Hong Kong FINAL

HELLO HONG KONG |Dining | Arts & culture | outdoors

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 travelers with midnight cravings (and what better way to end a night bar-hopping through Hong Kong?) stop by 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.

Dai Pai Dong delights

Gourmet on a budget

Hong Kong is an amalgamation of opposites, where East meets West and old meets new. Here, you’ll find ancient temples side-by-side with modern skyscrapers, bustling city markets vying for attention with world-class museums. From Michelin-starred restaurants to local street fare, sweeping skyline views to white-sand beaches, you'll find it all in Hong Kong. It's easy to get to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific Airways, which offers direct flights from Boston, Los Angeles, New York City and San Francisco. As Hong Kong’s hometown airline and a founding member of the oneworld alliance, Cathay Pacific has been flying passengers around the globe for over 75 years. Featuring Business, Premium Economy, and Economy classes on all long haul flights and First Class on select long haul flights, Cathay Pacific offers options for all travelers. Hong Kong is open: Vaccination and isolation requirements have been lifted to visit Hong Kong. Take a rapid antigen test 24 hours or a PCR test 48 hours before you leave for Hong Kong, and keep a photo of the negative test results to show health officials if requested. Public mask mandates are still in effect, but venue capacity limits have been lifted. Find more details here.

The city is a canvas

West Kowloon for art

A journey through Hong Kong's neighborhoods is a walk through time. Immerse yourself into a multi-faceted environment with riches at every turn. West Kowloon Cultural District on Victoria Harbour is a must-visit for to see stunning new museums. Don't miss the daily Symphony of Lights at 8 p.m., when the Harbour comes alive with light and sound. But that's not the only show you'll see as you wander — modern murals decorate walls throughout the city. Amid these new-age wonders, you'll also find centuries of heritage and history, whether it's a visit to Old Town Central to retrace Hong Kong's colonial past or a calming detour to one of several serene temples that will evoke a sense of tranquil reflection.

Hong Kong's vibrant art scene starts on the streets. The biggest concentration can be found in Sai Ying Pun's Art Lane, where buildings are adorned in fantastical art works. One of the more iconic murals is located at 46 Graham Street / 48 Hollywood Road, where local artist Alex Croft celebrates the city's tong lau townhouses. As you enter The Mills cultural and retail hub on Pak Tin Par Lane, you are greeted by six large murals that harken back to the area's one-time role as a textile manufacturing district. The outdoor art exhibit continues across Hong Kong, where you'll find splashes of color seemingly everywhere as you explore old and new neighborhoods in the city.

Michelin's Bib Gourmand recognize value-for-money gourmet experiences, with a maximum price for a three-course meal set at HK$400 (about $50 USD). We love Chan Kan Kee Chiu Chow, a restaurant with seven decades of experience. Tim Hung serves iconic Cantonese roast meats, 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 flavors. Both Street serves traditional Taiwanese street food, with the gua bao a particular noteworthy favorite.

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 pavement 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 Kwun, 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.

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Art & culture

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Foodie fantasy

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.

Dim sum dining

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 (try both 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

Enjoy the extraordinary

Hong Kong's bar scene is as varied and acclaimed as the city's restaurants. Perrier's 50 Best Bars list named COA the No. 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 favorites 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 is the highest bar in the world, located on the 118th floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. We also love Room 309, a discreet bar within the Pottinger Hotel which requires a key card from its sister bar for access.

Cocktails & Bars

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 harbor 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 world-renowned chef 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.

Michelin-starred menus

[Placeholder-- Michelin Starred Chinese]

Outdoor adventures

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: 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 stunning.

Hike Hong Kong

Beyond the skyscrapers and temples, Hong Kong's outdoor offerings might just be its greatest secret. Less than 30 minutes from downtown, you'll find over 250 islands to hop between, nature trails that cut across mountain peaks and coastal terrains, as well as marine parks and nature reserves that showcase diverse ecosystems. Many of Hong Kong's outdoor wonders are easily accessible by public transport, and 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.

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 hum-backed dolphin, also known as the Chinese white dolphin.

Wildlife of sea and sky

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Art and culture aficionados should make West Kowloon their first stop, as two world-class museums have opened in the last two years. Reserve a few hours for M+, Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual arts, with over 700,000 square feet 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. Just as impressive inside and out is the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which opened in July 2022. The seven-story building features treasured Chinese artifacts from the larger Palace Museum in Beijing as well as rotating special exhibits from cultural institutions around the globe.

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Find more inspiration for your trip on the Hong Kong website, and search for great fares on Cathay Pacific with this exclusive 15% discount.

Hong Kong Island for views

Your outdoor adventures can start downtown. 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. Hong Kong Island 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.

Temples for peace and enlightenment

The 112-foot-tall 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. 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.

Hello Hong Kong

Hong Kong is back and ready to welcome visitors from all corners of the globe. One million “Hong Kong Goodies” are available to tourists arriving on Cathay Pacific, consisting of complimentary drink vouchers from one of 100 participating restaurants and bars, or a cash voucher redeemable at one of over 140 restaurants, shops or attractions. There are over 250 events and festivals planned in Hong Kong in 2023, including the the Hong Kong Marathon, Art Basel, the Museum Summit 2023, Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival and New Year Countdown Celebrations. New and upgraded attractions have been introduced over the past few years at the M+, the Hong Kong Palace Museum, the new sixth-generation Peak Tram and Water World Ocean Park. There’s also a new nighttime show, “Momentous,” at Hong Kong Disneyland, as well as enhanced waterfront promenades offering spectacular new ways to admire Victoria Harbour.