YOUR HONG KONG TOUR GUIDES
We are the Hello! Hong Kong team and we are looking forward to welcoming you to Hong Kong. We are all local residents with a huge passion for sharing our in-depth knowledge about our beloved city and its culture, customs and history and we have worked incredibly hard to design our tours. As a result, we have won industry awards for the last four years and are overwhelmed by the amazing feedback that we consistently receive. We are so proud to have built the best tour company in Hong Kong.
We all speak native English, French or Dutch and we also have Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese language skills within the team. We have a diverse range of backgrounds from Flight Attendant to Actor to Finance Professional, Business Owner, Events Manager, Voiceover Artist, Strategy Consultant, to Teacher and Children’s Entertainer. One thing is consistent though; we will all give you a FUN packed and memorable day in Hong Kong full of laughs and unforgettable moments. We can’t wait to meet you!
TEAM
LAURA
Hello, I am Laura and I am the founder of Hello Hong Kong.
I first came to Hong Kong on a two week holiday with my parents after I had finished a project working in Japan. I loved Hong Kong so much that years later when I was offered a relocation with work I jumped at the chance and packed up my life in England and moved within 6 weeks!
What I now realise, having lived in Hong Kong for 5+ years, is that during those 2 weeks I spent here on holiday, I didn’t see anything! Of course, I took the Peak Tram up to the top of Victoria Peak, I went to the markets, ate in numerous Chinese restaurants, went to the Big Buddha on the cable cars and I even took a ferry out to one of the outlying islands. I ticked off most of the ‘attractions’ in the guidebook, but I didn’t understand Hong Kong. I saw it as a tourist. I saw the ‘tourist attractions’. I ate ‘Chinese food’ but I didn’t get to sample the huge variety of local foods on offer because I only ate in restaurants with English menus and even those I found mind-boggling. I never ventured into one of those back street restaurants that have been run by the same family for 60 years. Even if I had seen one I certainly wouldn’t have been brave enough to dive in!
Now I have been living in Hong Kong as a resident and I do eat in those hidden away restaurants, I know where there are concealed parks tucked away behind soaring buildings providing a welcome get away from the noise and crowds of the streets. Now I keep clear of the main roads and only travel by back streets, waving at the small business owners as I pass.
I decided to leave the company that I relocated to Hong Kong to do something that I am passionate about. I love living in Hong Kong and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my time then by showing it, and all of its nuances, to the thousands of people that are lucky enough to be able to visit it every year.
I have researched and created a number of unique tours, each designed with the intention to show you Hong Kong and its culture, customs and history in an interesting and fun way. So, let us introduce you to Hong Kong, let us introduce you to the REAL Hong Kong, a city where East truly does meet West like in no other. Let us introduce you to Hong Kong, a place we call home.
MEL
Hi All, I am Mel: 100% made in Hong Kong, a bit of a revolting child and a bit of a nomad! If you can guess the film that phrase is from you will know what my favourite film is!
I am very passionate about my hometown, and I would love to share it with you. So far I am the only 100% local Chinese in the Hello Hong Kong team. I am a rare breed of Chinese as my family is now in the 3rd generation born in Hong Kong. My grandparents’ families were fishermen and Dai Pai Dong owners. They came from the coastal town of Shantou and the industrious city of Dongguan in the Pearl River Delta. My family went through World War 2 in Hong Kong; we all survived.
I graduated with a bachelors degree in Engineering in 1992 from the University of Birmingham in the UK. I moved back to Hong Kong and started working as an engineer. From Engineering I changed paths to Marketing and finally moved into Merchandising and Product Development, a career which saw me managing a team of 30 direct reports across Hong Kong and Ningbo, China. Now as chance would have it I am back to the first job that I had when I was 16, a tour guide!
My motto is ” Happiness is like perfume ~ the more perfume you spray to friends around you, the more scent you will have lingering on your hands…..” You could say that that is my own Chinese proverb!
RYAN
A “Hello” to people from all over the world. I’m RYAN, RYAN LAU 100% “HONGKONGER”.
My great-grandfather came to Hong Kong from South West Mainland China in the 1920s and my mother is a “Tanka” people (Boat people) from Sai Kung – a small fishing village located at the East of Hong Kong’s New Territories. Our family history could trace back to Qing dynasty. However, just like most of the other Tanka people, there is no written history, all the stories were passed from ear to mouth only. Even my grandparents and my mother do not read and write Chinese. We are witnesses to the complete history “Hong Kong – Qing, Hong Kong – British, Hong Kong – China”. Now we all living near Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon.
