Hong Kong

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 travellers with midnight cravings (and what better way to end a night bar-hopping through Hong Kong?) consider 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 the perfect amalgamation of opposites, where East meets West. Here, you’ll find ancient temples side-by-side with modern skyscrapers, bustling city markets vying for attention with museums of visual arts. From Michelin-starred restaurants to local street fare, sweeping skyline views and 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 Vancouver and Toronto. 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 something for every type of traveller. Travel Requirements: Vaccination and isolation requirements have been lifted to visit Hong Kong. Take a rapid anti-gen test 24 hours or a PCR test before you leave for Hong Kong and keep a photo of the negative results to show health officials if requests. Public mask mandates are still in effect, but group gatherings are allowed and venue capacity limits have been lifted.

Temples for peace and enlightenment

West Kowloon for art

Hong Kong is steeped in art, culture and history. What better way to understand the centuries of heritage than by exploring museums, temples and neighborhoods? From serene temples to West Kowloon’s Cultural district for the arts and Old Town Central for heritage, immerse yourself into a multi-faceted environment with riches at every turn. Hong Kong's vibrant art scene starts on the streets. From colourful murals on 46 Graham street and 48 Hollywood road, to Sai Ying Pun's Artlane, where buildings have been transformed into fantastical artworks, you'll find splashes of colour everywhere as you explore old and new neighbourhoods in the city.

The 34-metre 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 neighbouring 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.

Michelin's Bib Gourmand recognize value-for-money gourmet experiences, with a maximum price for a three-course meal set at HK$400 (approx. CAD$69). We love Chan Kan Kee Chiu Chow, a restaurant with seven decades of experience. Tim Hung serves iconic Cantonese roast meat, 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 flavours. Both Street serves traditional Taiwanese street food, with the gua bao a particular noteworthy favourite.

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 pavements 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 Kwan, 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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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, whether you prefer 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

Expect 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 #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 favourites 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 bar also holds the title of being the highest bar in the world. 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 harbour 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 MasterChef Canada judge 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

The city is a canvas

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. Wan Chai is considered one of Hong Kong’s most dynamic neighbourhoods. Meander through Wan Chai Road and Bowrington Road, take in the colourful neon lights around Jaffe, Lockhart and Hennessy Roads, and for serious shopping, check out Causeway Bay. Hong Kong Island’s is also home to popular beaches. Consider a trip to Repulse Bay Beach, one of the glitziest of Hong Kong beaches, or Shek O, frequented by expats and locals alike. We also love visiting Stanley, especially in June to catch the Dragon Boat Festival races.

[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 resplendent.

Hike Hong Kong

Beyond the skyscrapers and temples, there's an outdoor world waiting to be discovered in Hong Kong. With over 250 islands, nature trails that cut across mountain peaks and coastal terrains, as well as marine parks and nature reserves that showcase the diverse ecosystem, there is plenty to do outside. Hong Kong's outdoor wonders are in close proximity to the city centre, as well. Easily accessible by public transport, 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 humpbacked dolphin, also known as the Chinese white dolphin.

Wildlife of sea and sky

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Art aficionados should consider making West Kowloon their first stop. Reserve a few hours (at least) for M+ , Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual arts, with over 17,000 square metres 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. Hong Kong’s iconic Victoria Harbour boasts views of Hong Kong island and plenty to do. Add a visit the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and take a photo with Bruce Lee’s two-metre bronze statue. Stop by K11 MUSEA, considered one of Hong Kong's cultural-retail landmarks, and make sure you're in the area at 8 p.m. to catch the daily Symphony of Lights.

Hong Kong Island for views

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.

Hello Hong Kong

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