Sabbatical & Experiential Travel to Hong Kong

Holidays & Sabbaticals to Hong Kong – In a Nutshell

A high-energy city, housing 7 million people and one of the world’s largest financial hubs, Hong Kong is a place of real contrasts. It is at once dazzlingly modern and proudly traditional, an eclectic blend of its British and Chinese roots. Glittering skyscrapers sit alongside ancient shops selling traditional Chinese medicine. There are luxury hotels galore, and contrasting neighbourhoods for plenty of real-life immersion. Western fast-food outlets neighbour Cantonese restaurants and cha chaan tengs. The only constant? Shopping is king throughout. Encompassing frenetic Hong Kong Island, authentic Kowloon, the peaceful New Territories and 235 outlying islands, there’s masses to see and do. Just being here is exhilarating.

How to Get to Hong Kong

Hong Kong International Airport is one of the busiest in the world, with direct flights from the UK (approx. 12 hours) and the US (approx. 16 hours).
Once here, the MTR zips all over the city, and there’s a great bus network. Take a ride on the historic double-decker trams too, and island hop on the ferries.

When & Weather – Hong Kong

The climate is subtropical, with hot, muggy summers, humid springs and autumns and mild winters. Rain and cloud are frequent but light. It’s very much a year-round destination. Temperatures range between 17C (62°F) and 30°C (86°F).

Who will Hong Kong Appeal To?

The city’s high-tech modern attractions and traditional character offers an enormous range of varied and unique experiences. In particular, it’s suited to:

Culture lovers
Keen photographers
Solo travellers
Families

Accommodation

We work with luxury city hotels, smaller boutique hotels and friendly guesthouses across the islands.

Off The Beaten Path

Hike in the Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve
Peng Chau island is almost untouched by tourism and a great place to experience authentic local life
Visit the ancient Walled Villages in the New Territory; fabulously atmospheric with grand ancestral halls inscribed with golden dragons and lions
Swap the crowded city beaches for a day at Hap Mun Bay
Day trip to the UNESCO Geopark in Sai Kung, to admire unique hexagonal rock structures, which plunge down into turquoise ocean
The serene Chi Lin Nunnery is beautiful; a golden temple and manicured gardens
Visit the traditional stilt houses of Tai O
Admire the street art in Wong Chuk Hang and Kwun Tong

Wildlife

Pearl River pink dolphins swim around Launtau Island
Black-faced spoonbills roost on the city’s wetlands and mudflats
There are over 200 butterfly species across Hong Kong’s territories, including the delicate Red Lacewing
Spot the beautiful Purple Heron in the Mai Po Reserve
Endangered green turtles nest on Lamma Island

Hong Kong Experiences you shouldn’t miss:

A sampan (houseboat) tour of Aberdeen Harbour
Hiking the Pat Sin Leng trail
The breathtaking Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
Riding the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car for amazing city panoramas
Taking the Star Ferry to Kowloon for the Temple Street Night Market…
… And back again for the iconic views of Hong Kong Island.
Bar hopping in Lan Kwai Fong
Visiting the Man Tao Temple, the city’s oldest
Eating endless dim sum
Watching a horse race in Happy Valley
Rattling up Victoria Peak on the funicular railway for glorious panoramas
Lazing on the beaches in Stanley
Visiting the bronze Tian Tan Big Buddha on Lantau island
Shopping for jade jewellery, cloisonné and lacquerware in the markets of Wan Chai
Having your palm read at the Taoist Wong Tai Sin temple
Taking the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car for a bird’s eye view of the city

Giving back

Adventure Ship provides recreational and educational training at sea to young people with disabilities. The NGO’s sea programs encourage participants to push themselves and cooperate in a supportive environment by growing, learning and helping others. Other goals develop social, creative and problem-solving skills to increase self-esteem and self-reliance.

Start Planning

Our experienced team will guide you through a number of ideas based on how you would like to experience Hong Kong.

Consider visiting Hong Kong in combination with mainland China, or the popular South East Asian countries of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar.

Browse our gallery for inspiration and read the sample itinerary below to whet your appetite.

No matter how long you wish to travel, we’ll guide you through the planning process to ensure a trip is carefully pieced together to suit your interests, pace of travel and budget.