Key takeaways
Hong Kong is one of the most comprehensively connected cities in the world, with four competing 5G operators and mobile speeds that regularly top global benchmarks. CSL/HKT and 3 Hong Kong are the two largest operators; SmarTone and China Mobile HK provide strong competition. Internet is completely open with no restrictions on any app. A Roamix Hong Kong eSIM activates on arrival at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and connects you to these world-class networks. Most visitors need only 3 to 5 GB for a week; the city's extensive MTR and Octopus card infrastructure means minimal heavy data use beyond navigation and social media.
- Hong Kong has four 5G operators and some of the fastest mobile speeds in the world; coverage is essentially complete across all urban and suburban areas.
- The internet is fully open with no restrictions; all apps including Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and FaceTime work normally.
- A Roamix eSIM activates on arrival at Hong Kong International Airport and connects to CSL, 3 Hong Kong, SmarTone or China Mobile HK.
- The MTR (Mass Transit Railway) is the primary way to travel; the Octopus card handles fares, convenience stores and many restaurants.
- The New Territories and outlying islands (Lantau, Cheung Chau, Lamma) have full 4G/5G; even Tung Ping Chau and remote coastal parks have reasonable signal.
Best way to get data in Hong Kong (China)
A Roamix eSIM is the most convenient option for most visitors, providing seamless 5G access from HKG arrivals hall through the entire trip without any SIM purchasing or queuing.
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Roamix eSIMRecommended | Best for: Most travellers | Instant activation on arrival at HKG, no SIM kiosk visit required, connects to world-class 5G networks and no roaming bill. |
| Local Hong Kong SIM | Best for: Extended stays or those needing a local +852 number | Available from CSL, 3 Hong Kong, SmarTone and China Mobile HK at the airport and 7-Eleven. Tourist SIMs are also available at convenience stores. |
| Hotel and free wifi | Best for: Light users in central districts | Excellent and widespread; adequate for email and basic navigation in Hong Kong's well-covered urban areas. |
| Carrier roaming | Best for: Emergency fallback only | International roaming in Hong Kong can be expensive; a Roamix plan is far more economical for any trip. |
Free wifi is extremely widespread in Hong Kong: MTR stations, shopping malls, most hotels, cafes and restaurants. The Government Free Wi-Fi scheme (GovWiFi) provides public access at parks and government buildings. Hotel wifi is generally fast and reliable.
How much data you need
Data needs in Hong Kong are moderate for a typical tourist stay. The city's excellent free wifi in hotels, malls and the MTR complements mobile data. Most usage is for Google Maps transit routing, social media and messaging.
2 to 3 GB
City sightseeing: Central, Kowloon, Wan Chai
Maps, social uploads and restaurant research in a densely connected city with extensive free wifi options.
3 to 5 GB
One-week trip including outlying islands and New Territories hiking
Transit navigation, ferry bookings, trail maps for MacLehose and Sai Kung, plus standard social use.
8 to 10 GB
Business trip with remote work needs
Video meetings on 5G, large file transfers and continuous online access across hotel and external venues.
Data per hour, by activity
- Maps and navigation
- 5 MB
- WhatsApp messaging and calls
- 5 to 15 MB
- Social media and browsing
- 100 to 150 MB
- Music streaming
- 70 MB
- Video calls
- 500 MB to 1.5 GB
The MTR app and Citymapper (Hong Kong) work well for transit navigation. Download offline Google Maps for Sai Kung Country Park and outlying islands as a backup before hiking.
How to set up a Hong Kong (China) eSIM
A Roamix Hong Kong eSIM is best installed over wifi before departure. It activates automatically on arrival at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) at Chek Lap Kok.
- 1
Buy your plan on the Roamix Hong Kong eSIM page before departure.
- 2
Scan the QR code or tap to install the eSIM over wifi.
- 3
Label it Roamix and keep your home SIM as primary for calls and texts.
- 4
Enable data roaming for the Roamix line only.
