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The Hong Kong skyline across Victoria Harbour

No. 17 Top 100 City Destinations 2025

Hong Kong

China

A dramatic harbour skyline, mountain trails, dim sum and outlying islands, all close together.

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Photo: Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Hong Kong is No. 17 in Euromonitor International's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025. The special administrative region on China's south coast spreads across Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon peninsula, the New Territories and more than 200 outlying islands, around one of the world's great natural harbours.

Skyscrapers rise along the harbour, yet about 40% of the land is protected as country parks, with hiking trails, beaches and quiet villages within easy reach. The city is famous for its food, from dim sum and roast meats to street snacks and fine dining.

A Star Ferry crossing Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong
A Star Ferry crossing Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong. Photo: cogdogblog, CC0, source

Best time to go

October to December is the most pleasant time, with sunny, dry and cooler weather. Spring is mild but often humid and misty.

Summer (June to September) is hot, humid and rainy, and typhoons are possible from about May to November. When a typhoon signal is raised, transport and attractions may close.

Top sights

  • 1

    Victoria Peak

    Ride the Peak Tram, running since 1888, up to the Peak for the classic view over the skyscrapers and the harbour. Go on a clear day, ideally around sunset.

  • 2

    Star Ferry

    The green-and-white ferries have crossed Victoria Harbour between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central since 1888, and the short ride is one of the city's best-value experiences.

  • 3

    M+ In our Top 100 Museums

    The museum of visual culture in the West Kowloon Cultural District, with a waterfront park beside it.

  • 4

    Hong Kong Palace Museum In our Top 100 Museums

    Treasures from the Palace Museum in Beijing, in a new building in West Kowloon.

  • 5

    Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront

    The promenade faces the Hong Kong Island skyline. The Hong Kong Museum of Art is here, and the Symphony of Lights show runs every evening at 8 pm.

  • 6

    Tian Tan Buddha

    The giant bronze Buddha at Ngong Ping on Lantau Island is reached by the Ngong Ping 360 cable car or by bus.

  • 7

    Temple Street and Man Mo Temple

    Browse the Temple Street Night Market in Kowloon, and see the incense coils in the Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road.

Getting there

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is on Lantau Island. The Airport Express reaches Hong Kong station in Central in about 24 minutes.

High-speed trains link West Kowloon station with Shenzhen, Guangzhou and other cities in mainland China.

Getting around

The MTR network is fast, clean and easy to use. An Octopus card (or the mobile Octopus) works on the MTR, buses, trams, ferries and in many shops.

The old double-decker trams along the north shore of Hong Kong Island are slow but cheap and fun. Taxis are plentiful and reasonably priced.

Practical tips

Currency
Hong Kong dollar (HKD). Cards and Octopus are widely accepted; some small eateries take cash only.
Language
Chinese and English are official. Cantonese is spoken by most people, and English is common in hotels, shops and on signs.
Safety
Hong Kong is very safe. The emergency number is 999.
Visa & entry
Hong Kong has its own entry rules, separate from mainland China's. Citizens of many countries, including the US, Canada, Australia and EU countries, can visit visa-free for up to 90 days, and UK citizens for up to 180 days. Check the Immigration Department (immd.gov.hk) for your passport.
Power
220 V, 50 Hz; plug type G (the British three-pin plug).

Official information: Discover Hong Kong (official tourism website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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