Alia Bhatt celebrated her birthday in Hong Kong; 5 things to pack if you are inspired to visit for your vacation
Alia Bhatt rang in her 33rd birthday in Hong Kong, inspiring a travel mood board and here is a packing list that made my personal trip there super easy and comfortable.
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Neha Khandelwal
Content Lead, HT Travel | Travel & Lifestyle Journalist
With over 10 years of content writing experience, Neha Khandelwal is a lifestyle journalist and the Content Lead at HT Travel. She specialises in destinations, hotels, aviation, luggage, travel gear, and practical guides that help readers plan smarter and travel better. Her work combines first-hand experience, expert insights, and extensive research to create stories that are informative, useful, and easy to follow.
Career Journey & Experience
Neha began her writing career as a freelance journalist in 2010 before entering mainstream media with The Times of India in 2022. She later joined Hindustan Times, where she has written extensively across travel, lifestyle, home, and consumer trends. Her professional background extends beyond journalism. Before moving into digital media full-time, she spent nearly a decade in interior design, managing residential projects from concept to execution. She also trained in visual merchandising with Shoppers Stop and Pantaloons and worked with women-led startups across design and operations. These experiences continue to shape her storytelling, especially in how she evaluates hotels, design-led stays, hospitality spaces, and travel experiences.
A naturally curious learner, Neha has completed beginner certifications in pottery, scuba diving, baking, creative writing, and other creative pursuits. She has read more than 2,000 books, trained in Bharatanatyam for 8 years, and ghostwritten a book on Ladakh tourism.
Subject Expertise
Travel is at the heart of Neha's work. She covers destinations, hotels, airlines, luggage, packing strategies, travel accessories, and emerging travel trends through a mix of reporting, product testing, and conversations with industry experts. A frequent traveller herself, she approaches every trip with a journalist's curiosity and a planner's mindset, focusing on experiences that readers can realistically recreate. From choosing the right cabin bag to decoding hotel openings and destination trends, her writing prioritises practical advice over promotional claims.
Her background in interior design also gives her a distinct perspective on architecture, hospitality design, boutique hotels, luxury stays, and thoughtfully designed spaces.
Education & Professional Background
Neha holds a Master's degree in Interior Design. Her early experience in interior design, visual merchandising, and design operations gives her a unique understanding of aesthetics, functionality, and user experience, adding depth to her coverage of hotels, resorts, and travel spaces.
Editorial Philosophy
"As an avid, research-driven traveller, my goal is simple. To answer the questions you actually have before booking a trip. I cut through the promotional noise with honest reporting and expert insights. Making travel planning seamless, smart, and reliable so you always know where to go next."
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Content Lead, HT Travel | Travel & Lifestyle Journalist
With over 10 years of content writing experience, Neha Khandelwal is a lifestyle journalist and the Content Lead at HT Travel. She specialises in destinations, hotels, aviation, luggage, travel gear, and practical guides that help readers plan smarter and travel better. Her work combines first-hand experience, expert insights, and extensive research to create stories that are informative, useful, and easy to follow.
Career Journey & Experience
Neha began her writing career as a freelance journalist in 2010 before entering mainstream media with The Times of India in 2022. She later joined Hindustan Times, where she has written extensively across travel, lifestyle, home, and consumer trends. Her professional background extends beyond journalism. Before moving into digital media full-time, she spent nearly a decade in interior design, managing residential projects from concept to execution. She also trained in visual merchandising with Shoppers Stop and Pantaloons and worked with women-led startups across design and operations. These experiences continue to shape her storytelling, especially in how she evaluates hotels, design-led stays, hospitality spaces, and travel experiences.
A naturally curious learner, Neha has completed beginner certifications in pottery, scuba diving, baking, creative writing, and other creative pursuits. She has read more than 2,000 books, trained in Bharatanatyam for 8 years, and ghostwritten a book on Ladakh tourism.
Subject Expertise
Travel is at the heart of Neha's work. She covers destinations, hotels, airlines, luggage, packing strategies, travel accessories, and emerging travel trends through a mix of reporting, product testing, and conversations with industry experts. A frequent traveller herself, she approaches every trip with a journalist's curiosity and a planner's mindset, focusing on experiences that readers can realistically recreate. From choosing the right cabin bag to decoding hotel openings and destination trends, her writing prioritises practical advice over promotional claims. Her background in interior design also gives her a distinct perspective on architecture, hospitality design, boutique hotels, luxury stays, and thoughtfully designed spaces.
Education & Professional Background
Neha holds a Master's degree in Interior Design. Her early experience in interior design, visual merchandising, and design operations gives her a unique understanding of aesthetics, functionality, and user experience, adding depth to her coverage of hotels, resorts, and travel spaces.
Editorial Philosophy
"As an avid, research-driven traveller, my goal is simple. To answer the questions you actually have before booking a trip. I cut through the promotional noise with honest reporting and expert insights. Making travel planning seamless, smart, and reliable so you always know where to go next."
Alia Bhatt turned 33rd and marked the day with a cheerful trip through Hong Kong. Her Instagram post felt like a friendly travel diary filled with theme parks, bright streets and playful tourist moments. From a stop at Hong Kong Disneyland to the cable car ride to Nong Ping and a stroll along the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong, the city clearly kept her busy. Fans also spotted a fun detail that many travellers secretly love. Mirror selfies inside stylish mall washrooms, especially at Citygate Outlets Hong Kong. The city mixes big attractions with quirky little finds. If Alia’s photos now sit on your travel mood board, this packing list will help you step into Hong Kong feeling ready for long days of exploring.
