Hong Kong emerges as study tour destination with 5 universities in world's top 100

The Hong Kong Tourism Board announced Wednesday that it will support on-site promotions at the 60th Overseas Study Fair, hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office at COEX in Seoul's Samseong-dong on Saturday and Sunday. The tourism board plans to use the fair to showcase Hong Kong as a study tour destination with strong educational infrastructure.

Hong Kong is roughly three and a half hours from Korea by air, with only a one-hour time difference, making it an accessible destination for student groups. More than 140 direct flights operate weekly between Hong Kong and four domestic airports — Incheon, Gimhae, Daegu and Jeju — giving schools flexibility in scheduling travel around the academic calendar.

Getting around the city is equally straightforward. The MTR subway, trams and the Star Ferry connect key areas across the city, and a range of payment options — including the Octopus card, contactless credit and debit cards, and QR payments — make it easy for students to manage expenses during group activities or free time.

Safety is another draw. Hong Kong ranked eighth globally in Numbeo's 2026 Global Safety Index, ahead of South Korea at 30th. The city maintains systematic police patrols and security management, and applies strict hygiene and safety standards to imported food and ingredients.

Hong Kong also uses both English and Chinese as official languages, allowing students to encounter both during their trip, while the city's blend of Eastern and Western cultures offers a distinctive cross-cultural experience.

Hong Kong is home to several universities with strong global standings. Five institutions — the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the City University of Hong Kong — all rank within the world's top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2027. The University of Hong Kong topped the QS Asia University Rankings 2026.

The universities are recognized for excellence across fields including medicine, business, engineering, AI, design and hospitality and tourism. Several offer campus tour programs for school groups, covering admissions, academic programs and research facility visits, helping students explore potential majors and career paths. The chance to experience the academic environment of top-ranked universities firsthand is considered one of Hong Kong's key selling points as a study tour destination.

Beyond its universities, Hong Kong offers a wide range of educational attractions spanning science and technology, arts and culture, and urban regeneration. Students can choose visits and hands-on programs based on their interests, and most permanent exhibitions at museums and galleries run by the government's Leisure and Cultural Services Department are free to enter.

Urban regeneration sites add further depth to any itinerary. Tai Kwun, a former police station and prison converted into a cultural complex, PMQ, a revamped police married quarters, and The Mills, a repurposed textile factory, all offer a window into the city's evolving identity. The West Kowloon Cultural District's M+ museum and the Palace Museum complement traditional cultural experiences, while major theme parks offer education-linked programs, enabling visits tailored to specific fields of interest.

At the fair, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office booth will distribute a "Hong Kong School Tour Guide" brochure prepared by the tourism board, providing information on key educational facilities, hands-on programs and recommended itineraries. Travel agencies planning student group tours can also request a copy of the brochure by application.