While I didn’t have high expectations when I first visited Hong Kong this year, I have to admit that this city not only completely surprised me but also left me amazed in many ways. I noticed these things during my first visit earlier this year, and when I returned to Hong Kong last month, I wanted to see if I still felt the same way about them, especially #8, which I found incredibly impressive! Yes, I’m still surprised by the following facts about Hong Kong, here are twelve things that amaze me about Hong Kong:
Bustling City
Upon my arrival in Hong Kong, I was struck by an unusual sense of emptiness during my visit. It was an overwhelming feeling, and everywhere I looked, there were crowds of people. Since leaving New York last year, I hadn’t encountered such a massive influx of people. Especially in the Kowloon area where I initially stayed, the streets were always packed. The subway system was as busy as the London Tube during rush hours, and most streets resembled those around Times Square in Manhattan. It took me several days to adjust to the congestion in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s Abundant Mountains
I didn’t expect Hong Kong to have such vast hills and mountains! Kowloon, being connected to mainland China, doesn’t have many hills, but on Hong Kong Island, I found myself constantly huffing and puffing as I navigated the steep slopes. This is why, on Hong Kong Island, you’ll find the world’s longest covered outdoor escalator – the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator, which transports over 55,000 people daily from the lower Central district to the Mid-Levels.
The vertical ascent of the escalator reaches a height of 443 feet (135 meters), spanning a length of 2,600 feet (800 meters). Given that Hong Kong’s financial district is situated in Central (at the foot of the mountain), the escalator and walkways move downward in the morning, ferrying workers from higher residential buildings to their offices. After the morning rush hour, the escalator reverses direction, heading upward.
Bamboo Frameworks
Given the modernity and prosperity of Hong Kong, I found it surprising that all the scaffolding I observed in the city was constructed using bamboo. I had expected skyscrapers to utilize more substantial frameworks, but bamboo proved to be much sturdier than I had anticipated – a truly unexpected revelation! This could be the most astonishing aspect of Hong Kong for me.
Hong Kong is hip
Hong Kong is incredibly fashionable, especially in the Poho district, short for Po Hing Fong, located in the Sheung Wan area. It’s filled with trendy boutiques, independent coffee shops, stylish restaurants, and unique bars, making it a preferred destination for Hong Kong’s fashion-savvy individuals in their twenties.
The Poho district is a vibrant community that attracts many young people and creative minds. Street art is abundant in this area, with graffiti and art installations adorning the walls, creating a unique atmosphere. These art pieces not only decorate the streets but also reflect the creativity and diversity of the local community.
The Poho district has drawn numerous young entrepreneurs who continually set up new ventures. You can find artisanal bakeries, organic wine bars, and other innovative businesses that offer fresh and unique culinary and beverage choices. These small-scale businesses often prioritize quality and personalization, providing visitors with a distinct dining and shopping experience.
Furthermore, English is widely spoken in the Poho district, as Hong Kong is an international city where English serves as the primary language for business and social interactions. This makes it easy for tourists to communicate with local residents and businesses, learn more about this fashionable community, and fully experience the charm of the Poho district.
The Poho district is a fashionable, diverse, and innovative community that attracts people from around the world to explore its unique culture and creative venues. Whether you’re a shopping enthusiast, a food lover, or a cultural adventurer, the Poho district is worth a visit to experience the fashion charm of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is international
I was genuinely amazed by the incredible international diversity in Hong Kong. It’s not just Westerners who are present; you’ll encounter a wide range of nationalities, including people from various Asian countries and a significant Indian population. What’s particularly striking is that during my weekday walks through the financial district, I often find more Westerners dressed in suits than Asians. This vividly illustrates the cosmopolitan nature of Hong Kong, where people from all around the world come together to live and work in this dynamic city. It’s a testament to the global appeal and accessibility of Hong Kong, making it a true melting pot of cultures and backgrounds.
Hong Kong is green
I was aware of the notorious air pollution in cities like Beijing and other major Chinese cities, but I was surprised to learn that Hong Kong also grapples with pollution. The skyline pictures I had seen prior to my trip were often taken from the famous “Peak” viewing platform in Hong Kong, which typically presents the city under clear blue skies. However, during both of my visits, the air quality was compromised, and the city was frequently shrouded in haze. Later, I read that air pollution has become a significant issue over the past 20 years, leading to a substantial increase in the number of people with asthma and bronchial diseases. Viewing Hong Kong from the Peak, it was a different experience.
