What to Know Before You Visit Hong Kong

If you’re planning your first trip to Hong Kong, there are a few cultural differences, safety tips, and practical things to know before you arrive.

Hong Kong has its own unique culture, and if you’re Asian, you know what I mean. If you’re not, you might figure it out when you get there. While I am of the opinion that Hong Kong is one of the best places in the world, you might not think the same.

Here are some of the most common misconceptions about Hong Kong and the reality of each.

Hong Kong Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

If it’s your first time visiting Hong Kong, these quick tips will help you avoid some of the most common surprises travelers experience.

Quick Travel Tips for Visiting Hong Kong

Hong Kong is generally very safe for tourists
The city is much cleaner than many travelers expect
Avoid drinking tap water and be cautious with ice
Rush hour on the MTR can be extremely crowded
Sharing tables at restaurants is completely normal
People may seem rushed or blunt, but it’s rarely intentional

Is Hong Kong Dirty?

It’s actually fine.

When I was nine, it was pretty gross. Gross enough that, as an adult, I didn’t want to go back. My first visit back was after Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (remember that?) and the first big bird flu outbreak.

I have to say, Hong Kong really stepped up, and the city was almost unrecognizable for how much cleaner it was. I’m a pretty hardcore germophobe, and even I was really impressed.

The escalators had workers who would sanitize the handrails at intervals, and even the streets were cleaner.

That was over 15 years ago. Now there are touchless buttons, UV sanitizers for handrails, and hefty fines for all kinds of germ-spreading activities (like spitting).

There are also hefty fines for activities that could inadvertently cause outbreaks, like feeding or touching the birds.

Do not expect the city to look like Tokyo, but it was honestly cleaner than New York City in many places.

Is the Water Safe to Drink in Hong Kong?

Be careful with ice and make sure not to drink the water.

As with much of Asia, the water isn’t particularly safe to drink. The locals are familiar with this as well and often boil their own water before drinking it.

Requesting cold water in restaurants is uncommon and not advisable, as it is often tap water. Not all restaurants offer bottled water.

Ice is often (but not always) safe because it is frequently purchased from commercial suppliers and is regulated and filtered. However, it’s still a good idea to be cautious if you’re sensitive to water quality while traveling.

Are People in Hong Kong Rude?

This one is unavoidable just about anywhere, but yes, people in Hong Kong can be pretty rude when you’re from a society where manners are more highly considered.

It never really seems intentional, but I noticed it most on this trip when I was carting around a handicapped senior citizen.

Everyone is in a hurry, and the ones who aren’t are usually glued to their phones.

The ones in a hurry will push past you on the streets, in the MTR stations, on the escalators, etc. The ones who aren’t will run right into you because they never saw you.

That said, they’re not super pushy on the trains, and the ones who are polite are very nice (even with a language barrier).

Move quickly, watch where you’re going (defensively because others aren’t watching), and step all the way to the side if you’re not moving so nobody runs you down.

Is Hong Kong Safe for Tourists?

I honestly only felt unsafe once, at 6 AM when it was dark and the street was deserted.

Even then, it was only a heightened sense of caution, not a feeling of imminent danger.

Hong Kong never truly felt unsafe to me, even when I spent the day alone, making almost half a dozen MTR changes.

Exercise a reasonable amount of caution:

Use a backpack with a hidden safety pocket or a crossbody bag in front of you
Be careful on the MTR
Stay alert in street markets

Trust your gut too (like everywhere else)—if something feels off, get out.

Not So Crowded Tsim Sha Tsui (©Melanie Lee)

Isn’t Hong Kong Crowded?

This depends entirely on where you are and what time it is.

Rush hour is madness on the MTR. It’s difficult to find a cab around 4 PM, when the driver shift changes. Central, Hong Kong, at lunchtime is a disaster. Mong Kok after work hours can be suffocating.

Other than that, it’s really manageable (even if it sounds like it’s not).

Plan your day accordingly. Pick more crowded tourist attractions and do them on weekdays or earlier in the day.

Street markets are particularly busy on Sundays.

Stores like Don Don Donki, Sasa, Matsukiyo, and others are fantastic right around opening on weekdays and are considerably crazier on weekends and after work hours.

Do They Really Make You Share Tables?

Also, sharing tables here is the norm.

If you’re highly introverted, don’t be alarmed. Nobody is expected to socialize, and realistically, nobody is going to talk to you.

Even at small tables in the Dai Pai Dong eateries, they’re going to eat and pretend you aren’t there.

Most of the restaurants aren’t designed for long, drawn-out meals; they’re set up for short eating periods where you rush through your food and leave to make room for the next party.

Typical Dai Pai Dong Seating (©Melanie Lee)

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Hong Kong

Is Hong Kong safe for tourists?

Hong Kong is generally very safe for travelers. Basic precautions—such as keeping valuables secure and staying alert in crowded areas—are usually sufficient.

Is Hong Kong clean?

Hong Kong has improved dramatically in cleanliness over the years, thanks to strict sanitation practices and fines for activities such as spitting or littering.

Can you drink tap water in Hong Kong?

It’s generally better to avoid drinking tap water directly and instead stick with bottled or boiled water.

Is Hong Kong very crowded?

Some areas, like Mong Kok or Central, can be extremely crowded during peak hours, but many other parts of the city are much more manageable if you plan your timing carefully.