Best Student Cities in Hong Kong for International Students

Hong Kong is also more than a portal between East and West; it is a complex urban fabric in which education, commerce, culture, and nature intermingle. For international students looking for a city that is academically strong and offers vibrant living options, where traditional meets modern, then Hong Kong fits the bill. But what does one intend when one talks about “cities in Hong Kong?” Hong Kong consists of various districts, neighborhoods, and “cities,” in the larger sense of urban areas, such as Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, the New Territories, and outlying islands—each with its own personality, cost structure, and opportunities or challenges.

In this blog, I look at the best cities in Hong Kong for international students – using the most current data and differentiating between the larger cities in Hong Kong, names of the cities in Hong Kong, popular cities in Hong Kong, rich cities in Hong Kong, big cities in Hong Kong, and why some are better for students. 

Understanding “Cities” in the Hong Kong Context

Before we get into discussing “best student cities,” it’s important to clarify what we mean by “cities in Hong Kong:”

1. Administrative divisions: Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China and is divided into 18 separate districts. The districts are not the same as “cities” as you would find in many countries; rather, they operate as boroughs or municipalities with unique localities.
2. Urban/functional areas: More relevant to student life are the functional areas or urban zones: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and the Outlying Islands. Some specific neighborhoods (for example, Sai Ying Pun, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Tong) in these functional areas have local economies, lifestyles, and academic atmospheres that differentiate them from each other so that they are perceived as “mini-cities.”

So, when I say “major cities in Hong Kong,” or “rich cities in Hong Kong” I mean these functional divisions/neighborhoods and not a legal city per se. Let’s consider now which areas in Hong Kong are particularly well suited for international students.

Key Cities Areas in Hong Kong and Their Appeal to Students

Here is a more specific list of areas of Hong Kong in terms of the major urban divisions/neighbourhoods or zones that International students should know about. I’ll rate each on academic concern, economic concern, in terms of lifestyle, transportation and dispositions. 

Why Some “Rich Cities in Hong Kong” are Attractive to Students

The term rich cities in Hong Kong generally describes districts with high income earners, luxury housing, superior amenities, and strong services. Wealthy areas include parts of Hong Kong Island (Central, Mid-Levels, The Peak), parts of West Kowloon (Kowloon Tong and Tsim Sha Tsui), and certain suburbs in the New Territories (Sai Kung, Discovery Bay). For many international students, this is attractive for many reasons: safety, prestige, convenience, lifestyle. But the financial trade-off can be extreme.

Comparisons:

• Overall, Hong Kong is still one of the richest cities in Asia. It’s consistently ranked as one of the cities with a high number of millionaires, prices of luxury real estate, etc. (Business Insider, Henley and Partners). 
• Most of the “rich cities in Hong Kong,” are also usually regarded as some of the “best cities in Hong Kong” from a student perspective, if the student can afford it.

Hong Kong in Global Rankings: Student City Status

Some recent data (2025) is relevant here:

• In the QS Best Student Cities 2026 ranking, Hong Kong went up five places to 17th in the world with improvements in affordability, student mix, desirability.
• For most of Asia, Hong Kong comes in 3rd or 4th place behind Seoul and Tokyo. 
• The city also has a strong concentration of top universities, with five of eight UGC-funded (public) universities in the global top 100.

Overall, these macro-rankings support that Hong Kong is one of the best student cities in Hong Kong (if that phrase has meaning; Hong Kong is a single city – districts are much different).

Which Cities are Best for International Students?

Putting together the above criteria, here are recommendations for specific neighborhoods or “cities” (in the sense of functional urban zones) that are especially favorable for international students.

1. Sai Ying Pun / Sheung Wan / Kennedy Town (on Hong Kong Island) 
   • Very close to HKU and multiple academic facilities.
   • Offers café culture, quiet streets (relatively to Central), and easy transport.
   • Ideal for students who want academic prestige + good lifestyle.

2. Kowloon Tong

• Houses the campuses of City University, and easy connection to PolyU. More residential, and quieter than Mong Kok or Tsim Sha Tsui.
• More affordable than Island core, but with a good access.

3. Tsim Sha Tsui

• Vibrant, an iconic area, shopping, entertainment, cultural exposure, and major transportation hubs.
• This is the best area for students who want nightlife, a diverse area, and exposure, but expect to also pay a bit more, and to run into crowds.

4. Sha Tin (New Territories)

• Green surroundings, more spacious accommodation options.
  
• Good for students who want nature + urban convenience.

5. Tai Po

• Even quieter than Sha Tin; good access to parks, low-rise housing, good mix of amenities.
  

