{"id":98066,"date":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelstartblg.wpenginepowered.com\/travel-hong-kong-like-a-local\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T13:53:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T13:53:12","slug":"travel-hong-kong-like-a-local","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/travel-hong-kong-like-a-local\/","title":{"rendered":"17 Amazing Ways To See Hong Kong Like A Local"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Travelling to this part of the globe presents travellers with the opportunity to revel in the unfamiliar.”<\/em><\/h3>\n

\"Hollywood<\/p>\n

As quoted by Bill Bryson, \u201cthe luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time\u201d<\/i> \u2013 this luxury holds true in a city like Hong Kong. <\/span><\/p>\n

Take for instance the smell in the air, which you\u2019ll notice before you\u2019ve even driven out of the Hong Kong International Airport, it\u2019s not bad but totally different to anywhere else. Then as you start approaching the city, you\u2019ll notice that skyscrapers don\u2019t only define business districts, they form the majority of neighbourhood real estate too. Shopping malls are as luxurious as 5-star hotels and building exteriors turn into light installations at night. For those who are curious about and fascinated by Asia, this is the ideal place to start because beyond the ultra-modern designs and first-world, fast paced, work-hard-play-hard lifestyle, is a city full of character with a strong sense of history and culture that you\u2019ll find in the most unexpected places.<\/span><\/p>\n

Getting there<\/h2>\n

A direct flight from Johannesburg to Hong Kong takes approximately 13 hours<\/strong> and covers a distance of 10672km<\/strong> as the crow flies.<\/p>\n

Hop on a direct flight to Hong Kong from Johannesburg\u2019s OR Tambo Airport (JNB) on SAA<\/a>\u00a0or Cathay Pacific which offers direct flights between South Africa and Hong Kong every day of the week. There are also numerous stopover options.<\/p>\n

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Find cheap Hong Kong flights\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Good to know before you go<\/h2>\n

South Africans can visit Hong Kong visa free for 30 days.<\/p>\n

The lay of the land<\/h2>\n

\"Wan<\/p>\n

There are two main hubs in this city; Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. The island side is contemporary, each street lined with tall, glossy high-rises set against a mountainous backdrop which is Victoria Peak. Kowloon, just a short ferry ride away, has an old-meets-new look and feel, offering open air street markets, hole-in-the-wall restaurants and gorgeous hotels. <\/span><\/p>\n

Getting around<\/h2>\n

Getting around is easy and efficient – taxis are reasonably priced and the MTR subway system is clean, comfortable and reliable. One thing to note:\u00a0 <\/span>taxi drivers don\u2019t all speak good English, my recommendation is to search your destination on Google Maps and take a screenshot to show the driver. If you are considering using Uber, do note that they are more expensive than the local taxis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Budget<\/span><\/h2>\n

Generally Hong Kong is an expensive city (more so recently because of the exchange rate) but if you know where to go\u00a0<\/span>it doesn\u2019t have to be. To give you an idea a decent cappuccino will cost you between R65 and R75. A noodle dish will set you back anything from R30 to R100.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Rise and Shine with Breakfast at Grassroots Pantry in Sheung Wan<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Grassroots<\/p>\n

Grassroots Pantry is an earthy, urban style restaurant in Sheung Wan that prepares their dishes with unprocessed, sustainable and organic ingredients. I indulged in a scrumptious Acai Berry Bowl topped with banana, raw walnut-buckwheat granola and strawberries. Yum!<\/p>\n

2. Step out of your comfort zone and into a wet market<\/span><\/h2>\n

Wet markets are where regular Hong Kongers shop for fresh fish, meat, fresh produce, noodles, sushi, fruit and dry goods \u2013 and for very cheap.\u00a0 <\/span>Discover the most authentic and interesting taste sensations: Hong Kong Egg Waffles (aka bubble waffles). What I loved about them (aside from the taste) is that you can break off the little puffs and eat them on the go. Also try Egg Custard Tarts, Chinese Steamed Buns, Pineapple Buns and Dragon Fruit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you take a fancy to this or find it totally weird, you haven\u2019t experienced Hong Kong like a local until you\u2019ve eaten like one. <\/span><\/p>\n

Egg Custard Tarts<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Wet<\/p>\n

Sweet and savoury steamed buns, being rolled and baked fresh at the market<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Wet<\/p>\n

Egg Waffles<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Wet<\/p>\n

Fresh fish<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Wet<\/p>\n

3. Get to know the coffee culture<\/span><\/h2>\n

I\u2019m forever curious and excited to explore the coffee culture outside of my home town. No matter where I am in the world, to me coffee is the \u201ccommon ground\u201d between countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Coffee Academics<\/span><\/p>\n

Rated as the second best coffee shop in the world by The Telegraph UK, this one totally lives up to its ranking, brewing excellent coffee. It\u2019s the type of coffee shop in which you can easily lose track of time. Located just off Leighton Street in Causeway Bay, the interior has an industrial look with exposed ceilings and face-brick walls, furnished with comfortable cushions and old chandeliers that create a cozy atmosphere.<\/span><\/p>\n

Habitu <\/span><\/p>\n

As quoted on their cleverly branded sugar packs that provide 5 definitions of Habitu<\/i>, this is \u2018a true Hong Kong brand\u2019 and was recommended by to me by a local. Expect delicious cappuccinos and scrumptious bagels.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also read:<\/strong><\/p>\n