POLISH VERSION 🇵🇱➡ click here
Today, I would like to share the conclusions that came up after a few days stay in Hong Kong, summarize the trip. Here you are some of my observations:
TOWN:
Hong Kong occupies the Kowloon peninsula and numerous coastal islands. The largest of the islands are: Lantau (147.16 km²), Hong Kong (80.5 km²) and Nanya Dao (13.74 km²). With the takeover of Hong Kong by China (in 1997), the entire territory of Hong Kong has become one urban area.
At this moment, the population is over 7 million people. That means that it has one of the highest average population densities in the world - 6,200 people per square kilometer - this density in places reaches 43 thousand people per square kilometer!!!
Because of the fact, that city is overpopulated, every piece of the land is developed, there is just a little greenery. As there is not enough room to spread, the city is very developed and is still being built up, so more skyscrapers to come! The city skyline is really beautiful! But unfortunately, the line up is a standard... You will wait everywhere, also before entering the bus or subway.
Additionally, be prepared for the fact that this CITY DOES NOT sleep. All the time there is very loud and crowded, especially at lunchtime or rush hours. Start training your patience before you go there. 🙇♀
With such a high population, a small amount of greenery, high traffic and the proximity of industrial plants in the south of China, unfortunately, the air of Hong Kong is very polluted. And you will feel it very quickly - especially if you come from the country like Poland or Canada. 😷😷😷😷
*** There is an interesting fact, that on the Hong Kong streets you will see a lot of Tesla cars - it is a result of the government's program, which co-financed up to 50% purchase of these cars, in order to reduce air pollution.🚗
PEOPLE
It is a city where the East meets with the West, and you can really feel it. It is very multicultural, most people speak fluent English. In addition, everyone, in their everyday routine, seems to pay much attention to the fashion. You will quickly notice that every piece of clothing of most the people is very carefully selected, there is no shortage of luxurious gadgets of well-known brands. 👠👜👗
However, everyone runs all the time, this city seems to be living on the run. Here you can really understand what urban life is.
Since, especially in downtown, most of the people work in banking and finance, it seems that these people never take off their suits... Even on Saturday, while walking in the park with kids, you will see daddies in suits. Likewise, while in the evening, when you're going to a bar for a beer or club to dance, you will quickly realize that as one of the few people you do not wear a suit. 😅 The fact is that these people work hard and long... very long. And apparently the dress code is completely in their blood, probably they can't imagine how is to put on jeans or just relax. 😃
PUBLIC TRANSPORT, getting around the city:
Hong Kong has very well-developed public transport. You will not have any problems with efficient travel from the one end of the city to the other. The metro is very modern, clean and tidy, urban transport also includes ships transporting from one island to another.
For every type of transport you use the same card, which you can buy for example in a metro station for HK $ 150 (HK $ 50 deposit on the card = approx. 6.3 USD, and HK $ 100 = 12.7 USD to use it for rides) - you should be able to several days of using communication.
The only problematic issue when exploring the city it may turn out to be... TIME ... Even if Google says it will take half an hour, get ready for about an hour. 😓Plus, be prepared for the fact that you may have to wait in the line up for the bus / subway (especially during rush hours).
To make you feel better, it is possible to survive these few days of exploring and spending so much time on the bus, streetcar and subway. Think about people who commute to work every day like this. An average Hong Kong resident spends up to 2-4 hours a day in public transport! 😲
PS 1. It is worth buying a sim card to have permanent access to the Internet, at least to google maps ☺
PS 2. In order to avoid public transport, I recommend to use Uber, which is definitely a better option than a taxi from the street (it's not difficult to meet with the lack of courtesy on the part of the driver).🚕
PRICES:
Get ready that prices in Hong Kong are really high (especially if we're flying straight from Poland, earning in polish zlotys lol). Hong Kong is the second most expensive place in the world (right after Singapore). It is presented more or less like this:
- Accommodation:
Everything depends on your expectations and location. The more central you want to be, the more it will cost you.
