20 Things Not To Do In Hong Kong In 2025
The sky-kissing skyscrapers, cheering neon lights and bustling crowds can be a delightful experience for some but can also be a frenetic visit for many. The enormous number of places and a mammoth amount of activities to choose from makes it difficult to decide what things to do and what things not to do in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a fusion of the Eastern and Western cultures. Almost every district in Hong Kong can be considered a tourist destination.
20 Things Not To Do In Hong Kong To Avoid Inconvenience
Having the right knowledge of what to avoid in Hong Kong and what not can make your trip joyous and pocket friendly. Here we will tell you about the things not to do in Hong Kong.
- Don’t Be A Snail
- Don’t Only Travel In Taxis Or M.T.R
- Don’t Shop Only In Malls
- Don’t Just Shop And Eat
- Don’t Just Carry Beach And Casual Wear
- Don’t Just Eat Chinese Food
- Don’t Stay On Hong Kong Island All The Time
- Don’t Just Stay In Any Hotel
- Don’t Smoke In Prohibited Areas
- No Outings During Typhoon
- Don’t Blindly Cross The Road
- Don’t Spend Too Much Time In The Sun
- Don’t Shop On Weekends
- Don’t Forget Octopus Card
- Don’t Stand On The Left
- Don’t Buy Stuff From Temple Street
- Don’t Forget To Pack Jacket For Indoors
- Don’t Visit During “Golden Week”
- Don’t Go On Cheap Pink Dolphine Tour
- Don’t Break The Laws
1. Don’t Be A Snail
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Hong Kongers are fast doers and walkers. Try not to walk slow and block anyone’s way as this will surely leave the locals irritated. Whether in restaurants or in public transport try to match the pace and manners of the local population.
Also Read: Hong Kong Museums
2. Don’t Only Travel In Taxis Or M.T.R.
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Opting for local buses for travelling is cheaper than taxis and also gives a better view of the place than M.T.Rs. Also don’t forget to take the ferries. Travel by ferries for an awesome boating experience and beautiful scenery watching. Try double decker trams for exploring Hong Kong. Trams will provide you the experience of a bygone era and a slow relaxed city tour.
Hong Kong & Macau Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle
Visit Hong Kong and explore disney land, ocean park, wet land park, victoria’s peak and Lantau Island. Further, explore Macau tower, the Venetian resort, Senedo square and more in Macau.
3. Don’t Shop Only In Malls
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Hong Kong has a plethora of malls but that does not mean that you shop only in malls. Try shopping locally. There are tons of shops in Square Street, Tai Ping Shan and Chateau Zoobeetle. These shops will be easy on your pocket and will give you an insight of the local culture. Don’t forget to bargain.
Related Post: Tourist Places In Hong Kong
4. Don’t Just Shop And Eat
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Hong Kong dates back to around 6000 years. Visit places like Victoria Peak, Victoria Harbor and Avenue of Stars during the day and experience the Symphony of lights at night. Don’t forget to visit the three famous museums -The History Museum , The Art Museum and The Museum.
5. Don’t Just Carry Beach And Casual Wear
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Wondering what not to wear in Hong Kong? One must know that Chinese people are very particular about their dress code. If you want to dine in ritzy places, wear an appropriate dress or you might not even be allowed to dine in.
Related Post: Instagrammable Places In Hong Kong
6. Don’t Just Eat Chinese Food
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Hong Kong offers cuisines from all over the world. Expats from all over the world have opened different types of restaurants here. Hong Kong offers excellent Japanese, Thai, French and African cuisines. If your taste buds love delectable cuisines, you must try all the cuisines here.
7. Don’t Stay On Hong Kong Island All The Time
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Hong Kong is one of the 260 islands in the region. Nearby islands are 30 to 60 mins away by ferry. These islands offer a different flora and fauna experience. Big Lantau is famous for hiking and camping. Relax at the Lamma Island and savor its natural beauty. Cheung Chau is a shopping destination. So shop till you drop!
Related Post: Hong Kong Street Markets
8. Don’t Just Stay In Any Hotel
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Research well about the hotels before going to Hong Kong. Touts try to rip you off and provide substandard services. Try to avoid a stay in places like Chung King. They might offer a interesting experience but things like scams, thefts, and even violence might just spoil your trip. Don’t ever leave cash or jewelry unlocked and revealed in a hotel. Talk to a reputed Travel Agent about your requirements for a comfortable and safe stay.
9. Don’t Smoke In Prohibited Areas
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It is a strict rule that persists in Hong Kong where they levy a fine of 800 USD for smoking in restricted places. Smoking a cigarette in prohibited areas might prove to be a very costly mistake, thus make sure to not smoke in the areas where is it not allowed.
