Hong Kong – a mix of East and West

Hong Kong rules the culture that makes the city so special.

Street food, luxury boutiques, wild nightlife and amazing architecture.

We asked our correspondends to help us get to the heart of this dynamic city with so much to offer.

An exciting blend of cultures.

The city’s cultural celebrations include epic festivities like Lunar New Year when Victoria Harbour’s sky is lit up with fireworks, the Victoria Harbou is on fire.

This Lunar New Year welcomes 2026 the Year of the Horse, when the city’s streets come alive with parades, lantern displays and bloom displays; considered auspicious for the new year.

1. Cha chaan teng – tea restaurant

To find the real Hong Kong, we recommend looking no further than a cha chaan teng (tea restaurant).

“Tea houses are deeply rooted in Hong Kong’s culinary culture. Traditional Hongkongers enjoy going to tea houses for lunch with family or friends.

Visitors who want to watch the Lunar New Year fireworks should go to Conrad Hotel.

At this hotel you can see the view of the fireworks amazing good.

Locals and expats alike sit huddled around tables in these old-school cafes, which are decorated with whirling fans and patterned floor tiles.

These iconic Hong Kong spots are known for serving European treats with an Asian twist, so expect cups of strong Hong Kong milk tea made with condensed or evaporated milk, flaky egg tarts and pineapple buns with a cracked surface resembling its spiky namesake fruit.

Another culinary custom synonymous with Hong Kong culture is dim sum a traditional Chinese brunch where a dazzling variety of small, savoury bites in bamboo baskets are wheeled through the restaurant on carts, to be shared with the whole table. “[It’s] quality time with family,” says Angelababy. “It’s not just about filling the stomach; it’s an experience.” Hongkongers tuck into baskets of stewed, roasted or steamed dumplings such as char siu bao (doughy balls of sweet roast pork); siu mai (open-topped steamed dumplings); or soup dumplings filled with richly flavourful broth, which they wash down with tea.

Ride the Ding Ding

Travel around Hong Kong is fun on the double-decker tram that has been running since 1904.

The super-skinny vintage tram can be found on Hong Kong Island.

They call it the Ding Ding.

The name comes from the sound of the bell ringing twice that lets people know the tram is leaving.

If visiting during Lunar New Year, keep an eye out; the Ding Ding will be festooned with colourfully-decorated trams in honour of the Year of the Horse. 

Dim sum which translates to “touch the heart” is believed to have its root in the port city of Ghangzhou and was brought by traders to Hong Kong in the 19th Century.

It is now served across the city in five-star hotels and in tea houses – and eaten copiously during the Lunar New Year celebrations, when varieties of dumplings are shaped to resemble ancient gold or silver ingots for luck in the new year. “Hongkongers have a diverse palate, and dim sum encompasses a wide variety of dishes, perfectly catering to everyone’s [tastes],” says Angelababy. “I believe the flavours of Hong Kong dim sum are unique; no matter how people from other countries try to imitate them, they seem unable to replicate those tastes.”

Hollywood Road

was recently dubbed the second coolest street for its long history and constantly changing offerings.

This historic street running between the Central and Sheung Wan neighbourhoods is filled with landmarks such as the 19th-Century Taoist.

Michelin-starred restaurants, antique shops and galleries.

God of desire 1950s former “Police Married Quarters”, where the police and their families lived.

“There are many local designers’ studios and workshops at PMQ. It’s a very interesting place for creative exploration.”

Dragon’s Back

Hong Kong’s hilly and mountainous are amazing.

If I have visitors in Hong Kong, I will take them hiking,” says Angelababy. “That’s one of the special things about Hong Kong. There are not that many cities where you can go hiking in nature in 30 or 40 minutes. You can just [pick up a bottle of] water and go.”

Dragon’s Back Mountain can be found on the south-eastern corner of Hong Kong Island. The trek begins with a gentle walk that leads hikers through the forest, along the ridge of the mountain to Dragon’s Back Viewing Point where people can see Stanley, Tai Tam Bay and Lamma Islands. “You feel miles away from the city at Dragon’s Back. I feel so relaxed when I’m there,” says Angelababy. “I [go] for a walk over Dragon’s Back and then down to the white-sand beach of Big Wave Bay.”

Best for place for island hopping: Tai O

Hong Kong is home to 263 islands, including Lantau Island – known as “the lungs of Hong Kong for its great swaths of indigenous forest – and the idyllic Lamma Island; a popular escape from the chaos of the mainland. Angelababy’s Hong Kong island pick is the tranquil island of Tai O

Home to the Tanka boat people, Tai O’s Venice-like canal is lined with 200-year-old fishermen’s stilt houses. The fishermen on this island are famous for producing the island’s salty shrimp paste used to add flavour and umami to many curries and sauces. Visitors can observe the fishermen puttering around the island in colourful sampan boats with their fresh daily catch.