- 5
Land at HKG and the eSIM connects automatically to CSL, 3 Hong Kong, SmarTone or China Mobile HK.
Works on eSIM-capable phones including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy models. The phone must be carrier unlocked. Note that some mainland China device variants have eSIM disabled by manufacturer.
Roamix sets the correct APN automatically on most devices. If data does not start on the Airport Express, apply the APN from your order and toggle airplane mode.
No data on arrival usually means data roaming is off for the Roamix line. Check settings and toggle the Roamix eSIM to active data if you have two SIMs installed.
Visa and entry for Hong Kong (China)
Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, EU and most Western countries can enter Hong Kong visa-free for 90 days (US, UK, EU) or 30 to 90 days depending on nationality. Hong Kong maintains its own separate visa policy from mainland China.
- eVisa or ETA
- No advance e-visa or ETA is required for most nationalities. Visa-exempt travellers present their passport on arrival at HKG. Mainland China crossings require a separate valid Chinese visa; the Hong Kong visa exemption does not apply to mainland China.
- Passport validity
- Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in Hong Kong.
- Onward ticket
- Proof of onward or return travel may be requested by Hong Kong Immigration; have your booking accessible.
Keep your travel documents accessible on your phone. Use your Roamix eSIM to access your booking confirmation, onward travel and accommodation details on the Airport Express.
Entry rules can change. Confirm current requirements at the Hong Kong Immigration Department before booking. Note that crossing into mainland China requires a separate Chinese visa regardless of Hong Kong entry status.
When you land in Hong Kong (China)
0 of 5 done
How people message here
WhatsApp is the primary messaging app for international communication. WeChat is essential for communication with contacts in mainland China. Cantonese-language voice calls remain common among locals.
Do you need a local number?
A local Hong Kong number is not required for most tourist visits. WhatsApp and FaceTime work with your home number and cover all hotel, tour and restaurant communication.
If you plan to cross into mainland China, install WeChat before arriving and ensure your contacts have added you. Mainland China is a completely separate market where Google and WhatsApp are blocked on local SIMs.
Airports in Hong Kong (China)
HKG
Hong Kong International Airport
Chek Lap Kok, Lantau Island
Excellent free wifi throughout all terminals and the Airport Express station. Consistent high speeds on the 5G mobile network too.
Activate your Roamix eSIM before landing so you are online immediately on the Airport Express (24 minutes to Central). Book the Airport Express in-town check-in the night before using Roamix data.
SKG
Shek Kong Airfield
Shek Kong, New Territories
Military and government airfield; not used for commercial passenger services. Civilian visitors do not transit here.
Not applicable for tourist travel. All commercial arrivals use HKG Chek Lap Kok.
MFM
Macau International Airport
Macau (accessible from Hong Kong by ferry or Macau-Zhuhai-HK Bridge)
Good wifi at Macau airport. The high-speed ferry from Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal takes approximately 1 hour.
If combining Hong Kong with a Macau day trip, use Roamix data to book the TurboJET or Cotai Water Jet ferry from the Shun Tak Centre terminal in Sheung Wan. Note Macau has its own +853 country code.
SZX
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport
Shenzhen (accessible from Hong Kong by cross-border coach and High Speed Rail)
Large international airport across the Shenzhen border; High Speed Rail from West Kowloon Station reaches Shenzhen North in under 20 minutes.
If you are flying out via Shenzhen to avoid higher HKG fares, use Roamix data at West Kowloon Station to book your HSR ticket on the 12306 app and check Shenzhen airport terminal assignments. Note mainland China connectivity is a separate market.
Apps and internet access in Hong Kong (China)
Hong Kong has a fully open internet with no restrictions. All apps work normally on a Roamix eSIM, including Google services, WhatsApp, FaceTime, Instagram and YouTube.
There are no internet restrictions in Hong Kong. This is a fully open internet environment. All apps and services including Google, Meta, Apple and streaming platforms work without any VPN or workaround.
