Hong Kong, to me, was a surprise. It all began with the need to find a November holiday spot that wasn’t too far from India, had great weather and didn’t throw my body clock off. After going through the usual suspects, most of which we had already visited, we landed in Hong Kong. That’s when the research started, and what I found made me wonder why more Indian families don’t put this city on their list. Here’s what won me over.
The stunning Hong Kong skyline(Adobestock.com)
Before we dive in, here’s a quick snapshot of Hong Kong:
The city is split into Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, all connected by the MTR metro.
Staying near an MTR station makes sightseeing easier and keeps travel costs in check.
Google Maps helps you pick hotels closer to metro stations, so you save both time and money.
Pick up an Octopus Card for tap-and-go rides on trains, buses and even small purchases.
Public transport is fast, clean and family-friendly, so getting around is part of the fun.
1. Transport that makes you smile
Hong Kong is planned in a way that takes the stress out of moving around. Every metro stop has English signage, the apps are all in English, and the Octopus Card is a lifesaver. Buy it online before you land and collect it at the airport with 50 HKD already loaded in. You can use it on the metro, buses, attractions, eateries and even souvenir shops. Lose the card and you can reload a new one at any 7/11, which you will find at nearly every corner. My tip is to pick a hotel near a metro stop. I chose Tsim Sha Tsui for the boulevard walks, late-night McDonald’s burgers and the family-friendly vibe.
The Octopus Card is the one swipe solution to navigating public transport in Hong Kong.(Hindustan Times)
2. Disneyland without the shock to your wallet
Theme parks are often a budget-buster, but not here. The ticket for Hong Kong Disneyland was priced close to what I paid for an amusement park back in Bangalore. We skipped the fast track pass, went on a weekday and managed every ride without queues. Spend the whole day, take snack breaks and don’t miss the small Indian counter inside that serves a proper thali. Carry protein bars for kids since most other meals inside can feel heavy on the stomach and the pocket.
English signages everywhere make travel in Hong Kong very easy.(Hindustan Times)
3. Ocean Park is the real hidden gem
If Disneyland takes the spotlight, Ocean Park is the one families almost forget to plan for. From pandas and aquariums to roller coasters and dolphin shows, it’s the kind of mix that keeps both kids and adults hooked. There’s even a water park attached if you want to make a splash. We ended up spending an entire day here and came out pleasantly exhausted.
Eating in Hong Kong can be more fun than sightseeing!(Hindustan Times)
4. Indian approved food when you crave it most
Food was the biggest surprise in Hong Kong. It’s not just about what you eat; it’s about how much easier it makes family travel when kids and adults can both find comfort meals.
Breakfast in Tsim Sha Tsui Bolton Cafe became my favourite start to the day. Order the set meal of tomato cheese sandwich with iced milk tea and add a pineapple bun with butter. That bun alone is worth waking up for.
Vegetarian dim sums at Veggie Kingdom This was a Tsim Sha Tsui gem. A full vegetarian-only dim sum service with mock meat and Hong Kong-style flavours that felt like it was made for Indian travellers. Go in the afternoon to get the best selection.
Papa Gomes 1 for ghar ka khana Climbing the endless mid-level escalators is an experience on its own, but the reward is a cosy thali that tasted better than many I’ve had back home. Fresh naan, curries, samosas and a bill that doesn’t make you flinch.
Michelin indulgence at Chilli Fagara Don’t be fooled by the small vegetarian menu. The dumplings in chilli oil are addictive, and the oil itself becomes a treasure when you mix it with fried noodles. Easily the best comfort meal of the trip.
Desserts that impress Egg tarts are everywhere, but Bakehouse’s Nutella-stuffed doughnuts deserve the real applause. Pair it with a coffee after a long day, and you’ll forget the queues and tired legs.
5. Getting there is a breeze
Planning the paperwork and flights turned out easier than I thought. Indian passport holders need to apply for a Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR), which is essentially an online approval to enter Hong Kong. It is free, but the form can be tricky — one small spelling error led to my rejection the first time. I strongly suggest using trusted platforms like Atlys, MakeMyTrip or StampThePassport. The service fee is small, and it takes the stress away. Apply at least three months in advance for peace of mind and the option to apply for a Visa if your PAR gets rejected (Which, in my case, helped. I had enough time to apply for a VISA and got it since my tickets were booked in advance of applying for the PAR – rookie mistake!)
Once the PAR is approved, booking flights is simple. Direct flights from cities like Delhi and Mumbai are frequent, and if you’re flexible with timings and don’t mind non-refundable tickets, you can find fares that are surprisingly budget-friendly.
