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TRAVEL to HONG KONG – Tips and Information Guide [2024]

Everything you need to know about travel to Hong Kong in this epic tips and information travel guide.

When people think of Hong Kong they tend to think of it as a financial hub or an urban and modern city that enjoys the reputation of being the cooler younger sibling of China.

But throughout its history, Hong Kong has drawn influences from both the oriental East and the West.

Its own oriental culture has been under the influence of the British.

Throughout the years, however, it has created its own cultural identity.

This ultra-modern city is made up of 1100 sq. kilometers of coastline south of China and numerous islands of the Pearl River Delta.

It’s known for its urban development which stretches along the North coast of Hong Kong Island.

Here you will see traces of its colonial history in English names or in the presence of double-decker trams that seem to be looming everywhere.

The south of the island contrasts the busy city life with hiking trails, beaches, and a big amusement park.

In the north, right across the Victoria Harbor, is the Kowloon Peninsula.

The tip of the Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui, is filled with markets, shops and a variety of accommodation making it a hotspot for tourists.

North from Tsim Sha Tsui is the New Territories, where you can stroll through the older villages and relax at some of their secluded beaches.

Hong Kong also consists of the Outlying Islands, like Lantau and Lamma, that are a great addition to your itinerary.

This is especially true if you want to take a step back from city life, enjoy some downtime and good seafood.

If you don’t have a lot of time to visit Hong Kong don’t worry!

Thanks to its highly developed public transport, the city’s compact footprint and non-stop running transport – 3 days is the perfect Hong Kong itinerary !

If you decide to stay longer than that, you won’t run out of things to do!

This urban city will give you an energy boost that’s needed to keep up with its fast pace, the skyscrapers that dominate the skyline, beautiful neon lights and the maze-like architecture that can seem daunting to even the most experienced of travelers.

There is no shortage of delicious eateries or high-quality street food to be found either.

Next, to the amazing culinary scene, Hong Kong boasts of being home to some of the world’s most renowned architectural wonders.

It also features many culturally enriching and wonderfully curated museums.

The Hong Kong Island’s panorama dominated by towering skyscrapers can be seen from the Kowloon peninsula.

Make sure to read through our Hong Kong travel guide and be prepared to be amazed as Hong Kong is unlike any other city!

Hong Kong Travel Guide

Before you visit Hong Kong make sure you know the basics!

General Info

• Currency : Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
• Language : Chinese, English
• Population : 7,482,500
• Area : 1,108 square kilometers
• Electricity Voltage : 220V, frequency is 50Hz
• Electricity Sockets : type G and D

5 Interesting Facts About Hong Kong

• The term ‘Fragrant Harbor’ is the meaning behind the name of Hong Kong.
• According to the locals, eating ‘Birthday Noodles’ on your birthday will lead you to have a long and blessed life.
• The globally famous food, dim sum, originated in Hong Kong!
• The Peak Circle Walk is considered to be one of the world’s most picturesque walks.
• AI operated metro, with a 99% on-time rate, has made Hong Kong’s metro systems one of the best and most efficient in the world!

Top 5 Places to Visit in Hong Kong

• Eat at the Chungking Mansions . While it was once known for being a sketchy area inhabited by backpackers, asylum seekers and ethnic minorities it has since evolved into a hub of African and South Asian food.
• Temple Street Night Market. When the sun disappears below the horizon, the Jordan area awakens. Roam the maze of stalls and hunt down the perfect trinkets and souvenirs and taste the most delicious and cheap, Chinese street food.
• Visit the Big Buddha, or as the locals refer to it Tian Tian Buddha. This statue is located above the Po Lin monastery and is 34 meters high. Although previously isolated by mountains, Po Lin monastery is now bringing in thousands of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.
• Night in Lan Kwai Fong . This is a square of streets occupied almost exclusively by restaurants and bars, from locals’ favorite eateries to the craziest nightclubs. Spend at least one night exploring the nooks and corners of this lively area.
• Hong Kong Park is an oasis of green in the middle of Hong Kong Island’s urban setting. It was built in 1991 in Central and it’s a well-designed forest which blends in with the surrounding area. The park boasts of having an aviary with over eighty species of birds, lily ponds, fountains, a greenhouse, a restaurant, playgrounds, the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware and the Hong Kong Visual Art Center.

READ MORE: Don’t miss our complete list of the top places to visit in Hong Kong !

Top 5 Travel Experiences in Hong Kong

• Ride the ding-ding, Hong Kong’s famous double-decker tram. For a little bit over $2 USD, you can enjoy the trip along the northern shore of Hong Kong’s island. It’s a beautiful route that includes many iconic landmarks of Hong Kong, Central’s skyscrapers, Victoria Park, Western Market and the remaining pawn shops of Wan Chai.
• Take the Central to Mid-Levels escalator . The world’s longest outdoor covered escalator system covers 800 meters in distance and reaches an elevation of over 135 meters. It has been opened in the early ’90s and since then has offered a link between the Central and Mid-Levels.
• Climb the Peak . This is the highest point of Hong Kong Island and offers an amazing view of the city, from Central’s skyscrapers to New Territories’ mountainous region. Take the Peak tram and enjoy the ride to the summit. If you have time you can even hike the 3.5 km Peak Circle Walk and get to the best vantage point of the metropolis of Hong Kong.
• Ride the S tar Ferry . Now considered a historical boat ride (it’s been operating for over a hundred years!), it’s also a cheap and fast way to get you to Central or Wan Chai while you also have the opportunity to bask in stunning views of Hong Kong and the Victoria Harbour.
• Eat at the Tim Ho Wan . This is an opportunity that can’t be missed. It’s not just a Michelin star awarded restaurant but also the world’s cheapest! It’s the place to go to try dim sum so queuing is definitely worth the long wait.

Best Time to Travel to Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s climate is characterized by mild winters and humid, hot summers.

The most preferable times for a visit tend to be in the fall (late September to early December) and spring (from March to May).

In fall the skies are typically sunny and clear with temperatures ranging from 21° to 26°C.

In spring humidity rises. Therefore fog and light rain aren’t uncommon. But the temperatures tend to remain in a pleasant range from 18° to 27°C.

The coldest months of the year are January and February. During these times the temperatures on average are 15°C and rarely fall below 10°C.

Summers can be unbearable with the temperatures on average being from 32° to 37°C and humidity being over 90%.

Summer is perhaps the worst time to visit Hong Kong. But if you do plan your trip then, make sure to stock up on sunblock, water and bring an umbrella as you’re also visiting during typhoon season.

Seasonal Festivals in Hong Kong

When it comes to holidays, Hong Kong celebrates seventeen public holidays a year.

Most of the holidays are Chinese and celebrated according to the lunar calendar (each year the dates change).

Even during holidays all the restaurants, shops and other businesses stay open (with the exception of Chinese New Year). This means that you don’t have to worry about these public holidays interfering with your planned activities.

Here are some of the most celebrated holidays in Hong Kong:

Chinese New Year is the biggest and most popular holiday in Hong Kong.

It’s celebrated for three days! During this time tradition dictates that you settle debts, pay homage to your ancestors, seek advice from a fortuneteller and visit friends and family.

The streets and buildings of Hong Kong are beautifully decorated with lights. And the city overflows with good-luck flowers such as chrysanthemums.

Unless you would like to experience Chinese New Year, this is arguably the worst time to visit Hong Kong due to the large volumes of people.

Expect road closures, booked accommodation, busy streets and crowded transportation systems.

Hong Kong Arts Festival is a month-long celebration of various performances. Whether you’re a fan of opera, theater, dance, jazz, art or ethnic music, there’s something for everyone.

Cheng Chau Bun Festival is an event that lasts over a period of seven days. It is held each year to pay homage to restless spirits.

Tuen Ng Festival , or the dragon boat races, show long and narrow painted boats that can fit around 20 to 22 oarsmen that beat to a drum beat.

Wine and Dine Festival has street food vendors set up shop alongside the promenade and is an opportunity to try wine and local dishes from around the globe.

Food in Hong Kong

• French toast with a Hong Kong twist is the perfect comfort food. This is two pieces of bread with kaya jam or peanut butter that are dipped in egg batter and then fried in butter. It’s served with more butter and plenty of syrup.
• Ginger milk curd is a dessert that’s made by simmering sweetened milk and then adding freshly squeezed ginger juice. The ginger causes the milk to curdle and achieve a soft, thicker texture similar to pudding. It’s creamy with a little bit of a spicy kick.
• Sweet and sour pork is a signature dish of Hong Kong and it can be found everywhere from street vendors’ stalls to the menu of fine dining restaurants. It is by far a favorite comfort food of Hong Kong locals. The recipe of the Cantonese original “gu lo yuk” was made with preserved plums, vinegar, and hawthorn candy while now it’s made with coloring and ketchup.
• Cha siu baau is a steamed bun with pork meat filling. The softly steamed bun is filled with diced barbecued pork and rich brown barbecue sauce.
• Dim Sum is a classic Hong Kong treat. You can’t visit Hong Kong without eating dim sum at least once. It’s served in bamboo steamers and is meant to be shared. You must order the pork dumplings and prawn dumplings. Where better to try the dumplings then at Tim Ho Wan, the Michelin-awarded eatery known for its dim sum.

Travel Itineraries Suggestions for Hong Kong

Depending on how much time you have and want to spend when you visit Hong Kong, there are plenty of things to see and do.

We suggest a great 3-Day Hong Kong itinerary . But if you have more time, check out this weeklong itinerary.

Day 1-3: Kowloon

In the evening walk down the Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui in order to reach the Clock Tower .

Once you’re at the Clock Tower, take in the beautiful, neon skyline of Hong Kong with a fleet of ferries passing in front of it.

The markets in Mong Kok, the Temple Street Night Market near Jordan Road, are great stops during your nighttime Kowloon explorations.

There’s a lot to see during the day too.

Plan to visit the Innovation Tower, Nan Lian Garden, Kowloon Park, Chi Lin Nunnery.

Or if you wish to be more active, go on a long hike to the Lion Rock summit or on a short hike up to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery.

The really interesting museums to visit are the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Hong Kong Museum of History.

Try booking a Hong Kong sightseeing tour on your first day if you prefer to have someone else figure out the logistics.

Day 4-6: Hong Kong Island

On the next part of your trip go on the iconic Star Ferry ride to Central Pier, on Hong Kong Island.

The affordable journey offers spectacular views of both sides of the island and its impressive skyscrapers.

Once you’re done roaming around the Botanic Gardens, the Zoo and Aviary get the Hong Kong MTR to Tai Kao station.

There you will come across one of the iconic landmarks, the Yick Fat Building.

Have a bite at one of Hong Kong’s fantastic restaurants and then climb the Peak Tower.

After that head down to the Hollywood Road area to get a drink at the bars.

READ MORE: Check out our blog post about the time we went hiking and camping in Hong Kong for free!

Day 7: Lantau and the Big Buddha

Nearby the place where you boarded the Star Ferry to head to Kowloon is where you will get the ferry to Mui Wo on Lantau Island.

After your short ferry ride, you will get a bus to Ngong Ping which leads you to the Po Lin Monastery.

The Big Buddha at Po Lin Monastery is everything but calm as thousands of tourists walk up its steps every day.

The monastery itself is nice to visit and you can even go on the Wisdom Path.

Near the monastery, there’s a cute fishing village, Tai O.

It’s a perfect place to grab dinner at one of the local seafood restaurants and enjoy the sunset before getting to the ferry back to busy Hong Kong.

Day 8: Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland attracts crowds from all over the world!

But make sure to go early and during one of the weekdays to try and avoid big crowds.

It’s the smallest of all Disneylands but it’s still worth a visit. With its 7 themed lands, Mystic Point, Tomorrowland and Fantasyland you’ll have one enjoyable day!

As with other Disneylands, you can stay in the amusement park at their luxurious Disneyland Hotel if you would like.

A trip to Disneyland is perhaps the most fun day trip from Hong Kong !

Visa Requirements for Hong Kong

Most people can travel to Hong Kong without requiring a visa. Stays are permitted for anywhere between 7 to 180 days depending on your nationality.

To see whether you require a visa for entry as well as the length of stay you are permitted, be sure to check out this resource .

Note that if you wish to travel to the Chinese mainland from Hong Kong you will be required to have a Chinese visa in advance of your trip.