WhatsApp, works
Works perfectly; widely used alongside WeChat for communication with mainland China contacts.
Google Maps, works
Works fully; Hong Kong is extremely well mapped. The MTR mobile app is also excellent for transit navigation.
Social media, works
Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube all work normally with no restrictions.
FaceTime and video calls, works
Works on 5G and 4G throughout Hong Kong with excellent video quality given the world-class network speeds.
Getting around Hong Kong (China)
Hong Kong has one of the world's most efficient and comprehensive public transit systems. The MTR covers Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and most of the New Territories. Buses, minibuses, trams, ferries and taxis complete the network. An Octopus card handles payment across all modes. A Roamix eSIM is useful for real-time Google Maps transit routing and ferry schedule checks.
MTR (Mass Transit Railway)
The MTR covers the city with exceptional frequency and reliability. All tunnels and underground stations have full 4G and 5G coverage from all operators. Buy an Octopus card and top up via the MTR app over Roamix data.
Ferries to outlying islands and Macau
Regular ferry services operate from Central Pier (Nos. 4 to 6) to Lamma, Cheung Chau and Lantau. Ferries to Macau depart from the Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan. Check schedules on the HKKF or New World Ferry apps using Roamix data.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Red taxis cover urban areas; green taxis the New Territories; blue taxis Lantau. Uber operates in Hong Kong. Use Roamix data to call Uber or the HKTaxi app for metered journeys.
Airport Express
Direct train from HKG to Central in 24 minutes, stopping at Tsing Yi, Kowloon and Hong Kong Stations. Full 4G and 5G throughout the journey. Buy tickets or use your Octopus card.
The MTR is the fastest way around the city. The Octopus card is essential and saves significant fares versus single-journey tickets. The Peak Tram (redeveloped in 2023) is the iconic way to reach Victoria Peak; queue online to save time.
Money and payments in Hong Kong (China)
The Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) is pegged to the USD at approximately 7.80 HKD to 1 USD. Money exchange is easy at banks, currency exchange offices (look for licenced changers at Chungking Mansions and HSBC) and ATMs.
- Cards and cash
- Cards are accepted at hotels, malls, supermarkets and most restaurants. Smaller street stalls, dai pai dong (open-air food stalls) and wet markets are cash-only. The Octopus card is the most practical payment method for transport, convenience stores and many casual restaurants.
- ATMs
- HSBC, Hang Seng and Standard Chartered ATMs are widespread throughout Hong Kong. Airport ATMs are convenient for first-day cash. No fees on most international cards at major bank ATMs.
- Payment apps
- Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted at supermarkets, convenience stores and many restaurants. FPS (Fast Payment System) QR codes are common for local person-to-person payments.
- Tipping
- Tipping in Hong Kong is modest by Western standards. Many restaurants add a 10 percent service charge; if not, rounding up is appreciated. Tipping taxi drivers is not expected but leaving the small change is common.
Daily budget
Budget travel in Hong Kong costs HKD 400 to 700 per day using hostels and local cha chaan teng (Hong Kong-style cafes). Mid-range hotel stays and restaurants run HKD 1,200 to 2,500 per day. Luxury hotel stays can exceed HKD 5,000 per day.
Local tips for Hong Kong (China)
- Language
- Cantonese is the primary language for everyday life. English is an official language and widely spoken in business, hospitality and all tourist areas. Menus typically appear in both Chinese and English. Putonghua (Mandarin) is understood by most people.
- Food
- Hong Kong is one of the world's great food cities. Must-try experiences include dim sum at Lei Garden or Tim Ho Wan, roast goose at Yung Kee, char siu barbecued pork from any roast meat specialist, Hong Kong-style milk tea and pineapple bun at a cha chaan teng, and the dai pai dong outdoor stalls on Temple Street and Graham Street.
- Plugs
- 220V, Type G plugs
Apps worth having
MTR Mobile
transit
Official MTR app for route planning, fare calculation, service updates and real-time train arrival times; essential for navigating the MTR network efficiently.
