Everything you need to know about going to Hong Kong right now, as well as recommendations for things to do once you get there.
After a period of almost three years, entry restrictions into Hong Kong have finally been completely lifted. There are no longer any testing requirements (with the exception of a negative COVID-19 test that is required when returning to the United States), and hotels, bars, and restaurants have thrown open their doors. In addition, United Airlines has declared that it will resume service to Hong Kong in March, and Cathay Pacific, the country's flag carrier, has declared that it will increase its capacity throughout the year 2023, with the goal of reaching 70 percent of the passenger numbers it had before the pandemic by the end of the year.
Although it is impossible to avoid change after so many years of seclusion, visitors to this aggressively cosmopolitan metropolis will find a lot to fall in love with here. This cosmopolitan megacity should definitely be seen, either for the first time or on a subsequent trip.
How Things Are in Hong Kong Right Now, in Addition to Important Information Regarding Entry and Exit
The process that led to the reopening of Hong Kong was by no means simple. Since 2019, residents of Hong Kong have been facing obstacles that appear to be insurmountable. To begin, the government took direct action to stifle a movement in favor of democracy by outlawing political demonstrations and arresting individuals who disobeyed the ban. Then, the beginning of the pandemic and the subsequent imposition of severe restrictions placed the residents of the city under house arrest for an extended period of time and prevented travelers from entering the area.
Without a shadow of a doubt, Hong Kong's temporary decline may be attributed to the one-two punch of political unrest and a pandemic. But now, for the first time in many years, residents of Hong Kong and those who are just visiting have a compelling incentive to start swinging (and exploring) once more. This is due to the fact that the city's cultural and museum sector is experiencing a renaissance, that there are new or rebuilt iconic luxury hotels, and that there are currently less crowds to interfere with anything.
At least on the surface, not much has changed since my last visit in the middle of 2019, which is what I found when I landed at Hong Kong International Airport in the beginning of January with mixed feelings of melancholy and anticipation. There are no quizzes to be taken, no forms to be filled out, and no applications to be downloaded. The city continues to have a regular pulse, despite the fact that tourists have not yet returned in large numbers. I felt that energy as I rode a "ding-ding tram" all over Hong Kong Island, from Kennedy Town to Causeway Bay, and as I travelled between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon on my all-time favorite mode of transportation, the Star Ferry, which sails through Victoria Harbor. The Star Ferry connects Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. It seems like the ideal condition in many respects; the hectic pace of life in Hong Kong continues as usual despite the absence of out-of-towners who would otherwise provide an excessive amount of volume to the city.
The lively cityscape of the city, which consists of crowds of people sharing the same thoroughfare as double-decker buses and the city's characteristic red cabs, has not changed all that significantly either. In Hong Kong, multi-modal transit and pedestrians coexist in ordered chaos, making it an ideal destination for anybody interested in transportation. The local office workers leaving work are still out in force on Des Voeux Road during rush hour as they make their way to happy hour and dinner. Since most Hong Kong residents live in relatively cramped flats, dining and drinking out is a popular pastime for them. However, there are some key differences. Even while several of the city's most popular pre-pandemic markets have gratefully been spared, such as the Temple Street Night Market in Jordan and the Flower Market in Moong Kok, these markets do not yet have the same frenetic vitality and large crowds that they used to have.
The Up-and-Coming Accommodations in Hong Kong
Since the pandemic that caused the city to go into lockdown, a number of high-end luxury hotels have either opened their doors to the public or have undertaken extensive renovations to their facilities. In 2019, both the Rosewood Hong Kong and the St. Regis Hong Kong made their grand openings; this was less than a year before travel to the region was discontinued. The Fullerton Ocean Park Hong Kong hotel first opened its doors in May of this year, boasting 425 guest rooms and an enticing infinity pool with a view of the South China Sea. And after undergoing the most significant makeover it has seen in the past three decades, Regent's flagship Hong Kong hotel (which was formerly known as the Intercontinental) is currently in the process of holding its highly anticipated soft reopening.
Where to Go and What to Do in Hong Kong Right This Very Minute
There has been a wealth of new activity in the realm of cultural and historical preservation in recent times. West Kowloon is one of the few locations in Hong Kong that best exemplifies the city's recent museum rebirth. When it is finished, this cultural district that was formed from reclaimed land and spread across 100 acres will be home to 17 venues that are related to the arts, culture, and performance. The M+ Contemporary Art Museum, which opened in November 2021 and was the first facility in Asia dedicated to visual culture, serves as the highlight of the development.
Five #OriginGreen verified companies showcased premium #IrishWhiskey to trade and media at an event in Hong Kong. 🇮🇪🇭🇰
— Bord Bia - The Irish Food Board (@Bordbia) January 19, 2023
A bespoke 'Irish Hong Kong Highball' cocktail was on offer - a dream pairing of Irish whiskey and traditional Hong Kong-style milk tea. 🥃#IrishDrinksExports pic.twitter.com/WAW620Ho6W
There is also a buzz of activity on Hong Kong Island, which is located on the other side of the harbour. The Tai Kwun Center for Heritage and Arts opened in the middle of 2018, and it is comprised of sixteen historic buildings that date back to the colonial era and are located in the middle of the city. These buildings have been converted into a multi-purpose enclave that features a number of buzzing exhibitions and galleries, as well as a variety of restaurants and bars from around the world. My particular highlight at Tai Kwun was an art installation called "Myth Makers - Spectro synthesis III," which should not be missed. The exhibition was centered on the experiences of LGBTQ people.
The Peak Tram, Asia's oldest funicular train and one of Hong Kong's most popular attractions prior to the epidemic, has been upgraded to its sixth generation and is now located just up the road from Tai Kwun. In August of 2022, the revitalized panoramic tram with a capacity for 210 passengers was put into service for the first time. Consider climbing up to the Peak on foot, stopping at Hong Kong Day for a Hong Kong-style milk tea, and then descending by the Peak Tram for a more exciting and adventurous experience.
If you dig deeper into the thoughts and feelings of many people who call Hong Kong home, you can find an image of the city that is less than rosy, one in which the city's leaders have restricted the rights to complete freedom of expression. However, the people who live here have a reputation for being defiant, and when asked about their feelings of discontent, they did not hold back. Friends have even mentioned to me that they have their own covert methods of protesting, such as providing financial assistance to locally owned businesses that embrace the colour yellow, which serves as a symbol for the democracy movement. Because of everything that people in Hong Kong have been forced to go through (and will continue to go through), now seems like the greatest moment to go there and express your support for them. The rest of the amenities that the city provides are merely the cherry on top.