Hong Kong is known as a great destination for a food trip, especially if you’re craving delicious Cantonese cuisine. Despite being a small region of just 1,100 square kilometers (428 square miles), Hong Kong offers everything from flavorful street food to world-class Michelin-starred restaurants.
Language in Hong Kong
If you’re planning to visit or write content for Hong Kong, it’s good to keep in mind that English is widely understood, but Cantonese dominates daily life. Here are the languages spoken in Hong Kong:
Cantonese (Chinese – Yue dialect)
- Primary spoken language for everyday communication.
- Used in local media, schools (though this is changing), and government.
- Written form: Traditional Chinese characters.
English
- One of the official languages (along with Chinese).
- Widely used in business, legal systems, street signs, and government documents.
- Most people in the service industry can speak at least basic English.
Mandarin (Putonghua)
- Gaining more presence due to closer ties with Mainland China.
- Taught in schools, especially after the 1997 handover.
- Spoken more commonly in business or formal cross-border contexts.
Getting to Know HongKongers
The typical Hongkonger personality is shaped by the city’s unique blend of East and West, its fast-paced lifestyle, and deep-rooted cultural values. I have a few former coworkers I now work with online, and I’ve noticed how fast-paced they are. They tend to talk a lot, brainstorm actively, and make decisions quickly.
Now that I’ve had the chance to visit their city, I can say they’re very practical and values time.
Hardworking & Ambitious
- Hongkongers are known for their strong work ethic.
- The city’s competitive environment (especially in business and education) drives a high-achieving mindset.
Efficient & Time-Conscious
- Punctuality and speed are highly valued.
- Daily life in Hong Kong moves fast—whether it’s public transport, service, or decision-making.
Direct & Pragmatic
- Many Hongkongers are straightforward in communication, especially in business.
- They value practicality over small talk or fluff.
Bicultural & Globally Aware
- Influenced by both Chinese traditions and British colonial history, many Hongkongers are bilingual and culturally adaptive.
- Global trends in fashion, tech, and business are quickly embraced.
Tradition-Respecting
- Despite modernity, Confucian values like respect for elders, family unity, and social harmony remain strong.
- Festivals, feng shui, and ancestor worship still play a role in daily life.
Community-Oriented Yet Private
- Friendly and polite in public, but tend to keep personal matters private.
- Strong sense of local identity and community pride, especially in recent years.
Resilient & Adaptive
- Hongkongers have weathered economic shifts, political transitions, and public health crises with resilience.
- They are known for their ability to adapt quickly and keep moving forward.
Hong Kong Time
Hong Kong Itinerary
Okay, so this isn’t the ideal itinerary if you really want to explore Hong Kong, as we only spent 43 hours there. This itinerary is a bit more unusual than the typical tourist activities. However, we still managed to visit some of the most popular places to eat in Hong Kong and some shopping.
To get to know the cost in your currency, check it here:
We booked our flight via Greater Bay Airlines, a Hong Kong-based carrier established in 2010. Our target travel date had cheaper fares compared to Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines, so we decided to go with them.
Day 1
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3:15 AM – 5:15 AM — Flight from the Philippines to Hong Kong
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6:00 AM — Train to the city
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7:00 AM — Drop off our baggage at Sheraton Hotel
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8:00 AM — Breakfast at Mon Kee Cafe
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9:00 AM — Visit Monster Building
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10:00 AM — Explore Tai Kwun Old Police Station for some artsy stuff
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10:15 AM — Coffee break at On the Hill Cafe (also inside Tai Kwun)
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11:00 AM — Visit Vission Bakery
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2:00 PM — Check-in at our hotel and rest
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5:00 PM — Drinks at Bar Leone
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6:00 PM — Stroll around PMQ Mall (artisan shops and galleries)
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7:00 PM — Visit GU (clothing store)
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8:00 PM — Watch Symphony of Lights from the hotel
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9:00 PM — Late-night shopping at Don Don Donki
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10:00 PM — Eat KFC (lol)
Day 2
- 6:00 AM — On the way to Lugard Road Lookout to watch the sunrise
- 7:00 AM — Enjoy the view at Lugard Road Lookout
- 10:00 AM — Stroll around Tsim Sha Tsui and visit K11 Musea
- 12:00 NN — Hotel check-out
- 1:00 PM — Lunch at Dim Dim Sum in Mong Kok
- 2:00 PM — Explore Sneaker Street
- 4:00 PM — Visit Yau Ma Tei Jade Hawker Bazaar for jade jewelry
- 6:00 PM — Food trip in Jordan North
- 8:00 PM — Pick up luggage from the hotel
- 11:00 PM — Dinner at Duddell’s (airport branch)
- 12:00 MN – 2:00 AM — Flight back to Manila
Here’s a peekaboo vid of how did our Hong Kong trip go:
@9jammoves43 hours in hongkong hahahaha♬ Peekaboo x Paper Planes by Altégo – ALTÉGO
Seasons in Hong Kong
Spring (March to May)
- Weather: Mild temperatures, gradually warming up
- Temperature: 17°C – 26°C (63°F – 79°F)
- Humidity: Increasing, often foggy and damp
- What to Expect: Occasional drizzle and low visibility, especially in the mornings
Summer (June to August)
- Weather: Hot, humid, and rainy
- Temperature: 26°C – 33°C (79°F – 91°F)
- Humidity: Very high (can feel hotter than it is)
- What to Expect: Thunderstorms and occasional typhoons
Autumn (September to November)
- Weather: Pleasant and sunny with lower humidity
- Temperature: 19°C – 28°C (66°F – 82°F)
- What to Expect: The best time to visit — comfortable weather, clear skies
Winter (December to February)
- Weather: Cool and dry
- Temperature: 12°C – 20°C (54°F – 68°F)
- What to Expect: No snow; some days can feel cold due to humidity and wind chill
