Solo Travel in Hong Kong

Despite the fact that Hong Kong is located in the southern part of China, Hong Kong is a multicultural city due to its historical background. It is a vibrant city which influenced by China and Britain, evolved from a petit fishing village to an international financial centre over a century gaining the title ‘the Pearl of the Orient’. Nights in Hong Kong must not be missed as the city gets more lively when the sun goes down.

Solo travel in Hong Kong and you'll find that it is a safe city to visit. Just keep an eye on your belongings whilst you are wandering in the city. Signs are usually written in traditional Chinese and English as they are both the official languages.

Locals usually speak Cantonese and English. When in doubt, do not hesitate to ask the locals. It is better to ask young people as they speak English better but overall Hongkongers are always willing to help! You don't have to feel awkward about eating alone in Hong Kong either as there are many canteen-style restaurants where you just eat and go.

If you are unsure of what to do in Hong Kong Island when you take a solo trip to Hong Kong, you may feel more comfortable on one of the Hong Kong group tours.

Hong Kong at night

Where To Go in Hong Kong

Although Hong Kong is a small city, there are plenty of places worth visiting and most of them are located in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Below are our recommended places to go in Hong Kong for solos.

Hong Kong Island

Reopened in December 2017, Hong Kong Observation Wheel offers you a 15 minutes ride in the centre of this hustling city. The AIA Great European Carnival takes place right next to the Observation Wheel during the period between Christmas and Lunar New Year. It is close to the Star Ferry Pier so you can go directly to Tsim Sha Tsui by ferry after your ride.

TIP – If you are staying in Hong Kong for a few nights, consider purchasing the Hong Kong Pass. It gives free entry to all top Hong Kong attractions as well as a free hop-on hop-off bus tour. * Buy the Hong Kong Pass here

AIA European Great Carnival

You must visit the Central-Mid-Levels Escalators if you are a moviegoer as many films were filmed there, ranging from the local Hong Kong film Chungking Express (1994) directed by Wong Kar-wai to the Hollywood classic, Batman (2008). It is the longest outdoor escalator system (800 metres in distance) which connects the mid-level district to the Hong Kong Central district. Places are scattered around this escalator system.

180m away from the Central-Mid-Levels Escalators, you can find Pottinger Street, also known as ‘Stone Slabs Street’ or ‘石板街’ in Chinese, which is named after the first governor of Hong Kong, Henry Pottinger. Built on a steep slope, it is paved with granite of different sizes for drainage purpose. You can find small Hong Kong style stores which is painted in green along the street.

Pottinger Street

If you are a party Girl about the Globe, and are looking for things to do in Hong Kong at night alone, Lan Kwai Fong (a 6 minutes walk from the Central-Mid-Levels Escalators), is a good place to visit where you can find over 90 restaurants and bars which open until late.

The five metres long mural at Graham Street of Alex Croft which depicts the old Hong Kong city view is one the hottest Instagram or Facebook check in places in Hong Kong.

Situated in the former Central Police Station built in 1864, Tai Kwun, which means ‘Big Station’ in Chinese, is revitalised and opened to the public in 2018. It is now a centre for heritage and arts with special exhibitions. After getting a Tai Kwun Pass online, you will be eligible to visit the compound in fixed time slot.

Like Tai Kwun, PMQ, built in 1951 and revitalised in 2014, transformed from former Queen’s College and Police Married Quarters to a place for creative and design industries. Being a Grade 3 Historic Building in Hong Kong, PMQ has a Underground Interpretation Area where you can learn about its architectural values.

Apart from the underground interpretation area, there are more than 100 design studio shops and pop-up stores. There are also restaurants where you can take a short break after wandering in the city.

PMQ

The Peak is one of the most visited attractions in Hong Kong because one can view the Victoria Harbour with no blockings. Going there by the Peak Tram is also a good experience as you can view the Hong Kong skyline while ascending to the Peak or descending from it.

Located between the Tin Hau Station and the Causeway Bay Station, Victoria Park hosts the largest Lunar New Year Fair in Hong Kong during the Lunar New Year. Large-scale political gatherings take place here too.

Situated in the Eastern part of the Hong Kong Island, Shek O is little bit far from the city but still worth-visiting. It is rather a slow-paced area as it is a remote local residential area. So slow down your volume whilst visiting. You can wander around the villages admiring the colourful houses. There are also beaches where you can hang out for the whole afternoon. For hiking GatGs Dragon’s Back is a good choice.

