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Hong Kong

ChinaAsia
Explore Hong Kong in Nearaway.in

Local Greeting

ไฝ ๅฅฝ (Nei hou) in Cantonese

How locals say hello in Hong Kong

Best Time to Visit

Autumn (Octโ€“December) โ€” cool and dry

Must Eat

Dim sumEgg tartsWonton noodle soupChar siu baoMilk tea

Local Tip

Use an Octopus card for all transit. The Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour is one of the world's great commutes for HK$3.

Origin Story

Colonial
๐Ÿ“… Founded 1841 (British); inhabited for millenniaOriginally Heung Gong โ€” Fragrant HarbourBy Yue people (ancient); British forces under Captain Charles Elliot (colonial era)

The Cantonese name Heung Gong โ€” Fragrant Harbour โ€” describes an island the Yue people had farmed and fished for thousands of years. British forces occupied it during the First Opium War in 1841, and it was formally ceded under the Treaty of Nanking in 1842. On July 1, 1997, in a midnight ceremony watched by billions, Hong Kong was handed back to China after 155 years of British rule.

Fun Fact

Hong Kong has one of the world's highest concentrations of skyscrapers โ€” over 550 buildings taller than 150m.

Cultural Dos

  • โœ“Learn 'Mฬ€h gลi' (excuse me / thank you) in Cantonese
  • โœ“Tap your Octopus card
  • โœ“Try dai pai dong street stalls

Cultural Don'ts

  • โœ•Call it part of mainland China casually
  • โœ•Tip in most local restaurants
  • โœ•Bring up politics

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