Many families combine Hong Kong with Macau, which is visa-free and just a short ferry or bridge ride away. One smart way to do it is to land in Hong Kong, head to Macau straight from the airport, spend a day or two there, and return to Hong Kong for the rest of your stay. It saves time and makes the final departure smoother.
Bonus reason: Shopping that excites every age group Hong Kong knows how to tempt shoppers. Sham Shui Po is a maze of toy streets and stationery shops where you’ll find Lego sets, miniature cars and quirky school supplies at prices that make you look twice. Citygate Outlets is another must-stop, especially since it’s right next to the Ngong Ping cable car that takes you to the Big Buddha.
From Nike to luxury labels, this is where you can score matching sneakers for the whole family without emptying your wallet.
Hong Kong gave me metro rides that worked like magic, theme parks that didn’t burn a hole in the pocket, Indian food when I needed it most, shopping streets that thrilled and walks in parks that felt like they belonged to another world. For Indian families looking for a destination that mixes comfort with fun, this city is one of Asia’s best-kept secrets.
Hong Kong Park: The secret gem you need to add to your itinerary!(Hindustan Times)
Thursday night’s Cowboys vs. Eagles game kicks off at 8:20 p.m. EDT; early sun with highs in low 80s gives way to possible showers and brief thunderstorms.
The reigning Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, are ready to kick off the 2025 NFL regular season against the Dallas Cowboys on Week 1. The game will take place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Thursday (September 4).
Representational image.(AP)
Here’s everything you need to know about the weather forecast in Philadelphia on Thursday night.
Eagles vs Cowboys: Weather Report
As per The Weather Channel, audiences can expect sunny afternoons with temperatures ranging in the lower 80s to prevail on the day. However, closer to playtime, showers and scattered thunderstorms are expected to take over, slightly increasing chances of precipitation.
Ideally, the storms should be brief, but chances of lightning in certain areas could delay matters. Once the skies clear, expect cool temperatures and pleasant conditions that will allow you to enjoy the game.
Attendees are advised to keep these conditions in mind and take necessary precautions in the stadium.
GVMC office in Visakhapatnam
| Photo Credit: V RAJU
The Corporators of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) will leave for an eight-day study tour to North India, beginning September 15. This year, the corporators will visit various parts of Rajasthan and Delhi to study the administrative models adopted by different municipal corporations.
According to sources, the corporators will fly to Jaipur on September 15 and visit the Jaipur Municipal Corporation on September 16. The next day, they will head to the Jodhpur Municipal Corporation and meet the officials. As part of the itinerary, they will visit Ajmer, Pushkar, and Jaisalmer among other places.
On September 21, the team will reach Delhi, where they will conclude the tour before returning to Visakhapatnam on September 23. The GVMC Council has approved the study tour during a recent meeting, allocating a budget of over ₹1.5 crore for the trip.
This marks the fourth consecutive year that the corporators are going on a study tour.
In 2024, they visited Coimbatore, Mysuru, and Bengaluru. In 2023, the corporators covered Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, while in 2022, the corporators visited Delhi, Shimla, Manali, Chandigarh, and Agra. The study tours are either objected or refused by several corporators every year, who question the need for such tours. Some also question the outcome of the previous tours.
Jana Sena Party (JSP) corporator from Ward 22, PLVN Murthy, has once again expressed his disinterest in joining the trip. He said that the funds earmarked for such tours should be utilised for the development of wards. Notably, he has skipped all previous study tours as well.
NEW DELHI: SpiceJet on Thursday issued a travel advisory as heavy rains disrupted flight operations in Delhi. The airline cautioned passengers that weather conditions could lead to delays and cancellations across its network. “Due to bad weather in Delhi (DEL), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may be affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status,” SpiceJet said in a statement.The advisory came as heavy downpours lashed parts of Delhi-NCR on Wednesday, adding to the city’s weather challenges. The India Meteorological Department forecast “generally cloudy sky with moderate rain” for the capital, along with the possibility of thunderstorms over the next two days.The impact of the rains was felt beyond flight operations, with the Yamuna River crossing the danger mark of 205.33 metres and touching 207 metres at the Old Railway Bridge. Authorities set up relief camps and deployed National Disaster Response Force teams to evacuate families from low-lying areas in Yamuna Khadar, Mayur Vihar Phase-I, Old Usmanpur and Yamuna Bazar.Officials said thousands of people, along with their cattle, were moved to temporary shelters, while parts of Noida near Sector 167 also reported flooding after the river overflowed into residential areas.