Dragon's back

Stanley is just next to Shek O geographically. There are not only beaches but also a Market selling chinese or hongkongese souvenirs as well as some Hong Kong made artworks. You can also visit the Murray House which was originally located in Central during the Victoria-era.

Kowloon

Kowloon is one of the cities in Hong Kong. Take a ferry across Victoria Harbour from Central, and you will reach the other side of the harbour where you find Kowloon. Tourist attractions in Kowloon are mainly scattered in ‘Yau Tsim Mong’ (‘油尖旺’) namely Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok which is linked by Nathan Road.

Although situated in Yau Ma Tei, Temple Street Night Market is near the Jordan MTR Station. Apart from local stores, there are also renowned Hong Kong style restaurants as open-air fHong Kong food stalls (known as Dai Pai Dong) and other restaurants serving up tasty seafood.

Temple Night Street

You can view the Victoria Harbour at a different angle at Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade where you can find Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Hong Kong Space Museum and the landmark of Hong Kong—the Clock Tower, which was once the Tsim Sha Tsim train station. The promenade is only 15 minutes away from the Star Ferry Pier and 20 minutes from Canton Road.

Walk a little bit to the north and you will find the Chungking Mansions. It perfectly reflects the phenomenon of globalisation as more than 120 nationalities gather there. It is renowned for curry restaurants and cheap hostels.

Kowloon Mosque, which is surrounded by shopping malls including Mira and The ONE as well as the Kowloon Park, is only a 5 minute walk away. Visitors can freely walk into the building without having to reserve in advance.

If you have time, you can even walk to Tsim Sha Tsui East to visit the Museum of History in order to know more about the historic development and evolution of the city. Since 2016, everybody receives free admission to the permanent exhibition at the Museum of History. So grab the chance to learn about the history of Hong Kong!

Ladies’ Market/Tong Choi Street in Mong Kok is one of the most famous street in the world. Fa Yuen Street, another street market, is one street behind it. Sai Yeung Choi Street, not far from Ladies’ Market, is one of the tourists spots in Hong Kong where you can find local and foreign street performers singing, dancing, and performing their magic tricks.

Hong Kong ferry

Situated in Wong Tai Sin, the district named after the person, Wong Tai Sin Temple is the place where local people worship Wong Tai Sin. This temple is graded as a Grade I Historic Building. It not only has spiritual value but also historic and architectural values.

New Territories

When the crowded city side gets too much, Sai Kung in the New Territories is a great escape. It is known as the ‘back garden of Hong Kong’ because it is such a relaxing place to hang out. You can get your fix of seafood restaurants here too.

One place you should definitely see is the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery. Located in the Sha Tin hills, this Buddhist monastery is one of Hong Kong’s most famous monasteries. Built on two levels within a bamboo forest, the pathway is lines with 500 golden statues. Inside the main temple are 13,000 small Buddha statues, all with a different pose. Even the pagoda is surrounded by golden Buddhas. There’s a reason this is called the 10,000 Buddhas Monastery.

Cheung Chau island (photo @ Liu Hanyang)

Hong Kong's Islands

If it’s your first time here, Discovery Bay Hong Kong is a great place to see. This resort development on Lantau Island has a 400 metre long beach to lie on, walking trails to hike, and a choice of several restaurants to dine at. Take the ferry from Central Pier 3 to spend a day here. The Ngong Ping cable car is also an attraction on the island.

If you’re looking for some adventure when exploring Hong Kong, you can always take a day trip to Disneyland Hong Kong on Lantau Island. As one of the Hong Kong tourist spots, you’re guaranteed plenty of fun and meet even others standing in the queues.

Cheung Chau is another of the outlying Islands mostly visited by local people and is one of the tourist spots in Hong Kong, attracting tourists too. Cheung Chau Bun Festival, one of the most celebrated festival in Hong Kong, takes place here every year. For some Hong Kong sightseeing, don't forget to watch the Bun snatching competition if you happen to visit there during the festival.

If you have time to tour Hong Kong in-depth, Tung Ping Chau is another of the islands but it is the farthest away and closer to China than Hong Kong. If you do make it here via ferry from Ma Liu Shui pier, the island is tiny but is rich in colourful coral and clear water.

Cheung Chau

For active GatGs you can hike, swim or just enjoy the beautiful scenery in Hong Kong at Lamma Island, an outlying island in Hong Kong. For cultural GatGs pay a visit to the Lamma Fisherfolk’s Village for a better understanding into the local fishing culture.

Unique things to do in Hong Kong include admiring the beautiful street art in Wan Chai and Soho. Just take the Wan Chai mtr and begin at Queen’s Road East taking yourself on a self-guided tour amongst the colourful artwork on the side streets.

