Hong Kong is definitely considered an ‘East Meets West’ destination given the mix of cultures in the region. Formally a British Colony until 1995, Hong Kong has a lot of contrasts to mainland China with more western and European values. Compared to other parts of Asia, Hong Kong has a more open LGBTQ+ community with a variety of gay bars and events. Still, it’s worth pointing out that Hong Kong is more conservative than other major cities in North America and Europe.

Table of Contents

1. General Tips
2. Transportation & Airport Transfer
3. Hong Kong Gay Hotels
4. Sightseeing & Activities
5. Restaurants and Cafes
6. Hong Kong Gay Bars and Clubs
7.Gay Saunas & Cruising Bars in Hong Kong
8. Gay Beaches in Hong Kong
9. Gay Events in Hong Kong
10. Day Trips from Hong Kong

General Tips

First things first: food. Nothing hits the spot more like eating locally. There are plenty of street food options in Hong Kong and some outdoor restaurants with shared table seating. Find one with a menu you can read or pictures you can point to and join in wherever there’s a seat.

The best time to visit Hong Kong is from September to November. It’s generally dry, sunny and warm. June to August is typically hot, humid and rainy so it might be worth avoiding if you have flexibility in your trip. Hong Kong is broken up into three distinct regions: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories.

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Transportation & Airport Transfer

The best way to get to the city from the airport is The Airport Express. The train ride takes just under 25 minutes and departs every 12 minutes, starting early in the morning (5:50am) until late at night (12:48am). Roundtrip costs about HK180 (around US$23).

Public buses offer a more affordable option with plenty of choices servicing a variety of locations. They’ll take no more than 45 minutes between the airport and Central and costs about US$5 if not less.

Taxis are the most expensive option and you have to choose the right color (either red, blue, or green) depending on your location or destination. Most likely you’ll want the red one which serves all of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon and will cost roughly US$35-$40.

You can easily get around the city using the MTR (public transit system), which is convenient and inexpensive. Pick up an Octopus Card, which is a prepaid transit card that makes traveling on the system stress-free.

Hong Kong Gay Hotels

There aren’t currently any gay hotels in Hong Kong, but there are many gay-friendly options, particularly The Eaton who regularly hosts LGBTQ+ events.

Luxury

Mandarin Oriental – this luxury hotel has provided award-winning service and impressive facilities for more than 55 years. Found in the heart of the city, the spacious rooms and suites offer incredible views of Victoria Harbour and the city skyline. They have ten fantastic restaurants and bars, three with Michelin stars. Also enjoy a Shanghainese-inspired holistic spa, indoor pool, and 24-hour fitness center.

Mira Moon – a boutique hotel located with 91 themed rooms and suites in the center of Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island. Its surrounded by shopping malls, eating establishments, and plenty of local transport.

Hotel Icon – stay in the shopping and nightlife district of Tsim Sha Tsui with a beautiful panoramic harbor view. The rooms are stylish and spacious, and the hotel has a rooftop pool, a health club, and an in-house spa. Also take advantage of one of their three vibrant dining spaces.

Mid-Range

Butterfly on Wellington Boutique Hotel Central – very well located near the Hong Kong finance center, The LANDMARK shopping mall, the artistic SoHo District, and Lan Kwai Fong. They offer boutique accommodations just a 5-minute walk from Central MTR Station.

Eaton Hong Kong – found in the heart of Kowloon just a few minutes walk from Jordan MTR Station. Guests can enjoy a rooftop swimming pool, yoga studio, gym, co-working club, and various restaurants and bars including a Cantonese restaurant with a Michelin star. The Eaton is probably the most LGBTQ+-friendly hotel in Hong Kong and they host LGBTQ+ events throughout the year.

Budget

Hotel LBP – a boutique hotel with affordable prices suitable for all budgets near Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun MTR stations. There are also several great restaurants and bars in the area with views of Victoria Harbor. They conveniently sell tickets to many attractions and activities like Ocean Park, Disneyland, the Big Bus, and local tours. Also enjoy drinks at the 4/F Lounge or a workout in the fitness center.

