Four years living in Hong Kong have taught me a thing or two about this vibrant cosmopolitan yet fiercely traditional city. It is a melting pot of the decadent and debaucherous, the hard-nosed corporate, the unapologetically commercial, the spellbindingly beautiful and the charmingly and sometimes infuriatingly traditional. With this complexity comes a minefield of potential mistakes unsuspecting visitors to Hong Kong would do well to avoid.

So what are the top 14 mistakes to avoid in Hong Kong:

1. Call Hong Kong natives Chinese

It might have been twenty years since UK’s handover of Hong Kong to China under the ‘one country, two systems’ banner, but don’t underestimate the depth of Hong Kongese patriotism. Hong Kong natives are fiercely proud of their heritage separate from that of China and like others to respect it. So much so, that there is somewhat negative connotation attached to the term ‘mainlander’ or ‘mainland Chinese’ that Hong Kongese like to distance themselves from. This might not be the case for everyone but is definitely a booby trap worth staying clear off.

2. Skip the street food and food malls

Home to many exquisite dining venues, it would be easy to succumb to the temptations of fine dining and miss out on the local food scene. But what a mistake it would be. Roam around Hong Kong neighbourhoods and treat yourself to fish balls, quail eggs and other delicacies. You won’t regret it. Same goes for the more than reasonably priced food malls serving some surprisingly tasty nosh. It is very much a case of substance over form though so don’t be deterred by the somewhat basic set-up often bejewelled by roaming roaches.

3. Stick to Central and Soho

Admittedly, the iconic Hong Kong skyline is that of Central and Soho. But whilst these areas offer much of the typical corporate jungle conveniently studded with commercial houses and unruly party venues like Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong is much more than that. Sticking to Central, you would be missing out on the plethora of islands, challenging hiking trails, sandy beaches, historical temples, attractive street art, local markets and so much more this complex city has to offer.

4. Be inconsiderate when taking photos in iconic spots

Instagram has brought notoriety to several of Hong Kong’s picturesque neighbourhoods. But as with other places suddenly overrun by picture-hungry tourists and social media aficionados,  it is the locals left to pay the price. Sham Shui Po rooftop and Choi Hung housing estate are just two such areas. Be considerate, be respectful and always be kind. Afterall, none of us would like our daily life constantly interrupted by rude happy snappers, especially not in the sanctuary of our homes.

5. Visit busy neighbourhoods and attractions at weekends

Ok, you probably know this but there are quite a few people living in Hong Kong. And then there is the proximity to mainland China, not exactly known for being sparsely populated either. Mix that with not always well-mannered floods of tourists gracing Hong Kong with their aggressive presence and you have a recipe for debilitating congestion not only at the main Hong Kong attractions. Causeway Bay, Mong Kong, Tsim Tsa Tsui, Big Buddha, Star Ferry and the Peak Tram are just some places to absolutely avoid at weekends and the Golden Week, unless you queuing, air of musky BO, lack of personal space and the occasional poke in the ribs are your jam.

6. Pay entrance fee to the Peak viewing platform

This one is weirdly specific but who doesn’t like to save a buck. The view from the Peak is one not to be missed by the heavy entrance fee that goes with accessing the viewing platform can easily be avoided. Instead, take the escalator on top of the shopping mall where you will find a terrace with the same view free of charge. You’re welcome.

7. Take taxi and metro everywhere

Public transport in Hong Kong is one of the best I have come across anywhere I have lived. Whilst Metro is likely to account for majority of your transport, some places are much easier accessed by one of several alternatives. These include the iconic tram traversing the Hong Kong island from east to west, the historical Star Ferry crossing the Victoria Harbour, the many big buses and finally the green and red minibuses. Don’t fear the obscured timetables, non-English speaking drivers and often neck breaking speed as these little puppies will take you to places no other transport, except taxis, goes.

