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Home » Asia » China » Hong Kong » Itinerary

HONG KONG Itinerary • MUST READ! (2024)

Hong Kong is quite unlike anywhere else on earth and is chock full of unique and exciting activities. Whether you are visiting for fun, business or simply to experience a different culture, you’ll be blown away by everything it has to offer. From its ancient temples to futuristic theme parks and everything in between – Hong Kong literally has it all!

You wouldn’t want to arrive in Hong Kong without a plan, as you may end up missing some amazing things to do! While the attractions are relatively easy to access, no matter where you are, there are optimal ways to see and do the best on offer. Which is exactly what we’ve highlighted in this detailed Hong Kong travel guide!

 A Little Bit about this 3-Day Hong Kong Itinerary

Where to stay in hong kong, hong kong itinerary day 1: lantau & hong kong island, hong kong itinerary day 2: kowloon & more, hong kong itinerary: day 3 – hikes and beaches, what to do with more than 3 days in hong kong, best time to visit hong kong, how to get around hong kong, what to prepare before visiting hong kong, faq on hong kong itinerary, final thoughts.

Hong Kong actually consists of 3 islands and 1 peninsula. The peninsula that connects to mainland China is known as Kowloon and this is where a lot of tourists attractions are situated. Then there is Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island and Lamma Island.

This itinerary spans all of these areas but fortunately, they are well connected by Metro or Ferries.

The first 2 days are very busy and time will be of the essence. Day 3 is more like a buffet option whereby we set out a number of cool options for you to choose from. Anyway, let’s dive in and look at what do for your first time in Hong Kong.

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3 Day Hong Kong Itinerary Overview

Day 1 in Hong Kong: Big Buddha , Tai O Fishing Village , Victoria Peak , The Symphony of Lights , Drinks at the Old Man

Day 2 in Hong Kong: 10, 000 Buddhas Monastery , Sham Shui Po , Hong Kong History Museum , Hong Kong Museum of Art , Cocktails in the Sky at Ozone

Day 3 in Hong Kong : Ocean Park , Lamma Island , Tai Chi Class , Dragons Back

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When choosing your accommodation in Hong Kong , it’s good to know that there are several neighborhoods of varying atmospheres to choose from. If you’re wanting shopping malls, nightlife and being in the center of excitement, then staying in Hong Kong central is your best bet. Causeway Bay or Wan Chai are also fantastic choices too!

Lantau Island is not only where you will land, but also home to Hong Kong’s Disneyland, so this is usually a family favorite location. The Western District is a slightly “quieter” neighborhood, perfect for those who need some peace and tranquility at night. Alternatively, you can stay in Kowloon, which is busy, but full of budget accommodation and backpacker lodges.

Best Hostel in Hong Kong – Hop Inn on Mody

The Hop Inn on Mody is a comfy, affordable hostel nestled in the center of TST, Kowloon. There are both female-only and mixed dorms, sleeping 4 – 8 people each. It’s the perfect mix of quiet rooms and colorful artistic decor, with open common areas to chill and meet other travelers, making it one of the best hostels in Hong Kong !

Best Airbnb in Hong Kong – Cozy Studio near Mongkok

Conveniently based in northern Kowloon, this spacious apartment is as cool as the bustling streets outside. With exposed brick walls and quirky egg-shaped chairs, it’s every hipster’s dream – minus the avocado. It also boasts high-speed WiFi, 24-hour security and easy access to the subway.

Best Budget Hotel in Hong Kong – Ovolo Southside

This may be budget accommodation, but it certainly won’t seem like it when you’re there. The hotel has 162 rooms, each as comfy and stylish as the next. The floor-to-ceiling windows show off the beauty of Hong Kong, while you rest comfortably in your soft, relaxing bed! Enjoy in-room comforts, as well as on-site extras such as a restaurant and fitness center.

This is gonna be a busy day and your legs are going to get a workout! Day 1 of this itinerary also covers some pretty extensive ground so be prepared to spend some time in transit. However, it will be worth it as we whisk you around Hong Kong’s Biggest Buddha, Hong Kong’s iconic peak and finish off with a light show.

9:00 AM – Tian Tan Buddha – Big Buddha

The Tian Tan Buddha stands at 34 meters high and is a must-see for any trip to Hong Kong! You can visit this ginormous statue any day of the week. To get to the platform you must first take the cable car or bus (definitely way more fun on a cable car) to Ngong Ping village.

The statue is at the top of the village next to the Po Lin Monastery, you’ll need to walk up the grueling 268 steps – quite a workout, but oh so worth it!

For those with mobility issues, or simply unable to fathom a 268-step climb, opt for the small, winding path that leads up to the Buddha instead!

Once at the top, you’ll have insaaaane views of Lantau Island, as well as a close-up look of this huge landmark.

You can choose to go inside the statue, there are 3 halls inside and they are full of Buddhism relics and interesting items. However, staying on the outside of the statue doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on anything though. You’ll be able to catch some fabulous photos either way!

• Cost:  Free unless you want to go inside (in which case purchase a meal ticket ranging from Us $ 9 – 13)
• How Long Should I Stay here?  The visit should take no more than 2 hours
• Getting There?  Lantau Island is reached by taking the Tsung Chung line from Tung Chung Station. The ride takes 25 minutes. If you are coming from Tsim Sha Tsui, the whole journey will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes

12.00 PM – Tai O Fishing Village

Hong Kong is famous for its skyscraper city line, but it wasn’t always like this. Tai O fishing village takes you back to rural Hong Kong times when it was just a fishing port, and not much else.

When you’re tired of all the rush and crowds, then a trip to the Tai O fishing village is the perfect antidote.

You’ll find it’s a much slower pace of life here, and it’s the best place to pick up some fresh seafood street food to eat while you’re at it too.

If you’re into nature and wildlife, you can take a boat ride around the village with one of the locals, and even look for pink dolphins. Now they are super rare and I’ve never actually seen one, but the boat ride is only $30HKD or so and it’s a nice activity – you get to see all the stilt houses in their pride and glory..

• Cost:  Free to explore – only pay for food and the bus ticket
• How Long Should I Stay here?  2 hours
• Getting There?  There is a bus directly from Ngong Ping to Tai O.

5.00 – Victoria Peak

To get from Tai O to Victoria Peak will take some time. I suggest getting the bus from Tai O to Mui Wo, and then the ferry back to Central. This journey should take around 1.5 hours if you time it right.

Victoria Peak is the highest point on Hong Kong Island and draws a crowd of tourists each day. This mountain stands at 552 meters above sea level and was used as a natural signal for cargo ships in the 19th century. Today, it is simply a beautiful place to visit and enjoy.

On top of the peak, you will find The Peak Tower.

Inside this fantastic building, there are shops and restaurants galore, as well as Sky Terrace 428 – Hong Kong’s highest outdoor observation deck.

At the peak, visitors can also take advantage of the Madness 3D Adventure experience, the  Post Love to the Future  mailbox, and the amazing nature walks available.

• Cost:  The train is $5 one way
• How Long Should I Stay here?  Stay to enjoy the sunset over Hong Kong city before heading down.
• Getting There?  I’m giving you options! If you want a perfectly manageable but sweaty 45 minute hike, do it. But after hiking up to Big Buddha, I reckon your feet are feeling tired. So, you should definitely opt for the peak tram! It’s a funicular railway system that’s iconic for Hong Kong.

8.00 PM – The Symphony of Lights

When you’re ready to leave Victoria Peak, you can take a bus down to central, or the tram. From central, you can get the MTR or ferry over to TStT to catch the Symphony of Lights. This should take you around 1 hour at most.

Each night, at exactly 8 pm, tourists and locals alike will make their way to the harbor to amaze their senses with the Symphony of Lights show! This show is a mix of dazzling lights and glorious orchestra music. The best vantage points include the “Avenue of Stars” on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, on the waterfront promenade outside the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and on sightseeing ferries (i.e. Star Ferry) running across the Victoria Harbour. 

It can be seen from both the Hong Kong main island and Kowloon and is one of the top attractions in Hong Kong .

As well as from The Peak, and other rooftop bars and lounges, but from those spots, you won’t be able to hear the music…  So why not just take a boat cruise and enjoy the show from the water??

The best way to see the show is to find a comfy spot, preferably where they serve dinner and drinks and sit back to relax. The show only lasts around 10 minutes, but it’s a definite must-see!

• Cost:  Free
• How Long Should I Stay here?
• Getting There?  Get the Metro to Tsim Sha Tsui and walk along the promenade to take in the spectacle

9.00 PM – Drinks at the Old Man

Whether you are a Hemingway fan, or not, The Old Man is sure to delight and entertain you! This cozy bar has been fashioned in a way that honors Hemingway and his love of literature.

Ready for some classy and seriously elegant cocktails? Bingo! This venue is the ultimate place to end of a busy day. The quiet atmosphere and innovative drinks are sure to be the cherry on top of a perfect first day in Hong Kong!

• Cost:  About $4 per drink
• Getting There?  It’s a 16 minute walk from Central down near the Waterfront.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Any trip to Hong Kong must swing by the 10,000 Budda’s monastery as well as take a look at the fascinating history of this unique city state. Day 2 of our 3 days in Hong Kong itinerary does just that.

9.00 AM – 10,000 Buddhas Monastery

Day 2 starts in the north of Kowloon, at the 10, 000 Buddhas Monastery – a must see in Hong Kong. Slightly off the beaten path, on a hill in Sha Tin New Territories, sits the 5 temples, 4 pavilions and 1 pagoda that make up the 10, 000 Buddhas Monastery! To get there, from Kowloon, it takes around an hour if you take the bus, a taxi cab could do the trip in around 20 minutes too.

Fill up on a big breakfast before you leave, because this is going to involve a lot of walking!

There is much to explore once you are here, and with a long hill and many steps to climb, those with mobility issues will, unfortunately, find this a hard activity to take part in.

Take a walk through the forest – beware of the wild monkeys though – and take your time to really appreciate the serenity that this place offers. Many people come here to meditate and reflect on their thoughts.

By the way, contrary to the translation of its name, the monastery houses 13,000 Buddha statues in total.

• How Long Should I Stay here?  2 -3 hours
• Getting There?  Head to Sha Tin Metro station

12.00 PM – Sham Shui Po

Sham Shui Po is a district you can’t miss on your Hong Kong trip! Firstly, you absolutely must try out Tim Ho Wan, the district’s only Michelin-star restaurant, offering some of the best Dim Sum you’ll ever eat. Dim Sim is by the way one of THE things to do in Hong Kong in 3 days.

You can visit the many shops, from clothes to electronics, and even toys!

There are many a special and sale to be found along these crowded streets too, so keep your eyes peeled.

The main attraction, though, is the food! We suggest walking around for a little while, just enough to gain an appetite, you know? Then, make your way through your list of faves – bite-by-bite. Try out a 3-course traveling meal – doing each course in a different eatery.

• Cost:  Free to explore – pay for what you buy
• How Long Should I Stay here?  1 -2 hours
• Getting There?  From 10,000 Budda’s you take the Blue East Line metro from Sha Tin Station to Kowloon Tong Station. Then take the Green Kwun Tong line to Prince Edward Street

2.00 PM – Hong Kong History Museum

The Hong Kong Museum of history tells the fascinating and complex history of the region using a series of exhibitions. From ancient times, through the rise and fall of Chinese dynasties and into the days of the British Empire, the full tale of Hong Kong is told here. There are some wonderful mock-up’s of Hong Kong corner shops, banks and shipping terminals that give you a feel of how it must have been back when it was the world’s major trading hub.

• Cost:  $10
• How Long Should I Stay here?  90 – 120 minutes
• Getting There?  It’s a ten minute walk from TST East Metro Station. If you are happy trying the bus, then it’s 3 minute walk from the Empire Centre. From Sham Shui Po it should take about 30 minutes.

4.00 PM – Hong Kong Museum of Art

Located on Salisbury Road, the Hong Kong Museum of Art offers extensive collection of Chinese art.  The collections include a busy mixture of Qing ceramics, ancient calligraphic scrolls, bronze, jade, lacquerware, textiles, and contemporary canvases. It is an essential stop for those wishing to understand Hong Kong’s artistic culture through the ages. If you are wondering what to see in Hong Kong in 3 days then some fine art is a good safe bet.

• Cost:  $2
• How Long Should I Stay here?  60 minutes
• Getting There?  It’s a 13 minute walk from the History Museum

6.00 PM – Cocktails in the Sky at Ozone

Provided you’re not afraid of heights, this is an experience you should have at least once in Hong Kong. The Ozone bar is listed on the list of the 10 highest bars in the world! It’s situated on floor 118 of The Ritz-Carlton hotel. The elegant, rich decor gives the bar a classy feel, and the large windows allow for the perfect night.

The friendly staff, delicious cocktails, and breathtaking views make this an experience on its own! You can get anything from beer to top-quality whiskeys and wines. Their menu includes sushi and scrumptious tapas, so you can easily enjoy a luxury dinner on the terrace, overlooking Hong Kong.

• Cost:  Cocktails are about $25 each
• How Long Should I Stay here?  I think 1 drink is plenty!
• Getting There?  It’s a 10 minute walk from Kowloon Metro

8.00 PM – Temple Street Night Market

If you want to pick up some epic souvenirs, you’ll need to head over to Temple Street Night Market. The market opens around 8pm and goes on until late. Here you will find everything from souvenirs, to random electronics (including sex toys, if you’re into that), tarot card readers and psychics. Yes, it is a varied place.

It’s also a great place to sample some delicious street food (if your belly isn’t full yet). I also recommend getting an egg waffle from Mamma Pancake while you’re there – they are so good!

Alternatively, you could visit Ladies Market in Mong Kok which is basically the same thing, but without the tarot card readers and psychics.

• Cost:  whatever you want to spend on souvenirs
• How Long Should I Stay here?  1 hour should be enough
• Getting There?  It’s a 5 minute walk from Jordan MTR

On your third and final day in Hong Kong, you’re gonna want to rest your weary legs after all that walking the last two days…NOT! Hong Kong is known for its hikes, in fact, it has over 100 hiking trails and more than 60% of Hong Kong is a national park. Sure, the Hong Kong skyline is nice, but the mountains and beaches are out of this world.

Today we will just be doing one hike because they do take a long time, and no Hong Kong trip would be complete without hiking. But don’t worry, because this hike is suitable for beginner hikers and families. It is the world-class Maclehose Trail to Sai Wan beach.

9.00 AM – Breakfast in Sai Kung

The hike I have picked for you for today’s hiking adventure starts at Sai Kung Town Center.

It is completely up to you when you start your hike, but I do suggest getting to Sai Kung early to catch the bus. In that case, you should also have breakfast in Sai Kung.

There are a ton of local breakfast restaurants in Sai Kung, and it’s a very expat-heavy area, so you’ll find a ton of hipster coffee shops. I went to Shiba Taro Cafe when I was there and it was great.

After breakfast, you will need to catch a village bus to Sai Wan Pavilion. The bus has a sporadic schedule, it only comes 4 times a day in the week and 8 times on weekends.

If you miss the bus, you can catch a taxi to Sai Wan instead (make sure to get a green taxi because they are cheaper).

• Cost: depending on where you eat
• How Long I Should Spend There? 1 hour to eat, you can also walk along Sai Kung pier but there is not much else to see.
• Getting there: You can catch a red mini bus from Dundas Street in Mong Kok, or more commonly, from the bus station outside Hang Hau MTR.

10.00 AM – Sai Wan Pavilion – Sai Wan Beach

Once you have made it to Sai Wan Pavilion you can begin hiking. The walk is completely paved and is sometimes shaded, but mostly exposed to the elements.

It should take you no more than an hour to reach Sai Wan beach and it is mostly downhill all the way.

Once you reach Sai Wan, you will find a couple of restaurants and a magnificent beach to bask on.

If you like water sports, you can rent a surfboard or just kick back and relax on the beach.

• Cost: bring around $50 HKD for food, or you can bring your own and pay nothing!
• How Long I Should Spend There? 2-3 hours
• Getting there: Hike from Sai Wan Pavilion. There is only one trail and everyone takes it, so you won’t get lost.

12.00 PM – Sheung Luk Stream

If you’ve had enough of the beach and fancy a nice cool river to swim in, take a short walk to the Sheung Luk Stream, or Sai Kung Rock Pools, which in my opinion is one of the best waterfalls in Hong Kong .

Here you will find a huge natural river pool, and probably some daring teenagers jumping off rocks. Don’t do it though, because accidents are known to happen to those who try!

It is a magnificent place for a cool and refreshing dip in the Hong Kong heat, but once you’ve spent an hour there, there’s not much more to do.

• Cost: free HKD for food, or you can bring your own and pay nothing!
• How Long I Should Spend There? 1 hour
• Getting there: Hike from Sai Wan beach. The trail is only a 20 minute walk from the village.

2.00 PM – Ham Tin and Tai Long Wan Beach

If you’re not tired and want to see what I think is THE BEST beach in Hong Kong, continue hiking towards Ham Tin beach and Tai Wan Beach.

You can stop in Ham Tin if you’re tired, but if you can continue on to Tai Wan you won’t be disappointed.

By now, you would have done a lot of hiking, but this is the last stop, I promise!

Tai Wan beach is a long stretch of pure white sand beach with excellent surf. It’s usually very quiet, because it takes some effort to get to, but it is the cleanest and most picturesque beach in Hong Kong, hands down.

• Getting there: Hike from Sheung Luk Stream. It will take 30 minutes to Ham Tin beach and 45 minutes to Tai Wan.

5.00 PM – Boat to Sai Kung

There are two options to get back to civilization. One, the way you came. That means hiking all the way back to Sai Wan Pavilion and trying your luck with the bus.

Or, and the most popular choice is to take a boat back to Sai Kung pier.

You can catch the boat from either Sai Wan or Ham Tin, so if you’re at Tai Wan beach you should plan to get back accordingly. You can buy your boat ticket from the restaurants at Ham Tin or Sai Wan.

• Cost: around 120HKD for the boat
• Getting there: Hike from Tai Wan back to Ham Tin or Sai Wan Beach and wait for the boat. The boat takes roughly one hour.

7.00 PM – Rooftop dinner @ Wooloomooloo

For your last evening in Hong Kong, you must have a rooftop dinner to get the second-best view (after the views from the hike today) of Hong Kong. The best views are by far from a rooftop restaurant.

Now there are a lot of rooftop restaurants in Hong Kong, but a lot of them are really overpriced and a bit of a gimmick.

That’s why I always recommend people visit Wooloomooloo. Yes, it is pricey, but they serve the best steaks in Hong Kong! And the views are insaneeeeee.

There are two restaurants in Hong Kong, both are stunning. If you’re staying in Kowloon, head to the Tsim Sha Tsui branch, or if you’re staying on the Hong Kong island side, there’s a great one in Wan Chai. Ideally, try to book ahead as they tend to fill up quickly, though you can have luck with walk-ins too.

• Cost: depends on what you order
• How Long I Should Spend There? 2 hours
• Getting there: Take the MTR to either TST or Wan Chai and walk.

Aside from the itinerary, there are loads more stuff to do in Hong Kong. If you’re lucky enough to be spending three or more days in this exciting city, be sure to check out some of these exciting, quirky and memorable activities!

The Ocean Park in Hong Kong is so much fun, you really need an entire day to fully enjoy it! You’ll find adventure rides, bumper cars, a cable car, jumping castle, even wet rides. You would want to miss the chance to visit the many animal encounters, from koalas to pandas and marine animals, too!

To eat, there is a list of amazing restaurants, as well as food kiosks for a quick bite in between the fun!

You can get anything from traditional Hong Kong dishes to seafood. There are also some amazing desserts, cakes and other sweet dishes available from the several restaurants and bakeries.

Shopping is an experience on its own in the park! Check out the Waterfront Gift Shop and take an ocean-themed souvenir home with you, or go to The Panda Kingdom Shop and pick one of the many panda-related gifts on offer there.

The park is big on conservation! The seafood served in the restaurants is all sustainable, they encourage visitors to bring reusable bags, and charge for plastic bags to be taken when shopping or taking home doggy bags. They also offer conservation resources on their website and app.

• Cost:  An adult day ticket is $65USD
• How Long Should I Stay here?  4 hours
• Getting There?  There are 3 main options.  Take South Island Line and  get  off at  Ocean Park Station , Exit B. Take bus 48, 107, 629, or 973 to  Hong Kong   Ocean Park  directly. Take bus 71, 71P, 72A, 75 or N72 to Wong Chuk Hang. Then, you will see the  Park

Ferry over to Lamma Island

If you’re in Hong Kong for an extended period, a trip to Lamma Island is absolutely worth it! This fishing village-turned multicultural hub is home to many different types of people and offers some splendid sights.

You can hike the Lamma Island family trails or take a breathtaking cycle around the island. Fill up on a delicious lunch at the Rainbow Seafood Restaurant.

Then, make your way to the Lamma Fisherfolks Village where you can learn about this community and even take part in some of their fishing activities if you wish to!

You can spend a good 7.5 hours doing the sea kayaking and hiking tour around the island – a wonderful, active way to spend a day! Be sure, though, that you don’t leave the island before grabbing a coffee at the Book Worm Cafe. Sit down with a good book – read one of theirs or bring your own – and relax after a day of walking!

Other sights to see are the power station, the wind power station, and so many gorgeous picnic spots and beaches to relax in. Whether you visit the island for an entire day or just a few hours, it makes for a great break from everyday life! If you need to stay over, there are affordable and comfy spots to rent a room on the island as well.

• Cost:  Exploring is free, the ferry is around $30 HKD.
• How Long Should I Stay here?  4 to 5 hours
• Getting There?   Lamma is easily reachable by ferry from Central Pier 4 on Hong Kong Island and from Aberdeen on the south side of Hong Kong Island.

Take a Tai Chi Class

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art, known for its health benefits. If you’ve never tried it before, doing a class in Hong Kong is a brilliant idea! Not only will you be learning from masters of the art, but the culture of the activity is well-preserved as well.

You can find many places to catch a Tai Chi class , most are free and open, taking place in public spaces.

Some of these will have numbers or emails where you need to book ahead of time, while others let you simply drop in and find a space! These will usually be in a public park, under the shade of a large tree or next to a calm body of water.

The carefully choreographed moves, along with the peaceful setting allow for a tranquil, yet energized experience! This truly is a rejuvenating activity for both body and mind.

If you prefer to learn in a more private setting, you can book one of the private classes on offer, which are not free but offer you some privacy in a smaller group.

This is actually something you can do on more than just one occasion, if you find the right spots, you can try and catch a Tai Chi class each morning of your stay.

• Cost:  Varies
• How Long Should I Stay here?  Classes are usually 1 hour
• Getting There?  Depends where it is

Hollywood Road

Hollywood road is one of the oldest, and most famous, roads you will find in Hong Kong. It is approximately 1 km (0.6 miles) long and features many cultural and historic landmarks.

Fun Fact, Hollywood Road was built and named in 1844, before the famously known Hollywood, California! Along this road, you will find art galleries, museums, and temples galore.

These show off the history of Hong Kong, and the culture that the state has preserved all these years.

Some attractions to look out for:

• Man Mo Temple
• Hollywood Mural
• Hollywood Road Park
• Liang Li Museum

Although not quite on Hollywood Road itself, you should definitely make a detour to check out the Alex Croft G.O.D  graffiti wall in Graham Street .

• Cost:  Free to explore – only pay for food and gallery/temple entrances where necessary.
• How Long Should I Stay here?  3 hours
• Getting There?   The metro from Lantau’s Big Budda takes around 1 hour 15 minute

Dragon’s Back

Hiking Dragon’s Back is thought to be the best way to start a hiking habit! The peak is easy to access and doesn’t require a very high level of fitness. The scenic views are well worth the climb as well, as from the top of the ridge you get to see a more natural side of Hong Kong.

The name, Dragon’s Back, comes from the shape of the spinal ridge.

The ridge is situated between the Wan Cham Shan and Shek O Peak.

The ridge is a 4-hour bus ride from Central Hong Kong. It is best to do the hike before it gets hot, so you’ll want to leave quite early in the morning or find closer accommodation for the night before. The bus will bring you right to the foot of the ridge, allowing you to start your hike without too long of a pre-walk!

There are different hiking options, ranging from 5 – 8 km, and will take around 2 to 3 hours. Finishing the hike will leave you either at the bus stop, where you can take a bus to Shek O Beach, or it will take you right to Big Wave Bay beach, depending on the route you decide to take.

Once the hike is done, you can enjoy the afternoon soaking up the sun on the soft beach sand. There are also some great lunch spots to fill you up for your trip back to your hotel.

• Cost:  Free!
• How Long Should I Stay here?  The hike may take 2 – 3 hours
• Getting There?   Take the metro to  Shau Kei Wan Station.  Then take the bus to  To Tei Wan, Dragon’s Back

Need a place quick? Here’s the best neighborhood in Hong Kong:

Tsim Sha Tsui

As one of the most central districts in Hong Kong city, it’s little wonder Tsim Sha Tsui receives so many visitors and we believe it’s the best area to stay in Hong Kong on a first-time visit. The nightlife, cafes, and markets might also have something to do with it.

• Kowloon Park – those keen to escape city life can take a wark in sprawling Kowloon Park which is home to greenery, plants and birdlife.
• The Avenue of Stars walkway beside Victoria Harbor is as famed for its static telescopes allowing you to admire the cities skyline and it also focuses on another type of star – those from the movies.
• Don’t miss the K11 art gallery and shopping center which displays exhibitions all throughout the year. Pick up some goods as you explore the installations.

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

First things first, when is the best time to head down to this beautiful location? There isn’t necessarily a wrong time to visit Hong Kong, but each season has pros and cons of its own. The table below is pretty helpful.

Wherever you choose to base yourself in Hong Kong, you’ll have easy access to transport and accessing the attractions and sights on this itinerary. Taxis in Hong Kong come by often, and the Star Ferry shuttles crowds across from the main island to Kowloon and back often each day.

The Metro is perhaps the easiest way to get around as you can study the maps and announcements are in English. However, it gets very crowded. Busses can sometimes be faster and signs are written in English – still drivers do not speak much English and knowing where to get off can very confusing. As you only have 3 days in Hong Kong, wasting time getting lost may not be adviseable.

If you are visiting Hong Kong for the weekend then the business and financial districts will be quieter but the shopping areas and temples may be busier.

Planning a trip to Hong Kong is simple enough as many nationalities don’t need a visa to enter. The weather can be very hot and humid all year round. Even when it rains it can remain very stick out. Despite the tropical climate, people in Hong Kong dress very well usually donning a mixture of business/casual/fashionable attire. For this reason, flip flops and cargo shorts are not advisable – you will look ridiculous.

Instead, wear loose but nice clothes of thin material. If you must wear shorts make sure they are nice ones and dress them up at least. Most things a traveller will need can easily be bought in Hong Kong so if you do forget anything, don’t worry too much.

Hong Kong is relatively safe and violent crime is rare. There is a significant criminal underworld in Hong Kong but it is not a concern tourists or backpackers in Hong Kong need worry about. However, always travelers are encouraged to stay vigilant when in crowds and to keep valuables safe.

There is a high police presence all throughout Hong Kong, which creates a safe feeling for both locals and tourists.

The public transport in Hong Kong is relatively safe and reliable, and walking through the streets and parks shouldn’t be an issue! If you a female traveling alone, however, take the necessary precautions and try not to walk down secluded streets on your own, especially at night.

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Hong Kong

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Find out what people want to know when planning their ultimate Hong Kong itinerary.

How many days do you need in Hong Kong?

That depends on what you want out of your trip. 3-5 days are enough to cover top attractions, but you could easily spend up to 10 days exploring!

What should you include on a 3 day Hong Kong itinerary?

Make sure to include out these awesome Hong Kong hotspots: – Big Buddha – Victoria Peak – Sham Shui Po – Buddhas Monastery

What is the best month to visit Hong Kong?

February-April are the best months for sightseeing in Hong Kong, as these have the lowest chance of rain and smallest tourist crowds.

Where should you stay in Hong Kong?

Kowloon, Causeway Bay, and the Western Districts are some of the best areas to stay in Hong Kong for sightseeing.

Now, you can easily plan your trip to Hong Kong, knowing where you should go and what you should do when there! All there is to do now is book your trip and decide how long you have to spend there. Be double sure that you make time to try out Hong Kong’s food – as this is usually a large part of the enjoyment for visitors!

