A former British colony, Hong Kong's main attraction is its culture and people. One moment you're a street market and the next thing you know you're hiking in one of its forests. Every twist and turn, nook and cranny, there is something new in this city.

Visiting Hong Kong for the first time can be dizzying at times so here's an unofficial how to on exploring Hong Kong like a local.

Location

What would you like to do? Ask this question first when thinking of where to stay. You want the view of the Kowloon skyline? Stay near the Victoria Harbour. Going through the train station can be a bit of a hassle especially if you're new to a place so it's better to stay somewhere near to all the locations that you want to visit.

Know Your Foodie Paradise

Food in Hong Kong is everywhere. Posh restaurants, hole in the wall food places, hotel food, street food, name it, Hong Kong has it but it takes a true local know where to grab that grub. For no-frills bowl of noodles head to the popular Lin Heung Tea House, for golden and crispy roast goose, Yat Lok in Central is always a crowd favorite. For French culinary, Pierre that sits atop the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong is your go-to.

Flag a Cab Properly

Hong Kong has one of the most envied train systems in the world but in case you find yourself hailing a cab to have it cross the harbor, there is a Hong Kong-way of doing it. According to CNN Travel, in doing the cross-harbor arm wave, you "extend one arm in front of oncoming cab and use the hand and wrist to make an ocean wave motion, indicating that you want the cab to metaphorically brave the harbor waters.

Speak it

Talk like a local by ending every sentence with a Cantonese final particle such as la, ar, wor, and gar.

"Understand, la?"