These days, traveling abroad is now easier than ever. With local airlines offering great value with their seat sales, and with some countries offering Visa free travel, now is the best time for you and your family to travel to an international destination. However, how do you choose which country to go to if it’s your first time traveling abroad?
There are a lot of things that you’ll have to consider, including the expense, ease of travel, and whether or not your kids will enjoy it. Some countries might sound fun to go to, but can be confusing or cause a culture shock for less-seasoned travelers.
With those things in mind, what’s the best place for first time travelers to visit? Hong Kong of course!
Why go to Hong Kong for your first time traveling abroad?
Enjoy the panoramic view on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car.
Here are 5 great reasons why you should choose to visit Hong Kong as your first international destination:
1. You don’t need to apply for a Visa
One of the great things that makes Hong Kong a good destination for first time travelers is that you don’t require a Visa to travel there. If you’re staying for 14 days or less, then you won’t need a Visa to travel to Hong Kong. The only thing that you and your family would need are your updated passports and you’re all set!
2. The flight takes less than 3 hours
Long flights aren’t always fun, and kids can easily get bored, even if they’re excited to ride a plane for the first time. Another great thing about Hong Kong is that flights usually take 2 1/2 hours, which is pretty quick compared to other destinations.
That way, you won’t have to worry about your kids getting stressed as a result of a long trip. It’s also easier to keep them preoccupied during the flight since it’s just a couple of hours long.
3. It’s easy to get around Hong Kong
If you’re used to the traffic and sometimes unreliable public transportation in the Philippines, then you’re in for a treat! Hong Kong has a great MTR or Mass Transit Railway system that makes it super easy to get to where you want to be.
You’ll just need to buy an Octopus card, which is what you use to pay for the MTR and other services, and you’re all set! Additionally, babies and kids up to 3 years old can ride the MTR for free, so you won’t have to buy them their own Octopus card.
There are also a lot of taxis around, but they can be a bit expensive, and the traffic can sometimes be a problem, especially during rush hour. However, it’s not as bad compared to Manila, so it’s still a good way to get around if you don’t want to take the MTR.
4. It’s perfect for kids and families
Check out the giant pandas at Ocean Park.
What’s another thing that makes Hong Kong great for kids and families? Theme Parks of course!
You and your kids can visit Ocean Park Hong Kong and get to see the giant pandas, dolphins, and other animals as well as ride their rollercoasters.
You can also visit Disneyland Hong Kong which is another memorable destination for you and your kids.
Hong Kong Disneyland is an amazing destination for families to visit.
If you want something different, you can visit D.Park and take advantage of their amazing play area, or let your kids run around and climb in Donut Adventure.
Donut village offers an exciting place for parents to shop, and for kids to play in.
In the evening, you and your kids can watch the Symphony of Lights the harbourfront near Tsim Tsa Shui, or Wan Chai, and get to enjoy the largest laser light show in the world!
5. The food is top notch!
Their Skirt Burger (which has a cheese ‘skirt’) is positively amazing!
Of course, we saved the best for last! One of the best reasons to eat in Hong Kong is because of the amazing food! If you’re looking for local Hong Kong cuisine, Japanese, food, European, or even American fare, then Hong Kong has it all.
One of our favorite restaurants is The Diner, located in G/F, 4-8 Arbuthnot Road, Central, Hong Kong. They’re the only authentic American diner in Hong Kong, and it’s not just the food they serve. The owners had all the decor and furniture shipped from the US, so almost everything you see inside the restaurant is what you’ll see in actual diners in the States. They even have an actual Galaga arcade machine to keep your kids preoccupied!
Their decor consists of authentic diner furniture as well as memorabilia from the US. And yes, those are actual license plates!
We recommend their delicious burgers (we loved their Skirt Burger and Sunshine Burger) as well as their delicious shakes. It’s a great place for families to wind down and experience something out of the ordinary.
For other great places to eat, you can visit Tim Ho Wan in Sham Shui Po, eat some barbecue pork in Wan Chai, and of course eat their world famous Hong Kong egg tarts. We recommend Tai Cheong for their delicious tarts, but you can find that most local cafes serve their own version of this delicious pastry.
READ: 9 family-friendly destinations in Hong Kong that your kids will absolutely love