If you’re visiting Hong Kong Disneyland, chances are you’ll also spend time in Hong Kong itself. Hong Kong is a vibrant city blending East and West, and as an Asian traveler myself, I found it both familiar and new. Here’s a rundown to prepare you for Hong Kong travel, from cultural norms to practical logistics.
From visa-free entry and easy transit, to cashless payments and multilingual support, Hong Kong is designed to make your journey smooth—even if it’s your first time traveling abroad. And inside the park, understanding things like Duffy mania, local dining customs, and photo culture helps you enjoy the experience on a whole new level.
Tourist Visa
One of the best things about visiting Hong Kong is how visa-friendly it is for many travelers in Asia and beyond.
Visa-Free Entry for Most Travelers
Hong Kong allows visa-free entry for citizens of over 170 countries and territories, including:
- Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines: Ranges from 14 to 90 days visa-free depending on country.
- USA, UK, Australia, Canada, EU countries: Up to 90 days visa-free.
- Taiwan (ROC): Up to 30 days visa-free.
- Mainland China: Requires a “Hong Kong Entry Permit” or valid two-way permit; special travel documents apply.
Tip: Even if you’re visa-exempt, you must have a valid passport with at least 1 month of validity beyond your stay, a confirmed return/onward ticket, and proof of accommodation may be requested at immigration.
Entry Requirements & Process
Hong Kong resumed normal tourism entry for most countries post-COVID. No quarantine, no vaccination proof, no health declaration needed as of early 2025.
The arrival process at Hong Kong International Airport is usually efficient and friendly. At immigration, officers may ask:
- Purpose of visit (tourism)
- Hotel booking proof
- Return flight
- Sufficient funds (rarely asked but possible)
Immigration clearance is separate from Mainland China – even if you’re visiting both, you’ll need to clear customs separately.
If you’re combining Hong Kong with Macau, note that Macau has its own visa policy. Most Hong Kong visa-free travelers can also enter Macau visa-free, but check both.
Tip: Always double-check your passport validity and current visa rules with the official Hong Kong Immigration Department before departure:
https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/visit-transit/visit-visa-entry-permit.html
e-Visa & Special Cases
- If you’re from a country not visa-exempt, you must apply for a tourist visa in advance via a Hong Kong Immigration Department website or consulate.
- Processing time is around 4–6 weeks, and documents include application form, proof of itinerary, and financial means.
- For Mainland Chinese tourists, a “港澳通行證” (Mainland Travel Permit) with valid exit endorsements (like L visa) is required. Group or individual tours may have different rules.
- Indian passport holders need to apply online for a Pre-arrival Registration (PAR) – free and valid for multiple visits within 6 months.
Cultural Norms
Hong Kong people are generally friendly, efficient, and used to tourists. Still, it’s good to know some local etiquette.
Payments
Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD). You can exchange currency at banks or use ATMs easily. But frankly, I hardly used cash:
Tipping: It’s not customary to tip in Hong Kong. Most restaurants add a 10% service charge already (check your bill). For taxi drivers, people usually round up to the next dollar or two – e.g., a HK$38 ride, just give HK$40 and say keep change. Hotel porters if they help with bags, maybe HK$10-20 is a nice gesture but not required.
Tax: Shoppers rejoice – Hong Kong has no sales tax (VAT). The price you see is what you pay. This makes shopping for big-ticket items like electronics or luxury goods attractive, as long as you ensure authenticity at reputable stores.
Haggling: Hong Kong isn’t like some other Asian destinations where you haggle in markets (except maybe Ladies Market or Temple Street Night Market where you can bargain a bit). In general, prices in shops are fixed. It can be seen as rude to haggle in regular stores.
Money Safety: Hong Kong is very safe regarding petty fraud, but as with any big city, guard your wallets in crowded markets. ATMs are reliable – stick to ones at banks or inside malls. I used my international debit card at a Bank of China ATM and got HKD easily. One quirk: ATMs often offer big denominations (HK$500 notes). Many small shops or taxis might not have change for HK$500. I’d withdraw an odd amount (like HK$400 or HK$900) to get some HK$100s. Or break big notes at larger stores.
Payment Options (Cash vs Cashless)
International credit cards: Widely accepted (Visa, MasterCard, Amex), unlike mainland China, in almost all but the tiniest shops.
Octopus Card: The local favorite, works everywhere. this is a stored-value smartcard that is the lifeblood of HK payments. It’s like a contactless cash card you tap for MTR/buses, convenience stores, some restaurants, vending machines, etc. I highly recommend getting an Octopus card online in advanced or as soon as you arrive.