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10. No Outings During Typhoon
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Hong Kong is a city which is prone to frequent Typhoons. Though your shelter will not collapse during Typhoon but your chances of getting hurt are high so keep a tab on the warnings and wait for the Typhoon to subside.
11. Don’t Blindly Cross The Road
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Unlike in the west, the traffic in Hong Kong is unruly and can flow both ways on a single street. So watch your sides and cross safely.
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12. Don’t Spend Too Much Time In The Sun
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Chinese heat is oppressing. Locals there always carry an umbrella for protection. Keep yourself hydrated and always carry an anti sun lotion in your hand bag.
13. Do Not Shop On Weekends
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It’s the best way to avoid the local crowd while shopping . Malls and local markets are hell crowded on weekends. You will end up feeling tired and fatigued in crowded places.
Related Post: Hong Kong Travel Tips
14. Don’t Forget Octopus Card
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If you are using any public transport in Hong Kong such as MTR metro, buses, trams and ferries, the Octopus card can save you a lot of time as its a prepaid tap-and-go smart card almost like a de facto currency. These cards can be purchased at metro stations and ferry offices and any unused cash will be refunded to you.
15. Don’t Stand On The Left
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When roaming anywhere in Hong Kong, be it escalators or a moving walkway/sidewalk, don’t forget to stand on the right and let people pass you on the left. People get quite aggravated when people jam the left side of the walkway and it’s always a signifying sign that you’re from out of town.
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16. Don’t Buy Stuff From Temple Street
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Temple Street is one of the most visited places by travellers in Hong Kong as it holds historical significance. However, most of the stuff sold at Temple Street market is junk and cheap stems that will eventually break after a few days or fake souvenirs.
17. Don’t Forget To Pack Jacket For Indoors
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As Hong Kong weather consists of excessive humidity, most shopping malls, shops and office buildings blast their air-conditioning to maximum to control mould and moisture build-up. Therefore, don’t forget to carry your jacket, sweater, cardigan or scarf when you’re indoors to avoid freezing.
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18. Don’t Visit During “Golden Week”
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During Golden Week Hong Kong gets excessively crowded by tourists and hotel prices are outrageous. Golden Week is a nationwide Chinese holiday which occurs during the first week of May and the first week of October. Therefore, it’s best to visit before or after Golden Week, but not during.
19. Don’t Go On Cheap Pink Dolphine Tour
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Hong Kong is the residence of endangered pink dolphins that can be seen off the shore of Lantau Island. Various tour operators run pink dolphin-watching tours. However, not all tour operators are worth spending money on. Many of these cheap tour operators don’t follow by dolphin-watching codes of conduct and will chase the dolphins, often threatening or hurting them with boat engines..
Related Post: Reasons To Visit Hong Kong
20. Do Not Break The Laws
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Before we just end up the list of things not to do in Hong Kong, here is the most important one to follow. Chinese are notorious for inflicting severe punishments for petty crimes. So follow the laws and do not get carried away by words or flesh. Always keep the number of your embassy or consulate with you.
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Planning a trip to Hong Kong anytime soon? Besides the typical to-do list in Hong Kong, don’t forget to check out the things not to do in Hong Kong else they could be a mood spoiler during your well planned trip. So make sure you streamline your choices, and enjoy on a safe and an awesome trip.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Things Not To Do In Hong Kong
Is English widely spoken in Hong Kong?
Only about 40 per cent of Hong Kong’s population speak fluent English, so you might face difficulties communicating here. However, you can always take the help of your local guide or learn a few essential words like “thank you”, “restaurant”, and “hotel” in the Mandarin language yourself. To help you out.
Should you tip in Hong Kong?
Tip is generally not advised in restaurants in Hong Kong. Besides, you will always find a 10% service charge levied on your bill at restaurants in Hong Kong, so you need not tip anyway.
How many days should I spend in Hong Kong?
You’d need at least 3 days to fully see Hong Kong, and you can add 2 more days to your itinerary if you wish to see Macau as well.
Is Hong Kong expensive?
While the food in Hong Kong is generally expensive, you can find hygienic and healthy food options at almost all the local eateries and street-side diners in Hong Kong that won’t burn a hole in your wallet.
What are some cultural taboos in Hong Kong?
Hongkongers believe in various common taboos and superstitions which drive their beliefs. Some of them include-
- Living in a space where someone has died would bring misfortune and discomfort,
- Red is the lucky colour, while black and white are not,
- Don’t gift a Chinese man with a green hat as it represents that a man has been cheated on by his wife or girlfriend,
- Never give some a clock as a present as it is believed brings inauspicious vibes all around, etc.
Can I take photos in temples or religious sites?
Taking photos in temples or religious sites in Hong Kong depends on the temple you’re visiting and circumstances. Some temples do allow photography whereas in other temples photography may be restricted. Therefore, one need to check for a photography restriction sign/board before clicking picture to avoid any consequences.
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