Hong Kong is an independent city-state within China and one of the world’s premier financial centers, known as an ex-British colony that offers many opportunities for international students.
Hong Kong’s MTR provides fast and efficient public transportation. For best results, consider purchasing a pre-paid Octopus card as it will save money and simplify paying for rides. There are many flights from Cebu to Hong Kong from Cathay Pacific available.
Budget
Hong Kong is an amazing city to study in; with its vibrant cultural life and unparalleled shopping, its student life is unparalleled. However, with careful budgeting and price comparison it is possible to make ends meet; students should try and save as much money as they can so as to cover living costs, trips to Mainland China trips as well as extracurricular activities.
Rent, food and other daily costs in Hong Kong tend to be considerably less costly than many cities in Europe and North America, allowing you to save significant sums of money. One way is by opting for university accommodation instead of off-campus apartments as these tend to be cleaner, closer to campus and often much cheaper. Another effective strategy for saving is taking public transportation which is typically much less expensive than taxis or private vehicles.
Learn some Cantonese before arriving in Hong Kong; this will come in handy, especially when exploring lesser-known corners where workers and menus may only be written in Chinese.
Overall, students should budget around HK$10,000 each month to cover basic living expenses while leaving enough for excursions and other activities. Of course, every individual’s budget can differ depending on lifestyle choices and personal circumstances – this list does not encompass every expense which should be considered such as international airfare, vaccinations, study materials and visa fees; additionally it would be wise for them to purchase insurance through HKU’s Group Travel Policy with Zurich for overseas exchanges, summer study tours or emergency medical expense coverage.
Accommodation
Visiting Hong Kong for an extended stay? Luckily, the city is small and easily accessible by public transit; to navigate, make sure you purchase an Octopus card to access MTR, buses and ferry crossing Victoria Harbour. There are also several hostels such as Urban Pack which offers rooms equipped with ensuite baths as well as cafe, guest pantry and even video game options – you won’t run out of options here!
Moderate-priced hotels in Hong Kong tend to fill quickly during their high season from April to November; you can avoid this by booking early. While guest rooms tend to be smaller than those found in American hotels and the views may not be as spectacular, many offer essential amenities such as hair dryers, internet access or Wi-Fi access, minibars with empty fridges that allow guests to stock themselves, instant coffee/tea makers as well as room service, bellhops, nonsmoking floors and tour desks.
Luxury-style hotels in Hong Kong provide an ideal way for both families and business travelers alike to take advantage of the world-renowned restaurants and shopping found within its city limits. Many offer complimentary breakfast buffets; others are conveniently situated near airports; furthermore, luxury-style hotels tend to be more cost effective than their counterparts, featuring wellness facilities or spa services that may come standard with them.
Visiting Hong Kong on a budget requires packing plenty of warm clothing. The climate in Hong Kong can be humid and hot, causing sweat to pool quickly in your skin. Carrying an extra can of deodorant with you would also help. Likewise, learning some key Cantonese phrases prior to traveling would prove useful in dealing with locals when arriving.
Transportation
If you’re studying in Hong Kong, chances are your hotel will be located nearby a metro stop or bus line. Buses run regularly and cost relatively cheap; for longer journeys there are ferry and train options. A map may come in handy depending on where your destination lies.
Public transit in Hong Kong can be challenging, so the best thing you can do when arriving is obtain an Octopus card – this contactless smart card used on most forms of public transport and offers ease of travel across trains, trams, ferries and buses allowing for convenient hopping-on and off without worrying about exact change or change availability.
An alternative option would be purchasing a taxi pass or Uber service, though these will likely be more costly options. Taxi fares are displayed clearly on the front of each vehicle and there are often centralized taxi stands with information regarding popular destinations around town. If you want an estimate of how much your journey may cost in advance, take a look at HK Taxi transport guide as an estimate tool.
Hong Kong is generally considered one of the safest cities in the world, though it’s wise to exercise common sense and take certain precautions when traveling anywhere. Travel alone at night? Take extra precaution. Pack an emergency kit containing over-the-counter medicine and emergency supplies; learn some Cantonese ahead of time as this may come in handy in smaller parts of town where street vendors don’t speak English and menus may only be written in Cantonese!
Food
Hong Kong is one of the most varied cities for culinary diversity, offering everything from traditional Chinese fare to world cuisine and global influences. Don’t hesitate to explore all that HK has to offer when it comes to dining options – you may just discover something unexpected! It is recommended that visitors try as many new flavors as possible during their trip!
Egg puffs, the popular bubble-wrap-looking treats that combine waffle batter with corn starch, are an absolute must when visiting London. A Michelin-recommended stall named Mammy Pancake sells delicious, crispy and flavorful egg puffs – make sure to visit for the best egg puff experience possible!
Other Hong Kong favorites include milk tea and dim sum, both served at various teahouses across the city. For dessert try pineapple buns or egg tarts from bakeries; don’t forget char siu pork or chicken wings too!
Be sure to try some local boba drinks made with ice cream and fruit! And of course, no trip to Hong Kong would be complete without tasting its famous Hong Kong style noodles – mix-and-match bowls offering various soup bases, noodles and toppings such as beef brisket, fish balls or even pig blood intestine!
Klook Recommends: Take a stroll down Queen’s Road and visit Hee Kee Cart Noodle to create your own bowl of noodles, before stopping by Kwan Kee Claypot Rice for an irresistibly flavorful meal topped off by Kwan Kee Claypot Rice’s delectable Claypot Rice! Don’t forget to save room for dessert: rice pudding! To be prepared for Hong Kong’s tropical climate it’s wise to pack lightweight clothing and comfortable walking shoes along with bug repellant as mosquito bites can occur quite frequently in Hong Kong.
Shopping
Hong Kong provides students with an exciting cultural experience within a bustling metropolis, boasting some of the world’s finest universities and an enviable economy that draws massive investment from across the world. Hong Kong provides international students with affordable living arrangements including hotels that start from under $300 per night; there are also hostels for budget travelers available within its boundaries.
Hong Kong shopping can be truly amazing. There are endless shopping malls and markets where you can purchase everything from electronics to designer fashion – plus flea markets offer great bargains! When visiting markets it is always worthwhile haggling as prices tend to be higher than listed on items themselves.
Visit Tsim Sha Tsui and Yau Ma Tei street markets first thing in the morning for an unparalleled shopping experience, where you will find everything from cheap clothing to exotic food at some of the best bargains around. Victoria Peak Flea Market also provides great bargains.
Since Hong Kong weather can be humid and hot, be sure to pack clothing that breathes easily as well as supportive and comfortable shoes. Furthermore, bring along water bottles and mosquito spray. Finally, for convenient transportation payment you may wish to consider purchasing a Sold Tourist Octopus Card which allows payment on buses, MTR trains and ferries.