We hope you found valuable information in this Hong Kong guide, and that you’re able to travel Hong Kong with the knowledge you need. Also remember that in between the larger, better-known attractions are tiny sights and scenes that are not often found in other parts of the world. Keep your eyes peeled and be sure to arrive in Hong Kong ready to learn and embrace all their culture has to offer you!

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Hong Kong Itinerary: What to Do in 4 (or More) Days

Hong Kong. Its name inspires visions of a chaotic, jam-packed city with soaring skyscrapers, thick smog, endless noodle stands, big finance, and wild nights out.

It’s one of my favorite cities in the world . The fast pace creates a sense of permanent change, and the crowds, multiculturalism, and food keep me continuously coming back. Oh, the food! I could sit bent over a noodle bowl all day long.

Hong Kong is a busy city of 7.4 million inhabitants with one of the biggest hub airports in the world. It can be overwhelming for many visitors, especially those not used to crowded places.

And, with so much to do in Hong Kong , many travelers scratch their head about where to start in order to get the most out of the trip.

While you can visit the city within one or two days, it’s best to spend at least three days in Hong Kong. If you’re going to visit Macau, I’d add another day, so you’d need 4-5 days to really see the place.

This four-day Hong Kong itinerary will help you organize your trip, steer you off the beaten path, and show you why Hong Kong is one of the most on-the-go cities in the world.

Table of Contents

Hong Kong Itinerary: Day 1

Hong kong itinerary: day 2, hong kong itinerary: day 3, hong kong itinerary: day 4, other things to see and do in hong kong.

The Hong Kong Museum of History In order to understand a place, you must first understand its past. This museum lets you do just that. It provides an excellent overview of Hong Kong’s long and complex past. There are exhibits relating to the archaeology, social history, ethnography, and natural history of the region. It’s big, so allow about 2–4 hours for your visit.

100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, +852 2724 9042, hk.history.museum/en_US/web/mh/index.html. Open Wednesday-Monday 10am-6pm (7pm on weekends). Admission is free but some special exhibitions may require a fee.

Kowloon Park Head to Kowloon Island’s gigantic park that features a swimming pool, a fitness center, little ponds where you can watch ducks and other swimming birds, a Chinese garden, an aviary, and the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre (not to be confused with the Hong Kong Heritage Museum; more on that museum below). There are also plenty of rest areas here where you can relax to escape the oppressive Hong Kong heat. Spanning 13 hectares (33 acres), it’s one of the best places to people-watch in the city.

22 Austin Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, +852 2724 3344, lcsd.gov.hk. Open daily 5am-12am and admission is free.

Street Markets in Mong Kok This area of Hong Kong has the largest and busiest markets in which to soak up the frenetic atmosphere, sights, and sounds of Hong Kong. The crowds and sellers really exemplify Hong Kong’s on-the-move essence. The two best markets for inexpensive souvenirs are the Ladies Market (bargain clothing, accessories, and souvenirs) and the Temple Street Night Market (flea market). The markets of Mong Kok are best reached by the Hong Kong MTR subway system, stations Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok, and Prince Edward on the Tsuen Wan (red) line.

The markets are open every day, starting around noon and closing in the late evening (times vary).

Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade Stroll along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and take in the breathtaking skyline view of Hong Kong Island. While you’re here, make sure to visit the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong’s answer to the Hollywood “Walk of Fame,” where you can see the stars of Chinese and Western film alike. There are shops, restaurants, and, at night, a large outdoor market serving traditional Cantonese food alongside knockoffs and souvenirs. Come ready to haggle.

Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (next to the Star Ferry pier). Open 24/7.

The Star Ferry The best way to get across the harbor from Kowloon Island to Hong Kong Island is via the Star Ferry, which showcases a fantastic view of the city skyline for only 5 HKD. Riding the ferry is a fun thing to do even if you aren’t using it for transportation! It’s one of my favorite activities.

Star Ferry Pier, Kowloon Point, Tsim Sha Tsui, +852 2367 7065, starferry.com.hk/en/service. The ferry runs 6:30am-11:30pm every day, though they occur less frequently on weekends and holidays. Tickets start at 4 HKD during the week and 5.6 HKD on the weekends, while a 4-day pass costs 50 HKD.  

Ngong Ping 360 This cable car stretches over 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles) from Tung Chung across the bay toward the airport and then onward to Lantau Island. The cable car gives you a panoramic view of the airport, harbor, and entire city before it travels through the surrounding mountains. The ride lasts about 25 minutes.

When you get to the top, don’t miss the nearby Po Lin Monastery (a Buddhist monastery founded in 1906) and Tian Tan, a 34-meter (111-foot) bronze Buddha statue that sits on the top of the island’s peak. While Lantau Island is a bit touristy, the ride, views, and monastery make it worth the trip.

11 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung, Lantau Island, +852 3666 0606, np360.com.hk/en. Open 10am-6pm on weekdays and 9am-6:30pm on weekends on holidays. A round-trip adult ticket for the cable car is 270 HKD for a standard cabin and 350 HKD for a crystal cabin (a cable car with a glass bottom floor). You can reserve tickets online in advance here .

Take a Food Tour After the morning on the cable car and enjoying a killer view of Hong Kong, spend your afternoon taking a food tour. Hong Kong is a food-filled city (there are over 10,000 restaurants here!) and you’ll find a diverse range of cuisines from around the world. But without help, you’ll never find all the hidden local favorites. The following companies offer the best value tours:

• Eating Adventures
• Hong Kong Foodie Tasting Tours
• Bigfoot Tours
• Secret Food Tours

Expect to spend 690-860 HKD per person for a food tour.

Rent a Junk Boat Junk boats — those classic boats with the large sail you see in any movie about Hong Kong — are a fun way to sail around the harbor on full-day and half-day trips. There is only one traditional junk boat left: the Dukling. It sails Saturdays and Sundays only, with tickets starting at 190 HKD.

Another option is sailing on The Aqua Luna, a boat that was built in the traditional style in 2006. It sails much more frequently and offers a variety of cruises, from a dim sum cruise to an afternoon tea cruise. Tickets start at 270 HKD.

In addition to these traditional-style junks or if you’re looking for more of a party boat vibe, you can also rent a boat with a large group of friends (15 or so people) or join a group cruise around the harbor. There are a ton of different options to choose from, from all-you-can-eat-and-drink boats with add-on water sports, massages, and DJ packages, to companies that let you just rent the boat and bring everything else yourself.

Here are some recommended companies that offer affordable boat tours:

• Island Junks – They have a couple of cruise options, costing around 660-690 HKD per person. You can also charter your own if you’ve got the money!
• Saffron Cruises – This is a great option if you can put together a large group of 20-30 people, as a charter costs 9,000-14,000 HKD.
• Hong Kong Junks – This is more of the classic party boat experience, with options for all budgets.

Ping Shan Heritage Trail Located in the New Territories (the city’s less visited northern district), this trail will lead you past some of the most important ancient sights of the Tang clan. There are 14 historic buildings on the trail, including: Hung Shing Temple, The Tang Ancestral Hall, Yeung Hau Temple, Shrine of the Earth God, and the 15th-century Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda (Hong Kong’s only ancient pagoda). Just be aware that not all of the historic buildings on the trail are open to the public.

Another option is the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail. It begins at the Taoist temple complex of Fung Ying Seen Koon and passes the walled villages of Ma Wat Wai and Lo Wai before ending at the 18th-century Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall.

This part of Hong Kong is often skipped by tourists, and the trails, meandering through the city’s more rural region, are quiet and a welcome break from the giant metropolis of the downtown area.

Ping Shan Trail: Sheung Cheung Wai, Yuen Long District, +852 2617 1959, lcsd.gov.hk. Lung Yeuk Tau Trail: 66 Pak Wo Rd, Fanling, Hong Kong, +852 2669 9186.

Hong Kong Heritage Museum This museum showcases the city’s history and love of art. There’s a large exhibit about the New Territories and an opera house for performances. It fills in some of the blanks left from the Hong Kong History Museum and gives you a look at the artistic culture of the city. It’s also located near the beautiful Sha Tin Park and Shing Mun River, making the surrounding area just as interesting as the museum!

1 Man Lam Rd, Sha Tin, New Territories, +852 2180 8188, hk.heritage.museum/en/web/hm/highlights.html. Open every day but Tuesday 10am-6pm (7pm on weekends). Admission is free.

Che Kung Temple Just across the river from the Heritage Museum, this temple is dedicated to Che Kung, a general during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279) in ancient China who was known for stopping both uprisings and epidemics. This temple was built in his name during an epidemic in the 17th-century, and it is said that the epidemic ceased the day after its official dedication.

The temple complex is always filled with people, so be prepared for crowds. The traditional architecture and intricate sculptures, including the large golden sculpture of Che Kung himself, make this worth visiting after you see the Heritage Museum.

Che Kung Miu Road, +852 2691 1733, ctc.org.hk. Open daily 8am-6pm.  

The Peak Tram This tram, which has been in operation since 1888 (with several renovations since then) takes you to the top of the Peak, Hong Kong Island’s largest mountain, at 518 meters (1,700 feet). Upon exiting at the top, you’ll enjoy spectacular 180-degree views of the skyscrapers of Victoria Harbor, Kowloon, and the surrounding hills. It’s the best view of the city.

Also at the top is the huge, wok-shaped Peak Tower with its viewing platform Sky Terrace 428, Madame Tussauds, and a variety of restaurants. Head away from this area and you’ll find many different trails to get into nature and see the city skyline from a bunch of different vantage points. When you’re done at the top, you can either take the tram or walk back down along the trails.

No.1 Lugard Road, +852 2849 7654, thepeak.com.hk. Open daily 7:30am-11pm, with trams running every 15-20 minutes. A return trip is 88 HKD, while the same with entry to the sky terrace viewing platform is 148 HKD per person and 168 HKD on peak days.

Hong Kong Museum of Art This museum on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront is a fascinating and intriguing place. Established in 1962, it was the first public art museum in the city. There are both rotating temporary exhibitions as well as a permanent collection where you’ll find everything from Chinese ceramics, terra cotta, rhinoceros horns, traditional calligraphy, and Chinese paintings, to contemporary art produced by Hong Kong artists.

Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 2721 0116. Open Monday-Wednesday, Friday 10am-6pm; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10am-7pm. Admission is 10 HKD.

Lan Kwai Fong Nightlife LKF is the main nightlife and party area in Hong Kong and is filled with tons of bars, clubs, shisha (water pipes), and cheap drinks. Nights out here are wild — the street is always crowded, people get very drunk, and shots get handed out like candy. It’s rowdy, but if you want to see Hong Kong’s wilder side, this is the place to do it.  

Take a cooking class — Hong Kong is full of food. Why not learn how to cook some of it? This Hong Kong expat website has a list of 20 schools offering classes! Prices vary but expect to spend around 550-800 HKD per person.

Go hiking — Hong Kong may be a densely packed city, but there is also scenic hiking in the outer mountains and islands. There are a lot of trails (especially in the undeveloped parts of the New Territories). The Hong Kong tourism board lists all the trails here .

Visit Disneyland — If you’re on a family trip, or if you’re a backpacker in touch with your inner child, head to Disneyland. Hang out with Mickey Mouse and shake hands with sea creatures. ( Tickets start at 639 HKD .)

Day trip to Macau — The gambling mecca of Macau is a short boat ride away. For 175 HKD, the 60-75–minute boat ride from Hong Kong’s ferry terminal will take you to this former Portuguese colony, where you can wander gigantic modern casinos, stroll historic streets lined with Portuguese-inspired houses, and dine on egg tarts, a famous local specialty.

For more, here are my recommendations for the 23 best things to do in Hong Kong.

In a city of almost 8 million people, there are countless things to see and do. One could fill weeks exploring Hong Kong’s many islands, markets, restaurants, sights, and nightlife and still not see it all. Though impossible to condense a city so vast into four-days, this Hong Kong itinerary will help you experience the most Hong Kong has to offer in a short period of time!

Book Your Trip to Hong Kong: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Two of my favorite place to stay is:

• The Mahjong

For places to stay in Hong Kong, check out my post on my favorite hostels in the city . It has an even more detailed list.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Hong Kong? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Hong Kong for even more planning tips!

Hi, I’m Nomadic Matt, the New York Times best-selling author of How to Travel the World on $50 a Day and Ten Years a Nomad, as well as the founder of this website! And I’m here to help you save money on your next trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Hong Kong Itinerary w/ Macau Day Trip: DIY 1-5 Days or More (Travel Guide)

by Aileen Adalid Itineraries , Hong Kong , Macau 203 comments

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Hong Kong is the first place abroad that I have traveled to; but on that particular trip, what I mainly did was just eat and shop as I accompanied a friend of mine back in university. So when I was able to finally come back again to do a more proper ‘tour’ of the city, I did my best to cover as many activities and attractions as possible! And today, I am sharing with you my 5-day Hong Kong itinerary , which also includes a day trip to the nearby city of Macau. Plus, it includes an array of other must-dos that you can consider doing in case you have more days to spare or if you have a different travel style.

But before I go on, I think it’s best that I give you a bit of background about the geographical area of Hong Kong because a lot of people actually have this misconception that there’s not much to do there, or that there’s not much green at all — two things that are absolutely NOT true.

First things first, there’s more to the well-known urbanized center because 2/3 of the country is actually made up of the countryside which is full of countless small mountains and several islands.

What are the top tours to do in Hong Kong?

Check out these activities and tours to do: [ click ]

– – –

» About Hong Kong

As shown below, Hong Kong is made up of  Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, and over 200 offshore or outlying islands  (the largest of which is Lantau Island).

The area that most tourists tend to only explore is that of the center: Kowloon Peninsula, and the northern edge of Hong Kong Island.

Rest assured, everything is well-connected by bus and train (MTR – Mass Transit Railway), so going from point A to point B wouldn’t be a big problem at all. If in case you get lost or you get confused about public transportation, Google Maps ‘ directions feature is your best friend — this nifty piece of technology has helped me numerous times whenever I’m traveling to foreign countries.

RELATED READ: Best Travel Apps for Travelers

…Now, with all that said and done, let me present to you the things to do in Hong Kong when you’re traveling there for 5 days (or even more!)

Top photo by: Shutterstock

Table of Contents

Hong Kong Travel Guide

» quick travel planning.

• Top tours & experiences
• Find flights to HK
• Visa requirements
• Best places to stay
• Travel insurance (5% discount)
• Stay connected

» Best Time to Visit

It is said that the best time to visit Hong Kong is around late September to late December due to better weather conditions.

• Spring:  This is usually referred to as the ‘low season’ primarily because of unpredictable weather in which the city gets a bit warm and humid with fog — with chances of significant rain. Nevertheless, there are some key celebrations such as the Hong Kong International Film Festival.
• Summer: It can get very hot and humid with temperatures ranging from 26 to 32°C.
• ★ Autumn: This is the best time to visit with more ideal temperatures and plenty of sunshine that doesn’t bring too much humidity. You can also participate in the Mid-Autumn Festival which is the second biggest Chinese holiday next to the Chinese New Year.
• Winter:  Next to autumn, this is also a great time to visit as the temperature dips between 14 to 19°C. There’s no snow but it can get quite chilly, so make sure to pack a jacket. With Chinese New Year celebrations on the way, you’ll even be rewarded with spectacular fireworks and parades too — but of course, this also means that there will be more crowds.
• WINTER: Dec to Feb
• SPRING: March to May
• SUMMER: June to Aug
• AUTUMN: Sept to Nov

» Getting in to Hong Kong

Hong Kong International Airport (IATA: HKG) is Hong Kong’s main airport — from there, you can ride an  airport shuttle bus  that has key drop-off locations in the city (see details  here ). Otherwise, you can ride the Airport Express train and you can buy discounted tickets for this  online .

If however you are coming with a group of people and want a more hassle-free experience, you can save on transportation costs by simply booking a  private transfer .

To get to these points, I recommend browsing through  Skyscanner  to find the best flight deals from your point of origin. If you’re from the Philippines like me, Skyscanner also scans through the budget airlines such as Air Asia and Cebu Pacific in order to find which of the 2 has the cheapest rate on the dates you choose.

» Visa for Hong Kong

If you’re NOT a citizen of any of Hong Kong’s  exempted countries , you are then required to avail of a visa beforehand. (If you’re from the Philippines, you don’t need to apply for a visa if it’s a stay of no more than 14 days.)

• Check full visa requirements here as per your nationality.

» Where to Stay (Hongkong Accommodations)

To search for the best hotel accommodation in Hong Kong at the best prices, I suggest cross-checking hotel prices between  Agoda  and  Booking.com . But if you’re rather interested in renting comfortable houses or apartments, you should search through AirBnB .

For a more comprehensive list, see this post of the top ‘ Best Hotels in Hong Kong ‘ or ‘ Best Hotels in Macau ‘.

» Hong Kong Currency

Hong Kong Dollar (HKD / HK$) wherein HK$8 is equal to about USD $1~ / €0.85~ / Php 52~ (this is as of June 2022). In the event that you want to exchange your money for HKD, I highly advise that you do NOT exchange your money at the airport since the rates there are not competitive.

• How to best exchange your currency? Either exchange it at a bank or at a money exchanger in your home country or in HK’s city center. Better yet, just withdraw from an ATM with your debit/credit card — however, you must do one big withdrawal to minimize fees with your bank. Speaking of cards, a lot of Hong Kong’s establishments accept credit cards but it’s always advisable to have cash on hand because a lot of smaller shops do not accept international credit cards.

» Cost of Travel in Hong Kong

To give you an idea, you should expect to travel to HK with an average daily cost of about USD $55~ per person on a budget, or at least $130~ if you want to experience more comfort in activities, tours, hotels, and more. (Values below show low budget to medium budget ranges).

• Hotels: $25 to $60 USD / day
• Food: $11 to $25 USD / day
• Fun: $25 to $70 USD / day
• Transport: $20 on average per day

» How to Get Around Hong Kong

It’s always best to avail yourself an  Octopus Card  — a prepaid contactless debit card that can be used to pay for all kinds of public transport  (except taxis and some red minibusses; and if I may add, this can even be used to pay at convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants, museums, and more) . After all, Hong Kong is best explored by train (MTR) as it is the fastest mode of transportation (not to mention the efficient Airport Express train).

The only time that I can recommend using a taxi is if you’re in a hurry, if you get lost, or if you have 3 other people with you to share the cost (the meter starts at HKD $22) .

NOTE : Another alternative is to buy an  MTR Tourist Day Pass .

To better navigate yourself within Hong Kong, use  Google Maps ‘  directions  feature (signified by a blue icon with an arrow inside it) — I really find it a very helpful tool if I want to reach a certain place from a particular location. However, Google Maps doesn’t work offline if you want routes or transportation schedules, so I recommend that you get a  pocket WiFi  or a  SIM card  to stay connected; or better yet, get an eSIM for a hassle-free experience (use code AILEEN684 to get $3 off) .

You can avail an Octopus Card  online , at the airport or at any MTR station, and it can also be reloaded at any MTR station or merchant stores that accept Octopus (7-Eleven, McDonalds, etc.). A basic Octopus Card costs HKD $150 in which $100 can be used as credit and the remaining $50 serves as refundable deposit. You can load it to a maximum of HKD $1,000 but you can only refund remaining credit if it’s less than $500. . It stays valid for 1,000 days after your last top-up or ‘load’ and can be reactivated anytime afterwards. Rest assured, your card can go negative (for as low as HKD $-35 but this isn’t really negative since your $50 deposit secures it). However, it can only go negative once and you can only use the card again after you reload.

» Staying Connected in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has one of the fastest internet connections in the world so you’re assured of great connections wherever you go. Hotels and most shops (even convenience stores) offer FREE WiFi connections — but in order to stay connected online at all times during your Hongkong trip, I recommend getting your own  pocket WiFi  or a  SIM Card ; or better yet, get an eSIM for a hassle-free experience (use code AILEEN684 to get $3 off)

» Safety in Hong Kong

Hongkong is one of the densest cities in the world and serious crimes are rare — but petty crimes like pickpocketing can still occur. As such, it helps to stay street smart at all times. Rest assured, it’s one of the safest countries to travel in even as a solo traveler ; just stay vigilant and you’ll be fine.

• HOW TO: Find the right travel insurance for you

» Helpful Cantonese Phrases

• RELATED READ: Best translation apps for travel

Hello:  Néih hóu Thank you:  M̀h’gōi Please:  Chíng Goodbye:  Joigin

Excuse me (to get attention):  M̀h’hóu yisi I’m sorry:  Deui-m̀h-jyuh How much:  Géidō chín a? Is there someone here who speaks English?:  nī douh yáuh móuh yàhn sīk góng Yīngmán a? Help!:  Gau mehng ā! Cheers!:  Yámbūi!

Other F.A.Q.

To date, Hong Kong is not particularly conscious of tipping, and there is even NO obligation to tip. Though if you’re feeling generous, you can extend a 10% tip if there is no service charge (but most HK hotels and restaurants already set a 10% service charge on your bill).

Hongkong typically uses two plug types: type D (three round pins in a triangular pattern) and type G (three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern). The country operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.

 Please check their  latest travel advisories  page, or visit the  Hong Kong Government COVID-19 thematic website  for more details.

All visitors to Hong Kong must have a passport that is valid for at least 1 month after the period of their intended stay in Hong Kong.

In general, no. All goods, apart from alcohol and tobacco, are tax-free.

Hong Kong Itinerary Guide

Before I begin with the itinerary guide, if in case you’re more of a visual person, you can already watch my video below to get a ‘peek’ into the adventures that I did during my recent trip to Hong Kong and Macau!

Take note that the 5-day Hong Kong itinerary (with a stopover to Macau) below does not take into account your arrival day in Hong Kong.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

• The following Hong Kong itinerary section is in a tabbed format; so, in order to see the next day’s contents, just click the headings below.
• if you’re staying longer in the city, you can make use of the last tab called ‘ Extra Days ‘ to see the other activities or trips you can do for filling up the rest of your vacation days both in Hong Kong and Macau.

Explore Tsim Sha Tsui area in Kowloon

During my stay, I got a hotel in Hong Kong Island — but you can also opt to get your accommodation in Kowloon as it is more in the ‘middle’ of everything.

That being said, you might find it odd that I explored the Kowloon area during my first day instead of Hong Kong Island itself… well, the thing is, I wanted to see the harbor during the day as well, so it made more sense to sail to Kowloon and explore it and then sail back at night to see the evening cityscape too.

To add, it was a Wednesday when I arrived, and it was timely that the Symphony of Lights had English narration for that day.

RELATED READ: – Top Fun Things to Do in Hong Kong

Photo by: Shutterstock

• TIP : Reserve your spot on Star Ferry by booking online .
• Walk around Kowloon Park. (Nearest MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui Station) This is a large public park smacked in the middle of the bustling area of Tsim Sha Tsui but it offers tranquility for its guests what with its Chinese garden, lotus ponds, aviaries, and more. If you come here on a Sunday from around 2PM to 5PM, you can even witness a kung fu and lion dance performance. .
• TIP : For more food options, book online and score special deals! .

Wanna see a complete list of the top Hong Kong food and drinks that you MUST try? — Check out this blog post to find out: Top 20 Hong Kong Food Dishes to Try

• Head to Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade . If you’ve got time, the promenade is a charming place to stroll in. Around this area you can find the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Clock Tower, and the Avenue of Stars where you can see exhibits dedicated to film stars like Bruce Lee, etc. .
• Live narration in English is available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (the rest of the days are in Mandarin and Cantonese) — it starts at 8PM daily and lasts for about 13 minutes.
• TIP : You can also ride a cruise while you watch this show of lights! .
• Temple Street Night Market : This is basically a flea market bazaar where you can find tons of affordable trinkets, souvenirs, electronics, jade, antiques, etc. Officially, it is open from 2PM until midnight each day between Jordan Road and Kansu street; but most stalls usually open at 4PM, and its lively atmosphere starts at about 9PM.
• MRT: board the train going to Tsuen Wan and get off at Mongkok Station, exiting at Bank Centre signed E ad then E2.
• Mongkok Computer Centre : For all the techies, this is where you must head off for all your computer-related needs; after all, it houses more than 70 computer shops! .
• Or if you want to ride a more iconic Hong Kong boat while viewing the Symphony of Lights, check out Aqualuna sampan boats .

◘◘ Substitute Activities

• TIP: Book online to get the best rate .
• Visit the Hong Kong Museum of Histor y. Come here for your Hong Kong Itinerary if you want to learn more about the country’s historical and cultural heritage. There are audio guides for HKD $10 and you can get in for free if you come on a Wednesday (a majority of Hong Kong’s museums have FREE admittance on Wednesdays actually). .
• TIP: Book online to get the best rate

Explore Hong Kong Island

• Take the Hong Kong Tramway (Dingding) . (As low as HKD $2.30, payable with Octopus Card) This 1920s-style tram is the best way to discover Hong Kong Island. Just head over to this site to decipher the route you want to take and to map out your stops. If you rather want a planned route prepared for you, well then for only HKD $95, you can already be a part of their signature 1-hour TramOramic tour. .
• I highly recommend going there late in the afternoon for your Hong Kong Itinerary so that you can see both the HK skyline during daylight and nighttime (NOTE: Madame Tussauds is located in the same building as Sky Terrace).
• TIP: Book online because not only is it cheaper than the normal price, but it also helped me steer clear of the long line at the ticket counter for the Peak Tram (it’s Fast Track). .

• TIP: Book online to reserve a spot .
• TIP: To book a spot, go here . .
• Shop around Causeway Bay . (Nearest MTR: Causeway Bay Station) If you’re up for a high-end shopping spree during your Hong Kong Itinerary, go to the big shopping malls like Time Square, IFC, and Landmark among others. For gadgets and computers, there’s the Wan Chai Computer Centre.

Visit Disneyland Hongkong

(MRT: Disneyland Resort Station) This is perfect for families, or simply for those who are kids-at-heart!

Starts from HKD $500~ for adults – You can purchase day tickets online for Disneyland through Klook given that it’s cheaper than buying from the official website and also cheaper than paying the walk-in price.

Since I already visited OceanPark before, I opted to put Disneyland on my 5-day Hong Kong Itinerary and it was fun!

Naturally, there are various attractions and themed areas here for you to choose from — furthermore, there are even parades and stage shows that happen daily. My favorites are the ‘ Festival of the Lion King ‘ at Adventureland and ‘ Mickey and the Wondrous Book ‘ at Fantasyland. You can go to this link for an accurate schedule of activities during your day of visit.

Be sure not to miss out on the 4D attraction that they have, as well as the 8PM fireworks display!

TIP : Grab discounted Disneyland meal coupons in advance here !

…or go to OceanPark . (Starts from HKD $370) Disneyland is best explored if you just want some ‘calm fun’ for your Hong Kong Itinerary; hence, if you want crazier rides, I suggest going to OceanPark instead!

They have varied attractions that let you take a closer look at marine life. To purchase tickets, you can buy them online here which is set at a cheaper price

(Transportation: Ride the Citybus’s Ocean Park Express bus service Route 629 located just outside the Star Ferry Terminal on Hong Kong Island side or from Admiralty West Bus Terminal outside Admiralty MTR station)

Explore the New Territories

It’s time to explore the other top areas outside of Hong Kong’s city center!

Do you rather want to do a guided tour?

You can join a New Territories guided day tour if you want a more hassle-free experience. To reserve your spot, go here .

It helps to note that NOT everything listed below for both can be done in a day. Therefore, what I suggest is that you do half a day per area as you pick just one or a few activities for each (or just explore one area that you like best for the whole day).

