Hong Kong is a city that seamlessly blends old and new, with many distinct neighborhoods offering unique experiences at every turn. Whether you’re visiting for business or leisure, one of the first questions on everyone’s mind is: Where should I stay?

In this guide, we’ll help you get to know four popular neighborhoods / areas to stay in Hong Kong: Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Causeway Bay, and Wan Chai.

Our personal favorite? Tsim Sha Tsui. It’s the best blend of the two “flavors” of HK: the old and the new. Tsim Sha Tsui, or TST for short, is on the Kowloon side of the island, the more authentic and budget-friendly side. Yet it’s still modern, fun, and full of life.

There’s so much to see and do around this area, plus it has direct connections to practically everywhere in the city!

In this Hong Kong neighborhood guide, we’ll help you learn more about Tsim Sha Tsui, as well as three other neighborhoods I recommend staying in.

This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!

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Understanding The Different Parts Of Hong Kong

Hong Kong is divided into three main regions:

• Hong Kong Island — Modern and cosmopolitan
• Kowloon — Traditional and bustling
• New Territories — Outdoorsy and residential

These regions are separated by Victoria Harbour, which is a large body of water that runs between them.

HK Island

Hong Kong Island sits just south of Victoria Harbour and is the modern face of the city.

This is the part of Hong Kong that feels the most Westernized. It’s full of upscale hotels, trendy rooftop bars, luxury malls, and polished restaurants. It’s where most expats live and work, and home to Hong Kong’s Central Business District. I imagine this as the area where steak dinners are had, and deals get made, haha.

You’ll also find some of the city’s most popular attractions here, like Victoria Peak, the Central–Mid-Levels escalator, and Ocean Park.

Kowloon

Kowloon, located north of Victoria Harbour, shows off Hong Kong’s local side.

This is probably the area you’ve seen in photos on social media. You know, those colorful, tightly packed apartment buildings that seem to stretch to the sky? That’s Kowloon.

It’s busy, gritty, and full of local character, with lively street markets like Temple Street Night Market and Ladies Market in Mong Kok, plus endless shops and eateries along Nathan Road.

New Territories

The New Territories extend north and east of Kowloon, offering a very different pace of life. I like to call this the countryside where HK locals move to when they want more space. My aunt actually moved out of the more crowded part of HK and lives out here now!

This region is more residential and less developed, with a mix of suburban towns, small fishing villages, and scenic countryside. It’s a great place to experience a quieter, greener side of Hong Kong, whether you’re visiting the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, hiking around Kam Shan Country Park, or exploring local temples and trails.

Chances are, if it’s you’re first time in HK, you won’t make it this far.

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Where To Stay In Hong Kong: 4 Areas We Recommend

Tsim Sha Tsui

Best for: First-timers looking to stay in a central location to all parts of Hong Kong. You’ll get easy access to both the Kowloon side and the Hong Kong side.

• Close to: Lantau Island and Hong Kong Disneyland, ferry to Macau, Mongkok, Jordan, K11 Musea, Temple Street Night Market, Avenue of Stars, Symphony of Lights nightly show, lots and lots of museums, Kowloon Park
• Direct Bus To/From Airport: Yes (A21)
• Direct Train To/From Airport: No (requires a quick transfer from Red Line to Airport Express)

Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Hong Kong if you want a little bit of everything: big-city energy, harbor views, shopping, museums, hole-in-the-wall eats, and some of the best people-watching in the city.

My aunt visits HK once a year for 2-3 weeks at a time, and she chooses this area time and time again because of its convenience and the sheer amount of good food there.

Tsim Sha Tsui is great if you want to experience the full spectrum of Hong Kong, from luxury shopping all the way to off-the-beaten-path dai pai dongs that only the locals frequent.

It’s not the neighborhood I’d pick for peace and quiet, but if you want to step out of your hotel and immediately be in the middle of the action, it’s hard to beat.

There’s also plenty to actually do here. You can walk the Avenue of Stars and Victoria Harbour waterfront, catch the nightly Symphony of Lights, browse the Hong Kong Museum of Art, visit the Hong Kong Space Museum, or wander through the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. And if you’re into architecture and design, K11 Musea (one of the newest luxury shopping complexes) is worth a stop.

Then there’s the shopping. Nathan Road is the main artery, but I actually prefer poking around the side streets. For luxury shopping, you’ve got K11 Musea, Harbour City, and 1881 Heritage. For more affordable and indie finds, check out Granville Road and Mira Place, and TST also has plenty of vintage and secondhand shops if you’re willing to wander.