- Average price of accommodation: 585 HKD - 75 USD
- Price of a 2-star hotel: HK $ 330 - 42 USD
- Price 3-star: HK $ 538 - 68 USD
- Price of a 4-star hotel: HK$ 836 - 107 USD
- Price of a 5-star hotel: HK$ 1,762 - 225 USD
- Hostels - double room from HK$ 450 = 57 USD / night, bed in a co-ed room - from HK $ 135 = 18 USD
- Studio / studio (eg with airbnb) - HK $ 700 = 90 USD / night
- PS. As every centimeter of space counts in Hong Kong, you can find an offer of capsule accommodation - prices start at HK $ 500 = 64 USD capsule / night
- Food:
It all depends on what and where you want to eat, but it is also expensive. For a dinner for one person, including starter, main course + something to drink (without alcoholic) count with prices from approx. HK $ 120 (PLN 52) in middle-class restaurants, up to HK $ 400-500 = 60-65 USD in good restaurant.
Combo Meal from Mc Donalds is probably a cheaper option - about HK $ 36 = about 4.5 USD
- Drinks:
- 1l milk: HK $ 25 = 3 USD
- 2 l coca-cola: HK $ 16 = 2 USD
- Coffee in the city approx. HK $ 48 = 6 USD
- A bottle of wine in the shop: approx. HK $ 150 = 20 USD
- A bottle of beer (domestic): approx. HK $ 16 = 2 USD in the store, from approx. HK $ 80 = 10 USD in the average bar
- 0.7 l whiskey (Johny Walker): HK $ 230 = 30 USD in the store, while a simple drink in the bar from approx. HK $ 115 = 15 USD
- Flats for rent:
- Studio in the center: HK $ 17,230 = 1 800 USD / month
- Studio outside the center: HK $ 11 800 = 1 500 USD / month
- 3 rooms in the center: HK $ 37,850 = 4 800 USD / month
- 3 rooms out of the center: HK $ 23 300 = 3 000 USD / month
- Purchase of apartments:
- Price per m2 flat in the city center HK $ 216,293 = 27 556 USD/sq m
- Price per m2 of flat outside the city center: HK $ 141 345 = 18 000 USD/sq m
Only probably clothing prices in Hong Kong are comparable to most countries in the world 🤗In addition, you can buy literally everything here. As in most large Asian cities, people try to be very "trendy" and it shows. Going for shopping you can choose between exclusive Prada, LV or Armani boutiques, H & M, ZARA or Forever 21 chains, ending in street markets, where you will also find everything (good fakes of famous brands as well). 😉I definitely recommend visiting one of these supermarkets, where apart from shopping, you will feel a nice atmosphere, you can try various Asian cuisine specialties at a reasonable price, buy souvenirs.
SAFETY:
Hong Kong is one of the safest places in the world, but a little caution can not hurt. The basic principles to be followed:
- Watch out for car traffic, which is left-handed, on lanes (if there are no lights) cars have priority,
- Store more cash and valuables in hotel safes,
- Always carry a passport and credit card with you, hospitals are very expensive, and Polish insurance will cover the costs of treatment only after returning to Poland,
- I advise against booking rooms in hotels below 3 *, also for security reasons,
- Avoid drugs (not only here, of course, but especially HGK) - the Hong Kong government is not conducive to drug dealers, hence the drugs on sale are often contaminated and contain potentially lethal substances,
- Avoid eating seafood in cheap and not very clean premises,
- Avoid contact with birds (feeding pigeons, also monkeys is punishable),
- In places where there are a lot of tourists, keep your wallet in a safe place.
The quickest way to see how safe Hong Kong really is, is just to go for a walk at night.
SUMMARY
A city definitely worth a visit, especially if you are a fan of big-city life. For me Hong Kong is like an Asian version of New York. A city of contrasts and diversity. You can see and experience here literally everything you want.
Personally, it is certainly not a place where I would like to stay for longer / live. However, it is definitely worth spending a few days there.
I hope this article can bring you some value and peak your interest! 😃🗺