8. Miss out on some bargains

Temple street market and Mong Kong ladies’ market might be full of predominantly junk, although my sister would like to argue that some of the knock-off handbags are of excellent quality. But there are so many other bargains to be had in Hong Kong. For starters, my entire photographic equipment comes from Hong Kong’s very own Mong Kong area boasting several specialist centers. My cables, chargers, adapters and other electronic nick knacks come from Wan Chai computer center. My trainers come from the famous ‘sneaker street’ on Kowloon side and the list goes on. Do your research and leave some space in your luggage!

9. Avoid the rooftop bars

Hong Kong might often be unbearably hot and humid, but you’d do well to plan in some rooftops when visiting. The bar scene in Hong Kong is changing all the time and new places worth your buck keep popping up like mushroom after rain. My personal favourites are those with a view. Grab an afternoon tipple in Sevva with a view of the iconic HSBC headquarter, pop into Woolloomooloo in Wan Chai ordering a refreshing aperol spritz, and frankly sample as many watering holes as humanely possible. It is not only a great way to wind down after a busy day exploring but also an excellent opportunity to watch life in the city.

10. Misstime your visit to skip major festivals and events

Festivals might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear Hong Kong and frankly, most are not worth bending your schedule for. Perhaps except for the infamous Hong Kong rugby sevens, and the music festival Clockenflap. Having said that, if you happen to be in Hong Kong any other time, make sure to check out what’s on. The last few years have seen an increasing number of outdoors food festivals, sports events and cultural performances that make a nice impromptu addition to your Hong Kong itinerary.

11. Underestimate the time needed to see Hong Kong

Hong Kong might be relatively small in country terms, but it would be a mistake thinking that you can see it all in 3 days. Deciding if to move to Hong Kong, several of my friends told me that unlike the straight cut non-offensive Singapore, Hong Kong will keep me busy and on my toes. And they were right. Even after four years living there, I felt there was still so much more to do, see and explore. If you can, allow at least a week to sample the main facets of this vibrant city and if you have more time? Even better. Trust me, you won’t get bored.

12. Stick to the main attractions

To an extent this is true about every place but I would argue that even more so in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is not about the top ten attractions to tick off your list. It’s about immersing in the local culture and dipping your toes in as many sides of this multifaceted city as possible. Venture off the beaten path, as cliché as this might sound. Have your fortune read in one of the temples, discover magnificent street art scattered across the city, take a boat to one of the small islands, have a bbq on the beach, get invited on a junk boat and catch a mini bus to the start of a hiking trail. Do you want to know what are the off the beaten path things to do in Hong Kong? Leave me a comment and I will make it one of my article topics.

13. Travel light in winter

When I first came to Hong Kong in January 2015, I was surprised how cold it was. It’s not all tropical sunshine here but also fairly cold winters without indoor heating. And thanks to the non-existent building insulation, the inside can often feel colder than the great outdoors. Counter-intuitively, similar precautions are needed also in the summer. The overuse of air-conditioning means a cardigan, or a scarf will be your best friend.

14. Forget your hiking and water sports gear

Don’t be fooled by the iconic Hong Kong skyline. Majority of Hong Kong is an unbuilt land with some of the best hiking trails I have had the chance to traverse. From the easily accessible Hong Kong trail cutting the Hong Kong Island in half, to the MacLehose and Wilson trails on the Kowloon side and the spectacular Lantau trail, there is a hike for everyone. And don’t even get me started on the water sports. You can live it up in one of the cabanas, relax on the beach or try your hand at sea kayaking, outrigging, paddle boarding or jet skiing. Only the sky and your gear are your limits.

In case it hasn’t come across from this article, I love Hong Kong. My four years there have been full of unforgettable memories and even today I periodically like to go there to see my friends and live it up in one of the best cities there is. So if you are considering a trip to Hong Kong, I say do it! Just watch out for these fourteen mistakes to avoid in Hong Kong. It will make your time even better, without those unnecessary and embarrassingly awkward glitches.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The post 14 mistakes to avoid in Hong Kong appeared first on My Red Sabbatical.