I graduated from local school then worked as an outbound tour escort to all over China for 10 years. Spending so much time travelling around I realised that tourists places are important but local places are more interesting. So I used to visit local places on my travels. After 10 years of travelling, I realized that my birthplace, Hong Kong, is unique. The place where East meets West. So I started my guiding work in HONG KONG!
I can say that I’m a responsible and hard-working man. Moreover, being a sociable person, I have many friends since I like to communicate with people and get to know new interesting individuals. I enjoy my time in guiding and have many local stories would like to share with all of you.
IVY
Hi there, I’m Ivy from Hong Kong! Just like all of you, every day I’m exploring this beautiful city, Hong Kong. Welcome to this wonderful journey!
All of my family members are based in Hong Kong. We all love the culture, food, and people here. I'm always super grateful for being a Hongkonger; as an international city I can always enjoy food from different cultures and it’s so easy to travel around! Although I’ve lived here for so many years, I still learn something new every day from this unique city. New restaurants, views, people—traveling and exploring are amazing.
I'll tell you a secret: I’m an actress and music teacher! Before I decided to become a tour guide in 2020, I graduated with a bachelor's degree from the Hong Kong Education University of Music (major in piano). I teach piano, cello, and guitar. After graduation, I decided to pursue my dream to become an actress. I applied for the drama diploma foundations of the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts. That was a very fruitful experience for me and I learned more about life and humans. Art is always part of my life, and of course, traveling and great food are also! Now I’m a freelancer working in these three fields, and I found out one similarity between all of them: they are all about HUMANS. No matter if you are acting, teaching music, or tour guiding, they are all about connecting with people in different ways. I really love the experience of engaging with people and enjoying new surprises and discoveries every day!
"Live like a tourist". I always remind myself. There are always beautiful moments you can find every day; just try to find them! Follow me, and you can learn lots of stories about the entertainment world, the music world, the kid’s culture, and of course, this magnificent city, Hong Kong. I look forward to seeing you on this journey :)
SINCLAIR
My name is Sinclair, I was born in Cambodia, but I was raised in Hong Kong from my age of 6. My family came from Canton, China originally. They moved to Cambodia for business but we later fled because of the Cambodian war. I have 23 brothers and sisters. All managed to safely escape and we are now spread across Europe, Canada, America and Asia. We are a big family!
I mainly had my education in Hong Kong. For university I was in Vancouver and Quebec. I graduated in Pure and Applied Science, and then spent a few years working in this field before I found I was not very interested in it! I changed my field to hospitality. I worked as a District Manager in Starbucks, a Front Desk Manager in a hotel, an Assistant Chef in Italian and Chinese restaurants, and as a wholesale worker in a jewellery store.
I noticed that I liked using my social skills and working with people. This is what led me to becoming a Tour Guide.
I was raised up in Hong Kong in the early 70's. I saw the change from British culture to present. I deeply love my country, people, culture and the surrounding, and I would like to share it with my tour guests. On the other hand, I also enjoy learning about other cultures and people from my tour guests. It’s a good exchange.
Hong Kong is one of the best countries in the world. I am well travelled. I have visited over 40 countries myself and I absolutely believe this. Why? Because Hong Kong people treat each other so generously. We have beautiful views, nice and clean streets, low crime and low tax, and a mix of culture and religion. I will show you all this and more!
ALEX
Hello everyone, I am Alex a native of Hong Kong.
Throughout my career, I have worked in various industries, such as sales management in international trading companies and logistics companies. In those jobs, I got to meet people from all over the world and learn about their cultures. One thing I noticed is that many people here in Hong Kong, like me, didn't know a whole lot about the history and stories of our own city. It's a bit sad because they know more about other countries they visited as a tourist than about our own home, Hong Kong. This was one of the main reasons why I wanted to become a tour guide.
For many foreigners, when we talk about Hong Kong, they will think of financial centers and shopping malls. But if we explore more, there are many interesting things, places, stories, and unique Chinese and Western mixed cultures to see and learn about. So becoming a tour guide is the most direct way for me to share with you my life experience and many stories about Hong Kong. To let you have a deeper understanding and experience of Hong Kong. I look forward to having a chance to tell you the story of Hong Kong, my wonderful home.