Minimal Hotel Bazaar – a simple hotel located in Mong Kok, a commercial and shopping district with many famous shopping areas like as Langham Place, Ladies Street, and Sneakers Street. Other nearby popular spots include The Lounge & Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Kowloon Park, and Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade.

Ashoka Hostel – this guest house has three and four-bed dorms at affordable rates and is located in a popular commercial place in Kowloon, near shopping malls, bars, and various restaurants.

Yesinn – recently renovated and situated in a 25-story building in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon. It has the Temple Street Night Market just a few steps away. Explore local restaurants all around, relax in the common room, or lounge on the rooftop garden.

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Sightseeing & Activities

Man Mo Temple – near the Central-Mid-Level Escalators, it was built between 1847 and 1862 and declared a monument in 2010. One of the interesting things to observe here is all the coils of incense hanging from the ceiling.

Victoria Peak – (or just “The Peak”) go for the amazing view of Hong Kong. There’s a tram that will take you right to the top where a sky terrace offers fantastic sights of the city.

Central-Mid-Levels Escalators – the longest outdoor escalators in the world. It’s a random thing to do in a city, but a great way to get a look at the scene of shops, restaurants, and bars that line the escalators. The best part is that you can cover a lot of ground while barely lifting a foot.

Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery – situated in Ngong Ping on Lantau Island, the Buddhist monastery dates back to 1906 and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. On the peak of Muyu Mountain is the Tian Tan Big Buddha, the biggest bronze Buddha in the world. Book tour →

Junk Boat Ride in Victoria Harbour – Board an authentic Chinese boat, or junk, and sail the scenic harbor to see incredible views of the city’s skyline. These vessels, originally used for trade, used to crisscross the Hong Kong waterways and sail long distances. Book tour →

Hong Kong Museum of History – covering 400 million years of history from prehistoric to modern times, this museum has a lot to say. Admire the permanent exhibit of Hong Kong's history as well as various temporary ones about local food culture, fashion, and public transportation.

Nan Lian Garden – for an escape from city life, stroll this 9-acre public park filled with lotus ponds, well-kept trees, and traditional Chinese architecture throughout. Book tour →

Restaurants and Cafes

Cafe Queen – a stylish cafe ideal for grabbing a coffee and using your laptop or unwinding with a cocktail. There’s a full menu and daily happy hour from 5 to 8pm. Find it on Queens Road in the office and restaurant center.

Chôm Chôm – offers tapas-style Vietnamese street food. In addition to the good grub, enjoy cocktails and Vietnamese beers during their daily happy hour between 5 and 7pm.

Fukuro – a late-night izakayas in SoHo with great sake and delightful food. Try one of their signature dishes like seasonal sashimi, grilled octopus on potato confit with ginger soy, or the delicious yaki udon with snow crab and crab miso butter.

Little Bao – “Bao Burgers” are legendary throughout Hong Kong if not the whole world. They range from the Belly Pork Bao through to ice cream burgers – which shouldn't work but somehow do. As well as being totally delicious they are the brainchild of the best female chef in all of Asia, May Chow. She's also openly LGBTQ+. Little Bao is found in Causeway Bay and an essential place to visit on any trip to Hong Kong.

Tsim Chai Kee Noodle Shop – this Michellin starred restaurant is where you can find the best noodles in Hong Kong. Located on Wellington Street around the Central-Mid level escalators, there's always a queue outside as a testament to just how delicious the food is. Like a lot of central Hong Kong, it has a very fast-paced “eat then go” vibe to it, but the great Michelin level food makes it well worth the speedy eating – try the huge fish balls too.

Hong Kong Gay Bars and Clubs

FLM – head to this bar on Jervois Street for a good time on the dance floor Monday to Saturday. Go early for their happy hour from 7 to 9pm serving 2-for-1 drinks every night. Stay late for the boys and the DJs.

Zoo – a popular, stylish bar with a range of sophisticated and tropical cocktails. Expect a fun-loving gay crowd to fill the place on weekends. Check out the daily happy hour from 6:30 to 9pm.

