Private tour in Hong Kong William S

Multi Day Grand Tour of Hong Kong and Environs!

5.0

(5) reviews

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Hours icon 3 days
Walking
Private tour for 1-2 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
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-
Hours icon 3 days
Walking
Private tour for 1-2 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

William S.

4.9

Guide rating

145

Reviews

Tours delivered

7 hrs

Avg. response time

Experience The Streets of Hong Kong With An Accomplished Artist, Professional Photographer and One of ToursByLocals Most Highly Rated Hong Kong Guides. . . Greetings Fellow Travelers, Welcome to Hong Kong, the Pearl of the Orient! Allow me to share with you the finest ways to experience all facets of this truly magnificent city, culturally, historically and visually, just as we locals do; so that when we are finished, you will be able to confidently and knowledgeably relate the modern story of Hong Kong as an inquisitive and well informed cultural traveler. I'm an American of Asian descent and I have lived as a local in an old neighborhood of Kowloon called To Kwa Wan for 22 years. I spent substantial amounts of time here on business and pleasure over the years following my earliest visits in the 1970s and witnessed the evolution of this city as well as the rest of North and South East Asia over the past 50 years. I am also a retired international lawyer and have reinvented myself as a professional artist, urban street photographer, and a street-savvy premium Hong Kong guide. I have performed 1500+ premium private tours to date. My artwork and photography have been featured on prominent American and international websites for over a decade and I sell prints to collectors from all over the world. I have literally spent thousands of hours walking the streets of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and Old Macau, camera in hand, searching for all manner of intriguing people, local points of interest, fine eateries and the wonders of Cantonese street culture in all of its curious manifestations. In my preparations to serve as your premium guide, I have also logged countless hours engaging in cultural and historical research of pre-colonial, colonial and modern-day Hong Kong. I pride myself in being a keen social observer, an artist/entertainer, a lover of good food and a culturally intelligent human being. Much of my knowledge of Hong Kong is a knowledge that I acquired long before I started preparations to offer premium guide services. Knowledge I acquired when my Dad had offices here in the 1970s and I visited during summer breaks, living in an old Chinese neighborhood in a 'Chinese style' building, interacting with family and relatives in Thailand, Hong Kong and Macau, observing local holidays and traditions, relishing all manner of local cuisine and nightlife, wandering and exploring the many old urban and rural neighborhoods as a raw street photographer and just being a curious and alert cultural observer. I have spent a lifetime honing my skills as a communicator and I have redirected these skills to sharing my unique portfolio of local knowledge and experience with maximum efficacy. I have plenty of intriguing local facts and anecdotes to share with each and every one of you. It is one thing to blather on about the much-touted "hidden gems" of the universe, it is quite another to put in the requisite elbow grease to build and share a comprehensive framework connecting the multitude of cultural and historical dots in an engaging and user-friendly manner. Hence, my mission can be encapsulated as follows: To provide all of my clients with an entertaining, deeply informative and street savvy premium travel experience ultimately leading to cherished memories, a portfolio of stunning on-tour photographs, an urge for further cultural and historical investigation and a strong desire to return to this fascinating city that I will call my home for many years to come. All of my premium tour engagements are performed soulfully by me. Accordingly, you can expect the utmost attention to detail in preparation, proactive communication, positive attitude and demeanor and the highest standard of client service professionalism. Warm regards from Hong Kong! William Resident of Hong Kong for over 20 years. Lived and/or worked for substantial periods in the following cities: NYC, Washington DC, Chicago, London, Warsaw, Kobe, Singapore, Shanghai and Bangkok. Master Digital Artist and Professional Photographer (i.e., people from around the globe purchase my works). Tourist Guide License TG12434 issued by Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong. First Aid Certification Hong Kong Red Cross Retired International Lawyer (admitted NYC Bar 1982) Featured in Hong Kong's Apple News Daily (William, an American who knows his way around Hong Kong like a native Hong Konger) 1500+ Premium Private Tours Delivered to Date. Tours By Locals Guide On-Boarding Team (2018-2020). Tours By Locals Night Tour recently featured in June 2019 issue of American Airlines Inflight Magazine. Five HarvardX Courses Completed: -Ming China -Modern China's Foundations; The Manchu and Qing -Invasions and Rebellions and the End of Imperial China -Creating Modern China: Birth of a Nation -China and Communism Please note the following: A. I do not offer food tours and am unable to handle complicated dietary requirements. For this I can refer you to another capable guide. B. I am not a commercial driver. However, I can engage a late model air conditioned car or van with driver at reasonable cost, if requested.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message William S.