How to Get to Hong Kong

Hong Kong is incredibly well connected.

There are many cruise lines and over a hundred direct flights that link Hong Kong with the rest of the world.

The best and easiest way to get into Hong Kong is by plane.

The Hong Kong International Airport is a major international hub.

It’s the largest airport in Hong Kong and it operates 160 destinations with 95 airlines.

Direct flights can be long (from Chicago: 16 hrs, London: 12 hrs and Sydney: 9hrs), so consider paying for more legroom or a class upgrade.

If you wish to fly to Hong Kong from Europe, the US or Canada, you can get a direct flight from many of the major cities.

Flying from Australia or New Zealand to Hong Kong is even more affordable and direct.

Most connections to Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia are operated by Hong Kong’s own airline, Cathay Pacific.

The connection to cities all around Asia is served by Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Express and DragonAir.

The Hong Kong airport is located north of Lantau Island, around 32km from the city centre.

From the airport to the city you can take the Airport Express train that will take you to Hong Kong Island in just 24 minutes.

The fare for the Airport Express train is around USD$12.

The cheaper but also much slower option is to get on a city bus (operated by either Citybus or Long Win).

The tickets can be bought at the ticket counters at the airport in the arrivals hall.

The easiest, but more expensive option is to hail a cab.

It would take around thirty to fifty minutes (depending on what part of the city you’re travelling to) and the price would range from around USD$35 – $50.

If you’re travelling to Hong Kong from China, you can do so via the famous high-speed trains or the intercity trains.

This well-developed high-speed rail connects Hong Kong to 58 destinations in China.

There is a 26 km stretch that goes from Kowloon and connects travellers to the high-speed rail network.

This high-speed rail connection is called Guangzhou – Shenzhen – Hong Kong.

The slower, but regular and reliable, intercity train services connect Hong Kong to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong.

Hong Kong is famous for its maritime location and has the status of being one of the most valuable ports Asia Pacific region.

As such there are numerous opportunities to travel to Hong Kong via cruise ship or ferry.

The two most important cruise terminals are the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and Ocean Terminal.

Numerous ports in mainland China are linked to Hong Kong via high-speed ferry services.

These ferries run between Kowloon, Hong Kong Island and Hong Kong International Airport.

Travelling from China to Hong Kong is easy with bus services operating the five land crossings:

• Lok Ma Chau
• Sha Tau Kok
• Hong Kong–Zhuai–Macao Bridge
• Shenzhen Bay Port

Travel via a shuttle bus or a coach bus when taking the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge.

The coach bus operates between the urban parts of Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao in different areas of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Travel Tips

If you are planning to travel to Hong Kong you know it can be exciting and intimidating at the same time.

There is so much to see and do. The city is crowded. And Hong Kong is generally an expensive place to visit.

Of course, nobody plans to be sick or injured while travelling. But understanding the medical system and safety risks is an important part of the planning process!

Check out our tips below to help you understand what to expect in your budget as well as how to get around the city!

READ MORE: Check out the list of our best travel tips from over a decade on the road.

Budget for Travelling Hong Kong

Hong Kong is very expensive by anyone’s standards. This is especially true when you take into the costs of accommodation.

Backpacking Budget from USD$50 per person/day

The prices of one bed in an 8 person mixed dormitory start from USD$30 per night.

But staying in a hostel for that price is a very affordable option by Hong Kong standards.

If it’s YHA hostel then you can usually expect to have free WiFi, shared bathroom and air-conditioning.

For food, the cheapest you can come by is a microwave meal at corner stores such as 7-Eleven and Circle K. But even these are usually around USD$10 to $15.

At 7-Eleven they have microwaves onsite and they allow you to prepare your meal.

But you can save even more by eating street food. These meals will cost around USD$6.

The one day transport Octopus card (initial deposit is $50 HKD) + $100 HKD (stored value), would cost you around USD$20.

We recommend checking out this list of the best hostels in Hong Kong on Hostelworld to help you choose where to stay.

Midrange Budget from USD$120 per person/day

Staying in a single room at a budget three-star hotel will cost around USD$60 per night.

Eating at midrange local eateries would cost around USD$25 to $40 per meal.

There are a lot of affordable alternatives like Dim Sum cafes or Chinese Soup kitchens. But prices for food in Hong Kong are generally high.

In the evening if you wanted to go to one of the bars for drinks and live music, you could easily expect to spend around USD$60 per person for a few drinks and snacks.

Luxury Budget from USD$350 per person/day

With a little more to spend, you can expect more luxury and options.

A double bedroom in a luxury four-star or a boutique hotel costs around USD$200 per night.

Dinner at some of the finest establishments in Hong Kong would cost you around USD$100 per person.

For entertainment, you could go and see a Cantonese opera (tickets USD$25) or hire a private tour guide for a full day for $250 USD.

NOMADasaurus Tip: Use Agoda to book all your accommodation in Hong Kong, as they have the cheapest prices. You can also use the coupon code AGODANMD10 to get a further 10% off your hotels!

Transport in Hong Kong

There are a lot of places to see and things to do in Hong Kong. Unless you plan to take a taxi everywhere, you will definitively spend some time on public transport.

Getting an Octopus card is essential as it’s usable on the Mass Transit Railway (MTR), ferries, light rail and buses.

The card can be bought at any MTR station and easily topped as well in Circle K and 7-Eleven convenience stores.

You can use the octopus cards not just for transport but also as a means of payment for fast food restaurants, supermarkets and coffee chains.

The MTR is a rail system that consists of underground, overland and light rail services used by four million people daily.

The mass transit rail is clean (no drinking and eating onboard allowed), safe, fast, has air-conditioning and full cellphone coverage and is the easiest form of public transport.

It has nine lines operating through Hong Kong Island, the New Territories and Kowloon, the Airport Express, intercity trains (to Shanghai, Beijing and Guangdong) and light rail in Northwestern New Territories.

The most important line is the red line (Tsuen Wan Line) because it connects Central to Kowloon via tunnel and continues downwards to Tsuen Wan (in New Territories) via Nathan Road.

The blue line goes along the north coast of Hong Kong Island.

The orange line (Tung Chung Line) is the fastest way to Lantau but is also a cheap way to get to the airport (take the S1 shuttle bus from the MTR station ‘Tung Chung’).

All announcements are in Mandarin, Cantonese and English and the signs are also in both Chinese and English.

The staff usually speaks some English to help the occasional lost tourist.

The suburban rail is linked to two international borders with China on the East rail line: Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau.

The ticket price depends on the distance covered.

You cannot pay for tickets or passes with your credit card (excluding the Airport Express).

The MTR ticket machines usually don’t accept bills over HKD$10.

 A majority of the stops have ATMs and they have been increasing the number of toilets as well.

There are nine overland and underground train lines on which there are around ninety stations.

Trains run from 6 AM to between midnight and 1 M in intervals of 2 – 14 minutes.

The rush hour is 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM and 5 PM to 7 PM on weekdays.

The tickets are very cheap compared to other cities around the world (USD$0.65 to $4).

If you get caught eating, drinking or smoking on the train or at the station you can get fined for around USD$650!

The ‘ding dings’ (in Cantonese), or as we call them ‘city trams’ (double-deckers), are used all along the north coast of Hong Kong Island.

They have not only been an affordable transportation option but also a part of their history, as they’ve been operating for over a century.

When riding a tram expect a bumpy, slow ride with no air-conditioning on board.

The trams run from 6 AM to midnight.

Board at the Kennedy Town Terminus and make sure to get a good seat on the upper deck.

The tram will take you eastward and you’ll be able to get an amazing insight into the Hong Kong Island.

Pay attention to all aspects of city life, from its hectic streets, calm residential areas to Central’s sharp business and financial districts.

This tram has been opened back in 1888 and is a very steep 1.7 km route that takes you from Central up to Victoria Peak.

The price like the route taken is quite steep, USD$45 for a return ticket.

But it is worth the money and you can also pay extra to access the observation deck!

The Peak Tram is especially busy during evening hours as many people want to see Hong Kong’s magical skyline.

There are cheaper but slower options to reach the peak. You can get on a green minibus or the #15 double-decker bus.

They also offer views of both sides of Hong Kong Island.

By Light Rail

The light rail system is a more improved version of Hong Kong’s trams.

It differs from the trams in being faster, air-conditioned and modernized.

The light rail runs in Northwestern New Territories and operates from 5:30 AM to 1 AM.

Depending on the day of the week, time of day and line, they operate in intervals of 4 to 12 minutes.

This fast tram connects Tin Shui Wai, Tuen Mun and Yuen Long.

In Hong Kong, there are three types of buses that are operated by numerous companies.

These include the double-decker buses and two varieties of public light buses (red and green minibusses).

Busses are easy to use with the Octopus card. If you wish to travel to Lantau and on the south side of the island, they’re your only option.

Double Decker Buses

These buses operate all over the country, have frequent stops and ticket prices depend on the distance covered.

You can find all the information (ticket prices, where you board, estimated arrival, etc.) on the websites of bus companies or you can also download a mobile app.

Buses only stop by request (unless you’re at the terminus).

To stop an approaching bus, flag them down as if it was a taxi and board at the front.

Public Light Buses

The public light buses are van-sized and can transport up to 16 passengers.

There are two kinds: red minibusses (also referred to as ‘maxi cabs’) and green minibusses.

For tourists, it’s not easy to ride a minibus as you have to call out the name of the stop in Cantonese so your driver would know when to stop.

Green minibusses accept Octopus card (if you pay in cash they can’t give you change).

They have designated stops and have fixed fares.

While red minibusses pick up and drop off passengers wherever it’s requested and prices and destinations are displayed in Chinese only.

Some red buses accept Octopus cards (but if you pay in cash you will get change back).

Either way, expect the minibus drivers to drive faster than you’re accustomed to, especially in the evening hours.

The intervals in which the bus services run vary depending on the area.

Logically, if you’re in the city centre you can expect buses to run in intervals of under 10 minutes and in the more rural areas between 15 to 30 minutes.

There is an impressive fleet of ferries that operates between the islands of Hong Kong.

The most popular ferry is the Star Ferry which operates routes of Tsim Sha Tsui to Central and Wanchai.

It runs from 7 AM to 11 PM, and the ride across the harbour is only eleven minutes. But it doesn’t fail to impress with its views of the island!

The Star Ferry has carried the locals and travellers for over a hundred years and has, rightfully so, earned its title of being Hong Kong’s icon.

Taking a ride on this ferry is a must-do on every Hong Kong itinerary.

There are other ferry routes that depart from various ports and take you to Lantau, Lamma and other islands.

There are two types of ferries, fast and slow ones.

The fast ones charge double the price but travel time is significantly diminished.

Fast ferries don’t operate on all routes. So for some destinations, there aren’t both types of service.

If you’re going with a cheaper ferry, be prepared that it might not have to air-condition.

Ticket prices also increase up to 50% during public holidays and on Sundays.

Taxis are regulated and controlled strictly by the government.

Even though that’s the case, there will be occasional taxi drivers that will try to bargain with you. Just know that this is illegal.

Taxis are very affordable compared to larger cities worldwide.

There are three types of taxi: green, blue and red.

All of them serve Hong Kong Disneyland and the airport.

The red taxis (urban taxis) are the most expensive ones as they operate within Hong Kong (excluding south of Lantau).

The green taxis operate within the limits of the airport, Hong Kong Disneyland and the New Territories.

The blue taxis (Lantau) have the lowest tare as they only travel to the airport, Hong Kong Disneyland and Lantau Island.

Tipping is not obligatory but drivers like to round up the fare.

You get charged for baggage that goes in the trunk (USD$5 per bag) and any toll charges get added to your bill.

The best way to avoid being scammed by taxi drivers (if you speak no Chinese) is to use a mobile app to book your ride.

The advantages are clear, card payment, no need to call anyone, fair price and your ride is typically there within ten minutes.

Accommodation in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is among the most popular destinations in the world.

Thus booking in advance is a must – whether you’re staying at a luxury hotel or booking a bed in a dorm room.

You can stay at some of the best luxury hotels in the world, where a night could set you back several thousand dollars.

Or you can opt for more budget-friendly options such as guesthouses and hostels.

One of the perks of travelling to Hong Kong is the opportunity (if you can afford it) to stay at one of the famous city hotels.

Some of the hotels include historic and globally renowned venues, local brands and major international chains.

