All Of The Reason Why We Love Unbeatable Hong Kong

There is so much negativity online these days that we feel it is time to replace it with extra positivity. The only way to overpower darkness is to shine it with immense light. Sure, we haven’t been blessed with the best weather as of late, but it shouldn’t take away from our love for Hong Kong. After all, this beautiful city has been there for us through the good, the bad, the ugly and given us the most unforgettable memories. It is easy to forget about why we love our city and remember to count our blessings at times, but let’s change all that.

We understand that negativity spreads more quickly and powerfully than positivity does. It’s harder to spread positive messages because it’s an innate human instinct to complain, groan and moan about their predicaments. But that is even more reason why we need to consciously shift the way we think about our current situations. It’s probably easier to complain about — the gloomy weather, the rain, the  humidity, traffic, congestion, the expensive standard of living, etc, etc — but what does that do for you but put you in an even worse mood? Negativity breeds more negativity. Nothing good comes from focusing on the bad with tunnel vision. 

It’s time to make a conscious decision to shift your perspective and adopt an attitude of gratitude. We are dedicating this article to giving thanks to all that we love about living in Hong Kong! Whether you are a long-time local, expat or traveler, we hope this article will remind you of all the great qualities that Hong Kong has to offer. The glass can be half-full or half-empty — the choice is yours to make. You can either dwell on all the negative aspects of Hong Kong or you can embrace and accept all of its wonders and beautiful flaws. 

Safety is Number One!

With all the political happenings going on in the world, the vibe can be rather defeating. There are so many cities in the world where people are literally fighting each second just to survive and here we are in one of the safest cities in the world…complaining? That can’t be right. Hong Kong is ranked one of the safest big cities in the entire world, now that’s quite an accomplishment in itself don’t you think? Compared to the current state of US cities, Europe, Mainland China, and other parts of Southeast Asia, we are blessed to be in such a safe haven where we can still enjoy our day to day lives without worrying for our safety. 

The local culture in Hong Kong is very family oriented. There are very low reports of crime, violence and overall destruction. A woman can walk around late at night by herself and still feel very safe. How many other cities can we say that about? It doesn’t matter where you are at what time of the day or night — you can feel entirely safe and secure. Whereas in cities like Los Angeles, New York, Paris, and London, you are not always capable of feeling the same sense of confidence, especially if you are a woman, teenager, child or elderly. The Hong Kong police force is very friendly, accommodating and free of violence. We often hear about civilians being shot to death by police in the US, but these things would never happen in Hong Kong. Nobody gets beaten up or murdered from racial profiling. 

Where else can you feel completely safe walking around in the middle of the night without any problems? Safety is Hong Kong’s greatest pride, hence our greatest pride. 

Unbeatable Nightlife

The nightlife in Hong Kong is world-renowned. Hong Kong has an interesting culture of “Work Hard, Play Harder”. As long as the hours are amongst business professionals, it never stops them from letting loose and enjoying their hard-earned money. People like to enjoy their nightlife post work here. The nightlife is vibrant 7 days out of the week and there is always something to do. Most cities are only exciting on the weekends and dead during the week, which can make for a very lonely life especially if you are of single status. Hong Kong is a playground with unique districts like Lan Kwai Fong, Soho, and Wan Chai. It’s pretty cool that all the bars, clubs, lounges, and restaurants are all within walking distance. It makes for safe drinking and convenience. 

If you are of the nocturnal species, there is no better place to live than Hong Kong. It really is a city that never sleeps and Hong Kong has plenty of options for all the night owls. 

The Beaches 

Hong Kong’s concrete jungle gets way too much attention, we often neglect the real jewels of the city. Hong Kong is the perfect mix of metropolitan and ocean-side living. Hong Kong is frequently compared to New York City for its similarities in urban-living but New Yorkers don’t get to enjoy beachside life the way we do! We can be at any of our beautiful beaches within twenty minutes and many Hong Kong apartments for sale are lucky enough to have views of the ocean. There are approximately 50 plus beaches dotted along the shorelines of Hong Kong, Kowloon and the outer New Territories - Repulse Bay, Deep Water Bay, Clear Water Bay, Stanley Beach, Tai Long Wan, Shek O, Cheung Sha Beach, Sai Wan Beach, Pui O Beach - just to name a few. 

We are showered with so many options just in the variety of beaches we can choose from. Most big cities only have a handful of beaches to choose from and we have 50 plus to pick out depending on our mood and the kind of vibe we crave. 

Mother Nature

Hong Kong may be one of the world’s premier metropolises and world-class International hub, but did you know that out of the total 1,108 square kilometers of land in Hong Kong, about three-quarters of it is countryside? Hello, Mother Nature! Sandy beaches, rocky shores, coastlines, reservoirs, woodlands, mountain ranges, and a variety of scenic vistas make up the majority of the Island. There are a total of 24 country parks in Hong Kong designated for the purposes of nature conservation, countryside recreation and outdoor education. There are 22 special areas created mainly for the purpose of nature conservation. How amazing is that?

