Travel Tips for visiting Hong Kong with Toddlers

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!

Top 5 things to do in Hong Kong with Kids

Thinking of where to go on your next family trip? It’s time to take the leap and explore Asia. We recently took our 1 ½ year old and 3 ½ year old on a trip to Hong Kong. The city offers many exciting toddler-friendly things to do.

Peak Tram

The Peak Tram is a must-do when visiting Hong Kong. All ages will enjoy it. My children couldn’t stop giggling as the tram climbed almost vertically up to the top of the Peak. Once we arrived at the Peak, the view was spectacular. I felt as though I was suspended in the sky, viewing the city from above. It is easy to spend a few hours at the top. There is a walking path to explore, shopping, and many kid-friendly options of places to eat.

What to know: Get in line for the tram before dusk to reach the top as the sun goes down and stay to enjoy the breathtaking views of the city lights. The lines may be long to get back down from the Peak, anticipate this and get in line before your children reach their meltdown point.  

The Hong Kong Observation Wheel

The Hong Kong Observation Wheel, opened in 2014, is 60 meters-high is situated right next to the harbor. I have to admit it looks small compared to the surrounding buildings however, my children loved every second. They could have spent hours in the large glass gondola going around and around. My kids excitedly pointed out the boats going in and out of Victoria Harbour.

What to know:  A ride on the Observation Wheel is feasible during the day or at night. We went midday and there was no wait to board a gondola. I think that I’d prefer the nighttime city views, however I’d recommend it during the day for families. In the daylight, my kids were easily able to grasp the hustle and bustle below.  

Lantau Island & Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car

A visit to Lantau Island consists of visiting Ngong Ping Village, taking the aerial tramway (Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car), and climbing up the steps to the Tian Tan Buddha (also known as the Big Buddha). Visitors take the metro to Tung Chung, which is on the north coast of Lantau, and then board the cable car to Ngong Ping Village.

While the walk up the 268 steps to the Big Buddha looks imposing, it is a fun adventure to hike to the top with kids.  We found it to be a great challenge for our kids where they were rewarded with beautiful panoramic views of the islands and sea below once they made it to the top!

What to know: Purchase tickets for the glass-bottom Crystal Cabin. My kids loved laying on the floor as they soared over the forest below.  The ride lasts about 25 minutes, and the views are spectacular.  

The line was over an hour long to take the Cable Car to Ngong Ping Village (Big Buddha). We decided to hire a taxi to take us there and took the Ngong Ping Cable Car back to Tung Chung. There was no line to board the cable car.

Please note that according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the “Ngong Ping Cable Car service will be suspended from January to June 2017 for a rope replacement project.” If you are visiting during this time, check the Ngong Ping 360 website for the exact dates of the closure. 

Star Ferry from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon

The Star Ferry boats take passengers from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon and back. The 10 minute inexpensive ride across Victoria Harbor is attention-grabbing for children as you pass other boats and see the big buildings of Kowloon getting closer and closer. 

We ferried from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon. Upon our arrival, we walked around Kowloon before taking it back to Hong Kong Island. A ferry leaves every few minutes which makes it an extremely easy activity to do with kids.

What to know: The ferry terminal and Observation Wheel are located right next to each other, plan to do both while in the area.

Hong Kong Tramways

The iconic double decker trams are fun to ride as they “ding ding” through the streets. The tramway has been in service for over 110 years, running westbound and eastbound along Hong Kong Island. It is one of the most inexpensive modes of transportation in Hong Kong. Your children will be delighted to sit in the upper deck and watch all the excitement of the city below.

What to know: Take the trams during non-commuting hours or on a weekend in order to have fewer crowds and increase your chances of getting a seat. The trams are small, plan ahead and leave your stroller at the hotel. Enter the tram from the back and exit at the front. You pay as you exit the tram and must have exact change.

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