The majority of hotels are concentrated in Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island.

Many of them offer a room with a stunning view of the harbour.

More and more resort-type hotels are popping up in the Outlying Islands and in the New Territories.

Hong Kong’s five-star luxury hotels are known for the amazing views, excellent service, luxurious facilities and it’s where you will find the best restaurants.

You can choose from staying at some of their iconic landmarks (i.e., the Peninsula) to a flagship hotel from one of the major international hotel chains.

Chungking Mansions

Don’t let the ‘mansions’ part of the name fool you – if you are looking for the absolute cheapest hotel rooms in the centre of Hong Kong, this is the place to go.

This dilapidated building is home to a whole range of budget mini-hotels, with rooms usually around USD$40 per night.

The rooms are tiny though, barely big enough for a bed and small desk, and the showers are often directly over the toilet.

The building itself can feel slightly sketchy, and you’ll get all kinds of ‘interesting’ characters hanging out here at night.

But still, if you need somewhere cheap to stay, this is the place.

There’s also a whole range of cheap eateries on the bottom floor too, which can be surprisingly tasty.

Guesthouses

The guesthouses are typically comfortable, clean, have air-conditioning, individual bathrooms and are midrange budget accommodation.

To always be on the safe side, pay attention when booking that you’re going to be staying at a licensed guesthouse!

Hostels can be the most important type of accommodation for the majority of backpackers.

Hostels in Hong Kong tend to be clean and comfortable.

Most of them are in the New Territories near picturesque areas such as marine parks and hiking trails.

Because of Hong Kong’s amazing transportation system, getting into the city centre is never an issue!

There are youth hostels that are registered with the Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association and are more similar to a 3-star hotel than a hostel!

Safety in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the safest destinations in the world.

The police are efficient, polite and have a strong presence throughout the city.

The crime rates are very low – especially rates of violent crimes.

But do know that nowhere in the world is 100% safe.

When travelling through Hong Kong still use common sense to avoid becoming an easy mark.

There are still some common scams that are known to occur:

• Foreign currency exchange : Never exchange foreign money into currency as there is a good chance you will end up with fake money. Only exchange money in banks or in currency exchange offices.
• Fake goods : People on the streets will approach you and try to pass fake gold and fake jade bracelets as the real valuable goods. Again if anything is offered to you off the street don’t buy it. You will get scammed. If you wish to buy any valuable goods, only buy from reputable stores.

Our safety tips for travelling in Hong Kong are:

• Pay attention to when typhoons can be expected. If there is one, know what your next steps should be to ensure your safety.
• Do research on what are considered reputable taxi companies.
• Before you get into a taxi, text the registration to your loved ones or even call the reception desk at your hotel. Always sit in the back of the car.
• Always let your loved ones know your last known address (the place you’re staying at).
• Don’t go into what are known to be dodgy areas, especially at night!
• Keep your travel documents in a hotel’s safe and only have photocopies of your documents on you at all times.
• If you go drinking in the evening by yourself, be wary if anyone tries to join you and get all of your own drinks for yourself!
• Don’t carry all your cash with you. Leave some in the safe back in your hotel room.
• Wear a money belt!
• Save all the emergency numbers to your phone, which includes also hotel and taxi numbers (keep all that information written down in your notepad, in case your phone runs out of battery).

Medical System in Hong Kong

The standard of medical healthcare in Hong Kong is excellent but also very expensive.

The healthcare system is divided into private and public and there’s no overlap between the two.

There are many dentists, general physicians and specialists who speak English and can be found in the yellow pages, private hospital or your consulate.

If you don’t have money for a private clinic, go to one of the public hospital’s emergency room in your area and be prepared to wait.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call #999 and the ambulance will take you to a public hospital where you’ll be requested to pay a high fee.

If you can’t pay, you will still be treated but you’ll be billed at a later date.

Medical facilities on Hong Kong Island:

• Queen Mary Hospital (public and with emergency services)
• Ruttonjee Hospital (public)

Medical facilities in Kowloon:

• Hong Kong Baptist Hospital (private)
• Princess Margaret Hospital (public and with emergency services)
• Queen Elizabeth Hospital (public)

Medical facilities in New Territories:

• Prince of Wales Hospital (public)

There are pharmacies all over the city and there is almost always a certified pharmacist working.

A lot of medication can be bought without a prescription. But make sure to check that it’s a well-known brand and that it’s still in date.

If you make sure to collect all of your documentation, once you get to your home country, many of the private insurance companies will reimburse you.

When travelling it’s always of utmost importance to take out a comprehensive travelling insurance policy so you would be internationally covered to receive inpatient medical and some surgical treatments if needed.

Travel Insurance

While not a requirement to travel to Hong Kong, having travel insurance is one thing that we always recommend no matter where you are going.

It goes beyond just covering you for medical care. If your stuff gets stolen, flights are cancelled, you have to return home for an emergency, luggage is delayed, or any one of a hundred other things that can go wrong when you travel, insurance will have you covered.

Have a read of our ‘ Do I Need Travel Insurance ‘ article first before booking any trip abroad.

We recommend World Nomads. Use this form to get a free, no-obligation quote.

Packing List for Hong Kong

• 2x Long pants
• 5x T-shirts
• 3x Long-sleeved shirts
• 1x Sweatpants
• Undergarments
• 1x Rain jacket
• 1x Flip-flops
• 1x Comfortable sneakers
• 1x Dress shoes

Miscellaneous Items

• Power adapter
• Hand sanitizer
• Reusable water bottle
• Insect repellent
• Guide book and a map

Other Travel Tips for Hong Kong

• The “MTR” is referred to as the underground metro, while “Subway” usually refers to underground walkways.
• Download the taxi app , as it’s much easier to navigate the city. You don’t need to speak Chinese, you get a fair price and your car is picking you up within minutes.
• Carry an umbrella, especially in spring and summer. The weather can be very unpredictable! This is especially true if you’re visiting during the Typhoon season!
• Bring a Chinese phrasebook with you . A majority of residents in Hong Kong speak some English. But it’s always handy to have on you.
• Tipping is not expected, but it’s appreciated! Taxi drivers usually round up the price. In some restaurants, they automatically add 10% (but that’s always specified in the menu).
• Free museum entry every Wednesday . One way to save some money is by pushing your museum date to Wednesday. Some of the participants that offer free entry to all are the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Museum of History, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Hong Kong Racing Museum, Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum and the Hong Kong Space Museum.
• Avoid the MTR during peak hours, even thou the public transport is so perfectly organized and highly efficient, the crowds during peak hours can be hellish. The rush hours are from 7 AM – 9:30 AM and from 5 PM – 7 PM during the week. If possible avoid the major connecting stations (like Admiralty).

Read More of our Hong Kong Travel Blog Posts

The perfect itinerary for 3 days in hong kong (2024), 38 best places to visit in hong kong (2024 guide), hiking, beaches and free camping in hong kong.

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Hong kong tourism board, what you should know before travelling to hong kong.

Hong Kong is a vibrant city with much to explore, and it’s also easy to get around. Great deals are everywhere, and payment is hassle-free, making your trip even more enjoyable. Check out these tips to prepare for your visit and fully experience this bustling metropolis.

Table of Content

• Payment methods​
• Getting around​
• Electrical adaptors and voltage​
• Useful apps and tools​
• Travel, accommodation and dining deals​
• Contact us for advice​

1) How to pay in Hong Kong: cash, credit, Octopus, or mobile?

Most international credit cards, such as American Express, VISA, and MasterCard, are accepted at hotels, shops, and restaurants in Hong Kong. Some stores also accept mobile payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay. You can find out which payment methods are accepted by checking the signs displayed at the entrance or cash register.​

There are still some shops and restaurants in Hong Kong that only accept cash or Octopus cards, so it is recommended that you visit a currency exchange to obtain enough cash before venturing out. Alternatively, you can purchase or rent an  Octopus card , or  download the tourist version of the Octopus app  to your mobile phone. Using an Octopus card or app will not only make it easy for you to use public transportation, but also enable you to make purchases at convenience stores, supermarkets, and restaurants with just a simple tap.

2) Easy travel: getting around

One of the best parts about Hong Kong is how easy it is to travel to and within. It’s visa-free for many countries and it’s smooth sailing getting through the airport to start your Hong Kong adventure! Transportation in Hong Kong is efficient and affordable with multiple options for getting around this easily navigable city.

3) Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong’s weather is pleasant most of the time and doesn’t experience extremes, as its sub-tropical. It does get quite humid in summer and cool in winter, so pack accordingly for those swings.

4) Adaptors and voltage

Depending on where you’re coming from, you’ll likely need an electrical adaptor. Hong Kong uses the UK-style plug, which is three-pronged. Double-check the electrical voltage, as Hong Kong’s standard voltage is 220 volts AC at a frequency of 50Hz, which may differ from your home country.

5) Stay connected: apps, SIM, Wi-Fi

Staying connected and accessing the help you need have never been easier or faster. Tons of advice and helpful hints are available from  travel apps  and easily downloadable  guidebooks . Getting a local sim card and finding Wi-Fi hotspots are super simple in the city.

There are tons of deals available throughout Hong Kong, whether you’re searching for hot offers at swanky hotels or budget stays, or discounts for top attractions and culinary delights , Hong Kong is truly a world city with plenty to offer.

7) Expert advice: plan your trip with us

Looking for new attractions, upcoming events or recommendations? The Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Centres are a great and friendly place for personalised advice and tips.

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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.

Want to save money on accommodation?

We got you. For reals.

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!

Made it this far? You get 15% OFF to book a place to stay ! Offer valid exclusively for Broke Backpackers 😉

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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!

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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8 Things To Know Before Going To Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a captivating blend of East and West, where towering skyscrapers meet ancient temples, and bustling markets coexist with serene parks. Known for its stunning skyline, rich cultural heritage, and culinary delights , Hong Kong offers an unforgettable experience for every traveller. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned explorer, there are a few key things to remember to make the most of your trip. From understanding visa requirements and navigating the efficient public transportation system to respecting local customs and knowing the best times to visit, here are seven essential things you should know before embarking on your Hong Kong adventure.

Getting Around Hong Kong

Hong Kong offers a variety of transportation options, including taxis, ferries, trains, buses, and trams. The city's public transport system is highly efficient and provides convenient payment methods such as cash, Octopus Card, and e-Wallet. Additionally, travellers can use the HKeMobility app developed by Hong Kong's Transport Department to plan their journeys. This app offers information on transport routes, fares, journey times, arrival times, and real-time traffic conditions for MTR, buses, mini-buses, trams, ferries, and water taxis, making it easy to navigate the city using public transport.

Avoid The Crowds

In Hong Kong, a global financial hub, rush hours can be bustling and crowded. The morning rush begins at 7:30 a.m. and lasts until 9:30 a.m., while the evening rush extends from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., occurring every weekday. The streets are filled with people heading to and from work during these times, creating a vibrant but bustling atmosphere. Moreover, workers observe lunch hours between 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to take a break and rejuvenate before resuming work. To navigate the city efficiently, plan your travel outside these peak hours to avoid bustling crowds.

Mind Your Manners

Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The Hong Kong Tourism Board lays down several rules to follow. For instance, loud conversations, music, or videos in public areas are considered inconsiderate to others. When taking public transport, it is customary to let passengers off before you enter. To keep up with the fast pace, locals always prepare their ticket or Octopus card before they get to the barrier. Hong Kong is known for orderliness, embodied in locals’ respect for the queue. Not just for public transport, Hong Kong people queue up for ticketing counters, bathrooms, restaurants, the latest products, store openings, giveaways, and more. If others are on the same mission as you – join the queue. For your safety, please follow the traffic lights when crossing the road. Violating the traffic rules will result in a hefty fine.

Watch The Weather

Hong Kong is a fantastic destination to explore year-round, but remember that summer (June to August) can get quite hot and humid. While you may be inclined to pack mainly swimwear and sarongs, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, it's essential to be prepared for the chilly air-conditioning in Hong Kong's shopping malls, cinemas, and public transport. Remember to include some warm clothing in your suitcase. Stay updated on the weather as typhoon season lasts from May to November. Warnings for approaching typhoons are communicated through television and radio. On average, Hong Kong experiences about six mild typhoons a year, and if you visit during spring or summer, you might encounter one of them or even a thunderstorm.

