Hong Kong: What to Know Before You Go

Cuisine Highlights

• Dim sum, steamed and fried dumplings, buns, and small dishes served from trolleys at yum cha (tea) brunch
• Char siu, Cantonese BBQ pork with a caramelised glaze; sold at street-level roast meat shops
• Wonton noodle soup, delicate pork and shrimp dumplings in clear broth with springy noodles
• Egg tarts (dan tat), flaky pastry shells filled with silky egg custard; a colonial-era hybrid pastry
• Milk tea (港式奶茶), strong black tea blended with evaporated milk; smoother and richer than standard tea

Traditions & Festivals

• Lunar New Year, the most important celebration; lion dances, fireworks over Victoria Harbour, and family feasts
• Cheung Chau Bun Festival, a unique island festival featuring towering bamboo bun towers and a bun-scrambling competition
• Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng), competitive dragon boat races held in harbours across the city
• Mid-Autumn Festival, families gather in parks with mooncakes and lanterns under the full moon
• Hungry Ghost Festival, paper offerings are burned for ancestors; some businesses avoid opening during this month

Language & Communication

Cantonese is the dominant spoken language; Mandarin and English are co-official. English is widely used in business, signage, and transport.

Key phrase: "M̀h gōi" (唔該) means "excuse me / thank you" in Cantonese, locals appreciate the effort. Hong Kong is one of the most internationally navigable cities in Asia.

Cultural Etiquette

• Receive business cards with both hands and take a moment to read them, stuffing one in your pocket immediately is rude
• Tipping is not mandatory but 10% is customary in sit-down restaurants (check if service charge is already included)
• Queuing is taken seriously, always line up for the MTR and escalators, standing on the right
• Avoid discussing politics; Hong Kong's political landscape is sensitive and personal views are private