Travel Insurance for Hong Kong
Whether you’re in the mood for shopping, sightseeing, or stopping at a restaurant for a bowl of wonton noodles, Hong Kong has it all. To ensure you’re prepared for your next trip to Hong Kong, we’ve compiled some important travel information and some of the best things to see and do there.
Emergency Contact Information
Call 999, Hong Kong’s general emergency number, to reach the police, fire department, and emergency medical and ambulance services. Alternatively, you can call the police hotline at +852 2527 7177. If your passport has been lost or stolen and you need an emergency travel document or if you need any consular services while abroad, contact the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong.
Travel Safety Tips
Travellers are not permitted to bring e-cigarettes into the country and are not allowed to smoke cigarettes in public places. It is illegal to carry or use drugs in Hong Kong, including cannabidiol (CBD). You should refrain from spitting and littering, and taking photos of military installations. Depending on the seriousness of the offence, you could be given a fine or a jail sentence.
There have been reports made by tourists of petty theft and pickpocketing in Hong Kong. Keep an eye on your personal possessions and leave your valuables in your hotel safe. Stay alert in tourist areas and at airports, bus stops, and train stations. If you become the victim of a crime, report it to the police immediately. You’ll need to provide the written police report to your travel insurance provider to make a claim.
You may not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you’re travelling to Hong Kong for less than 12 months, though some car hire companies may request that you have one. You’ll need to look up the local road laws before your trip.
Hong Kong has been known to have a risk of typhoons from April to October, during which time the country can be affected by extreme winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding. Before travelling, you should check the weather forecast of the area you’re visiting.
You won’t need a visa if you’re travelling to Hong Kong for less than six months; however, if you wish to travel there for longer, you will need to apply for a visa prior to your trip. To enter Hong Kong, your passport must be valid for one month after you are scheduled to return from your trip. You may also be required to show your yellow fever certificate when you enter the country. Hong Kong has strict rules one what can be imported and exported, including things such as ivory, weapons (like martial arts equipment), powdered baby formula, and prescription medication.
For more information on travel safety and entry requirements, take a look at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice for Hong Kong.
Places to Visit in Hong Kong
Many people mistake Hong Kong for being a country, but it is actually a special administrative region and city in China. It’s known for its scrumptious Cantonese cuisine, towering skyscrapers, and views of the South China Sea. Hong Kong is partially based on the mainland and spread out among more than 200 islands. If you’re not sure where you want to go, check out our favourite areas to visit in Hong Kong.
Kowloon
Kowloon is a part of mainland Hong Kong, and is just a 10-minute ferry ride from Hong Kong Island. There are several interesting museums in Kowloon, such as the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of History, and the Hong Kong Museum of Art.
Take a walk along Avenue of Stars where you’ll see familiar names, such as Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and Bruce Lee, and stop by Kowloon Walled City Park, where you’ll find the ruins of the original Walled City and several scenic gardens. There are a few other gardens you might want to visit, such as Sung Wong Toi Garden, Nan Lian Garden, and Kowloon Park. Head to the top of the Sky 100 Observation Deck for spectacular views of the harbour and neighbouring islands.
Hong Kong Island
If you’re travelling to Hong Kong Island, grab a drink in Lan Kwai Fong square or go shopping on Russell Street and in Times Square in Causeway Bay. Hop on the tram to the top of Victoria Peak to visit Victoria Peak Garden and the Lion’s Pavilion, which is next to the Peak Tower and the Peak Galleria shopping centres. The bottom of The Peak is the start of the Hong Kong Hiking Trail. If you want a shorter hike, take the Dragon's Back Trail.
If you stop by Hong Kong Park, you can wander through the tai chi garden, the aviary, and the tea museum. Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens has multiple areas of interest, including several gardens and a menagerie with multiple animals, such as giraffes, cranes, and Burmese pythons. Ocean Park has several theme park rides, attractions, and a zoo.
Lantau Island
The main appeal of Lantau Island for tourists is Hong Kong Disneyland, but it’s also well known for its beautiful scenery and hiking trails. You can take the Ngong Ping 360 Rescue Trail from Tung Chung to the Ngong Ping Plateau or take the slightly longer Tung O Ancient Trail to the fishing town of Tai O. You may not have time to hike the entire Lantau Trail in Lantau North Country Park, but the hike up to Sunset Peak is a tourist favourite. Alternatively, you can take the Wisdom Path, starting at the base of Lantau Peak.
The top attractions on Lantau Island are the Tung Chung Fort, the Tian Tan Buddha in Ngong Ping, and the beaches, such as Silver Mine Bay Beach, Lower Cheung Sha Beach, and Pui O Beach.
Lamma Island
Lamma Island is known for Lo So Shing Beach and Hung Shing Yeh Beach, as well as its hiking trails. The Sok Kwu Wan Circular Trail offers you a stunning coastal view, as does the Lamma Island Family Walk Trail from Yung Shue Wan to Sok Kwu Wan. This trail will lead you to the Lamma Island Lookout Pavilion. The hike to the summit of Mt Stenhouse is for experienced climbers, but the Hong Kong Greenhouse Trail is much less taxing.
If you want to discover some of Lamma Island’s history, you can visit the WWII Kamikaze Caves, and if you head to the island around May, you may get to see the Tin Hau Festival.
Cheung Chau
Cheung Chau Island makes for a fantastic day trip from Kowloon or Hong Kong Island. Visitors who wish to stay on the island have the option of booking a hotel room or staying in the Saiyuen Camping Adventure Park. The Adventure Park is perfect for families and has a canopy walk, lawn games, cooking classes, and art and crafts workshops.
Most people visit the island to see the Cheung Po Tsai Cave, where the pirate Cheung Po Tsai supposedly kept his treasure; the Cheung Chau Rock Carvings, which are from the Bronze Age; and the Tai Kwai Wan Garden, which offers stunning views of the Adamasta Channel. The most popular beaches on the island are Wan Tsai Beach and Pak Tso Wan Beach, and there is a Windsurfing Centre on Kwun Yam Beach.
Visitors can walk along the Cheung Chau Mini Great Wall to see all the interesting rock formations along the trail and take the Cheung Chau Family Walk Trail to see Reclining Rock and the Cheung Chau North Lookout Pavilion. If you want to do a bit of shopping and have a bite to eat while you’re there, head to Pak She Praya Road. This small island is home to the Lantern Festival in February, the Bun Festival in April/May, and the Mooncake Festival in September/October.
Peng Chau
Peng Chau is a fascinating island that can be reached by taking a ferry form the mainland or from Hong Kong Island or Cheung Chau Island. There may not be much to do here, but it’s still worth a visit. Bring your camera and photograph the ruins of the Chiu Kee Porcelain Factory, the Peng Chau Leather Factory, and the Sing Lei Hap Gei Lime Kiln Factory. Take the Peng Chau Family Walk to the Ngan Chau Tsai Pavilion on Finger Hill and visit the colourful temples, such as the Tin Hau Temple, the Kam Fa Temple, and the Seventh Sister Temple. You can also walk over the Tai Lei Bridge to Tai Lei Island.
Peng Chau is known for some its delicious seafood and many of the best restaurants are on Wing On Street. You can spend the afternoon relaxing at Tung Wan Beach or rent a bicycle and take a leisurely ride around the island.
