Asia 9 min readFree GuideBy TripGenius Editorial Team

Hong Kong Travel Guide 2025: What Changed, What Stayed, What to Do

Victoria Peak, dim sum for breakfast, night market street food, and the most dramatic harbour skyline in the world. Hong Kong post-2020 — what is different and what is not.

Hong Kong is one of the world's great cities — a 1,100-square-kilometre collision of Cantonese culture, British colonial history, and Chinese modernity, squeezed onto a peninsula and islands of extraordinary topography. The skyline from Kowloon waterfront is arguably the world's greatest urban view. The dim sum is the best in Asia. And despite the political changes of recent years, the city remains extraordinary for visitors.

Hong Kong Visa for Indians

›Indian passport holders need a visa or pre-arrival registration to enter Hong Kong.
›Visitor Visa: Apply at the Immigration Department of Hong Kong. Usually processed in 1–2 weeks.
›Pre-arrival Registration (PAR): Some nationalities can apply for PAR online instead of a full visa. Check eligibility.
›Duration: Usually 14–30 days.

Top Hong Kong Experiences

1Victoria Peak at dusk — The Peak Tram (¥55 return) or hiking the 90-minute trail. The skyline view from the Peak Galleria terrace is the best in the world.
2Dim sum breakfast — The correct way to do dim sum: a large traditional restaurant, 9am on a weekday, ordering from trolleys pushed by aunties. Dim Sum Sq at Tim Ho Wan (Michelin one-star, ¥100 per person).
3Star Ferry crossing — The 8-minute crossing between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island for ¥3.50. The best value transport experience in any city.
4Temple Street Night Market — Kowloon's legendary night market. Fortune tellers, street food, knock-off watches, Cantonese opera performances.
5Lantau Island — Big Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha), Po Lin Monastery, Tai O fishing village (still on stilts), Ngong Ping 360 cable car.
6Sham Shui Po neighbourhood — The most authentically local neighbourhood in Hong Kong. Electronics, vintage clothes, traditional dim sum shops.

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The best food experience in Hong Kong is a bowl of wonton noodle soup at 7am at a traditional cha chaan teng (Hong Kong-style café). Spring milk tea (made with evaporated milk), toast with condensed milk, and wonton noodles — a meal for ¥60 that is as much about culture as cuisine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do Indians need a visa for Hong Kong?

No — Indian passport holders get a 14-day visa-free entry to Hong Kong (SAR). No advance application needed. Note: this is separate from mainland China, which requires a full Chinese visa. You can visit Hong Kong visa-free but crossing to Shenzhen or other mainland cities requires a Chinese visa.

How many days do you need in Hong Kong?

Three to four days is ideal. Day 1: Victoria Peak, Central and Soho. Day 2: Temple Street Night Market, Mong Kok, Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island. Day 3: Hong Kong Disneyland or day trip to Macau (45-min ferry). Day 4: Stanley, Aberdeen Floating Village, final shopping in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Is Hong Kong expensive?

Hong Kong is expensive for accommodation and restaurant dining. A mid-range hotel costs HKD 700–1,500/night (~₹7,500–16,000). However, public transport (MTR) is cheap and excellent, and local restaurants (cha chaan teng, wonton noodle shops, dim sum restaurants) offer incredible food for HKD 50–120/meal (~₹500–1,300).

What has changed in Hong Kong since 2019?

The political landscape has changed significantly, and some international businesses and expats have relocated. For tourists, the practical experience remains largely the same — the MTR is world-class, food is extraordinary, and the skyline is as impressive as ever. The shopping and nightlife scene has evolved but continues. Always check current entry requirements before travel.