You can purchase Octopus cards at the Airport Express Customer Service Centre, MTR stations, or Klook. It costs HK$95 with HK$50 preloaded. Our affiliate partner Klook also offer Octopus Card – HKD150 Preloaded + Hong Kong 4G SIM Card (8 days) for HK$222.
When your trip ends, you can return the Octopus for a refund of remaining value and a HK$50 deposit.
Mobile Payments: Many places take Apple Pay/Google Pay (just ensure your cards are enabled for HKD). Also, due to lots of Mainland visitors, WeChat Pay and Alipay are now accepted at many retailers and even HK Disneyland.
However, note that Mainland China Alipay/WeChat accounts might not work unless you have a Hong Kong wallet – some places only take the local HK version. I discovered my Mainland Alipay app could scan a QR at 7-Eleven, but at a smaller eatery it didn’t work – so I’d carry a backup Visa or cash just in case.
UnionPay (CUP) cards (common in Asia) are widely accepted too. And of course, good old cash is fine for street markets.
Cash – Still useful for local markets and small vendors or taxis (taxis in HK are cash only unless they explicitly have card readers, which most don’t).
One neat thing: some stores even accepted Chinese RMB cash (in touristy areas), but the change is given in HKD and rates aren’t great. Better to use HKD.
Language Barrier
As mentioned, English and Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin) coexist in Hong Kong. You will find that in tourist areas, most signage is bilingual. MTR station names are announced in three languages. Restaurant menus in touristy places often have English.
English: You can definitely get by with English at hotels, attractions, major restaurants, and shops in central areas. Hong Kong’s English proficiency is generally high due to its history and education. For example, at Disneyland and Ocean Park all staff spoke English. In the city, youth and those in customer service will typically understand you. Older generation folks or small local eateries in the suburbs might not, but pointing and smiling always works too.
Cantonese: It’s the local dialect. If you know some (or are willing to learn a few fun phrases), locals appreciate it. Basic ones: “Hello” = “néih hóu” (sounds like neigh-ho), “Thank you (for service)” = “m̀h’gōi”, “Thank you (for gift)” = “dō zeh”. But don’t worry – you’re not expected to speak it.
Mandarin (Putonghua): With many Mainland visitors and an increasing number of Mainlanders working/studying in HK, Mandarin is understood by a fair number of people. In malls or tourist spots, starting in Mandarin is okay – if that person isn’t comfortable, they might switch to English. I often asked in Mandarin, got a response in a mix of Mandarin and gestures. My parents (who speak only Mandarin) navigated fine – though sometimes a local would reply in English to them, which was amusing.
Translation Tools: I kept Google Translate app handy with the offline Cantonese package. If we were at a very local dai pai dong (street food stall) with no English menu, I could use my phone camera to translate signs. But honestly, in the main tourist experience, we rarely needed it. The Hong Kong Disneyland app itself can be set to English, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese.
Body Language: Don’t underestimate the power of charades. Pointing at pictures on menus, using fingers to indicate numbers, or simple words like “this one, spicy?” can work. Hong Kongers are used to international visitors, so they’ll often try to bridge the gap from their side too.
One thing – accents. The Hong Kong Cantonese accent in English might sound a bit different (they might say “open till 11” and the lilt can confuse at first). Similarly, if you speak Mandarin, the local Cantonese speaker’s Mandarin could have an accent. Just be patient, and don’t hesitate to politely ask for clarification if you don’t understand. People will switch wording or write it down if needed.
Queueing and Personal Space
Hong Kongers queue up (line up) very orderly for everything – from the MTR to bus stops to ordering food. Jumping a queue or pushing can offend people. Just join the line and wait your turn calmly.
Hong Kongers are used to fairly tight queues, so bumping into people on crowded streets rarely requires apologies.
Escalator etiquette: In Hong Kong, the rule (inherited from British customs) is “stand on the right, walk on the left” on escalators. You’ll notice locals diligently staying to the right so others can pass on the left. Our group made a game of reminding each other of this to blend in.
Smoking
Hong Kong has a smoking ban in almost all indoor public places and even some outdoor areas. There are designated smoking spots. If you smoke, ask where it’s okay. Otherwise, you could get fined (or at least stern looks).
Charging & Plugs
The classic traveler’s question: Will my chargers work? Hong Kong’s electrical system is as follows:
Voltage: 220V, 50Hz. If you’re coming from a country with 110V (like Japan, Taiwan, North America), most of your phone chargers, camera chargers, etc. are dual voltage (check the label – usually it says “100-240V”). Those will work fine, you just need a plug adapter. If you have something that’s only 110V (like some hairdryers or older electronics), you’ll need a voltage converter or better yet, don’t bring those and use the hotel’s hairdryer.
