Solo Travel Destination: Hong Kong

We are pleased to present a new Solo Travel Destination Post from Ashley, to complement an earlier one from Carine. Both are members of the Solo Travel Society: Ashley is from the United States and Carine is from China. They both submitted reports from their solo trips to Hong Kong, each from their own unique perspectives. Do you have a solo travel destination that you would like to recommend? Submit your description here, along with a few photos, and share it with fellow travelers!

Languages spoken: Cantonese, English, Mandarin

Nan Lian Gardens

Reasons to Visit Hong Kong

Ashley's Story

Solo travel rating: 1.5 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult. Please see chart below)

At the age of 26, I was growing restless with life in small-town-Illinois and decided that I need a challenge, something exciting, fun, and real. It wasn't a vacation I was looking for, but a change of pace, a new life. I'd been to Hong Kong for a week as a college student and was determined to make this my new home. I knew no one there and had no connections, but quickly and easily found a teaching job at an American school.

While my tale is more about a girl who lived overseas, Hong Kong is very much a place for solo travelers. I moved to the city by myself and found it difficult to make friends at first. It was my resolve to see as much of Hong Kong as I could and not waste my experience. Traveling to the sites, going out to restaurants, and putting myself out there, I made friends.

Hong Kong is such a lovely place – with a mix of both Western and Eastern culture. Restaurants range from high-end teas to cheap dim sum (called yum cha), and from Mediterranean to Australian Wagyu. Sightseeing is also varied: an aviary in the middle of the city, a giant Buddha surrounded by trees, a mountain with Ten Thousand Buddhas, a light show, stunning views, a Buddhist nunnery – the list could go on and on.

I love Hong Kong with every fiber of my being and am so proud and happy with my two years spent there.

Wong Tai Sin temple

Ten Thousand Buddhas

Hiking Dragon's Back

Solo Travel Destination Rating System

Safety – 1 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)

Language – 2 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)

Navigation – 1 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)

Culture – 2 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)

Average Rating – 1.5 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult)

The Peak Tower

Carine's Story

Solo travel rating: 1 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult. Please see chart below)

As a sub-tropical place, Hong Kong features wonderful landscapes mixed with a well-organised urban area. Only one quarter of the whole territory is occupied by the city, which leaves plenty of space to nature and amazing sights.

The city of Hong Kong very much reminds me of London in terms of organisation: cars drive on the left, most people speak English, there is a very good transportation system, everything works well and feels easy. Shopping is one of the main attractions the city offers as Hong Kong benefits from a duty free system and plenty of huge malls which attract thousands of Chinese every day. As a tourist, you can also enjoy all the sights and tours available, be it by bus or by boat. Several cruises are organised in the bay of Hong Kong, both at night and during the day. You will also find the famous Big Bus Tour company that offers three different tours (1 on Tsim Sha Tsui and 2 on the Hong Kong island).

Things you must go and visit when you're in Hong Kong include: the Peak, the highest spot on the territory that offers a breathtaking view, Repulse Bay on the HK island, which features a beach and adorable sea landscape, the Giant Buddha on the airport island, and the Avenue of Stars along the sea on Tsim Sha Tsui. I also strongly recommend a night cruise in the bay as it is spectacular.

If you would like to experience the nightlife, the best spot probably is near Central, on HK island, as it's where most bars and clubs are located. As for your stay in Hong Kong, I would say pretty much any hotel/hostel would do location-wise (according to most HK hotel/hostel maps I've seen) but the prices are pretty high so it's better to book as much in advance as possible to try and enjoy the best prices. You can travel around easily by metro, tram, bus, boat or even taxi since the fares are fairly affordable.