Jewish Heritage of Hong Kong

Explore Hong Kong’s Jewish Heritage: Book a Private Tour and add these elements to your day

Hong Kong’s Jewish heritage is a captivating aspect of the city’s multicultural history. Despite a relatively small Jewish population of around 4,000 individuals residing in the city, their influence has been momentous. Our specialist Jewish guide to delve into this remarkable heritage.

Jewish Traders in Hong Kong

In the mid-1800s, Jewish traders were among the pioneering foreign merchants to establish businesses in Hong Kong, Macau, and Canton, taking advantage of China’s opening to international trade. Their involvement played a pivotal role in the development of Hong Kong’s economy, positioning the city as a vital trading hub in the region.

Ohel Leah Synagogue

One of Hong Kong’s most significant Jewish heritage sites is the Ohel Leah Synagogue located in Midlevels. Constructed in 1902, the synagogue bears the name of Leah Sassoon, an esteemed member of Hong Kong’s Jewish community. With its striking blue and white façade and intricate interior, the synagogue stands as a testament to the community’s history and devotion.

Jewish Cemetery in Happy Valley

The Jewish Cemetery in Happy Valley serves as a poignant Jewish heritage site. It serves as the final resting place for numerous members of Hong Kong’s Jewish community, including the influential Sassoon family, who played a pivotal role in the city’s economic development. This serene and contemplative location provides an opportunity for visitors to pay their respects and delve into the history of the Jewish community in Hong Kong.

Peninsula Hotel and Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui

The Peninsula Hotel and Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui also hold great significance as Jewish heritage sites. Constructed in 1928 by the philanthropic and entrepreneurial Kadoorie family, the Peninsula Hotel showcases stunning colonial-era architecture and has welcomed numerous renowned guests throughout the years. Nathan Road, the thoroughfare that runs through the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, was named after Sir Matthew Nathan, a Jewish governor of Hong Kong in the early 1900s.

Diverse Roots of Hong Kong’s Jewish Population

Approximately half of Hong Kong’s Jewish population hails from overseas, representing countries such as the US, UK, France, Australia, South Africa, Israel, and Canada. This diversity contributes to the richness of Hong Kong’s Jewish heritage, underscoring the city’s role as a global center for trade, culture, and innovation.

Book a Customisable Tour

Embark on a journey to explore Hong Kong’s Jewish heritage, unravel the history and culture of the Jewish community, and gain a deeper understanding of the city’s global significance. Our customisable tours offer an immersive experience, inviting you to book a tour with us and discover all that this vibrant and dynamic city has to offer. Book a longer full-day car tour of Hong Kong and Kowloon and include the Jewish Heritage elements to your trip.

Lunar New Year Group Tour – Mong Kok Street Market Edition

Discover the Magic of Hong Kong Lunar New Year Tour – Mong Kok Street Market Edition

Embark on a cultural journey with our upcoming Lunar New Year tour in the vibrant heart of Hong Kong. Join us on:

20 January 2024 (Saturday)
28 January 2024 (Sunday)

Tour Highlights:

Price: HKD$ 398
Group Size: 3-10
Transportation: Leisurely walking
Meeting Point: Mong Kok MTR Station Exit C4
End Point: Flower Market, Prince Edward
Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm (2 – 2.5 hours)

Inclusions:

Expertly led by a licensed guide and the owner of @explore_hongkong.
Indulge in the flavors of the Lunar New Year with a variety of snacks.
Hosted in English.

About:

Gain insights into the Lunar New Year traditions with Angel from @Explore_hongkong, a renowned Hong Kong travel influencer with a dedicated following of 128K. Angel will take you to the spots her family frequents to prepare for the Lunar New Year, providing a comprehensive guide on how locals celebrate. Ask her all the “whys” about the Lunar New Year and become an expert on the subject. Let’s Explore Hong Kong like a local!