And then there’s the food. This is one of the biggest reasons I like TST as a home base. You can eat your way through Hong Kong without going very far, whether you’re craving proper Cantonese food, dim sum, roast goose, noodles, milk tea, or a late-night snack.

Don’t leave without trying a classic Hong Kong-style cha chaan teng (there are tons dotted throughout the area), grabbing dim sum, and seeking out some of TST’s old-school local institutions.

You’ll also find plenty of international and Michelin-starred restaurants here, so even picky groups have options.

One reason I love staying in the TST area is its location relative to the MTR: you get easy access to both Tsim Sha Tsui Station and Tsim Sha Tsui East Station, both major subway stations.

TST is just a couple of stops away from Central, and it’s on the Tseun Wan line (red line), which will bring you to all the popular spots on the Kowloon side.

Here are some of the hotels I recommend in TST, depending on what your budget/style is

Luxury Hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui

The Peninsula – For those of you who want to go all out in HK, this is the grand-daddy of all hotels in TST! Known as the ‘Grande Dame of the Far East’, this 5-star hotel prides itself on being Hong Kong’s oldest hotel with nearly a century of excellence. Even if you don’t stay here, you should try to experience their afternoon tea (it’s a quintessential thing to do in HK)!

Kowloon Shangri-La – Another popular hotel in the area that offers stunning views of Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong Island skyline, 7 dining options, an indoor pool, and elegantly decorated rooms.

Budget-Friendly Hotels In Tsim Sha Tsui

Page148, Page Hotels – a hip and modern hotel that’s pretty darn affordable for this part of town! I almost stayed here for my own trip; it’s definitely on my list for a future stay.

Central

Best for: Business travelers, people looking to be close to all the hip and modern restaurants, top-notch nightlife, luxury shopping

• Close to: all the piers where the ferries take off (to destinations like Tai O, Lamma Island, Cheung Chau, Macau, etc.), Victoria Peak, Ocean Park, Cat Street Flea Market, Hong Kong Observation Wheel, Upper Lascar Row, Hollywood Road arts district
• Direct Bus To/From Airport: Yes (E11 and A11)
• Direct Train To/From Airport: Yes (Airport Express)

Central is Hong Kong’s modern, polished, fast-paced side—the side where international business gets done. It’s the city’s financial and business hub, so expect lots of glass skyscrapers, luxury malls, cocktail bars, and some of Hong Kong’s fanciest restaurants.

If you want a more Westernized experience, love being in the middle of the action, and want easy access to nightlife, shopping, and plenty of upscale dining, Central is hard to beat.

If you can imagine big-city Hong Kong at its most sophisticated (but with plenty of old-school character hiding between the skyscrapers), that’s Central for you.

You can spend the morning wandering through the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, ride the famous Mid-Levels Escalator, browse designer stores, then end the day with cocktails in Lan Kwai Fong (LKF), Hong Kong’s legendary nightlife district.

Central is also a great base if you want to explore some of Hong Kong’s most recognizable sights. You can walk through the historic streets around SoHo and Sheung Wan, check out Man Mo Temple, and ride the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak.

Food-wise, this is where Hong Kong’s old and new food scenes collide. You’ll find everything from Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurants and trendy cocktail bars to tiny noodle shops and traditional cha chaan tengs.

Central is also home to some of the city’s best-known dim sum, roast meats, wonton noodles, and egg tarts, so don’t assume you’ll need to leave the neighborhood to eat well.

That said, Central is noticeably more expensive than Kowloon, especially when it comes to hotels, restaurants, groceries, and shopping. You’re paying for the location and convenience.

It’s also considerably hillier, particularly once you start venturing toward SoHo and the Mid-Levels. If you’re traveling with young kids, older family members, or anyone who isn’t thrilled about climbing stairs and hills all day, keep that in mind.

Pro tip: If nightlife is a priority, staying within walking distance of LKF can be incredibly convenient—but I wouldn’t necessarily book a hotel inside the nightlife zone unless you want to hear the nightlife, too. A few blocks away can give you the best of both worlds: easy access to the bars without having a nightclub outside your front door.

Luxury Hotels In Central

The Mandarin Oriental – a really popular choice for travelers who want a 5-star hotel with Eastern flair.

The Upper House – Thoughtful luxury and design done with a minimalist approach. It connects directly to Admiralty MTR station and offers free yoga classes on weekends.

Budget-Friendly Hotels In Central

Butterfly on LKF Boutique Hotel Central – this boutique hotel has fewer than 50 rooms and is in a great location for a stellar price.