5 essentials you will need for your Hong Kong Vacation
1. Travel adapters
Hong Kong may sit in Asia, though many Indian travelers still get caught off guard by the power sockets. They follow the British style Type G plug, which means your regular chargers from India will not fit directly. A compact travel adapter solves the problem in seconds and keeps all your devices powered through the day.
I have relied on one particular adapter for years, and it has never let me down on international trips. The design includes several ports, including Type C and USB, which makes charging multiple gadgets at once very easy. Phone, earbuds, smartwatch and camera batteries can all plug in without fighting for socket space. It saves time, keeps your hotel bedside neat and ensures every bit of tech is ready for another long day exploring the city.
2. Walking shoes
Hong Kong is the sort of city that keeps you on your feet all day. Streets connect easily, public transport is excellent, and yet you will still end up strolling through markets, crossing lively boulevards, and wandering into hidden lanes that look too interesting to ignore. All that exploring means your feet need proper support.
A good pair of walking shoes can change the entire travel experience. I have worn the Reebok Perforated Glide Ripple Double Running Shoes since 2023, and the design has been a favourite. The slightly raised heel adds a fashionable touch while still feeling comfortable during long walks. Recently, I also switched to the ASICS Gel Quantum 360 for daily wear, and the cushioning works brilliantly for hours of walking.
Pick a dependable pair of walking shoes, and the city instantly feels easier to explore.
2. Reebok Classic Women's Perforated Detail Glide SP Running Shoes
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3. A thermosteel water bottle
One of the smartest items I packed for Hong Kong was a thermosteel water bottle. Many tourist spots across the city have refill stations, which makes topping up throughout the day easy. Budget hotels often provide very little bottled water, so buying individual bottles can get expensive.
A handy trick is to visit a nearby grocery shop or a 7-Eleven and purchase a large 5-litre bottle for your room. Chill it in the fridge and refill your thermosteel bottle before heading out.
It keeps water cold for hours, perfect after long walks or while chasing Mickey at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Pro tip: Many attractions place water filters near public washrooms.
4. Quick pocket-sized snacks
Food in Hong Kong can be tricky for many travellers, especially vegetarians. You may locate a restaurant after some searching, though the meal might not always feel satisfying. During packed sightseeing days, you do not want to spend hours looking for the right place to eat.
Even for non-vegetarian travellers, the menu can feel unfamiliar since the local palate leans strongly towards pork and beef. At chains like McDonald's, you may see egg burgers or chicken options that differ from what many Indian travellers expect.
That is where pocket-sized snacks help. Energy bars, nuts or trail mix keep hunger in check while you move across the city.
5. Portable bidet or jet spray
If you have read my travel pieces before, you already know this is a must-pack item. I simply do not board a flight without a portable bidet or jet spray now. In Hong Kong, health faucets are rarely available, and washroom layouts usually place the sink far from the toilet.
Most mall washrooms are spacious and very clean, though toilet paper is the only option provided. That is where a portable jet spray becomes extremely useful. It is small, easy to refill and fits neatly into a handbag or backpack. Carry one through the day, and you will feel far more comfortable during long sightseeing hours across the city.
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ABOUT THE AUTHORNeha KhandelwalNeha Khandelwal Content Lead, HT Travel | Travel & Lifestyle Journalist With over 10 years of content writing experience, Neha Khandelwal is a lifestyle journalist and the Content Lead at HT Travel. She specialises in destinations, hotels, aviation, luggage, travel gear, and practical guides that help readers plan smarter and travel better. Her work combines first-hand experience, expert insights, and extensive research to create stories that are informative, useful, and easy to follow. Career Journey & Experience Neha began her writing career as a freelance journalist in 2010 before entering mainstream media with The Times of India in 2022. She later joined Hindustan Times, where she has written extensively across travel, lifestyle, home, and consumer trends. Her professional background extends beyond journalism. Before moving into digital media full-time, she spent nearly a decade in interior design, managing residential projects from concept to execution. She also trained in visual merchandising with Shoppers Stop and Pantaloons and worked with women-led startups across design and operations. These experiences continue to shape her storytelling, especially in how she evaluates hotels, design-led stays, hospitality spaces, and travel experiences. A naturally curious learner, Neha has completed beginner certifications in pottery, scuba diving, baking, creative writing, and other creative pursuits. She has read more than 2,000 books, trained in Bharatanatyam for 8 years, and ghostwritten a book on Ladakh tourism. Subject Expertise Travel is at the heart of Neha's work. She covers destinations, hotels, airlines, luggage, packing strategies, travel accessories, and emerging travel trends through a mix of reporting, product testing, and conversations with industry experts. A frequent traveller herself, she approaches every trip with a journalist's curiosity and a planner's mindset, focusing on experiences that readers can realistically recreate. From choosing the right cabin bag to decoding hotel openings and destination trends, her writing prioritises practical advice over promotional claims. Her background in interior design also gives her a distinct perspective on architecture, hospitality design, boutique hotels, luxury stays, and thoughtfully designed spaces. Education & Professional Background Neha holds a Master's degree in Interior Design. Her early experience in interior design, visual merchandising, and design operations gives her a unique understanding of aesthetics, functionality, and user experience, adding depth to her coverage of hotels, resorts, and travel spaces. Editorial Philosophy "As an avid, research-driven traveller, my goal is simple. To answer the questions you actually have before booking a trip. I cut through the promotional noise with honest reporting and expert insights. Making travel planning seamless, smart, and reliable so you always know where to go next."Read More

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