• Go through a heritage trail. There are two of these that you can choose from: the  Ping Shan Heritage Trail links up a number of traditional Chinese buildings that are within walking distance to one another as it gives you the chance to learn more about the traditional life in the New Territories. Meanwhile,  Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail  will take you through the history of the Tang clan, one of the 5 largest clans in the New Territories. .
• Go hiking . Hiking is slowly becoming a favorite pastime of the people in Hong Kong and with the vast green terrain that surrounds the country, there are surely various hiking trails that you can choose from (such as Lion Rock Peak Hill among many others).   This website perfectly sums up all of those places and they’re even labeled accordingly with difficulty, time, etc. .
• Chi Lin Nunnery :  (Nearest MTR: Diamond Hill Station) A large temple complex that has been established as a retreat for Buddhist nuns. You can find here statues of the Sakyamuni Buddha, Guanyin, and other bodhisattvas made from gold, clay, wood, and stone.
• Che Kung Temple : (Nearest MTR: Tai Wai Station) This honors Che Kung, a military commander of the Southern Song dynasty. Naturally, you will find a giant statue of Che Kung at the main worship hall’s altar.
• Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery : (Nearest MTR: Sha Tin Station) There are actually no resident monks in this Buddhist temple as it is now managed by laypersons. However, the beauty of this place’s temples, pavilions, and pagodas are not to be missed; plus, the journey up to this monastery is an attraction itself due to the golden Buddhas that line up the path. .

Explore Lantau Island

• TIP: Purchase your tickets online here . .
• See the Po Lin Monastery and the Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha) . Po Lin Monastery is one of Hong Kong’s most important Buddhist places and has been called the ‘Buddhist World in the South’. Opposite this is the famous bronze Big Buddha statue that sits 34 meters high and faces north to look towards Mainland China (it is open from 10AM to 5:30PM). .
• Go around Ngong Ping Village . This is a 1.5-hectare place where you can find an array of shops and eateries. If you have HKD $40 to spare, you can also watch the multimedia show ‘Walking with Buddha’. .
• TIP: You can do a guided tour here by booking online .

Explore Macau

Macau is just a 1-hour boat ride away, so why not take this opportunity to come and visit as part of your Hong Kong Itinerary? Besides, your main expenses here will only be for food and the boat tickets (unless of course, you want to do shopping here too and some casino playing). I say this because once you’re inside the city, you wouldn’t need to pay for transportation at all due to the number of FREE casino shuttle buses that go all over. It can even be used by literally anyone; you really don’t have to be a casino guest to use it.

CURRENCY : Macau has its own called Macanese Patacas (MOP). But don’t worry about exchanging your HKD to MOP because HKD is already widely accepted in Macau. . Otherwise, if you want to stay in the city for some few nights, you can check out these top hotels in Macau . .

Do you rather want to do a guided tour in Macau?

Reserve your spot on a day tour of Macau so you don’t miss out on anything! It even includes lunch at a 4-star hotel. To book, go here .

• It helps to note that this is the one that lands in Macau Outer Harbour and NOT Macau Taipa. Also, the ferry operates every 15 minutes between 7AM to 12PM, and every 30 or 120 minutes between 12:30AM to 6:30AM. .
• Senado Square : This is a paved town center of Macau and it is part of the UNESCO Historic Centre of the Macau World Heritage Site. As per history, this used to be a meeting place for the Chinese and Portuguese people. Many large events were also hosted here and it still continues up to today.
• St. Dominic’s Church : Located near the Leal Senado Building, this Baroque-style church is noted for its mixture of European and Macanese design features.
• Ruins of St. Paul’s : This was originally the St. Paul’s College and the Church of St. Paul; today, however, what remains of it after a fire back in 1835 is only that of the southern stone facade and some other parts of the ruins that are now turned into a museum.
• Monte Forte (Fortaleza do Monte) : This is the historical military center of Macau, located just beside the Ruins of St. Paul’s. Originally, this was built to protect the properties of Jesuits from pirates, but later on, seized by the governor for defending the city. .
• SkyJump with Entry Ticket
• Bungee Jump with Entry Ticket Tower Climb with Entry Ticket
• SkyWalk with Entry Ticket .
• City of Dreams : Bring your kids here to Kids’ City, or party at Club Cubic — better yet, come witness the world’s largest breathtaking water show that is directed by Franco Dragone (known for his work with Cirque du Soleil): the House of Dancing Water ! (Ticket starts at about HKD $480~ or Php 3,250 for adults).
• Galaxy Macau : Smacked right in the main lobby of Galaxy Macau is the Fortune Diamond which is a huge 3-meter gem that serves as a backdrop for a waterfall. You can also watch a movie here in their big 10-screen 3D cineplex or just shop at The Promenade.
• Venetian : Apart from the luxury shopping experience, a sight to be seen here is their Venice-inspired interiors. You will see here an actual network of canals and you can even rent a gondola in order to be serenaded by a gondolier. One of Lord Stow’s Bakery’s food stalls can also be found here, so make sure you buy yourself some of those famous egg tarts!
• Studio City : Apart from witnessing its amazing architecture, it’s a MUST to ride the Golden Reel Ferris Wheel to capture breathtaking views of Macau from 130 meters up in the air and to also get the amazing chance of riding the world’s highest 8-figure Ferris wheel! The ticket is priced at HKD $80 or Php 535; you can purchase your tickets online . Otherwise, for those who want some fun, come and experience the 4D ride: Batman Dark Flight .
• Sands : Come here to watch the world’s largest indoor stage performance: Monkey King! You will definitely experience a high-class show here; after all, the performance team spent 8 years mastering this exquisite show!
• Wynn Casino : If you’ve got some time, pass by Wynn casino to watch their spectacular water show. It happens every 15 minutes and runs until midnight. .

TIP : Book these Macau restaurants online to score special meal deals!

• Walk over to Taipa Village Old Taipa Houses . This complex contains 5 houses that depict the old colonial residences that used to be owned by well-off Portuguese families in Macau. .
• Rua do Cunha . This is a narrow but well-lit street in Vila di Taipa that’s known for its restaurants and shops. Some of the well-known stores here where you can buy great Chinese fares to take back home and give away as gifts (or eat for yourself, of course)  are Choi Heong Yuen and Koi Kei. .
• Ride a shuttle bus and ogle at the casinos’ colorful facades . Macau becomes even more of a beauty at night and if you’re pressed on time but still want to see the rest of the casinos in Taipa that you can’t easily reach by foot, just ride any of the free shuttle buses that pass by the casinos you want to see, and then stay there until it reaches its starting point again. (Personally, I love the ostentatious buildings of Studio City, Galaxy, and the Parisian.) .
• TIP : It’s best to purchase your tickets online . .

• Club & Bar Hopping . Book online to party like a boss in Macau whilst a fancy van or stretch limo takes you to the best clubs and bars in town! .
• Mandarin’s House . This residential complex depicts the typical characteristics of traditional residences and also used to be the home of late Qing theoretician, Zheng Guanying. .
• Guia Fortress . This is a military fort, chapel, and lighthouse complex that is also part of the historic center of Macau. .
• A-Ma Temple (Ma Kok Miu) . One of the oldest Taoist temples in the country and it is said that the name ‘Macau’ was derived from the name of this temple when natives replied to Portuguese sailors with “A-Ma-Gau” (when asked what the name of the place was).

Other Hong Kong Activities

TIP : For a complete list of amazing tours and activities to do for your Hong Kong itinerary, see here !

◘◘ Family Fun

Hong Kong Disneyland Discover the magical world of Disney.

Ocean Park Hong Kong Theme park and a zoo.

Noah’s Ark World’s first full-size Ark replica!

Madame Tussauds Meet the world’s most famous faces.

Princess Transformation Dress your kids as Disney princesses.

◘◘ City Activities

Hop-On Hop-Off See Hong Kong’s main sights from your seat.

Crystal Bus Tour See landmarks from a double decker luxury bus!

Sightseeing Tour Perfect for the shopaholics!

Sky100 See spectacular 360° views of the Victoria Harbor.

AquaLuna Evening Sail See the city in traditional junk boats.

Symphony Lights Cruise The iconic light and sound show.

Star Ferry Harbour Tour Sail along Victoria Harbour.

Helicopter Tours See famous sights from up high.

Guided Walking Tour Discover Hong Kong in 3 hours with a guide.

Central and Victoria Peak Tour Explore and experience Hong Kong culture.

Street Art Tour See famous sights from up high.

Qipao Rental & Photoshoot Wear a traditional Qipao outfit.

Taichi with a Master Learn entry-level Taichi and Qigong.

Chinese Painting Class Discover the traditions of Chinese painting.

Pub Crawl Party it up at HK’s best nightspots!

◘◘ Day Trips

Cliff Ziplining & Abseiling Experience Hong Kong in a whole different way!

Dragon’s Back Trail Adventurous hiking on Hong Kong Island.

Rock Climbing Try your hand at rock climbing at Black Crag.

Biking and Kayaking Explore Hong Kong’s natural reserves in Sai Kung.

Tai Mo Shan Waterfalls Hike Hike to waterfalls and secluded villages.

Pink Dolphin Sighting Hike to waterfalls and secluded villages.

Lantau Heritage Tour Full tour of Lantau Island’s most famous attractions.

Ngong Ping 360 Crystal Cabin 360 crystal views all around!

◘◘ Food & Restaurants

Tai Cheong Bakery Enjoy traditional Hong Kong baked goods.

Emack & Bolio’s A specialty ice cream shop.

Ding Dim 1968 Holding 50 years of history

Victoria Harbour Restaurant Indulge in authentic Chinese cuisine.

Jumbo Kingdom Famous seafood r estaurant .

Nam Kee Noodles Enjoy a steaming hot bowl of noodles.

Under Bridge Spicy Crab HK’s famous crab restaurant!

Wing Wah Cake Shop A must-try Hong Kong cake.

Hee Wan Roasted Kitchen Local delicacy.

Block 18 Doggie’s Noodle Try popular street snacks since 1950s!

Chinese Pastry Baking Learn to make sweet Chinese treats.

Dumpling Yuan Tasty Northern China dumplings.

Other Macau Activities

Batman Dark Flight 4D adventure with Gotham’s hero.

Warner Bros. Fun Zone Let kids loose in Warner Bros.

Macau Science Center A day of hands-on science!

Planet J Role Play World’s 1st live-action role-play theme park.

Chimelong Ocean Kingdom See whale sharks and manta rays up close.

Open Top Bus Tour hop-on-hop-off sightseeing pass.

Sightseeing Day Tour Get the best of Macau in a day!

Gondola Ride A romantic serenade.

Golden Reel Ferris Wheel The world’s first figure 8 ferris wheel.

QiPao Rental & Photoshoot Wear traditional Chinese clothing.

Luxury TRIA Spa Package The 1st Macau spa to utilize sound therapy.

◘◘ Up High Fun

Macau Tower Skywalk X Walk around the outer rim of Macau Tower.

Macau Tower Climb Scale the 338 meters to the top.

Macau Tower Skyjump Descend feet-first from a height of 233m!

Macau Tower Bungy Jump Plunge from a height of 233m!

Macau Eiffel Tower Observation Deck Feel like you’re in Paris at Macau’s newest landmark.

The House of Dancing Water World’s largest water extravaganza show.

ELEKRON Show Parkour, wild pyrotechnics and more!

Zhuhai Chimelong Circus Visit Zhuhai’s theater, theme park & aquarium!

Walking Food Tour Enjoy the best of Macau’s delicacies.

Putajanai in San Ma Lo First Baumkuchen cake shop in Macau.

JW Marriott Macau Buffet ‘Macau’s Best Restaurant’!

Lunch Buffet at Macau Tower View-gazing and dining 223m up!

Chinese Restaurant Enjoy sophisticated Chinese cuisine.

Dim Sum Set Lunch Traditional and modern Chinese Dim Sum.

Booking Essentials

TIP: It’s a good idea to crosscheck the prices with other popular travel insurance providers like World Nomads and HeyMondo (as my reader, you get 5% off)! . However, take note that a travel insurance’s affordability typically means lesser coverage; so please always ensure that you read the fine print in order to decipher which travel insurance company is the right fit for you and your trip!

The Best Tours in Hong Kong?

Come and check out this list of the top things to do in Hong Kong which features the best activities and tours to do!

Hong Kong may be a small destination, but it has more than enough activities and attractions to keep you occupied.

I tried my very best to be as detailed as I could with this guide so that you won’t be missing any of Hong Kong’s (and Macau’s) highlights! That being said, feel free to tweak this itinerary as well as my suggestions to make your trip shorter or longer and better fitting for your travel style. Enjoy and do let me know how your trip goes!

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Hey there! I am Aileen Adalid. At 21, I quit my corporate job in the Philippines to pursue my dreams. Today, I am a successful  digital nomad  (online entrepreneur, travel writer, & vlogger) living a sustainable travel lifestyle.

My mission?  To show you how it is absolutely possible to  create a life of travel no matter the odds — and I will help you achieve that through my detailed travel hacks, guides, resources, tips, and MORE!

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I was looking for some useful information and fortunately landed on your content and I found it highly useful. Learnt a lot. Thank you so much. Nicely written and correctly presented. Best of luck

What a great blog! Hongkong is such a great country to visit. It’s really a wonderful place for visiting and shopping. The view on the peak is very wonderful. HK history museum is a must! Such a nice museum it is. Can’t wait to visit again after pandemic!

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• TRAVEL GUIDES
• DESTINATIONS
• ADVENTURE TRIPS
• HOTELS & RESORTS
• FIND HOTELS WITH DISCOUNTED RATES!

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2024 hong kong travel guide blog with diy itinerary, things to do, tourist spots, budget, and tips for first-timers.

Traveling to Hong Kong for the first time this 2024? Discover the best of Hong Kong with this comprehensive HK Travel Guide Blog for first-timers with sample DIY itinerary and budget travel tips! From iconic landmarks such as Victoria Peak, Ngong Ping 360 and Tian Tan Buddha to hidden gems and tourist spots, let this help you in planning a wonderful Hong Kong adventure!

Updated first-timer's travel guide blog to hong kong 2024, quick facts about hong kong.

• Official Name - Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, or Hong Kong SAR
• Currency - Hong Kong Dollars (HKD / HK$)
• Language - Cantonese
• Weather - 4 Seasons (Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall)
• Electricity - 220 Volts at 50 Hertz (uses type G socket 3-pin square plugs)
• Time Zone: - UTC+08:00

Visa Requirements

Hong kong travel requirements.

How to get to Hong Kong?

From manila, from cebu, davao or clark, asean cities to hong kong.

• Buy CotaiJet Ferry Discounted Tickets
• Buy TurboJet Ferry Discounted Tickets
• TurboJet Ferry Tickets (Macau - HK Airport)

How to Get Out of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)?

Airport express train.

BUS OR COACH

A post shared by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) 🇵🇭 (@pinoyadventurista) on Jan 26, 2018 at 7:57pm PST

How to get around the city?

Hong Kong Weather

When is the best time to visit hong kong, how many days to stay in hong kong, hong kong time zone, useful cantonese phrases.

• Hello - Néih hóu (sounds like ley-ho)
• Thank you - Doh-je (sounds like door-chair)
• Excuse Me/Please - Ng-goi (sounds like mmm-goy)
• Good morning – Jou-sen (sounds like joe-san)
• Good night - Jou-tau (sounds like joe-towe)
• Good bye - Joi-gin (sounds like joy-gee-n)
• How much? - Gei-do-chin (sounds like gay-do-chin)
• Yummy - Hou-hou-sihk (sounds like ho-ho sick)

Where to Get or to Exchange Hong Kong Currency?

How to Stay Connected to the Internet in Hong Kong?

• 4G WiFi (Hong Kong Pick Up) for Hong Kong
• 4G or 3G SIM Card (HK Airport Pick Up) for Hong Kong

Where to Stay in Hong Kong?

Urban Pack Hostel, Hong Kong

Hao's inn, tsim sha tsui, hong kong, hong kong premium guest house, jas guest house, which one is the best, other hotels in hong kong.

• Homy Inn - Check room rates and availability
• Ah Shan Hostel - Check room rates and availability
• Royal Plaza Hotel - Check room rates and availability
• Central 18 Gage St - Check room rates and availability
• Private Apartment Rooms @ Hongkong Island - Check room rates and availability
• The Park Lane Hotel Hong Kong - Check room rates and availability
• Royal Garden Hotel - Check room rates and availability
• Hong Kong Hostel - Check room rates and availability
• Harbour Grand Hong Kong Hotel - Check room rates and availability
• Regal Hong Kong Hotel - Check room rates and availability

For more hotels in Hong Kong....

Top Best Things To Do, Tourist Spots and Attractions in Hong Kong

HONG KONG DISNEYLAND

Ticket prices at hong kong disneyland's website.

• General Admission (Ages 12 – 64) - HK$619 / ₱ 4,161.19
• Child (Ages 3 – 11) - HK$458 / ₱ 3,078.87
• Senior (Ages 65+) - HK$100 / ₱ 672.00
• General Admission (Ages 12 – 64) - HK$799 / ₱ 5,371.22
• Child (Ages 3 – 11) - HK$589 / ₱ 3,959.51
• Senior (Ages 65+) - HK$170 / ₱ 1,142.81

TICKET PRICES AT KLOOK.COM

• 1-Day Adult Ticket - ₱ 3,413
• 2-Day Adult Ticket - ₱ 4,700

So, if you book your tickets at Klook.com, you can save as much as ₱ 748 pesos on standard 1-day adult ticket, and ₱ 671 pesos on standard 2-day adult park ticket.

VICTORIA PEAK

• The Peak Tram - 7:00 am - 12:00 mn (Mon - Sun & Public Holidays)
• Sky Terrace 428 - Monday to Friday: 10:00 am - 11:00 pm; Weekends and Public Holidays: 8:00 am - 11:00 pm

• Adult - HK$ 90 (return) / HK$ 77 (single)
• Child and Senior - HK$ 43 (return) / HK$ 35 (single)
• Adult - HK$ 45 (return) / HK$ 32 (single)
• Child and Senior - HK$ 20 (return) / HK$ 12 (single)
• The Peak Tram Sky Pass (Sky Terrace 428)
• Peak Tram Fast-Track Combo

MADAME TUSSAUDS HONG KONG

NGONG PING 360 CABLE CAR

• Standard Cabin - HKD $210 (adult) / $100 (child) / $140 (senior)
• Crystal Cabin - HKD $290 (adult) / $180 (child) / $220 (senior)
• Standard Cabin - HKD $145 (adult) / $70 (child) / $95 (senior)
• Crystal Cabin - HKD $200 (adult) / $130 (child) / $150 (senior)
• Ngong Ping 360 - Crystal Cabin (One Way / Roundtrip)
• Ngong Ping 360 - One Way Standard Cabin + One Way Crystal Cabin (Roundtrip)
• Ngong Ping 360 - Standard Cabin (One Way / Roundtrip)

TIAN TAN BUDDHA, PO LIN MONASTERY, AND NGONG PING VILLAGE

[ purchase discounted ngong ping cable ride tickets ].

OCEAN PARK HONG KONG

VICTORIA HARBOUR, AVENUE OF STARS, AND SYMPHONY OF LIGHTS

ST. JOHN'S CATHEDRAL

THE ART OF CHOCOLATE MUSEUM

MAN MO TEMPLE

CHI LIN NUNNERY

NAN LIAN GARDEN

CHOI HUNG ESTATE

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MONTANE MANSION or MONSTER BUILDING

SKY100 HONG KONG OBSERVATION DECK

Other Popular Experiences in Hong Kong

Central Street Art & "Eat Pray Art" Half Day Tour

Big Bus Tours

AquaLuna Evening Sail

Hong Kong Helicopter Tours

Plaza Inn in Hong Kong Disneyland

Lantau Cultural and Heritage Insight Tour

Sightsee Macau Day Tour

Hong Kong Guided Walking Tour

Central and Victoria Peak Cultural Tour

Sample Hong Kong Itineraries

Sample diy hong kong itinerary 3 days & 2 nights, hong kong travel guide day 1 - ngong ping + victoria peak.

• Depart from Manila
• Arrive at Hong Kong International Airport
• Take Airport Express Train to Kowloon
• GET DISCOUNTED TICKET TO AIRPORT EXPRESS TRAIN
• Take the free shuttle van to Tsim Sha Tsui
• Check-in / leave bags at the hotel or guesthouse in Tsim Sha Tsui
• Take the MTR to Tung Chung station
• Be sure to have an Octopus Card. Get one here (Pre-loaded with $50 HKD Credits) .
• Ngong Ping (Cable car ride, Ngong Ping Village, Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery) [ RESERVE DISCOUNTED NGONG PING CABLE RIDE TICKETS ]
• Go back to Tung Chung station, take MTR to Central Station
• Walk to The Peak Tram Lower Terminus
• Take the tram to Victoria Peak [ GET DISCOUNTED THE PEAK TRAM AND SKY TERRACE TICKETS ]
• Enjoy the sight
• Go down Victoria Peak via the Peak Tram
• Walk towards MTR Central Station
• Take MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui Station
• Go back to the hotel/guesthouse

HONG KONG TRAVEL GUIDE DAY 2 - HONG KONG DISNEYLAND + MONG KOK

• Take the MTR to Hong Kong Disneyland
• Don't forget to bring your Octopus Card . For convenience, you may also get a private car transfer to Hong Kong Disneyland. Getting a private transfer is recommended especially if you're traveling with kids and senior citizens.
• Arrive at Hong Kong Disneyland [ AVAIL DISCOUNTED HONG KONG DISNEYLAND TICKETS ]
• Enjoy Hong Kong Disneyland
• Depart for Mong Kok
• Take MTR to Mong Kok Station
• Shop, eat, take photos
• Go back to Tsim Sha Tsui via MTR
• Walk towards Avenue of the Stars
• Enjoy Avenue of the Stars
• Watch the Symphony of lights show

HONG KONG TRAVEL GUIDE DAY 3 - CENTRAL HONG KONG + SHOPPING

• Take MTR to Central Station
• Explore street arts, Lan Kwai Fong, antique shops, Man Mo Temple
• For convenience, you may also avail a Central Street Art & "Eat Pray Art" Half Day Tour or a Hello Hong Kong Walking Tour .
• Shop for souvenirs and pasalubong
• Go back to the hotel / guesthouse
• Take the MTR to Kowloon Station
• Take the Airport Express Train to Hong Kong International Airport
• GET HERE DISCOUNTED TICKET TO AIRPORT EXPRESS TRAIN
• Depart for Manila

SAMPLE DIY HONG KONG-MACAU ITINERARY 3 DAYS & 2 NIGHTS

Day 1 - macau.

• 07:00 - Ferry ride from Hong Kong to Macau
• 08:00 - Arrival in Macau
• 08:30 - Leave bags in the hotel
• 09:00 - Pick up at either the Macau Hotel or Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal
• 10:00 - Start of TKW Macau Tour (includes buffet lunch)
• Ruins of St. Paul's
• Mount Fortress
• Senado Square
• Na Tcha Temple
• A Ma Temple
• Macau Tower
• From here, you may request the tour guide to leave you at the Macau Tower so you could avail the Macau Tower Observation Ticket.
• 02:00 - Macau Tower Observatory
• 03:00 - Travel to Broadway Macau (ride the free casino shuttle bus)
• 04:00 - Broadway Macau (not available every Tuesday)
• Avail Viva La Broadway Show
• Redeem Broadway Macau set meal using the voucher
• 06:00 - Dinner
• 07:00 - Visit Casinos
• 10:00 - Go back to the hotel, rest.

DAY 2 - HONG KONG PART 1

• 05:00 - Check out from the hotel
• 06:00 - Take the ferry to Hong Kong
• 07:00 - Arrive in Hong Kong
• 08:00 - Leave bags at the hotel
• 08:30 - Pick-up at Holiday Inn Golden Mile on Mody Road, TST, Kowloon for Ocean Park Hong Kong
• 09:30 - Arrive at Ocean Park Hong Kong [ GET DISCOUNTED OCEAN PARK TICKETS ]
• 10:00 - 02:00 PM - Enjoy Ocean Park Hong Kong + Lunch
• 02:30 - Take the MTR to Kowloon (Sky100 is just outside Kowloon MTR Station)
• 03:00 - Go up to Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck + Avail Sky100 VR experience Ticket
• 04:00 - Take the MTR to Noah's Ark Hong Kong
• 05:00 - Go to Victoria Peak, avail roundtrip Peak Tram tickets [ GET DISCOUNTED THE PEAK TRAM AND SKY TERRACE TICKETS ]
• 07:00 - Dinner
• 08:00 - The Art of Chocolate Museum Ticket
• 09:00 - Go back to the hotel

DAY 3 - HONG KONG PART 2

• 09:00 - Travel to Ngong Ping (take the MTR to Tung Chung)
• 10:00 - Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Ride [ AVAIL DISCOUNTED NGONG PING CABLE RIDE TICKETS ]
• 10:30 - Arrival at Ngong Ping
• Ngong Ping Village
• Walking with Buddha
• Ngong Ping Piazza
• Tian Tan Big Buddha
• Po Lin Monastery
• Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas
• Wisdom Path
• 12:00 - Lunch
• 12:30 - Travel back by 360 Cable Car Ride to Tung Chung
• 01:00 - Arrive at Tung Chung MTR Station
• 0200 - 05:00 - Rickshaw Sightseeing Bus Tour
• 06:00 - Watertours Pre-Sunset Cruise
• 09:00 - Dinner
• 10:00 - Go back to the hotel

For sample Hong Kong and Hong Kong-Macau Itineraries for 4 days and 5 days, please visit: Hong Kong Sample Itineraries with Macau Day Tour .

Hong Kong Trip Budget and Expenses

• Airport Express Train to Kowloon - PHP 463.00
• Accommodation (1st night) - PHP 1,500 / 2 = 750 per person
• Ngong Ping 360 roundtrip - PHP 993.00
• Victoria Peak Tram + Sky Terrace 428 - PHP 464.00
• Transportation - PHP 200.00
• Food expenses - 500.00
• TOTAL - PHP 3,370.00
• Accommodation (2nd night) - PHP 1,500 / 2 = 750 per person
• Hong Kong Disneyland - PHP 3,480.00
• Food expenses - PHP 800.00
• TOTAL - PHP 5,230.00
• Airport Express Train to airport - PHP 463.00
• TOTAL - PHP 1,163.00

GRAND TOTAL - PHP 9,763.00

• Round trip airfare Manila-Hong Kong-Manila
• NAIA terminal fee and travel tax
• Food expense for snacks
• Budget for pasalubong and souvenirs

Hong Kong Travel Tips and Reminders

• For electricity, most establishments use the type G socket 3-pin square plugs with 220 Volts at 50 hertz. Don't forget to bring a universal adapter when traveling to Hong Kong.
• Travel time from/to Hong Kong International Airport from/to Hong Kong City Center depends on which transportation you'll be using. The fastest way to get to/from the airport from/to the city is via the Airport Express Train . Take note of this so you could plan your travel especially going to airport so you will not miss your flight.
• You can bring in Philippine Peso, Euros, or US Dollars in Hong Kong and change it at the money changers at the airport or at the city center. Exchange rate at the airport is terribly low, it's better to change your money at the city center.
• If you're on a budget, don't eat in restaurants. It's best to look for streetside kiosks where you could eat a decent meal or go to fast food chains such as Mc Donald's where you could grab a meal for 25 HKD. Convenience stores such as 7-Eleven are also a good choice for affordable ready to eat meals.
• Hong Kong has summer, winter, spring and fall. Be sure to check the weather before going there so you'll know what kind of clothing you should pack in your bags.
• Hong Kong is a very walkable city. When exploring the city, you will certainly walk a lot. It is best to wear comfortable footwear.
• Free In-town Check-in Service is available for many major airlines at Hong Kong and Kowloon MTR stations. If you've already checked-out of your hotel and you still want to explore Hong Kong without bringing your huge luggage, you can avail this service between 90 minutes and one full day before your flight.
• To save on travel expenses, book discounted tickets at Klook.com , join group tours, take the bus or the MTR, walk if you can, stay in hostels, guest houses, or budget hotels in Hong Kong , and take advantage of flight seat sales and promos .