Citymapper (Hong Kong)
navigation
Comprehensive transit routing covering MTR, buses, ferries and trams with real-time service status updates across all Hong Kong transport modes.
OpenRice
food
Hong Kong's leading restaurant discovery platform for finding dim sum, local cha chaan teng, Michelin recommendations and user reviews across all 18 districts.
Safety and health in Hong Kong (China)
Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in Asia for tourists. Crime rates are low across all tourist areas. The main risks are petty theft in very crowded areas such as Mong Kok market streets and Temple Street at night. Medical facilities are world-class.
- Stay reachable
- Keep your Roamix eSIM active throughout your Hong Kong stay for navigation, contacts and emergency calls. The city is extremely safe but having data available is useful for real-time typhoon alerts during June to September.
- Health
- Medical facilities in Hong Kong are excellent. Queen Mary Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital are the main public hospitals; private hospitals such as Adventist and Matilda are well regarded. No vaccinations are specifically required for Hong Kong.
- Tap water
- Tap water in Hong Kong meets international standards and is safe to drink. Bottled water is widely available if preferred.
Networks and coverage in Hong Kong (China)
Hong Kong consistently ranks among the top three cities in the world for mobile network performance. Four operators compete aggressively on 5G coverage and speed. CSL (part of HKT, the national carrier) and 3 Hong Kong (Hutchison) are the two largest. SmarTone and China Mobile HK complete a fiercely competitive market that drives exceptional speeds and coverage. A Roamix Hong Kong eSIM connects you to these networks the moment you walk off the plane at Chek Lap Kok.
CSL (HKT)
Part of PCCW/HKT Group; the longest-established major operator in Hong Kong with the widest spectrum holdings and consistent top ranking for 5G availability and coverage. Excellent across all districts including remote hiking trails in the New Territories.
3 Hong Kong (Hutchison)
The second-largest operator with aggressive 5G rollout across Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Strong on speed benchmarks; particularly competitive in the city core, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui.
SmarTone
Premium operator with very strong network quality in Hong Kong's commercial and hotel districts. Excellent 5G in Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and the airport corridor.
China Mobile Hong Kong
Good 5G deployment across urban areas. Particularly convenient for mainland China crossings as the carrier has integration with China Mobile's mainland network, though note mainland China is a separate RESTRICTED market.
- Typical speeds
- 5G in Hong Kong delivers 100 to 400 Mbps in urban areas; 4G LTE averages 50 to 150 Mbps. Hong Kong regularly ranks in global top 5 for mobile download speeds.
- 5G
- All four operators have deployed 5G across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin and most of the New Territories. Outlying islands have mixed 4G and 5G coverage.
Hong Kong's MTR tunnels are fully covered by all operators; you do not lose signal when travelling underground. Ferries to the outlying islands (Lantau, Lamma, Cheung Chau) also maintain 4G or 5G signal throughout the crossing.
Coverage in Hong Kong is essentially complete for all tourist purposes. The most remote hiking trails in the MacLehose Trail, Wilson Trail and Sai Kung East Country Park may have brief signal gaps in narrow valleys, but even these are generally covered by at least one operator. Hong Kong uses sub-6GHz 5G (n77/n78) and 4G LTE on standard bands. All modern unlocked smartphones are compatible. Type G power adapters are required for UK-standard sockets.
Where to go in Hong Kong (China)
Hong Kong packs extraordinary density of experience into 1,114 sq km: the skyscraper-canyon canyons of Central and Kowloon, pristine country parks covering 40 percent of the territory, stunning outlying islands, night markets, Michelin-starred restaurants and the world's most efficient urban transit system. Connectivity is seamless throughout.
Best time to visit
October to December is the best period: clear skies, low humidity and comfortable temperatures of 20 to 26C. March to May brings haze. June to September is hot, humid and typhoon season, though the city remains fully functional.
