ASIA’S WORLD CITY
HONGKONG
HEUNG GONG - THE CANTONESE TRANSLATION OF HONG KONG MEANS “FRAGRANT HARBOR,” A NAME INSPIRED BY THE CITY’S PAST AS AN INCENSE TRADING POST. INCENSE FROM THE FACTORIES JUST ACROSS THE HARBOR ON THE MAINLAND USED TO PERFUME THE ENTIRE AREA.
HONG KONG REMAINS A DESTINATION OF CONTRAST. THIS FORMER BRITISH COLONY BRIMS WITH MODERN TOWERING SKYCRAPERS, ANCIENT TRADITIONS AND INCREDIBLE FOOD. A SHOPPER’S PARADISE, LOCAL SHOPS AND MARKETS OFFER EVERYTHING IMAGINABLE, FROM SILK TO JEWELRY AND ELECTRONICS.
A BUSTLING PORT CITY, HONG KONG HAVE LONG COMPETED FOR ASIA’S MOST SUCCESFUL AND VIBRANT ECONOMIC HUB. EVERY SQUARE INCH HAS SOMEONE SELLING AND OR BUYING. A FORMER BRITISH COLONY, HONGKONG RETURNED TO CHINA IN 1997 AFTER 156 YEARS OF BRITISH COLONIAL RULE.
HONG KONG’S OCEAN TERMINAL PORT HAS BECOME A TOURIST HOTSPOT FEATURING WORLD- CLASS HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND SHOPPINGS AND KIK TAK CRUISE TERMINAL IS A NEWER PORT LOCATED IN VICTORIA HARBOR. BOTH PORTS HAVE NEARBY TRAIN TRANSPORTATION AND PLENTY OF TAXIS AVAILABLE. TRAVELER SHOULD NOTE THAT HONG KONG DOLLARS (HKD) IS USED AS LOCAL CURRENCY RATHER THAN CHINESE YUAN.
HONG KONG IS CONSIDERED ASIA’S CULINARY CAPITAL AND OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF FOOD AND INTERNATIONAL CUISINE. VISITORS HAVE A CHANCE TO SAMPLE AND TRY ALMOST EVERY DIFFERENT FOOD AND SATIFY THEIR GASTRONOMIC DESIRES.
ESSENTIALS
CURRENCY :Hong Kong Dollar (HKD). Bargaining is commonly expected.
Please know that US dollars are hardly accepted in Hong Kong. Depending on your day we highly suggest you get some local currency either from a currency exchange service or from an ATM
CAPITAL : The capital of Hong Kong is City of Victoria, which was founded 1842. City of Victoria has been the capital since 1997.
LANGUAGE : The Basic Law of Hong Kong states that English and Chinese are the two official languages of Hong Kong.
POPULATION : The current population of Hong Kong in 2023 is 7,491,609, a 0.04% increase from 2022.
CLIMATE : Hong Kong's climate is sub-tropical, tending towards temperate for nearly half the year. It has very mild winters and hot, rainy, and muggy summers.
TRANSPORTATION : Getting around Hong Kong couldn't be easier with the quick and efficient Mass Transit Railway (MTR) system. This covers all major districts in the territory, including stops at the boundary with Mainland China (Lo Wu Station and Lok Ma Chau Station).
PORT GUIDE
PORT FACILITIES AND LOCATION
Sailing into Hong Kong by cruise ship is absolutely breathtaking.
Cruise ships generally dock at Hong Kong. There are 2 docking locations: Ocean Terminal and Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.
Make sure you are on the outside deck 2 hours before arrival and the first 2 hours after departure. You will have a great view over the Hong Kong Skyline and all of its famous landmarks.
Harbour City with the Star Ferry Pier, is home to cruise liner berths, maritime history and fabulous harbour view – all at its doorstep.