Hong Kong Travel Blogs

• iVenture Card Hong Kong Review - this is where I explained the benefits of using an iVenture Card, how much will you save, and what are the included attractions when using an iVenture Card on your trip to Hong Kong and Macau.
• Hong Kong Disneyland Cheap Tickets & Travel Guide with Things To Do, Hotels, and More Tips - this is where you'll find detailed information about Disneyland Hong Kong, wehere to buys cheap discounted tickets, top things to do, and more to make your Hong Kong Disneyland adventure truly memorable.
• Sample Hong Kong-Macau Itineraries - this is where I shared some sample DIY itineraries for 3,4,5 days in Hong Kong with Disneyland, Ocean Park and Macau Day Tours.
• Hong Kong to Macau by Bus or Ferry via Sea Bridge - this is where I explained and provided instructions on how to get to Macau from Hong Kong via ferry boat or by bus. Use this as your guide when visiting Macau coming from Hong Kong.
• Cheap and Affordable Hotels in Hong Kong - I shared on this article the budget hotels in Hong Kong that I have personally tried.
• First-hand Experience: Na-hold kami sa Immigration sa Hong Kong - this is where I narrated our experience when the immigration officer in Hong Kong held us for questioning and what we did so we could enter Hong Kong.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Traveling to Hong Kong

Do we need show money to enter hong kong, is disneyland ticket included in the iventure card, upon arrival at kowloon can we leave our baggage at the in-town check in then go straight to sight-seeing, we are 4 in all (me, husband, and 2 kids), should each of us buy the octopus card or can we just buy 1 or 2, i hope this hong kong travel guide blog 2024 for first-timers will help you in planning a memorable hong kong adventure enjoy and have fun.

FOLLOW MY ADVENTURES ON YOUTUBE @PinoyAdventurista

22 comments :.

Hong Kong's official tourism guide includes tourist information on attractions, events, shopping and dining, vacation holiday packages, street maps, virtual tours and travel planning itineraries to experience Hong Kong's unique international living culture. Visit Hong Kong, Asia's top travel destination. If you're planning on including Macau to your itinerary, Kowloon and Hong Kong Island have a ferry terminal each. Hong Kong MACAU Ferry Terminal along Connaught Road Central, Sheung Wan area in Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong CHINA Ferry Terminal along Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Where to get the best flight deals? My go-to platform for grabbing the best flight deal? Skyscanner! But of course, it's always good practice to research first the budget airlines that exist in the country that you're currently staying in, since they could.

Where to next? Sama ako! Hahahaha

Hi is there any bus station at Tsim Tsa Tsui for Rickshaw Sightseeing? Or I need to go to Central (Star Ferry) for the departure?

Ibinigay ng blog na ito lahat at walang itinira. Thank you for this! More than excellent blog. God bless you!

Hello! I am travelling to HK with my family and this is our first time. Just wondering, we are 4 in all (me, my husband, and 2 kids), should each of us buy the octopus card or can we just buy 1 or 2?

Indeed, with so much to do in Hong Kong, one can scratch one's head about where to start in order get the most out of the trip. This in-depth DIY itinerary that will help you plan and make the most out of your upcoming trip to Hong Kong! Thank you for sharing your HONG KONG TRAVEL GUIDE blog with sample HONG KONG ITINERARY and HONG KONG-MACAU ITINERARY. Hong Kong is definitely an exciting city. I’m so excited to travel to Hong Kong!

Hi good pm po ano po need ko kasi student po ako at sinusuporthan lng ako ng bf ko at travel ako ngayon june sa hongkong tip nmn po ano need ko e provide na requirements sa img.ty

For first time traveller with 2 kids (& budgeted as well), is it advisable to do diy hkg instead of buying a ready 4d3n complete package from a travel agency

if i buy the iventure card, wala na po ba aq babayaran upon entrance sa mga included tourist attractions?

Our family will be going to HK this November. This is our first out of the country trip. Since Disneyland is the happiest place on earth, I want my 2 boys (12 and 15 years old) to enjoy it fully. Is it advisable to avail of the 2day pass to Disney? Since 4days 3 nights naman kami. Thanks.

why i cant copy the text on your website? im planning to follow your 3 day IT

Is it really necessary na within 6 months validity yung passport? We're going to HK on December 2019 and expiration nung passport is February 2020. Magkaka problem kaya pag ganun? Thank you so much!

Yes, necessary. Common sense na yun at tsaka laging sinasabi yan sa mga websites ng DFA at mga airline companies.

For the free in-town check-in service po ba pwede iwan yung luggage more than 90minutes? Let's say arrival on HK is 8am then iiwan namin yung luggage and pick up na ng 4pm. Thanks in advance!

Can we book tickets for the Airport Express Train at the HK airport already? Thanks!

a little bit confuse with your travel tip po about sa In-town check-in services, as per Klook below " We understand that you want to leave your luggage more than 90 minutes in Airport Express Train, As I check on the activity there is no information that you can leave the luggage, the 90 minutes that you can see on the activity is the time for check in before departure. "

We will arrive at HK International Airport by 11:30pm,is there still a chance na makabili kami ng octopus card? San po kaya?

Firstime ko mka go ng hongkong,dati macau now hongkong tanggap kya nila ako

Pag mag visit ng Hongkong need po ba Rapid Test?

The best HK blog, very informative, detailed, and helpful! Thank you for this!

Need po ba proof of vaccination pagpabalik na Ng pinas?

Hindi pa po kasama sa octopus card un transpo from airport to hotel? Need pa po pabook ng bukod for train?

Looking for Budget Travel Guide Blogs, Hotel Reviews, and Sample DIY Itineraries? Welcome to Pinoy Adventurista, "Your Next Ultimate Adventure Starts Here!" Pinoy Adventurista is one of the Top Travel Blogs in the Philippines and the World. In 2013, he visited all the 81 provinces in the Philippines.

How to Spend Four Incredible Days in Hong Kong (2023 Edition) 

Hong Kong is a place that has to be visited to be described. A cradle of culture, mouthwatering cuisine, towering skyscrapers and lush parks, this city state leaves no room for apathy. 

Old meets new with fishing villages stuck in time, encapsulating the harbor’s humble beginnings, to some of the world’s most modern infrastructure less than an hour away. 

There is no one way to discover the city. Stumble down streets lit with neon after a traditional seafood meal, looking at kitsch that is simultaneously tacky and a must-have. Sip cocktails atop one of the tallest buildings in the world while gazing down at the concrete jungle below. Take a hike through the green hills that make up three quarters of this country.

No matter your travel style, interests, or budget, I can say with confidence there’s a way to make Hong Kong fit your needs. 

Four days in Hong Kong (with a day trip out to Macau) is the perfect amount of time to explore the highlights.

During your first three days in town, explore the three main areas of Hong Kong: Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island, and Kowloon. Devote a day to each of these; enough time to sample some of the biggest highlights they have to offer. By visiting all three areas, you’ll weave together a vibrant mosaic of Hong Kong, with each district contributing its distinctive colors and textures. On your fourth day, I recommend taking the ferry over to Macau for an unexpected sampling of Portuguese culture.

Today, I’m going to be sharing how I spent my most recent four days in Hong Kong and how to make the most of your time here. Let’s jump right in.

Day One: It’s All About Hong Kong Island

I highly recommend staying in the Tsim Sha Tsui area of Kowloon if you’re a first-time visitor to Hong Kong. This part of town is extremely walkable, centrally located, and close to most of the attractions, so it makes most sense to stay here — Hotel ICON is my favourite spot in this area and I have a full review of the property at the end of this article.

Either way, my guide starts with the assumption that you’ll kick off your adventures on this side of the channel. 

If you don’t get breakfast in your accommodation, I recommend starting your first day with a delicious meal at the Australia Dairy Company.

This place is a true Hong Kong institution. It opened way back in 1970, making it one of the longest continuously running restaurants in the city. This isn’t a place to order yourself a flat white and a plate of smashed avo, however! No, this is the place to be if you’re keen to experience a traditional Hong Kong-style breakfast. The name is actually due to the dairy products the restaurant uses, which it imports in from a Land Down Under .

I always recommend jumping in at the deep end when it comes to sampling food in a new city, and if you subscribe to the same beliefs, you’ll be keen to order the macaroni soup with ham — yes, this is a breakfast dish here! — or sweet milk pudding. If these dishes feel like a step too large for your first morning in town, opt for the French toast or eggs and ham on toast.

The food is fantastic, but there’s one other reason why I recommend heading here on your first day in Hong Kong: to get you used to the gruff service that reigns supreme across the budget eateries in town. Don’t expect smiles and patience from the staff here; they’re stern, efficient, and only too happy to scold you if they think you’re taking too long to order. Embrace it! This is part of Hong Kong culture, so don’t take offense: they treat every visitor exactly the same.

With breakfast done and dusted, it’s time to get yourself over to Hong Kong Island, where you’ll be spending the majority of day one.

The ferry terminal is roughly a 20 minute walk from the Tsim Sha Tsui neighbourhood, and as long as the weather isn’t too hot and humid, I recommend getting there on foot. This is a great way to soak up the sights, sounds, and smells of Hong Kong, especially if you can walk along the beautiful Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade to get there.

If walking isn’t feasible, Uber exists in Hong Kong and wins for being the quickest, easiest, and most convenient transportation option in town. Having said that, Hong Kong is actually home to some of the best public transportation in the world, so you might want to consider using your first local bus to get to the ferry terminal. Buses 1, 2, and 6 take you from Tsim Sha Tsui to the pier in less than 10 minutes. 

I’ll take this moment now to introduce you to the Octopus card . An Octopus card is an essential purchase for anybody who plans to spend time in Hong Kong. This is a reusable travel card that you can use on all forms of public transport in the city, from the metro to the buses to trams to the ferries to the taxis to… you get the idea! But not only that; often, you can also use the card to pay at restaurants, cafes, bars, convenience stores, museums, and more.

In other words, this city runs on the Octopus card.

Getting your hands on one is simple: I recommend downloading the Octopus app to your (Android) phone. There, you can add your payment card details to the app, check your balance, and use your phone’s wallet to pay for your rides; just like you would with Google Pay! If you have an iPhone, you might want to get a physical Octopus card (also a cool souvenir from your trip!) instead, as the reviews of the Octopus app on the Apple App store are pretty bad. You can buy an Octopus card from the airport when you arrive or from any MTR (the metro system) station you pass.

Once you reach the ferry terminal for the Star Ferry, you’ll hopefully have your Octopus card ready to use. You want to use it to take the ferry from here to Central station . The Star Ferry company has been helping people cross the Victoria Harbour since way back in 1888 and many of the boats are still from the 1960s, so they are a piece of history in and of themselves. And the price? Just 5 HKD ! (That’s $0.60/£0.50/€0.60) — yes, this is one of the cheapest sightseeing experiences in the world.

For the best views on the Star Ferry, opt for the outdoor seating area, which is located in the centre of the vessel (the front and the back of the ferry provide indoor seating with air conditioning). I recommend taking the entrance for the upper deck instead the lower deck, as you’ll get slightly better views from up high. And once you’re inside, I recommend sitting on the left side of the ferry for the best views.

The boats run every five minutes so if you’re at the back of the queue and realise you won’t be able to nab a window seat, feel free to hang back and wait for the next ferry so that you can board first.

Take in the views of the towering skyscrapers as you cross the harbour, then prepare yourself for an even better view once you’re back on dry land.

Victoria Peak, or simply the Peak, is one of the most famous attractions in Hong Kong and it’s something that has to be seen to be believed. A magnificent viewpoint — 500 metres above sea level — that overlooks a dense cluster of buildings, I recommend heading here first as it really helps you gain a sense for just how jam-packed with skyscrapers this city really is.

Fun fact: Hong Kong is home to more than 4,000 skyscrapers that are taller than 100 metres!

The tram that takes you to the top of the Peak is located a 25 minute walk from the Central ferry terminal. If you love to explore a city on foot as I do, then feel free to walk it. If you’re short on time and want to rest your legs (you’ll go for a walk at the top of the Peak, too), grab an Uber instead.

Another iconic piece of Hong Kong history, the Peak tram started during the same year as the Star Ferry and is an absolute joy to experience. Not for the faint of heart, it was way steeper than I was expecting, but of course, it’s totally safe to ride. The view on the way up, with the buildings appearing almost sideways at some points, is quite dramatic.

A quick note here is that queues for the tram can get quite lengthy at times — as much as two hours long on a sunny weekend just before sunset! — so come prepared for a bit of a wait. If you’ll be visiting on a weekday in the morning, however, you shouldn’t have to queue for more than around half an hour. For me, it’s worth it — and if you have your Octopus card, you can bypass the queue for buying tickets with cash to make the wait even shorter. On my most recent visit, I did just this and managed to avoid a 100-person long queue for tickets!

Buy a return ticket for the tram and don’t opt for any of the add-ons unless you’re desperate to experience them (the sales staff can be quite persistent in trying to convince you that you should also head to Madame Tussauds!) And try to get a seat inside the tram — preferably on the right hand side as you go up — as there is some standing room, which won’t be as comfortable on the steep journey.

If you’re planning on visiting at a popular time, like sunset, you could take a taxi instead (around 20 minutes) from the Central ferry terminal all the way to the top of the Peak, skipping over the queues for the tram, and then opt to take the tram down , which will have a slightly shorter wait time.

And finally, you could also opt to do as the locals do and take the number 15 double-decker bus from Exchange Square (a 10-minute walk from the Central ferry terminal) to the top of Victoria Peak (sit upstairs on the right-hand side for the best views). Pay with your Octopus card; the fare is around 10 HKD (just over $1/€1, or £1) and it takes between 40 and 60 minutes to get to the Peak, so is quite slow.

When you get to the top, prepare to be amazed.

As far as city views go, this is one of the greatest on the planet. And what you’ll quickly learn is that there’s plenty of angles from which to take it all in; there’s a multitude of viewpoints to head to, which makes a visit even more exciting.

First, head to the Lion’s Pavilion — its marked on Google Maps — for your first glimpse of the city laid out before you. It’s a crowded spot at peak (pun intended) times, like sunset, but given that it’s totally free to access, you can’t complain about everybody else wanting to see it, too! From the Lion’s Pavilion, it’s now time to take a walk.

One of the best ways to explore the Peak is by taking the Victoria Peak Circle Walk, which is 3.8 kilometres (2.4 miles) in length and takes roughly an hour to complete. As the name suggests, the trail encircles the top of the Peak, giving you views across the city in all directions. It’s a simple stroll, mostly flat and with anyone from children to the elderly tackling it, so if you like a walk, this is a great way to see Hong Kong from above.

The Circle Walk begins at Lugard Road beside the Peak Tower (the shopping centre that looks like a big bowl) where the tram terminates. You can look for Lugard Road Lookout on Google Maps to give you an idea of where you’ll be heading.

And then, you walk.

From the Lugard Road Lookout, you’ll continue walking along Lugard Road until the path turns into Harlech Road, which then leads you back to the Peak Tower.

Speaking of the Peak Tower, this unusual building is home to the Sky Terrace 428: a viewing platform on the top floor of the structure. This is a paid viewpoint, costing 75 HKD ($10/€9/£7.50) to visit. In my opinion, it doesn’t really add anything extra on top of the views you’ll have already seen on the Circle Walk, so I don’t see it as a necessity.

Wait until you’ve finished your walk around the Peak before deciding if you want to visit the Sky Terrace; you may, like me, feel that you’ve already seen Hong Kong at its best. Alternatively, my parents visited Hong Kong this year and loved their experience at the Sky Terrace! While they agree that it’s not essential to do, they were still glad they went up there.

Finally, there’s one more free viewpoint to check out before you leave: the Peak Galleria. This is another shopping mall at the Peak, but it’s home to a free-to-visit observation deck that’s worth heading to. If you’re not yet tired of looking out over skyscrapers, that is!

If you’re feeling peckish for lunch, stop by Rajasthan Rifles, which is my favourite restaurant on the Peak. To be honest, there aren’t a lot of good options for food up here — in terms of quality and price — so I would recommend avoiding many of the restaurants. Rajasthan Rifles, however, has a great view, tasty British/Indian fusion dishes, and refreshing drinks that can be enjoyed while sitting on the terrace.

I also opted to sip on a latte while looking over the skyline at Pacific Coffee — the coffee is nothing mind-blowing, but the views certainly are!

With that, you’ve successfully conquered the Peak! It’s now time to ride the tram back down — sit on the left-hand side for the best views — and hit up the small-but-lovely Hong Kong Park, which is located directly beside the tram station. There, you’ll find turtles, waterfalls, a butterfly garden, aviary, and an excellent observation deck called Vantage Point.

This patch of green provides a soothing respite from the chaos of Hong Kong, so makes for a perfect spot to have a quick wander before diving back into the madness!

There is a cute teahouse within the park — LockCha — which serves up Chinese tea and vegetarian dumplings and dim sums, with an English menu. If you’re feeling hungry for local eats, this is a good option for a quick snack and an introduction to the cuisine before moving on.

For your next activity, I recommend walking 20 minutes (or taking an Uber to Central Market if you’re tired) from Hong Kong Park to the Central Mid-Levels Escalator, which is… wait for it… the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world.

Yes, it’s a long escalator.

Well, in fact it’s not even that: it’s a series of 20 escalators, stretching for a distance of 800 metres up the mountain. Riding every single one in a stationary position (i.e. not walking up them) takes just over 20 minutes, but we’ll just be taking it for a shorter distance: to Tai Kwun complex, otherwise known as the former Central Police Station.

To get to the start of the series of escalators, head to the second level of Central Market and step aboard. The walkway itself is used by tourists and commuters alike and because it’s raised above the streets, it gives you an interesting vantage point down alleyways, over murals, and into windows.

Opposite the Tai Kwun complex is Messina, by the way, which is one of the best ice cream shops in Hong Kong — do stop in if you’re looking for an excuse to indulge.

Tai Kwun was originally a jail, used by the British back during the colonial years. Since then, it has been revamped to include a myriad of art installations and exhibitions, along with restaurants, bars, and independent stores.

If you’re more into your history than your art, a good place to start is the Barrack Block, which was built in 1864 and is where you’ll find a visitor centre and brochures. Several of the original cells in the old Victoria Prison are open to the public if you want to take a look at the conditioners the prisoners lived in. And a series of old photographs and information panels can be seen in the halls of the former Central Police Station.

The Tai Kwun complex is located within the Soho neighbourhood of Hong Kong, which is famous for its street art and murals, along with its independent stores and galleries. It’s a great place to explore.

On Google Maps find Man Mo Temple — it’s only a 10 minute walk from Tai Kwun — and walk in its general direction, pausing anywhere that looks interesting. Trust me: there will be plenty of stops! Make sure you take a quick detour to Graham Street, which is home to a popular mural for Instagrammers.

At the end of the walk, you’ll find yourself at Man Mo Temple. A Taoist temple that dates back to 1847, it remains an oasis of tradition in this ultra modern city and is a super-cool place to explore. Make sure you go inside and fully explore the temple, as its interior is excellent for taking photos! Entrance is free.

With that, your time on Hong Kong Island is up, so head over to the Central ferry terminal, jump on the Star Ferry back to Tsim Sha Tsui and venture back to your hotel to rest up before dinner.

If you didn’t walk along the promenade to get to the ferry terminal this morning, now might be a great time to do so, as it takes you along the Avenue of the Stars: Hong Kong’s answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, complete with handprints.

Most of the names won’t be too familiar unless you’re a diehard Cantonese cinema fan, however international favourites, such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li, all have their hand prints here. 

When night rolls around, it’s time to start thinking about dinner.

There’s tons of options for eating, whether it’s grabbing some xiaolongbao from world-famous Din Tai Fung, sampling Michelin-starred fried dumplings from Cheung Hing Kee, or visiting Yung’s Bistro for a taste of roast goose (a Hong Kong specialty!)

In Hong Kong, you can find any cuisine you feel like, from Italian to Indian, to a greasy burger from Five Guys!

Day Two: Exploring Lantau Island

We spent the previous day exploring Hong Kong Island, so today is going to be all about peaceful Lantau Island! This is one of my favourite parts of the country with the enormous Tian Tan Buddha — or Big Buddha, as the locals call it — one of my favourite attractions.

Unfortunately, it’s also the favourite attraction of most visitors to Hong Kong — and locals. In other words, this is one of the most popular activities in town. Fortunately, there are several things you can do in order to make your visit run smoothly.

Crowds are highest at the weekend, so if you do have the option of visiting on a weekday, you should opt to do so.

However, no matter which day of the week you do decide visit, you should aim to get to Tung Chung MTR station (where you catch the cable car from) roughly half an hour before the ticket office opens. In 2023, that means making sure you get there at 9:30 a.m. for its 10 a.m. opening.

And I really do want to reiterate the importance of getting there early: there’s masses of horror stories online of people turning up at midday on a weekend or public holiday and having to queue for three hours just to get on the cable car!

Yes, really. This is not an exaggeration. Time your visit wrong and you could be queueing for up to three hours to get to the Big Buddha and three hours to get back again. When I arrived at 9:30 in the morning on a Satin 2023, however, I was boarding the cable car by 10:20.

Lantau Island is located roughly 20 kilometres — or 12 miles — from Hong Kong Island, but getting there is easy via the MTR system (and your Octopus card). From Tsim Sha Tsui, it takes between 50 and 70 minutes to get over to Tung Chung Station, changing MTR lines once on the way. What that means is that ideally, you want to be up, breakfasted, and out of your hotel by 8:30 a.m.

Once you arrive at Tung Chung Station, you’re now only a hop, skip, and a cable car from the aforementioned Big Buddha.

From the metro, you’ll want to make your way over to Ngong Ping 360, which is the name of the cable car that will take you over to Ngong Ping village and the Buddha statue. Now, you have two options for buying tickets.

The first is to simply turn up and buy your tickets from the counter.

And the second is to buy your tickets online in advance.

Normally, I’d recommend the latter option, but in this case, I recommend turning up and buying your tickets when you arrive.

The reason is simple: the vast majority of visitors to Ngong Ping buy their cable car tickets in advance — but what they’re actually buying is a voucher. And once you arrive, you still need to queue to exchange that voucher for a ticket. And because everybody already has a voucher, the queues are so much longer than the ones for buying a ticket on the spot.

It seems counter-intuitive but trust me on this: you will queue for less time if you don’t buy a ticket in advance.

Once you’ve successfully navigated the chaos that inevitably awaits you at the ticket counters, it’s time to unwind from it all and transport yourself to a more peaceful side of Hong Kong.

The cable car journey lasts for 25 minutes; over that time you’ll be taken over rolling hills, sparkling waters, and hikers haplessly struggling along dirt trails. Look out for Hong Kong International Airport along the way, as well as the mighty Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge, the world’s longest sea bridge, at a length of 55 kilometres, or 34 miles.

As you near Ngong Ping village, you’ll catch your first glimpse of the bronze Big Buddha — one of the world’s largest sitting Buddha statues — standing proudly atop a series of 268 steps.

Oh, and yes, you’re going to have to climb them.

Once you disembark from the cable car, you’ll find yourself in Ngong Ping, which you can think of as a sort-of commercialised version of a traditional Chinese village. Yeah, it can be a bit Disney-esque at times.

Still, if you’re keen to pick up a souvenir from your trip, you won’t struggle to find one here.

From the village, it takes around 10 minutes to walk to the base of the Big Buddha and from there you’ll need to tackle the aforementioned 268 steps.

Trust me: it’s so worth it. When I visited, I witnessed a variety of age ranges and fitness abilities panting their way up the steps — many of whom stopped frequently on the way up to rest. Needless to say, if you’re not feeling too athletic when you get here, you won’t be the only person pausing to catch their breath!

When you are done taking it all in, hop down to the Po Lin Monastery at the base of the stairs. If you’re not all Buddha-ed out, they even have a hall of 10,000 Buddhas, albeit just a tad smaller than the one outside. The tapestries, art and architecture inside the monastery are mind-blowingly intricate and beautiful.

Now, who’s up for seeing some pink dolphins?

Pink dolphins?

Yep! One of the highlights of a trip out to Lantau Island is visiting the sleepy fishing village of Tai O. This is one of the oldest fishing villages in Hong Kong, and one of the last remaining in the nation, so it’s a truly special place to visit.

To get to Tai O from Ngong Ping village, you’ll want to take the number 21 bus, which runs every half an hour. It’s a good idea to check the bus timetable once you’ve arrived in Ngong Ping (you can do so by using Google Maps to navigate from your current location to Tai O via public transport) — that way, you can keep in mind how long you have to spend at the Big Buddha before you need to be jumping aboard the bus.

A 20-minute journey along the winding roads of Lantau Island brings you to Tai O and its traditional stilt houses that are built over the water. This village is known for its traditional way of life, with fishermen still making a living here, as well as its dried seafood, shrimp paste, and pod of pink dolphins.

Tai O is a wonderful place for wandering small streets, navigating small tin houses, visiting shops, and eating the street food. I really loved the grilled dry squid cooked over charcoal. For dinner you can get some super fresh seafood at Fook Moon Lam restaurant. The salt and pepper fried prawns were a personal favorite of mine.

Take the 21 bus back to Tung Chung and get the MTR back. You might be pretty tired as this day requires a lot of walking so try to get back at a decent time to get some rest because you are going international tomorrow!

Day 3: It’s Time to Head to Macau

Get up nice and early and bring your passport with you because we are going to Macau. Another SAR (special administrative region) of China. Macau was in the hands of the Portuguese instead of the British, giving it a distinctive culture of its own. And since it is just a short ferry ride away from Hong Kong why not?

Have breakfast in the hotel and take the Star Ferry over to Central and from there it is about a 10-15 minute walk to the Macau ferry. There are a couple of different companies you can take with both coming in a little over 170 HKD for a single trip ticket. 

Take a ferry to the Taipa Ferry Terminal, not the Outer Harbour Terminal. However, don’t buy a round trip as we will be departing from the other terminal. There are always sailings and seats available so don’t worry about booking ahead of time. 

When you get to Macau, the immigration process is fairly straightforward and you should be on your way very soon. From the terminal take a taxi to Fernando’s. Opened in the 80s this place is one of the best-known Portuguese restaurants in Macau and in the three times I have been to Macau I have never missed a meal at Fernando’s. 

Extremely simple food with fresh ingredients and a lazy old world ambience, it is a relaxing way to start your day.  There is also a black sand beach next to the restaurant which is great for a stroll.

Take a cab back to the Venetian. Macau is known as the Las Vegas of Asia so it wouldn’t make sense to go the whole day without hitting up a casino right? The moniker isn’t even really accurate, as before the pandemic, this tiny island was bringing in four times the gambling revenue of Vegas!

Take a Gondola ride throughout the casino, with your guide’s voice rivaling and most likely surpassing that of any real Venetian gondolier. The paintings on the wall and ceilings will transport you to the Italian backwaters, and it’s probably just as crowded. When your voyage has ended, head into the casino floor for a couple spins of the roulette wheel and rounds of blackjack. It might just be your lucky day.

With your new found riches in hand, take a cab (the public transport system is somewhat lacking next to Hong Kong)  and make your way towards the old town. Start at the Senado Square. Meander along the gorgeous black and white tiles that carpet the walkways and take in your surroundings. 

Also, make sure to try some street food while you are there, the can’t-miss stuff are the pork chop buns and Portugese egg tarts, phenomenal. 

Take your time and walk through the winding streets of the old town and continue onward to the ruins of St Paul, a 17th century Catholic church. Destroyed by a fire in the 1800s, the facade is a majestic ruin and really a sight to behold. There is also a small museum underneath worth checking out.

To top off the night, have the deliciously tender veal and a glass of Portuguese wine at Mariazinha and wind down from a long day. Take a cab back to the ferry pier and make your way back to the hotel to get ready for your last day. 

Day 4: Round it All Off With a Stint in Kowloon

If you’ve been basing yourself in Tsim Sha Tsui, you’ll have already encountered a small taste of what the peninsula of Kowloon has to offer. Today, however, we’re going to go even more in-depth into this part of the city, venturing into some of the neighbourhoods that are located further north of your hotel.

And we kick out explorations off with a basketball court.

Yes, really.

Choi Hung Estate is located 30 minutes away on the metro from Tsim Sha Tsui and may just be one of the most photogenic spots in the city.

The palm trees, the retro basketball courts, the pastel rainbow buildings: if you love your photography this is going to be a paradise for you. I have to confess it’s a popular photoshoot destination, so you won’t have the area all to yourself, but stick around for 15 minutes and you’ll be able to nab an aesthetic photo for your feed. Just remember: people do live, and play basketball, here so try to remain as non-intrusive as possible.

It can also be a little bit tricky to find as the basketball court is actually located on top of a car park! Put “Choi Hung Estate Car Park” into Google Maps to get you to the right building, which will be a two-storey car park. Look for the set of stairs to get you to the top and you’ll be there!

From one photogenic spot to another: after you’ve finished up at Choi Hung Estate, it’s time to head to nearby Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden. These two connecting Tang dynasty-style gardens are a joy to explore, and you could easily spend hours just wandering through their grounds. Amazingly, both are free to visit.