Tour Itinerary:

Mong Kok Market: Immerse yourself in a local fresh market, your one-stop-shop for the Chinese Reunion Dinner essentials.
Timeline of Local Traditions: Discover the complete process of local Lunar New Year preparations.
Guide to Lunar New Year Flowers and Snacks: Uncover the significance and variety of Lunar New Year flowers and snacks.
Dim Sum Delight: Visit @explore_hongkong’s favorite Dim Sum restaurant in Mong Kok.
Lunar New Year Greetings: Learn the top 5 greetings to increase your Lai See (red envelope) haul in the Year of the Dragon.
DOs and DON’Ts: Ensure good fortune in the Lunar New Year with a guide on customs and traditions.

Explore_Hong Kong Lunar New Year Preparation Tour

Discover the Essence of Lunar New Year in Hong Kong!

Inclusions

Embark on a guided journey through the heart of Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year preparations with Angel, the passionate owner of @explore_hongkong. As a licensed guide, she shares her family traditions and insights with her 128K devoted followers. This immersive experience includes:

Dim Sum Delight: Indulge in a dim sum break at a charming old tea house, savoring traditional dim sums and sampling diverse New Year snacks along the way.
Insider’s Knowledge: Learn the ropes of Lunar New Year preparations from a local perspective. Angel will guide you to the places her family frequents for their New Year essentials, making this a comprehensive journey into the heart of local customs.
Lai See Etiquette: Unravel the mysteries of giving and receiving Lai See. Discover the significance of the practice and gain valuable insights on how much to give and to whom.
Q&A with Angel: Have all your Lunar New Year curiosities answered by Angel. From the “WHYs” behind various traditions to becoming a Lunar New Year expert, this tour promises a wealth of knowledge.

Highlights of the Tour

Explore key landmarks and experiences that make this Lunar New Year tour unforgettable:

1. Dried Seafood Market: Delve into the world of Chinese reunion dinner ingredients, exploring the symbolism behind the most expensive components.

2. Chinese Temple Visit: Understand the cultural significance of locals visiting a temple before Lunar New Year, gaining insights into age-old traditions.

3. Lunar New Year Market: Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of one of Hong Kong Island’s busiest markets. Learn the art of selecting the best decorations and snacks for a festive celebration.

4. Lai See Mastery: Receive expert guidance on the art of giving and receiving Lai See. Learn the top 5 Chinese New Year greetings to enhance your interactions.

5. DOs and DON’Ts Guide: Ensure good fortune in the New Year by understanding the cultural do’s and don’ts. Angel’s expertise guarantees a seamless and auspicious celebration.

Logistics

Dates: Sunday 14th January, Sunday 21st January & Saturday 27th January
Price: HKD $680
Language: English
Duration: 4 hours (dim sum lunch included)
Meeting Point: Sai Ying Pun MTR Station Exit A1
End Point: Wan Chai Market
Transportation: Public transportation (Please prepare your Octopus Card)

Join us on this enlightening adventure as we Explore Hong Kong like true locals, immersing ourselves in the rich tapestry of Lunar New Year traditions!

Night Tour of Hong Kong

Want to wake up in the city that never sleeps? You’ve come to the right place! In our humble opinion, Hong Kong really comes alive after 6pm – and with this fully customisable night tour, we’ll show you exactly what makes this city quite so special after-hours.

Hong Kong is home to one of the world’s most iconic skylines – and trust us, it only gets better after darkness falls! Our exhilarating night tour delivers a thrilling mix of mesmerising sights and incredible experiences on both sides of the harbour, with highlights including:

A chance to soak up the city’s glittering skyline on the Star Ferry
Watch the spectacular Symphony Of Lights show
A visit to buzzing Ladies’ Market, with bargain opportunities galore
Curse your enemies in Causeway Bay or have your fortune told in Temple Street
Have a flutter on a horse race at Happy Valley Racecourse (Wednesday only)
Enjoy a tipple at an exclusive rooftop bar or eat at a delicious novelty cafe
Absorb the atmosphere whilst travelling along the longest outdoor escalator
Relax with a cosy foot massage
Feast on freshly-made local eats at an outdoor cooked food market

As your go-to friend in Hong Kong, our qualified guides aka “Greeters” are passionate about Hong Kong and its culture, and are delighted to share their knowledge with our guests. Please note that all food and drink, alongside additional costs like foot massages or admission to Happy Valley Racecourse, are at the visitors’ own expense.

