9. Each Hong Kong beach has its own personality
These five beaches of Hong Kong each have their own unique charm:
- Shek O Beach draws in creative artists. It’s a favorite among French expat families and locals.
- Big Wave Bay is the surf capital of Hong Kong.
- Clearwater Bay has clear water and is mistaken for Thailand in photos.
- Tai Long Wan (Big Wave Bay) in Sai Kung is nicknamed the “Hong Kong Maldives.” Pro Tip: Its four stunning white sand beaches can only be reached by hiking or boat.
- Stanley is a shopper’s paradise.
10. Dragons dominate the Hong Kong skyline
Feng Shui influences the design of Hong Kong’s skyscrapers. Many buildings feature “dragon gates,” openings that allow dragons to fly through the mountains to the water. Some buildings even consult Feng Shui masters during their construction.
One building that didn’t consult the expert was the Bank of China Tower, built between 1985 and 1989. It became the tallest skyscraper in the Hong Kong region but was criticized for its sharp edges, which locals believed would bring bad luck.
Bonus Fun Fact: Saying the word “Kowloon” translates to “nine dragons.”
11. The Tsing Ma Bridge is longer than the Golden Gate Bridge
The Tsing Ma Bridge that connects Lantau Island to the mainland, is the world’s longest road and rail suspension bridge. It’s longer than San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and built to withstand typhoons that occur from May to November.
Tsing Ma Bridge in Hong Kong.
12. Hong Kong locals speak three languages but write in one
Chinese and English are both official languages in Hong Kong, but most residents primarily speak Cantonese in their daily lives. Chinese serves as the written language. About half of the population is trilingual, switching between Cantonese, English and Mandarin.
13. This is where real kung fu masters train
The martial arts culture in Hong Kong goes beyond the movies like Enter the Dragon. Traditional Kung fu schools, called ‘kwoon,’ have been operating for generations, with some masters tracing their teaching lineage back 300 years.
Each morning, Hong Kong’s public parks turn into outdoor training grounds. Elderly masters practice wing chun, businesspeople do tai chi and students learn ancient techniques.
Bruce Lee is Hong Kong’s most famous martial artist. He learned his first moves in Hong Kong’s parks. His original kung fu school in Kowloon still stands today.
Pro Tip: The Hungry Ghost Festival will be celebrated on Saturday, September 6, 2025, throughout Hong Kong. Hungry Ghost commemorates the opening of the gates of Hell and Heaven, permitting all spirits to receive food and drink from their living family. During Hungry Ghost Festival, kung fu demonstrations across Hong Kong are performed to ward off spirits.
14. Museums are free every Wednesday
The Hong Kong Museum of History offers free admission every Wednesday, as do other museums like the Heritage Museum, Science Museum, Space Museum and Art Museum. The History Museum features the “Hong Kong Story” exhibit, which spans 30,000 years, showcasing everything from prehistoric artifacts to contemporary developments.
Pro Tip: Be prepared for long lines on Free Museum Wednesdays.
15. The Hong Kong dollar is tied to the U.S. dollar
The Hong Kong dollar has been pegged to the U.S. dollar since 1983. This peg links Hong Kong’s monetary policy to the U.S. Federal Reserve, despite Hong Kong being a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.
The exchange rate is between HK$7.75 and HK$7.85 per US$1 under the Linked Exchange Rate System (LERS). The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) manages this peg. The HKMA adjusts interest rates and use its foreign currency reserves to maintain stability.
16. In Hong Kong, you can travel by train, plane, ferry and automobile
In Hong Kong, you can ride a Victorian-era tram in the morning and take a high-speed train to mainland China by lunch. The city boasts the world’s highest public transport usage rate, with 90% of daily journeys relying on it. Key transportation options include:
The Peak Tramways in Hong Kong.
- The Peak Tram, operational since 1888, climbs Victoria Peak at a steep 27-degree angle, creating optical illusions that make the skyscrapers appear to tilt.
- Hong Kong International Airport is home to Cathay Pacific Airlines. The airport is accessible from downtown Hong Kong via an express train that takes just 24 minutes.
- The Star Ferry carries 24 million passengers annually across Victoria Harbour and has been operating since 1888.
- The MTR (Mass Transit Railway) transports 4.5 million passengers daily. Some stations are so deep that unique ecosystems of moths and insects have evolved there.
17. Asia’s oldest university outranks Harvard in some areas
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is Asia’s oldest university. HKU outperforms Harvard in education and educational research. According to U.S. News & World Report, HKU ranked first in this category in 2022-2023, ahead of Harvard which was in fifth.
18. The tenth largest bronze big Buddha statue in the world lies on an ancient tea trade route on Lantau Island
Feeling zen at the foot of the towering Tian Tan Buddha!
The Tian Tan Buddha is a 112 foot (34 meter) tall bronze big Buddha statue on Lantau Island that sits on the ancient Tea Route. The Buddha’s right hand is raised to deliver a blessing to all who climb the 268 steps to reach it.
19. The world’s cheapest Michelin-starred meals are found in Hong Kong
Delicious Dim Sum Dinner in Hong Kong.
The world’s most affordable Michelin-starred meals are found in Hong Kong. Hong Kong has 71 Michelin-starred restaurants in total. Tim Ho Wan is famous for offering Michelin-starred dim sum at budget-friendly prices. Meals here can cost $2 or less.
Dim sum originated in Southern China and is rooted in Cantonese culture. It began as a snack served in tea houses but was elevated into a gourmet experience.
Yes, we are talking about these egg tarts.
20. Hong Kong’s neighbor Macau gave Asia the egg tart
Egg tarts are a fusion of British and Portuguese influences. The food became a symbol of Hong Kong’s culinary identity, with its popularity spreading across Asia and the world. In fact, fast food chains like McDonald’s and KFC across Asia sell egg tarts.
>> LEARN MORE: Fun Facts About Portugal
21. The world’s longest outdoor escalator system operates in a single direction
The Mid-Levels Escalator stretches for half a mile, making it the longest covered escalator system globally. It operates downhill during the morning rush hour and uphill for the rest of the day, requiring Hong Kong’s population to walk up or down if they’re going the wrong way at the wrong time. With 14 entrances and exits, the journey takes about 25 minutes one way, serving approximately 85,000 users daily.
22. Hong Kong once had a secret city inside Hong Kong city
The Kowloon Walled City was a densely populated area within Kowloon City, British Hong Kong. It was built as a Chinese military fort and became an enclave after the New Territories were leased to Britain in 1898. The population of Kowloon grew after World War II as the city attracted refugees from the Chinese Civil War.
By the late 1980s, 35,000 residents lived in its 2.6-hectare area. Without governance, the Kowloon Walled City became a hotbed of illegal activities controlled by gangs.
Colorful high density living in Kowloon City.
In 1987, the government decided to demolish the city, and by 1994, it was completely gone. Kowloon Walled City Park and an old town are all that remain.
23. There is a “Venice of Hong Kong”