The best way to get there from Choi Hung Estate is to walk. It takes 15 minutes to get to Nan Lian Garden, or 14 minutes by MTR, so opt to save the money unless you need to save energy.

We’ll start with Nan Lian Garden, as it’s closest. Here, you’ll find a classical Chinese garden and respite from the cacophony of Hong Kong; I was surprised to see how few people opt to visit, making this one of the least crowded spots on my itinerary. As you wander down the paved pathways, you’ll pass by bonsai trees, water features (including a koi pond!), and manicured shrubs, all sat against a backdrop of mountains and skyscrapers. There’s a vegetarian dim sum restaurant on site, as well as a Chinese tea house, and gift shop.

But the true highlight of Nan Lian Garden is the golden pavilion, which is pictured above. Its full name is the Pavilion of Absolute Perfection and once you catch a glimpse of it with your own eyes, I’d be surprised if you didn’t agree. While it’s a little disappointing that you can’t cross the bright red bridge to get to the pavilion, it does mean that you don’t have to deal with other tourists getting in your photo.

One final thing: there’s a pottery exhibition on site, which costs 20 HKD ($2.60/€2.35/£2) to visit, with free admission on Wednesdays. It’s not really my kind of thing, to be honest, but it’s a small cost and others tend to really enjoy it, so pop in if you think you would, too.

Once you’ve soaked up all the greenery at Nan Lian Garden, a small footbridge connects you to Chi Lin Nunnery.

This complex opened back in 1934, originally as a retreat for Buddhist nuns, and to this day remains the largest hand-built wooden building in the world. Once you get inside and see it for yourself, you’ll realise what an impressive undertaking this must have been! Constructed from cypress wood, this structure was put together without the use of any nails; just interlocking pieces of wood.

As with Nan Lian Garden, this part of Hong Kong is rarely crowded. As you wander through the picturesque grounds, you’ll come up against temple halls — 16 of them! — gardens, and lotus ponds. Inside the halls, Buddha statues abound, made from gold, clay, and stone.

In a city that is so built-up and busy, this part of Hong Kong is a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle that’s undoubtedly been wearing down your energy levels. In total, you can expect to spend an hour across both Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery; two hours if you really like your architecture and greenery.

It’s time to move on and the next step is just a 5-minute metro ride away: you’ll want to take it from Diamond Hill Station to Wong Tai Sin Station. Alternatively, you could walk to Wong Tai Sin Temple; it takes just over 20 minutes to get there.

And what’s so special about this temple? Well, this is the place to come if you’re looking for good fortune; if you’re keen to have your prayers answered. The temple is dedicated to Wong Tai Sin, who was known as the Great Immortal Wong and believed to grant the wishes of all who pray to him.

If you want to participate in the fortune telling

It’s one of the loveliest Chinese temples in Hong Kong, with the soothing scent of incense wafting through the air. The architecture is all classic Chinese, with red pillars and intricate details that add a sense of tradition.

Visitors light incense, make a wish, and hope for a bit of positive energy to come their way.

Strolling through the temple grounds feels like a step back in time. There are beautiful gardens with ponds and pavilions, providing a quiet retreat from the urban hustle. One interesting tradition is the Kau Cim, where you can shake a bamboo cylinder, pull out a stick, and discover your fortune. It’s a simple, yet charming, experience.

For those curious about their future, there are fortune-telling stalls where you can consult with wise practitioners. It’s a cultural experience that adds a layer of authenticity to your visit.

If you haven’t picked up on it yet, this part of Hong Kong is home to tons of beautiful sections of green space. The final one we’ll visit is the Kowloon Walled City Park, which is a 20 minute walk south of Wong Tai Sin temple.

This peaceful garden sits on the site of the former Kowloon Walled City, once a densely populated, chaotic maze of buildings. Now, it’s a calming retreat that beautifully contrasts with its storied past.

Wander through the garden and you’ll find remnants of the old city walls, standing like silent storytellers of a bygone era. The red-bricked walls whisper tales of resilience and transformation, offering a glimpse into the rich history of Kowloon.

As you stroll along the pathways, there’s a sense of calmness that permeates the air. Traditional Chinese architecture dots the landscape, creating a harmonious blend of old and new. It’s not flashy or grand, but it exudes a quiet charm that captures the essence of Chinese culture.

Take a moment to appreciate the bonsai trees and well-maintained greenery, providing a peaceful backdrop against the remnants of the walled city. It’s a bit like nature reclaiming its space, reminding you that even in the midst of change, there’s a certain beauty in resilience.

For history buffs, the Walled City’s South Gate has been lovingly restored, offering a glimpse into what the area might have looked like in its heyday. It’s a step back in time, a visual bridge between the past and the present.

Kowloon Walled City Garden is not about flashy displays or bustling crowds. It’s a hidden gem: a quiet retreat where you can reflect on the city’s history while enjoying a moment of peace.

It’s time to take a break from all the green space now and throw ourselves headfirst back into the madness! We’re heading now to the neighbourhood of Sham Shui Po. This part of Kowloon may look similar to what you picture when you think of Hong Kong back in the day; all neon signs in traditional Chinese script.

Head next to Hong Kong History Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui. It is always good to get an idea of how the place got to be how it is and put everything into perspective. They have revolving exhibitions as well as a permanent one that does a fantastic job sharing the story of Hong Kong. 

Following that, have lunch in ChungKing Mansions. ChungKing is like a portal to another world that transports you to South Asia and Africa. Migrant workers are a huge part of the tapestry that makes up Hong Kong and their cuisine severely underrated. If you are in the mood for African, I love the jollof rice and black-eyed peas at Ghana Locals and Pakistani food in Khyber Pass Mess Club. 

Next, hop on the bus or MTR and go to the ladies markets in Mong Kok. Don’t let the name fool you, there is stuff here for everyone and a great place to find souvenirs, clothes, and electronics at fantastic prices. You can even buy designer clothes at bargain prices. Whether they are authentic or not is another question, even though the sellers will try to convince you that their Christian Door is genuine. This place is also great to polish your bargaining chops. I always start at half what they quote and work from there. It’s good fun and the shopkeepers are fun to banter with and always jolly. 

You have been walking a lot these past few days so you might need a massage, and luckily in Hong Kong that is not too hard to find. One of my favorite places is the TaiPan reflexology parlor. Very traditional and chic decoration, extremely fair prices and world-class therapists, they will have you back in walking shape in no time!

End your day and your time in Hong Kong, the way you started it, on the harbor. At 7:30 every day the Aqualuna , sets sail for a magical sunset cruise followed with a scrumptious dinner at Hutong Restaurant with a window seat that continues giving you that sweet sweet harbor view. 

Watch the buildings light up in all their fluorescent glory and at 8:00 there is also a “Symphony of Lights” show that you will have front row seats for. It is the perfect way to end a magical stay in HK and will leave you with an image of the city you won’t soon forget.

I would encourage you to make a reservation as seats are limited especially during the high season. This is one thing that you honestly cannot miss. 

If you still aren’t done then I don’t blame you. If you don’t have an early morning flight and are not shopped out there is also a night market in Jordan that is a personal favorite. Similar to the ladies market in Mong Kok, however, there are less clothes and more gadgets, paintings and souvenirs. 

A little more of a shady feeling than the day market but is actually a little more fun. There are also lots of seafood stalls on the sides with plastic chairs that are great for having a few Tsing Taos, late night snacks and watching all the life go by.  

If you just want to get loose and let your hair down, make Knutsford Terrace your last stop. Kowloon’s answer to Lan Kwai Fong, but with more of a local vibe there is any kind of venue you want. Want a club? China Bar. Want a chill place you can play pool, darts, or beer pong? Arena Bar. Casual cocktails and beer? Assembly. 

Head back to the hotel, satisfied, happy and hopefully not too hungover tomorrow.

What To Know Before You Go

Know Where to Stay

Tsim Sha Tsui is the best place to stay for visitors hands down. It is extremely walkable, centrally located and close to most attractions. It is also home to the most iconic hotel in Hong Kong, the Peninsula Hotel . There is no other hotel in the city that even comes close to having the history of the Peninsula Hotel all while maintaining a standard of luxury that is astounding. 

Amazing dining options, Roman-style indoor pool, and reportedly the most comfortable beds in the city. Now I can’t speak to that as there are hundreds of other hotel beds that I would need to try, however, sleeping on this I definitely believe it. 

It is also located right next to Victoria Harbour with stunning views out the window and the building itself built in 1928 is a work of art. It does not come cheap, but if you can swing it, you will not be disappointed. The service I experienced is also outstanding, but at the price point you expect it to be!

Know When to Go

I feel like most guides say to go everywhere from March to April and September to November, but realistically going to Hong Kong anytime that is not May to September is prime time. Most of the rain falls May to September and it is sweltering hot with humidity usually in the 90s and temperatures in the mid 30s. Outside those months the temperature is moderate and the climate is dry. 

Travelers from a colder climate will not find the winters harsh at all despite the amount of locals looking like they are preparing for an Everest trek. 

The Mid Autumn festival usually held in October is a great time to travel as the mood is festive and there are tons of things to do. I would advise the opposite for Chinese New Year as most things are closed and many people are in mainland China to spend time with family.

Know How to Get Around

The public transportation system in Hong Kong puts most of the world to shame. With only 10% of the population owning personal vehicles, it’s a wonder anyone needs them at all. Trains, buses, taxis and ferries interconnect every part of this metropolis with ease. I would recommend downloading the Citymapper app before you visit, it was a lifesaver for me. It shows all the different routes and combinations of routes to get to your final destination along with how long each way will take and the price for each one. 

All the public transportation options take cash but the most efficient way to get around is an Octopus card. It is a prepaid card that you can use on all public transport save taxis and makes it easy so you are not fumbling for change the whole time. You can pick one up at every train station for a 50 HKD deposit. When you leave you can get the deposit back at any train station, and you can top up in the station or any 7-11 or Circle K.

There is Uber in Hong Kong but will usually find a taxi before your Uber arrives and it will likely be cheaper. If you are going to a main location, they will understand you just fine, but if going somewhere out of the way and you don’t speak Cantonese, it might be better to Uber to make sure you end up at the exact spot. All taxis are metered however so scamming is not an issue. 

Know Some Tips and Tricks

• I say this everywhere I go but get an eSIM ! Especially in Hong Kong, where you are usually fully reliant on public transport, being able to get your bearings is very important. 
• Scams and pickpocketing aren’t very common at all. Exercise a normal amount of caution and you will be more than fine.
• Hong Kong is a great place to pick up used electronics. The phone and laptop I am using right now are from a computer center in Hong Kong and they are still going strong three years on. The Golden Computer Center in Sham Shui Po, the Computer Center in Wan Chai and Sin Tat Plaza in Mong Kok give reliable devices at great prices!
• You don’t really need to tip in Hong Kong. The only instance would be at fancy restaurants and while it would be appreciated, most people don’t as service charge is already included. 
• It’s always nice to learn a few phrases. M’goi is thank you, Jou San is good morning and Nei Ho is Hello, and while Hong Kong is technically part of China now, Ni Hao isn’t used unless you are a pure Mandarin speaker.
• Take the airport express into the city, it’s super fast, convenient and much cheaper than a cab. If you are staying in the hotel recommended above, get off in Kowloon Station and take a short five minute cab from there. 

And that was Hong Kong!

Spending four days in Hong Kong (and Macau) is loads of fun. I would suggest no less than that and if you wanted to add more days I would highly encourage it. Hong Kong is one of my favorite places and if you get the chance you have to go! I hope with this guide that you will be able to discover even more cool places on your own.

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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Hello Lauren, I have just completed my impromptu Hong Kong trip, and followed your itinerary for the 5 days I was here.. Thank you for collecting all the little details and putting them here for us.. This is such a nicely crafted itinerary, with every minor detail at one place, which I personally love collecting before visiting any new city, but due to time constraint I couldn’t, so your article was very helpful for me.. Lots of thanks & love.

Ah, thank you so much, Megha! I’m so thrilled to hear you found my itinerary helpful :-)

Hi Lauren, thanks for the great writeup and suggestions. I’m planning a multi-generational trip to HK this spring for about 4-5 days. I have concerns around limited mobility of the grandparents; who can walk but not long distances. I’m hoping that we can get door-to-door transportation (taxi) as much as possible, and take it slow. Obviously the steps to the Buddha are out, but of the other places in your story, are there any that would be just not possible for elderly people with limited stamina? Any other tips for how best to prioritize so we can see/enjoy HK even with limited mobility? Thanks so much!

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The Guide to Rediscovering Hong Kong in 2023

Next time you’re in hong kong, visit these art spaces, hong kong island.

Blue House on Stone Nullah Lane in Wan Chai. Photo: Courtesy of Blue House

Ferry ride leaving Central Piers to the outlying islands. Photo: Gideon de Kock

The Evolution of Hong Kong Cinema, From Legacy to New Indie

Kowloon Walled City park at night. Photo: Sarah Wei

Sham Shui Po during the day. Photo: Gideon de Kock

Mong Kok with lines of mini buses to neighboring districts. Photo: Gideon de Kock

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Travel to Hong Kong Is Back — Here's What It's Like to Visit and What to See and Do

After three years of near-total closure, Hong Kong is finally back on the tourist map. One travel reporter returns to the city to determine what’s changed — and what’s better than ever.

Virgile Simon Bertrand/Courtesy of Herzog & de Meuron

It seemed almost too good to be true. After 34 months of hard quarantine rules and ever-shifting regulations that scared off all but the most determined travelers, Hong Kong announced in late 2022 that it would drop almost all COVID-19 restrictions. These days, only a self-administered rapid test is required of visitors coming from the U.S.

I jumped at the chance to be one of the first Americans to enter under the newly relaxed rules. Though I hadn’t been to Hong Kong since May 2019, this would be my 12th visit to the city — a place that my parents once called home. Much has changed, as a result of both the pandemic and recent political turmoil, including protests against government curbs on freedom of expression. Yet I still found much to enjoy, not least Hong Kong’s blend of Chinese and international cultural influences — a mix that, as a Chinese American, resonates particularly strongly for me.

“Now more than ever, we want to remind travelers what there is to love about our city — its rich and layered culture, its historic-meets-contemporary atmosphere,” says Hugo Montanari, managing director of the Rosewood Hong Kong .

Here’s how to make the most of a trip, whether it’s your first, or just your first in a while.

What’s New Around Town

Lok Cheng/Courtesy of M+, Hong Kong

Despite the difficulties of the past few years, Hong Kong has undergone a museum renaissance, particularly in the West Kowloon Cultural District, which sprawls along reclaimed land lining Victoria Harbour. The centerpiece is M+ , a self-described “global museum of visual culture,” which opened in November 2021. During my visit, I was impressed by several exhibits, including the permanent installation Conserving Neon Culture, which celebrates the electric signs that have illuminated Hong Kong for decades. Though a Yayoi Kusama show closed in mid-May, other intriguing options, like a survey of contemporary Chinese art, will run through the summer.

Meanwhile, the Peak Tram , a Hong Kong classic since it opened in 1888, has gotten a glow-up. In August 2022, new (if retro-looking) carriages increased capacity on the line by 75 percent and are wheelchair accessible. Unchanged is the lovely journey from Central to the top of Victoria Peak, where visitors can soak in sweeping views of the Hong Kong skyline.

Where to Stay Now

Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

For much of the past three years, Hong Kong’s legendary hotels have hosted local staycationers rather than overseas visitors — but they’ve also taken time to rebuild and refresh. Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong , for example, redesigned its 399 rooms and suites and opened Argo, an ambitious art deco–ish bar with skyline views that went straight onto the 2022 World’s 50 Best list. “We have full confidence that Hong Kong is back on the global stage,” says hotel general manager Christian Poda.

Other big names, such as Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong and Regent Hong Kong, which was formerly the InterContinental, have also gone through major renovations. For its part, The Peninsula Hong Kong has introduced wellness programs, including classes and mindfulness retreats.

New properties on the scene include The St. Regis Hong Kong , which was Marriott’s 7,000th hotel when it opened in 2019. The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong is the brand’s first in the city — and its first-ever resort-style property, with a spa, a massive pool, and a water park.

Montanari, the Rosewood GM, is meanwhile eager to show off his hotel, which occupies 25 floors of a 65-story Kowloon tower overlooking the harbor. Though the property opened in 2019, this year will be the first opportunity many international guests will have to see it. “We expect a resurgence of international business and leisure travel,” the hotelier tells T+L. “And we’re looking forward to the return of cultural events such as Art Basel.”

The Scoop on Dining

Hecho/Courtesy of Sake Central

In addition to easing entry requirements, authorities in Hong Kong have eliminated the curfews and mask mandates that had kept a tight lid on dining out. “There’s an optimism in the air,” says Elliot Faber, a restaurateur who has lived in Hong Kong for more than a decade. “Now is a great time to visit, because you can feel the energy — but it’s not impossible to get a seat,” adds Faber, who’s part of the team at Sake Central. “I see things improving for the first time in a long time.”

Getting There Made Easier

In March, United Airlines resumed its daily nonstops from San Francisco, on Boeing 777s outfitted with 60 Polaris business-class seats. At the same time, Cathay Pacific continues to increase service between the city and the U.S., with capacity expected to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2024. The carrier is also one of four working with the Hong Kong Tourism Board to give away 500,000 free flights to the city , including some seats reserved for North Americans. Sadly for those who didn’t jump at the offer, the free seats have already been snapped up, Cathay Pacific says, “due to popular demand.”

A version of this story first appeared in the May 2023 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline "Electric Once More.”

Related Articles

5 days Hong Kong itinerary (2023)

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. At no cost to you, I might earn a small commission if you make a purchase through the links in this article. 

Vertigo-inducing skyscrapers, delicious dim sum and some of the best nightlife and shopping in the world. 

These are some of the images that Hong Kong conjures up in the minds of travelers. 

Hong Kong might be a bit overwhelming to a first-time traveler, because there are so many things do in this city. 5 days in Hong Kong is a perfect amount of time to see the city and some of its surrounding areas including Lantau Island. And If you want to visit the gambling mecca Macau, add an extra day. 

5 Days in Hong Kong itinerary

Day 1: Explore Mong Kok

Where to stay: Metropark Mongkok

Hong Kong is divided into Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and New Territories. 

I started my trip in Kowloon, a peninsula across Victoria Harbor that is known as an entertainment and shopping district. I suggest starting your 5 days Hong Kong itinerary with Mong Kok, an area of Kowloon where you can shop and eat inexpensively. 

Translated as “crowded corner” in Cantonese, Mong Kok is a home to bustling street markets and delicious street food. 

The famous Ladies Market in Mong Kok has plenty of stands with knock-off luxury goods, souvenirs, clothing, and trinkets. Remember to haggle if you want to get a good deal.

Book one of the best guided tours of Kowloon

Another place you might consider visiting in Mong Kok is Sai Yeung Choi, a long, pedestrian street where you can find many stores and malls that sell trinkets, gadgets and clothings. 

✅ DISCOVER KOWLOON MARKETS AND TEMPLES ON THIS HALF-DAY TOUR

Check out Wong Tai Sin Temple

Your 5 days Hong Kong Itinerary should include at least one temple. And it’s good to start with Wong Tai Sin because it’s located further away from busy areas. To get there, hop across several MTR lines to get to Wong Tai Sin Temple in Chuk Un, a residential area of New Kowloon. 

✅ BOOK THIS PRIVATE HONG KONG TOUR FOR FIRST-TIME VISITORS

This colorful temple is home to three religions: Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism . It also commemorates the monk of yore, Wong Tai Sin. 

Perhaps, the large number of people at Wong Tai Sin Temple could be explained by the fact that it the temple is said to make every wish come true upon request.

Cruise along the Victoria Harbor in Star Ferry

Where to stay: Grand Hyatt

Make your way to Tsim Sha Tsui promenade for a spectacular view of Hong Kong Island and Victoria Harbor. 

Here, you can find the Avenue of Stars that features many statues of stars from the Chinese and Western movies such as Bruce Lee. The area is also a stone throw away from museums, restaurants and night clubs in Kowloon.  

Best cruises of Victoria Harbor

Where to buy star ferry tickets.

To wrap up your first day, catch a Star Ferry from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island. You can purchase tickets at Harbour/Water Tour ticket office located at Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier or the Central Pier 7.

Take a night ride on Star Ferry because it culminates with a colorful light show that lights up the Hong Kong skyline in a myriad of colors. 

You can also book your tickets online ahead of your trip  here.

Day 2: Walk around Nan Lian Garden

Take a morning stroll along Nan Lian Garden on the Diamond Hill in Kowloon. 

The beautiful Chi Lin Nunnery, a Buddhist temple built in 1934 spans 33,000 square meters, but only a small part of it is open to visitors. Visit Nan Lian Garden early morning before most people begin to arrive.

How to get to Nan Lian Garden:  The garden is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day and the entrance is free. To get there, get off the train at Diamond Hill Station and walk across the road. 

Grab a bite at one of Kowloon restaurants

Kowloon restaurants boast a variety of food. 

Here you will find tons of options with Western, Asian and Cantonese cuisines. But dining in Hong Kong doesn’t necessarily mean spending big money.

Another option is to enjoy local flavors during a fun cooking class .

The city has tons of pop-up food stands and inexpensive diners where you can eat on a budget. A good place to find good and inexpensive places to eat is Nathan Road , a central street of Kowloon that stretches from Tsim Sha Tsui to Sham Shui Po.

Enjoy some of the best Hong Kong food tours

Leaving Hong Kong without trying local street food is a HUGE mistake! Make sure to try grab some delicacies while strolling the city street, or better yet, join one of the awesome tours guided by a local foodie.

Visit Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in Hong Kong is one of the most remarkable cultural sites the city, and although it takes a while to get there, it’s an absolute must on your 5 days Hong Kong itinerary.

The monastery is located in Sha Tin, part of New Territories and it contains several buildings including a nine-story pagoda, several halls and ornate gazebos with religious displays. 

How to get to Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery:  Get off at Sha Tin station on MTR’s East Rail Line and take an Exit B. Walk down the ramp and make a left turn to Pai Tau Street. After that, turn right onto Sheung Wo Che Street. As you get to the end of the road, you will see a few signs that will direct you to the monastery.

When you get closer to the monastery, you will see a narrow concrete path that snakes up the hill. You will have to climb up nearly 400 stairs with two rows of Buddhas in different positions on each side.

Book a guided tour of Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

Why you should consider booking a guided tour of hong kong.

Hong Kong is a huge city and you have a lot to cover even if you have 5 days in Hong Kong. Trying to visit all of the popular landmarks in Hong Kong could be simply overwhelming, that’s why I suggest taking one of Hong Kong guided tours to save time and hassle.

THIS PRIVATE TOUR OF HONG KONG IS A PERFECT OPTION

Day 3: Explore Hong Kong Island

Where to stay: Conrad Hong Kong

After you get the taste of the gritty Kowloon, visit the cosmopolitan Hong Kong Island.

Home to towering skyscrapers and a busy financial district, Hong Kong Island has a whole different vibe to it than many popular Hong Kong neighborhoods across the harbor.

Here you can find offices of many international companies, big shopping malls, restaurants, and the largest public park in Hong Kong.

Shopping lovers should head to Causeway Bay that has an abundance of boutiques and small stores for every budget.

LET ME HELP YOU PLAN YOUR TRIP TO HONG KONG!

Besides being a travel blogger, I also create itineraries for my readers 😃 If you want me to plan your trip to Hong Kong, provide insider tips and do all the research for you, fill out the form. 

My custom itineraries include information on popular landmarks, restaurants, and hidden corners that most tourists miss. As part of my services, I also offer suggestions on flights, hotels and activities.

Can’t wait to hear from you! 💛

Climb up Victoria Peak

Most travelers prefer to take the renowned Peak Tram to Victoria Peak, the highest point in Hong Kong to get panoramic views of the city and surrounding hills. You can also take a bus that will take you there.

However, you might have to spend some time in line if you want to take a tram, since it’s very popular.

The Sky Terrace 428 at Victoria Peak is the tallest platform that offers a 360-degree view of the city. 

Visit Old Town Central

On your way down from Victoria Peak, make a stop at Old Town Central.

Here old meets new as modern restaurants and hipster bars are nestled next to historic temples. Take a walk along Hollywood Road where you will see several graffiti walls alongside art galleries and souvenir stalls. 

Old Town Central is also famous because of its street art. 

As you walk around Hollywood Road and surrounding streets, you will find dozens of graffiti covering the walls. The graffiti along Tank Line and Graham Street are especially famous and it’s not uncommon to see lines of people waiting to take photos. 

Step inside Man Mo Temple

One of the main attractions of Old Town Central in Hong Kong is Man Mo Temple (Or Man Mo Miu) located on Hollywood Road in Sheung Wan.

The 19-century temple attracts many tourists and locals as its inside its adorned with hanging incense coils, Buddha statues and colorful paraphernalia. The Man Mo Temple pays tribune to the God of Literature (Man Tai) and the Martial God (Mo Tai).

The temple is open from  8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. 

Grab a drink at Lan Kwai Fong

Lan Kwai Fong is a historic area in the heart of the Hong Kong Central District famous for its nightlife, and entertainment. If you are in the mood partying and don’t mind staying up all night, Lan Kwai Fong is the place to be. Lan Kwai Fong boasts over 90 restaurants and bars. 

Day 4: Visit Monster Building

You have seen it in Transformers, numerous magazines and on social media.

This concrete behemoth nicknamed Monster Building has become a target for tourists and photographers from all over the world thanks to a profile in a famous movie and subsequent Internet articles, and you simply can’t miss during 5 days in Hong Kong.

The Monster Building consists of five units that were built during the population boom in the 1960s to accommodate low-income residents. Despite its seemingly depressing look, the complex offers great potential for street photography because of its perfect symmetry.

How to find the Monster building: To get to the Monster building get off at Quarry Bay, take exit A and make a left turn on King Road. Walk toward Tai Koo. The building is located inside one of the yards, and if you ask around, you will easily find it. 

Ride a Hong Kong Tram

Otherwise known as Ding Ding, Hong Kong’s most eco-friendly mode of transportation can be spotted in many parts of the city including Quarry Bay.

Riding the famous train during your 5 days Hong Kong itinerary will give your feet a break and provide you with an opportunity to take in the surroundings as the train moves pretty slowly. 

You can check routes and schedules  here . 

Take photos in front of the colorful Choi Hung Estate

If you want to snap a colorful image for your social media, don’t miss  the Choi Hung Estate Basketball Court in Kowloon during your 5 days in Hong Kong. Choi Hung means “rainbow” in Cantonese, so it’s an easy name to remember. 

The basketball court located on the top floor of the parking garage in Wong Tai Sin District of Kowloon. 

How to find Choi Hung Estate Basketball Court:  Take MRT to Choi Hung station and get off at exit C3 or C4. Make a left turn toward the Estate and walk to the top floor of the car parking right in the middle of it. I recommend to bring photos of the place with you, in case you need to ask for directions.

Check out Lok Wah South Estate

Another popular spot for photos in Kowloon is Lok Wah South Estate. Just like Choi Hung, it is located on top of the car parking. 

How to find Lok Wah South Estate: Get off at Kwun Tong MTR and make a left turn when you get out of the train station. Walk uphill for about half an hour and make a right turn as you get to the top and see residential buildings. Lok Wah South Estate is on the roof of one of the car parking buildings right before the rainbow school. 

Just down the road from Lok Wah Estate sits the rainbow school. You might want to check it out once you are done taking photos at Lok Wah

Day 5: Spend a day on Lantau Island

Lantau, the largest island in Hong Kong is likely to take your whole day, which makes it a perfect place to finish you 5 days Hong Kong itinerary.

How to get to Lantau Island from Hong Kong: Take the MTR to Tung Chung and take an Exit B. From there, you can either take a bus or the Ngong Ping Cable Car that will carry you over the emerald-green hills of Lantau Island and the clear blue waters of Tung Chung Bay.

Best guided tours of Lantau Island from Hong Kong

As someone who spent nearly two hours in line to get tickets to a cable car, I have to warn you that it can get pretty crowded during the busy season.

