A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Malang vs. Hong Kong for Food, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Malang or Hong Kong?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Malang or Hong Kong? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Malang

Malang is a authentic, cultural, and under-rated city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Malang travel costs.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan, glamorous, and diverse city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. The famous beauty of Hong Kong is one of the main draws. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Hong Kong travel costs.

Malang and Hong Kong: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malang or Hong Kong?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hong Kong than Malang. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Hong Kong is more touristy than Malang and is popular for its modern skyscrapers, colorful waterfront, lush parks, and amazing dim sum. It is also well known for Victoria Peak. Malang is famous for its many nearby natural attractions.

How is Malang different from Hong Kong?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hong Kong and Malang. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Malang or Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Hong Kong offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's skyline is one of the most famous "landmarks", but you'll also want to visit Victoria Peak, the Tian Tan Buddha Statue, Wong Tai Sin Temple, and Avenue of Stars.

Malang offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a handful of museums around town that provide information on the city's culture and history. There are also mosques, temples, and the famous Rainbow Village.

Is the Food Better in Malang or Hong Kong? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Malang and Hong Kong offer a number of fantastic restaurants to choose from.

For foodies, Malang is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. This is a top foodie destination and you'll find plenty of amazing street food. It's also the credited with being the birthplace of bakso (meatballs). Many of the dishes around town are sweet, spicy, and served with peanut sauce. It's been influenced by many different cuisines such as Chinese, Javanese, Madurese, Arabic, Dutch, and Indian.

Hong Kong has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city's population is famous for its frequency of dining out, and the prolific diversity of restaurants is obvious from the moment you arrive. There are street food stalls and night markets, as well as luxury award winning restaurants. The city holds tight to its culinary traditions, but fusion restaurants are creeping in as well. Some of the most famous Hong Kong foods include dim sum, sweet and sour pork, and roast goose.

Is Malang or Hong Kong Better for Nightlife?

Hong Kong is well known for nightlife. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Hong Kong is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city lights up after the sun sets. You'll find a diverse range of activities in the evening with everything from night markets to concerts and parties. There's a wonderful mix of traditional and contemporary activities, particularly around Lan Kwai Fong. Many of the most popular venues are found around Central and, like everything else in Hong Kong, the venues are full of energy.

If you're looking for night time activities Malang has a few options to choose from. The universities around town mean that there's a youthful vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll also find a mix of cultural activities as well as modern and trendy venues. There are dance clubs, upscale lounges, and everything in between.

Is Malang or Hong Kong Better for Beaches?

Hong Kong is well known for its beaches. However, Malang is not a beach destination.

Hong Kong is considered a top beach destination. You actually don't have to travel far from the city center to find a relatively quiet, sandy beach. The different beaches on Hong Kong Island are relatively close to each other, and each has its own atmosphere. If you need a break from the heat and the crowds, then a beach day is a fun option. Hong Kong's natural coastline give way to popular beaches including Repulse Bay Beach and Shek O Beach. Each offers a number of amenities and dining options.

Malang is not a beach destination.

Is Malang or Hong Kong Better for Hiking?

Hong Kong is well known for its hiking experiences. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Hong Kong. The city is surrounded by dramatic mountains and beautiful viewpoints, making it easy to enjoy a day in nature. The hikes will offer impressive views and dramatic rock formations. Popular hikes in the area include The Peak, Dragon's Back, and the Violet Hill and Twin Peak hike.

Many people include a hike when visiting Malang. Many visitors use this city as a base for hiking Mount Bromo. It's popular to hire a jeep tour from town, or you can hire a private driver or motorbike. Near town you'll also find one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Indonesia - Tumpak Sewu Waterfall. It's possible to hike to the base of the waterfall, but it's a very challenging route.

Is the Shopping Better in Malang or Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Hong Kong is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. There is a high concentration of shopping malls in the city, and you'll likely find yourself cutting through malls to access different parts of town. The city is arguably one of the best shopping cities in the world. Popular items to purchase in the city include designer clothes, handbags, electronics, jewelry, watches, and tailor-made suits.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Malang. You'll find places to pick up many local items. The region is known for its ceramics, wood, and rattan (palms).

Is Malang or Hong Kong More Beautiful?

Hong Kong is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Malang is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of Hong Kong is one of the main draws. The city is home to the nightly Symphony of Lights, which illuminates the waterfront area with a light show.

Malang is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Malang or Hong Kong Better for Families?

Hong Kong is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Hong Kong is a very family-friendly destination. In addition to its many fascinating cultural experiences like visiting the markets and historical landmarks, this city also has a diversity of kid-friendly entertainment options. The most obvious is Disneyland, but there are also other amusement parks and aquariums like Ocean Park. Make sure you check out the Symphony of Lights in the evening and head to The Peak Tower during the day.

Malang offers lots of family activities. If you're willing to head just outside of town, you'll find theme parks and waterparks. Some of the favorites are Batu Secret Zoo, Jatim Park, Selecta Park, and Batu Night Spectacular.

Is Malang or Hong Kong Better for Couples?

Hong Kong is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Hong Kong makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This city is filled with luxury hotels, beautiful parks, and impressive restaurants. For a romantic evening, check out the Symphony of Lights over Victoria Harbour after the sun sets.

Malang makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy culture, museums, temples, and great food will have a good time visiting this city. It is also a bit cooler than much of Indonesia, which can make a nice escape from the heat.

Is Malang or Hong Kong Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malang and Hong Kong are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Malang. Most backpackers pass through town when they're headed to climb Mount Bromo. There are plenty of hostels and cheap places to stay as well as some sights that are worth checking out.

Hong Kong is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The city is more expensive than many places, but cheap eateries and free activities are abundant. Many backpackers stay in the Tsim Sha Shui area of Kowloon. This is where you'll find the frequently talked about Chungking Mansions. Times are changing though, and you'll find more hostels on Hong Kong Island these days as well.

Is Malang or Hong Kong Better for Students?

Malang is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Hong Kong is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Malang. The university means that there's a large student population in town.

Hong Kong is not popular with students.

Is Malang or Hong Kong Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hong Kong is a must-visit destination for its public transit. However, Malang is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Hong Kong has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Land transportation includes the MTR (Mass Transit Railway), buses, minibuses, and tramways. There are also ferries that connect the different parts of the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Malang. Angkot or mikrolet are small buses or modified cars that carry passengers around town. Many visitors also hire a motor scooter or driver to get around.

Is Malang or Hong Kong a more walkable city?

Hong Kong is a must-visit destination for its walkability. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Hong Kong on foot is easy. The city has many parks and walking paths that connect different areas.

Malang is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is relatively walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Malang Worth Visiting? and Is Hong Kong Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hong Kong or Malang?

How long in Malang or Hong Kong?

Both Malang and Hong Kong have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hong Kong than in Malang. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Malang, and 3-7 days is enough time in Hong Kong.

Families should spend more time in Hong Kong than Malang. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hong Kong, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Hong Kong than Malang. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Hong Kong that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hong Kong than Malang if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Hong Kong.

One day in Malang or Hong Kong?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Malang. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Malang has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Hong Kong is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Malang or Hong Kong?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Malang. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Hong Kong is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Malang or Hong Kong?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of Malang. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hong Kong. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Malang or Hong Kong?

Malang is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Hong Kong is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malang and Hong Kong, we can see that Hong Kong is more expensive. And not only is Malang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Malang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malang and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Hong Kong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hong Kong than you might in Malang.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malang Expensive? and Is Hong Kong Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Malang or Hong Kong?

Hong Kong has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Malang. When comparing the sizes of Malang and Hong Kong, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.