HONG KONG OCEAN TERMINAL
This is the favoured cruise dock in Hong Kong. Cruise ships can dock straight in front of the center of Hong Kong. Ocean Terminal is located in Tsim Sha Tsui District on the thriving Kowloon Peninsula. Landing here means you are right in the heart of the city.Its location is a tourist hotspot of Hong Kong and many of the city's landmark hotels, restaurants, parks, world-class shops, best museums, and markets are in the area. The Ocean Cruise Terminal is located in front of the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel. It is part of the Harbour City complex, which is the largest shopping area in Hong Kong. Y ou will find an incredible number of retail outlets, restaurants, and entertainments. The cruise dock is located directly a mall which has over 400 shops in it. It is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the famous Tsim Sha Tsui / Nathan Road.
The ferries going to Cental and Wan Chai are all within walking distance.
MTR station East Tsim Sha Tsui, exit L5, would be your closest MTR station around. It is only a 10 minutes walk from the cruise terminal. However, it’s not easy to find. Make sure to ask for a map or directions at the cruise terminal.
The Star Ferry is a passenger ferry service operator and tourist attraction in Hong Kong. Its principal routes carry passengers across Victoria Harbour, between Hong Kong Island, and Kowloon.
HOW TO GET THERE
From the airport: Ocean Terminal is about 34 kilometers from Hong Kong International Airport. It takes about 40 minutes if you take a taxi.
Another option is to take the Airport Express from the airport to MTR Kowloon Station (about 20 minutes), and it's a further five minutes by taxi to Ocean Terminal.
From Hung Hom Train Station: If you travel from Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou by train, you will arrive at Hung Hom Railway Station. It takes about 10 minutes by taxi from Hung Hom to Ocean Terminal.
OCEAN TERMINAL TAXI SUMMARY
To/From DistanceJourney Time Approximate Cost
Hong Kong International Airport 34 km (15 mi) 40 min HK$260 (US$34)
Hung Hom Train Station 3.7 km (2.3 mi) 10 min HK$28 (US$4)
MTR Kowloon Station 1.4 km (0.9 mi) 5 min HK$22 (US$3)
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
The terminal is conveniently close to tourist attractions such as the Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, the Clock Tower, and Star Ferry, and nearby Hong Kong Culture Centre, Hong Kong Museum of Art and Hong Kong Space Museum.
HONG KONG KAI TAK CRUISE TERMINAL
Address : 33 Shing Fung Road, Kai Tak, Kowloon, Hong Kong
This cruise terminal used to be the old airport of Hong Kong. In recent years they rebuild it into a cruise terminal. Kai Tak is quite far away from any places of interest. Please know you will need transportation to be able to get out of the cruise port. Kai Tak Cruise Terminal is Hong Kong's new cruise terminal, located in the heart of Victoria Harbour (at the southeastern end of the former Kai Tak Airport runway).
It began operations on June 13, 2013. Its berthing capacity is up to 220,000 tons, which enables two 360-metre-long mega cruise ships to berth at the same time. The other cruise terminal in Hong Kong, Ocean Terminal, cannot berth such large ships.
In the three-story building, you can find restaurants, a shopping mall, and a large rooftop park from which you can take in the beautiful panoramic views of the picturesque Hong Kong skyline.
The terminal offers money exchange services.
HOW TO GET THERE
From the airport: Hong Kong International Airport is about 42 kilometers from Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. It takes about 45 minutes by taxi.
From Hung Hom Train Station: Hung Hom train station is about 10 kilometers. It takes about 16 minutes by taxi.
KAI TAK CRUISE TERMINAL TAXI SUMMARY
To/From DistanceJourney TimeApproximate Cost
Hong Kong International Airport 42 km (26 mi) 45 min HK$320 (US$41)
Hung Hom Train Station 8.6 km (5.3 mi) 16 min HK$65 (US$8)
TOURIST INFORMATION
Find a tourist information point at the exit of the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. They provide good information and brochures specifically designed for this cruise terminal.
Shuttle bus service to Diamond Hill metro station
The port often offers a free shuttle bus service from the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to the nearest MTR station which is Diamond Hill / Kwum Tong. Here you can hop on the green line of the metro system which can take you to many places in Hong Kong is little time. It is a great way to travel the city! More information about the shuttle is usually given by the tourist information at the exit of the cruise terminal.
