Central, Hong Kong 🇭🇰
#1737
22.28299, 114.15846
Nomad Score:
63%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Central is the business hub of Hong Kong, known for its skyline, shopping, and vibrant nightlife. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 200,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 120 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 HKD ≈ 0.13 USD; various banks like HSBC and Standard Chartered are widely accepted. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable, but bottled water is commonly consumed. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Smartone, 3 Hong Kong, and China Mobile offering competitive prepaid plans. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | HSBC, Citibank, and Standard Chartered are popular among expats. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include serviced apartments and hotels like The Mandarin Oriental and Airbnb listings. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, mobile payments through Alipay and WeChat Pay are prevalent. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local property managers like Ovolo offer various options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | The Sheung Wan area has hostels like Wanderlust or the Hong Kong Youth Hostel. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork and The Hive are popular coworking spaces in Central. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Coffee Academics is known for its conducive work environment. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Frequent meetups organized by Hong Kong Tech Meetup and Eventbrite. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Hong Kong Expat Facebook groups host regular events for networking. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber operates in Central, with local taxis available widely. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Hong Kong has limited bike rental, but 'Klook' offers some scooter rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Repulse Bay Beach is approximately 30 minutes away by taxi. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Cathay Pacific is the leading regional airline. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines are major carriers. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Central is well-connected with the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and the Eastern Harbour Crossing. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Hong Kong Station is the main MTR hub in Central. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Octopus Card can be used for public transport and reflects convenience. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and ferries provide access to nearby islands like Lantau and Lamma. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Queen Mary Hospital is a renowned healthcare facility in the area. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Pure Yoga offers a range of classes for wellness. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First and Anytime Fitness have multiple locations in Central. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavender Laundry offers convenient service in Central. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and Foodpanda are popular for food delivery in Central. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Dim Sum is a must-try, with local favorites like Tim Ho Wan. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Grassroot Pantry offers an extensive vegan menu. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Australia Dairy Company is famous for its HK-style desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Central Market for local cheap eats and delicacies. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | HKTVmall is a popular local e-commerce platform. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Deliveroo and Foodpanda offer grocery delivery options as well. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Soho area is well-known for its nightlife with bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Young Master Brewery offers localized craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Flying Winemaker provides a great selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Temple Street Night Market offers an array of local street food. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Din Tai Fung for Taiwanese dumplings. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Victoria Peak and the Central-Mid-Levels escalators are iconic. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Hong Kong Museum of Art features various exhibitions. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Man Mo Temple is a significant historical landmark. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. John's Cathedral is a prominent church. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Hong Kong Arts Festival is held annually in February. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | PMQ is a cultural and creative hub for local artisans. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Hong Kong Cultural Centre offers a range of performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Cat Street is famous for antiques and collectibles. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music venues like The Wanch provide local music scenes. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Sheung Wan has various street art murals worth exploring. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Hong Kong Culinary Academy offers classes for local dishes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Gagosian Gallery showcases contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Central's Man Mo Temple is a well-preserved heritage site. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Lion Rock symbolizes the spirit of Hong Kong. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Hong Kong Park offers a respite from the urban environment. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Tai Mo Shan Country Park is a short drive away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Central and Western District Promenade provides beautiful waterfront views. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Victoria Peak offers breathtaking views of the city skyline. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Fishponds in the New Territories are ideal for birdwatchers. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated BBQ areas in beaches like Tai Long Wan. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and FedEx have multiple service locations in Central. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Tech Repair services like iRepair can help with device issues. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Sports centers in Central have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | InLingua provides language courses for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Hong Kong Central Library is a great resource for reading or studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims offers various programs. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Various gaming cafes are located around Mong Kok, a short MTR ride away. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Venetian Macao is a popular casino, although it requires a ferry ride. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. HKD 20,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = HKD 800,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. HKD 15,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = HKD 600,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. HKD 25,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = HKD 1,500,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. HKD 18,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = HKD 1,080,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. HKD 30,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = HKD 2,400,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. HKD 22,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = HKD 1,760,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Standard corporate tax rate is 16.5% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Dividend distributions are not subject to withholding tax. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Territorial basis for income tax; only local income is taxed. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 17% |
| 🧾 VAT | No value-added tax (VAT) in Hong Kong. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No CFC rules exist in Hong Kong. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Property tax is levied at a standard rate of 15%. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Stamp Duty applies at rates from 1.5% to 4.25%. |