Tech Things

Make sure to bring the necessary electrical adapters and be aware of the voltage differences. In Hong Kong, you'll need the UK-style three-pronged plug, and the standard voltage is 220 volts AC at a frequency of 50Hz. While free public WiFi is available for tourists, it comes with security risks. To stay safe and connected, we recommend purchasing an eSIM before your trip or downloading the Travel Hong Kong WiFi app to enjoy secure, reliable, and stable online access at various locations, including coffee shops, restaurants, payphone kiosks, convenience stores, malls, MTR stations, Airport Express stations, and trains.

In Hong Kong, most businesses accept credit cards, including American Express, Visa, and Mastercard. You can also use mobile payment platforms like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay. However, it's a good idea to carry some cash since certain markets and street food vendors may only accept cash or Octopus cards. It's best to exchange currency in advance or get an Octopus card for public transportation and purchases at stores and eateries.

Check Out The Deals

If you are here to shop, you should check out the abundance of deals throughout Hong Kong. They cater to all preferences—from luxurious hotel offers to budget-friendly stays, as well as discounts for top attractions and delightful dining experiences.

Visa Requirement For Indians

Indian nationals can enjoy a visa-free 14-day visit to Hong Kong upon successful completion of the Pre-arrival Registration (PAR) online. You can conveniently fill out the online application form at gov.hk/en/apps/immdindianparreg.html . Upon registration, get a printout of the Notification Slip for Pre-Arrival Registration, which must be presented alongside your passport when travelling to Hong Kong or during immigration clearance upon arrival. Typically, the Pre-Arrival Registration is valid for a period of six months or until the linked Indian passport expires, depending on which comes earlier.

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7 Day Hong Kong Travel Itinerary – Food, Culture and Adventure

Last Updated August 22, 2024 William Tang

You are here: Home » Travel Itineraries » 7 Day Hong Kong Travel Itinerary – Food, Culture and Adventure

Hong Kong is Asia’s World City but more than that, it’s an open kitchen, has a legendary skyline, and is filled with vibrant traditions, unexpected lush greenery and ancient volcanoes. You think you know the city, but until you’ve seen our Hong Kong travel itinerary, you’ll realize that there’s so much that you haven’t seen.

In 7 days, we cover all the essential details you need to build your own epic trip to Hong Kong. Let’s jump right in!

What You’ll Get Out of This Itinerary

• Day-by-day breakdown that covers how to build a 7 day itinerary of Hong Kong.
• Important details about major attractions including where to buy tickets, directions, best days to go, and more.
• Interactive Google Map of all locations on the itinerary.
• Access to the get the itinerary spreadsheet.

In This Article

Journey leading to hong kong, who this hong kong itinerary is for, how to use this hong kong itinerary, itinerary day 1 – iconic red junk boat, itinerary day 2 – discover peng chau island, itinerary day 3 – rising to the peak, itinerary day 4 – hanging in causeway bay, itinerary day 5 – the center of art and culture in west kowloon, itinerary day 6 – hike to kowloon peak, itinerary day 7 – stand amongst ancient rock columns, map of hong kong itinerary, 1 – octopus does it all, 2 – organize your itinerary by neighborhoods, 3 – credit card is accepted (almost) everywhere, 4 – download these apps before you go, 5 – it’s hot but they pump the ac.

• Where To Stay in Hong Kong

How Much Did This Trip Cost

Hong kong planning essentials, what we missed in hong kong, hong kong is full of surprises, frequently asked questions, read more hong kong content, best place to book hotels in hong kong, travel resources for your next trip, hong kong trip planning.

This trip to Hong Kong was certainly a unique one for me because half of it was with my parents who and the other half on my own. This was the last leg of their Asia tour before flying home to Canada and I was accompanying them and playing a bit of tour guide as well.

When putting together the itinerary, I wanted to show them the an authentic side to Hong Kong and be able to do it independently because they’re so used to seeing Asia through the lens of a bus tour.

As someone that’s been to Hong Kong before, it’s also worth noting that we didn’t feel as much FOMO about doing absolutely every single touristy spot in the city. In some ways, this was much more liberating because we could go a bit off-the-beaten-path.

While this itinerary is certainly perfect for first-timers, with a week to work with, it gave us some latitude to incorporate a few unique locations that often don’t make their way to most Hong Kong trips.

• Seeking local eats – This itinerary almost exclusively focuses on local street eats. If you enjoy trying authentic Hong Kong cuisine, you’re going to be a happy camper.
• Enjoy the natural outdoors – Easily overlooked are Hong Kong’s bounty of outdoor experiences. If you love hiking, you’ll love how Hong Kong’s Green Outdoors are incorporated.
• Want to see the popular sights – We still make sure that you get to see and do many of Hong Kong’s icons.
• You’re a first timer but want to go deeper – Ultimately, we feel that this itinerary is a balanced mix of the classics with opportunities to delve into Hong Kong’s art, cultural, foodie, and hiking-scene that are normally skipped.

As with all of our itineraries , we do our best to make these as helpful as possible. Instead of making you jump between a lot of different websites which forces you to assemble it, we put as much detail in our day-by-day breakdown.

With this Hong Kong travel itinerary, we have special call out boxes called “What you need to know” which have deep insight from our personal experiences. We also have summaries of each day and an interactive trip map that you can take away to use as well.

Before you go, make sure to sign up to get access to our pre-made spreadsheet of this exact trip, a tool we swear by for our trip planning process .

Lastly, feel like we missed something or want ideas for other things you can swap in? We have you covered with our What We Missed in Hong Kong section.

📚 Hong Kong Mini Guide 📚

Trip Planning Map

🏨 Best Hotels – Page148 • Ramada Hong Kong Grand View • The Emperor Hotel • Rosedale Hotel Hong Kong • The Perkin Hotel • More awesome Hong Kong hotels

🏠 Vacation Rentals – Browse top rentals in Hong Kong

🍴 Where To Eat – Hing Kee Restaurant , Oi Man Sang , Shek Kee Wonton Noodles

🎟️ Best Places To Visit – Victoria Peak, West Kowloon Cultural District, Causeway Bay, Tai Kwun, Ladies Market, Peng Chau Island, Kowloon Peak, Hong Kong GeoPark.

⭐️ Must Do Activities – Ride The Peak Tram, hike to Kowloon Peak, hop on the Star Ferry, get the near-free tour of Hong Kong Island on a ding-ding, and cruise in the iconic red junk boat .

7-Day Hong Kong Travel Itinerary

Even as a transit day into Hong Kong, you’re going to make the most of it immediately after you touch down. Get ready to say “Hello Hong Kong”!

Arrive in Hong Kong

The arrival procedure at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is pretty straightforward. The only things you will encounter are:

• They do random temperature checks on arrival into the terminal where a staff has a handheld temperature meter. In my case, I was asked to take off my hat.
• You need to fill out an Arrival Card which you may or may not receive on the plane. If you didn’t, there’s a counter at customs which will allow you to grab one and fill it out. There’s no digital app or form at the moment.
• In between the luggage carousel area and the arrival hall, you’ll find a Hong Kong Tourism Board desk . They run promotions from time to time and it’s definitely worth lining up to get their freebies or vouchers.

The Octopus Card is KEY

TRAVEL TIP:  In Hong Kong it’s pretty much mandatory to have an  Octopus Card . Like the Suica or PASMO Card in Japan, it just makes it so much easier to tap to use the MTR, ferry, tramways, the Peak Tram, and to even pay for things. You can pre-book your Tourist Octopus Card  that’s already loaded with HK$50 and pick it up at the airport. These aren’t rental cards so you can keep them as a souvenir.

Once you get your Octopus Card sorted, you’ll need a way to get into the city. One of the fastest and most convenient ways to do this is to take the Airport Express train.

While you can definitely use your Octopus Card to pay, the important tip is that if you are a group of 2 or more , you’ll want to buy their group tickets because they are cheaper. Alternatively, you can also buy tickets in advance to save some time.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

We’ll focus on getting from the airport to the city but we’ll add some details that are important for those that are taking Airport Express when leaving Hong Kong.

Location: Connected to the arrivals hall of Hong Kong International Airport is the Airport Express station. It’s on the same level and doesn’t require taking any escalators or elevators. Airport Express has 5 stations in the line going from west to east.

• AsiaWorld-Expo – This is actually before the airport so most people won’t be going here.
• Airport – This is where you’ll get on.
• Tsing Yi – This is a small urban island and mostly residential.
• Kowloon – This connects with the MTR station of the same name. The only problem with this station is that it doesn’t have an easy connection if you want to go to other parts of Kowloon such as Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, and Mong Kok by MTR.
• Hong Kong – This is the end of the line and right below MTR Hong Kong Station which is also connected with MTR Central Station.
• Frequency – Varies throughout different parts of the day but during prime time, it’s roughly ever 50 minutes so it’s worth checking the airport express schedule .
• Schedule from airport – First train at 5:54AM and last train at 12:48AM.
• Schedule from Hong Kong station – First train at 5:53 AM and last train at 12:52AM.
• Duration – 24 minutes to Hong Kong Station and 22 minutes to Kowloon station.

Price: The airport express fare table has the most up-to-date pricing but there are a few things you want to pay attention to.

• Paying by Octopus Card is cheaper than buying a single-use ticket (what they call a Smart Ticket)
• Single journey and same day return tickets are the same price. This is useful for those that are doing a connection through Hong Kong but have many hours to spare and want to go into the city.
• If you’re taking Airport Express and interchange to the MTR (subway), this is free. This only works if you use the Octopus Card to ride the Airport Express.
• IMPORTANT – Not well advertised is that there are significant savings for group tickets. If you’re travelling in groups of 2, 3, or 4, it’s cheaper to buy these Smart Tickets instead of using your Octopus Card.

In-Town Check-in Service: This is more for the reverse journey but Airport Express has special counters at Hong Kong Station and is a handy service they offer where you can get your boarding pass and check-in your luggage ahead of time. There are some caveats though:

• To enter the In-Town Check-in Service area, you need a valid Airport Express ticket which you scan to get in.
• Currently, this service is only offered to flights operated by Cathay Pacific (cannot be a codeshare flight with another airline).
• You can actually check-in here a full day in advance and up to 90 minutes before the scheduled departure time (during service hours). Exception are US destinations where check-in can only start 24 hours before scheduled flight departure time.
• We wouldn’t recommend you do this the day before your flight though as you’d need two Airport Express tickets. That said, this is handy for those that want to drop off their bags early in the morning if your flight is later in the day and still want to spend the day to explore.
• Check-in bags are limited to 145cm (length) x 100cm (width) x 85cm (height) and weight of 70kg.
• Service hours are 6AM to 11PM.
• After you complete the check-in, you leave the In-Town Check-in Service gated area and take the elevator down to train-level where you’ll tap your Airport Express ticket again.

Hotel Shuttle Service: Complimentary shuttles are offered from Hong Kong Station and Kowloon Station. These are buses that go to specific hotels and have their own specific schedule . You don’t necessarily need to hold a reservation at one of these hotels to take them.

Alternatives to Airport Express: If you’re looking for a cheaper, private, or more frequent way to get into the city, there are other options.

• Public buses – If you’re going to Tsim Sha Tsui, take Citybus A25 (HK$40.8, every 30 minutes) or Citybus A21 (HK$34.6, every 15 minutes). If you’re trying to get to the Hong Kong Island side (Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, and North Point), take Citybus A11 (HK$41.9).
• Taxis – Fares are metered. Take a red taxi if you’re headed to Hong Kong Island or Kowloon, green taxi if you’re going to the New Territories, and blue taxi for Lantau Island. As a guideline , the fare from the airport to Tsim Sha Tsui is around HK$265 and to Central is HK$335.
• Uber – Uber works in Hong Kong but the consensus for most is that the standard taxi is better because they know the roads inside out and their pricing is the same as Uber or cheaper.
• Private transfer – If you’re traveling in a large group, this might make more sense and brings you straight to your hotel. You can find great prices for transfers on Klook .

Booking: You can book online directly with Airport Express. You can also book tickets in advance with Klook, saving you $1-$2 in the process. You can also book tickets through Viator .