Wan Chai

Best for: travelers looking to enjoy hip and modern establishments

• Close to: Victoria Harbor, Ocean Park, Wan Chai Heritage Trail, Sun Street, Wan Chai Ferry Pier (can quickly bring you to TST and the Kowloon side), equidistant from Central and Causeway Bay (close to both, you get the best of both worlds!)
• Direct Bus To/From Airport: Yes (E11 and A11)
• Direct Train To/From Airport: No (requires a quick transfer from Blue Line to Airport Express)

Wan Chai is one of my favorite areas to recommend for travelers who want a taste of old-meets-new Hong Kong without paying Central prices.

Located on the north side of Hong Kong Island, this neighborhood has gone through a major transformation over the years. What was once a somewhat run-down district is now one of the city’s most interesting mixes of old-school Hong Kong, creative businesses, restaurants, bars, and modern developments.

While they’re on the same side of the island, Wan Chai feels more lived-in than Central but it’s still plenty lively.

You’ll see remnants of Hong Kong’s colonial history alongside traditional Chinese storefronts, wet markets, old residential buildings, trendy cafés, cocktail bars, and restaurants. You can spend the afternoon wandering through older streets, stop for a bowl of noodles, and end the evening at a sleek cocktail bar.

Historically, Wan Chai was one of the earliest areas settled by the British, which explains some of the neighborhood’s unusual architectural mix. You can see colonial-era buildings and historic streets sitting practically next door to modern skyscrapers.

Blue House, the Wan Chai Market, and the streets around Tai Yuen Street are worth exploring if you want to see a side of Hong Kong that feels very different from the glass-and-steel version of the city you’ll find in Central.

Location-wise, it’s a winner. The MTR makes getting around incredibly easy, and you’re just a few stops from Central while still being well positioned to explore Causeway Bay, Victoria Peak, and other parts of Hong Kong Island. You can also hop on a Star Ferry or tram when you want to explore beyond the MTR.

👉 Pro Tip: If you’re torn between staying in Central and Kowloon, Wan Chai is a really good compromise. You get the convenience of Hong Kong Island, plenty of restaurants and nightlife within walking distance, and generally a more local feel than Central without sacrificing easy transportation.

Luxury Hotels In Wan Chai

Mira Moon – This is the first boutique hotel under the Mira Hotel Collection, and it’s been well-awarded as a premier boutique hotel in Hong Kong.

The Fleming Hong Kong – Renovated in October 2017, The Fleming Hong Kong features classy rooms and luxurious bathrooms inspired by Hong Kong’s iconic cross-harbor ferries.

Budget-Friendly Hotels In Wan Chai

Wharney Hotel – Conveniently located in Wan Chai, Wharney Hotel is a super-affordable option just a 3-minute walk from Wan Chai MTR Station.

Causeway Bay

Best for: shopping, nightlife, and families

• Close to: premier shopping areas, awesome nightlife, Ocean Park, North Point Ferry Pier (easy access to Kowloon side), Victoria Park, closest neighborhood in this list to the Dragon’s Back Hike
• Direct Bus To/From Airport: Yes (E11 and A11)
• Direct Train To/From Airport: No (requires a quick transfer from Blue Line to Airport Express)

If shopping is high on your Hong Kong agenda, Causeway Bay may just be the neighborhood for you.

Often hailed as the “Shinjuku of Hong Kong”, this north-side Hong Kong Island district is one of the city’s biggest retail and entertainment hubs, with department stores, giant shopping malls, indie boutiques, restaurants, and plenty happening well into the evening.

Causeway Bay is busy, commercial, youthful, and energetic. It’s not where I’d send you if you’re looking for old-school Hong Kong charm or quiet residential streets—that’s not really the point here. Instead, think packed sidewalks, neon signs, massive shopping centers, Japanese and Korean-inspired retail, cafés, restaurants, and people out shopping at basically all hours.

And if you’re traveling with kids or teenagers, this can be a surprisingly good home base. Beyond the shopping, you’ll find entertainment ranging from arcades and gaming centers to VR experiences, making it easy to keep younger travelers occupied when they’re tired of sightseeing.

Shopping is the main event here. Start at the massive Times Square or SOGO Department Store, then branch out to smaller shopping centers like Island Beverley and Laforet for more independent boutiques and trendier finds. You can easily spend an entire afternoon bouncing between malls, beauty stores, fashion shops, and cafés without running out of things to see.

This is one of the busiest and most crowded areas in Hong Kong, and it can feel overwhelming if you prefer a slower pace. Hotels can also be expensive for what you get, especially in prime locations.

