English cannot lead you everywhere

To say Hong Kong's history is complicated — both distant and recent — is an understatement. It was a Chinese province until 1842, when it became a British colony, until returning to China as a special administrative region in 1997. (more on that later). Because of its back-and-forth status, as well as its reputation as a global financial center, the city has evolved into a sort of melting pot.

While English has a big presence here due to the British past (and diverse people), don't expect it to get you everywhere. Cantonese is the primary language spoken in many areas of the city, including street food vendors, signage, fortune-tellers, and restaurant menus. Almost all of the communities along Hong Kong Island's north shore, as well as key tourist destinations in Kowloon (such as Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui), cater to English speakers. Menus are bilingual or only accessible in English in various regions of town.