Hong Kong Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know

Anyone who's been will tell you the same thing: Hong Kong is a city like no other. Located in Southeast China, Hong Kong is one of the world's most densely populated cities. As a former British colony, it is also a place where East meets West to create something truly unique. Although now ruled by China, Hong Kong maintains a certain autonomy and a distinct culture of its own. It's also one of the world's most touristed cities, welcoming over 30 million visitors every year.

Hong Kong calls itself Asia's global city, and for good reason. Successive waves of immigration have made Hong Kong one of the most cosmopolitan cities on the planet. As a result, Hong Kong can sometimes feel strangely like home, even as at other times it seems incredibly exotic. Whatever you're into, chances are good you'll find it here. Drop off your bags at a Hong Kong suitcase storage and start exploring for yourself.

9 Best Ways to Experience Hong Kong in 2024

There’s always something going on in Hong Kong. East meets West in this truly unique city, and it’s a place where you’ll never run out of things to do. But if you want to dive deeper into what Hong Kong has to offer, a knowledgeable tour guide can help. Check out the tours below to experience the best of what Hong Kong has to offer. Don’t forget to drop off your unneeded bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Hong Kong so that you can enjoy your trip fully.

Best free tour — Hong Kong Free Walking Tour

If you’re visiting Hong Kong on a budget, you’ll need to save money wherever you can. You can do that with a free walking tour of the city. This company offers several different tours, including Bay City highlights and a Hong Kong nightlife experience. All of them are free, but you should definitely tip your guide to thank them for their services. Contact Hong Kong Free Walking Tour at memorywalkingtour@gmail.com or 85298094931.

Best wildlife tour — Eco Travel

Hong Kong is about as big and bustling cities get. So it may be a surprise to hear that you can spot wildlife even in the heart of the city, not to mention in the surrounding area. Eco Travel will take you to those off-the-beaten-path spots where you can see a more natural side of the city. They’ll tell you more about the nature and wildlife of the area and will also explain more of the city’s history at the same time, making this a great tour for people with a wide range of interests. They also provide tours of Kowloon. You can reach them atenquiry@ecotravel.hk or 85231050767.

Best food tour — Hong Kong Foodie Tasting Tours 

Hong Kong is a dream destination for food lovers. Combining influences from across Asia, Europe, and around the world, Hong Kong has a culinary scene like no other. You could spend a lifetime in the city and still not exhaust every cuisine it has to offer. To navigate through the complexities of Hong Kong’s culinary heritage, take a tour with Hong Kong Foodie Tasting Tours. They offer a range of tours focusing on different neighborhoods of the city so that you can get to grips with local food and try some of the best dishes Hong Kong has to offer. Book a tour at info@hongkongfoodietours.com or 85228505006.

Best bike tour —Smooth Ride Bike Tours Hong Kong

Hong Kong is so big and busy that often, a bike is the best way to get around. Certainly, that’s how many locals navigate the chaotic streets. This company provides you with a bike and takes you on a fascinating tour of the city so you can see more of what it has to offer. They provide a variety of different tours, so that you can explore areas such as Lantau Island, Fisherfolk Island, the city itself, and the countryside outside it. There’s no better way to get a glimpse of so many of the different facets of Hong Kong. Contact them at info@sr-cycles.com or 85223503767.

Best off the beaten path tour – Hong Kong Getaway Private Tours

If you want to see a side of Hong Kong that most visitors never get to, this company is hard to beat. Hong Kong Getaway provides private tours that will help you explore the city less like a tourist and more like a local. A highlight is their excursion to the New Territories, which will show you the residential areas of the city along with their markets, public housing, and small fishing villages. If you think you’ve seen Hong Kong, you haven’t until you see it through the eyes of a local. This tour is particularly great if you have a layover in the city and want to experience its more authentic side. Contact them at hello@thehongkonggetaway.com or 85239574082.

Best adventure tour - Wild Hong Kong

If you prefer to have an adventure on your vacation, Wild Hong Kong can help. This company offers exciting experiences that will take you out of the city and into the surrounding countryside. You can hike the Sai Kung beaches or climb Lion Rock to watch the sunset. You can also take a kayak or standup paddleboard trip to the pristine coastal inlet of Hoi Ha. They also offer bike tours of the area. However you like to have an adventure, Wild Hong Kong can provide it. Contact them at contact@wildhongkong.com or 85260871439.

Best history tour — Walk in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s history is rich and fascinating, and to truly get to grips with it, you need some expert help. Walk in Hong Kong will take you on a walking tour of the city that will focus on the fascinating history and culture of Hong Kong. They offer tours of Kowloon, Old Town, and even provide a ghost tour that will tell you some of the darkest stories of the city. This company loves to share the stories of Hong Kong, and guides are expert storytellers that will immerse you in the city’s history. Contact them at info@walkin.hk or 85255114839.