Hiking is one of the most popular activities amongst Hong Kong residents, with a number of scenic hike trails to choose from. According to the AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries, ad Conservation Department of The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), the hike trails interlink and traverse all over the various islands of Hong Kong: 

The four long-distance hiking trails are very popular among hikers. The MacLehose Trail (100 km) traverses the New Territories from Sai Kung in the East to Tuen Mun in the West. The Lantau Trail (70 km) is a circular trail on Lantau Island. The Hong Kong Trail (50 km) traverses all the five country parks on Hong Kong Island. The Wilson Trail (78 km) stretches from Stanley in the south of Hong Kong Island to Nam Chung in the north of the New Territories.

Scenically, Hong Kong has more to offer than just skyscrapers. Most of the Hong Kong parks have over 1,000 different species of plants, a true tropical haven. Habit protection is a big deal here too, with the Government’s increasing concern with the protection of the natural environment being demonstrated both by legislation and by the activities of its conservation staff. Game hunting is prohibited — a proud bonus point for Hong Kong. 

The nature areas available to us makes city life more than bearable. We can go hiking, trail running, mountain biking, surfing, boating, swimming, sunbathing, paddle-boarding, fishing, kayaking — all over the terrains and ocean of our city just kilometers away. 

Hello Convenience!

If Hong Kong had a middle name, it would probably be “Convenience”. There really is no city more convenient and efficient than Hong Kong. Although Hong Kong has one of the largest private luxury cars/capita cities in the world, one doesn’t actually require a car to get by. Unlike other big cities in the world, the compact size of Hong Kong makes it easy to get from point A to point B. The greatest thing about Hong Kong is that you don’t need to drive. Often, it’s more of a hassle to drive than it is to just hop on our great transportation system. The public transport in Hong Kong is remarkably efficient, convenient and comfortable.Not to mention, the transportation system is one of the best globally, with the underground train (MTR) in Hong Kong often ranked best in the world. Whereas in most US cities, a car is a necessity, you really don’t need one to have a convenient lifestyle in Hong Kong. Taxis are everywhere, so are buses, minibuses, trams, and ferries.

People here live a very fast-paced life, which makes getting things done really efficient. Unlike overseas in the US or Europe where people work on their own time at their own pace, Hong Kong is the polar opposite. You can get errands done in the blink of an eye. There’s a hustle mentality here, and for every hard worker there are a hundred others who are willing to work twice as hard. It’s a competitive city but that’s what makes it so great because we are all pushing each other to do better, to step up our game. Hong Kong is a land of opportunity and efficiency. When you’ve been here too long, it’s easy to take the convenience and efficiency for granted when we have become so accustomed to it. We don’t realize that other cities don’t operate the same way, and other people living in various cities around the world don’t get to enjoy the same benefits as we do. In Hong Kong, you can call a locksmith in the middle of the night to come open up your apartment for you with no trouble. Customer service is efficient, and most business operations run very smoothly.

We have the best airport

It’s true, we have one of the best airports in the world. In fact, the South China Morning Post published an article titled “Six of the best airports to sleep in” and guess who was on that list? You guessed it!

Hong Kong International Airport has time and time again been ranked as one of the best in the world with features like-unlimited Wi-Fi, helpful security personnel, a good sense of security, beautiful design elements, tons of restaurants to choose from-we can understand why. 

Hong Kong International Airport is also the winner of the 2017 Award for “World’s Best Airport Dining Experience” as voted by customers around the globe in the World Airport Survey. Singapore Changi Airport takes 2nd place and following close behind in third is Tokyo Narita Airport in 3rd place. Our foodie culture even transcends to our airport dining experience. 

A Technology & Financial Hub 

Hong Kong is a true International hub. People from all diverse backgrounds and walks of life come to Hong Kong to work, live, and visit. You can meet some very interesting people here and it is not a cliquey society at all. There are not many places in the world where you can go out alone and end up being welcomed in like a long lost friend by strangers who you have just met. Professionals from the technology and finance industries gather here by troves, so you always end up interacting with a lot of cool, smart, extremely driven people here. Diversity is something we pride ourselves on in Hong Kong. The city offers tremendous variety in terms of who you can rub shoulders with - Hong Kong local Chinese, Mainland Chinese, Expat Westerners, Taiwanese, Koreans, Japanese, Filipinos, Indians, Thais, Investment bankers, artists, entertainers, entrepreneurs, students, developers, and more. The eclectic mix of people of all races, age, social backgrounds is just phenomenal, a true melting pot of life stories, personalities and talent. 

