A must-have for Hong Kong tourism | A comprehensive guide to travel, shopping, and food!

1、 Travel essentials: customs clearance, transportation, and practical tips

1. Customs clearance documents and the latest policies

The core documents are the Hong Kong and Macau Travel Permit and a valid endorsement. One day before departure, it is necessary to fill out the health declaration in the "Customs Passenger Fingertip Service" mini program, take a screenshot and save the black code for inspection. Latest customs clearance benefits in 2026: The applicable age for Hong Kong and Macao permanent residents to use the other party's self-service customs clearance channel has been lowered from 11 years old to 7 years old. Children aged 7-10 can go to the self-service customs clearance registration office at the port with their parents to complete procedures, and can use the self-service channel in 30 minutes; Non permanent residents of joint ventures who are over 18 years old can pre register through local self-service machines and enjoy cross district self-service customs clearance within 3 hours, greatly saving queuing time.

2. Transportation Guide

After arriving at the airport, priority should be given to purchasing an Octopus card (HKD 150 including a deposit of 50), which can be used to travel by subway, bus, ferry, and can also be used for consumption at convenience stores. On the return trip, the deposit can be refunded at the subway station (after deducting a small handling fee). The urban transportation mainly relies on the subway, covering major scenic spots and commercial districts. It only takes 10 minutes from Tsim Sha Tsui to Causeway Bay, which is efficient and affordable; The cost of taking a taxi is relatively high, and some drivers are not familiar with mainland addresses, so it is not recommended unless necessary. In terms of network, Alipay searches for "overseas traffic" to purchase the Hong Kong package, which costs about 20 yuan for three days. It can connect to the Internet after landing without changing the phone card, which is more convenient than WiFi. There is no need to change too much money. Most shopping malls and restaurants support Alipay/WeChat payment, and the exchange of about 500 Hong Kong dollars is enough to meet the consumption demand of roadside snacks and cash exclusive stores.

2、 Shopping strategy: Save money and avoid pitfalls, worry free shopping

Hong Kong, as a "shopping paradise", has the advantage of tax exemption and exchange rate difference, which maximizes the cost-effectiveness of various products. However, choosing the right location and avoiding traps are crucial, as different categories have exclusive shopping tips.

1. Luxury brands and watches

LV、 Chanel, Van Cleef&Arpels, Omega and other brands offer tax-free prices at counters that are roughly equivalent to 15% off in mainland China, with some brands offering discounts as high as 30%. It is recommended to book popular styles in advance to avoid running out. Recommended core shopping destinations are Harbour City (with the most comprehensive range of big brands and a wide variety of products, requiring advance queuing) and Causeway Bay Times Square (with many niche styles and fast product updates). When purchasing a wristwatch, it is important to identify authorized stores such as Prince Watch and Emperor Watch. Watch stores on the roadside should be cautious of counterfeit goods and pricing tactics; Gold brands such as Chow Tai Fook and Chow Sang Sang have lower production costs compared to mainland China, and often offer discounts of 2.5% -8%. The Chow Tai Fook Heritage Series is particularly cost-effective, avoiding small gold shops on the street and eliminating the "kilogram to ounce" trick.

2. Beauty, skincare, and daily essentials

Beauty and skin care is a must buy category. SK-II fairy water and Estee Lauder small brown bottle can save about 600 yuan per bottle. Canmake powder blusher and Kissme eyeliner are only half of the price of mainland China. There are three types of purchasing channels: DFS duty-free stores, which not only offer basic discounts, but some stores can also offer an additional 2.5% discount; SASA、 Zhuoyue has a high cost performance ratio, but it is necessary to carefully select products with Chinese labels and avoid futures contracts; Wanning and Watsons are the first choices for purchasing medicines, with essential home medicines such as Huangdaoyi Huoluo Oil and Move Free Bone Strength readily available. There are many counterfeit pharmacies on the street, so be sure to stay away from them. Handwritten recommendations include Jenny Cookie, Smart Bear, Juji Almond Cake, Flower Gum and Dried Shellfish at Shanghai Seafood Street, which are 30% cheaper than those in mainland China. Premium 360 ° Japanese snacks can be purchased at half price, and the three brothers of Kalebi French fries can enjoy them with their eyes closed.

3. Featured category shopping destination

Outdoor sports equipment can be selected from the Mong Kok Ka Lok Fong and Yau Ma Tei A2 exits. The Archaeopteryx has a wide range of styles and a low out of stock rate. Discounts are also available for Boken shoes, Salomon, and Longchamp folding bags. Recommended electronic products include Fengze, Broadway, Apple products, Switch game cartridges, and Fuji cameras with obvious price advantages; Although Sham Shui Po is known as the "parallel import paradise", there are many refurbished machines, so non professionals should be cautious when entering.

3、 Food Guide: From Street Snacks to Global Feast

Hong Kong cuisine is inclusive and diverse, allowing you to taste authentic Hong Kong style flavors while also encountering top-notch global cuisine. From street snacks priced at tens of yuan per person to high-end restaurants priced at thousands of yuan per person, it meets the needs of different taste buds.

1. Authentic Hong Kong style flavor

Must try Hua Sao Ice House (Tsim Sha Tsui branch) for breakfast, with its signature pineapple oil crispy outer skin and soft filling, paired with tomato soup pork chop noodles. The price is HKD 50 per person. It is recommended to arrive at the store before 11 o'clock, otherwise you will need to queue for more than an hour. For lunch, you can choose from Jiuji Beef brisket (Shanghuan Store). Curry Beef brisket noodles and beef tendon balls are classic, and beef brisket is stewed until soft and flavorful. The average price is HKD 70 per person, but please note that the store only accepts cash. Don't miss out on street snacks at the Jardine's Bazaar Night Market in Causeway Bay. The average price for egg waffles and bowl wings is HKD 30 per person, and the braised food at Feijie Snack Shop has a great reputation. The spiciness can be selected according to your needs. In addition, the Butterfly Garden afternoon tea at the Hong Kong Grand Hotel has been listed as the best afternoon tea in the world by LA LIST 2025. The savory and sweet snacks are exquisite and delicious, and you can also overlook the beautiful scenery of Victoria Harbour, making them suitable for taking photos.

2. Global Cuisine and Creative Cuisine

If you enjoy Italian cuisine, you can visit the world's first Locanda CANALI in Harbour City, led by an Italian chef who blends Milanese style with traditional Italian essence, creating a dual experience of fashion and cuisine with the adjacent CANALI flagship store. If you want to try the fusion cuisine, we recommend the "Guangdong Sichuan Cuisine" menu of the InterContinental Hotel Haijing Jiafu in Hong Kong. The two chefs jointly create the golden crab box, spicy Xiaolongbao and other dishes, ingeniously combining the delicacy of Guangdong cuisine with the delicacy of Sichuan cuisine, with rich levels. The Sichuan Flavor Pavilion in Causeway Bay, known as "Red Makeup Sichuan Language", breaks the traditional impression that "Sichuan cuisine is spicy" and uses more than 40 Sichuan specialty spices to cook delicious dishes. The interior design replicates the style of the 1930s, combining taste and visual enjoyment.