Hong Kong is one of Asia’s most popular travel spots, and it’s not surprising why. It is a small but bustling city with a night life that is comparable to the Caribbean, and a serenity that is true to its Buddhist roots. If you are going to Asia, you should definitely stop by Hong Kong.
Next only to the Philippines and India, Hong Kong is one of the best English-speaking regions in Asia. The street language is a delightful mix of English and Cantonese, so it is fairly easy to ask for directions, get a meal from restaurants, or haggle in the marketplace. Most educated Hong Kong locals are very well-versed in English, especially now that ‘English as a Second Language’ is already being taught in Hong Kong schools.
If you enjoy culinary variety, then Hong Kong is the place for you. Uniquely Chinese dishes such as special dim sum are a must-try. Other Chinese specialties include chicken lo mein, Peking duck, stuffed scallops, mouth-watering Tong Cho oysters, tofu dishes, fried whole trout, and exotic seafood plates of soft-shell crab topped with crawfish tails. If you get tired of Chinese food and miss Western food, do not worry – there are hundreds of McDonald’s outlets and several Western-style restaurants that offer American and European food.
Hong Kong is fairly expensive compared to other Asian travel destinations, but it is well worth it. To save on accommodations, you may choose to stay in dormitories. You can also eat budget meals (usually Chinese delicacies) instead of going to fancy restaurants. An allowance of about HK 250 dollars per day should be enough. But remember – Hong Kong is a shopping paradise and it can get very hard to resist the urge to buy, so hold on to your money if you do not want to overspend.
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