If you thought New York was the city that never sleeps, you ain’t seen nothing yet! This fully customisable private tour offers guests the chance to explore Hong Kong by night; get ready for a veritable feast for the senses, where you can immerse yourself in some of the city’s most iconic sights and mesmerising experiences – essentially, the best kind of night on the town, done in quintessential Hong Kong style.

Whilst your exact itinerary is up to you, top of our must-do list is seeing Hong Kong’s unforgettable skyline after darkness falls, where the city’s dizzying array of towering skyscrapers and neon lights are set to dazzle. We’ll take a night trip on the classic Star Ferry so you can soak up this glittering view from the water, before catching the spectacular Symphony Of Lights show once we’ve crossed the harbour to Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade… and make sure you have your cameras ready, as this is one magical cityscape shot you won’t want to miss!

This tour is totally tailor-made to your preferences, so simply let us know how you’d best like to spend your evening. Whether it’s haggling for bargains at Mong Kok’s lively Ladies’ Market, having a flutter on a horse race at Happy Valley Racecourse or visiting the fortune tellers to see what the universe has in-store for you (and even putting a curse on your enemies!), we can make it happen.

We’ll ensure you’re fuelled up for the night’s fun with feasting galore – whether it’s savouring street food aplenty as we enjoy a leisurely stroll around the neighbourhood, chilling out with late-night snacks like French toast, pineapple buns and milk tea at a local cha chaan teng café, or settling down to a raucous meal of freshly-made Cantonese delicacies at an outdoor cooked food market.

And what better way to finish the night than by putting your feet up (literally!) with a relaxing foot massage, or enjoying a tipple or two at an exclusive rooftop bar to drink in more of those sensational views?

Whatever you decide, we’re certain that this is one evening adventure you’ll never forget – so buckle up, because it’s going to be a brilliant night!

Lantau Island Full Day Tour

Lantau Island is known as Hong Kong’s green lung, and you can imagine stepping back in time 50 years when you visit. Most of this stunning island is untouched and can only be accessed by public transport. I will navigate you seamlessly through the highlights in this 8 hour private tour. Highlights include, a private car transfer from your accommodation to the cable-car, skip the line access at the cable-car (I am a licensed guide and so you will avoid the long lines), the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery and Tai O fishing village.

I will help you to understand the meanings of the stories that make this place so special, and how the teachings weave their way into Chinese culture and society on this experience. We will arrive by cable-car via skip-the-line access and enjoy the stunning and dramatic landscapes of Lantau on the 24-minute panoramic ride. Once we arrive to the top of the mountain, we will continue by foot to explore all corners of this uniquely different part of Hong Kong. Many times travellers visit this area as a first introduction to Buddhism, let me open it up for you! There are many things to see, but not that easy understand, such as Buddha’s story, a visit to the memory palace connected to the Big Buddha statue, and the word “emptiness” in relation to the faith – perhaps the most misunderstood word in Buddhism. I can also show you a hidden place where you will be able to “speak” directly to the Buddha. These are the things that you will not learn from a guide book.

This is an in-depth look at Tai O village. This is a must-see for anyone interested in visiting the real Hong Kong. This relaxing village is one of the best preserved places on Lantau Island, indeed the whole of Hong Kong, largely owing to the efforts of the local community… and a place to just really slow down. Situated at the end of the Pearl River Delta, where it meets the South China Sea, its history and culture are intrinsically linked to its geographical location. We will take a small boat ride to view the stilted houses for a close up look at how people live in this small enclave. There is a chance to view the Hong Kong- Macau – Zhuhai bridge from the open estuary and maybe a pink dolphin or two. Then we will visit the Tai O Heritage hotel, a former colonial police station which was converted in 2013. This has a story all on its own. Finally, we will wander through the market streets, say hello to the villagers who live there, and see all the home-made produce (much of which is linked to the preservation of fish).