Shuttle bus service by the cruise ship
Most cruise lines offer a shuttle service into Kowloon if they dock at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. This is obviously a decision that is made by the cruise line and therefore we recommend you to check in with them if they are able to offer it.
Taxis at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal
There are usually not many taxis available at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. Keep this in mind when you plan for your day ashore. Taxis in Hong Kong are red with a silver roof top and they run on the meter.
Please find an estimate of the one way taxi prices below.
Taxi prices from Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to:
Chi Lin Nunnery – HK$ 65
Won Tai Sin Temple – HK$ 70
Temple Street Night Market – HK$ 85
Star Ferry Pier, Tsim Sha Tsui – HK$ 95
Ocean Park – HK$ 155
The Peak – HK$ 165
Hong Kong Disneyland – HK$ 250
Hong Kong International Airport – HK$ 310
This price does not include surcharges for baggage, wheelchairs, crutches and animals.
Pay for transit and cashless shopping, both digital and physcial are version available now. Download Octopus App for Tourists before arriving HK.
Wi-Fi
You will find free Wi-Fi at both of Hong Kong’s cruise terminals. In fact, the territory of Hong Kong provides many hotspots where you are able to use their free Wi-Fi for a certain period of time. Both cruise terminals are within range of the hotspots. Simply connect to the network Wi-Fi.HK SSID.
The government also provides free Wi-Fi service. This connection is set up in mayor public areas. This connection is called GovWiFi.
PLAN YOUR DAY
Hong Kong is spread out over many different islands. This means it can take you quite a while to get from point A to point B. Some of the mayor islands/areas or Hong Kong are:
Knowloon (which is where the following is at):
Ocean Terminal
Kai Tak Cruise Terminal
Nan Lian Garden
Wong Tai Sin Temple
Ladies MArket
Temple Street
Hong Kong Island (where you will find the following):
Golden Bauhinia Square
Peak Tram Lower Terminus
Causeway Bay Shopping Area
Ocean Park
The Peak
Stanley MArket
Lantau Island (where you will find the famous):
Hong Kong Disneyland
Ngong Ping
Hong Kong International Airport
New Territories
Hop on hop off bus
There is a hop on hop off bus in Hong Kong. It does not come to the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. It does make a stop close by the Ocean Terminal.
See the best of Hong Kong on a Big Bus Sightseeing Tour. Take yourself on an adventure through Hong Kong Island and Kowloon with Big Bus Tours.
Hong Kong is the perfect amalgamation of opposites, where East meets West. Here, you’ll find ancient temples side-by-side with modern skyscrapers, bustling city markets vying for attention with museums of visual arts. From Michelin-starred restaurants to local street fare, sweeping skyline views and white-sand beaches, you'll find it all in Hong Kong.
ARTS AND CULTURE
Hong Kong is steeped in art, culture and history. What better way to understand the centuries of heritage than by exploring museums, temples and neighborhoods? From serene temples to West Kowloon’s Cultural district for the arts and Old Town Central for heritage, immerse yourself into a multi-faceted environment with riches at every turn. Hong Kong's vibrant art scene starts on the streets. From colourful murals on 46 Graham street and 48 Hollywood road, to Sai Ying Pun's Artlane, where buildings have been transformed into fantastical artworks, you'll find splashes of colour everywhere as you explore old and new neighbourhoods in the city.
Hong Kong counts approximately 600 temples, shrines and monasteries. Chi Lin Nunnery i son eof th emost beautiful temple in Hong Kong.
TEMPLES FOR PEACE AND ENLIGHTENMENT
The 34-metre Big Buddha is one of the largest outdoor seated Buddha statues in the world. To see it, head to Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, and take the Ngong Ping 360 cable car to enjoy stunning views en-route. Afterwards, consider a contemplative walk through Wisdom Path to round out your visit.
The Big Buddha is a large bronze statue of Buddha, completed in 1993, and symbolises the harmonious relationship between man and nature, people and faith.
The Ngong Ping Cable Car ride connects Tung Chung with Ngong Ping and offers the serene panorama of Lantau, Hong Kong.
