(content by Sarah J)
Hong Kong is undoubtedly one of the most preferred travel destinations in the world. Almost seven million people visited the city in 2019, making it the top-visited places in Asia. The magnificent city is dotted with all sorts of enticing sites on top of having a host of activities for everyone to enjoy. Moreover, its prime location bundled up with a strong economy deems Hong Kong as the go-to place for corporate tours.
A city with such an impressive reputation is bound to be well connected to other parts of the world, and that’s exactly how HK is. With Cathay Pacific, you can get flights from virtually every corner of the earth to this amazing locale with incredible ease. For instance, Boston to Hong Kong flights can be found on the airline’s website; which has an excellent user interface for easy navigation.
An avid traveler, who’s made a couple of trips to the city, might be conversant with what it entails but first-time visitors might be taken aback by the culture of Hong Kong. For first-time visitors, it’s important to know some basic things about HK; whether they are simple things like where to walk on the streets, or more major issues such as local laws you might unknowingly break. Therefore, here are some dos and don’ts that’ll help you be on the right side of the law while visiting the vibrant city.
Don’ be a sluggard
Having a population of more than seven million people, Hong Kong is considered to be a very packed place. With so many people living in the area that’s only 1,106 square kilometers, the streets are bound to be seething with people. Hence, walking slowly in such crowds will surely obstruct others which upsets the locals. Furthermore, everything in Hong Kong happens very quickly, be it using public transport or paying for items in a store. This means that you’ll have to adapt to the city’s pace if you aren’t from a place with such a vibe.
Keep Right
While in HK, you’ll find unique moving walkways and escalators around the city. A basic rule of thumb when using these walkways is to stand on the right and let people pass on the left. Standing or walking on the left would definitely be inconveniencing to other people; besides, it’ll also sell you out as a visitor if you’re the type who likes to blend with the local culture.
Don’t just stick to the main island
There are more than 200 islands around the Hong Kong area. When visiting HK, it wouldn’t be fair to only sick to the main island. The surrounding islands provide unique alternative attractions that are definitely worth a visit. What’s more, it only takes between 20 minutes to one hour to travel to these peripheral archipelagoes that are easily accessed using ferries.
Get an Octopus card
These are stored-value cards that have revolutionized the transport industry in Hong Kong. You can use the octopus card on all public transports as well as a number of establishments such as supermarkets, cafes, and convenience stores; making them indispensable to tourists. For first-time visitors to Hong Kong, an Octopus card will make commuting around the city a piece of cake. In addition, acquiring the card is pretty easy; you can get one at any MTR station around the city. However, don’t expect to use an Octopus card in taxis as drivers only accept cash.
Don’t use the MTR during rush hour
Unless you are a fun of hassle and enjoy being squeezed, it would be best to avoid the MTR during rush hour. Every weekday between seven and nine o’clock in the morning and five to seven o’clock in the evening, thousands of Hongkongers commute to and from their workplaces. Their preferred means of transport is the MTR; thus, you can expect a cumbersome shuttle if you choose to use it as well. If you have to move around the city at these times, it would be better to use a taxi or bus.
Hong Kong’s incredible culture mashed up with the innumerable attractions found there make it a great tourist destination; still, lack of some knowledge may make you have a bad experience. Following these few guidelines will ensure you enjoy your stay in HK as much as possible.
