Heading to Hong Kong with your toddlers? Here’s my survival guide including tips on how to survive jet lag and what to expect when visiting Hong Kong with kids.
Plan Day 1: Stay awake
Our flight left Los Angeles at 10:30pm and arrived in Hong Kong at 5am local time. The flight time was approximately 15 hours. We made it to Hong Kong and had a full day ahead of us.
Before you leave, contact the hotel to tell them your arrival time so they can try to have your room ready. After a long flight, everyone will feel better after a shower and new clothes. Depending on how much you and your kids slept on the flight, it can be a difficult day, don’t plan to visit the big sights. Your main focus should be to get settled and try to stay up until after dinner.
If your children take a nap, don’t let them sleep more than a few hours as their internal clock is saying that it’s night time, not nap time.
Be prepared to get up early
It may take a few days to adjust to the local time. If your kids are up at 4am, you will be as well. It’s important to be flexible. When deciding on a hotel, book one that includes breakfast or has easy breakfast options for the family.
Enjoying breakfast in the hotel is a stress-free way to start the day. If the restaurant is not opened yet, I recommend ordering room service for breakfast and going sightseeing early. I love exploring a city before anyone else is out and about –there’s a magical feeling when you have it all to yourselves.
Try the local food
An important part of experiencing a different culture while traveling is eating at local restaurants. In Hong Kong, staff was usually friendly and helpful when we ordered. If your kids are picky eaters, order white rice or ask for a dish without the sauce (think fried chicken). Even if your children aren’t eating the local food, you still get to enjoy it and they are experiencing the local restaurant culture.
Hello Kitty CafeMy husband and I love dim sum (dumplings). We decided to the Hello Kitty Cafe for lunch one afternoon which is known for its dim sum shaped like Hello Kitty. My son loved the shrimp dumplings so much we had to order more.
What to Do
Getting around Hong Kong is extremely easy. The locals are helpful and friendly when you ask for help. Toddlers love to take different modes of transportation and Hong Kong has it all.
While visiting, we went on the tram, bus, trolley, ferry, taxi, gondola, observation wheel and a cable car. My children had so much fun; I don’t think they could pick a favorite. Read my blog post, “Top 5 things do to in Hong Kong with kids” for more things to do in Hong Kong with your children.
The best way to enjoy your time in Hong Kong with toddlers is to be flexible and enjoy the ups and downs. Safe travels!