🇭🇰 Ultimate Hong Kong Travel Guide

Planning a trip to Hong Kong? Here's a detailed and practical guide based on my experience that will help you avoid common mistakes, breeze through immigration, and make the most out of your visit.

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✈️ Visa-Free Entry with PAR (Pre-Arrival Registration)

• Hong Kong offers visa-free travel for Indian passport holders, but you must apply for PAR before booking your flight.

• The process is instant — you'll know immediately if it’s accepted or rejected.

• Make sure to fill it exactly as per your passport — common errors like entering the wrong passport issuing place can lead to denial at immigration.

• PAR is valid for 6 months and allows you multiple entry for stay of up to 14 days.

🚫 Important: PAR applications from Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Chandigarh often get auto-rejected. If your PAR is rejected, you will need to apply for a regular visa to enter Hong Kong.

📶 Mobile Data

• I bought SoSim eSIM one day before going to HK– worked perfectly across Hong Kong.

• For Macau, I had to recharge it again with Travel Data DIY plan.

💵 Currency Exchange

• You can exchange Indian rupees for HKD at Chungking Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui. There are plenty of exchange shops with very competitive rates.

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🛂 Immigration in Hong Kong: What to Expect

Immigration wasn’t smooth — I was questioned for 20 minutes. Here's what they asked:

• Return ticket

• Hotel booking

• Purpose of visit

• What I do for work

• Friends or contacts in Hong Kong

• Travel itinerary

• How much cash I'm carrying (Carry at least USD $600)

They do not stamp your passport. Instead, they give you a arrival slip — don’t lose it.

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🛏️ Where to Stay

• I stayed at Check Inn HK Hostel, Wan Chai – very close to the MTR, which made getting around super convenient.

• You can stay anywhere near an MTR station. Hong Kong is well connected.

• Many Indians prefer Tsim Sha Tsui for affordable food and central location.

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📅 Recommended 5-Day Hong Kong Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Central & Victoria Peak

• Join "Introduction to Hong Kong" Walking Tour (only HK$5)

  • Learn Hong Kong's history, culture, feng shui, economy

  • Visit Man Mo Temple, ride the Mid-Levels Escalators, try local foods

• Pottinger Street (for souvenirs & vibes)

• Peak Tram + Victoria Peak

  • Skip Sky Terrace 428; go to Lions Pavilion for the same view for free

  

• Hong Kong Park

  

  

• Observation Wheel at night

• View harbor lights from Central Ferry Pier

• Try the double-decker tram (Pay only while exit: HKD 2 with Visa / HKD 3 with Octopus or cash)

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Day 2: Local Life & Markets

• Do the "A Day in the Life of a Hong Konger" tour

  • Feng Shui, wife cakes, wet markets, Mahjong culture, paper offerings

  • End at Ladies Market – great for souvenirs and learning to bargain

    

• Sneakers Street (sneaker deals)

• Sky100 Observation Deck

• M+ Museum

• Hong Kong Museum of History

• Avenue of Stars

  

• K11 Art Mall

• AquaLuna Boat Ride

• Symphony of Lights (8PM show)

  

• Take the Star Ferry (AMEX users pay HKD 1 instead of 5)

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Day 3: Hong Kong Disneyland 🏰

• Magical experience! Highlight of the trip

• Bring your own food (allowed) + refillable water bottle

• Best fireworks view spot: Hong Kong Disneyland Castle Hub

💡 Tip: You can adjust Disneyland according to whichever day ticket is cheaper

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Day 4: Macau Day Trip 🇲🇴

Take the TurboJET from HK → Macau (~1 hour)

Use Free casino-to-casino shuttle buses to get around

• Visit:

  • The Venetian Macao

  • Taipa Houses

  • Rua do Cunha (local food street)

  • Tin Hau Temple

  • Lord Stow's Bakery

  • Senado Square

  • St. Dominic's Church

  • Ruins of St. Paul’s

  • Macau Tower

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Day 5: Lantau Island

Get the Tai O Pass (worth it!)

• Ngong Ping Cable Car from Tung Chung

  

• Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha)

  

  

• Tai O Fishing Village

  

  

  💡 Tip: Check weather a day before going to Lantau Island and plan accordingly

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🧭 Bonus Spots to Explore (Time Permitting)

• Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church

• Former Victoria Prison Site

• Ping Shek Estate

• Choi Hung Estate

• Yick Cheong Building (Monster Building)

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🍽️ Indian Food Spots in Hong Kong

• Saravana Bhavan (Chungking Mansions) - best Aloo paratha

• Falafel TLV – amazing falafel and great vibe

• Sangeetha

• Woodlands

• Kailash Parbat

• Bakehouse (for famous egg tarts)

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📲 Useful Apps

• Google Maps

• Citymapper

• Klook / Trip (for tickets & activities)

• MTR Mobile (for entry/exit guides & routes)

• XE Currency Converter

• Hong Kong Disneyland

• MyObservatory (for live weather)

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Final Tips 🧳

• Stay near an MTR station

• Carry Meals from India - Everything is expensive in Hong Kong, especially food. Save money by bringing ready-to-eat meals like: Cuppa Noodles, Haldiram Bhel, Theplas, Ready-to-eat curries or rice packs

• Always carry PAR, hotel & flight bookings in print

• No need for Octopus Card. Tap Visa directly on Blue MTR gates

• For trams, tap only on exit (not entry)

• Respect local customs, especially in temples

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Hope this guide helps you explore Hong Kong stress-free and smartly! 🌟 If you found it helpful, share it with your fellow travelers. If you have questions or need more help planning, feel free to reach out me on X @RahulChhabrani

Happy Travels! 🙌