Chi Lin Nunnery will delight architecture enthusiasts: it is the first complex in Hong Kong to be constructed without the use of a single nail. Be sure to visit the neighboring Nan Lian Garden, which showcases traditional Chinese landscaping techniques and aesthetic principles. Another of our top destinations is Wong Tai Sin Temple, considered one of the luckiest temples in Hong Kong and home to three religions: Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
The Hong Kong Big Buddha in Lantau Island is one of the largest seated Buddha statues in the world. It stands at 34 meters high (112 feet).
WEST KOWLOON FOR ART
Art aficionados should consider making West Kowloon their first stop. Reserve a few hours (at least) for M+ , Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual arts, with over 17,000 square metres of exhibition space, 33 galleries and three cinema houses. You’ll find 1500 works of art as well as the M+ Sigg Collection, which chronicles the development of Chinese art over four decades. The Yayoi Kusama Exhibit — the Japanese artist's largest touring retrospective in Asia — is open to the public until May 14. Hong Kong’s iconic Victoria Harbour boasts views of Hong Kong island and plenty to do. Add a visit the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and take a photo with Bruce Lee’s two-metre bronze statue. Stop by K11 MUSEA, considered one of Hong Kong's cultural-retail landmarks, and make sure you're in the area at 8 p.m. to catch the daily Symphony of Lights.
OLD TOWN CENTRAL FOR HERITAGE
Step back into Hong Kong's colonial past at Possession Street, where the British planted the Union Jack flag in 1841. Walk through Tai Ping Shan Street, full of ancient temples, stroll the uneven pavements of Pottinger Street and shop on Upper Lascar Row. Old Town Central is also home to one of the most-visited temples in Hong Kong: Man Mo Temple, which pays tribute to the God of Literature and the God of War. At Tai Kwan, or “Big Station,” you’ll be able to visit three different declared monuments: the former Central Police Station, the Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison. PMQ is a modernized landmark, a creative hub full of design studios, workshops and local artisanal brands. Central Market, one of Hong Kong's oldest wet markets, has also been given new life; it offers a green urban oasis, curated heritage experiences and more.
The Hong Kong Bird Market known as the Yuen Po Bird Garden is another one of those little charming corners of the city, full of local flavor.
HONG KONG ISLAND FOR VIEWS
Hike to the top of Victoria Peak or take the Peak Tram, one of the world’s oldest funicular railways. Take in the stunning sights at Sky Terrace 428, and consider visiting Monopoly Dreams, the world’s first Monopoly-themed attraction. Wan Chai is considered one of Hong Kong’s most dynamic neighborhoods. Meander through Wan Chai Road and Bowrington Road, take in the colorful neon lights around Jaffe, Lockhart and Hennessy Roads, and for serious shopping, check out Causeway Bay. Hong Kong Island’s is also home to popular beaches. Shek O is frequented by expats and locals alike. Consider a trip to Repulse Bay Beach, one of the glitziest of Hong Kong beaches, or for a calmer experience, consider Chung Hom Kok. We also love visiting Stanley, especially in June to catch the Dragon Boat Festival races.
The Victoria Harbour and skyscraper view from the Peak.
GET OUT OF TOWN
Beyond the skyscrapers and temples, there's an outdoor world waiting to be discovered in Hong Kong. With over 250 islands, nature trails that cut across mountain peaks and coastal terrains, as well as marine parks and nature reserves that showcase the diverse ecosystem, there is plenty to do outside. Hong Kong's outdoor wonders are in close proximity to the city centre, as well. Easily accessible by public transport, they make great half-day or full day trips. We've made a list of recommendations for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts seeking to capture the best views and epic sunsets.
The majority of buses running in Hong Kong are double-decker buses, and all of them are air-conditioned.
