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Hong Kong

A wall of skyscrapers between green peaks and a glittering harbour, Hong Kong packs dim sum halls, double-decker trams, neon markets and island escapes into one compact city. It is ranked #15 on Time Out's Best Cities 2026 list.

Metro population
7,500,000
Country
China
Region
Asia
Overview

Why visit Hong Kong

Hong Kong was a scatter of fishing villages until it became a British colony in 1841. It returned to China in 1997 under the 'one country, two systems' framework, and that East-meets-West mix still defines it, from Cantonese temples to British-style pubs.

The classic view is from Victoria Peak, reached by the historic Peak Tram. Down below, the Star Ferry has crossed Victoria Harbour since 1888, and the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade faces the famous skyline. On Lantau Island, the Ngong Ping 360 cable car climbs to the giant Tian Tan Buddha.

Food is a sport here: morning dim sum, roast goose, egg tarts and late-night wonton noodles. Markets like Temple Street and the Ladies' Market glow after dark, and a third of the territory is country park, with hikes like the Dragon's Back minutes from the towers.

Things to do

Top things to book in Hong Kong

Popular tours and tickets. Compare prices and book ahead to skip the lines.

Victoria Peak & Peak Tram

Ride the historic tram to the city's most famous view.

Victoria Harbour Cruise

Sail past the skyline at sunset or during the light show.

Lantau Island & Big Buddha

Ngong Ping cable car, Tian Tan Buddha and Tai O village.

Dim Sum Food Tour

Morning tea, dumplings and markets with a local guide.

Plan your trip

Compare prices for Hong Kong

Pick your dates once and search hotels, homes, flights and tours on every major site.

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Side by side in Hong Kong

Top things to book in Hong Kong

Tour prices change by date and group size, so each site opens with your search ready to check today's price.

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Fun facts

Things you didn't know about Hong Kong

  1. 01

    More Skyscrapers Than Anywhere

    Hong Kong has more buildings over 150 metres tall than any other city in the world.

  2. 02

    The Star Ferry

    The green-and-white Star Ferry has crossed Victoria Harbour since 1888 and still costs pocket change.

  3. 03

    Ding Ding Trams

    Hong Kong's double-decker trams have run since 1904 and form the largest double-decker tram fleet in service.

  4. 04

    A Giant Buddha

    The Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island is about 34 metres tall and is reached by climbing 268 steps.

  5. 05

    The Longest Escalator

    The Central–Mid-Levels escalator system is the world's longest outdoor covered escalator network.

  6. 06

    Feng Shui Towers

    Several skyscrapers have holes, called 'dragon gates', so dragons can pass from the hills to the sea.

  7. 07

    Mostly Green

    Despite the dense skyline, roughly 40 percent of Hong Kong's land is protected country park.

  8. 08

    A Handover City

    Hong Kong was British for 156 years before returning to China on 1 July 1997.

  9. 09

    Octopus Card

    Launched in 1997, the Octopus card was one of the world's first contactless payment cards.

  10. 10

    Kung Fu Capital

    Hong Kong cinema made stars of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan and shaped action movies worldwide.

Random Hong Kong fact

Tap the button for a random fact about Hong Kong.

FAQ

Quick answers about Hong Kong

Where is Hong Kong located?

Hong Kong is in China, in Asia.

What is the population of Hong Kong?

The greater Hong Kong area is home to about 7,500,000 people.

What is Hong Kong famous for?

A wall of skyscrapers between green peaks and a glittering harbour, Hong Kong packs dim sum halls, double-decker trams, neon markets and island escapes into one compact city.

Is Hong Kong worth visiting?

Yes — Hong Kong was ranked #15 on Time Out's Best Cities 2026 list. Explore its facts, attractions and top things to book on this page.

Did IShowSpeed stream from Hong Kong?

Yes — IShowSpeed streamed from Hong Kong during his 2025 China tour. See his full world tour map.

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