Last updated on June 5th, 2026 at 11:53 pm
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I might earn a small commission if you click on the link to make a purchase, but it doesn’t cost you anything. Thanks for your support!
Are you still undecided about booking your trip to Hong Kong?
In this blog post, I will take an honest, in-depth look at why we love Hong Kong and why we don’t.
Let’s get started!
Why We Don’t Love Hong Kong
1) Humid Weather
The weather here gets extremely hot and humid in the summer and stays that way for most of the year, except in winter.
On the bright side, malls, trains, and double-decker buses are equipped with strong air conditioning. As long as you stay indoors mostly, it’s not completely unbearable.
Typhoons
For tourists coming to Hong Kong in the summertime, you need to know that there are often typhoons. The highest is Typhoon 10, and the lowest is Typhoon 1. When it’s Typhoons 1 and 3, it doesn’t affect most people’s daily lives. Stores are open, and public transportation is still in operation.
Then there’s Typhoon 8, which usually happens at least once a year.
When Typhoon Signal No. 8 is hoisted, the government and the Hong Kong Observatory strongly recommend that citizens and tourists stay home. Everything will be closed.
Sea levels are high, and the wind is very strong. It usually rains, too (there’s a ranking for the rainstorm system here. Amber rain is the lowest, and black rain is the highest).
If you’re out and about during Typhoon Signal No. 8, it will be hard to get back to your hotel, though the HK weather observatory will issue warnings so everyone can plan to get home safely.
Hong Kong’s weather can be unpredictable, but the chances of a typhoon and/or rainstorm occurring when you’re in the city should be pretty low.
2) Expensive Accommodation
Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities in the world. While public transportation is affordable, accommodation prices can get quite steep.
Unless you’re willing to fork out a large sum of money, do not expect your room to be extremely spacious. Tourists often complain that their hotel rooms are smaller than they are used to.
3) Densely Populated
Hong Kong is a densely populated city. There needs to be living space for 7-8 million people, not to mention that the large town is even more crowded with tourists.
With millions of people squeezed into a small space, people are constantly everywhere. Some districts will be less crowded, but if you go to Tsim Sha Tsui or Mong Kok, you’ll almost be guaranteed to be bumping into people left and right.
People are generally used to it and don’t even blink an eye.
The concept of personal space here might be different than what you’re used to.
4) Rudeness
A typical complaint tourists have about Hong Kong is that its residents are perceived as rude. As someone who has lived here for years, I can see why people say that.
Hong Kong’s culture is direct, straightforward, and efficient. This is generally fine, but when people in customer-facing roles treat tourists like this, it can rub them the wrong way, since people in this industry might be expected to put on a smile.
My best advice is not to take things personally. They don’t treat tourists brusquely or impatiently just because they’re tourists; they would treat other Hong Kongers the same way, too.
5) Air Pollution
There are days when the smog in Hong Kong is particularly bad. There will be hazy days when you can’t see the skyline properly. Air pollution in Hong Kong isn’t unbearable, but if you’re used to fresh, crisp air, you might find the air quality less than ideal.
Depending on where you’re from, this might not even be an issue because many big cities don’t have the best air quality.
Now that we’ve addressed the cons, let’s focus on the pros of Hong Kong.
12 Reasons Why We Love Hong Kong
1) Great Public Transportation
Hong Kong has an efficient, reliable, and thorough public transportation system throughout the city. Many Hong Kongers prefer public transportation over driving their cars. It’s affordable, and you don’t need to worry about parking (parking can be tricky to find here, and it’s expensive).
For tourists, that’s terrific news!
It can be troublesome when you’re visiting a foreign city, and it’s hard to find a route that will get you where you want to go. This isn’t something you have to worry about in Hong Kong.
You’ll have multiple options for getting from one place to another.
Taxis are also abundant here. There are always a few cruising down the street. At your hotel, finding a cab will not be an issue unless you live a considerable distance away. They’re also affordable compared to other international cities.
2) Food Heaven
Hong Kong people love to eat and understand the importance of it. During major events, we gather around to celebrate with a feast. This includes work events, wedding celebrations, and other special occasions.
Since it’s so important, Hong Kong is making extra efforts to incorporate diversity into its cuisine. Foodies will love the restaurant choices here. It’s not all about dim sum, although it’s what Hong Kong specializes in and something you should try at least once while you’re here. There are also other iconic Hong Kong dishes, such as siu mei and wonton noodles.
There are also fantastic Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Thai restaurants worth trying.
Additionally, Hong Kong offers a diverse range of food prices. There are Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurants, such as Yat Tung Heen, as well as street food and local cafes. Even the mall food courts are decent for the price and quality.
No matter what your budget is, there is always good food.