Hong Kong Island (Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay)
The commercial and cultural heart of Hong Kong, with the Central Business District, the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak, the nightlife of Wan Chai, the shopping of Causeway Bay and the historic district of Sheung Wan with its dried seafood and temple streets.
- Victoria Peak
- Central-Mid-Levels Escalator
- Man Mo Temple
- Lan Kwai Fong
- Stanley Market
All four operators deliver peak 5G speeds throughout Hong Kong Island. The MTR runs under the harbour and signal is maintained throughout.
Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po)
The peninsular urban core opposite Hong Kong Island, with the Temple Street Night Market, the jade market, the neon-lit shopping streets of Mong Kok, the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade and the Hong Kong Museum of History.
- Temple Street Night Market
- Ladies Market Mong Kok
- Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
- Hong Kong Museum of History
- Sham Shui Po electronics market
Excellent 5G across all Kowloon districts. The Victoria Harbour waterfront promenade is fully covered; signal is strong on the Star Ferry crossing.
New Territories
The vast hinterland north of Kowloon stretching to the Shenzhen border, encompassing Sha Tin, Tai Po, Sai Kung and the MacLehose Trail with its 100-km network of coastal and highland hiking routes, traditional walled villages and Sai Kung seafood village.
- Sai Kung seafood village
- MacLehose Trail
- Ping Shan Heritage Trail
- Tai O fishing village Lantau
- Sha Tin racecourse
Full 4G and 5G coverage across New Territories towns and most hiking trails. Even the MacLehose Trail's remote Stage 2 coastal sections have good CSL coverage.
Lantau Island and the Outlying Islands
Lantau is the largest island in Hong Kong, home to the airport, the Giant Buddha at Ngong Ping, the Tian Tan monastery, Tai O fishing village and Discovery Bay. The outlying islands of Lamma, Cheung Chau and Peng Chau are car-free and reachable by ferry.
- Tian Tan (Big) Buddha Lantau
- Ngong Ping 360 cable car
- Tai O fishing village
- Cheung Chau seafront
- Lamma Island seafood restaurants
Lantau and the main outlying islands have solid 4G; Ngong Ping plateau and the Lantau Trail have reasonable coverage. Ferries between islands have 4G signal throughout the crossing.
Aberdeen, Sai Kung and the Eastern Districts
Aberdeen (Heung Gong Tsai) has the famous floating restaurants and Jumbo Kingdom, the Eastern districts of Chai Wan and Shau Kei Wan have hiking access to Dragon's Back and Shek O village, and Sai Kung serves as the gateway to the UNESCO Global Geopark.
- Dragon's Back hike
- Shek O beach and village
- Sai Kung Global Geopark
- High Island Reservoir hexagonal columns
- Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market
Full 5G coverage throughout Aberdeen and Sai Kung town. The Sai Kung Country Park has good signal on the main trails; deeper coastal sections of the Geopark can be weaker.
Off the beaten path
The defining Hong Kong view from 552 m above sea level, looking over the skyscraper canyons of Central and across Victoria Harbour to Kowloon and the New Territories, best experienced at dusk when the lights come on. The new Peak Tram (reopened 2023) carries visitors in redesigned double-deck carriages.
Signal: Excellent 5G at the Peak Tower, the tram terminus and all viewing platforms. The Peak Tram carriages also have coverage throughout the ascent.
Hong Kong's most atmospheric night market, running 500 m through Yau Ma Tei with fortune tellers, Cantonese opera performers, street food stalls, jade vendors and a dense, buzzing nocturnal energy that captures old Kowloon.
Signal: Excellent 5G and 4G throughout Temple Street. Very crowded evenings; keep your phone secure.
Hong Kong's most celebrated hiking route, with Stage 1 delivering one of Asia's best coastal walks past pristine beaches including Ham Tin Wan and Tai Long Wan, accessible from Sai Kung town by kaido (small ferry) or via the Pak Tam Chung trailhead.