THIS PRIVATE DRIVING TOUR OF LANTAU ISLAND IS A PERFECT WAY TO SKIP THE LINE

If traveling on your own, check the bus and cable car schedule online ahead of your trip to select the best transportation option.

If you are going to the island by cable car, you will be able to see Tian Tian Buddha, the bronze sculpture that is accessible by a climb over 268 steps. 

Right nearby sits Po Lin Monastery, a colorful monastery with many shrines, halls, and gardens. To get a glimpse into the pre-colonial Hong Kong, take about a tour or Tai O Village and when you get tired, relax at the Silvermine Bay Beach located in the small town called Mui Wo.

I recommend spending your whole day at Lantau Island, as it also offers the 70-kilometer long  Lantau Trail , pristine nature and villages built in a traditional Chinese style.

Best time to visit Hong Kong

Summer and spring tend to be hot and humid in Hong Kong.

The typhoon season is from May through November and often brings rainstorms and flight delays. 

From November through March, the city has some of the mildest temperatures that won’t leave you drenched in sweat after 10 minutes of being outside. 

Where to stay in Hong Kong

You will need a good accommodation for your 5 days in Hong Kong, but keep, but there are a couple of things to know before you begin your search. Hong Kong hotels from three stars and above tend to be expensive around Hong Kong Island and parts of Kowloon that overlook the waterfront.

While low prices are tempting, do your research and read reviews before booking hotels or hostels in Hong Kong. 

Cheap hotels in Hong Kong are sometimes crammed in huge buildings that are packed with residential apartments, stores, and restaurants. Often those hotels are so tiny that there is barely enough space for a bed and shower next to it.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t find good budget accommodations in Hong Kong. You just need to be more savvy about it. Check out  Agoda , a platform that offers great budget options for Asia

PRO TIP: To avoid making mistakes in Hong Kong, read my article about some of the most common pitfalls among travelers in this city.

Best Hotels in Hong Kong

✅ Four Seasons Hong Kong – located on Hong Kong island, this is one of the best hotels in Hong Kong that offers panoramic views of Victoria Harbor and Kowloon and top-notch services.

✅ Rosewood Hong Kong – One of the best Hong Kong hotels, Rosewood is located within a walking distance from MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station and has a fitness center, private parking, and a restaurant.

✅ Metropark Mongkok – A great value hotel in Kowloon, Metropak is within walking distance from the Goldfish Market and Fa Yuen Street. The Ladies Market is less than 10 minutes away.

5 Days in Hong Kong: FAQ

What’s the currency in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)

What language do they speak in Hong Kong?

The official languages in Hong Kong are Chinese and English. Hong Kongers speak Cantonese which is different from Mandarin Chinese that is spoken in mainland China. 

Is 5 days enough in Hong Kong?

5 days in Hong Kong is a good amount of time to see major tourist landmarks and take a day trip to Lantau Island or Macau.

How many days to spend in Hong Kong?

Spend no less than 3 days in Hong Kong. It’s a minimum amount of time that will allow you to see the highlights of the city. I don’t recommend less than 3 days in Hong Kong because you will end up missing a lot of things.

How to get around Hong Kong?

Hong Kong subway system is the best and cheapest way to get around the city. 

Octopus Card  covers travel on MRT (Mass Transport Rail) and also gets you a free ride to Hong Kong Airport on Airport Express. You have to pay the 50 HKD deposit to get the card, however, you get money back if there’s anything left over when you return the card at the airport.

Visit  mtr.com.hk  ahead of your trip to get information on public transport. To navigate Hong Kong’s train system, download  the Hong Kong MTR app   on your phone. 

5 Days in Hong Kong: Final words

Hong Kong is an amazing city and one of the best places to visit in Asia that absolutely has to be on your bucket list! I hope that my itinerary for 5 days in Hong Kong helped you to plan your trip and answered all of your questions.

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The Perfect Itinerary for 3 Days in Hong Kong (2024)

• Last Updated: February 5, 2024

Looking for the perfect itinerary for 3 days in Hong Kong? Don’t miss this firsthand guide.

Are you planning to spend 3 days in Hong Kong? Get ready to experience a completely unique city with one of the densest population in the world. This incredible concrete jungle is one of those places which will leave you in a state of awe.

Table of Contents

8am – Choi Hung Estate

10am – nan lian garden, 12pm – chi lin nunnery, 2pm – kawloon walled city park, 4pm – hau wong temple, 6pm – avenue of stars, 7pm – mong kok district, 8pm – temple street night market, 8am – ngong ping 360 cable car, 10am – tian tan big buddha, 1pm – monster building, 4pm – victoria peak tram, 5pm – victoria peak viewpoint, 7pm – lugard road viewpoint, 8pm – take a ride in the star ferry and admire the symphony of lights, option 1 – day trip to macau, option 2 – disneyland, walk as much as you can, use public transport, try the local food, where to stay in hong kong, 3 days in hong kong itinerary.

I’ve included in this Hong Kong 3-day guide the most beautiful and surprising tourist attractions around the city. I’ll tell you one secret: you can find some really cool places if you know where to look.

READ MORE – Check out our guide to the best places to visit in Hong Kong

Day 1 – Morning

We’ll start the day with some colourful buildings which will brighten your day instantly. After breakfast, hop on one of the double-decker buses (yes, you can find red buses in Hong Kong, it used to be a British colony after all) and head to the Choi Hung Estate Instagram sensation.

We’ll start our journey here and then continue and visit some other interesting tourist attractions.

Have you ever seen those photos taken at a colourful basketball court surrounded by tall apartment buildings? It’s all over the internet! You can find that famous basketball court at the Choi Hung Estate .

This residential area, in the heart of Hong Kong is visited by hundreds of tourists every day. Everyone wants to have that Insta-perfect picture. My advice would be to arrive here as early as possible since the place tends to get crowded quickly.

Choi Hung Estate is situated on the top of a car park and is not exactly easy to find. If you’re having trouble finding it, make sure to ask a few locals. They would be more than happy to guide you.

After arriving, make sure to respect a few simple rules:

• Don’t interrupt the basketball games
• Don’t make too much noise, people live there

I’ve visited many beautiful gardens in many Asian countries but none was as fascinating as the Nan Lian Garden in Hong Kong. Once you’ll take the first step inside this garden, you’ll feel peaceful and relaxed.

The garden was built during the Tang Dynasty and every tree, stone or pond were arranged according to the Tang style. Although the Nan Lian Garden is not big, it’s perfect to take a walk and escape the chaos of Hong Kong.

This oasis of tranquility also has a souvenir shop (the prices are a bit higher than in the rest of the city), a vegetarian restaurant and a Chinese tea house. I would definitely recommend you to add this place to your 3-day Hong Kong itinerary. Another good part is that there is no entrance fee!

Right across the street from the Nan Lian Garden is the Chi Lin Nunnery, built in 1934. This beautiful temple complex with incredible wooden details and carvings is situated in the Diamond Hill area. If you’re in the area, it would be a shame not to visit it.

The temple hosts some amazing statues made from gold, clay or wood, dedicated to Sakyamuni Buddha and Guanyin.  The Chi Lin Nunnery also has a traditional Tang Dynasty architecture but the most impressive things is that no nails were used to build this temple.

Chin Lin Nunnery holds the record for the biggest hand-made wooden building and is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Hong Kong.

Day 1 – Afternoon

After you grab something to eat, it’s time to head to one of the most intriguing places in Asia. The subject of many documentaries, the Kawloon Walled City Park is one of those places that will give you the chills.

From the Chi Lin Nunnery you can walk for about 1 kilometre or take a direct bus to the park.

Even though there is a mini-museum inside the park, I recommend watching this documentary before visiting. The Kawloon Walled city used to be the densest city in the world. Even though it was situated in the heart of Hong Kong, the Walled City was a place where crime and vice thrived. Even the local police was afraid to get inside this city.

Kawloon had a population of 50,000 residents, all living in an area of 2.6 hectares. In the early 90’s the government decided to entirely demolish the city and a few years later in the exact place where the city was built, a park was opened to the public.

Nowadays, the park is a quiet place, where locals come to relax and where ex-residents of Kawloon Walled City come to remember the old days. There is a small museum in the centre of the park where you can see images and read the history of the Walled City.

Right near the park is the Hau Wong Temple. The temple was built in 1730 and even though it is quite small, this temple is really beautiful. Here you can find important artefacts and beautiful Chinese calligraphy.

Day 1 – Evening

We’re going to spend the evening admiring some of the best views in Hong Kong. After that, it’s time for some shopping in one of the most photogenic markets in the world. Are you ready?

Take the direct bus number 1 from the Hau Wong Temple and head straight to the famous Avenue of Stars. This waterfront promenade offers some of the best views towards Hong Kong’s skyscrapers.

The idea behind the Avenue of Stars is similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This walkway honours the most important celebrities from the Hong Kong’s film industry. If you want some awesome pictures with the Hong Kong skyline, this is the place to be!

It is also a popular spot to watch the daily light show called the Symphony of Lights but for that I have an even better idea (see day 2).

From the Avenue of stars take the double-decker or the subway to Mong Kok, the busiest district in Hong Kong. In Cantonese, “Mong Kong” means “crowded corner” so get ready for a bit of chaos.

With countless shopping malls and convenience stores this place is heaven for shopping addicts. Also, here you can find many street food stalls. If you’re feeling adventurous, I recommend to try the local street food. You will find local dishes such as fish tofu and stinky balls and also international dishes such as pizza.

Don’t forget to keep track where you’re heading! Getting lost is almost inevitable in Mong Kok.

After escaping the crowded Mong Kok, take the bus to the famous Temple Street Night Market. Now it’s time to buy souvenirs for the loved ones back home. Here you will find magnets, clothes, accessories, electronics and pretty much anything you can think of.

The prices are decent but don’t forget to bargain! You can easily save up a few bucks!

As soon as the sun sets, the Temple Street Market opens and welcomes its visitors. Both tourists and locals shop here and it’s a really nice place to feel the vibe of the city.

To get an awesome shot from above the market, head to the parking lot, where the market ends and get your camera ready to catch some colourful photos!

Day 2 – Morning

Our second day in Hong Kong will take us to some of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. Get ready to see some incredible views and experience first-hand how locals live in this crowded concrete jungle.

Make sure to get up early in the morning, we have a lot to explore today!

Take the subway to Lantau Island and head straight to the Ngong Ping 360Cable Car. The 20-minute ride will take you through Hong Kong’s most beautiful scenery.

If the sights are not enough for you, you can take the Crystal Cabin (it costs a bit more) which has a transparent glass floor. How awesome is that? If you’re afraid of heights, maybe you should take the regular cabin.

The Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car is a tourist attraction itself and one of the coolest things to do in Hong Kong. Make sure to be there early as the cable car gets pretty crowded. You can also buy a fast pass if you want.

Our next stop is the Tian Tan Big Buddha, situated right next to the cable car. This bronze statue of Buddha Shakyamuni impresses through its size and beauty.

As you walk towards the statue, you’ll find six smaller bronze statues, known as “The Offering of the Six Devas”. To get to the Big Buddha, you will have to climb no more and no less than 268 steps. I recommend wearing some comfortable shoes.

While you’re in the area, I also recommend visiting the Po Lin Monastery. It’s a really nice way to experience first-hand Hong Kong’s culture.

Day 2 – Afternoon

It’s time to leave the Lantau Island and head to the Hong Kong Island. Here, we’ll visit another Insta-famous location and then see how the sun sets over Hong Kong from some of the best viewpoints around the city.

After being featured in the Transformers – Age of Extinction movie, the Monster Building, as it’s called by locals, has become an internet sensation. To get that perfect picture surrounded by the apartment buildings from the Montane Mansion, you’ll have to queue for a while.

The Monster Building has two courtyards where you can take photos. If the first one is too crowded, try the second one. Apart from photography enthusiasts, here you will also meet many local people who seem to not even notice the tourists searching for the best photo angle. You’ll see them playing Mahjong and drinking tea.

After experiencing first-hand how locals live in Hong Kong, it’s time to head to the Victoria Peak Tram and enjoy one of the most scenic rides in the city.

On your way to the top, you will pass by tall skyscrapers, dense forest and beautiful private villas. It’s a really good way to see the difference between how the rich and medium-class people live in Hong Kong.

Sometimes the Victoria Peak Tram can get pretty crowded. Be prepared to wait about 30 minutes for your turn to get in. The ride will take around 15 minutes so make sure to sit comfortably and relax while admiring the views.

Day 2 – Evening

This evening is all about jaw-dropping views. There is nothing more impressive in Hong Kong than its skyline. Although there are many viewing points around the city, I am going to tell you exactly where to go to experience the best views.

Once you get off the Victoria Peak Tram, head to one of the free viewing platforms. If you want, you can also go to the Sky Terrace 428 although I honestly don’t recommend it.

While the view from the Victoria Peak is beautiful, it’s definitely not the best one. Walk for a few minutes and you will get to a hidden gem, with a wider view and less tourists. I will talk about this place below.

Lugard Road is not actually a road but a path through the forest. From the Victoria Peak follow the path for about 15 minutes and you will get to this incredible viewpoint. Well hidden from tourists and with no entrance fee, this was my favourite place to watch the sunset in Hong Kong.

Take your time to watch how one by one, the skyscrapers light up. Slowly, the sunlight is replaced by neon lights and the night takes over the city. It is a truly wonderful sight. Don’t forget your camera home as you will definitely want to capture these moments.

Head back to the Victoria Peak Tram, get back down and head to the Central Pier No. 7 (Star Ferry Pier) and catch the 8pm ferry (from the Victoria Peak Tram there is a direct bus to the pier).

If you catch this exact ferry you will be one of the few lucky ones who will get to experience the Symphony of Lights from a ferry. Make sure to sit near a window and enjoy the show!

The Symphony of Lights is a daily multimedia show where the buildings in the Victoria Harbour light up on the sound of music. At the end of the show, be prepared to admire the fireworks!

Day 3 – Macau or Disneyland

For your last day in Hong Kong I have prepared two exciting activities. You can either take a day trip to the fascinating Macau or become a child again at Disneyland.  Let’s talk about each of these options in detail.

Take the ferry to Macau and explore another spectacular city. Day trips from Hong Kong to Macau are really popular since the ferries run every 15 minutes.

Make sure to bring your passport with you! Most travellers don’t require a visa to enter Macau but you can check out more about visa requirements here .

To explore the city, I recommend taking the hop on and hop off bus straight from the ferry terminal in Macau. The bus has 16 stops and it covers all the important tourist attractions in the city.

Some of the attractions you can’t miss are: Macau Tower, A-ma Temple and of course, the famous casinos.

READ MORE – Check out our ‘ One Day in Macau ‘ itinerary.

Disneyland Hong Kong is one of the most visited theme parks in Asia and you should definitely visit it if you’re looking for some fun. Make sure to avoid holidays and the weekends since the park gets extremely crowded and you don’t want to spend hours queuing for rides.

To skip the lines, you can use the free fast passes. Near each important ride there is a ticketing machine that will issue a ticket with a “return time”. Make sure to be back at the time indicated on your ticket and enjoy a shorter queue!

Some of the most popular attractions are Big Grizzly Mountain Coaster, Iron Man Experience, Mystic Manor and Tarzan’s Tree House.

Hong Kong 3-Day Itinerary – Tips & Tricks

If you have 3 days in Hong Kong there’s a couple of useful tips I can share to help you make the most of your visit.

Hong Kong is a really beautiful city and there is no better way to experience it than by walking. You will find fascinating hidden alleys and you will have more time to admire the tall, crowded buildings around you.

The public transport in Hong Kong is awesome! The buses and the subway are really reliable, affordable and fast. Yes, taxis might be more comfortable but trust me, you don’t want to be stuck in traffic in Hong Kong.

Tip: When using the double-decker buses, head to the upper floor and sit in the front row. You will have the best view!

Stop at small, local restaurants to grab something to eat or try the street food. The food in Hong Kong might be a bit weird, especially for Westerners but it’s definitely worth a try!

Hong Kong is known to be a crowded city. Therefore, the bigger the hotel room is, the more you’re going to pay. There are accommodation options for each budget. You’ll definitely find something suitable for your needs!

If you feel like splurging, I recommend the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong . This hotel has some dreamy views and an incredible pool. Also, the rooms are incredibly spacious and very comfortable. The Grand Hyatt has all the amenities of a luxury hotel.

If you’re on a budget, I recommend the City Oasis Guesthouse . Situated in a beautiful area on Lantau Island, this place is perfect to relax after a day full of sightseeing.

Aurelia Teslaru

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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38 BEST Places to Visit in Hong Kong (2024 Guide)

Hiking, beaches and free camping in hong kong, related posts, 11 thoughts on “the perfect itinerary for 3 days in hong kong (2024)”.

Amazing article followed by beautiful photos… I really liked reading your post. Thanks for sharing!!

Hi! May I know the name of your hotel? I’m planning to visit HK hopefully in December. And I’m looking for cheap yet clean hotels. Thanks!

Take a Ride in the Star Ferry and Admire the Symphony of Lights – Is this free of charge? If no, how much does it cost? Where can I buy the tickets?

Hi Wilbert, both of these are not free. The price varies between companies. Here is a couple of options you can book a tour through Klook https://www.klook.com/en-US/activity/659-aqualuna-evening-sail-hong-kong/?aid=10694 Get Your Guide https://www.getyourguide.com/hong-kong-l174/victoria-harbour-night-or-symphony-of-lights-cruise-t194297/?partner_id=OA1606Q https://www.getyourguide.com/hong-kong-l174/hong-kong-symphony-of-lights-cruise-tour-t141549/?partner_id=OA1606Q

Have a great trip to Hong Kong

Thanks for the wonderful information

Thanks you very much, was a very useful guide!

Glad it was helpful. Happy travels

Super awesome article.

How much per person for this 3days tour?

This is a suggestion for a 3 day self itinerary not a tour. We are a travel blog not a tour company. There are many companies that do offer tours in Hong Kong. We wish you all the best and hope you have a great trip.

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Hong kong itinerary 3 days — the fullest guide for what to do in hong kong for 3 days.

Let’s go to explore the attractions in Hong Kong on a different aspect of the Hong Kong itinerary 3 days. Now, let’s discover Hong Kong itinerary 3 days (3 days in Hong Kong, Hong Kong 3 days 2 nights itinerary, three days in Hong Kong itinerary) — The fullest guide for what to do in Hong Kong for 3 days with Living Nomads below.

• Three days in Hong Kong itinerary — How to spend 3 days in Hong Kong & things to do in Hong Kong for 3 days
• What to buy in Hong Kong? — Top 14+ famous souvenirs & best things to buy in Hong Kong
• Hong Kong best eats — 10+ top, must-eat & best street food in Hong Kong
• Hong Kong itinerary 2 days — What to do in Hong Kong for 2 days & how to spend 2 days in Hong Kong?
• Hong Kong 1 day itinerary — How to spend 24 hours in Hong Kong & What to do in Hong Kong in a day perfectly?

Some notes before leaving

Preparing for yourself available Octopus Card which saves money as well as using it on the bus, train and even in convenience stores anymore (you have to recharge before). This card will help you save a lot more time in the queue and exchange money.

Using the ship MTR – has a useful MRT map at each stop, giving you more details of areas around the station. You make sure that you come out the correct entrance to save time because there are many far ways.

You also go by taxi if you think necessary. Hong Kong sometimes is very hot that can make suffocate, but has the affordable price, faster and most important is air-condition. If you need to cross the port by taxi, you should call a taxi by using his arm under undulating waves. You should also know that having some taxis do not want to run pass the port.

If you need to cross the port by taxi, you should call a taxi by using his arm under undulating waves. You should also know that having some taxis do not want to run pass the port.

There are three tunnels connecting Hong Kong Island to Kowloon. Centre Tunnel (Central) is the cheapest but also the most numerous vehicles, tunnel in the West and East (Eastern / Western) are more expensive but faster and take less time also.

When traveling escalator, go up / down on the left side and stood on the right side, if not, the people in around areas will be extremely upset with you (because you’re obstructing their path)

Usually, you do not pay gratuities. Most restaurants automatically add a 10% service charge into your bill. So you do not have to pay extra for anything else.

If you want to eat in a “luxury” restaurant but worry about the price, try to eat at lunchtime, a lot of restaurants have set lunch with more affordable price.

The 7-11 stores are located everywhere, is a quite reasonable option to buy drinks. In the local restaurants, you ask carefully restrictions on food and check carefully with the staff before ordering. Often even vegetable dishes are also cooked with animal’s oil. Here are the details guides for Hong Kong itinerary 3 days.

Hong Kong 3 day itinerary — Day 1: The first day

Mong Kok is one of the region’s which have density population but not downhearted. This is a paradise for those who love shopping. This district has all things what you want to buy, from the shoes to items in the house, to all Western brands and luxury and more expensive goods.

An interesting feature of this area, all the roads here looks like to sell a specific kind of good. The Beautiful and most interesting place is the flower market, golden fish street, and birds. Here has Ladies Market also – Market for the girls. Market Street is filled with the electronics stores and other types of souvenirs. Even if you do not intend to buy anything, Mong Kok is also a great area to explore and experience, is a typical part of bustling urban life.

Focus on the Dundas is a large number of food shops with many kinds of street foods. Before buying any expensive item such as electronic, shoes, make sure that you checked the cost of nearly other shops, it is very useful for getting a reasonable price. For going out of those shops, finding items which you bought carefully in order to ensure for your money spending

The expected time: From 1 to 2 hours

The flower market road

Located in Mongkok, The flower market road is the itinerary to Hong Kong you can’t miss. The local people often come here to buy flowers and other trees. It is especially crowded on holidays when many types of traditional trees are sold to bring luck and symbolize wealth and fortune.

Here also has the beautiful orchid trees, the flowers and the trees are bending with all kinds of sizes and shapes. Although there is not anything to do much here, this is a great place for you to take pictures and soak in the atmosphere characterized Hong Kong.

Expected time: less than 1 hour Location: Hong Lok Street, Yuen Long District, Kowloon, Hong Kong Opening hours: Daily From 7 am to 7 pm

Hong Kong Museum of History

This museum does its main job is very excellent as- recording the entire history of Hong Kong. From the prehistoric periods to the ancient Chinese dynasties, throughout from the moment, the city was born until today. Museum utilizes deep-range pictures, documents, and short data, along with a variety of medias so that visitors can participate in as well as communicate with everything, bring a fresh feeling and keep people to be entertained also.

Admission fee is very reasonable here, but also get free admission every Wednesday, too. But this museum doesn’t open on Tuesdays.

Expected time: From 2 to 3 hours Location: 100 S Chatham Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong Opening hours: Monday from 10 am to 6 pm, Wednesday to Friday: from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday: from 10 am to 7 pm

Kowloon West Promenade

This is an alternative method for “Avenue of the Stars” (Avenue of the Stars) in Tsim Sha Tsui. This quiet place provides to you Hong Kong harbor scene but not has the noisy crowd, as well as the car to take passengers. You can go for a stroll, enjoy the sunset while looking at the lights at the port is turned on also. Or if the weather permits, you also buy some food from the Elements shopping mall nearby, then come here for camping on the lawn and enjoy the beautiful urban landscape.

Elements shopping mall has a ThreeSixty grocery store as well as many choices for other foods to bring which you can ready to go camping. This is also a good place for you to watch the laser show “A Symphony of Lights” at the port, starting at 8 pm each day.

Expected time: less than 1 hour Location: Russia Cheung Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Ozone bar in Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong

Ozone – Ritz Carlton is located on the 118 floor of the International Commerce Center (ICC), and currently, holds the position as the highest bar in the world. From here, you spoiled for viewing the panoramic view of harbor Hong Kong and Kow Loon peninsula anymore.

This place is extremely crowded on weekends. So you should call firstly to ask if there is a waiting list or not. If you want to book a table, you have to take a few minutes; depending on that day is which day. But this bar is quite expensive; drinks have the cost from 100 dollars.

Expected time: From 1 to 2 hours Location: 118 / F, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong

Lan Kwai Fong

With a large number of the crowd and a lively atmosphere (especially on Friday and Saturday), Lan Kwai Fong is the center of nightlife in Hong Kong. Originally, it just a small square, bars and restaurants has now reached outside. You will be able to find a pretty amazing mix of foreigners living in Hong Kong, tourists and students in the crowd who are having the party but also depends on the bar that you will come again. There are many bars and restaurants having a special night with free drinks for women (usually on Thursday night)

Expected time: From 2 to 3 hours (or more time if you love the night entertainment activities)

Another choice

You can also spend the first day to visit one of the largest parks in Hong Kong: Disneyland or Ocean Park.

Hong Kong 3 day itinerary — Day 2: The second day

The tian tan buddha (big buddha).

Until 34 meters high, this is one of the largest bronze Buddha statues located outdoors in the world, attracting Buddhists from many different places in Asia. You can come here by other ways. The quickest and also the most wonderful way for the panoramic viewing, moving by Ngong Ping 360 cable car (it takes about 20 minutes one way).

You can also travel by bus and taxi (approximately 45 minutes), and the riskiest choice that is climbing up on the top (approximately 4 hours). However, this way is not recommended in the summer months, because the hot and humid temperature will make this experience becomes more toilsome and hardship.

If you take the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, you can reserve your time for going to save time and not have to wait in line. Be sure to check the cable car operate well or not before climbing. If you’re saving the cost, go by bus No. 23 on the outside of the MTR Tung Chung Station. It is located next to the escalators to go up the cable car Ngong Pin spot 360. Be prepared your spirit to be there on the weekend is a long line of people waiting there.

Please avoid going to visit this place on the Chinese holidays, because the queue is extremely long, the bus and the cable cars are.

Expected time: From 1 to 2 hours Opening hours: From 10 am to 05:30 pm

Po Lin Monastery (Buu Lien Monastery)

Polin Monastery is located opposite with the Big Buddha Statue is still active until today, is an important home for the Buddhist monks. Here, visitors can immerse you in the scenery of the beautiful temples, statues as well as Buddhist architectures, all thanks to a restoration project on a large scale, making it become a place can not miss when visiting Hong Kong.

If you plan to eat at a vegetarian restaurant in this town, buy available tickets and menu. You will have more people in your group, the more to enjoy different types of cuisine. Please stop for a longer time and enjoy vegetarian food at this restaurant.

Expected time: 1 to 2 hours Opening hours: From 7:30 am to 06 pm

Tai O tradition fishing village which has the history extends 3 centuries ago. In Tai O, a peaceful traditional lifestyle and attraction of the village still are hold. Here has the picturesque scenery of the ocean floor and old houses, is also the attraction of Tai O. You can take great photos here from every angle and in every corner. You go and get a bonus with slows time exploring this beautiful area.

You can take a boat to see the pink dolphins, although is also very rare. Anyway, the price is also cheaper but this boat trip earned countless of beauty view. You also try the waffle traditional egg made by an old man with decent charcoal oven. People often also crowded queues.

Please avoid the following weekend. To get to Tai O, you can go by bus No. 11 from Tung Chung MTR station (approximately 45 minutes), or the car no. 21 from Big Buddha (approximately 15 minutes).

Expected time: From 2 to 3 hours

Tai O Heritage Hotel

Located on a hill in the west of Tai O, this building was a police station was built in 1902 to prevent smuggling and piracy. Later, it was converted into a hotel and it also becomes a heritage site.

You can walk to the Tai O Heritage Hotel to take a few pictures of the fishing village panorama, as well as at the bottom of the ocean. Then you can say that you have to go to the west of Hong Kong already.

Expected time: less than 1 hour Location: Shek Tsai Po Street, Tai O, Lantau Island, Hong Kong

You can find, check rates, reviews & availability for this hotel on Booking.com .

This is a beautiful beach located on Lan Tau Island (Chinese name can be translated as sea shells). Pui O, no crowded bustle, even gives for your great scenery and clear blue water anymore. It really is an ideal place to escape from a hustle and bustle city. When the wave become diving, you can comfortably dug shells. Some local people are picking up snails to take home for baking.

You should try to eat in restaurants of Ooh La La’sbeach, they serve food is very tasty. You can also camp here, Ooh La La restaurant also renting tents and some equipment for camping, too.

You can go to Pui O by bus from Mui Wo or Tung Chung (bus number 4).

Expected time: From 1 to 2 hours

Hong Kong 3 day itinerary — Day 3: The third day

Cheung chau island.