Just make sure to come with an empty stomach, as you will likely be too full during your trip.
Try not to overeat during your stay in Hong Kong (this will be a challenge); otherwise, you’ll feel bloated and uncomfortable when you fly back home.
3) Non-Existent Language Barrier
Being an international hub, there’s not much of a language barrier.
Most signs and directions are available in both English and Chinese.
On average, people in Hong Kong speak pretty decent English. This makes navigating the city much more manageable. Most people can answer you in English when you need directions or help.
Native English speakers will rarely have any trouble navigating their way around, compared to other Asian cities.
This is one of the reasons there is quite a large expat community in Hong Kong. Expats like moving here because they can still easily communicate with locals, and it is a refreshing change from their lives back home. With the low language barrier, integrating into society is not as difficult.
4) Day Trip Options
Hong Kong’s city centre will keep you busy, but there are plenty of day trip options for nature lovers. For example, there is Tai O Fishing Village, Cheng Chau, and Sai Kung, among others. These three places are mainly outdoor stuff, but it’s a change from being indoors all the time. Also, they are not far from the city centre. A short ferry and/or bus ride will get you to one of the above places.
There are also amusement parks, such as Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, Hong Kong’s local theme park.
You can stay here for several days without getting bored!
5) Close to Other Cities
Hong Kong is located near other major Asian cities, including Shenzhen, Taipei, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. In addition to visiting Hong Kong, you can explore various other towns.
There are also smaller cities like Macau, where a weekend trip would suffice.
The distance between Hong Kong and other Chinese cities is a big bonus. The longer your vacation, the more seriously you will want to consider visiting other places. Since you’re already going to be in Hong Kong, you might as well see different cities.
6) Shopping
There’s a lot worth buying here, whether it’s local souvenirs, fashion, or skincare.
You might need to visit the different central shopping districts depending on what you want to buy.
Affordable shopping is mostly in Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po. Those with a tight budget can browse the stores there. The most touristy shopping areas are Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay. Central is for luxury shoppers, which is where the financial district is.
No matter your budget, you will be satisfied with the shopping here.
7) No Sales Tax
In North America, the total amount of money you buy always ends up being higher because you have to pay additional taxes. If the seller says something costs HKD 100 in Hong Kong, it’s exactly HKD 100.
Hong Kong has no sales tax, so you don’t have to pay more than the price tag. Yay!
8) A Mix of Tradition and Modern
Hong Kong boasts a perfect blend of historic temples and modern architecture. Those who appreciate history have many museums and temples to visit.
On the other hand, those who prefer a modern lifestyle will also appreciate the wide range of options available.
The contrast between the two makes for some great Instagram spots. Whip out your phone or camera to snap away at the beautiful scenery of Hong Kong.
9) Many Tourist Attractions
The dozens of tourist attractions will keep you extremely busy during your trip to Hong Kong. There’s so much to see. If your trip is only a short time, like 24 hours, you will need to be careful about which tourist attractions you choose to visit, since you can’t do it all in one day.
10) Payment Methods
This might sound strange on this list, but you can pay in Hong Kong in many ways. There’s cash, an Octopus card, Alipay, WeChat Pay, PayMe, FPS, Mastercard, Visa Card, debit cards, Apple Pay, and American Express (though not accepted everywhere).
If you’re from Mainland China, most tourists pay by WeChat, Alipay, or cash. Those visiting from Western countries will likely use money or a credit card.
11) Safety
With a population of around 7-8 million, Hong Kong is generally considered afe. Like anywhere else, there’s still a chance of being pickpocketed, but the risk of encountering a dangerous situation is almost zero.
The overall crime rate is pretty low, so you don’t have to fear for your life as you tour the city late at night.
12) Fun Night Life
Hong Kong has an active nightlife.
The most well-known nightlife area is Lan Kwai Fong in Central. Lan Kwai Fong is a narrow set of streets lined with bars and restaurants, where people come for a drink after work or on the weekends.
Tourists visit here because it’s a cultural landmark. If you’re a night owl or want to grab a drink before returning to the hotel, this is the place to go.
When you visit Lan Kwai Fong during the day, you’ll experience a completely different vibe than at night.
It’s not as busy when the sun is out. The place only truly comes alive in the evenings/nights.
Final Thoughts – We Love Hong Kong
Everything has pros and cons, but as you can see, the pros outweigh the cons in Hong Kong. Don’t let the cons of the city stop you from visiting beautiful Hong Kong. There are many wonderful things to appreciate about this place.
Hong Kong is one of the world’s top tourist destinations for several reasons.
So what are you waiting for?
Plan your trip to Hong Kong on your next vacation!
Now to You – We Love Hong Kong
Like this post? Pin it NOW!
Xoxo,
Nicole
