Last updated on June 5th, 2026 at 11:34 pm
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Each place has its own set of customs and etiquette. If this is your first time in Hong Kong, you probably won’t know what not to do while you’re there.
In this blog post, I’ll talk about the 15 no-nos in Hong Kong.
Let’s get started!
What Not to Do in Hong Kong #1 – Underestimating the Weather
Hong Kong gets extremely hot and humid in the summer. Temperatures soar up to mid-30s Celsius.
However, summer is still a popular time to visit the city, as many people travel with their families. Since summer vacation is the longest school holiday, people tend to be out and about the most during this time, despite the heat.
In addition to the heat, it’s also a rainy and typhoon season. While it will be sunny most days, the humidity also tends to be high. Be prepared for both.
The weather changes are sudden. You don’t know what weather you’ll get, so keep checking the Hong Kong Observatory for weather updates.
2) Pack Appropriately
Now that you know what summer in Hong Kong is like, pack accordingly.
To combat the heat, locals air-condition indoor spaces such as shopping malls, restaurants, and cinemas. Many non-locals are bewildered by how Hong Kongers are used to the extreme temperatures. It can get pretty cold once you’re indoors, and you feel hot again as soon as you step outside.
If you’re sensitive to temperature like me, remember to pack several sweaters for indoor places. I also recommend bringing a portable fan when you’re out and about. This little thing has helped cool me down too many times to count.
What Not to Do in Hong Kong #3 – Leave Luggage Space
When you travel, it’s smart to make the most of your luggage space. When I go on a trip, I look for old clothes or shoes nearing the end of their lives. I can throw them out after wearing them a few more times during my journey.
In addition to using up my toiletries, I now have more space in my luggage.
Another way to maximize your luggage space is to avoid packing it completely to the brim. Hong Kong is a city with a wide range of things to buy. You probably have an idea of what you want to bring while you’re here, so make sure to leave extra space in your luggage.
If you’re a shopaholic, consider bringing a foldable duffel bag for even more space (hey, it’s a no-judgment zone over here).
4) Not Taking Advantage of Public Transportation
One of Hong Kong’s advantages is the wide range of public transportation options. The ferry, double-decker bus, minibus, MTR, trams, and taxis are there.
While it’s nice to take a taxi everywhere (and it’s pretty cheap in Hong Kong, too, by North American and European standards), look up directions on apps like Google Maps or City Mapper to see how to get there. There are many other ways to get to a place using different public transportation options.
Save money for other things in Hong Kong, and try not to spend it all on taxis.
5) Spending Time Only in Tsim Sha Tsui
Many tourists who come to Hong Kong are in Tsim Sha Tsui. I get it. I, too, love Tsim Sha Tsui. It’s a district that has everything for locals and tourists. That’s why it’s always swarming with people, even on weekdays. However, there is so much more to Hong Kong than this area.
Even with only 24 hours in Hong Kong, don’t spend all your time here; explore other districts as well.
6) Smoking Laws
There are strict laws about where to smoke. In Hong Kong, many places are smoke-free, and you will be fined HKD 1,500 if caught smoking.
If you do want to smoke, you can use the public orange garbage cans or a back alley.
7) Leave Time for Day Trips
The city centre is full of surprises, but schedule time for day trips.
Disneyland or the Big Buddha are the most attractive day trips for people who don’t want to leave Hong Kong. They are close enough to the city centre yet have a different feel from the streets of Hong Kong.
For my ambitious friends, visit Macau, Guangzhou, or Shenzhen. These places are all within a two-hour car or high-speed train ride.
If this does sound like you, check the visa requirements for your passport. Depending on your passport, you will need a visa to enter Mainland China. Although Hong Kong is part of China, its systems are still distinct. Don’t learn the hard way by assuming your visa to Hong Kong is the same as for Mainland China and end up facing issues at customs.