Overview of your Hong Kong tour

I am specialized in multi-day tours for clients on extended visits. Hong Kong Island was the center of Hong Kong the British Colony. Kowloon, however, was the economic center of gravity of Hong Kong in the modern era following World War 2. It is where most of the refugees settled, the big outdoor markets are located and where all the old Cantonese style urban neighborhoods have survived. This first day you will see both. Macau was established 300 years ahead of Hong Kong. The center of the old city is one big World Heritage site. Forget about the casinos which are in another direction. Macau is like going into a historical time warp. Here, in addition to the Giant Buddha, you can get a fascinating glimpse of how the local fisherfolk lived in the Pearl River Estuary before the "foreign barbarians" arrived.

Recent Reviews

Agnes P.United States
June 2023

Bill was a great resource with terrific insights on the country's economic, social and political situation. We toured with him for three days, one day each in Kowloon, Hong Kong and Macau. He used our time very efficiently and took us to restaurants for lunch that were frequented by locals and were quite delicious. He has great familiarity with the region which allowed us to travel easily and quickly.

Claude C.Canada
February 2019

What a wonderful discovery tour! Over the last three days, Bill made us experience the beauty and life of the region. Starting in Hong Kong, we have explored Kowloon, Lantau and also Macao. Bill is really an expert at weaving history and other life stories. We would highly recommend him to anyone who wants to discover the real Hong Kong.

Kimberly E.United States
December 2018

We spent three terrific days with William as he gave us a really good overview of Hong Kong and surrounding area. We found him to be friendly, well informed, and engaging and he kept the itinerary moving at a good pace to keep us involved. We have used ToursByLocals many times and William was certainly among the best of our guides. Thanks for a great time William and thanks for the great photos!

Your Hong Kong tour itinerary

Day 1: We will cover all of the important points of interest in central Hong Kong and Kowloon, including, inter alia, the best vista from Victoria Peak, the historic Central District, the Star Ferry, the magnificent temples of Kowloon and the colorful mass of local urbanity known as Mongkok. Day 2: I meet you at your hotel at 8AM and we proceed to the Macau Ferry for a full day of the center of Old Macau. At the end of the day we will return by ferry arriving back around 6:30PM. Day 3: Route plan includes First Ferry to Mui Wo, bus to Tai O, walk and boat ride through Tai O, bus or taxi to Nong Ping and Giant Buddha, aerial tramway to Tung Chung returning to Central Hong Kong by MTR. Each day, I will interconnect and weave between the basic way points with my curated repertoire of local neighborhoods, markets and lesser known but equally significant historic and cultural points of interest. There will be a delicious lunch stop each day in one of my favorite local establishments.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Walking

The tour is a combination of urban walking and all modes of public transportation including trolleys, ferries, buses, subways and cabs, as needed. Private Vehicle can be arranged if needed.

What's included
Other: My personalized service as your expert cultural and historic guide and host for all 3 days. My expert advice before, during and after your tour (including detailed instructions), on how to maximize your pleasure and enjoyment during your stay. Read my reviews to see how highly my multi day tours are regarded by my past clients. Preparation, planning and execution, nothing will be left to chance. I will deliver a seamless narrative delivering a full cultural and historic panorama of the Pearl River Delta Region.You are engaging me to make sure your precious holiday will be picture perfect! Important: I put the highest priority on protecting my clients and conducting my tours safely. If you have any questions concerning the current travel safety situation in Hong Kong, feel free to ask.
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. Entrance fees, if applicable. Macau ferry and Nong Ping 360 cable car.
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Boat
History
City Highlights
Day Trip
Tour reference number
472123
Languages
English
Activity level
Moderate
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Hong Kong best suited for?

This private tour is ideal for travellers who are on an extended visit to Hong Kong and want to explore the city and its environs in depth. It's perfect for those interested in a comprehensive cultural and historical experience, as well as those who enjoy a mix of urban walking and public transportation. The tour is also suitable for families, as it is kid-friendly.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Hong Kong be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 3 days
Walking
Private tour for 1-2 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 3 days
Walking
Private tour for 1-2 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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