Wink – here you’ll find guys in their 20s and 30s as well as some girls. Enjoy a variety of exclusive cocktails in a sleek setting. It can get quite crowded on weekends. Open until 2am.

Linq – a gay-friendly, bohemian bar in Lan Kwai Fong that’s popular with the party crowd. Here you can meet cute guys, locals, expats and international travelers. Enjoy the DJ’s music inside or the terrace outside.

Boo Bar – bears and their friends go to this popular gay karaoke bar in Kowloon. Check out their talented customers and their daily happy hour. There’s a dance party night with a DJ on the last Saturday of every month.

Petticoat Lane – the place to be in the Hong Kong gay scene, this club is famous for its wild drag shows and late night parties. It closed over Covid times but is now back with a vengeance – being in a new location conveniently right in the center of the Lan Kwai Fong area.

Gay Saunas & Cruising Bars in Hong Kong

Soda -a sauna that has “the biggest dark room in Hong Kong”. And it's certainly a popular one. It also has a steam room, sauna, fetish area and cabins. Located in the Overseas building of Causeway Bay.

Hu Tong – another popular sauna in Hong Kong draws in a young crowd. There’s a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, dark room and cabins. But what really sets it apart are the color coded keyrings system to show your sexual preferences – handy!

Gay Beaches in Hong Kong

Middle Bay Beach – While it's not officially a gay beach as Hong Kong doesn't have one, this is the most popular beach for gay sunbathers. The small bay brings in locals and visitors wanting to relax. To get there, you’ll have to take a taxi or walk from Repulse Bay.

South Bay Beach – another small beach area, but less crowded than Middle Bay. Find the gay section on the left side of the beach.

Cheung Sha Beach – a longer and more beautiful beach on the south side of Lantau Island. The gay beachgoers congregate near the rocky terrain that divides the beach into two areas.

Gay Events in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Carnival – The area of Lan Kwai Fong is already known for having a great bar and restaurant scene and the Carnival event allows you to get a preview of many of the establishments which create special menus for the occasion to serve their food and drinks in a street-vendor style. Add extensive decorations, Brazilian dancers, performers, games, and a parade and you’ve got a “can’t-miss” event in November.

Hong Kong Pride – The Hong Kong Pride Parade has been occurring annually since October 2004. Now held in November, the parade route goes from Victoria Park to Edinburgh Place where there are live performances, booths and entertainment. It has an annual theme with a dress code, the most recent being “Pride Rainbow.”

Pink Dot Hong Kong – this annual event began in 2009 in Singapore to support the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. In Hong Kong, the attendees gather in West Kowloon Art Park wearing pink to form a “pink dot” in a show of support for inclusiveness and diversity. The event also features a series of performances.

Day Trips from Hong Kong

Macau – a former Portuguese territory known for its casinos. Apart from gambling, visit the Ruins of St. Paul’s Church, A-Ma Temple, Guia Hill, Taipa Food Street, and the village of Coloane on the southern tip of the peninsula. Or simply enjoy the unique cuisine like Macau’s Portuguese egg tarts. Book tour →

Cheung Chau – a vehicle-free island 40 minutes away by ferry from Central. Enjoy open-air seafood restaurants and visit Taoist temples, the Mini Great Wall, and Cheung Po Tsai Cave. Book tour →

Sai Kung – a town known for hiking, fishermen’s villages, seafood, gorgeous beaches, and a floating seafood market. To get there, take a 30 to 45-minute minibus ride from Hang Hau or Choi Hung station or a one-hour minibus ride from Mong Kok. Book tour →

Shenzhen – go to this city to shop for knock-offs or relax at an affordable day spa. Check out Shenzhen Museum of History and Folk Center and shop at Dongmen Pedestrian Street. Book tour →

Tai O – Many locations around the world have been dubbed “The Venice of…” and this fishing village is just that, the “Venice of Hong Kong”. It’s on the northern tip of Lantau Island and known for its seafood in addition to its picturesque beauty. Take a motorboat to see the famous stilt houses. Book tour →

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