If you are touring Hong Kong for its shopping, Sheung Wan near the Macau Ferry Terminal is an area known for fabrics and handicrafts. Head to Western Market, an old Edwardian building to buy gifts.

To escape the hustle and bustle of the city, Nan Lian Garden is a Chinese garden built in a traditional Tang Dynasty style, and offers a peaceful retreat with waterfalls and ponds, all with a mountain and city backdrop. Or relax at Hong Kong Park. It’s free to enter and has a 30 metre tower Vantage Point that offers 360 degree views of the city and its skyscrapers.

For other places to see in Hong Kong you can visit the Ngong Ping Village by Ngpng Ping 360 – the cable car which connects Tung Chung and Ngong Ping. This is perfect for right before or after your flight as they are also situated in the Lantau Island.

There you can find Po Lin Monastery and Big Buddha, the largest outdoor Buddha statue in the world (it's a giant Buddha!). Tai O, the ‘Venice of Hong Kong’ is also a place worth seeing todiscover the other side of Hong Kong.

Where To Stay in Hong Kong

As Hong Kong is a small city with limited flatland, the rental cost is usually higher than in other Asian cities or countries. Despite the well-constructed transport network, it is recommended to stay near the city centre in order to save the transport fee. Staying in Kowloon or on Hong Kong Island will be much more convenient than staying in New Territories.

The best area to stay in Hong Kong depends on what kind of experience you are looking for. If you're on a budget solo trip Hong Kong, Mong Kok is a good area to stay. For the party GatG, the best area to stay in Hong Kong for nightlife is Lan Kwai Fong. To be in the centre and near the ferry pier, the district of Tsim Sha Tsui is a good area to be solo in Hong Kong.

If you prefer staying with a local, you can choose to rent a room or even a whole apartment through Airbnb. Save $20 off your first stay with this Airbnb link.

All of the budget accommodation below have been recommended in Hong Kong for solo travellers from our Girls about the Globe community and come with a Solo Female Friendly endorsement. For the best hotels in Hong Kong or hotels near Hong Kong Airport, click on the link below. Here are some recommendations on places to stay when you solo travel in Hong Kong.

* To book, check prices or availability for all accommodation in Hong Kong

Urban Pack

Urban Pack, Tsim Sha Tsui

The location of this Hong Kong hostel is only a one minute walk from the MTR station and is near the Kowloon Mosque and other Hong Kong tourist attractions. With helpful staff and 24 hours CCTV, Urban Pack is clean, tidy and safe. The dorm rooms are air conditioned and all have a fridge where you can store your food as well as lockers for your personal things.

There is even a hairdryer in the shared bathroom. Choose from a 4, 6 or 8 bed mixed dorm room or a 4,6 or 8 female-only dorm. There is also the option of a single room with a shared bathroom or a superior double room.

Prices start from £16 per night for a bed in an 8 bed dorm
To book, check prices or availability for Urban Pack

Yesinn

Yesinn, Causeway Bay

This hostel with various room types is only a one minute walk from Times Square in Causeway Bay and is surrounded by numerous restaurants. It is situated near the MTR Station making it easy to get around. The rooftop terrace and common area are perfect for chilling out and meeting others. Coffee is free and you can cook your own meals in the kitchen.

Choose from a bed in a 21 bed dorm room, a 9 bed mixed dorm or a 9 bed female-only dorm. You can also have your own double room with private bathroom.

Prices start from £13 per night for a bed in a 21 bed mixed dorm
To book, check prices or availability for Yesinn

Mojo Nomad Aberdeen Harbour

Mojo Nomad Aberdeen Harbour, Southern District

Located in the southern district of Hong Kong Island, this hostel is a bit far from central Hong Kong but there is bus transportation nearby. The hostel has an arty interior with beautiful views of the city from the top floors.

They hold regular activities and events where you can meet with other solo travellers. Dorms are either mixed or female-only. Choose from a bed in a 3 or 8 bed dorm or a double room with your own private bathroom.

Prices start from £22 for a 8 bed dorm per night
To book, check prices or availability for Mojo Nomad Aberdeen Harbour

Tours in Hong Kong

G Adventures

If you feel more comfortable in a group for either part of your trip or the whole duration, consider joining a Hong Kong tour. G Adventures is a responsible tour company which mainly caters towards budget travellers. Most tours have an average of 10 people and there is no upper age limit.