ALLEN
My name is Annalyn, people call me Allen ( it confuses people as they think I am a guy!) I am originally from the Philippines and I have been living here in Hong Kong since 2011. I studied and graduated in Mass Communication from Far Eastern University in the Philippines. I worked for a local Catholic radio station for a few years until I decided to leave the country and work in Hong Kong.
I consider Hong Kong as my 2nd home. There is so much to love about this city but what I love the most is the view at night where you can see the beautiful bright lights that keep Hong Kong alive! My favorite time of the year is winter. It is actually a love-and-hate relationship, but coming from a tropical country, I kind of enjoy the cold winter breeze! Food is one more thing that I love and of course, the very convenient transportation system is the best!
You will probably see my name on all your email inquiries as I am one of the lovely ladies who oversee our Hello! Hong Kong bookings. When you see my name remember that I’m a lady, not a guy! There are a lot of things to see in Hong Kong and we here in Hello! Hong Kong is always excited to share with you everything that makes our city a great place!
KIYO
Greetings, I am Kiyo, your personal guide to the enthralling and dynamic city of Hong Kong, where ancient traditions and modern innovations blend beautifully into a colorful urban tapestry.
Born in the lively 80s, I am a true Hongkonger who has seen firsthand our city's fascinating evolution - from its colonial past to its dynamic present. But I'm more than just a local - I'm your gateway to the hidden gems and untold stories of Hong Kong. As the former host of a popular online media program, I've honed my storytelling skills and delved into the rich tapestry of our city's history, culture, and idiosyncrasies, transforming into a walking encyclopedia of all things Hong Kong.
Let's embark on a sensory journey through the bustling streets of Hong Kong together. Picture us wandering through lively markets and serene temples, tasting a variety of delicious local foods, soaking in the sounds of the city mixed with the tranquility of the sea, and inhaling the fragrant incense from historic sites. From the breathtaking nighttime skylines to the intimate corners where the real city life unfolds, I'm excited to show you all these and more.
I'm here to tailor-make a trip laughter-filled and perfectly match your preferences. The city is calling, and our journey together is just about to begin. I can't wait to meet you and share the magic of this place.
ALFRED
Hello! I'm Alfred, your friendly local host and guide in Hong Kong. Born and raised here, I am fluent in the Chaozhou dialect, Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, thanks to my parents who came from Shantou, Guangdong Province. Since graduating from secondary school, I have been leading sightseeing tours around Hong Kong. My experience living in Toronto and working in the travel industry fueled my passion for sharing the fascinating tourist attractions of my city.
I am committed to making your experience in this vibrant city unforgettable. Hong Kong's stunning cityscape never ceases to amaze me, offering breathtaking views from every angle, at any time of day. The city's pleasant seasonal climate enhances the joy of exploration. During my free time, I love hiking and cycling through the mountains.
With extensive knowledge of Hong Kong neighborhoods, I promise to help you uncover hidden gems that will enrich your journey. I always recommend traveling by our efficient MTR, Star Ferry, and other public transportation to visit the most scenic spots, allowing you to see more in a short period. I'm eager to share my insights and ensure your visit is truly memorable.
So, let's embark on an adventure together! I'm excited to show you the very best of this incredible city.
KEKO
Hi, my name is Keko and I am the Chief Operations Officer of Hello! Tours. I’ve been living with Laura since 2012. I was two months old when we moved in together. It was my idea for Laura to become a tour guide. Between you and me she was putting on a bit of weight and needed to do something more active. Under my guidance she did a great job with Hello! Hong Kong but I felt that she needed to think bigger so I instigated the move to Singapore.
When we got to Singapore I discovered Chicken Rice! Oh my Kitty Cat Lordy, I can tell you, no chicken tastes better! I told her to put that on the tours! I am very proud of our Singapore business. Just like in Hong Kong we designed a number of culturally immersive tours that people LOVE. I don’t want to take all of the credit but….
Whilst I loved Singapore it was a little bit too hot for me. I have this beautiful fur coat which I can’t take off. So I moved Laura to Japan where it’s much cooler. We are currently busy working on Hello! Tokyo Tours. I am in food heaven. So much fish! And I have never been so popular! People in Japan love cats! Laura thinks i’ve gotten big headed and keeps threatening to put me in cat cafe but I know, that she knows, that Hello! Tours needs me. After all I’ve got big plans for our next openings! Meow.
SPOTLIGHT ON
Our Spotlight On series shines a light on our wonderful team. Get their insider tips of the best places to eat and discover little-known facts about them.