Plug Type: Hong Kong uses the British standard Type G plug. That’s the one with three large rectangular prongs. If you’re from the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, or places that use UK plugs, good news – your plugs will fit. If you’re from Mainland China, Europe, USA, Japan, etc., you’ll need an adapter. Mainland China uses a mix of two-pin or three-pin angled plugs which do not fit HK outlets. Similarly, Taiwan/Japan/US two flat pins won’t fit either. Bring a travel adapter that converts your plug shape to Type G.
I brought a couple of universal adapters. Our Disney hotel room also had one multi-plug adapter available on request. Many Hong Kong hotels actually have multi-format outlets or USB charging ports nowadays. In my Kowloon hotel, there were USB ports by the bed so I could plug my cable directly.
One more plug tip: In Hong Kong, wall outlets often have an on/off switch next to the socket (a British thing). So if you plug in your charger but it’s not charging, check that the outlet switch is flipped “on” (usually marked with a little red indicator). I tripped up on this a couple times, wondering why my phone wasn’t charging – oops, the outlet was off!
Power banks: A small power bank can save you – between taking photos, navigating, and maybe streaming a live parade video, you can burn through battery. My trick: use the phone in moderation (take breaks from screen time to just enjoy the park!) and close the app when not needed to save battery.
Internet & Data
Staying connected in Hong Kong is easy. The city is highly wired (or rather, wireless!).
Free WiFi: You’ll find free Wi-Fi in many public places. The airport, MTR stations, most museums, and libraries have it. Even on some buses! Cafes like Starbucks or McDonald’s offer free WiFi too. The theme park (Disneyland) also has free WiFi available at certain hotspots (though when crowds are large, network can slow down).
However, to have reliable internet everywhere, I recommend either getting a local SIM card or eSIM or using roaming plans.
SIM Cards: Tourist SIMs for Hong Kong can be bought at the airport, 7-Eleven, Circle K, or phone shops. Major providers are CSL, SmarTone, China Mobile HK, etc. They often sell a 5-day or 8-day tourist SIM with unlimited data for around HK$100-150. Or get your SIM cards online so that you can get connected once you landed!
- Recommended: Octopus Card – HKD150 Preloaded + Hong Kong 4G SIM Card (8 days) for HK$222.
- Recommended: Hong Kong Local 30 Days with 80GB for HK$58.
- HK 7 Days unlimited data + 200 HK Local Mins + 1GB Mainland China and Macau data for HK$68.
eSIM: If your phone supports eSIM, you can purchase an eSIM online (via Klook or Airalo, etc.) before your trip. I tried a Mainland China/Hong Kong/Macau eSIM from Klook and it activated via a QR code, super convenient. No physical card needed and I could still keep my home SIM for texts if needed.
- 5G Hong Kong Data eSIM starting at HK$5.95 per day
- 5G Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau Data eSIM starting at HK$5 per day
From my experience, 5GB 4G data is more than enough for Google Maps and Instagramming my Disney selfies. Just make sure your phone is unlocked. Popping the SIM in was plug-and-play.
Roaming: Depending on your home carrier, you might have affordable roaming plans for Hong Kong. For example, I know some Asian carriers treat Hong Kong as domestic or have cheap daily roaming packs. Check before you go – it might be as simple as turning on roaming. Travelers from Mainland China often have Hong Kong included in special packages now, given the frequent travel.
Apps & Online Access: The great thing – the internet is open and unrestricted in Hong Kong! Unlike Mainland China, sites like Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube are not blocked. No VPN needed. So you can rely on Google for searches, Gmail, etc., without worry in HK.
Unique Visitor Behaviors at Hong Kong Disneyland
Spending a day at Hong Kong Disneyland feels familiar if you’ve been to other Disney parks, but there are definitely local quirks and behaviors that make the experience distinct. These aren’t just interesting observations—they’re useful to know so you can blend in better and plan smarter.
Duffy and Friends Obsession
Duffy the Disney Bear isn’t just popular here—he’s a phenomenon. In Hong Kong, you’ll see entire families wearing Duffy ears, bags, outfits, and carrying multiple plush toys. While Duffy merch exists in Tokyo and Shanghai too, Hong Kong visitors go all-in, especially for ShellieMay, Gelatoni, StellaLou, and LinaBell.
I’ve witnessed 140-minute wait times just to meet LinaBell – longer than any ride in the park. It’s wild to see guests prioritizing character meet-and-greets over attractions like Frozen Ever After, which typically has much shorter waits.
Tip: Merch can sell out fast, especially limited editions. Some fans line up at park opening just to buy the latest Duffy plush or seasonal outfit. If you want something specific, go early.
Merchandise Before Rides
The collecting mentality here is unlike anything I’ve seen at other Disney parks. Guests don’t just buy one souvenir – they’re building complete collections of Duffy and Friends merchandise.