Website: Hong Kong Airport Express

• Are seats assigned on the Airport Express? No, the train is first-come-first-serve. You’ll find that the train doesn’t get very full so it is not competitive.
• Is there a place for luggage on Airport Express? In each car there are 4 luggage racks like the one depicted above which is plenty of space and ensures they don’t move around.
• The hotel shuttle service is a sneaky way to get closer to where you want to be if it works out.
• If you need to charge your devices, outlets are available only on the first and last car of the train. Free wifi-service is available throughout.
• Hong Kong’s Transportation Department developed an app called HKeMobility that is meant to be an all-in-one travel app for the city. Download it ( iOS / Android ) before you go.

You’ll be lugging around your bags so once you hop out of Airport Express, connect with the MTR to get to your closest subway station.

In our case, since we stayed at Page148 , MTR Jordan Station was the closest and we walked the rest of the way. It was too early to check-in so we left our bags with the front desk.

Classic lunch at Australia Dairy Company

No matter whether you arrive in Hong Kong in the morning or afternoon, start your trip right by heading to a legendary HK-style cafe, Australia Dairy Company .

These types of cafes are distinctly a part of the fabric of Hong Kong cuisine and known as cha chaan teng . You can think of these as an equivalent to an American diner except they’re a fusion of east and west that developed from British influence.

If you see a long queue outside, don’t worry, the turnover is insanely fast so you’ll get a table in no time. Of course, with that, you’ll likely be sharing a table with another group, they’ll hustle you for your order, and when the food arrives, you eat and go.

It’s a chaotic scene but you’ll love how it gives you glimpse into Hong Kong’s fast-paced lifestyle.

When you’re here, make sure to order their steamed milk pudding, HK-style French toast, milk tea, and egg sandwich.

Explore Ladies Market and Goldfish Market

Next, make your way to Ladies Market , a 1 kilometer stretch, covering 4 blocks, and consists of stalls selling all sorts of knickknacks geared towards tourists. It’s an open-air market that has a liveliness to it that is always welcome.

Here, you’ll find everything from magnets, t-shirts, bobble-heads, jewelry, phone cases, handbags, socks, knockoffs, and more.

Just north of the market is the Goldfish Market on Tung Choi Street. You’re probably not buying any luck-bringing goldfish on your trip, but you get to peer into the window of where locals go to buy pets.

At this point, your room should be ready so head back to the hotel to get organized.

Enjoy the iconic aqualuna Harbour Cruise

You’re in for a treat! On our first few visits to Hong Kong, the classic thing to do is to head out to watch the sparkling night lights from Kowloon Pier and we’d always see this beautiful classic Chinese boat sailing through. I thought, “now that has to be the best way to see Hong Kong!” – I was right!

So turns out, one of the main operators is aqualuna where they own two iconic red sail junk boats . The best time to do their cruise is around sunset where they do a 45 minute loop around Victoria Harbour, giving you ample time to sip on a glass of wine while enjoying the illuminated skyline on both Kowloon-side and Hong Kong Island.

There are a few companies that have the red sail junk boat for their harbour cruise but the one we recommend is aqualuna .

Closest MTR Station: MTR Hong Kong Station or MTR Central Station

Location: One of the advantages of aqualuna is that they do pick ups and drop offs from both sides of Victoria Harbour.

• Tsim Sha Tsui Pier 1 – First pick up and drop off point.
• Central Ferry Pier 9 – Second pick up and drop off point.
• Cruises operate year-round.
• Departures on the 30 minute – These bring you back to your point of departure
• Departures on the 45 minute – These bring you across the harbor when they drop you off.
• TST departure – 4:45PM, 5:30PM, 5:45PM, 6:30PM, 6:45PM, 7:30PM, 7:45PM, 8:30PM, 8:45PM
• Central departure – 4:30PM, 5:30PM, 5:45PM, 6:30PM, 6:45PM, 7:30PM, 7:45PM, 8:30PM, 8:45PM
• Note that the 7:30PM and 7:4PM departures are the special Symphony of Lights Cruise which is more expensive.
• The schedule is subject to change with the availability of both ships and if any of them are booked for private events.
• Cruise duration – 45 minutes if dropping you off on the other side, 60 minutes if you do a return trip.
• Adults – HK$270
• Child (4-11) – HK$170
• Child under 4 – Free
• Drink list – House white or red wine, Prosecco, beer, juices, Sundowner mocktail, soft drinks, and still or sparkling water.
• You can upgrade to a Mini Moët Impérial 20cl for HK$150

Booking: Advanced bookings are required as there are no ticket booths at either pick up location. You can reserve directly with aqualuna but we found that booking through either Viator or Klook come with the advantage of having quicker customer service.

Website: aqualuna

• How early do I need to arrive for my harbor cruise? It’s recommended to arrive at your pier at least 15 minutes in advance.
• Are seats assigned on the boat? Guests are free to choose where they want to sit. This means that it is first-come-first-serve.
• To get to Central Ferry Pier 9 from the MTR, you’ll want to get onto the elevated pedestrian walkway that connects to all the skyscrapers here. If you get onto street level, look for the escalator up to the walkway. Follow the signs to the Central Ferry Pier.
• Make sure to check the Hong Kong sunset times for the date that you’re interested in so you can select the right cruise time. For instance, if the sunset time is 6:45PM, ideally choose the 6:30PM sailing so you can catch the sunset and the night skyline view.
• Since seating is first-come-first-serve, if you want to guarantee a specific spot on the junk boat, we recommend that you board from the Tsim Sha Tsui Pier and show up early to start the queue.
• The advantage of starting in Tsim Sha Tsui is that you’ll board the boat first, and you’ll have an additional 15 minutes of cruise time.
• The advantage of starting in Central is that you effectively get a free harbour crossing as you’ll start off on the Hong Kong-side and end up on the Kowloon-side
• If you look at the aqualuna site , their timetable is honestly confusing and contradictory but this is because things work different between low season and high season. In low season, it’s straightforward with pick ups only in Tsim Sha Tsui, followed by Central, and everyone dropped off back at Tsim Sha Tsui. During high season, the starting point is different.
• It gets a fair bit chillier after sunset so we recommend bringing a light jacket , shawl, or cardigan in case you get cold.

Walk amongst the stars

After disembarking in TST, check out the Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower and walk to newly revitalized Avenue of the Stars where you’ll see hand-print plaques of famous Chinese stars on the railing and the famed statue of Bruce Lee .

Slurp a hearty bowl of wontons

As you’ll learn throughout this trip to Hong Kong, to experience authentic local eats, you have to find the hole-in-the-wall joints that are frequented by the very people that live there.

Since you’re already in TST, head over to Shek Kee Wonton Noodles . You won’t see a single lick of English on the outside but on the inside is one of the best places in the city to have a bowl of wonton noodles.

The multi-language menu will be overwhelming to go through but I’ll make it easy for you, get the “Wonton, Fish Ball & Beef with Noodle”. That’s what you see above and it is a winner.

Day 1 Summary

What you’ll see & do:

• Ladies Market
• Goldfish Market
• aqualuna Harbour Cruise
• Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower
• Avenue of the Stars

Where you’ll eat:

• Lunch – Australia Dairy Company – HK-style cafe that specializing in steamed milk pudding and scrabbled egg sandwiches but expect all of the Hong Kong classics like milk tea, French toast, macaroni soup, spaghetti, and congee. They have English menus and are cash-only .
• Dinner – Shek Kee Wonton Noodles – A no-frills wonton noodles shop in TST that locals love to frequent because they have generously-sized wontons, noodles are cooked al-dente, their chili sauce is excellent, and it’s incredibly affordable. They have English menus and are cash-only . Michelin Bib Gourmand recommended .

Where you’ll stay:

• Page148 ( Agoda / Booking ) – This is a boutique hotel that has a modern sensibility to it.  It features plenty of sleek lines, a nice blend of textures, and plenty of minimalism. Their lobby has a spacious in-house cafe with plenty of table space. The front desk staff are very friendly and accommodating. We stayed in the Signature Greenery room which has a comfortable queen bed and as a corner unit, it has views of the cricket club, Kowloon skyscrapers and the silhouette of the mountains. It’s a bit of a pricier option but you can’t go wrong .

Hong Kong is made up of many small islands and this is personally something we make sure we do every time we visit. For day two, you’ll go on an adventure to see a completely different side to the metropolis that you saw on your first day.

Ride the ferry to Peng Chau

Peng Chau means ‘flat island’ and ironically is crescent-shaped and is more hilly than it is flat. In the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), industry thrived here with over 100 factories, including the largest match factory in Southeast Asia.

Today, Peng Chau is a peaceful retreat that gives a taste of authentic village life, hideaway beaches, easy hiking trails, panoramic viewpoints, and soothing sea breezes .

To get to the outlying island of Peng Chau is quite easy. From Central Ferry Pier 6 , there is a ferry run by Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry (HKKF) and will whisk you away in 40 minutes with the ordinary-speed catamaran ship.

Closest MTR Station: MTR Central Station

Location: The ferry departs from Central Ferry Pier Number 6.

• Duration – The ordinary ferry is 40 minutes and the fast ferry is 25-30 minutes.
• Timetable – Make sure to visit the official page for the most up-to-date schedule.

Price: The below are the fares for each direction. There are no discounts for round trips.

To pay, the easiest way is to simply tap your Octopus Card. Alternatively, you can also look for this ticket booth to the left of the pier to buy a ticket with cash or card.

The above are the current prices but are subject to change. Check the HKKF page for the up-to-date rates.

Booking: You can’t book this online. It’s first-come-first-serve but generally the boat does not fill up to capacity. Advanced tickets also cannot be purchased. Tickets purchased are for the upcoming sailing so you can’t pay ahead of time to guarantee a spot.

Website: Central to Peng Chau Ferry

• How early in advance should you get to the ferry? This is not usually a very busy ferry so we recommend getting to the pier 20 minutes ahead of departure to start lining up early.
• When does boarding start for the ferry? Typically, they start letting passengers on 8-10 minutes ahead of departure.
• Will I get sea sick on the ferry? The catamaran ships used for the ferry are very stable and since the waters are quite calm on a normal day, chances of feeling sea sick are very low.

• The easiest way to get to Central Ferry Pier is to pop out of Central MTR station and get on the elevated walkway. This walkway connects with many of the high rises in the area and also takes you straight out to the pier area. Pay attention to the signs in English that direct you to Piers 2 to 6 that go to the Outlying Islands.
• Since using your Octopus Card is the easiest way to pay for the ferry, make sure yours is topped up before your day trip to Peng Chau island.
• The ferry has two levels. We recommend getting a seat on the upper deck which has better views. This is still covered with rows of leather seats. If you go all the way to the back, the door opens to the only part of the ship that is open-air. There are limited seats out here but we found that these are usually less popular.

See the many temples of Peng Chau

Once you arrive on the island, you’ll see the customary “Welcome to Peng Chau” sign. You can find these at all of the outlying islands including Lamma Island and Cheung Chau.

The ferry pier is right next to the central part of the island. If you’re hungry, you can go to Kee Sum Cafe to try their famous prawn toast.

It’s also here where you’ll find Tin Hau Temple . This is a popular name for a temple because of Tin Hau Goddess, so you’ll see these all over Hong Kong. Temples in Hong Kong are free to visit so don’t be shy and make sure to go inside to see all of the spiral incense hung from above. Most people come to pray for good fortune at sea and their safety.

A short walk away is Kam Fa Temple or Golden Flower Shrine. I personally love this one because of the twin dragon pillars that flank each side. This temple is right next to an old banyan tree and many people come to worship Kam Fa Goddess because she’s known to make wishes come true.

Continue along the western shoreline, you’ll pass by Seven Sisters Temple . This is a collection of temples that are dedicated to seven deities that couples will come visit to pray for fertility.

From here, you’ll see a bridge that connects to a lone islet. This is Tai Lei Island , a popular spot for fishermen, but is also quite photogenic thanks to the large ‘Turtle Rock’ that juts out into the water.

Walk the Peng Yu Path

At this point, the Peng Yu Path begins. This is a walking trail that covers the northern part of the island. Along the way, you’ll pass by several secluded beaches.

The main highlight of this path are Snoopy Rock and Old Fisherman’s Rock that stand precariously on different parts an island that’s connected by sand.

Along the path are several pavilions offering a place to sit and get under the shade. Continue along Peng Chau Family Walk which completes the northern crescent and drops you into Tung Wan Beach , the largest of all beaches.

