Hong Kong is a myriad of islands on the southwest coast of China. It was a British territory for more than a century before being handed back to China recently. It’s a culturally diverse city with a rich history and a taste for modern architecture and electronics.
You can still see the ancient roots of the city through the towering, shimmering skyscrapers. Traditions are carried on inside ancient temples, in the street food hawked by vendors and in proud flag ceremonies. It’s as if you can find the oldest parts of the city on street level with Hong Kong growing more modern with the height of its buildings.
Map of Hong Kong’s top neighborhoods
It’s a plentiful place, especially in people. Parts of Hong Kong have the highest population density in the world. But the mixture of cultures and the blending of old and new make this city vibrant and unique. In fact, the food in Hong Kong benefits from this fusion and is some of the best in the world.
Asia’s World City is such a rich tapestry of flavors, sights and sounds, so be sure to choose a place to stay in Hong Kong that reflects your unique tastes. Split in two by the iconic Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon on the mainland are the two integral parts of Hong Kong and between them contain the most interesting neighborhoods and almost all the hotels.
Hong Kong Island
Central District
Central District is the place to see and be seen in Hong Kong. This crammed district is marked by high-end restaurants, luxury hotels and towering high-rise buildings. It is the commercial and cultural center of the city. Central provides your best opportunity to see a celebrity in the wild. Although hotel choices in Central are limited to the upper range, staying here makes you feel like a resident yourself.
Dress up nice to enjoy Central’s nightlife. It’s the best in the city. Known for its raucous taverns, swanky nightclubs, lavish wine bars and trendy restaurants, Central is best to visit when the sun sets. Be prepared to spend a few dollars as the nightlife in Hong Kong can be expensive.
But Central is more than just high-end establishments. You can also pop over to the beautifully green Hong Kong Park for a walk, or spend an afternoon at the Zoological and Botanical Gardens. No trip to Hong Kong is complete without a visit to the urban heart of the metropolis.
Where to Stay in Central District
- JW Marriott Hotel – You’ll find a high-end health club and heated outdoor pool to enjoy. Rooms feature views of either the mountainside or Victoria Harbor. It sits at the top of the Pacific Place complex.
Sheung Wan
Hong Kong can be overwhelming, but Sheung Wan serves as an escape. Just to the west of the city’s main business district, Sheung Wan has more of a laidback feel than the rest of the city. But don’t be fooled — Sheung Wan is still very lively. It just has a more down-to-earth feel.
The winding streets of this neighborhood are charming and are great for getting lost for an afternoon. You’ll find plenty of authentic eateries on the ancient streets where you can chow down for as long as you’d like.
You’ll also find the ferry to Macau in this coastal district. The streets near the port bustle with the energy of tourists and day-trippers, but it’s where you’ll find the Western Market. This 1906-built four-story building is less of a market and more of a preserved building. If you’re looking for a unique market, head to the Dried Seafood or Medicine Markets where you can pick up dried scallops or raw ginseng.
Where to Stay in Sheung Wan
- The Jervois – This 5-star option is all about simply sophisticated interiors, shiny surfaces, marble floors, and custom furnishings by a French designer.
- iclub Sheung Wan Hotel – A towering, contemporary hotel close to an MTR station, this hotel is also nearby the Western Market.
Soho
South of Hollywood Road near Central, you’ll find SoHo; hence the name. This is the entertainment heart of Hong Kong. It is technically a part of Central, but it is worth a visit all on its own. SoHo is full of intriguing shops, delicious street foods and authentic dim sum.
Head down to the Cat Street Market to pick up a souvenir, You can argue with your travel mates about the origin of the name. Is it for cat burglars? Prostitutes? Pirates? Ask any of the vendors and they’ll all have a different explanation. Pick out the one that you find most intriguing.
You can also head over to the Mid-Level Escalators that take you from SoHo to Central and back. These impressive escalators were built in the 90’s to alleviate congestion in the city and they are marvelous. Just don’t get caught. The escalators only run one-way depending on the time — down in the morning and up in the evening.
Where to Stay in Soho
- Hotel Madera Hollywood – Featuring an eclectic mix of vintage style interiors, and colorful, creative designs, this fashionable hotel reflects the vibrancy of the city.
Wan Chai
Wan Chai is much more than a couple of blocks of girlie-bars populated by drunken American sailors; after all, the World of Suzie Wong was just a work of fiction set in Wan Chai during a bygone age. This is the place to visit when you want to buy something specific.
Unlike many other neighborhoods in Hong Kong, Wan Chai has specific streets that specialize in specific products. You can head to Tai Yuen Street for interesting Asian toys, Queen’s Road East for exotic antiques and Wan Chai Computer Centre for electronics.
This small commercial area is packed with office workers. At lunch, they all descend on the many quick noodle restaurants and street food stalls. And where there are white-collar workers, there are bars for happy hour. Lockhart Road is the place to have a late afternoon drink and to rub elbows with the locals.
There’s plenty of culture to be found in Wan Chai. Head over to Golden Bauhinia Square for a daily flag-raising ceremony. If you’re there on July 1st (Handover Anniversary) or October 1st (National Day of China), you’ll be in for an ornate treat. The district also boasts the Hung Shing Temple, Old Wan Chai Post Office and Pak Tai Temple.
