary. It gives a 360-degree spectacular panoramic view of the cityscape with its beautiful buildings. Tourists should visit Victoria Peak around dusk to enjoy a broad view during the day and a magnificent night sky.
During the day, the horizon can span from gleaming skyscrapers and Victoria Harbor to the grassy hills of the New Territories.
In the early evening, you will encounter a transition of nature from pink and orange transforming into a magnificent galaxy of light.
You may also visit Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, the Peak Tower, and Sky Terrace 428 in addition to the panoramic view.
Since 1888, the time-honored Star Ferry has connected Hong Kong Island with Kowloon. The Star Ferry crossing is included in the list of '50 Places of a Lifetime to Visit' by National Geographic. For tourists visiting Hong Kong, taking the Star Ferry to see the scenery of Victoria Harbor will be an unforgettable experience. It is one of the most affordable ways to take a tour of Hong Kong.
Tourists can board the wonderful boat, relax and enjoy the magnificent scenery while drinking a cup of great coffee, or soak up the sun on the open deck while enjoying the refreshing sea breezes. In the night, tourists will get the opportunity to see the Symphony of Light at 20:00.
The stunning views of Victoria Harbor make Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade one of the greatest walks in Hong Kong. It is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Hong Kong. The ancient Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower, near the Star Ferry Concourse, is a fantastic site for tourists to start their walking adventure.
After passing the Cultural Center and the Museum of Art, they will arrive at the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong's lacklustre memorial to its once-brilliant film industry.
The Wong Tai Sin Temple (Sik Sik Yuen Temple), established in 1973, is devoted to a deified healer named Wong Tai Sin. It is believed that he converted stones into sheep while working as a shepherd in Zhejiang Province. When Wong was 15, an immortal showed him how to prepare an herbal elixir that could cure any sickness. As a result, he is revered by both the sick and those attempting to prevent sickness.
This bustling Taoist temple is now a popular destination for Hong Kong residents of all ages. From retirees and businesses to parents and young professionals, huge numbers of devotees come here every day. Some merely pray while others use "chim" (bamboo fortune sticks) shaken out of a box on the ground and gets it cross-referenced with ancient texts by a fortune-teller.
When visiting Hong Kong, Wong Tai Sin Temple is a great spot to see locals and visitors from all over the world praying and making wishes. If you have additional time, you may take a trip to the neighboring Good Wish Gardens, which have pavilions, zigzag bridges, and carp ponds for taking pictures.
If you only have time to visit one museum, make it the Hong Kong Museum of History. It has a concise review of the territory's archaeology, natural history, anthropology, and local cultures. It will help you in contextualizing your visit to Hong Kong.
Visit "The Hong Kong Story" for a fascinating journey through the city’s history. It begins with ancient Hong Kong and its natural environment around 6000 years ago and concludes with the territory's return to China in 1997.
In addition, you will learn about Hong Kong's folk culture and customs, including colorful restoration of early occupants' homes, traditional clothing and bedding, a recreation of an arcaded Central Street from 1881, and an exploration of Hong Kong's urban culture.
Zhu cheung fun (also known as cheung fun) are steamed rice buns that are commonly found as street snacks or in dim sum parlours. When cooked with the correct cooking technique, these rolls are silky smooth, not gummy, and have a delightful scent of freshly steamed rice. Tourists will relish them, even more if they are smothered with seasoned soy sauce, sweet sauce, sesame sauce, and a dab of chilli sauce on the side for a fiery kick.
Pro Tip : Always request for more sesame seeds on top, or choose ones sprinkled with dried shrimps and spring onions for an added taste!
Hong Kong-style milk tea is unlike any other Asian milk tea, and we dare to claim it's in a class of its own. Hong Kong-style milk tea, an earthy combination of black tea and evaporated milk, is the essence of the city's East-meets-West lifestyle. Try yin yang milk tea with coffee for an additional caffeine rush to start your day.
Siu mei refers to a variety of Cantonese roasted meats that are typically served with rice and veggies for a fast meal. Among the local favorites are BBQ pork (cha siu)- juicy pork pieces coated in a gravy of spices, wine, maltose, and soy sauce, then roasted in a cylindrical oven until the maltose caramelizes. Roast pork (siu yuk)- an entire hog cooked on spits over an open fire, with fluffy crackling that is so crispy that you can hear it crunch with every bite; Roast geese (siu ngo)- roasted till the skin turns bronze and crisp, seasoned with a fragrant blend of five spice powder and wine, and served with a sweet, tart plum sauce that cuts through the richness.
Sago Mix is a popular traditional Hong Kong dessert. Sago (similar to tapioca) and a variety of seasonal fruits are the major components. Sago Mix is a popular summer snack due to its sweet and sour fruit flavour, milky fragrance, and chewiness.
The boh loh baau (literally "pineapple bun") is the holy grail of the Hong Kong style of baking.
It's crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and topped with crunchy, sweet pastry. It's popular enough to be found at Chinese bakeries in Toronto, Taipei, and Tianjin, and it's ubiquitous in Hong Kong.
It goes great with milk tea, especially if you have it with butter, which is known as boh loh yaau.