Shopping Galore

Shopping is one of the most loved hobbies for anyone who sets foot in Hong Kong. The high concentration of shopping options can turn anyone into a shopaholic. The ability to find everything and anything you need cannot be said for most cities in the world, but Hong Kong is a rare creature like that. Hong Kong shopping caters to all different tastes and preferences, from big luxury brands, mid-range retailers to tiny street stalls dotting the city. You can shop for fashion, tech, appliances, children’s goods, luxury items, gadgets, toys, shoes, sports apparel, all sorts of knick knacks and everything in between. 

Drop-Dead Gorgeous Skyline

Describing Hong Kong as a concrete jungle just doesn’t do it any justice. Anyone who looks at the skyline of Hong Kong would think that they are transported into a dream. Hong Kong has one of the most incredible skylines in the entire world, with sweeping panoramic views that have been the superstar of many Hollywood movies, the city deserves the global attention it gets. Hong Kong is home to some of the most legendary viewpoints, with its most famous view being the awesome sight overlooking picturesque Victoria Harbor. Few cities in the world can hold a candle to Hong Kong’s stunning composition of towering skyscrapers, glistening water and mountain terrains. Most cities have views of one or the other, but our city has all of the most sought after qualities packed into one sassy package!

Food Heaven

Hong Kong is a foodie paradise. There are all kinds of different cuisines in Hong Kong due to the mix of ethnicities living here. The options for food and beverage are limitless, from budget, trendy to super upscale fine dining, all can be found in Hong Kong. If you live in Hong Kong or are visiting, you’d better be ready to unbutton those pants and prepare to eat. We are famous for food here and not just Hong Kong style food or Chinese food. There’s everything you can possibly imagine and crave for - Spanish tapas, Italian pasta & pizza, American burgers, ribs & fries, Argentinian steakhouses, Peruvian, Japanese-Peruvian fusion, Dim sum, Chinese hot pot, Szechuan, Mongolian, Vietnamese, Cambodian, British pubs, New York style pizzerias, Mexican, Japanese, sushi, teppanyaki, shabu-shabu, ramen, robatayaki, Korean, Asian fusion, Thai, Malaysian, cakeries, bakeries, trendy concept bars, Turkish, Lebanese, Indian, Hawaiian, French fare, crêperie, burger joints, German, Seafood, Michelin-starred restaurants, diners, coffee shops, cafeteria-style bistros, restaurants with a view, wine bars, whiskey bars, gin bars…we could go on and on. The food and beverage scene is very vibrant and you are never at a loss for options. As a matter of fact, the only problem you would have are too many options. Now that’s not something to complain about is it?

Eating is a national sport here, and we pride ourselves on that! We like to start planning the next meal as we are eating our current one, because we are Hong Kongers! 

Fun Weather Changes

Clear blue skies, bright blasting sun, cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms, misty fog, lighting storms, hail storms, typhoon 1, 3 and 10, amber rainstorm, red rainstorm and black rainstorm, mudslides - Hong Kong is truly vivid and animated in the weather department. Some of the greatest weather photography has been taken in Hong Kong, thanks to the ever-changing weather conditions. You can hate it or you can love it, but we find that life is better when we choose to look at the silver lining. Rather than focus on how much you hate something, shift your focus to the hopeful side of a situation. What might seem gloomy on the surface can actually have some pretty fantastic and positive aspects to it. 

We Have Our Very Own Las Vegas

Few places in the world can match Hong Kong in its offer of the good life, so never mind the complaints and start praising it for what it is worth. We have our own and better version of Las Vegas. What other country can claim that? Just a short 45-minute ferry ride and we are able to arrive in Macau, the special administrative region that boasts of world-class Casinos like the Venetian, and the Wynn. Did you know that Macau takes in at least 7 times more revenue than Las Vegas? Macau’s gambling industry literally dwarf’s Vegas, cementing it as the undisputed champion of the gambling world. That is a lot of cash. But Macau has more to offer than just gambling and casinos. 

Macau has a unique history that resonates throughout the region. It’s distinctive style can be seen everywhere, from its Portuguese-influenced architectures, colonial touches, city design, street names, and fusion Portuguese-Chinese cuisines (Macanese fare), this mini mecca bursts with character and flavor. Macau is home to more than just mega-casinos, it is also home to colonial villages and stunning landscapes that tell the stories of an older era. 

Let’s count our blessings to be able to live in one of the greatest cities in the world. We live in a truly special place.

Whether the gorgeous views of the ocean or the hustle and bustle of the city streets, Hong Kong is an incredibly beautiful and vibrant city. Thank you Hong Kong.

Engel & Volkers property estate agents specialize in luxury homes and other luxury Hong Kong property for sale. For more information on luxury real estate in the Hong Kong region or if you need advice regarding the sale of or investment in property, please feel free to contact one of our realty agents through our website.