Along the beach is Lung Mo Temple , decorated by gold on the inside, and is famous for the goddess, Lung Mo’s statue and her Dragon Bed. Many is said about it but apparently if you touch it, you’ll be bestowed good luck.

Take a break at Hoho Kitchen

Back in the center of the island, this is the perfect time to take your lunch break. We highly recommend you eat at Hoho Kitchen on Wing On Street. They serve many of the classic Hong Kong dishes, alongside their Insta-famous pineapple bun ice cream sandwich.

When done, take your time to wander the local village streets, check out the traditional Chinese architecture, and pick up some snacks and drinks for your afternoon walk.

Make sure to also seek out the Fook Yuen Leather Factory , a historic building that’s been transformed into a creative art installation made of recycled materials.

Complete the Peng Chau Family Trail

From the center of town, start your walk on the Peng Chau Family Trail which will take you up to Finger Hill, the highest point on the island.

On your way, you’ll have 355 steps laid out in front of you so take your time, take breaks, and don’t forget to look back down for some awesome views.

At the very top of Finger Hill is a pavilion where you’ll no doubt want to cool off a bit with the shaded breeze as you take in the views.

Next, take a flight of stairs down to Ngan Chai Tsai Pavilion , which arguably has the better view, facing east and points directly at Hong Kong and the skyscrapers that surround Victoria Harbour.

Round out your day on Peng Chau by following the path to a lower viewing platform and beach that has looks at Ngan Chau Island , another that resembles a turtle. Get back on the paved road and pass by an old pier, another beach, and finally to Nam Wan (South Beach).

A short distance along the seaside promenade and you’ll be back to the Peng Chau ferry pier . If you want, you can grab a quick bite at A Noy Bakery or Island Table Grocer Cafe .

If you’re getting lost by all the names, the key is to just have all of the pins marked on your map so you can follow the path from one spot to the next.

Catch the ferry back to Central Ferry Pier 6 and watch a brilliant sunset cash its glow on the silhouette of islands.

Unmissable is the giant ferris wheel that’s staring right at you. This is the Hong Kong Observation Wheel which is part of the AIA Vitality Park .

While you’d assume that it’d cost an arm and a leg to ride the ferris wheel, think again! Tickets only costs HK$20 for adults (less than $3 USD) so there’s almost no reason to not buy your tickets in advance .

If you’re lucky, be on the lookout for the Mister Softee ice cream truck or listen for the Blue Danube jingle. They’re a childhood favourite and is still so good.

Enjoy delicious claypot rice dish

Another beloved Hong Kong street food classic is claypot rice . This is where the crackle and crunch of rice from the baked rice is topped with a mix of meat, seafood, and vegetables, then you stir in the sweet soy sauce.

Running for over 30 years, Hing Kee Claypot Rice Restaurant has become so popular that they’ve had to scoop up multiple storefronts to keep up with demand. Even though you’ll see branches across two streets, there’s still a line to get a table.

There are literally 60+ variations of claypot rice so you might be overloaded with choice. Sometimes, the simplest combos are the best so I’d stick to spare ribs with Chinese sausage or chicken with Chinese sausage.

Beyond claypot rice, make sure to try other dishes like razor clams and deep fried oyster pancakes.

Take in the Temple Street Night Market

To close out the night, walk down from Hing Kee and enter the main gates of Temple Street Market . This is a lively area that’s kept much of its original character. It’s a bit rough around the edges but is certainly eye-opening.

The main stretch is dominated by many of the same type of shops you’ll find at Ladies Market, but surrounding it are also an eclectic mix of fortune-tellers, open-air karaoke, street food, and possibly prostitutes lurking in the shadows.

Day 2 Summary

• Tin Hau Temple
• Kam Fa Temple
• Seven Sisters Temple
• Tai Lei Island
• Peng Yu Path
• Tung Wan Beach
• Lung Mo Temple
• Fook Yuen Leather Factory
• Peng Chau Family Trail
• Tai Wo Pier
• Nam Wan Pier
• Hong Kong Observation Wheel
• Breakfast – Page148 or Kee Sum Cafe – If breakfast is included, you have the option to eat at your hotel or you can eat once you arrive on Peng Chau Island. This cafe is a staple on the island and is best known for its prawn toast and pork chop sandwich. They are closed on Mondays.
• Lunch – Hoho Kitchen – A classic HK-style cafe that also happens to make a killer ice cream sandwich where they use a pineapple bun instead. They are closed on Thursdays.
• Snack – Island Table Grocer Cafe and A Noy Bakery – Both of these are great options if you want a later afternoon pick-me-up before you hop on the ferry. A Noy Bakery is closed on Mondays.
• Snack – Mister Softee – Vintage icon ice cream truck that has been around since the 1970s.   They specialize in milk-flavored soft-serve.
• Dinner – Hing Kee Claypot Rice Restaurant – One of the go-to restaurants to have claypot rice on Temple Street. Heads up, don’t get this mixed up with “Hing Kee Restaurant” as they are not the same.
• Page148 ( Agoda / Booking ) – We do a deeper dive in our Where To Stay in Hong Kong section of the article.

Best Restaurants in Hong Kong

It’s impossible to eat at all of them but you should at least try! Many of them are featured in this itinerary but there are many more. Make sure to read our guide to find out where else you’d like to eat.

Next on your travel itinerary is a day filled with many of the Hong Kong classics – the kind that you’d feel the FOMO if you didn’t do, and if you’ve done it before, it’s the kind of place that you never mind being reacquainted with.

Experience authentic dim sum

Start off your morning by venturing out to the most western stop on MTR’s Island Line, Kennedy Town. You’ve made it all this way to eat at Sun Hing Restaurant , a dim sum specialist that opens as early as 3AM.

This might be one of the most raw forms of dining you’ll have on this trip and that’s precisely why you’ll love it. Nobody really speaks English here, you’ll most definitely have to share a table, and the plastic stools aren’t the most comfortable, but the dim sum makes it all worth it.

I’d say the chaos here surpasses what you’ll experience at Australia Dairy Company. Dishes come out of nowhere and sometimes they don’t come at all. Once you’re done eating, you’ll feel the darting glares from those that are standing at the entrance, so it’s best to be quick about it.

TIP: Despite providing a order sheet that’s completely in Chinese, you quickly learn that it doesn’t go anywhere. If the wait-staff remember what you ordered, they’ll bring it over but if they don’t, nothing will ever come. The best way to get what you want is to just point at dishes when they come out. If you’re having trouble, there is an English translation of the menu on the wall with pictures.

Take in the atmospheric Man Mo Temple

Next, pop out of MTR Sheung Wan Station and pass through Upper Lascar Row , an antique street market that’s always fascinating to browse through.

Once you pass through the market, the picturesque temple, Man Mo Temple , will come into view.  This temple pays tribute to the God of Literature and the God of War, so this is the place locals would come if they wanted to ace an upcoming exam or solve conflicts.

The most striking feature when you walk inside the main temple are the wafts of smoke coming from the spirals of incense suspended from the roof.  You’ll also see wood carvings, golden deities, murals, and lanterns.

Before you leave, make sure to also pop into the adjoining temple next door which is a separate place of worship for other Buddhist and Taoist deities.

Go on a walking tour of Hong Kong Island

One of the things I love doing is just walking from Man Mo Temple towards Central. This part of the city is always more peaceful and filled so many different boutique shops, murals, and a look into the daily comings and goings of locals on the Hong Kong Island.

A few stops along the way we recommend are:

• Kung Lee Sugar Cane Drink – They make fresh sugar cane juice and herbal jelly which are very refreshing on a hot day.
• Graham Street Mural – There’s a section of the sloping street that has a painted mural depicting tightly packed homes set in a vibrant blue sky.

See the old and new of Tai Kwun

You’ll eventually come across a cluster of British colonial buildings amidst towering skyscrapers. This is Tai Kwun , a redeveloped area that combines the old with the new.

This was once a compound consisting of a police station, central magistracy and prison. Undergoing a massive transformation, it’s now a museum, cultural hub, space for art, and simply a really cool place to hang out with its open spaces, cafes, and restaurants.

As a visitor, they do an excellent job at showing how the police operated here back then since it was established in 1841, and you’ll get to walk in various blocks of the Victoria Prison that was fully functioning up to 2006.

There are also two museums called the JC Contemporary and JC Cube , both are spaces for exhibition and performing arts. JC Contemporary art gallery is free to enter and in addition to their incredibly photogenic spiral staircase, they host a constant flow of new art exhibitions.

In our case, we weren’t feeling too hungry after all of that dim sum but if you’re looking for a lunch spot, we scoped out Central Market inside a revitalized historic building and has a food court-style hall where you’ll have plenty to choose from.

Enjoy the panoramic view of Hong Kong from The Peak

Your walk will continue along a lush green respite through Lower Albert Road until you reach the lower terminus of the Peak Tram . This is perhaps one of the three most iconic modes of transportation in Hong Kong.

This funicular railway has been bringing visitors up to “The Peak” since 1888. Thanks to the large panes of glass on its current generation of tram cars, you’ll see the urban apartments fade to greenery and occasional peeks at the impressive array of skyscrapers.

We’ll be focusing on The Peak Tram but we’ll also provide options for those that want to take the bus or hike.

Closest MTR Station: MTR Central or Admiralty Station are both close by however the most direct route is to come out Central’s J2 Exit.

Location: The lower terminus is located at 33 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong

• 7:30AM to 11PM (Mon – Sun & Holidays)
• Frequency – Departs every 10 to 15 minutes
• Duration – 8-10 minutes

Price: The pricing is divided between regular and peak days. For most of the year, peak days are simply Saturdays and Sundays. The exception are major Chinese holidays, second half of July to the third week of August, and Christmas. At the end of the ticket and booking page , they have a PDF of all peak days.

For the most up-to-date pricing, head over to the Peak Tram’s ticket and booking page . Oh and they now offer 20% off for morning tickets!

Combo ticket are also available if you want to combine Peak Tram with Sky Terrace 428.

Booking: You can buy tickets online ahead of time through a number of different platforms. That said, it is not necessary because you can skip the line by tapping your Octopus Card at the turnstile.

If you’d like to book in advance, you can do so through the official website or the combo tickets through Klook , Viator , or GetYourGuide . If you decide to buy tickets when you arrive, you can line up to pay at the booth or you can simply scan your Octopus Card at the turnstile.

If you’re looking to do a number of attractions such as the Peak Tram, Ngong Ping 360, Hop-On-Hop-Off, and M+, make sure to check out the GoCity pass for Hong Kong which can help you save a lot of money if you manage to do all of the inclusive activities.

Website: The Peak Tram

Alternative Way Up To Victoria Peak:

• Bus –
• Taxi – There are plenty of taxis in Hong Kong and willing to head up to the Peak. These are metered, air-conditioned, and clean. The HK$65-$80 and should take roughly 7 minutes.
• Hike – There is a trail that takes you all the way up to the Peak (2.8 km/1.74 mi). From MTR Central Station, this is a 1-1.5 hour hike. Note that you’re effectively. walking on the same road as cars so you’re not hiking the mountain.

Alternative Way Down From Victoria Peak:

• Bus – The bus stop at the Peak is underneath Peak Galleria mall.
• Where should you sit on the Peak Tram? If you happen to be at the front of the line for the next departure, the front of the tram has the best views but if you’re further back, it’s really not a big deal because the new trams have huge glass windows and bring in tons of light. If you can, sit on the right side of the tram going up because the views of the skyline will be there.
• Can you buy a return ticket and use them on different days? No, return tickets have to be used on the same day.
• Is Sky Terrace 428 worth it? We don’t think it’s absolutely necessarily to experience Victoria Peak but what we do like about it is that since it’s paid, you end up with fewer crowds and is more relaxed. They have an unobstructed view of the skyline. That’s why you can consider getting a combo ticket .
• When is the best time to go to Victoria Peak? If you’re interested in the smallest crowds, The Peak Tram is the least busy from 8AM – 12PM. The most scenic time to go to Victoria Peak is at sunset and Symphony of Lights which occurs every night at 8AM (10 minute show).
• If you don’t buy tickets in advance, when you arrive at the lower terminus of The Peak Tram, don’t stand in line with everyone else, you can bypass it, go straight to the front, and simply tap your Octopus Card to get in.
• We think that the best way to plan for Victoria Peak is to take the Peak Tram up and the bus down. Not only does this give you a different experiences but the bus back down is more convenient because it brings you right back to MTR Central Station.
• While you’re riding the tram, pay attention to the Peak Tram illusion .

