General Information » Further Reading » Books

If you’re looking for something to read on the long flight to Hong Kong, two of James Clavell’s novels (Tai Pan and Noble House) are set in Hong Kong. They are definitely fiction, but you’ll also pick up a feel for life in Hong Kong, and its culture and customs.

If you prefer non-fiction, Frank Walsh’s A History of Hong Kong covers exactly what its title suggests, while Martin Booth’s Memoir Gweilo: Memories of a Hong Kong Childhood is a charming tale of life in Hong Kong as a child in the 1950s. (In the USA, the book is titled Golden Boy: Memories of a Hong Kong Childhood). Many people also swear by Jan Morris’s Hong Kong, but as it was written well before the handover, it may feel a bit dated.

Once you reach Hong Kong, pick up a copy of HK Magazine, a free weekly magazine with listings of what’s on, together with general-interest articles and restaurant reviews. BC Magazine covers similar ground, with more emphasis on what’s happening in the local bars, clubs and live music scene. You’ll find both available at many bars, restaurants and bookshops.