Hong Kong is one of the world's most exciting cities, blending futuristic skyscrapers with bustling street markets, lush mountains, and a buzzing food scene — and now visiting is about to get even easier for travellers from Saudi Arabia.
Just weeks after national airline Cathay Pacific launched direct flights to Riyadh, the city's Chief Executive John Lee announced a raft of measures designed to provide better support for Muslim visitors.
This will include providing information at the airport and in taxi services in Arabic, launching a central list of restaurants offering halal food and encouraging hotels to introduce prayer rooms as well as other appropriate facilities.
Staff will meanwhile be trained to "strengthen their knowledge on receiving visitors from different cultural backgrounds".
Making things even more convenient, Hong Kong is one of over 50 destinations offering visa-free travel for Saudi Arabian passport holders for up to 30 days.
Islam has had a presence in the city since the early 19th century, when Muslim sailors and traders from India and Southeast Asia first settled in the city.
Today, the Muslim population has grown to nearly 300,000, with several mosques across the city, including the famous Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre, a focal point for local Muslims and visitors alike.
More broadly, the city’s skyline is a stunning contrast of sleek skyscrapers set against the backdrop of lush, green peaks, while the streets below pulse with life from dawn until late at night.
Spend your morning hiking along the Dragon’s Back trail and exploring the island’s natural beauty, before losing yourself in the vibrant markets of Mong Kok in the afternoon for quirky souvenirs and local delicacies.
