Essentials
- City
- Discovery Bay (DB), Lantau Island, Hong Kong SAR
- Population
- Approximately 20,000
- Internet Speed
- Stable fiber optics; average 100-1000 Mbps (PCCW/Netvigator)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 7.82 HKD; HKD is pegged to USD. Major banks like HSBC and Standard Chartered are in the DB Plaza.
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink, though most residents use filters or boil due to aging pipe sediment.
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British style) sockets.
- SIM Card
- CSL, SmarTone, or Birdie (eSIM available). Monthly plans approx. 150-300 HKD.
- Banking for Expats
- HSBC (DB Plaza) is most common; Revolut and Wise work seamlessly for spending.
- Accommodation
- High-end residential; mostly long-term leases (1-2 years) via agents like Savills or DB Homes.
- Cashless Friendly
- Extremely; Octopus cards, AliPay, WeChat Pay, and Credit Cards accepted everywhere.
- Short Term Rentals
- Very limited due to strict HK regulations; a few Airbnb listings (approx. 1,200 HKD/night) or Auberge Hotel.
- Budget Accommodation
- Silvermine Beach Resort in Mui Wo (nearby) is cheaper (approx. 700 HKD/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- DB Plaza/North Plaza area for proximity to ferries and restaurants.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Headland Village or Siena for quiet, spacious environments with sea views.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Hive (Lantau) in nearby Mui Wo or Banyan Workspace (Quarry Bay, 40 mins via ferry/MTR).
- Best Cafe for Work
- Figo's in North Plaza; quiet atmosphere with reliable WiFi and outdoor seating.
- Networking Events
- DB Business Network meetups typically held at Hemingway’s by the Bay.
- Social Events for Expats
- DB Moms or Discovery Bay Expats Facebook Groups; Friday night drinks at DB Plaza.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (only accessible via tunnels to North Plaza); Hire cars/Vans (Red taxis cannot enter DB residential areas).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bikes are common but rentals are rare; residents usually buy second-hand (approx. 500-1,000 HKD).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Tai Pak Beach (right next to the DB Plaza).
- Top Regional Airline
- Cathay Pacific (HK Express for budget regional).
- Top International Airline
- Cathay Pacific (Hub at HKG, 20 mins away by DB03R bus).
- Highway Access
- Private cars are banned in DB; access via DB Tunnel for buses and registered hire cars.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Sunny Bay MTR Station (accessible via DB03R/DB03P buses).
- Public Transport Passes
- Octopus Card is mandatory. Ferry to Central costs 46 HKD (adult).
- Regional Travel
- High-speed ferry to Central (25 mins); DB01R bus to Tung Chung (20 mins).
Business
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 120,000 HKD per m² (e.g., 75 m² = 9,000,000 HKD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 90,000 HKD per m² (e.g., 75 m² = 6,750,000 HKD).
- Corporate Tax
- Two-tier system: 8.25% on first 2M HKD profit, 16.5% thereafter.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0%
- Tax System
- Territorial basis (only income sourced in HK is taxed).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 15% (Standard rate) or 17% (Progressive rate).
- VAT
- 0% (No VAT or GST in Hong Kong).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No CFC rules.
- Property Tax
- 15% on net rateable value of the property.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp Duty (Ad Valorem), varies from 100 HKD up to 4.25% for residents; higher for non-residents.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Extremely; 0% tax on foreign-sourced income and no capital gains tax.
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 130,000 HKD per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 3,900,000 HKD).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 100,000 HKD per m² in peripheral DB villages (e.g., 30 m² = 3,000,000 HKD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 125,000 HKD per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 6,250,000 HKD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 95,000 HKD per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 4,750,000 HKD).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- North Lantau Hospital (Tung Chung) for emergencies; Quality HealthCare (DB Plaza) for GP.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Treehouse Yoga (DB North Plaza); sessions approx. 250 HKD.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- DB Recreation Club (membership required) or Fitness Quest in North Plaza.
- Laundry Services
- Vogue Laundry in DB Plaza; roughly 20 HKD per pound for wash/dry.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Foodpanda and Deliveroo both service Discovery Bay.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Dim Sum at Peony Chinese Restaurant (DB Plaza).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Hemingway's by the Bay (extensive vegan pub food menu).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pasha (Turkish desserts/Baklava) in North Plaza.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Fusion by PARKnSHOP; though prices are higher than mainland HK.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- HKTVmall (the Amazon of Hong Kong) delivers daily to DB.
- Grocery Delivery
- Fusion/PARKnSHOP app or HKTVmall.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- D'Deck (oceanfront promenade) for sundowners.
- Local Brewery
- Gweilo Beer (widely available in DB bars like The Pier).
- Wine Bars
- Zak’s offers an extensive wine list with beach views.
- Street Food Stalls
- None in DB (forbidden); Head to Tung Chung or Mui Wo for local dai pai dongs.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Solera (Spanish Tapas) and Koh Tomyums (Thai).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The White Chapel (North Plaza) – iconic wedding venue.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Handmade Hong Kong markets (monthly at DB Plaza) showcasing local artisans.
- Historical Sites
- Trappist Haven Monastery (reachable via a 1-hour hike).
- Religious Sites
- Discovery Bay Community Church.
- Annual Events
- Dragon Boat Festival races at Tai Pak Beach (June).
- Cultural Districts
- North Plaza for a modern Mediterranean-style vibe.
- Theater Venues
- DBis Primary/High School Auditoriums often host community plays.
- Local Markets
- Discovery Bay Sunday Market (once a month).
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic bands at Hemingway’s on weekends.
- Street Art
- Limited; some community murals near the local schools.
- Cooking Classes
- Mixing It Up (private home-based classes found via DB Moms groups).
- Art Galleries
- Interlude (periodic local pop-up exhibitions).
- Historic Buildings
- The area is a modern development (post-1980s), lacking historic buildings.
- Local Heritage
- Lantau Island fishing heritage (visible in nearby Tai O village).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Tiger Head (Lo Fu Tau) hike for panoramic views of the airport/city.
- National Parks Nearby
- Lantau North Country Park.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Discovery Bay Road loop and the coastal path to Mui Wo.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Lookout Point overlooking the DB Marina.
- Birdwatching Locations
- The reservoirs in the hills behind DB.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Pui O Beach (25 mins away by bus/taxi) permits beach BBQ/fires.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- SF Express (Drop off/Pick up point at DB Plaza).
- Tech Repair Services
- Small repair vendors in Tung Chung (Citygate) as DB lacks specialized tech shops.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Club Siena (Resident membership required).
- Language Classes
- HK Kidz/HK Language School in DB Plaza (Mandarin/French/English).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Public library in Mui Wo or Tung Chung; no public library inside DB.
- Community Centers
- Discovery Bay Recreation Club.
- Gaming Lounges
- None; most gaming is private or done in Central HK internet cafes.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Gambling is illegal in HK except for Horse Racing (HK Jockey Club) and Mahjong parlors.