What Not to Do in Hong Kong #8 – Get an Octopus Card
You’re not a true Hong Konger until you have an Octopus card. I’m pretty sure 95% (or higher) have at least one Octopus card. This smart card is mainly used for public transportation, but people also use it to make small payments, such as parking tickets, cheap meals, and drinks.
Add money to your card, and it will last forever unless you break or lose it.
It’s also a great souvenir.
9) Spend Time Outside of Tourist Attractions
Don’t get me wrong. I completely understand the hype around tourist attractions. When I visit different cities worldwide, I look up tourist attractions first because I want to know what’s worth seeing.
While they are tourist attractions for a reason, you don’t need to see everything in this one trip. Pick and choose the tourist attractions that interest you, but also plan to see, do, or eat things whose main demographic isn’t tourists. Chances are, there will be a long line at those kinds of places, and it will take time away from you doing other fun things.
10) Don’t Eat on Trains and Other Public Transports
Our MTR is extremely clean, and it’s for a reason. The staff on the MTR are rigorous, with no eating or drinking allowed on the train or the platform.
One time, even with my earphones on, I heard staff using a megaphone to remind a tourist that food is banned on the train and the platform. She seemed embarrassed to be called out like that (who wouldn’t?) because people were looking around to see who the staff was speaking to. She then crammed the last few bites of egg tart in her mouth.
Poor thing.
I know the food in Hong Kong is tempting, but please help keep our public transportation clean by refraining from eating on it.
11) Know how to Line Up correctly
Hong Kong people are efficient. You’ll often see people rushing to get somewhere (that’s big city life for you). On escalators, people stand on the right, while the left side is for those who want to walk up.
This might seem minor, but you’ll get dirty glares or hear sighs from behind you if you don’t follow this. Some confrontational locals will even tell you to move it.
Be considerate and avoid getting in others’ way.
What Not to Do in Hong Kong # 12 – Have Cash on You
Unlike other places worldwide, Hong Kong still accepts cash almost everywhere. Most places in this city accept multiple payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, cash, AliPay, WeChat Pay, and Apple Pay.
Hong Kong has yet to adopt the trend toward a cashless society fully. So, it’s better to have some cash on hand because street food, other small food vendors, and taxis are mostly cash-only.
13) Cantonese is the Main Language
Hong Kong is an international city. While signs are mainly in English and Chinese, some restaurants will have menus in Chinese only. That’s when you know they’re not targeting foreign tourists.
Many locals have some understanding of English, but don’t expect everyone to know it. Generally speaking, though, the younger generation is better at English.
On the other hand, you have a better chance of locals understanding Mandarin, but it can be a struggle to understand their accent. Their Mandarin skills will be less developed because it’s not their mother tongue (it’s Cantonese), so they will be less fluent.
14) Eat Local Foods Other than Dim Sum
Dim Sum is Hong Kong’s signature food. While I think it’s appropriately rated, more people need to know about other delicious foods like wonton noodles, siu mei, and claypot rice.
While I understand the gravitation to eat foods you know and love, keep an open mind and try things you’ve never had before.
Maybe you can discover several new Cantonese dishes you’ll fall in love with.
15) Not Doing Research
Make the most of your time in a destination by carefully planning an itinerary. You don’t need to plan everything down to the hour, but it’s helpful to have a general idea of what you want to do daily in Hong Kong.
For foodies, tables at nicer restaurants must be booked in advance—I’m talking about weeks here. Hong Kongers are willing to wait for good food.
It’s not the end of the world if you don’t eat at a particular restaurant, but it can be unpleasant. There is a slight chance you’ll get a table when you arrive, but you may have to wait hours.
Avoid waiting until the last minute and do your research. Grab a table early, and you can always cancel. Please note that higher-end restaurants may require a deposit.
Final Thoughts – What Not to Do in Hong Kong
These are common mistakes Hong Kong tourists make when visiting the city. Now that you’ve read this blog post, it means you’re interested in avoiding these mistakes. Good for you because now you know these travel tips!
Now to You – What Not to Do in Hong Kong
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Xoxo,
Nicole