HIKE HONG KONG
Hong Kong has plenty of unforgettable trails for hikers of all levels. Families and beginners will enjoy the Bride's Pool Nature Trail, while the brave and experienced will love the challenge of Dragon's Back, considered by Lonely Planet to be one of the best hikes in Hong Kong. Also recomended: and Sunset Peak, Hong Kong's third highest mountain with a route for advanced hikers. Hike across Lung Ha Wan Country Trail to view carvings that are at least 3,000 years old, and follow in the footsteps of past generations at Maclehose Trail, Hong Kong’s first long-distance hiking trail. We also love the idea of hiking to Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong’s tallest peak, which will have you standing on top of a sea of clouds. (Check before you go to see if the summit open to the public.) Plan a visit to Sweet Gum Wood in Tai Lam Country Park in the fall, when the foliage will be resplendent.
Take a step back in time as you explore the historic Tai O fishing village, home to the iconic Tai O Heritage Hotel, scenic hiking trails, traditional restaurant fare and street snacks.
WILDLIFE OF SEA AND SKY
Visit Ho Hai Wan Marine Park, a protected area home to 60 types of hard coral and 120 species of coral fish. Seasoned divers will be able to volunteer in underwater clean-ups. You’ll find a wide variety of animals at Hong Kong Wetland Park, a 60-hectare outdoor reserve with habitats specifically designed for local wildlife. Birdwatchers should plan a visit to Mai Po Nature Reserve during the annual migration flight, autumn through spring. Hong Kong’s largest marine park, Sha Chau and Lung Kyu Chau Marine Park, showcases the Pacific humpbacked dolphin, also known as the Chinese white dolphin.
WHAT TO EAT
Hong Kong is a true foodie paradise, home to 17,000 eateries, over 60 Michelin-recognized restaurants as well as cocktail bars that rank among the best in Asia. You’ll find mom and pop stalls, cafes galore and exquisitely crafted fine-dining restaurants throughout the city. But a visit to Hong Kong would not be complete without some must-try street food. Quench your thirst with sugarcane juice; nibble on an egg waffle, whether you prefer the traditional or more loftily decorated with ice cream and chocolate; or bite into a flaky and creamy egg tart. Here are a few of our recommendations on things to eat and drink in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong food is famous for its diversity and style. Beijing cuisine is unique in China culture,
DIM SUM DINING
Hong Kong offers authentic local dining experiences for every budget. Enjoy bamboo plates of dim sum as you yum cha at a traditional trolley-service restaurant. Classic dim sum dishes include siu mai, recognized by its yellow wrappers; steamed barbecue pork buns; har gow, a delicate shrimp pastry, and xiao long bao, soup dumplings once described by Anthony Bourdain as “pillows of happiness”. Visit City Hall Maxim’s Palace to combine your meal with stunning views of Victoria Harbour, or Luk Yu Tea House which is full of old-world charm. Sample plates upon plates at Dragon-I, an all-you-can-eat dim sum restaurant; or discover Yum Cha’s delightfully adorable creations with their googly eyes.
Feasting on dumplings and other bite-size dishes is one of Hong Kong’s great pleasures. Local places do dim sum best, whether you’re looking for a quick, cheap meal or a more refined experience.
DAI PAI DONG DELIGHTS
A Dai Pai Dong, or a traditional Hong Kong street food stall, is an affordable and tasty way to experience local food. These open-air eateries with their foldable tables and chairs are hard to miss. Visit Cooked Food Hawker Bazaar on Haiphong road and enjoy a plate of Man Kee’s Hainanese chicken rice, a bowl of homemade beef balls from Tak Fat Beef Ball and more. Consider Sing Heung Yuen, a semi-outdoor stall frequented by office workers at lunch: we recommend trying the tomato soup noodles. For travellers with midnight cravings (and what better way to end a night bar-hopping through Hong Kong?)
consider Wong Tai Sin Street Restaurant, open 24 hours a day.
Or, for a more contemporary take, visit DPD, where you’ll find classic western-inspired Chinese dishes.