And while there are older pockets to explore, you won’t get the same historic atmosphere you’ll find in neighborhoods like Sheung Wan or Kowloon.

Luxury Hotels In Causeway Bay

The Park Lane Hong Kong, a Pullman Hotel – This newly refurbished luxury hotel is quite affordable and just a 2-minute walk from Causeway Bay MTR, located right across Victoria Park.

Budget-Friendly Hotels In Causeway Bay

Eco Tree Hotel Causeway Bay – affordable and newly renovated as of September 2018!

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What Are The Best Areas To Stay In HK For Budget Travelers?

If you’re visiting Hong Kong and don’t want to blow your entire travel budget on a hotel, you’ll want to stay on the Kowloon side — that’s the more local, densely packed part of the city with plenty of affordable places to eat and sleep. Here are a few neighborhoods worth looking into:

Mong Kok (Kowloon side): Famous for its night markets, street food, and nonstop energy, Mong Kok is one of the best areas for budget travelers. You’ll find tons of guesthouses, hostels, and small hotels here, plus easy access to shopping streets and the MTR.

Jordan (Kowloon side): A little calmer than Mong Kok but still close to the action. It’s just a short walk to Temple Street Night Market, and there are plenty of affordable eateries and budget hotels tucked into the side streets.

Yau Ma Tei (Kowloon side): Right next to Jordan, Yau Ma Tei gives you that same local feel with access to Temple Street and the Jade Market. It’s easy to get around, and you’ll find a solid mix of inexpensive stays.

👉 Pro Tip: Mong Kok, Jordan, and Yau Ma Tei are all next to each other, so you can easily hop between them by foot or subway.

Tsuen Wan (New Territories side): This is more of a residential area and a bit farther from central Hong Kong, but still super convenient thanks to the red MTR line. It’s a great option if you don’t mind a slightly longer ride into the city. Fun fact: this is actually where my mom grew up, and it’s where we usually stay when we visit — the hotels are much more affordable, yet still easy enough to get anywhere.

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Planning Your Trip To HK? Save With The Go City HK Pass

This easy-to-use mobile attraction pass can really help you see a lot of Hong Kong’s best attractions in a really short amount of time, and it can help you save a ton of money while doing so!

The Go City Hong Kong Pass is a digital attraction pass that provides easy access and admission to some of HK’s most popular museums and excursions. With certain excursions, you’re even able to skip the line, saving you both money and time.

There are two types of passes–the All-Inclusive Pass and the Explorer Pass.

All-Inclusive Pass

The Go City All-Inclusive Pass is really great for travelers who want to see as much as possible while they’re in Hong Kong. With the All-Inclusive Pass, you can choose between a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7-day pass that will give you free admission to 20+ museums and attractions throughout the city.

The pass includes admission to the following heavy-hitters and immersive experiences:

• Ocean Park 1-Day Ticket: HK$498.00 normal ticket value
• Ngong Ping 360: Cable Car & Ngong Ping Village Experiences: HK$335.00 normal ticket value
• Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour – Discover Ticket: HK$380.00 normal ticket value
• Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck: HK$218.00
• Noah’s Ark: HK$198.00
• Aberdeen 1773 Fishing Heritage: Sampan and Houseboat Audio Tour: HK$220.00
• Ngong Ping 360 Tai O Pass: HK$315.00
• Monopoly Dreams: HK$260.00
• Authentic Peking Duck Meal at Peking Garden: HK$550.00
• … and more!

Explorer Pass

If you don’t plan on visiting a ton of different attractions, Go City also has an Explorer Pass which will still save you a lot of money. With the Explorer Pass, you’ll pay one flat fee for a 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7-choice pass.

There is also no need to pick attractions ahead of time, so you’ll have the flexibility to choose attractions as you go.

This pass is best for ticking off a few of your must-sees, while also having time to explore and chill on your own timetable.

DEAL ALERT: For a limited time, use the above link + the promo code AFFGOALL for an additional 5% off your Go City pass. This code is valid for any Go City pass in any destination!

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Looking for more Hong Kong travel tips? You may also like:

Hong Kong Disneyland: Is It Worth The Money? (What To Expect)

Hong Kong Disneyland vs. Ocean Park: Which Is Better?

Lamma Island Day Trip From Hong Kong: Things To Do

The Perfect Lantau Island Day Trip Itinerary: 6 Stops You Can’t Miss

2 Days In Hong Kong Itinerary: What To See, Do, and Eat

3 Perfect Days In Hong Kong: What To See, Do, and Eat

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