Mong Kok, Hong Kong 🇭🇰
#1739
,
Nomad Score:
58%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Mong Kok is a vibrant and bustling district in Kowloon, known for its shopping streets, markets, and a mix of traditional and modern culture. |
| 👥 Population | approx. 130,000 inhabitants |
| 💻 Internet Speed | up to 1000 Mbps fiber-optic connections available |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 HKD ≈ 0.13 USD |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable, but many prefer bottled water |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Local providers include China Mobile, 3 Hong Kong, and CSL. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Hang Seng Bank are widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Rental platforms include 591.com.hk and Airbnb. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and serviced apartments available. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Cheapest hostels start from HKD 150 per night, e.g., Ah Shan Hostel. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Mong Kok itself is ideal with easy access to attractions. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Kowloon City with good cafes, co-working spaces, and convenience. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Hive, located on 5-6/F, 3-5A, Yiu Wa Street. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Gigi's by Tsim Sha Tsui is a favorite. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com hosts various professional and social events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Hong Kong Expats Community on Facebook is active. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Grab or Uber are popular, with MTR being the preferred daily transport. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Cycling is not common; e-scooters are available for rent in select areas. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Tamar Park Beach, approximately 30 minutes by public transport. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Cathay Pacific is the main regional carrier. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines serve multiple routes. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Easy access to Route 3 and East Kowloon Expressway. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Mong Kok MTR Station is the main transit hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Octopus Cards are available for seamless travel on MTR and buses. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Direct train links to Shenzhen and Guangzhou. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Kowloon Hospital is the main healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Pure Yoga in Central offers diverse classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Anytime Fitness and Fitness First have locations in Mong Kok. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Wash & Go offers laundry and dry cleaning services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and Food Panda are the main food delivery apps. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Dim Sum at Lin Heung Tea House, a Hong Kong classic. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Loving Hut and Veggie SF offer good alternatives. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Mango Paradise is well known for its desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Goldfish Market offers budget goods, including food. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | HKTVmall is popular for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Deliveroo and Frisco provide grocery delivery options. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Lan Kwai Fong is the hotspot for nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Hong Kong Beer Company offers locally brewed beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine & Dine offers excellent selections. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Mong Kok is famous for its street food stalls offering fish balls and egg waffles. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Indian, Italian, and Japanese restaurants are widely available. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Ladies Market and the Goldfish Market are must-visit spots. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Hong Kong Museum of History is nearby. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Old Kowloon City Wall Park provides historical insights. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Yuen Po Bird Garden and Wong Tai Sin Temple nearby. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Chinese New Year celebrations in Mong Kok are vibrant. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Mong Kok’s streets showcase local culture, especially the night markets. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Kowloon Theatre offers local performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mong Kok has several markets, including Sneaker Street. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music can be found at various bars around the area. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Mong Kok features urban street art, particularly in alleyways. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Learn street food recipes at local cooking schools. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Mong Kok Art Gallery showcases local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The two-storey historic market building at Fa Yuen Street. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Cantonese traditions are integral to Mong Kok’s identity. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Victoria Park is a short MTR ride away. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Sai Kung East Country Park is accessible via public transport. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Walking paths along Victoria Harbour offer scenic views. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Sky100 offers stunning panoramic views of Hong Kong. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Kowloon Walled City Park is a good place for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Lantau Island is known for public bonfire spots. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and SF Express provide reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iDevice Repair offers quick gadget repair. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Public parks often have tables for free play. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | English and Cantonese classes are available at various centers. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Hong Kong Central Library is great for studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Local community centers offer various activities for residents. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | eSports Ming is popular among gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | No casinos in Mong Kok, with legality primarily in Macau. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. HKD 25,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = HKD 1,000,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. HKD 20,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = HKD 800,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. HKD 22,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = HKD 1,320,000) |
| 🏠 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 25,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = HKD 2,000,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 16.5% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 0% in Hong Kong |
| 🏦 Tax System | Regional tax laws are based on territorial principles. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 17% on income above HKD 200,000 |
| 🧾 VAT | No VAT is applicable in Hong Kong. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No strict CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is 15% of assessed rental value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Tax rates range from 1.5% to 4.25% based on property value. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No foreign income tax for non-residents is quite appealing. |