The tram arrives inside The Peak Tower which has a mix of museums, shopping, and restaurants. Once you’re on the ground floor, you’ll be officially standing on the tallest hill on Hong Kong Island – Victoria Peak .

Continuing walking to east towards the lion pavilion and terrace. It’s here that you’ll see the perfect opening in the trees to lay out the iconic skyline in front of you.

While you’re here, we recommend that you explore the The Peak Galleria which is the mall across The Peak Tower. Their roof is free and gives you a great lookout of the southwestern side of the island. Pacific Coffee in The Peak Tower also has a wonderful patio space that has a direct view of the Peak Tram’s tracks, and the skyline as well.

Take the cheapest way to cross Victoria Harbour

You can take the Peak Tram down but we recommend using the bus because it drops you right in front of Central Ferry Pier 8 which is where one of the other famous modes of transportation is located – the Star Ferry .

These green and white passenger ferries are distinctly Hong Kong and have been moving people from all over the world between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island for more than 120 years. What’s endearing about the Star Ferry is that they look and feel the same

To get on the ferry, you’ll want to have an Octopus Card so you can tap right on. You’ll get to choose between two decks of the ferry – the upper is a tad more expensive and is better because it is air conditioned, has more comfortable seats, and a better vantage point, the lower deck is cheaper and is open air although we think the views are just as good because there aren’t any windows to contend with.

TIP: The prices are different on weekends versus weekdays and the upper deck is roughly HK$1 more for adults. That said, the prices are insignificantly different that it’s really a matter of preference.

Eat at one of the oldest dai pai dong in Hong Kong

Foodies can all agree that the best food in Hong Kong isn’t found in in fancy dining rooms of 5-star hotels, they’re the ones that usually spill out onto the street, are loud, and rambunctious. These are what’s called dai pai dong .

With their flaming woks, chefs with serious personality, plastic stools, and foldable tables, spots like Oi Man Sang are keeping this tradition alive. The experience here is no frills and unpretentious. It’s all about authentic local eats and toasting to another great day.

As a staple of the Sham Shui Po area since 1956, the must-order dishes are their potato and beef stir fry, salted egg yolk prawns, clams with black bean & chili sauce, and steamed razor clams.

TIP: When you arrive, make sure to go to the machine to get a ticket first. There’s typically a long queue but with it moves relatively quickly.

Save some room though because there are 2 more popular snack spots in Sham Sui Po.

The first is Kung Wo Beancurd Factory . They specialize tofu pudding, a silky smooth, rich in soy aroma, and syrup-glazed dessert that’s slurp-worthy.

Nearby is also Hop Yik Tai where they are the go-to place for the Hong Kong-style snack of rice rolls that are drizzled with a peanut, oyster, and hot sauce, plus a dash of sesame. If you take it to go, they’ll prepare it in a plastic bag and hand it over to you with a few skewers – the local way.

Day 3 Summary

• Upper Lascar Row
• Man Mo Temple
• Graham Street Mural
• The Peak Tram
• Victoria Peak
• Breakfast – Sun Hing Restaurant – Hyper-local dim sum restaurant that is famous for their golden custard buns.
• Snack – Kung Lee Sugar Cane – Traditional shop in Central specializing in sugar cane juice and herbal jelly.
• Lunch – Central Market – Food court with a range of cuisine that’ll be sure to have something you’re interested in.
• Dinner – Oi Man Sang – One of the oldest dai pai dong where it’s got the lively atmosphere paired with great local fare.
• Snack – Kung Wo Beancurd Factory – Come here for their tofu pudding dessert. They have English menus and are cash-only . Michelin Bib Gourmand recommended .
• Snack – Hop Yik Tai – Rice noodle roll specialists but they also have other items like fish balls, dim sum, pork skin, and radish. Most take their snacks to-go in a plastic bag but you can also eat in. They don’t have English menus and are cash-only .
• Page148 ( Agoda / Booking ) – Read our review of Page 148 in the Where To Stay in Hong Kong section below.

As a mid-way point in your itinerary, it’s the perfect time to have a more relaxed day, taking the opportunity to explore the other side of Hong Kong island – Causeway Bay, Quarry Bay, and Taikoo Shing.

Have breakfast at the nostalgia-filled Cafe Match Box

You can never have enough cha chaang teng when in Hong Kong. A fun twist to the breakfast can be found at Cafe Match Box . They serve all of the classics but inside you’ll find a larger-than-life cutout of a green minibus and around it, and tons of nostalgia from the 80s and 90s.

And yes, that’s a ping pong table and plenty of patio space outside – pretty rare for a HK-style cafe.

Enjoy retail therapy in Causeway Bay

Causeway Bay is the best place to go to satisfy your retail therapy. From high end luxury, shopping centers, multi-level department stores, duty-free, and ground-level shops, there’s just about everything here.

For an orientation of sorts, make sure to check out the venerable SOGO Causeway Bay . They’re a Japanese-style department store where upstairs are layers of fashion brands we always love heading down to the basement to hunt for confectionary snacks, baked goods, refreshments, and Japanese imports.

The district’s largest shopping mall is Times Square . Various times of the year they have displays outside. Inside, they carry most of the biggest fashion brands. Again, we love heading down to the basement for city’super , a grocery store that has seasonal food festivals, sweet treats, and ice cream.

Other notable spots to check out is the Transformer’s themed restaurant called The Ark , DFS Causeway Bay for duty-free shopping, and if you love egg tarts, get in line at Hashtag B .

Salivate over more steamed milk pudding

You’ll be snacking along the way so you probably won’t be super hungry so we suggest you try Yee Shun Milk Company . They’re similar to Australia Dairy Company but we think their steamed milk pudding has a richer milk flavour.

Capture a new a vantage from Quarry Bay Park

Get on the MTR and hop over to a quieter and more residential part of Hong Kong Island. From MTR Quarry Bay Station, if you walk towards the water, you’ll eventually get to Quarry Bay Park , a beautiful green space that allows you to escape the chaos of the city.

With 10 hectares of space, you’ll enjoy a different view of Victoria Harbour. We suggest you follow the promenade until you get to the Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery .

Get dazzling views from a rooftop bar in Taikoo Shing

Hong Kong has many notable rooftop bars and one of them is Sugar in Taikoo Shing – a perfect pairing to your very chill day.

From their spacious open deck with fabulous views of the harbor, sip on a sundowner while indulging in shisha or nibbling on Japanese-inspired shareable plates.

TIP: Sugar opens at 5:30PM all days of the week.

Take advantage of the ultimate Hong Kong hack

Psst, we’ll let you in on a secret. You don’t need to do a hop-on-hop-off bus on Hong Kong Island. There’s a practically-free one you can take (adults are only HK$3)!

It’s the double-decker Hong Kong Tramways that you’ll see run length-wise on the island. Locals affectionately call it a ‘Ding Ding’, the third of the iconic modes of transportation in Hong Kong.

We recommend that you take a nice stretch of the tram westbound from Taikoo Shing to Central. It’s fun to people-watch from this vantage point and there are photo-worthy framings of the urban jungle.

TIP: You get on the tram from the rear. You get off the tram from the front and pay upon exit by tapping your Octopus Card or you can pay by cash but no change is given. The best seats are on the second level right at the front.

Dine at the original one Michelin-star dim sum specialist

Back in 2009, a tiny 20-seat dim sum restaurant called Tim Ho Wan opened in Olympia, Hong Kong and within a year, it gained its first Michelin-star, becoming “the world’s cheapest Michelin-star restaurant”.

With locations all over the city it’s much easier to get a seat compared to back then. On your way home, they have an outlet inside the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station.

Along with the classics, the must-have item is the Baked BBQ Pork Buns. Who said you can’t have dim sum for dinner!

On your way home, drop by Lee Keung Kee North Point Egg Waffles which is right around the corner from Page148. Bubble waffles are another dessert that’s taken the world by storm and originated in Hong Kong.

Day 4 Summary

• SOGO Causeway Bay
• Times Square Mall
• Quarry Bay Park
• Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery
• Sugar Rooftop Bar
• Breakfast – Cafe Match Box – A nostalgia-filled HK-style cafe in Causeway Bay.
• Snack – Hashtag B – There’s a line up everyday for their egg tarts with a twist of their Napoleon cake style crust and layer of caramel.
• Lunch – Yee Shun Dairy Company – A steamed milk pudding specialist because you’ll want to have it more than just once!
• Dinner – Tim Ho Wan – The world-famous dim sum restaurant that got a Michelin-star back in 2009.
• Snack – Lee Keung Kee North Point Egg Waffles – Right by the hotel is a tiny egg waffle shop run by an elderly couple. Expect a line here but we found that their hours are not always consistent with what’s posted.
• Page148 ( Agoda / Booking ) – There are more photos of the hotel in the Where To Stay in Hong Kong section below.

The newest developed area in central Hong Kong is the West Kowloon Cultural District . Built on 50 hectares of reclaimed land, this has been a development project starting as early as 2012.

This is the kind of cultural and arts hub that the city’s never had before and while there’s still work being done, the anchor sites are complete and is totally worth spending a day here.

Walk the West Kowloon Art Park

When you get here, start by exploring the Art Park , a large green space that makes the foundation for the West Kowloon Cultural District.

When you’re here, there might be special cultural events but you can also come here for running, biking, picnicking, or just a relaxing stroll. After all, there are beautiful views of the harbour from the waterfront promenade. There’s also a second level viewing platform which you can take advantage of.

TIP: As it currently stands, getting here isn’t the most convenient. If you’re coming from TST, cut across on Austin Road. There’s a portion that goes underground and that leads you into MTR Austin Station. The station has a bridge that crosses into Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and from there you can walk on foot into West Kowloon Cultural District.

Immerse yourself in the Hong Kong Palace Museum

There are two must-visit museums here. The first is the Hong Kong Palace Museum which focuses on ancient Chinese art and culture but presents it in a contemporary architectural lens.

I was particularly blown away by their main exhibit which brings to light, artifacts and stories from the Forbidden Palace in Beijing and more specifically, during the Qing dynasty.  Through the viewing of immersive elements and many never-before-displayed treasures, you’ll get to experience what life was like in the court.

You’ll also appreciate the three atriums stacked on different levels of the museum, each offer panoramic vistas of the city and surroundings in different directions.

For lunch, we recommend you check out the food trucks in the Art Park . Pineapple Canteen is good but a bit far so you might want to try Pat Chun Saucy Truck instead.

Closest MTR Station: MTR Kowloon Station

Location: Hong Kong Palace Museum is located on the far west side of the West Kowloon Art Park. The ticket office is located outside of the museum itself. You can find it across from the courtyard.

• Mon-Thurs, Sun – 10AM – 6PM
• Fri – Sat, Holidays – 10AM – 8PM
• Closed on Tuesdays (except holidays) and the first 2 days of the Lunar New Year
• Ticket office closed one hour before closing.

The Special Exhibition Ticket gives you access to Galleries 1- 7 and also the special exhibitions in Galleries 8 and 9.

Booking: You can purchase tickets online through the museum or you can buy it on Klook .

