China is a destination for the future. More and more people are either relocating or traveling to Hong Kong, both for business and pleasure purposes. Their economy is strong, and opportunities are all around you. However, the culture shock can be too much to handle. When traveling to Hong Kong for the first time, it is crucial to get some pro tips that will make your experience more enjoyable.
Traveling to Hong Kong for the first time
Traveling to Hong Kong for the first time will be an experience to remember. The diversity, culture, and architecture will leave you in awe. Nevertheless, you might feel overwhelmed by the entire situation. For that reason, my goal is to show you some pro tips that will help you handle traveling to Hong Kong:
- transportation in Hong Kong
- payment forms
- where to eat
- where to stay
- best activities
- travel tips
- interesting facts about Hong Kong
The Airport Express
The Airport Express is a Hong Kong metro line. It is one of the best ways to get to and from Hong Kong International Airport. As with most world capitals or large cities, the metro is the best way of transportation. This is especially crucial when you in a foreign country for the first time. Figuring out bus lines, and other means of transportation is not always easy.
It takes only 24 minutes to get to the center of Hong Kong when using the Airport Express, and you can’t get lost. Remember to buy an Octopus card before you board the Airport Express.
Octopus card
Handling money and transactions in a foreign country can be a mess. If you are used to your country’s currency, thinking about the exchange rate can be tedious. It can happen that you easily spend more money than you intended. Furthermore, looking for an exchange office that will not rip you off is not always easy.
For that reason, it is imperative that you buy an Octopus card. This prepaid card lets you load money on it, and use it as a form of payment. You can use it for transportation, food, Peak Tram, Starr Fery, and much more.
Eating cheap in Hong Kong
Eating Chinese food is a must for everyone traveling to Hong Kong. Their local delicacies are unique, and not trying them will be a loss. However, not everyone can handle their food easily. Our stomachs are used to certain foods, and making a huge change on short notice can cause some problems. If you wish to boost your immune system to handle their food more easily, for starters, find some places with the food you are used to.
Nevertheless, it is crucial to know where to eat cheap in Hong Kong. If you are not careful, you will end up in an expensive restaurant. Sure, the food is tasty, but the entire experience will be spoiled when you get the bill at the end.
Instead, look for small, local places. Good examples are Dim Sum and Tim Ho Wan. You can find a plethora of tasty Chinese food like barbeque roast, noodle soups, egg tarts, Hong Kong waffles, and much more. If you are smart about it, you can have a good meal for under $5.
Also, you can still go to a McDonalds, but I advise against that. If you are in a foreign country, it would be a shame not to eat local food.
Central Hotel
When choosing a place to stay, first you must decide if you wish to find accommodation in Hong Kong or on the Kowloon side. If you choose Hong Kong Island, the best pick is by far the Central Hotel. The accommodation is splendid, and the prices are good. When you consider that there are over 800 hotels you can choose from, finding the right one is not an easy task.
The cheaper version is Airbnb. You can find a plethora of apartments, condos, and rooms for rent at affordable prices. That is also a great way to save money on food because there are no meals included in the price. Instead, you should buy food in grocery stores, and prepare it yourself. Visit getmovedtoday.com and ask them to help you transfer your possessions to the place you choose in Hong Kong, you might find that that’s a cheaper option than renting a room in a hotel.
Best activities in Hong Kong
When traveling to Hong Kong, you will find a lot of fun activities to do. Ride in a cable car, go on free tours, enjoy the Hong Kong skyline. You can also visit Hong Kong Ocean Park, learn about their history, or spend a day or two shopping in their malls.
It is also important to find some healthy activities. It is possible that people who undergo a culture shock can feel a bit stressed, nervous, or even depressed. The lifestyle in Hong Kong is completely different from what you are used to. For example, going to the gym or practicing yoga can help with depression. It is crucial to stay busy and active!
Travel tips
There are a lot of things to do to prepare for traveling to Hong Kong. Even though the Chinese language is difficult, you can try to learn a couple of useful phrases. It can even be challenging and fun to tackle this task. It is also good to research Chinese culture, history, and local customs. People act differently from what you are used to. One of the common things that happen is that you can accidentally offend someone just by not knowing their local customs.
Furthermore, when traveling to a long-distance destination like Hong Kong, it doesn’t hurt to think about safety. If you want to keep your valuable belongings safe while away, renting a storage is a good solution. If you are far away from home, you can’t always protect your valuables. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Interesting facts about Hong Kong
In the end, here are a couple of interesting facts about Hong Kong. First of all, it can be rainy all the time, so always keep an umbrella with you. Second, taxi rides are cheap, which may come as a surprise. Next, if you thought that New York City has a lot of skyscrapers, you will be surprised to know that Hong Kong is the city with the most skyscrapers in the world. Also, architects in Hong Kong take Feng Shui quite seriously when designing buildings.
Have fun in Hong Kong
You will find out that traveling to Hong Kong is a lot of fun. Plan your time accordingly, and use it as best as you can. Also, feel free to explore the most exclusive neighborhoods in Hong Kong – there is a lot to see out there! Have fun!