Hong Kong's attractions 

A city on an island. A vibrant metropolis and a stunning tourist destination.

When to go...

Hong Kong has a subtropical climate, with long, hot summers, and typhoons between July and September. The best months of the year for visiting are in the spring - March and April - and the autumn, from October to December.

For those who brave February, though, each year brings the unmissable Chinese New Year celebrations. Check the dates - the Chinese New Year is celebrated on the first full moon between January 21st and February 21st. March sees the Spring Lantern festival, the end of March/beginning of April is host to the festival celebrating the birth of the sea goddess Tin Hau, and the end of May/beginning of June sees the Dragon Boat festival. All of these festivals follow the lunar calendar, so the exact date changes each year - make sure to check before you book your trip. 

Before you arrive in Hong Kong...

British citizens can visit Hong Kong for up to six months without a visa, though a visit to mainland China will still need one. You may need to get some vaccinations before you go, though, so make sure to see your GP at least 8 weeks before you travel - you might need shots for Hepatitis A, typhus, tetanus, rabies, and diphtheria. Quite a laundry list, but still preferable to bringing home some unwanted memorabilia. 

While you're there...

As with any modern city, Hong Kong has plentiful public transport - trams, buses, trains, metros and ferries. These can be paid for using a rechargeable 'octopus' chip card, similar to our Oyster card at home. Taxis on Hong Kong island itself tend to run more expensive than, for example, in Kowloon.

Travel from the airport is easy, with options to use the express train (takes around 25 minutes from the airport to Hong Kong station, costing around 100 HKD) or bus (prices range from 20 to 40 HKD). Taxis also make the run, though these come in more expensive - between 200-350 HKD for a one way trip.

Most prices in Hong Kong itself are lower than in the UK; you can easily have lunch for around 100-150 HKD, with a beer going for 40 HKD or a soft drink only 20 HKD. Good accommodation in Mong Kok Jordan or Tshim Sha Tsui is reasonably priced, too, with prices starting around 250 HKD per night per person for a hostel or 900 HKD for a 3 star hotel.