Where to Stay in Wan Chai
- Renaissance Harbor View Hotel – As you might be able to tell by the name, this 5-star hotel boasts amazing views of Victoria Harbor. The view is especially spectacular from the hotel’s award-winning restaurant.
Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay is where you go to buy stuff. Hong Kong is famous for its incredible deals on electronics, but you need to decide which side of this district to visit for the best deals. The western end is packed full of high-end shopping malls, boutique and department stores. The eastern end is for the bargain hunters as local street vendors hawk their wares for a negotiable price.
Once you get done with your shopping, you’ll want to calm down. Head on over to Victoria Park where you can partake in public Tai Chai sessions. Or you can head over to the district’s historic Hong Kong Central Library where you can ogle at ancient collections.
The neighborhood even has a Hong Kong version of Time Square. It’s not as big as New York’s, but it is definitely worth checking out when you’re in the area. And when you get hungry, make sure to take a stroll down Houston Street. Otherwise known as food street, it is lined with local street food vendors.
Where to Stay in Causeway Bay
- Metropark Hotel Causeway Bay – With a fantastic rooftop pool where guests can enjoy swimming with views of the waterfront, this 4-star hotel is close to Victoria Park.
Kowloon Peninsula
Tsim Sha Tsui
Head down to Tsim Sha Tsui at the southern tip of Kowloon Peninsula for beautiful views of Hong Kong’s skyline. The best view is from Victoria Harbour’s Promenade at the Avenue of Stars. It makes for a nice little romantic getaway.
Tsim Sha Tsui is where most tourists stay and spend their money, since it has the greatest concentration of hotels, restaurants, and shops. Weird little local shops and authentically local restaurants and cafes pack Nathan Road which rocks neon lights to rival Las Vegas.
Incredibly modern shopping malls dot Canton Road, but you can escape all the big-city bustle at Kowloon Park where you can take a relaxing stroll through abundant greenery.
If you’re looking for a little culture in this Kowloon neighborhood, head over to the Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier where they’ve been shuttling passengers since the late 1800’s. Big-name musicians put on concerts at the Hong Kong Cultural Center where you might catch dance, drama or opera shows.
Where to Stay in Tsim Sha Tsui
- Hotel ICON – This luxury hotel has been designed by local architects for a trendy and chic place to stay in Hong Kong. The views are the best from its rooftop pool and bar. Plus, there’s a super impressive living wall going on in the lobby.
- Kowloon Shangri-La – There are an amazing seven dining options at this 5-star hotel; staying here means you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to what to have for dinner.
- Butterfly on Prat Boutique Hotel – True to its name, this boutique hotel is colorful and contemporary. It is a friendly place to stay and fantastic for families.
Jordan & Yau Ma Tei
Hong Kong is a bustling and dynamic city, and it’s no more evident than in Jordan and Yau Ma Tei. This mixed residential and retail area is crackling with energy at any time of day. This is the neighborhood to go to if you are looking for authentic Hong Kong cuisine. The neighborhood is heavily residential and the restaurants all cater to a local clientele.
The street merchants start to set up shop in the mid-morning. Jordan and Yau Ma Tei is famous for good luck charms carved out of green gemstones. They make wonderful souvenirs and you can feel free to barter for the best price.
The district’s Broadway Cinematheque opens in the afternoon. This four-screen cinema hosts local film festivals and it’s your chance to check out an authentic Hong Kong movie. After a flick, head over to Temple Street for a night market where local vendors hawk authentic street food, electronics and clothing. And make sure to get your fortune told.
Where to Stay in Jordan & Yau Ma Tei
- Hotel Stage – The trendy Hotel Stage boasts minimalist and well-appointed rooms. There’s a delicious breakfast served up each morning at the restaurant.
Mongkok
Mongkok is all about the markets. Narrow streets lead you through the Ladies Market and the Flower Market. Local vendors set up stalls full of clothing, accessories, flowers and jewelry. And, as always, you can negotiate the best price.
Mongkok reflects the architecture of Hong Kong. It’s a mix of old and new buildings with commercial spaces on street level and residential apartments above. This bustling neighborhood is one of the most densely populated places on planet earth. And due to this critical mass, you can find just about anything in Mongkok.
The neighborhood is buzzing with restaurants, shops, bars, nightclubs and massage parlors. It’s even been famously portrayed in films where triad gangs run its nightlife.
This district holds onto its roots in street market stalls. There is a variety to choose from with each street having a different street market nickname. It’s a great place to sample some of Asia’s best street foods.
Where to Stay in Mongkok
- Cordis Hotel – This is a towering hotel which truly does feature an incredible array of amenities. There’s a breathtaking ballroom, a very well equipped wellness center, a range of eating and drinking options, and – very handily – direct access to Mongkok MTR station and Langham Place Mall.
- Metropark Hotel Mongkok – This 4-star hotel is a wonderful option if you want to be well connected on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong; the MTR and a bus stop are very close by. There’s a cafe to chill out in a restaurant serving light meals and a bar.
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