Located about 30 minutes CBD boat, Cheung Chau Island (“Long Island”) is a fishing place with beautiful scenery and food shop, from the temples to the street foods, there was a pirate’s cave also. You let yourself lost in the narrow alleys, drop along the bike path next to the coast, as well as enjoy a leisurely life here.

The best way to discover this small island is by renting a bike from any of the stores along the main road when you’ve just stepped out of the boat. You take a boat from the port number 5, close to Hong Kong Central MTR station about 15 minutes for walking. This boat trip takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on whether you go by fast boat or vessel normally.

Expected time: over 3 hours Location: southwest of Hong Kong Island

Until the 1970s, the Star Ferry is still the main transportation between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Victoria Harbour boat trip along the extended 10 minutes will bring you the more stunning spectacle of the horizon.

You should aim to stay on board until 8 pm on direction from Tsim Sha Tsui on Hong Kong Island to enjoy the light show “A Symphony of Lights” decent place daily. There are also regular trains travel between Tsim Sha Tsui and WanChai downtown.

Expected time: less than 1 hour Location: Kowloon Point, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Mido Coffee Shop

First opened in 1950, Mido Café is the time machine which brings you come back in the old days of Hong Kong. When stepping inside the restaurant, it seems nothing has changed. You can sit on upstair and enjoy the scenery of the street markets and temples, as well as Tin Hau Temple also. While the food and drink here is nothing too special, Mido Café is an ideal place to stop to eat or drink something and soak in the scenery and history.

Sandwich bread of Hong Kong is a good dessert and look like with French bread. You can also see “Yin Yang” (yin and yang), is a drink native of Hong Kong, half tea and half coffee with milk and sugar.

Expected time: less than 1 hour Location: G / F, No. 63 Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong Opening hours: From 8:30 am to 09:45 pm

Temple Street Night Market

Temple Street come alive at night when the bars and merchant stalls at the market start operating and fill together, bringing the delicious local dishes and anything else you can think. Be adventurous with your choices and buy any items you want. This is also a good opportunity to buy some small gifts, so you should practice your skills to bargain.

Expected time: From 2 to 3 hours Location: Street and Jordan Road KANSU, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Above are suggestions of Living Nomads for what to do in Hong Kong for 3 days so you can explore the fullest Hong Kong with full of attractions can not miss, restaurants and other special places. If you have been going to this island, please share your journey with your team.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Hong Kong you can refer to

• Private MPV Hong Kong International Airport Transfers (HKG) for Hong Kong (Group of 6)
• Shared Coach Transfers from HKG Airport to Hong Kong Hotels
• Private Hong Kong International Airport Tesla Transfers (HKG) for Hong Kong (Group of 3)
• Shared Shuttle Bus Transfers between Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong Island & Kowloon
• [Buy 2 Get 1] Outlet Shopping and Sightseeing Day Tour
• Macau Sightseeing Day Tour (Hong Kong/Macau Departure)
• iVenture Hong Kong and Macau Attractions Pass
• Hong Kong Big Bus Unlimited Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tours
• Hong Kong Disneyland Park 1-Day Ticket and Meal Coupon Combo
• Hong Kong Airport Express & 72-hour Unlimited MTR Travel Pass
• MTR Tourist Day Pass
• [SALE] Peak Tram Fast-Track Combo
• Hong Kong TramOramic Tour
• [QR Code Direct Entry] Peak Tram Sky Pass (Peak Tram + Sky Terrace 428)
• Hong Kong Octopus Card (HK Airport Pick Up)
• 3G/4G Prepaid SIM Card (HK Airports Pick Up) for Hong Kong
• [Unlimited Data for 5 Days] 4G SIM Card for Hong Kong from YSIM(HK Airport Pick Up)
• [Unlimited Data] 4G Portable WiFi for Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau from Uroaming
• [Unlimited Data] 4G WiFi for Hong Kong/Macau/Mainland China from Song WiFi (HK Airport 24 Hours Pick Up)

Are you looking for more Hong Kong travel guide and top things to do in Hong Kong: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Hong Kong unique experiences — Top 10 unusual places & unique things to do in Hong Kong and  Hong Kong itinerary 3 days — The fullest guide for what to do in Hong Kong for 3 days and Hong Kong 1 day itinerary — How to spend 24 hours in Hong Kong & What to do in Hong Kong in a day perfectly?

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3 days in Hong Kong Itinerary

Travel Blog Last Updated · Jan 10th, 2024 [post_author_posts_link] · [post_comments before=""] -->

Welcome to our 3 days in Hong Kong itinerary.

As one of the most popular destinations in Asia, Hong Kong is a fascinating city with its unique mix of Chinese and Cantonese cultures.

This guide explores our itinerary, which we’ve customized so you can see everything at a moderate pace without too many breaks or idle time.

Table of Contents

3 days in Hong Kong

Time is precious, so let’s start by looking at the number of days in Hong Kong needed as well as the best time to visit so you can ensure the weather is on your side during your visit to the city.

How Many Days to Spend in Hong Kong?

We recommend spending a minimum of three days exploring Hong Kong, which will include visiting the best sites in the city, as well as taking a couple of day trips that are further away.

Best Time to Visit Hong Kong

The weather pattern in Hong Kong follows the standard seasonal pattern in the Northern Hemisphere, with hot summers and cooler winters.

The summer season runs from June until early September and is characterized by an average daily temperature of 85-86°F throughout these months. Highs can rise as high as 89°F on a good day, with low sometimes dropping down to 77°F, mostly during the nighttime.

Rainfall is at its highest during this time of year, with anywhere from 20-26 days of rain for each of these months. August on average is the wettest, with around 270mm falling throughout the month.

The winter in contrast is somewhat cooler, although still pleasant. Average temperatures from December until February hover between 64-65°F, with highs of 68°F, and lows of 55°F.

On record, January is usually the coldest month to visit Hong Kong. Precipitation is very low during this time of year, with only 20-30mm falling throughout each.

Hong Kong 3 day itinerary

Below is our 3-day itinerary which we feel covers some of the best landmarks in Hong Kong. It’s not extreme on-time efficiency, which means there will be a few hours free here and there.

From here, either take the popular open-top bus or the Peak Tram to ascend to the top of Victoria Peak. Here you can enjoy the amazing panoramic views of the city, and also to get some lunch.

After we then head to the Temple Street Night Market to explore the wild variety of bargain novelties, as well as taste some local foods.

We recommend Tung Wan beach, which has lots of nice beach-side bars and restaurants close by. Take in the views from the North Lookout Pavillion, before heading onto Lantau Island.

Once we arrive, we’ll visit the imposing Tian Tan Buddha Statue, which is one of the best sights in Hong Kong. After the evening is yours to enjoy!

We recommend heading up Ozone Bar for some drinks and impressive views of the city (it’s the highest bar in the World!), and then onto Wan Chai which is home to the best nightlife in Hong Kong.

On our last day, we’ll take the 2.5 hour ferry over to Macau, and explore an island with a very unique, historical past.

Afterward, we’ll have time to explore the rest of the island, including the infamous Venetian Macao hotel , and also wind down with an almost unlimited array of entertainment opportunities on-hand.

When you’re finished, take the ferry back to mainland Hong Kong and to your apartment to gather your luggage before leaving for the airport.

Day Trips From Hong Kong

Doing a day trip from Hong Kong will give you the opportunity to see more than you usually would but within a much shorter time frame.

Cheung Chau

There are lots of great beaches here, with the most popular being Tung Wan. Another great thing to do on the island is to visit The North Lookout Pavilion, which arguably has the best views of the island out into the South China Sea.

This Island can be reached by ferry from Hong Kong. Now a special administrative region of China, Macau was previously leased to Portugal for many centuries, and so has features from this earlier historical period.

Nowadays, Macau is well-known as one of the playground islands of Asia, with many luxury hotels and casinos lining the island such as The Venetian Macao. You can even take a Self guided tour on your phone that goes around the infamous ‘Las Vegas of the East’.

Things to Do in Hong Kong

With a long list of things to do let’s start by taking looking at the most popular activities that you wouldn’t want to miss out on during your visit:

Victoria Peak

The best way to reach the top is using the Peak Tram, which is an experience in itself, where you’ll go up a sharp incline all the way up to the top. We recommend heading up around mid-afternoon, where you can have dinner whilst watching the sunset over the skyline.

Tian Tan Buddha

One of the most popular destinations to visit in Hong Kong, Tian Tan is also a major hub for those who worship Buddhism and also a tourist attraction, the statue symbolizes the harmonious relationship between nature, man and faith.

Victoria Harbour

Located in the middle of Hong Kong, Victoria Harbour and its long promenades are one the best places for photography in the city.

Separating Hong Kong Island from the Kowloon Peninsula, it has huge historical importance including Hong Kong’s development as a trading center to the more recent controversial reclamation projects.

Temple Street Night Market

One of the biggest flea markets in Hong Kong, Temple Street Night Market is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

Here one can find anything from traditional Chinese medicine, to novelty bargains and roadside dining. There are also occasional Cantonese Opera Shows that take place along the market.

Hong Kong Travel Tips

• The best time to visit Hong Kong is within the shoulder months of May, September and October, which have both hot temperatures and less rainfall than the Summer.
• There are many great places to stay in Hong Kong, however, we recommend Wan Chai, which is full of arts, culture and a variety of great nightlife.
• Before heading to Eastern Asia, why not take a look at these photos of China to get even more inspiration for the rest of your trip?
• Getting around is much easier if you buy a Tourist Octopus Card, which is both affordable and gives full access to Hong Kong’s extensive travel network.
• Lastly, we recommend getting some practice eating with chopsticks beforehand! Much of Hong Kong’s cuisine requires them, just don’t cross them over as it’s thought to bring bad luck.

3 Days in Hong Kong: Final Words

All in all, you should have some idea of how to spend your precious time in this beautiful city.

Be sure to follow some of our sustainable travel tips to ensure that your trip has a positive impact on the local environment.

This post contains affiliate links, meaning, if you click through and make a purchase or sign up for a program, we may earn a commission. This is at no additional cost to you.

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7D Hong Kong Itinerary — Exploring Beyond the Food And Shopping Paradise

First Published: 8 Jan 2019

Explore Hong Kong a little differently from the usual eat, shop, repeat — hike up to epic viewpoints, take a day trip out to explore far out islands or join a pub crawl! If that doesn’t sound like the Hong Kong you’re used to, you’re in for a treat!

Hong Kong’s not quite the concrete jungle you think you really know of. There’s no denying of its extensive food culture, neon-lit street and bustling night markets, but strip off the tourist lens and you’ll realise where the locals flock to instead.

The undiscerning eye would gloss past the secluded hiking trails scattered around (ominous-sounding Suicide Cliff, anyone?) that boast some amazing viewpoints. The bustling city also reveals an intimate charm in the fishing village of Sai Kung, and I never knew you could feel   atas  sipping wine while cruising on a Chinese junk ship along the skyline.

With this seven-day Hong Kong itinerary, here’s the best mix of local-flavoured activities with the must-dos.

Pre-trip Essentials

Connectivity: A 1GB/day eSIM starts from S$10.90 for 3 days (3, 5, 7, 10, 15 days available). You can set it up and activate it upon landing and enjoy data connection straight away! 

Alternatively, a 4G WiFi device (unlimited data) starts from S$16 for 3 days and can connect up to five devices. 

Transport:  From the airport, Hong Kong station is a 30-minute ride on the Airport Express. We got the Hong Kong Airport Express Ticket ( from ~S$10.20 one-way ) and the reloadable Octopus Card ( ~S$16 , comes preloaded with HK$50 credit). 

Cash on hand: Most local restaurants and establishments prefer cash over credit.

*Pro-tip:  Enjoy more savings by getting the  Klook Pass Hong Kong  — bundle deals of Hong Kong’s top attractions!

For example, a two-attraction pass with a Hong Kong Disneyland ticket ( ~S$102.40 ) costs S$149.20. You can choose to go on the Aqua Luna Victoria Harbour Cruise ( ~S$46.90 ) and Victoria Peak Tram ( ~S$21.90 ); this saves you S$22 as compared to if you bought tickets separately.

Day 1: Hong Kong Island

Lunch at dim sum square.

Sink your teeth in some dim sum, and the fact that yes, you are indeed in Hong Kong, no doubt characterised by the sounds of clinking tea cups and crowd chatter. You must order the Tim Ho Wan-esque fried BBQ pork and salted egg buns.

Cost: ~HK$45/pax (~S$7.80) Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM (Mon – Sat), 8AM – 10PM (Sun) How to get there:   Walk 4min from Sheung Wan MTR Station, Exit A2 ( Google Maps )

Man Mo Temple (Sheung Wan)

Photographers, get a good shot of this. With rows upon rows of incense hanging by the entrance, the  Man Mo Temple  sticks out in the midst of the financial district, famous for being often-visited by ancient scholars who pray for good results in the Imperial Examinations.

Entrance fee:  Free Opening hours:  8AM – 6PM How to get there : Walk 7min from Sheung Wan MTR Station, Exit A2 ( Google Maps )

Snack at Cheung Hing Kee Shanghai Pan Fried Dumplings

If you’re a fan of xiao long bao (soup dumplings), try the Shanghai variant at  Cheung Hing Kee  — the best in the city. It certainly lives up to its Michelin Guide listing with a crispy exterior bursting with soup inside.

Cost:  HK$35 (~S$6) Opening hours:  10AM – 9PM How to get there:  Walk 1min from Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station, Exit D1 ( Google Maps )

Victoria Peak 

One of Hong Kong’s most popular attractions, you must give the famous tram ride to Victoria Peak a shot. The 8-minute tram up leads you to the Sky Terrace 428 — the highest 360° viewing platform in Hong Kong overlooking the city. Layer up; it’s cold up there!

Cost: From ~S$13/pax Opening hours:  7:30AM – 11PM for  Peak Tram , 10AM – 10PM (Mon – Fri), 8AM – 10AM (Sat – Sun) for  Sky Terrace 428 Meeting point:   Walk 9min from Central MTR Exit J2 ( Google Maps)

Dinner at Tung Po (東寶小館)

Dine with the locals at  Tung Po  restaurant, stashed in its new home at Wan Chai.

Don’t be intimidated by the extensive menu of over 100 fresh seafood and cooked food options —  try the Squid Ink Spaghetti (HK$148), Pork Knuckle (HK$118), Razor Clams on Bamboo (Seasonal price) and Wind Sand Chicken (HK$280), alongside local beer uniquely served in porcelain rice bowls.

Stay past 9PM and you may be lucky enough to catch an 80s-themed musical performance staged by the owner himself.

*Pro-tip: Call ahead at +852 2880 5224 to make reservations if you don’t want to join the long lines!

Cost: ~HK$128/pax (~S$22) Opening hours: 5:30PM – 12AM How to get there:   8min walk from Wan Chai MTR station ( Google Maps )

Aqua Luna Night Cruise

While most people admire the iconic Hong Kong skyline from the Causeway Bay Pier, take things up a notch on the  Aqua Luna Evening Sail , a one-hour cruise on a traditional Chinese junk ship (with its famous red sails) departing from Tsim Sha Tsui and passing Central on a round trip.

With jazz hip-hop music, lounge chairs on board, wind in our hair and complimentary wine, it’s a night of living it up and being affordably  atas  in the city.

Cost: ~S$47/pax for a 45min cruise Timings: Various timings from 5:30PM – 10:30PM Meeting point: Tsim Sha Tsui Public Pier 1 (better option for full tour experience), or Central Pier 9

Day 2: Disneyland

If you’ve visited Hong Kong Disneyland 10 years, five years or even a year back, you might want to revisit. The world’s first Frozen-themed land has already opened back in November 2023!

Mystic Manor — a new Hong Kong-exclusive ride!

For a souvenir to remember your trip by, collect free stickers from any roaming/ride staff all over Disneyland (we collected more than 25 different stickers)!

For more tips, must-dos and our very honest review of the park, check out our Hong Kong Disneyland Guide !

Entrance fee: ~S$102.60 (save 7% by pre-booking on Klook ) — Consider getting the Klook Pass Hong Kong for bundle deals on popular attractions in Hong Kong! Opening hours: Varies How to get there:   From Sunny Bay MTR Station, transfer to the Disneyland Resort Line and walk 5min, following the signs ( Google Maps )

Supper at Sister Wah Beef Brisket

For a hearty supper, head to Sister Wah Beef Brisket .

We had their Beef Brisket with Ee Fu noodles (HK$63) and the Beef Shank noodles (HK$63) — and it definitely lived up to the hype. The broth is tasty and not too rich. For some spice, add chilli oil — it enhances the delicious beefy flavours and brings the dish to a whole new level! 

Cost: From HK$63 (~S$10.90) Opening hours: 11AM – 10:45PM How to get there:  1min walk from Tin Hau Station Exit A2 ( Google Maps )

Day 3: Hong Kong Island 

Breakfast at hung hom.

Start the day right at Hung Hom , a cha chaan teng (local teahouse) breakfast chain popular with the locals. There are six breakfast sets to choose from (~$HK35), each comes with bread, eggs, a main (noodles/soup)  and  a drink, so you’re definitely fuelled to start your day.

If you’re there for lunch or dinner (after 11:30AM), try their signature Swiss Chicken Wings in Instant Noodles (HK$50).

Cost:  From HK$33 (~S$5.80) Opening hours:  6:30AM – 2AM How to get there:  Walk 8min from Sheung Shui MTR station ( Google Maps )

Hunt for Famous Street Art

Explore Hong Kong’s creative side and hunt down street art by local and international artists around Central Station.

Highlights include portraits of Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin in pop art style on the walls of Madera Hollywood Hotel , and the French-inspired painting outside Uma Nota . Many are quite cleverly hidden!

Cost: Free How to get there: Start from Central MTR station, Exit D ( Google Maps )

Lunch at Tsim Chai Kee Noodle Shop (沾仔记)

The quality ingredients at Tsim Chai Kee Noodle Shop ‘s wanton noodles give Mak’s Noodles (just across the road) a run for their money.

The Michelin Guide-lister gives you a choice of one to three toppings between shrimp wantons (each wanton has two shrimp!), beef slices and gigantic fishballs stuffed with pork — like Fuzhou fishballs, but double the size.

Cost:  From HK$31 (~S$5.40) Opening hours:  11AM – 9:30PM How to get there:  Walk 6min from Central MTR Station, Exit D2 ( Google Maps )

Villain Hitting (打小人)

Those interested in a darker tourist experience will find the practice of villain hitting an interesting one. Watch elderly women sitting around small makeshift shrine set-ups under the bridge as they take on requests to help curse enemies or ward off evil.

Write a name on a piece of paper and she’ll start smacking the paper with a shoe while chanting before burning it in the flames. The process ends when she blesses you and sends you on your way. Moral of the story: don’t offend anyone while you’re there. Yikes!

Cost:  From HK$50 (~S$8.80) Opening hours:  Generally 9AM – 6PM How to get there:  From Causeway Bay MTR Station, Exit A, walk 6min to Canal Road Flyover ( Google Maps )

Dinner at Kwan Kee Claypot Rice (坤記煲仔小菜)

Another Michelin Guide restaurant, Kwan Kee Clay Pot Rice ’s popularity is evident in the snaking lines outside the tiny shopfront, rain or shine. One taste and you’ll know why — the chicken and sausage bowls we had were smokey with plenty of extra crispy, charred bits at the bottom!

Cost:  From HK$85 (~S$14.90) Opening hours:  11AM – 2:30PM (Mon – Sat only); 6PM – 10:30PM How to get there:  Walk 1min from Sai Ying Pun MTR Station, Exit A1 ( Google Maps )

Drinks at Ping Pong 129 Gintonería

Hidden underground with an unassuming shop front, the space where the underground bar now sits used to be a ping pong hall before it was refurbished into a nightlife sanctuary where people come to unwind over drinks and live music. A little pricey, but worth the experience.

Cost: From HK$75 (~S$13) for drinks, HK$48 (~S$8.40) for tapas Opening hours: 6PM – 11PM How to get there:  Walk 4min from Sai Ying Pun MTR Station, Exit B3 ( Google Maps )

Day 4: Lantau Island

Breakfast at sang kee congee shop.

Fish, beef, pork or chicken, there’s porridge for every taste at Sang Kee Congee Shop , served up steamy and quickly with lots of staff yelling orders across tables — true blue Hong Kong style.

Cost: From HK$34 (~S$6) Opening hours: 6:30AM – 8:30PM (Closed on Sun) How to get there:  Walk 1min from Sheung Wan MTR Station, Exit A2 ( Google Maps )

Lantau Island via NgongPing360 Cable Car

How about sitting on an almost-transparent cable car to Lantau Island?The  NgongPing360 cable car  sports a 360-degree view including a full glass bottom — maybe acrophobes might consider sitting this one out.

Besides visiting the Tian Tan Buddha for a panoramic view of the city, we also did the Lantau Sunset Peak Hike from Pak Kung Au to Mui Wo. It’s a long but manageable hike, well-paved with large rocks that only get slightly steep and grassy towards the peak.

After the hike, bus back to Mui Wo for a seafood dinner with a sea view at the  Mui Wo Cooked Food Market .

Alternatively, you could catch the sunrise on Lantau Sunrise Peak with a guided tour that starts early in the morning instead.

NgongPing360 Cable Car Cost: From ~S$28 for a standard one-way ticket Opening hours: 10AM – 6PM (Mon – Fri), 9AM – 6:30PM (Sat – Sun, PH) How to get there:   Walk 5min from Tung Chung MTR Station, Exit B ( Google Maps )

*Pro-tip: Pre-book your tickets on Klook for discounted tickets (~S$56 for round-trip Crystal Cabin — S$6 cheaper than the official site!) and Klook-exclusive queues which are much shorter than the general queues.

Lantau Sunset Peak Hike  Duration:  About 5hrs (6.5km) How to get there:  From Ngong Ping, take bus 23 and alight at Pak Kung Au. The hike ends in Mui Wo, but you can save 3km on foot by ending the hike at Nam Shan and taking bus 1 or 3M to Mui Wo Ferry Pier ( Google Maps )

Day 5: Day Trip to Sai Kung

A fishing village in the north eastern side of Hong Kong, Sai Kung is often overlooked by tourists. For the adventurous, the activities here are endless — surf, cycle, kayak, cliff jump or hike along the scenic coast of Sai Wan beach.

End off your day with a sumptuous seafood dinner by the pier before returning to the city. More details on planning your day trip here in our Sai Kung Guide .

How to get there: At Choi Hung MTR station, head for Exit C2. Take the Green Mini Bus A1 to Sai Kung Pier (5min interval, 25min ride) ( Google Maps )

Read also: Hong Kong Sai Kung Guide — 7 Day Trip Itineraries

Day 6: Local Activities

Breakfast at blk 18 doggie’s noodle s.

For a hearty breakfast, head to Blk 18 Doggie’s Noodle (HK$31). This Michelin Guide street food has been around since the 1950s and was named because the rice flour noodles resemble the stubby tails of dogs!

The broth is thick and gooey, flavoured with dried shrimp. It’s tasty by itself, but we added spicy chye poh (Chinese dried radish) for an extra kick! We also ordered spicy fish and meat dumplings (HK$12).

Cost:  From HK$31 (~S$5.30) Opening hours:  24 hours How to get there:  Multiple outlets —  Yau Ma Tei ,  Tsim Sha Tsui ,  Un Chau  and  Tsuen Wan

Experience a Neon Light Art Workshop

Photo credit: Klook

Neon signs are a huge part of Hong Kong’s cityscape. Here’s how you can bring a bit of Hong Kong back home with you — by creating your very own  neon light sign !

You’ll be taught step-by-step by a friendly instructor (in English or Chinese) on how to bend, splice and electrodes to create your neon masterpiece. Guests also get to try acrylic painting a backdrop for the neon lights.

Cost:  ~S$77.20/pax  for a 3hr workshop (min. two pax per booking) Timings:  12:45PM, 2PM, 4PM, 5:30PM How to get there:  Take the Island Line (MTR) and get off at the Causeway Bay Station, then walk 5min ( Google Maps )

Go on a Lan Kwai Fong   Pub Crawl

Experience Hong Kong’s bustling night life by going on a pub crawl! The tour is led by local guides, who’ll take you to three bars in the Lan Kwai Fong area. At each stop, get a free shot and the best drink deals — HK$20 beers and HK$30 cocktails, anyone?

There’s even a professional photographer tagging along to capture you and your new friends. At the end of the pub crawl, dance the night away at one of the best clubs in the area (free entry!).

Cost:   ~S$20.50  (Bring a valid ID to prove you’re at least 18) Timing:  9PM – 12AM Meeting point:  Lan Kwai Fong Amphitheatre ( Google Maps )

Supper at The Drunken Pot  

The Drunken Pot is one of Hong Kong’s most famous hot pot restaurants. They’re known for their signature five-in-one pot featuring four different soup bases (like Sichuan numbing spicy and Seafood soup with squid ink) and a papaya and shrimp centrepiece.

Cost:  Set meals from  ~S$16.50  or  ~S$70  for a HK$500 (~S$86.60) cash coupon Opening hours:  12PM – 1AM (Mon – Fri, Sun) How to get there:  Multiple outlets —  Tsim Sha Tsui  and  Causeway Bay

Day 7: Kowloon Peak Hike via Suicide Cliff

Breakfast at sing heung yuen (tomato soup).

A dai pai dong situated opposite the famous beef noodle joint, Kau Kee Restaurant , Sing Heung Yuen ‘s famous noodles in tomato soup is a great breakfast option. The menu comes with a good variety of toppings like bacon, ham, egg and just about anything you can think of on a regular  cha chaan teng  menu.

Cost:  From HK$27 (~S$4.60) Opening hours:  8AM – 3:30PM (Closed on Sun) How to get there:  Walk 6min from Shueng Wan MTR Station, Exit E1 ( Google Maps )

Kowloon Peak via Suicide Cliff Hike

Of the famous few hiking routes in Kowloon we ultimately opted for Suicide Cliff that gives a clear bird’s eye view of the cityscape, and only required an hour’s hike to the viewpoint!

Its notorious name stems from the accidents of travellers attempting to pose for a photo at the scenic cliff edge — the cliff edge is steep and is all rocks at the bottom so be extra careful if you’re checking that out!

The hike ends about 15 minutes further up where you’ll spot a Helipad and TV station. To descend, take the paved path on the right after the Helipad. This leads you down to Fei Ngo Shan Road in around 30 minutes.

Starting point:  From Choi Hung MTR, take bus 91 to Fei Ha Road. Walk 5 minutes to the starting point on Fei Ha Road. The entrance is on the right side of the path.

*Pro-tip: If you’re cabbing back to Choi Hung Station after the hike, make a pitstop to visit the Choi Hung Estate rooftop for a photo against the famous pastel-coloured buildings all over Instagram.

Drinks at Tai Lung Fung

The cosy, neon-lit Tai Lung Fung boasts excellent service and serves bar bites like Duck Fat Fries and Mini Sliders before 9:30PM (you can bring your own snacks after).

Their signature cocktails (try: Drew Berries) set you back only ~HK$60, while their beers at ~HK$50 during happy hour. If you’re feeling adventurous, tell them to surprise you with their own concoctions.

Cost:  From HK$45 (~S$7.90) Opening hours:  4PM – 12AM (Mon – Thu, Sat), 4PM – 1AM (Fri), 4PM – 10PM (Sun) How to get there:  Walk 10min from Wan Chai MTR Station, Exit A2 ( Google Maps )

Tips for Planning Your Hong Kong Itinerary

The colourful buildings of Choi Hung Estate.

Hong Kong is definitely more than meets the eye. The usual attractions aside, we dug deep, asked a few locals and uncovered many experiences we never knew existed. We especially wouldn’t have discovered these without using the  Klook  app when planning our activities.

Queueing up in Hong Kong isn’t uncommon so we were more than thankful for the special Klook-only queues to certain attractions like the  Victoria Peak Tram and Ngong Ping 360 ; which made us feel like VIPs, so that’s a nice bonus 😂

Nicole looking pleased with the non-existent Klook queue .

Getting our pre-trip essentials was also hassle-free — we collected all our cards ( SIM , Octopus , Airport Express ) at one stop upon arrival at the airport.

Save money by getting Klook’s Stay+ deals — discounted bundles when you book a hotel and add on travel essentials or attraction tickets like Hong Kong Disneyland! More details here .

