20 Must-Visit Attractions in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s 10 Best-Kept Secrets

The 11 Most Beautiful Chinese Names and What They Mean

China, Asia travel guide

Culture & Education

Outdoors - Land

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Attraction

Wellness

Outdoors - Water

Picture Hong Kong and the first thing that springs to mind is its skyline: a condensed sprawl of skyscrapers soaring over Victoria Harbour, backdropped by verdant hills. Behind its urban exterior, however, is a region that remains deeply connected to and proud of its distinctive culture, which blends Chinese, British and indigenous influences.

Each of Hong Kong’s neighbourhoods, districts and islands has a personality of its own. Kowloon serves up sprawling markets and fascinating museums, while high-end Hong Kong Island offers endless options for shopping, drinking and dining. The outlying islands of Lamma and Cheung Chau give off a more laid-back, artsy vibe, and those craving nature should look no further than the hiking hotspot of Tung Lung Chau Island.

Introducing Hong Kong

With everything from top-notch restaurants to delicious street food, Hong Kong’s renowned cuisine is reason enough to visit. To eat as the locals do, tuck into Cantonese noodles and roast meat, or stack up dim sum dishes and wash them down with fragrant tea. 

There are some must-dos on any Hong Kong trip: riding the historic Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour; practising the ancient art of tai chi; browsing the Mong Kok markets; visiting the region’s temples and monasteries; watching horse racing in Happy Valley; and experiencing traditional Cantonese opera at Sunbeam Theatre. Vibrant festivities take place year-round, from the Mid-Autumn Festival (also known as the Mooncake Festival) to the Lunar New Year.

The best of Hong Kong culture

Hong Kong neighbourhoods

Beijing, China’s sprawling capital city, is where the country’s long history of dynastic rule meets its ambition to become a high-tech giant. This dynamic plays out in the city’s architecture; ultra-modern structures built for the 2008 Olympics jar with the temples, palaces and hutongs (narrow alleyways) that have defined Beijing for centuries.

With six UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Temple of Heaven and the enormous complex of palaces that make up the Forbidden City, Beijing thrums with imperial history. Many visitors use it as a base from which to explore the Great Wall of China; Badaling, the most frequented and best-known section of the wall, is within easy reach of the city.

Introducing Beijing

It might be the epicentre of Chinese history, but today Beijing is the country’s capital of cool. Former brothels are now stylish coffee shops, traditional hutongs house tiki bars and microbreweries, and a revolving carousel of works at the achingly trendy 798 Art Zone places the city comfortably at the forefront of modern Chinese art. 

While new restaurants routinely pop up all over, the best of Beijing’s cuisine can be sampled at its old-school hotpot and Peking-duck restaurants. As China’s cultural capital, Beijing also serves up a superb showcase of traditional entertainment, including Peking-opera playhouses and breathtaking acrobatic shows at Chaoyang Theatre.

Beijing culture

Beijing neighbourhoods

China’s business and financial centre, Shanghai appears to be throwing itself headfirst into the future, with soaring superstructures, opulent shopping malls and the world’s fastest commercial train zipping back and forth from Shanghai Pudong International. Peel your eyes away from the skyline, though, and you’ll see a different side to the city.

To experience real Shanghainese culture, take a stroll along traditional longtang, narrow residential lanes peculiar to Shanghai; tuck in to skewered quail in Qibao Town; watch elderly local residents play cards in Fuxing Park or practise tai chi as the sun rises; and attend a marriage market in People’s Square.

Introducing Shanghai

Visiting Shanghai is a true East-meets-West experience. Buddhist temples, classical gardens and the Old City offer a taste of traditional Chinese culture, while periods of European and American occupation have transformed China’s ‘City on the Sea’ into an international metropolis. The Bund, Shanghai’s busy waterfront on the Huangpu River, is lined with historic buildings of numerous architectural styles that include Art Deco, Renaissance Revival and Neo-Classical. Western influence is apparent in areas such as the former French Concession (FFC), whose tree-lined boulevards, bijou bistros and hip boutiques give the area a distinctly Parisian character.

Shanghai culture

Shanghai neighbourhoods

Things to do

Places to stay

These are the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro, from trendy and intimate to grand and iconic. All bookable with Culture Trip.

South America

Brazil

Rio De Janeiro

The Best Hotels in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Planning a trip to São Paulo, Brazil? Let us help you choose the 10 top things to see and do while you're in town.

The Top 10 Things to See and Do in São Paulo, Brazil

In case you weren't already, these 15 words will make you fall head over heels in love with Brazilian Portuguese.

11 Beautiful Words That Will Make You Fall in Love With the Brazilian Portuguese Language

When exploring Rio de Janeiro, be sure to check out this list of the top sights and attractions in Brazil’s most beloved coastal city.

20 Must-Visit Attractions in Rio De Janeiro

Find out where to go, what to do and what to wear at the Rio de Janeiro Carnival.

How To Celebrate Rio Carnival

Take a piece of Brazil with you when you leave by buying any of these 17 unique items that you can only get in Brazil.

17 Things You Can Only Buy in Brazil

What are Brazil and Brazilians really like? Find out some of the most common stereotypes surrounding this nation - and if they are true or not

11 Stereotypes All Brazilians Hate

Rio de Janeiro has so many things to do and see. Here are 20 must-visit attractions to include on your itinerary.

20 Must-Visit Attractions in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

It's always good to research things you should do in Brazil, but it's equally useful to know the things you should never do while travelling there

11 Things You Should Never Do in Brazil, Ever

Languages are fascinating -- especially these popular Portugese words that are difficult to translate directly into English.

Brazilian Portuguese Words You Can't Translate Into English

Dating can be confusing, even on your home turf. To help clear any doubts about dating in Brazil, here is the complete guide to their dating scene.

11 Things to Know About Dating in Brazil

To make your trip to Rio de Janeiro unforgettable, be sure to add these 10 things to do and see to your travel list.

Top 10 Things to See and Do in Rio De Janeiro

Found a Brazilian lover and want to declare how you feel? Culture Trip helps you through the puzzling world of love and romance in Portuguese.

12 Beautiful Ways to Say I Love You in Brazilian Portuguese

Found a Brazilian lover and want to declare how you feel?

Discover Brazil's 20 most popular foods that you simply must try whilst exploring the country.

Brazilian Food: The 20 Essential Dishes To Eat In Brazil

After Carnival, Festa Junina is the biggest celebration in Brazil, and we've got everything you need to know.

10 Things to Know About Festa Junina in Brazil

From the roller coasters of Disneyland to thousands of Buddhas, these are the 20 things that every visitor must see in Hong Kong.

Calling all travelers curious about the hidden side of Hong Kong – this guide reveals the secrets!

Naming in Chinese is considered an art form. See our list of the 11 most beautiful names in the Chinese language.

The Best Travel, Food and Culture Guides for China, Asia - Local News & Top Things to Do

China

See & Do

20 Must-Visit Attractions in Hong Kong

From the roller coasters of Disneyland to thousands of Buddhas, these are the 20 things that every visitor must see in Hong Kong.

See & Do

Hong Kong’s 10 Best-Kept Secrets

Guides & Tips

The 11 Most Beautiful Chinese Names and What They Mean