Read more on this unique corner of Hong Kong on our blog – Tian Tan Buddha

Peak to Piers Tour

What is the best way to experience Hong Kong?

Experience an authentic Hong Kong tour with one of it’s top-rated private guide
companies. Immerse yourself in the real essence of Hong Kong, away from the tourist traps. Whether you’re traveling solo or with a companion, our tailored tours ensure you discover the city’s untold stories. Delve into the island’s rich history, master public transportation, savour local cuisine, and navigate a bustling metropolis teeming with 7.2 million inhabitants. From must-see attractions to hidden neighborhood treasures, we’ll unveil the best of this magnificent city, allowing you to truly embrace its charm. If you prefer, we can venture off the beaten path, exploring the lesser-known streets that define Hong Kong’s pulse. Choose how long you wish or have time for, and let us create an unforgettable journey just for you.

See our full table of prices and availability calendar here.

Cultural

Experience the vibrant allure of Hong Kong with our active itinerary. Enjoy “skip-the-line” access to Victoria Peak, and bring along kids below 16 years for free. Our adventure begins with a classic Star Ferry ride across Victoria Harbour, setting the stage for exploration of local neighborhoods and the unveiling of their hidden gems. Prepare to be enthralled as we share the untold stories behind Hong Kong’s famous skyscrapers and heritage buildings. Ascend to the Peak via the iconic Peak tram, operational since 1888, and bypass the queues with us. Immerse yourself in the grandeur and historical significance of the Peak district and Hong Kong. Traverse the city on the charming “ding-ding” tram, immersing yourself in the lively street markets that embody the local spirit. Indulge in a culinary delight at one of the best local dim sum restaurants, savoring the iconic Cantonese cuisine that is a must-try in Hong Kong. Conclude the journey with a ride on the world’s longest outdoor covered escalator, and uncover the secrets of the Man Mo Temple, the majestic Wong Tai Sin Temple in Kowloon or the stunning Chi Lin Nunnery.

Immersive

Immerse in the essence of real Hong Kong on our walking tour. Discover the city’s sights, smells, and tastes while delving into its history and culture. Indulge in incredible street food experiences, from pineapple buns to egg tarts and dim sum to char siu. Join us for an unforgettable culinary adventure in Hong Kong!

Embark on our private walking tour of Hong Kong and embrace its efficient public transport system. Experience the MTR, buses, and ferries that seamlessly connect the city. Witness Hong Kong up close and personal, gaining a true understanding of its offerings. Our family-friendly tours cater to all ages, providing strollers for young children and tailoring the itinerary to your preferences. Explore the city with ease and comfort on this unforgettable journey.

Join us for a customised walking tour with Hong Kong Greeters and uncover the best of both worlds. While we embrace beloved tourist spots like Victoria Peak and the Star Ferry, we’re also dedicated to revealing the hidden side that eludes typical tourists. With your new local friend, explore breathtaking skyline views, wander through fascinating historical lanes, indulge in street food delights, immerse in vibrant markets, admire scenic water views, and delve into cultural treasures at enchanting temples. Experience the authentic essence of Hong Kong like never before on this unforgettable journey.

Jewish Heritage

A popular option is to add some of the Jewish elements of Hong Kong’s history to your trip, these include the Ohel Leah Synagogue and the Jewish Cemetery in Happy Valley. Take a look at our Jewish Heritage tour page for more information.

Private Transportation

Whilst we love showing you Hong Kong on foot, we do have the option of private car transportation in a premium vehicle with space for up to six passengers. Take a look at our Car Tour page for some alternative options.

Transportation
Public transport

Meeting point options
Hotel, airport, cruise port

Inclusions
Private guiding service, exclusive access

Exclusions
Public transportation, food and drink

Hosted in (languages)
English, Spanish, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Chinese

Best for / tour type
Best for couples, best for families, best for business travellers, best for cultural experience

Tour Code: CHISP2P