Read also: Hong Kong Accommodation Guide — Best Hotels Sorted by Neighbourhood From S$83/night

If you’re planning to visit multiple attractions, get the Klook Pass Hong Kong ! It’s a bundle deal for 2, 3, 4 or 5 attractions for up to 26% off.

*Pro-tip: Use code <THETRAVELINTERN> on Klook to get 5% off all items * with a min. spend of S$50 (discount cap at S$15). Apply the promo code at checkout. One-time use only. (* – see list of excluded activities )

The best way to explore Hong Kong is to make full use of the extensive transport network to visit popular destinations, and mix it up with local treasures that tell you a better story of the city. Now we can say: been there, done that!

Would your next trip to Hong Kong be different? Let us know in the comments below!

This post was brought to you by Klook . 

For more travel inspiration, follow our adventures on  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Youtube !

View this post on Instagram A post shared by thetravelintern.com 🇸🇬 (@thetravelintern)

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A Retrospective Look at Our Recent Trip to Hong Kong Trip 2023

Hong Kong, a vibrant city known for its bustling streets, skyscrapers, and delicious cuisine, is a must-visit destination for travellers. With the covid restrictions in Hong Kong eased, my family and I seized the opportunity to explore this fascinating city and enjoyed its unique blend of cultures, history, and modernity.

We chose to fly with Singapore Airlines, and it was a comfortable and enjoyable experience. The flight was smooth, with friendly and attentive service from the flight attendants. The in-flight entertainment was excellent, with a wide selection of movies, TV shows, and games to choose from. As we brought our children along for the trip to Hong Kong, we did not have the luxury of time to enjoy the in-flight entertainment.

Singapore Airlines offers a range of services and amenities for travellers with children to make the flight more comfortable and enjoyable for both kids and parents. These include kid-friendly meals, entertainment options, and activity kits with games and toys to keep little ones occupied during the flight. There are also baby changing facilities on board, and the crew is happy to assist with any special requests, such as heating up baby food or providing extra blankets and pillows.

Throughout our trip, we stayed at the Royal Plaza Hotel, which is located in the heart of Mong Kok. This luxurious hotel offers spacious rooms with stunning city views and amenities, including a fitness centre, swimming pool, and multiple dining options. The hotel’s central location made it easy to explore the city, and we like how convenient and accessible it is.

One of the attractions we visited in Hong Kong was the Cup Noodles Museum. Located in the Kowloon Bay area, the museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the history and production of one of the world’s most popular instant noodle brands. We even created our custom cup noodles to take home as souvenirs. However, if you have been to the Cup Noodles Museum in Japan, you might consider giving this a miss.

Another highlight of our trip was exploring the vibrant Mong Kok Street. This bustling district is famous for its street markets, which sell everything from clothes and electronics to street food and souvenirs. We spent hours wandering through the narrow alleyways, admiring the colourful neon signs and soaking up the lively atmosphere.

We also visited Fung Ying Seen Koon temple. The temple is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit, offering a unique glimpse into Hong Kong’s rich spiritual traditions. Nestled amid lush greenery, Fung Ying Seen Koon features intricate architecture and artwork. We enjoyed the peaceful ambience and the chance to learn more about the history and traditions of Taoism.

Our trip to Hong Kong has been a memorable and enriching one. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or delicious food, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant city. Travelling with two young kiddos was fun but tiring. Here are some tips that we have if you’re planning to travel to Hong Kong with young children:

• Pack plenty of snacks and drinks to keep your children fueled throughout the day. Hong Kong is a busy city, and you may find yourself on the go for hours at a time.
• Bring comfortable shoes and clothing for both you and your children. You’ll be doing a lot of walking, and the weather can be hot and humid.
• Consider bringing a stroller or carrier for younger children. Hong Kong’s streets can be crowded and uneven, so it’s important to have a safe and comfortable way to transport your child.
• Plan your itinerary with your children’s interests and energy levels in mind. Hong Kong has a lot to offer, but it’s important to pace yourself and prioritise the activities that your children will enjoy the most.

Psst. If you recently won yourself a round-trip Cathay Air Ticket to Hong Kong or planning a trip to Hong Kong this coming Easter, we have some exciting news for you!

Pirata Group , the city’s undisputed leader when it comes to memorable dining experiences, is taking things one step further with a variety of  egg-citing promotions across all venues . From  tandoor towers and unlimited sushi to all-you-can-eat chocolate dessert stations and limited-time Easter brunches where kids eat for free ,  there’s something for everyone in the family  to enjoy before or after partaking in the many kid-friendly activities around town. So, hop to it and start making those Easter memories with Pirata Group’s guide to the best things to see, do and savour in Hong Kong this holiday season!

“SomeBunny Feed Me!” Easter brunch menus with free-flow champagne and all-you-can-enjoy chocolate buffet at Chaiwala & TokyoLima, 7–10 April 2023

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, it’s just a quick tram ride back to Central for a special Easter-themed dining experience. Fans of modern Indian cuisine won’t want to miss  Chaiwala ’s “ SomeBunny Feed Me! ”  brunch feast (HK$388pp, HK$398pp champagne free-flow, HK$198pp classic free-flow)  complete with a trio of chaat for sharing, choice of vegetarian or mutton biryani, a tandoor tower and dosas for sharing, and choice of six curries. A children’s menu is also available for HK$50. For a taste of innovative Japanese and Peruvian fusion food, head a few blocks north to  TokyoLima  and its adventurous take on  “SomeBunny Feed Me!” (HK$398pp, HK$398pp champagne free-flow, HK$198pp classic free-flow).  Designed for sharing, the brunch feast begins with a selection of appetisers including causa and ceviche before moving on to the Weeknd Salad, Edamame Hummus and Pop Ki-Mo-Chi, and finishing with a choice of mains such as chicken katsu with aji panca rice or pan-fried mackerel with potato puree and Nikkei escabeche. Both brunch menus are  available 7–10 April 2023   and include an extravagant all-you-can-enjoy chocolate buffet  – so be sure to leave some room!

Tsim Sha Tsui & West Kowloon

Just a short ride on the  Star Ferry  or a quick trip on the MTR from Hong Kong Island and you’ll find yourself in the always-buzzing Tsim Sha Tsui commercial and entertainment district or the up-and-coming  West Kowloon cultural district . Must-visits on this side of  Victoria Harbour  include the new  M+ Museum  showcasing some of the world’s foremost collections of 20th- and 21st-century visual culture. The Herzog & de Meuron-designed building and surrounding outdoor spaces are worth a visit even on their own. After admiring the architecture, budding builders should definitely check out  Legoland Discovery Centre . The ultimate Lego indoor playground is designed for children ages 3-10 and features workshops, play areas and even Hong Kong’s top attractions built out of bricks. Finally, burn off any residual energy at  Kids Kids Car  indoor electric-vehicle driving playground. The 20,000 sq ft space has three different themed zones where kids can zoom around and even experience various occupations. 

Enjoy limited-time Easter specials at Pici & The Pizza Project, 5–10 April 2023

Cap off your Kowloon adventures at neighbourhood Italian spot  Pici , which from 5–10 April 2023 is offering  two limited-time additions  to everyone’s favourite pasta bar brunch. The new specials are available all day and include the lavish  Truffle Carbonara (HK$190),  a tagliatelle with black truffle, guanciale, pecorino and Japanese egg yolk; and the  Coppa Malu (HK$140)  a velvety mousse dessert for two made with 70% chocolate, whipped cream and almond meringue. The famous, much-loved Italian treats are available all around the city, with more branches in Lai Chi Kok, Sha Tin in the New Territories but also buzzing Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, and Central amongst other prime locations. Another must-try Italian Easter dining destination for the whole family is  The Pizza Project  in Central – check out the  two limited-time specials :  Down the Rabbit Hole (HK$160) , a pizza with a red hot chili cheddar stuffed crust, testa di coppa, black garlic pesto and fior di latte; and  Bu-Nana (HK$65) , a sweet treat consisting of banana and chocolate ganache stuffed gnocco fritto, dusted with icing sugar. 

Tired of the hustle and bustle of the city? Let’s head over to Stanley for a lovely seaside stroll with your little ones. The  Stanley Bay promenade  is a picturesque boardwalk overlooking all the small boats parked at the bay – this is a scene you can’t find in other parts of Hong Kong. With a backdrop of colonial heritage buildings, lots of locals come here to walk their pets and enjoy a peaceful afternoon. 

Looking for a seaside cafe to enjoy the view? Pirata has got you covered! Located on Stanley Main Street,  Pane e Latte  will celebrate Easter with spring specials across three weekends from 1–16 April. Feast on  Bomboloni al Torroncino (HK$48) , a nougat cream-filled doughnut covered in chocolate couverture; the  Gnocchi di Pasqua (HK$158) , a dish featuring spring vegetables, ricotta and poached eggs; and the  Easter Egg (HK$78) , a sweet treat made with lemon madeleine, strawberry jam and fromage blanc. A giant, eye-catching Easter basket and eggs will also be installed at the bakery for the ultimate holiday experience. 

Don’t miss the limited-time Spring specials at Pane e Latte, 1–16 April 2023!

Easter is an incredible time to enjoy Hong Kong’s fine weather, fun attractions and friendly hospitality. Hop over to  piratagroup.hk  to start planning your mealtime celebrations and make this year’s holiday your most memorable one yet!

Melvin is an Entrepreneur, Life Coach, and Chinese Metaphysics Practitioner. He holds an EMBA and he is a passionate and engaging teacher, known for his unique combination of science, research, and spirituality.

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Travel advisory april 12, 2024, mainland china, hong kong & macau - see summaries.

Updated due to new national security legislation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Summary:  Reconsider travel to Mainland China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including in relation to exit bans, and the risk of wrongful detentions.

Exercise increased caution when traveling to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws .

Reconsider travel to the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) due to a limited ability to provide emergency consular services . Exercise increased caution when traveling to the Macau SAR due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws .

See specific risks and conditions in each jurisdiction . 

Mainland China – Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws , including in relation to exit bans, and the risk of wrongful detentions .

Summary:  The People’s Republic of China (PRC) government arbitrarily enforces local laws, including issuing exit bans on U.S. citizens and citizens of other countries, without fair and transparent process under the law.

The Department of State has determined the risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by the PRC government exists in the PRC.

U.S. citizens traveling or residing in the PRC may be detained without access to U.S. consular services or information about their alleged crime. U.S. citizens in the PRC may be subjected to interrogations and detention without fair and transparent treatment under the law.

Foreigners in the PRC, including but not limited to businesspeople, former foreign-government personnel, academics, relatives of PRC citizens involved in legal disputes, and journalists have been interrogated and detained by PRC officials for alleged violations of PRC national security laws. The PRC has also interrogated, detained, and expelled U.S. citizens living and working in the PRC.

PRC authorities appear to have broad discretion to deem a wide range of documents, data, statistics, or materials as state secrets and to detain and prosecute foreign nationals for alleged espionage. There is increased official scrutiny of U.S. and third-country firms, such as professional service and due diligence companies, operating in the PRC. Security personnel could detain U.S. citizens or subject them to prosecution for conducting research or accessing publicly available material inside the PRC.

Security personnel could detain and/or deport U.S. citizens for sending private electronic messages critical of the PRC, Hong Kong SAR, or Macau SAR governments.

In addition, the PRC government has used restrictions on travel or departure from the PRC, or so-called exit bans, to:

• compel individuals to participate in PRC government investigations;
• pressure family members of the restricted individual to return to the PRC from abroad;
• resolve civil disputes in favor of PRC citizens; and
• gain bargaining leverage over foreign governments.

U.S. citizens might only become aware of an exit ban when they attempt to depart the PRC, and there may be no available legal process to contest an exit ban in a court of law. Relatives, including minor children, of those under investigation in the PRC may become subject to an exit ban.

The PRC government does not recognize dual nationality. Dual U.S.-PRC citizens and U.S. citizens of Chinese descent may be subject to additional scrutiny and harassment. If you are a U.S. citizen and choose to enter Mainland China on travel documents other than a U.S. passport and are detained or arrested, the PRC government may not notify the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Consulates General or allow consular access.

Check with the PRC Embassy in the United States for the most updated information on travel to the PRC. In some limited circumstances travelers to Mainland China may face additional COVID-19 testing requirements to enter some facilities or events.

The Department of State does not provide or coordinate direct medical care to private U.S. citizens abroad. U.S. citizens overseas may receive PRC-approved COVID-19 vaccine doses where they are eligible.

Do not consume drugs in the PRC or prior to arriving in the PRC. A positive drug test, even if the drug was legal elsewhere, can lead to immediate detention, fines, deportation, and/or a ban from re-entering the PRC. PRC authorities may compel cooperation with blood, urine, or hair testing. Penalties for drug offense may exceed penalties imposed in the United States.

Demonstrations : Participating in demonstrations or any other activities that authorities interpret as constituting an act of secession, subversion, terrorism, or collusion with a foreign country could result in criminal charges. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid demonstrations.

XINJIANG UYGHUR AUTONOMOUS REGION, TIBET AUTONOMOUS REGION, and TIBETAN AUTONOMOUS PREFECTURES

Extra security measures, such as security checks and increased levels of police presence and surveillance, are common in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Tibet Autonomous Region, and Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures. Authorities may impose curfews and travel restrictions on short notice.

If you decide to travel to Mainland China:

• Enter the PRC on your U.S. passport with a valid PRC visa and keep it with you.
• Read the travel information page for Mainland China .
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Avoid demonstrations.
• Exercise caution in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.
• Avoid taking photographs of protesters or police without permission.
• Keep a low profile.
• If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify U.S. Embassy Beijing or the nearest U.S. Consulate General immediately.
• Review the  China Country Security Report  from the Overseas Security Advisory Council.
• Do not consume drugs in the PRC or prior to arriving in the PRC.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter . Follow U.S. Embassy Beijing on  Twitter ,  WeChat , and  Weibo .
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to the PRC.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.
• Review the Traveler’s Checklist .

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws .

Summary: Hong Kong SAR authorities have dramatically restricted civil liberties since the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) imposed the Law of the PRC on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR on June 30, 2020. Following the Hong Kong SAR government’s enactment of its own Safeguarding National Security Ordinance on March 23, 2024, Hong Kong SAR authorities are expected to take additional actions to further restrict civil liberties.

The 2020 National Security Law outlines a broad range of vaguely defined offenses, such as acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign entities. The 2024 Safeguarding National Security Ordinance builds on this framework with additional vaguely defined offenses, such as treason, insurrection, theft of state secrets, sabotage against public infrastructure, and external interference. According to the legislation, these offenses are applicable to foreign nationals within the Hong Kong SAR and to individuals, including U.S. citizens and permanent residents, located outside its borders. Under these provisions, anyone who criticizes the PRC and/or Hong Kong SAR authorities may face arrest, detention, expulsion, and/or prosecution. Hong Kong SAR authorities are attempting to enforce these provisions against individuals, including U.S. citizens and permanent residents, residing outside of their jurisdiction by offering cash rewards for information leading to their arrests in the Hong Kong SAR.

Dual Nationality: The Hong Kong SAR government does not recognize dual nationality. Dual U.S.-PRC citizens and U.S. citizens of Chinese descent may be subject to additional scrutiny and harassment. If you are a dual U.S.-PRC citizen and enter Hong Kong SAR on a U.S. passport, and you are detained or arrested, PRC authorities are under an obligation to notify the U.S. Embassy or a U.S. Consulate General of your detention and to allow U.S. consular officials to have access to you. In practice, however, U.S. consular officers may be prevented from providing consular assistance, even to those who have entered on their U.S. passports. For more information, visit Consular Protection and Right of Abode in HK(SAR) for Dual Nationals - U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau .

Demonstrations : Participating in demonstrations or any other activities that authorities interpret as constituting an act of secession, subversion, terrorism, or collusion with a foreign country could result in criminal charges under the 2020 National Security Law and/or the 2024 Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid demonstrations.

If you decide to travel to the Hong Kong SAR:

• Enter the Hong Kong SAR on your U.S. passport and keep it with you.
• Read the travel information page for the Hong Kong SAR .
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau immediately.
• Review the China Country Security Report from the Overseas Security Advisory Council.
• Do not consume drugs in the Hong Kong SAR or prior to arriving in the Hong Kong SAR.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter . Follow U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to the Hong Kong SAR.
• Monitor local media, local transportations sites, and apps like  MTR Mobile  or  Citybus  for updates.

Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) – Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel due to a limited ability to provide emergency consular services. Exercise increased caution due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.

Summary:  The U.S. government has a limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the Macau SAR due to People’s Republic of China (PRC) Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel restrictions on U.S. diplomatic personnel.

Even in an emergency, the PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires all U.S. diplomatic personnel, including those accredited to the Macau SAR, to apply for and receive visas before entering the Macau SAR. Approval takes at least five to seven days, significantly limiting the U.S. government’s ability to offer timely consular services in the Macau SAR.

Dual Nationality: The Macau SAR government does not recognize dual nationality. Dual U.S.-PRC citizens and U.S. citizens of Chinese descent may be subject to additional scrutiny and harassment. If you are a dual U.S.-PRC citizen and enter the Macau SAR on a U.S. passport, and you are detained or arrested, PRC authorities are under an obligation to notify the U.S. Embassy or a U.S. Consulate General of your detention and to allow U.S. consular officials to have access to you. In practice, however, U.S. consular officers may be prevented from providing consular assistance, even to those who have entered on their U.S. passports. For more information, visit Consular Protection and Right of Abode in HK(SAR) for Dual Nationals - U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau .

Demonstrations : Participating in demonstrations or any other activities that authorities interpret as constituting an act of secession, subversion, terrorism, or collusion with a foreign country could result in criminal charges. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid demonstrations.

If you decide to travel to the Macau SAR:

• Enter the Macau SAR on your U.S. passport and keep it with you.
• Read the travel information page for the Macau SAR .
• If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify Review the China Country Security Report from the Overseas Security Advisory Council.
• Do not consume drugs in the Macau SAR or prior to arriving in the Macau SAR.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter . Follow U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to the Macau SAR.
• Monitor local media and the Macau Government Tourism Office website for updates.
• Review your flight status with your airline or at the Macau International Airport website.

Travel Advisory Levels

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International travel documents for children

See what documents a child needs to travel to or from the U.S. alone or with a parent or relative.

Children traveling to the U.S.

All children, including infants, must have their own travel documents such as a passport or document from a Trusted Traveler Program to enter the U.S. If you travel or are going to travel with a child, consider taking the following documents:

• If the child is traveling with only one of their custodial parents, they must have a letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent or signed by both parents. The letter should say "I acknowledge that my son/daughter is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission."
• If one parent has sole custody of the child, a copy of the custody document can take the place of the other parent's letter.
• Parents who frequently cross the border by land with a minor must always carry a letter of permission from the other parent.

U.S. citizen children traveling abroad

Ports of entry in many countries have security measures to prevent international child abduction . If you are traveling alone with your child, you may be required to present documentation proving you are the parent or legal guardian. You may also need a letter of permission from the other parent for your child to travel. 

If your child travels alone, depending on the country, they may be required to present a notarized letter from both parents or their legal guardian. If a minor is traveling abroad and is not accompanied by both parents or a legal guardian, contact the embassy or consulate of the country you will be visiting and ask about entry and exit requirements for that country.

LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023

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Reinventing search with a new AI-powered Microsoft Bing and Edge, your copilot for the web

Feb 7, 2023 | Yusuf Mehdi - Corporate Vice President & Consumer Chief Marketing Officer

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To empower people to unlock the joy of discovery, feel the wonder of creation and better harness the world’s knowledge, today we’re improving how the world benefits from the web by reinventing the tools billions of people use every day, the search engine and the browser.

Today, we’re launching an all new, AI-powered Bing search engine and Edge browser, available in preview now at Bing.com , to deliver better search, more complete answers, a new chat experience and the ability to generate content. We think of these tools as an AI copilot for the web.

“AI will fundamentally change every software category, starting with the largest category of all – search,” said Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO, Microsoft. “Today, we’re launching Bing and Edge powered by AI copilot and chat, to help people get more from search and the web.”

There are 10 billion search queries a day, but we estimate half of them go unanswered. That’s because people are using search to do things it wasn’t originally designed to do. It’s great for finding a website, but for more complex questions or tasks too often it falls short.

The new Bing and Edge – Your copilot for the web

We have brought together search, browsing and chat into one unified experience you can invoke from anywhere on the web, delivering:

• Better search. The new Bing gives you an improved version of the familiar search experience, providing more relevant results for simple things like sports scores, stock prices and weather, along with a new sidebar that shows more comprehensive answers if you want them.
• Complete answers. Bing reviews results from across the web to find and summarize the answer you’re looking for. For example, you can get detailed instructions for how to substitute eggs for another ingredient in a cake you are baking right in that moment, without scrolling through multiple results.
• A new chat experience. For more complex searches – such as for planning a detailed trip itinerary or researching what TV to buy – the new Bing offers new, interactive chat. The chat experience empowers you to refine your search until you get the complete answer you are looking for by asking for more details, clarity and ideas – with links available so you can immediately act on your decisions.
• A creative spark. There are times when you need more than an answer – you need inspiration. The new Bing can generate the content to help you. It can help you write an email, create a 5-day itinerary for a dream vacation to Hawaii, with links to book your travel and accommodations, prep for a job interview or create a quiz for trivia night. The new Bing also cites all its sources, so you’re able to see links to the web content it references.
• New Microsoft Edge experience. We’ve updated the Edge browser with new AI capabilities and a new look, and we’ve added two new functionalities: Chat and compose. With the Edge Sidebar, you can ask for a summary of a lengthy financial report to get the key takeaways – and then use the chat function to ask for a comparison to a competing company’s financials and automatically put it in a table. You can also ask Edge to help you compose content, such as a LinkedIn post, by giving it a few prompts to get you started. After that, you can ask it to help you update the tone, format and length of the post. Edge can understand the web page you’re on and adapts accordingly.

My anniversary is coming up in September, help me plan a trip somewhere fun in Europe, leaving from London.

Will the Ikea Klippan loveseat fit into my 2019 Honda Odyssey?

Reinventing search with AI

The new Bing experience is a culmination of four technical breakthroughs:

• Next-generation OpenAI model . We’re excited to announce the new Bing is running on a new, next-generation OpenAI large language model that is more powerful than ChatGPT and customized specifically for search. It takes key learnings and advancements from ChatGPT and GPT-3.5 – and it is even faster, more accurate and more capable.
• Microsoft Prometheus model . We have developed a proprietary way of working with the OpenAI model that allows us to best leverage its power. We call this collection of capabilities and techniques the Prometheus model. This combination gives you more relevant, timely and targeted results, with improved safety.
• Applying AI to core search algorithm . We’ve also applied the AI model to our core Bing search ranking engine, which led to the largest jump in relevance in two decades. With this AI model, even basic search queries are more accurate and more relevant.
• New user experience . We’re reimagining how you interact with search, browser and chat by pulling them into a unified experience. This will unlock a completely new way to interact with the web.

These groundbreaking new search experiences are possible because Microsoft has committed to building Azure into an AI supercomputer for the world, and OpenAI has used this infrastructure to train the breakthrough models that are now being optimized for Bing.

Microsoft and OpenAI – innovating together, responsibly

Together with OpenAI, we’ve also been intentional in implementing safeguards to defend against harmful content. Our teams are working to address issues such as misinformation and disinformation, content blocking, data safety and preventing the promotion of harmful or discriminatory content in line with our AI principles .

The work we are doing with OpenAI builds on our company’s yearslong effort to ensure that our AI systems are responsible by design. We will continue to apply the full strength of our responsible AI ecosystem – including researchers, engineers and policy experts – to develop new approaches to mitigate risk.

Live today in limited preview, expanding to millions soon

The new Bing is available today in a limited preview on desktop, and everyone can visit Bing.com today to try sample queries and sign up for the waitlist. We’re going to scale the preview to millions in the coming weeks. A mobile experience will also be in preview soon.

We’re excited to put the new Bing and Edge into the real world to get the critical feedback required to improve our models as we scale.

Related links:

Amy Hood, Microsoft executive vice president and chief financial officer, will host a conference call with investors at 2:30 p.m. PT.

Brad Smith, Microsoft vice chair and president: Meeting the moment: advancing the future through responsible AI

Learn more about advertising on the new Bing

More information about the announcement

Tags: AI , Bing , Microsoft Edge

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• BEST OF THE WORLD

25 breathtaking places and experiences for 2023

Looking for your next adventure? You’ll find it on our annual list of the world’s best destinations for travelers.

Travel inspiration is everywhere you look. The question is where to go next. Here’s our annual list of superlative destinations for the year ahead—places filled with wonder, rewarding to travelers of all ages, and supportive of local communities and ecosystems. Reported by our global editors and framed by five categories ( Community , Nature , Culture , Family , and Adventure ), these 25 destinations for 2023 are under the radar, ahead of the curve, and ready for you to start exploring.

Community: Where conservation benefits everyone

Discover Karpathos, Greece, a surprising and sublime spot in the Dodecanese Islands , where women-led ventures are leading the charge in sustainable tourism. Spend a long weekend in Milwaukee, Wisconsin , a vibrant Great Lakes city that celebrates its cultural community as much as its breweries. Experience how long-held traditions and contemporary perspectives intersect, with Indigenous tourism outfitters in Alberta, Canada . Board a new high-speed train that makes lesser known regions of Laos accessible to tourists and brings economic opportunities to locals. Head to Ghana to explore Black heritage and hang out with a fashion-forward crowd in the capital, Accra. ( Learn more about how these Best of the World destinations support their communities. )

Nature: Escapes to wild, beautiful places

Marvel at the biodiversity of Botswana —as well as the programs to rehabilitate endangered species, create wildlife corridors, and develop community-owned tourism projects. Linger in the   Scottish Highlands , where a rewilding movement is aiming to restore the original landscape and native flora and fauna. In Slovenia , a longtime leader in sustainable tourism, set off on new gastrotourism biking routes that visit farms, vineyards, cheesemakers, and other food producers. Big Bend National Park   brings to life the frontier legend of Texas—but the landscape will also surprise you. In the Azores ,   applaud   award-winning sustainability programs that conserve the natural wonders of this volcanic archipelago known for whale watching and thermal springs.   ( Delve into our best destinations for nature lovers. )

Culture: Places where history and heritage rule

Visit King Tut’s new home in Egypt at Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum and see Luxor’s Avenue of the Sphinxes. Tap into the creative energy of Asia’s top film festival and sip craft beer in Busan, South Korea , the nation’s second largest city. Make a pilgrimage through history along Italy’s Appian Way , Europe’s ancient “superhighway.” Explore culture and history—with a side of Low Country cuisine—at the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Caroli na . See one of the world’s largest assemblages of stone statues at Longmen Grottoes , a UNESCO World Heritage site in Henan Province, China.   ( Here’s how to visit these Best of the World destinations .)

Family: Inspiring journeys for all ages

In Switzerland , ride the rails to quaint Alpine towns for chocolate, hiking, and skiing. Help save the turtles in Trinidad & Tobago , one of the most important leatherback turtle rookeries in the world. In San Francisco, California ,   gather around a campfire with Golden Gate views at Presidio Tunnel Tops and hike the urban Crosstown Trail.   Go birdwatching in the avian paradise that is Colombia , the enchanted land of Disney’s Encanto.   Visit the playing grounds of a storied soccer team in Manchester, England —and be inspired by the city’s art scene as well.   ( Explore more of these family-friendly destinations .)

Adventure: Adrenaline-pumping outdoor excursions  

Trek to Choquequirao, Peru ,   an isolated Inca site that’s under the radar—but soon to be more accessible. In New Zealand , the country that invented bungee jumping, rekindle your sense of adventure post-pandemic. Get your adrenaline rush in less visited areas of the popular adventure state of Utah . In Austria , hike the cross-country Bergsteigerdörfer network of mountaineering villages to sample local culture. Finally, add Revillagigedo National Park, Mexico , to your itinerary. Its protected waters, supported by National Geographic’s Pristine Seas initiative, hold one of the largest aggregations of sharks and manta rays in the world.   ( Dive deeper into these adventure trips. )

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• FAMILY TRAVEL
• ADVENTURE TRAVEL
• TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE
• LUXURY TRAVEL

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