7 Things I Learned From Traveling to Hong Kong

Did you know that, according to The Traveler’s Zone, China is one of the 25 most beautiful places to visit in the world? I have been very fortunate that our international work in assessments takes me to Hong Kong several times a year.  In case you happen to be heading to Hong Kong, here are a couple of tips that may make it easier for you.

1. This is the safest and cleanest city I have ever traveled to, including most in the United States.  Believe it or not, I actually had an easier time getting around town and communicating with people than I do in most major U.S. cities!
2. The taxi service is well-developed, highly regulated, and most people speak English better than I do!  It is an easy system to trust and only costs $15 to go from one end of the island to the other.
3. If you are concerned about getting somewhere, ask someone at the hotel to write down the address in Cantonese.  I carried it as backup, but almost never used it.
4. The high-speed rail can take you from the airport into downtown Hong Kong, which is ideal since the airport is about 30 miles out.  The train is about $13 one way, and there are helpful signs in English to get you where you need to go.  Once you get off the train, take a taxi to your hotel or wherever you need to.  My drivers have always been courteous, well-informed and English-speaking.
5. I’ve stayed twice at the Excelsior Hotel, which is on the budget end of the hotels in the Mandarin Oriental chain.  However, being a lower-tier hotel in the Mandarin Oriental chain is like being the slowest guy in medical school at Harvard.  I found it to be extraordinarily well-run, and it is where they train all of their customer service.  For an extra $30-40, you can upgrade to the executive floor, which gives you access to the executive lounge.  They serve 3 light meals a day there, as well cocktails in the evening, all included in the fee.  And as a bonus, I also had access to high-speed Internet. They have currency exchange at the most fair rates I saw in the executive lounge, too. All can be cost savings as well as real conveniences.
6. If you need souvenirs to prove you were in Hong Kong, ask the taxi driver to take you to Stanley market for the cheap, gaudy souvenirs everyone needs. If you want something more upscale, Hong Kong is the only place I have ever been that had a Cartier jewelry store inside of a Starbucks. Luxury items at luxury prices are on every block.
7. Take advantage of all the fresh fruit you can.  The mangos and dragon fruit are almost reason enough to move there.

Again, good luck to anyone traveling to Hong Kong.  It is one the easiest, friendliest and most beautiful cities to ever visit.  Travel well!

Terence Bostic, PhD