It’s common to see people beeline to gift shops first to grab exclusive items before they sell out. Especially during seasonal events (like Halloween or Chinese New Year), resellers and hardcore collectors shop early.
Do your souvenir shopping early if you’re eyeing something specific—and expect merch queues during major launches.
Read: 12 Tips for Hong Kong Disneyland: What You Need to Know Before You Go
Photo Culture is Huge
Guests in Hong Kong Disneyland take a LOT of posed photos. Think mini photoshoots in front of castle gates, flower beds, and statues. It’s normal to see couples or groups spending 10+ minutes getting the perfect shot. Many bring tripods, reflectors, and outfit changes.
If you’re hoping for clean photos, arrive early and beat the photo crowd. Also, bring cute accessories—many people coordinate outfits for matching couple/group photos.
Less “Cosplay,” More Disneybound
Hardcore cosplay is rare outside of Halloween, but you’ll see plenty of guests wearing themed clothing or Disney-inspired outfits, often subtly matching characters (Disneybounding). Matching couple shirts or family outfits are very popular—especially among young women and mother-daughter pairs.
Spot Holding
Locals are very disciplined about holding spots for parades and “fireworks. You’ll see mats laid out and people waiting up to 90 minutes in advance for prime viewing. Sometimes one person holds a large space for friends or family to join later.
Tip: Bring a foldable mat or compact picnic blanket if you plan to watch from the front rows.
Multi-Generational Family Experiences
The family dynamics are noticeably different too. I regularly see three generations visiting together – grandparents, parents, and children all experiencing the park as one unit. This influences everything from ride choices to dining preferences. Families often spend significantly more time at character meet-and-greets and photo opportunities compared to Western Disney parks where the focus tends to be more on attractions.
Important Apps to Download Before Your Trip
Here are essential apps I used in Hong Kong:
- Hong Kong Disneyland App: Absolutely necessary for your Disney day. Contains map, showtimes, wait times, character meet schedules, and lets you buy Premier Access or make restaurant bookings. It also had cute filters for photos. Make sure to update it to the latest version when you go.
- MTR Mobile / Citymapper / Google Maps: For navigating Hong Kong’s public transport, MTR Mobile app has route planners and updates. Citymapper Hong Kong is also brilliant – it combines MTR, bus, walking directions with real-time schedules. I mainly used Google Maps, which works perfectly in HK (search locations in English or Chinese). Google Maps gave accurate transit directions and even indicated which MTR car to board for the closest exit.
- Octopus App: If you get an Octopus card, the app is optional but useful. With newer Octopus cards or if your phone supports NFC, you can tap your card to your phone to check balance and top-up using a credit card. I linked mine to add value via Visa instead of finding a 7-Eleven. Alternatively, you can now also use a Virtual Octopus in Apple Wallet if you have an iPhone – I added an Octopus to my Apple Pay and could just tap my phone to buses and MTR gates. This was so convenient and I could recharge it in-app with my foreign credit card.
- Google Translate: For language assistance. Google Translate with offline Cantonese pack was handy for reading some local menus and signs.
- Klook / KKday / Trip.com: If you plan to book attractions (like Peak Tram, Ngong Ping cable car, ferry tickets, etc.) or restaurants via deals, these apps are great. I used Klook to book Disneyland tickets and a dinner cruise. Having the app let me pull up vouchers quickly. They also sometimes have app-exclusive coupons.
- Communication Apps: Hong Kong folks commonly use WhatsApp for messaging. If you need to call or text local numbers (say, a tour guide or hotel), WhatsApp is useful. WeChat is also used especially with Mainland friends or businesses.
- Dining & Misc: If you plan to venture into the city’s food scene: OpenRice is the Yelp of Hong Kong – great for finding restaurant reviews, though mainly in Chinese (the app has English UI though). Uber app if you intend to use ride-share. HK Taxi app is another for calling cabs. For navigation in malls (HK malls can be massive), there’s an app “HK Mall” or just use Google.
All these apps made my trip super smooth – highly recommend setting them up with any needed logins before you land in Hong Kong. Data is precious when you land, so best to have offline maps downloaded, etc., in advance.
Final Thoughts
Hong Kong is one of the most visitor-friendly cities in Asia, and when paired with the charm of Hong Kong Disneyland, it becomes a destination that’s both magical and practical. Whether you’re here for a once-in-a-lifetime Disney trip, a quick weekend escape, or part of a longer Asia adventure, knowing these local habits, cultural tips, and real-world logistics makes a huge difference.
With just a bit of prep, you’ll blend right in—navigating like a local, shopping like a pro, and soaking up the magic every step of the way. Safe travels and see you in Arendelle!