Once you book your Hong Kong trip you pay extra for any Hong Kong excursions you want to do when you’re there. Their tours range from 8 days to 27 days for Hong Kong and major cities in Mainland China. We recommend them as a solo female friendly company.

Click here for the full itineraries, prices and start dates

Intrepid

Intrepid Travel is similar to G Adventures offering a small group tour to Hong Kong, with an average of 12 people on each tour. Over 50% of people who book their tours to Hong Kong are solo travellers. They tend to use hotels instead of hostels and have a more comfortable style of accommodation hence the trips to Hong Kong can appear a bit more than G Adventures. Like G adventures, Intrepid Travel also provide vacation adventures in Hong Kong including other cities in China. Read our Intrepid Travel Reviews

Click here for the full itineraries, prices and start dates

Day Tours Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Free Tours, provides insightful and unconventional walking tours including a Hong Kong city tour. Apart from group tours for the local tour Hong Kong you can also choose the private tour for your Hong Kong day tour. Check tours here

Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide helps you to find top-rated activities and tours in worldwide destinations including Hong Kong. Choose from a Hong Kong island tour, an evening cruise in a Chinese junk boat with wine, a cable car ride to Ngong Ping, or a bus and cable car tour to Lantau. There are several Hong Kong day tours and day trip to choose from and it’s really simple to use. Just check the reviews, price and availability then book online. * Check all tours and prices here

TIP – If you are staying in Hong Kong for a few nights, consider purchasing the Hong Kong Pass to explore Hong Kong. It gives free entry to all top Hong Kong attractions as well as a free hop-on hop-off bus tour. * Buy the Hong Kong Pass here

Getting Around Hong Kong

If you are travelling to Hong Kong, the distances between places are short and easy to reach. It takes at most two hours to travel from one end to the other of Hong Kong and some places are even walkable. You can buy an Octopus Card Hong Kong which can be used on all transportation in Hong Kong and even to buy food at convenience stores and supermarkets. It's basically a Hong Kong travel card and your travel pass for the city.

The Hong Kong transportation is relatively good. The MTR (Mass Transit Railway and the metro in Hong Kong) runs throughout Hong Kong, as well as the bus. With the extension of the train lines the MTR can now take you to almost everywhere in Hong Kong.

The buses cover places where MTR cannot reach. Please note that the bus may not stop at every stop and they may not have announcements in English. Tell the driver where you are going to get off when you get on the bus.

Travelling by tram, another form of public transport, is exclusively available in the Hong Kong Island, and by star ferry to across the Victoria Harbour is a must-try in Hong Kong.

There are also other ways to travel around the city such as with taxis and minibuses. Although travelling by taxi is safe and convenient, it is expensive. As for minibuses, the language barrier may be a problem as minibus drivers may not speak English. Because Hong Kong has a good transportation network you don't really need to rent a car.

Hong Kong Itinerary

There are plenty of things to see in Hong Kong and you can easily spend 3 days in Hong Kong but if you have longer split your time between the city and the islands. Below are suggestions of things to do in Hong Kong for 3 days, 5 days or things to do in Hong Kong for a week.

3 Days Itinerary (Ideal for a city break Hong Kong)

Day one – Give yourself a self-guided walk around Hong Kong, window shopping in the boutiques and checking out the street art at Tank Lane. Visit the Man Mo Temple, the Cultural Centre and the Space Museum. At night stroll along Tsim Sha Tsui Parade and stay for the light show at Victoria Harbour.

Day two – Spend the day in Kowloon and explore the green space of Kowloon Park before getting a bird’s eye of the city at the observation deck on Sky100 (one of the top things to do in Hong Kong alone).

Day three – Explore one of the points of interest in Hong Kong and spend a few hours at the peak of the city at Victoria Peak Hong Kong. The peak tram takes you up to the top and gives you some epic views along the way. Take advantage of the free walks at the top of the peak before watching the sunset at Sky Terrace 428.

Hong Kong Itinerary 5 days = Hong Kong Island—2 days, Yau Tsim Mong—2 days, Lantau Island—1 day for seeing the Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery and the Wisdom Steps.

Hong Kong Itinerary 7 days = Hong Kong Island—3 days, Yau Tsim Mong—2 days, Lantau Island—1 day, Outlying Island in New Territories—1 day.

Best Time To Go To Hong Kong

As Hong Kong is situated in the subtropical area, the summer there is usually hot and humid at the same time. Despite the hot weather, July and August are the best time to visit Hong Kong.

To help you plan the best time to travel to Hong Kong for you, below is a chart of the weather in Hong Kong. The yearly chart is from January to December.

