Hong Kong sparkles where East meets West along China’s southern coast, a vibrant special administrative region made up of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Each area has its own personality.

Hong Kong Island sits to the south and is the city’s historic, political and economic heart. Central buzzes with glass towers and financiers; Causeway Bay and Wan Chai are playgrounds for shoppers; and the island’s steep, green ridges offer peaceful hiking trails and sweeping harbor views.

Across Victoria Harbour, Kowloon feels alive at every turn. Its dense streets pulse with markets — think the neon bustle of Temple Street Night Market and the bargain-filled Ladies’ Market — and a food scene that celebrates Cantonese classics alongside unexpected Thai flavors. Cultural highlights like Wong Tai Sin Temple, Kowloon Walled City Park and the West Kowloon Cultural District add depth to the urban energy.

What truly defines Hong Kong is its deliciously balanced mix of cultures: colorful street life, world-class shopping, efficient public transit and unforgettable food. And beyond the skyline, smaller islands invite slower rhythms — Lamma Island’s bohemian hikes and seaside cafés, Lantau’s spiritual Big Buddha and family-friendly Disneyland and Cheung Chau’s seafood feasts and old‑world charm.