10 Ways Hong Kong Surprised Me

Even after spending hours browsing stunning pictures and reading up on all things Hong Kong, the city still managed to catch me off guard in the best (and weirdest) ways. Here are ten things that surprised me:

1. Dim sum heaven

For someone who didn’t even like dim sum, I was shocked to hear myself say, “Let’s have dim sum for breakfast-lunch-dinner… yes, again!”
I now say pretentious things like, “I only like the dim sum in Hong Kong.” The city is bursting with Michelin-starred dim sum spots at budget-friendly prices. Famous chefs and renowned publications have been handing out awards to their favorite dim sum stalls—and honestly, I wanted to try them all. Sadly, my stomach doesn’t stretch that far.

2. Antique shopping in the morning

At first glance, Hong Kong is all high-rises and neon: banks, offices, malls, apartment blocks. But then, suddenly, you’re wandering through alleyways filled with potted plants, secret stairways, and rows of vintage shops and antique stalls. I had promised myself not to shop in Hong Kong—ha! Of course, I walked away with a few irresistible trinkets.

3. The goldfish market

At first, it was all excitement: thousands of goldfish bobbing in plastic bags along a buzzing street. Then came discomfort, watching the poor things bump their little heads against the plastic. And then… confusion. It’s part of the local culture. In Hong Kong, goldfish are considered good luck and important for feng shui.
This neighbourhood isn’t just about fish—you’ll also find frogs, turtles, birds, rabbits, hamsters… Basically, it’s a full-on pet district.

4. Helpful, friendly,  non-smiling locals

Several times, locals paused their fast-paced stride to ask if we needed help (I admit, we looked pretty lost). But the moment we said, “Oh, we’re fine, thanks,” they’d vanish back into the crowd—no smile, no chit-chat, no “bye.” I kind of loved it: kind, to the point and no bullsh*t.

5. Egg waffles

Best eaten warm and plain, the eggette is the most popular street food in Hong Kong. Because they are hollow, I thought it wouldn’t be of my liking. I can tell you this: I was already ordering seconds while my mouth was still full with the first bite. This egg waffle really hits the spot after a long day in the city! Simple flavour, light and not too sweet… More bubble waffles, please!

6. Chinese tea traditions

Okay, this one wasn’t exactly a surprise—I knew about the elegance of Chinese tea ceremonies. But watching it happen in front of me was something else entirely. The way a lady poured our Oolong tea was so refined, so mesmerizing, I kept pulling new teas off the shelf “just to taste.” You can do a full-on tea tasting tour, or just walk into a traditional tea shop and try a few brews for free – though, of course, they expect you to leave with a little something.

7. Double dekker trams

Imagine a lovechild between London’s red buses and Lisbon’s vintage trams. I couldn’t stop marveling at the city from the upper deck, as we slowly rattled through buzzing streets and sleepy neighborhoods. You can hop on and off with an Octopus Card—which I highly recommend if you’re staying a few days. It works for metro, buses, trams… even convenience stores.

8. Hygiene comes first

This is definitely not mainland China. The streets are tidy and orderly, with signs everywhere reminding you that certain areas are disinfected several times a day. In a city this dense, I could only applaud the effort. Free hand sanitizer in public places? Check. Clean public toilets? Check. It’s no Singapore—but it would soothe any germaphobe’s soul.

9. The main attractions are kinda lame

At least, the ones I saw. Take the Avenue of Stars (hello Bruce Lee statue): packed with pushy tourists, and impossible to enjoy the skyline. Then there’s the free nightly light show—Symphony of Lights—which is advertised as “spectacular.” The first 30 seconds? Sure, impressive. After that… meh. I kept walking. It’s not that I’m jaded—HK expats said the same thing. Still worth a look, just keep your expectations in check.

10. Lots of funny random stuff

I expected more kitsch and Hello Kitty madness, but apparently that’s more of a Mainland China thing (locals always refer to it as “the Mainland”). Still, I had my fair share of “What am I looking at?” moments. Not a full-blown culture shock, but just enough randomness to make me giggle and think, “Why though?”

Which destination has surprised you? Is Hong Kong on your ‘wish list”?

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