MICHELIN-STARRED MENUS
Add Lung King Heen to your food bucket-list; it’s the first Chinese restaurant in the world to be awarded three Michelin stars. Enjoy stunning harbour views and elegant Cantonese cuisine at Yan Toh Heen, recently promoted to two Michelin stars. For the intrepid, Seventh Son, a one-Michelin-star restaurant, serves classical Cantonese dishes that are hard to find elsewhere. If you’re on the hunt for Cantonese BBQ, visit Yat Lok, a family-run restaurant that has perfected the craft of roast meat for over 60 years. For a meal with an unusual creative flair, Bo Innovation is a two-star Michelin restaurant owned by MasterChef Canada judge Alvin Leung that proudly serves "extreme" Chinese cuisine. Be sure to visit Tim Ho Wan, one of the most affordable Michelin-starred restaurants, with six locations in Hong Kong.
GOURMET ON A BUDGET
Michelin's Bib Gourmand recognize value-for-money gourmet experiences, with a maximum price for a three-course meal set at HK$400 (approx. CAD$69). We love Chan Kan Kee Chiu Chow, a restaurant with seven decades of experience. Tim Hung serves iconic Cantonese roast meat, from roast goose to char siu. Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at Moon Tong Lok and accompany your meal with soy milk. If soy-centric dishes are on your to-eat list, visit Kung Wo Beancurd Factory, a snack shop in business since the 1960s. Foodies will also be delighted by international offerings. Samsen is known for their Thai boat noodles, and Lucky Indonesia suits those craving authentic South East Asian flavours. Both Street serves traditional Taiwanese street food, with the gua bao a particular noteworthy favourite.
COCKTAILS AND BARS
Hong Kong's bar scene is as varied and acclaimed as the city's restaurants. Perrier's 50 Best Bars list named COA the #1 bar in Asia two years running. Argo, designed to appear like a conservatory, serves incredible cocktails with views of Victoria Harbour. Penicillin, another of of the Top 50 Bars in Asia, has a sustainable twist: they aim to alleviate wasteful cocktail making, and for every purchase of their signature cocktail, a tree is planted in Indonesia. Some of our other favourites include the Iron Fairies, a magical bar with 10,000 preserved butterflies hanging from the ceiling and playful iron-wrought fairy figurines on each table. Add Ozone to your list for unforgettable skyline views; this bar also holds the title of being the highest bar in the world. We also love Room 309, a discreet bar within the Pottinger Hotel which requires a key card from its sister bar for access.
From high-concept cocktail bars to dive bars, wine bars to sake joints, there are so many best Hong Kong bars to visit right now.
BEST BUY
Why Hong Kong is a shopping paradise? Malls, shops and markets offer everything imaginable: antiques, jade, fine jewelry, silks, made-to-order clothes, art, crafts, ceramics, electronics and more.
Famed as a shopping paradise, Hong Kong is famous for its great variety of fashion accessories, local arts and crafts, tea, jade, and jewelry. Shopping in Hong Kong has many advantages such as low prices, a seemingly endless variety, and high quality.
Textiles and clothing are the leading exports. Also important are electrical machinery and appliances, office machinery, photographic apparatus, and a variety of other manufactured items. Reexports constitute a major portion of the goods shipped out of Hong Kong.
So, if you are confused about what to buy in Hong Kong, look this list up!
JADE - Source In Chinese culture, Jade symbolises good health and fortune. In Chinese culture, Jade symbolises good health and fortune. You will find that these come as jewellery, lucky charms and figurines. Both synthetic and real jade are available so take someone along who can appraise its quality. You can also get jade charms for each zodiac sign, be sure to buy these souvenirs from Hong Kong!
Where to buy: Jade Market (Yau Ma Tei), Po Jung Jade Factory, Lascar Row
NAME SEALS - Name seals date back to 1600 BC when the Shang Dynasty used them for inking court documents. Made of soapstone, jade, wood, marble, ivory, plastic, and a variety of metals, these personalised name seals can serve as a perfect answer to the dilemma of what to buy when in Hong Kong. You could get the receiver's name etched on it to make it more personalised and unique!
Where to buy: Chop Alley (Man Wa Lane), Antique Street, Stanley Market
CHINESE DRESSES - Chinese dresses - Cheongsam for women and the Mao suit for men are the perfect souvenirs to gift your relatives and friends. The Cheongsam is a stylish and elegant piece of clothing that can be worn on several occasions. A modern version of the Changshan, the Mao suit is a casual and trendy option to add to your collection of souvenirs from Hong Kong.