On the brighter side, despite the air pollution, Hong Kong boasts a remarkable amount of green spaces. Trees are abundant, and the city is dotted with small parks where you can reach a patch of greenery within minutes for some wilderness hiking. As I hiked up to the Victoria Peak through several parks, I was pleasantly surprised by how green the city is. When I jogged along Bowen Road Fitness Trail in Wan Chai, the surrounding woods gave me a jungle-like feeling, a stark contrast to the massive concrete jungle that the island has transformed into. As an outdoor enthusiast, this was one of the most fantastic aspects of Hong Kong that I discovered during my visit.
There are no bicycles in Hong Kong
It was also surprising to me that there were so few bicycles in Hong Kong. Considering that Beijing is said to have 9 million bicycles, not seeing any in Hong Kong was astonishing. Even in a bustling city like Bangkok, I had seen people riding bicycles, though it was relatively rare. I was expecting Hong Kong to have some cyclists, but during both my visits, I hardly spotted anyone riding a bike. It was only in Wan Chai that I finally saw a bicycle, and it brought a sense of joy, but I still didn’t come across any cyclists in Kowloon or Hong Kong Island.
A city of coffee lovers
One surprising and often overlooked fact about Hong Kong! I heard from fellow travelers that it’s quite challenging to find good coffee in the vast expanse of China, often referred to as the “Tea Country.” So, I didn’t have particularly high expectations for the coffee scene in Hong Kong. However, to my delight, I discovered an abundance of specialty coffee shops, coffee roasteries, and cafés here. During my stay, I plan to explore and sample the diverse offerings at these unique coffee establishments. It’s truly impressive to find such a thriving coffee culture in Hong Kong!
Hong Kong is expensive
Hong Kong is known for its high cost of living, and I’ve noticed this on both of my visits. My first trip was from Sweden, which is considered quite expensive by European standards, and yet Hong Kong still felt even more expensive. On my second visit, I had just come from Thailand, where everything is relatively inexpensive. Comparatively, Hong Kong felt shockingly pricey. Not only did it feel expensive to me, but it even rivaled New York City in terms of cost.
I have yet to visit another place in the world where I’ve paid over $6 for a cup of Flat White coffee, and the cost of a Pizza Express pizza in Hong Kong is $13.53. The same pizza at a London Pizza Express is priced at £12.50. For example, a Margherita pizza at Motorino’s in Hong Kong goes for $17.80, while in New York, the same pizza is $15.
Alcoholic beverages are also quite expensive, with a glass of wine or beer typically starting at around $9. Hotels and accommodations are on the pricey side, and clothing as well. The only surprising (and disproportionately) affordable aspect of Hong Kong is public transportation, with tram rides costing $0.30, and subway fares ranging from $0.64 to $1.55, depending on the distance you travel. This is a surprising fact about Hong Kong that has left a lasting impression on me.
The culinary scene is incredibly varied
The culinary scene in Hong Kong is incredibly diverse, which might be in line with the fifth point, the international vibe of the city. I found the food scene to be much more diverse than I had initially imagined. In some parts of the city, I encountered more international restaurants than traditional Chinese ones. You can find a wide array of dining options, from French bakeries and American brunch spots to British chain restaurants like Pizza Express, branches of New York’s famous pizzeria Motorino’s, Italian pasta eateries, and bagel cafes. In Hong Kong, there’s a place to satisfy every palate. For someone like me who isn’t particularly fond of Chinese cuisine, the culinary diversity in Hong Kong feels like a food lover’s paradise.
Hong Kong has super fast wi-fi
I now understand why Hong Kong is such a popular destination for tourists from mainland China. The lightning-fast internet speed here is remarkable, and there are no websites blocked, unlike in China where you can’t access sites like Google, Facebook, or Twitter. Hong Kong also offers free Wi-Fi in many public places and parks, and almost every restaurant and café provides complimentary Wi-Fi access. After experiencing frustrating Wi-Fi issues in Thailand, being able to stay connected at all times and even stream movies is truly fantastic!