Hong Kong Airport

Hong Kong International Airport, the only airport in Hong Kong is situated in Chek Lap Kok in Lantau Island. For Hong Kong International Airport transportation, you can reach the city centre within an hour by bus, or take the Airport Express, one of the lines on the MTR which takes 25 minutes to the airport from Central. Prices and routes can be found online.

Feel more confident with someone waiting for you at the airport when you pre-book a transfer with Hoppa, a Hong Kong airport transfer and reliable and safe service for solo females.

Travelling Onwards

Hong Kong to Mainland China—You can go to mainland China after or before your trip to Hong Kong by bus, by train or by plane.

Hong Kong to Macao—As Macao is only 64km from Hong Kong, you can go there by ferry within an hour.

Hong Kong to Taiwan—Taiwan is reachable when travelling by plane from Hong Kong and it takes only about an hour to get there.

Hong Kong Express provides flights to over 20 asian cities within 1000HKD. Find more information on Hong Kong Tourism Board’s website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drink the water? No
Is tipping expected? No
Fixed price or barter? Barter in the markets
Any ATMs? Yes
Which side of the road do they drive? Right
Good for vegetarians? No
Any Seven Wonders of The World? No

Map of Hong Kong

Plan a Trip to Hong Kong

If you are ready to plan a trip to Hong Kong here are some useful links to help you plan your Hong Kong solo travel, including airlines which fly there, where you can volunteer and eco accommodation.

Budget – 800HKD (£78) a day

Hostel – 250HKD+
Hotel – 450HKD
Average meal – 50HKD+
Water – 5HKD+
Transportation – 15HKD+

Facts

Population —7,428,887

Language spoken — English, Cantonese

Local Currency — Hong Kong Dollar

Do I Need a Visa? You can stay for up to 6 months on a British passport

Events and Festivals in Hong Kong

Did you know? Hong Kong has the most skyscrapers in the world.

Eco Accommodation

Hong Kong doesn't seem to have the types of eco accommodation where you can stay in a treehouse. They do have hotels which offer eco-hospitality such as the The Harbourview which developed a green policy for caring for the environment and serving guests in an eco-friendly manner.

Volunteering

HandsOn Hong Kong is an organisation that organises volunteer placements to empower the community by meeting pressing social needs. They have opportunities in digital media, helping out at food recycling services, knitting blankets for the elderly and spending your weekend with students with intellectual disabilities.

Mind, Body & Soul

Mind – Vipassana Meditation Centre holds ten day Vipassana Meditation courses. Learn how to become at one with yourself during a 10 day silent retreat within one of its two centres at: Dhamma Mutta, and Sheung Shui Hang Tau Centre.

Body – AIA Vitality Park holds fitness classes such as pilates and body balance. Book your ticket through Eventbrite to secure your place in a class.

Soul – Yoga Room is open to visitors to Hong Kong and offers one yoga class for HKD200. They are open 9.30 to 19.00 and Saturday from 9.30 until 13.00.

Cultural Experiences

As Hong Kong is a multicultural city with a diversity of religions. Here you can find traditional Chinese temples, churches, and mosques.

Local Cantonese or Hong Kongese cuisine is a must try when in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is famous for its dim sum, cha chaan teng (tea restaurant), and dai pai dong.

Take a Macau World Heritage Excursion and learn about Macau heritage and culture as you visit the Cotai Strip and Macau Tower and take in 360 degree views of the city as you learn. Check dates, times and prices

Social Impact Projects

Take a Dark Side of Hong Kong Walking Tour and see how the people of Hong Kong really live. See how poverty and high living costs impact the locals whist exploring local markets that are in decline. Check dates, times and prices

Social Impact Partners are an organisation that helps improves the lives of people in Hong Kong by enabling sustainable change to systemic social issues. They work with: Teach4HK – a non-profit organisation which helps underprivileged students.

Lizzie Bee Foundation which delivers art workshops and brings communities together, and Clean Air Network – an NGO that educated the Hong Kong public on the impact of art pollution.

Local Issues

Some locals are creating a democratic movement and are advocating for complete separation from the mainland of China believing that, “As long as Hong Kong is ruled by China there is no room, no way to realize real democracy and our autonomy.

It's very obvious that our liberty, our rights are being deprived.” Local markets are being forced to be shut down causing demonstrations and clashes between police and citizens. Read more here

In a city where Cantonese is spoken by 90 percent of the population, many schools are only teaching in English and Mandarin. Read more here

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Solo Travel in Hong Kong