1. Outlying Islands (e.g. Discovery Bay etc.) 
   • Good choice if one prefers serenity, coastal life, natural beauty, and can manage travel time to campus and city.
     

Big Cities vs Major Cities vs Popular Cities — Choosing Based on Priorities

• Big cities in Hong Kong usually refer to the denser urban centers, for example, Hong Kong Island (Central, Admiralty), Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok). Expect large crowds, high cost, but the greatest access to everything.
• Major cities in Hong Kong could refer to regions or areas with major infrastructure, population, economic activity (like Kowloon, New Territories new towns).
• Popular cities in Hong Kong often overlap with student preferences: places with good food, cultural life, nightlife, international communities (Sai Ying Pun, Causeway Bay, TST, etc.)

Ultimately, your choice depends on what you are valuing most: prestige and networking (go big/major/rich), cost-saving and space (New Territories or outskirts), or lifestyle (outlying islands or culturally rich urban zones).

What Are the Cities in Hong Kong — the Names and Districts

Here is a useful list of cities in Hong Kong (interpreted as major urban areas / districts / neighborhoods students should know), with approximate population or character:

• Hong Kong Island (Central, Western, Eastern)
  
• Kowloon (including Kowloon Tong, Mong Kok, Yau Tsim Mong, Tsim Sha Tsui)
  
• New Territories (Sha Tin, Tai Po, Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan, etc.)
  
• Outlying Islands (Lantau Island, Discovery Bay, Cheung Chau, Peng Chau)
  

Also smaller recognized “cities/places” in statistical/tabular datasets:

• Tuen Mun (~ 540,000 population) in New Territories.
  
• Sha Tin (large new town with mixed residential / commercial)
  
• Others: Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon City, Kwai Chung, Tsuen Wan etc.
  

These cities in Hong Kong have large populations, population densities, or overall size, work as urban ecosystems for students. They are not all equal in their service of top Universities, but do serve as the urban ecosystems that students inhabit.

Conclusion

Hong Kong, while certainly one city in administrative terms, is made up of many cities, in the functional sense — zones or neighborhoods with each having a distinct character. For international students, the appropriate “best city in Hong Kong” will depend on different or the most desirable features: prestige, affordability, lifestyle, natural surroundings, or ease of access. 

As is a trend these days, students increasingly prioritize finding balance, that is, neighborhoods that offer great education (i.e. proximity to the best universities), good public transport, affordable housing, as well as cultural and nature excursion opportunities. Neighborhoods such as Sai Ying Pun, Kowloon Tong, and certain areas in the New Territories (e.g., Sha Tin and Tai Po) are emerging as the “winners” when weighing these features.

FAQs

Ques. What are the cities in Hong Kong that host the best universities?

Ans.  The major academic institutions are spread across Hong Kong Island (e.g. University of Hong Kong), Kowloon (e.g. CityU, PolyU), and New Territories (e.g. CUHK). Therefore, Central / HKU, Kowloon Tong, Sha Tin are among the “cities” or urban zones with the best universities.

Ques. Which names of cities in Hong Kong are most student-friendly?

Ans.  Some of the top neighborhoods (“cities”) for student life include Sai Ying Pun, Sheung Wan, Kennedy Town (on Hong Kong Island); Kowloon Tong; Tsim Sha Tsui; and Sha Tin / Tai Po in the New Territories.

Ques. How expensive are rich cities in Hong Kong compared to other student cities?

Ans.  Rich cities / neighborhoods (Central, Mid-Levels, West Kowloon, some parts of Hong Kong Island) have much higher living and housing costs. Costs for rent, eating out, transport etc. are significantly more than more suburban or outlying areas. Students often trade off cost vs. convenience.

Ques. How big are the major cities in Hong Kong (population / density)?

Ans.  While Hong Kong is a compact territory, the “big cities” or urban areas are densely populated. For example, Tuen Mun has about 540,000 residents. Central / Kowloon areas are among the densest. The overall territory has over 7 million people, largely concentrated along the harbour and urban cores.

Ques. Can I get good intern work / employment opportunities from non-central “student cities”?

Ans. Yes. One of Hong Kong’s strengths is its connectivity. Even if you live in the New Territories or an outlying area, good public transport (MTR, buses, ferry) often allows you to commute in a reasonable time. Many internships are concentrated in business districts on the island or in Kowloon, but many universities and companies provide remote / part-time options too. Also, being in a well-connected area (even outside the richest neighborhoods) matters more than being in the top-cost zone to access opportunities.