Best car tour — Hong Kong Greeters Private Tours

If you’re pressed for time or struggle with mobility, a car tour can be the perfect way to see more of the city without overexerting yourself. Hong Kong Greeters offers private tours by car that will explain all about the history and culture of this unique city. They provide a detailed tour of Hong Kong itself, or a trip to Lantau Island to see a different aspect of the city. Contact them at info@hkgreeters.com or 85290155307.

Best local tour —Big Foot Tour

If you want to see Hong Kong like a local, this is the company to call. Big Foot Tour will take you to places most tourists never see to get a more authentic impression of the city. Check out the Real Hong Kong Walking Tour which will help you experience the city the way its residents do. Or you could take the Happy Go Lucky tour, where you’ll learn more about Hong Kong’s rich traditions and superstitions before attending a horse race to try your luck. Alternatively, you can visit the Monastery of 10,000 Buddhas to see one of Hong Kong’s most striking spiritual sites. Contact them at hello@bigfoottour.com or 85281929928.

A weekend in Hong Kong

With only a couple of days to spend, you’ll barely be able to scratch the surface of what Hong Kong has to offer. With a weekend in Hong Kong, you’ll have to concentrate and focus on the city’s top attractions.

• Hong Kong is spread out over more than 200 different islands, so you'll need to use the Star ferry to get around. However, it's also a fun activity in its own right. These cheap ferry rides take you back and forth across Hong Kong's famous harbor and give you the best possible view of the iconic skyline.
• Victoria Peak is Hong Kong's largest mountain. If you are feeling energetic, you can hike to the 1700 foot summit. Or you can take things easy and ride the funicular. Either way, you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the city, especially at sunset.
• Enjoy the nightlife at Lan Kwai Fong. This is Hong Kong's party district, and is also the place you're most likely to meet foreign ex-pats. Full of bars and nightclubs, this is a place where you can let your hair down and party until the sun comes up.

Hong Kong lockers

As one of the world's most densely populated cities, Hong Kong is a place where you'll have to get used to crowds. You can make things easier on yourself by dropping off your belongings at a suitcase storage in Hong Kong. Leave your heavy bags behind so you can navigate the crowds and explore the islands that make up this harbor city more easily.

Off the beaten path in Hong Kong

In a city that receives as many visitors as Hong Kong does, it might seem impossible to escape the crowd. But if you're willing to explore, you can find places in Hong Kong that are still relatively free of tourist crowds. Drop off your belongings at a Hong Kong luggage locker and try some of these lesser-known gems.

• Lamma Island is an oasis of calm amid the chaos of the city. No cars are allowed on the island, and no buildings are more than three stories high, so it has a very different feel from the city. Home to a population of a few thousand, including artists and musicians, it's a great place to hike or relax and recharge your batteries.
• Hong Kong is known as a mega-city, but it also has some great beaches. Long Ke Wan, in particular, is worth exploring. Proclaimed one of the best beaches in the world by CNN, the beach lies a little way outside the city and is undeveloped, making it a great place to avoid the crowds.
• Go hiking on Po Toi Island. This island has a circular hike that takes around three hours to do and takes you past some unusual rock formations and even prehistoric rock carvings. Most tourists don't know about this quieter side of Hong Kong, so it's a great place to avoid crowds.

What to do alone in Hong Kong

It's a paradox that often, the best places to be by yourself are big and bustling cities. That's definitely true of Hong Kong. Whether you're looking to meet new people or planning to spend some time in solitude, you'll be able to do it in a city that caters to everyone.

• As you would expect from a city with such a diverse population, Hong Kong's food scene is one of the best in the world. Dive into it on a food tour where you can meet fellow travelers and enjoy some of the best cuisines the islands have to offer.
• See the commercial heart of the city in the street markets of Mong Kok. These vibrant markets are chaotic and thrilling places to spend some time and some money. Whatever you’re looking to buy, you’ll be able to find it in one of the many diverse markets in this part of town.
• Hong Kong has a fascinating history that has made it into the city it is today. Learn more at the Hong Kong Museum of History, which will explain the various forces that shaped the city into its current form.

The best souvenirs in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is something of a shopping paradise. From the upscale boutiques of the central district to the traditional Chinese crafts of Stanley, you can find just about anything for sale in Hong Kong. Gorgeous Chinese art such as paintings, pottery, and decorated fans, can be found at Stanley Market and Temple Street night market. For a mischievous modern take on traditional Chinese goods, visit G.O.D - Goods Of Desire. A selection of Chinese tea also makes a great keepsake, and you can find plenty of choices at Leaf Tea Boutique.