Signal: CSL and Tigo provide reasonable 4G/5G along most of the MacLehose Trail Stage 1 and 2 coastal sections. Deep valley sections of Stage 3 and 4 can be weaker. Download offline maps before starting from Pak Tam Chung.
The world's largest seated outdoor bronze Buddha (34 m tall), sitting at 520 m on the Ngong Ping plateau above the Tian Tan monastery, accessible by the spectacular Ngong Ping 360 cable car or by hiking Lantau's scenic trails. The adjacent Po Lin Monastery serves vegetarian lunch daily.
Signal: Good 4G at Ngong Ping Plateau and the Buddha base. The Ngong Ping 360 cable car cabin has coverage throughout the 25-minute crossing from Tung Chung.
A UNESCO-recognised geopark featuring Hong Kong's finest natural scenery: 140-million-year-old hexagonal volcanic rock columns along the High Island Reservoir coast that rival the Giant's Causeway, accessible by kayak tour or shore excursion from Sai Kung.
Signal: Reasonable 4G along the main Geopark access roads and the High Island Reservoir dam. The most remote coastal rock stacks require boat tours from Sai Kung, with limited signal offshore.
A living fishing village on the western tip of Lantau, built on stilts over tidal flats, where residents still make shrimp paste and dried seafood in the traditional manner. The dolphin-watching boat tours offer chances to spot rare Indo-Pacific pink dolphins.
Signal: Decent Claro/CSL 4G in Tai O village. Boat tours on the tidal flat canals have intermittent signal depending on position.
A Tang Dynasty-style classical Chinese garden in Diamond Hill, adjacent to the Chi Lin Nunnery, a vast silent Buddhist complex of hand-joined timber halls modelled on 7th-century Chang'an architecture. Free admission; exceptional photography against the Kowloon skyline backdrop.
Signal: Excellent 5G at Diamond Hill MTR and throughout the Nan Lian Garden and nunnery.
Dragon's Back is consistently voted the best urban hike in Asia: a 8.5 km ridge walk along the southern coastline of Hong Kong Island with panoramic views over the South China Sea, ending at Shek O village and a laid-back beach with excellent seafood restaurants.
Signal: Good CSL 4G along the Dragon's Back ridge; Shek O beach and village have full 4G. Download offline maps at Shau Kei Wan MTR before starting.
Hong Kong's oldest and most atmospheric Taoist temple (1847), permanently wreathed in smoke from giant suspended incense coils, dedicated to Man (god of literature) and Mo (god of war) with an extraordinary interior of lacquered red woodwork and gilded statues.
Signal: Excellent 5G in Sheung Wan and on Hollywood Road. The area around the temple is highly walkable with boutique galleries and antique shops.
Mong Kok concentrates Hong Kong's street-market culture: the Ladies Market on Tung Choi Street for clothing and accessories, the nearby flower market on Flower Market Road, the Bird Garden on Yuen Po Street and the sports equipment and sneaker shops on Sai Yeung Choi Street.
Signal: Exceptional 5G density in Mong Kok, one of the most densely populated urban areas in the world. All four operators have peak network density here.
Events and seasons in Hong Kong (China)
January to February (Lunar New Year, 2nd day)
Chinese New Year Fireworks
Victoria Harbour
Hong Kong's Chinese New Year fireworks display over Victoria Harbour on the second night of Lunar New Year is one of the largest and most spectacular in Asia, fired from barges in the harbour with both Kowloon and Hong Kong Island waterfronts packed with spectators.
February to March
Hong Kong Arts Festival
Hong Kong Cultural Centre and various venues
A prestigious 4-week performing arts festival bringing world-class opera, classical music, dance, theatre and contemporary performance to Hong Kong, with productions from the Royal Ballet, Vienna Philharmonic and leading Asian companies at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and City Hall.
February
Hong Kong Marathon
Starting at Kowloon, finishing at Victoria Park
The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon is one of Asia's largest road races, with over 74,000 participants across the full marathon, half marathon and 10K categories crossing the Tsing Ma Bridge and running through major Kowloon and harbour tunnels.
