Hong Kong

Hong Kong is intense. It's a vertical city that runs on an energy few places can match. You'll find quiet temples right next to massive skyscrapers and can eat Michelin-starred food for pocket change. The vibe is a mix of its Cantonese roots and British colonial past, all crammed onto a few islands and a peninsula that make up this Special Administrative Region of China.

There are three solid reasons to go. First, the food is world-class, from cheap wonton soup to fancy dining. Second, the public transport, especially the MTR, is so good it makes systems in other major cities look broken. Finally, the contrast is unreal: you can hike a mountain trail with ocean views in the morning and be in a dense, neon-lit market by afternoon. This mix of nature and extreme urban living is what gets people hooked.

Hong Kongers are efficient and direct. Don't expect small talk in busy spots—everyone's got somewhere to be. But if you stop and ask for help, people are generally polite and will point you in the right direction. Cantonese is the main language, but you'll get by with English in most tourist areas, a holdover from its time as a British colony. You'll also hear a lot of Mandarin. It's a true world city, full of locals and expats from all over.

Food is a huge deal here. The local cuisine is Cantonese, which is all about fresh ingredients and balanced flavors. You have to try Dim Sum—a meal of small steamed and fried dishes. Go for Har Gow (shrimp dumplings) and Char Siu Bao (BBQ pork buns). Roast Goose, with its crispy skin, is another must-try. You can eat incredibly well for cheap at local cha chaan tengs (tea restaurants) or go all out at some of the world's best fine-dining spots.

The infrastructure is excellent. The internet is fast, the power is reliable, and the A/C is a lifesaver in the summer. Public transport is the real star—it's clean, on time, and goes everywhere. The main thing to watch out for is typhoons, which can hit in the summer and fall. The city has a very clear warning system, so just check the weather alerts on the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) website if you're visiting then.

You'll fly into Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), which is huge and efficient. The best way into the city is the Airport Express train. It's clean, fast (24 mins to Central), has Wi-Fi, and costs about HKD 115 one-way. Taxis are an option but cost more—around HKD 335 to Central or HKD 265 to Tsim Sha Tsui (tolls included). Public buses are the cheapest but take the longest.

Getting around is easy. The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is the city's backbone and it's fantastic—clean, efficient, and has English signs everywhere. Get an Octopus Card as soon as you arrive; it's a rechargeable card for all public transport that even works in convenience stores. The old double-decker trams ("Ding Dings") on Hong Kong Island are a cheap, scenic ride. Central areas are walkable, but expect hills and stairs. Uber exists but operates in a legal gray area. Honestly, the public transport is so good you probably won't need it.

Hong Kong is generally very safe, with low violent crime. The main risks are petty. Watch for pickpockets in crowded places like markets and on the MTR. In nightlife areas like Wan Chai, be aware of drink spiking—never leave your drink alone. Common scams involve 'fake monks' asking for donations and shady market sellers with counterfeit goods. Only use official taxis with a working meter. All illegal drugs, including CBD products, are treated with zero tolerance and carry heavy penalties, even for transit passengers at the airport. The biggest safety factor is the political climate. Governments advise extreme caution due to vaguely defined security laws. Avoid any and all public demonstrations.