Where to buy: Stanley Market, Li Yuen Street East and Li Yuen Street West, Pottinger Street
This historic street market on the city's serene south coast is as popular with locals as it is with tourists.
PORCELAIN - Vases, dishes, jars, cutlery and cups of porcelain are the most famous porcelain products. You could visit Yuet Tung China Works which is Hong Kong's only remaining hand-painted porcelain factory for beautiful and elegant pieces. If you are thinking of something inexpensive to buy in Hong Kong, you could try wholesale porcelain stores. Porcelain is traditionally blue and white but you can find it in many colours in Hong Kong.
Where to buy: King Tak Hong Porcelain Company, Stanley Market, Temple Street
XOXO SAUCE - Named after XO Cognac, this spicy sauce was invented in Hong Kong. XO Sauce is made of dried seafood including scallops and shrimps and Jinhua ham. A tablespoon of this magic ingredient can be used with everything- roasted vegetables, noodles, fried rice, grilled meat and seafood. A vegetarian version of XO Sauce has also been created by Yio Farm Restaurant.
Where to buy: Devil Kitchen, Dashije, Nicole’s Kitchen, Spring Moon Restaurant
TRINKETS FROM GOODS OF DESIRE (GOD) . A quintessential Hong Kong lifestyle brand, Goods Of Desire is known for its quirky and humourous homeware and fashion items. Some of the bestselling Hong Kong souvenirs include Mahjong inspired wine markers, Rat Chinese zodiac mugs and Nathan Road gift bags. All their products are inspired by places. All their products are inspired by the lively Hong Kong way of life.
Where to buy: Hong Kong Station, Hollywood Road (Central), PMQ (Central), Sai Kung, Stanley, Lab Concept, Hong Kong International Airport 1 and 2
Hong Kong snacks that everyone knows and loves.
SWEET SNACKS - You can never go wrong with authentic Hong Kong snacks. Pineapple shortcakes, Mooncakes, Coconut tarts, Wife biscuit (Lao Po Bing), Sachima/ Ma Jai (Rice Krispies), Pretz shark's fin flavour (biscuit sticks), Dragon Candy, egg rolls (sweet egg biscuits) and Dragon Candy (Chinese Cotton Candy) are classic snacks. They are readily available at most Hong Kong bakeries.
Where to buy: Kee Wah Bakery, Wing Wah Cake Shop, Hang Heung Cake Shop, Duck Shing Ho
DRIED SEAFOOD - Drying Seafood under the sun is an age-old Chinese tradition. Dried seafood lasts longer and has enhanced flavour and texture. You will find a variety of abalone, oysters, scallop, sea cucumber, squid, and many different kinds of fish in Hong Kong markets. Bag these Hong Kong souvenirs to satisfy the seafood lover in you!
Where to buy: Dried Seafood Street (Sheung Wan), Tak Hing Dried Seafood, On Kee Dried Seafood
CHINESE TEA-Chinese tea comes in six dominant flavours like Green tea, Black tea, Oolong, White tea, Dark tea and Yellow tea. With the goodness of substances like tea polyphenol and theine, it helps improve muscle endurance and bone density besides reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. A Chinese tea set would be the perfect match for this souvenir from Hong Kong.
Where to buy: Ming Cha Tea House, The Best Tea House, TWG Tea, Fook Ming Tong, Ying Kee Tea House, Ki Chan Tea Co, Leaf Tea Boutique, Lock Cha Tea Shop, Green Gingko Tea.
CHINESE ANTIQUE - A number of Hong Kong street markets are filled with authentic as well as replicated antiques. You will find coins, stamps, copper mirrors, Ming dynasty-style furniture, Chinese paintings and many other interesting items here. Be careful if you are looking for real antiques to buy in Hong Kong and take someone along who can appraise real artefacts.
Where to buy: Lascar Row, Hollywood Road