Kowloon, Hong Kong 🇭🇰
#1243
,
Nomad Score:
61%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Kowloon is a bustling urban area known for its vibrant street markets and stunning skyline views. |
| 👥 Population | over 2.1 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | approximately 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 HKD ≈ 0.13 USD, widely accepted credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable but bottled water is commonly preferred. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Available from providers like China Mobile, 3 Hong Kong, and SmarTone. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | HSBC, Citibank, and Standard Chartered, with services catering to expats. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options from Airbnb to serviced apartmentsare widely available. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, mobile payments like Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and other platforms offer numerous short-term rental options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels such as YHA Mei Ho House offer affordable lodging. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Tsim Sha Tsui is popular for proximity to major attractions. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui are recommended for their amenities and transport links. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork (Tamar Park) offers excellent amenities for remote work. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Coffee Academics is known for its work-friendly atmosphere. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meet Hong Kong hosts regular networking events for digital nomads. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Hong Kong Expat Community Facebook Group organizes meetups and events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and local taxi services are readily available. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Cycle Hong Kong offers bike rentals in select areas. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Repulse Bay Beach is accessible within 30 minutes via MTR. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Cathay Pacific operates extensive regional routes. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Emirates and Singapore Airlines offer major international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major expressways like the Tsing Ma Bridge facilitates quick access into the city. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Kowloon Station is a key transit point. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Octopus Card provides convenient access to all public transport. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | MTR and buses connect Kowloon to other parts of Hong Kong and nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Queen Elizabeth Hospital is the primary public healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Pure Yoga in Tsim Sha Tsui offers various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Anytime Fitness has locations throughout Kowloon. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats like LaundryMart provide self-service washing facilities. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Foodpanda and Deliveroo are popular for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Dim Sum is a must-try local dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Loving Hut offers a variety of vegan dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Mammy Pancake is famous for its egg waffles. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mong Kok has numerous affordable street food stalls and local markets. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | HKTVmall is a popular local online shopping platform. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Honestbee offers grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Lan Kwai Fong is renowned for its nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Hong Kong Beer Company offers local brewery tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Vinoteca offers a curated selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Temple Street Night Market is famous for its street food. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pizza Express has a range of international cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Victoria Harbour offers stunning views and is a landmark attraction. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Hong Kong Museum of History is a must-visit for cultural insights. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Wong Tai Sin Temple is an iconic historical site. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Chi Lin Nunnery is a serene religious site to visit. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Hong Kong Arts Festival occurs each March. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Kowloon Walled City Park is a unique cultural site. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Kowloon City Hall hosts various cultural performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Ladies' Market is a vibrant area for shopping. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music venues like The Wanch offer diverse performances. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Explore the street art in Yau Ma Tei area. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Mixing Bowl offers local cooking classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Pearl Lam Galleries showcases contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The old Kowloon Walled City is a historical landmark worth exploring. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Kowloon reflects a rich heritage and historical significance. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Lion Rock Country Park is a great escape for hiking. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Sai Kung East Country Park is accessible within an hour. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade offers scenic walking views. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Peak provides breathtaking panoramic views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Mai Po Nature Reserve is a wildlife hotspot. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Some designated BBQ areas in Tai Po are available to the public. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and FedEx offer reliable courier services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Apple Authorised Service Providers are available in Kowloon. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers often have table tennis facilities available. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Hong Kong Language School provides various language classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Hong Kong Central Library in Causeway Bay is a prime study spot. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Kowloon City District Community Centre offers cultural programs. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | NetEase Gaming Lounge offers a good space for gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Casino at The Venetian in Macau is a popular destination for entertainment. |
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 | 16.5% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | No withholding tax on dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Territorial basis; only income sourced in Hong Kong is taxed. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 17% is the highest rate. |
| 🧾 VAT | No VAT or GST. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No CFC rules applicable. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Based on the rental value of properties. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 5% for properties under HKD 2,000,000, sliding scale thereafter. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No tax on foreign-sourced income makes Hong Kong appealing for nomads. |