March to April
Hong Kong Sevens (Rugby)
Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong Island
One of the great sporting spectacles in Asia: the HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is a World Rugby Sevens Series tournament held over three days at Hong Kong Stadium with an extraordinary party atmosphere in the stands, teams from across the world and legendary South Stand crowd costumes.
March to April
Hong Kong International Film Festival
Various cinemas across Hong Kong
One of Asia's leading film festivals, screening over 200 films from 50 countries across two weeks, with premieres of major Hong Kong and Asian productions, international arthouse cinema and retrospective programmes at venues including the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Palace IFC cinema.
May (4th day of 4th lunar month)
Cheung Chau Bun Festival
Cheung Chau Island
One of Hong Kong's most unique cultural events, held on Cheung Chau island, with the spectacular Piu Sik float parade (children dressed as deities), the bun-scrambling competition up three 14-m towers covered in steamed buns, and the traditional Taoist ceremony marking the pacification of island ghosts.
June (5th day of 5th lunar month)
Dragon Boat Festival
Stanley, Tai Po, Aberdeen and harbour venues
The Tuen Ng (Dragon Boat) Festival is one of Hong Kong's most spectacular waterfront events, with dragon boat races at Stanley Beach, the Aberdeen Marina and Tai Po, as well as the international dragon boat races that attract overseas teams to Victoria Harbour.
September to October (15th day of 8th lunar month)
Mid-Autumn Festival and Fire Dragon Dance
Tai Hang, Causeway Bay and Victoria Park
Hong Kong's Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated with mooncakes, lantern walks and the extraordinary Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance: a 67-metre straw dragon studded with incense sticks carried through the Tai Hang streets over three nights by hundreds of local residents.
October to November
Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival
Central Harbourfront, Hong Kong
An annual 4-day outdoor festival on the Central Harbourfront bringing together over 500 wines, spirits and food offerings from local and international producers, with themed pavilions, chef demonstrations, masterclasses and live entertainment against the Victoria Harbour skyline.
November to December
Clockenflap Music Festival
Central Harbourfront, Hong Kong
Hong Kong's largest outdoor music and arts festival, held on the Central Harbourfront over 3 days with an international and Hong Kong lineup spanning indie rock, electronic, hip-hop and Cantopop across multiple stages, with the Victoria Harbour and Kowloon skyline as backdrop.
Through the year
- Spring
- March to May sees temperatures rise quickly with increasing haze. Visibility from the Peak can be poor due to haze from the Pearl River Delta. The Arts Festival and Hong Kong Sevens take place in this period. Rain increases from April.
- Summer
- June to September is hot, humid (over 85 percent humidity) and typhoon season. Typhoon Signal 8 or higher closes businesses and transport. The city remains lively between storms. Sea temperatures are warm for swimming at outlying island beaches.
- Fall
- October to November is the best time to visit Hong Kong. Clear skies, comfortable temperatures of 20 to 26C, low humidity and no typhoon risk. The city skyline is at its clearest and hiking trails are ideal.
- Winter
- December to February brings cool, dry weather with temperatures of 12 to 18C. Occasional cold snaps dip below 10C in January. Chinese New Year falls in January to February and transforms the city with markets, decorations and fireworks. Light jacket required.
Working remotely from Hong Kong (China)
Hong Kong is outstanding for remote work. Fast 5G, excellent hotel wifi, numerous co-working spaces (WeWork, The Hive, Blueprint) and a full range of international cafes provide multiple productive work environments.
- Connection
- 5G speeds of 100 to 400 Mbps handle all video calls and large uploads comfortably. A Roamix plan with 8 to 10 GB covers a full week of mixed work and sightseeing.
WeWork has multiple Hong Kong locations including Central and Causeway Bay. Many international hotel lobbies (Conrad, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental) offer day-pass business centre access with fast connections.