Website: Hong Kong Palace Museum

Museum Rules:

• Items larger than 55ccm x 35cm x 20cm (bags, boxes, luggage, and long umbrellas primarily) aren’t allowed inside the museum. For instance, my Shimoda X50 backpack wasn’t allowed.
• You are allowed to take photos and videos. Flash photography, selfie sticks, monopods, and tripods are prohibited.
• Wheeled luggage, carriers, and things like skateboards, scooters, inline skates, and shoes with built-in wheels are not allowed.
• To enter the museum, you will go through a security check which includes an x-ray machine.
• Where can I store my bags and luggage? There are 3 lockers for visitors to use but they are small. If you have larger items, you’ll have to effectively use their cloakroom with the ground floor Information Counter. The fee is $HK10 per hour.
• When is the best time to go to Hong Kong palace Museum? To avoid the large tour bus and school group crowds, your best bet is to go early in the morning when the museum opens or towards the end of the day.
• How long should I plan to visit the museum for? If you’d like to see all galleries as part of the General Admission Ticket, budget for 2 hours.
• Are there guided tours? Yes, there are free guided tours of specific exhibitions. Those tour times can be found at the ground floor Information Counter. This is first-come-first-serve. They also offer paid tours led by a docent for selected galleries.
• Can you rent audio guides? They have digital-only audio guides which are free to access with a QR code or this audio guide page .
• Does the Hong Kong Palace Museum have a gift shop? Yes, they have a gift shop called ART EXPRESS by The Commercial Press that closely mirrors the hours of the museum.
• There are a lot of open spaces in the museum galleries and not many seating areas. Next to the ground floor Information Counter, there are foldable chairs that you can borrow for free.
• While MTR Kowloon Station is the closest, ironically, for those that are staying on the Kowloon-side, your best bet to get here is to walk. You stick above-ground and take Austin Road all the way west or you can mix and match between the underground tunnels that eventually take you through MTR Austin Station, West Kowloon Rail Station, and either getting back on street-level or through the Hong Kong Elements shopping mall.
• If you didn’t catch it above, the museum is closed on Tuesdays, contrasting M+ which is closed on Mondays.
• If you are tight on time, the most memorable exhibits of the museum for me were “Entering the Forbidden City: Architecture, Collection, and Heritage”, and “From Dawn to Dusk: Life in the Forbidden City”.
• Bring wireless earbuds such as the the Apple Airpods because the museum has an audio guide that can be accessed through your phone.

Wander through the contemporary M+ museum

The other one to visit is M+ Museum , Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual art and is packed with collections that span the 20th and 21st century visual art, design, and architecture.

What I really appreciated about this museum is that it’s a museum of modern art that also has a focus on Asian and Chinese artists and themes.  The layout of the museum is also easy to explore and are spaced out very well so it never feels overwhelming either.

Don’t miss the North and South Roof Gardens while you’re here.  The views from here are quite the remarkable and gives you a panoramic look at the whole of West Kowloon Cultural District.

You can easily spend a full day in the West Kowloon Art District and when you’re done, head back out to the promenade and enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Location: M+ is located on the east side of the West Kowloon Art Park and most likely the first museum you’ll encounter. Unlike Hong Kong Palace Museum, the ticket office is located inside the building.

• Tues-Thurs, Sat-Sun – 10AM – 6PM
• Fri – 10AM – 8PM
• Closed on Mondays (except holidays) and the first 2 days of the Lunar New Year.
• Holidays – Open on all public holidays.
• Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.

Special exhibitions change throughout the year and are all priced differently so check their ticket page to find out their prices.

Booking: You can’t buy tickets directly through the museum. Instead, they encourage those wanting advanced tickets to go through partners like Klook and KKday , or have it included as part of GoCity pass for Hong Kong .

Website: M+

• Bags and backpacks smaller than 30 cm x 42 cm x 10 cm are allowed in the galleries, but backpacks must be worn on the front of the body with the strap(s) slung over one or both shoulders. Larger items must be checked in to lockers or the cloakroom. For instance, my Shimoda X50 backpack wasn’t allowed.
• Wheelchairs and baby strollers are allowed in the galleries. You can also borrow these free of charge.
• You are allowed to take photos but no flash photography. They are more strict with video here and really depends on the artwork. They will sometimes have signs up of where it’s not allowed. If you’re not sure, ask the M+ staff.

• Where can I store my bags and luggage? There is a locker room available on the basement level with multiple sizes. The staff will hand you a green RFID band to access a locker of your choosing. You’ll get a paper receipt but your band will act as your key. When returning, simply tap to unlock and pay by either Octopus Card or cash. The fee is HK$10 per hour. Note that they close at 5:30PM (9:30PM on Fridays).
• When is the best time to go to M+? To avoid the large tour bus and school group crowds, your best bet is to go early in the morning or towards the end of the day.
• Are there guided tours? Yes, there are free 45-minute public tours led by M+ Guides. These are held in either Cantonese, English, or Mandarin and take place daily at 11:30AM, 3:30PM. On Fridays, there’s an additional time slot at 7:30PM. You can register for the tour at the ground floor Information Desk.
• Can you rent audio guides? They have free digital-only audio guides which are free to access with a QR code or on the audio-guide page .
• Does M+ have a gift shop? Yes, they have a gift shop called the M+ Shop that closely mirrors the hours of the museum but shifted forward by an hour.
• If you didn’t catch it above, M+ is closed on Mondays, Remember that Hong Kong Palace Museum is closed on Tuesday.
• The entire M+ Collection is compelling. If you’re short on time, there isn’t one specific gallery you should focus on so it’ll be about focusing on what draws your attention and skipping ones that don’t. Try your best to go through all of the second floor and when you’re done, head up to the Roof Garden.
• You can’t access the Roof Garden from the gallery floor (2). Instead, you have to go back to ground level (G) and take the elevator from there.
• The most photogenic parts of M+ are: Grand Stair, the spiral staircase in the center of the second floor atrium, the outdoor staircase that is perpendicular to the view of the Hong Kong skyline, and there is another outdoor staircase area that faces west.
• Have your wireless earbuds ready for the free audio guide through your phone.
• If you don’t want to pay for tickets, the Grand Stair, Basement 1, Roof Garden, and Mediatheque are free.

Bonus: Go on a photography hunt

This might not be for everyone but the photography side of me had an itch to seek out a few locations in the city I’ve always wanted to capture at night.

• Monster Building: This is a hulking and tightly-packed E-shaped residential complex in Quarry Bay. It’s easy to find and relatively easy to frame because you just have to look up. HDR will help to bring out the tapestry of colors. Remember to be respectful as people live here.
• Long Exposure from IFC Footbridge: This one’s a bit harder to find. I’ve seen photos of this before but it’s not marked anywhere but I eventually figured out which footbridge you need to be on which you’ll see on our itinerary map .

For both of these shots, you’ll want to have a tripod with you and the widest lens that you have such as the OM System 8-25mm Pro f/4 .

If you end off near IFC Mall, in a departure from street eats, our from-left-field-suggestion is to go to Shake Shack .

Their burgers are just as good as they are in New York City (something we feature in our NYC food guide ) but each location has their own exclusive. In Hong Kong, it’s the mango bubble shake with popping boba, vanilla custard, pomelo, coconut cream, mango puree, and crunchy egg rolls. Worth it!!

Day 5 Summary

• West Kowloon Art Park
• Hong Kong Palace Museum
• Monster Building
• IFC Footbridge
• Breakfast – Page148 – Pick up a few breakfast items from the cafe at the hotel.
• Lunch – Food trucks of West Kowloon District – There are two main locations where they can be found. Make sure to check the site to see who’s going to be there.
• Dinner – Shake Shack – Burger restaurant hailing from New York City that has everything you’d expect except it also has a Hong Kong exclusive, the mango bubble shake.
• Page148 ( Agoda / Booking ) – Since the hotel is on Austin Road, all you have to do is just start cutting west to get to the West Kowloon Cultural District.

As someone that loves the outdoors, this was one of my favourite days of the trip. It’ll be a packed day but with the Walled City, Kowloon Peak, Chinese desserts, and egg tarts, this is a day you won’t find any one else’s itinerary.

Grab these super hot egg tarts

Egg tarts are synonymous with Hong Kong and if you loved Hashtag B, you’ll also want to try Bakehouse by Chef Grégoire Michaud. What makes theirs special is they have a flaky shell and a little burnt on the top, similar to a pastel de nata.

While you’re here, make sure to pick up a few extra baked goods while you’re here that you can eat on your hike.

Learn the legacy of Kowloon Walled City

Coming out of Sung Wong Toi MTR Station, head into Carpenter Road Park and adjacent to that is the infamous Kowloon Walled City and now transformed to the Kowloon Walled City Park .

The extremely dense and ungoverned enclave was demolished in 1994 and was converted into an urban green space. So while you won’t be able to see the walled city, they do a great job at showing you what it was like with a great 3D model and a cross-section mural.

So what’s actually left? There are two points of interest you can check out.

The first is the remnants of the original South Gate where you’ll see the original path, drainage ditch, and two stone plaques that say “South Gate” and “Kowloon Walled City”.

The other point of interest is the yamen building .  It’s the only building that survived the demolition and consists of 3 halls and was used for a number of different purposes including a senior home, place for refugees, school, and clinic.  Today, it’s a museum and they’ve built several immersive spaces to give you a better sense of what life was like in the walled city.

Closest MTR station: MTR Sung Wong Toi Station (B3 exit)

• Park grounds – Daily 6:30AM – 11PM
• Exhibitions rooms (Yamen building) – 10AM to 6PM (Closed on Wednesdays)

Price: Free

Website: Kowloon Walled City Park

• Are there guided tours of Kowloon Walled City Park? Yes, they offer 45 minute guided tours on weekends and holidays for park visitors at 9AM, 11AM, 3PM and 4PM. These are run by volunteer guides but not all speak English.
• Is there signage in English? Yes, all of the signage here is translated to English and easy to read.
• You can definitely enjoy the park without a guide and if you want to know more of its history, we recommend you watch this video .
• The B3 exit of Sung Wong Toi MTR station gets you close but you’ll need to walk a few blocks north. The initial park you enter through is Carpenter Road Park with a great cycling path. Keep going to connect with the Kowloon Walled City Park.

Try the best Chinese desserts at Tei Mou Koon

Before you leave the neighbourhood, you’d be remiss if you don’t visit Tei Mou Koon . They serve all of the classic Chinese desserts that are mainly soup based but also have other favourites like mango pillows and glutinous rice balls.

As you can see in the photo, I went a little overboard with my order so this turned into a lunch.

Conquer the Kowloon Peak for epic views

This might not be for everyone but if you’re up for a moderately challenging hike and are seeking the most epic views of Hong Kong, Kowloon Peak is an excellent off-the-beaten-path addition.

I heard about the Suicide Cliff hike but 1) being more of a cautious traveler and 2) experience vertigo and 3) the name itself not being the most comforting, I looked into whether I could do it another way. Luckily there is.

So yes, you can hike to Kowloon Peak without doing Suicide Cliff.

Our video of the best things to do in Hong Kong shows you the behind-the-scenes of the hike and we have all of the details laid out below so I won’t go into more detail but this is 100% worth the effort .

There are a lot of great guides specific for Kowloon Peak but we wanted to provide you a version of it that’s more condensed and doesn’t include the vertigo-inducing Suicide Cliff.

Closest MTR Station: MTR Choi Hung Station (B Exit)

Location: Google can easily lead you astray here because the labelling isn’t the most accurate and there are multiple places that are supposedly “Kowloon Peak”. The actual peak for this hike is right next to “Kowloon Peak Television and radio transmission stations” or more accurately, marked on our Hong Kong trip planning map . The “Kowloon Peak Viewing Point” on Google is in an entirely different area that you’d get to if you did the full loop but in our case, is way too far from where you want to be.

Getting to the start of the hike:

• From Choi Hung Station, stay on Clear Water Bay Road.
• Past Fung Shing Street, we recommend you stick to the right side of Clear Water Bay Road as this is where the side walk continues as you keep going further east.
• The road eventually splits and to the left is Fei Ngo Shan Road. Follow this and continue to the left after you see the Kowloon Peak rock.
• This road takes you up through a wealthy neighbourhood of houses and villas. Keep going north until you see a trailhead to your left that goes up. You’ll recognize it from the “Danger” sign that’s posted but it is completely safe.
• The stairs will keep rising up. Once you pass through a bamboo forest, it opens up and you’ll see the television and radio equipment.
• Hours – There are no gates for this trail so you can do it at any time.
• I started at 3:20PM, reached the peak at 5:05PM, finished photography at 6:35PM, and got back to the paved road at 7:20PM.

Difficulty: Without Suicide Cliff, the hike is moderate with most of the challenge being the stair climb up to the peak. The good news is that the path is well laid out and you’ll be at sea level.

• When is the best time to do the Kowloon Peak hike? It can get very hot in the middle of the day so it’s a good idea to do the hike early in the day or late in the day. For the best lighting, you’ll want to be here closer to sunset.
• How much water should I bring? We recommend that you bring at least 2 liters of water.
• How can can you go along the path without getting to Suicide Cliff? If you look at our interactive map , we captured the exact GPS coordinates at “Kowloon Peak Photo Spot” of where I stopped. The trail starts to descend more rapidly at this point and there are many large boulders to get through.
• For the photographers, we recommend coming here for the sunset and the evening cityscape. With that, you’ll want to bring a tripod. Since you’ll be hiking back down at night, you’ll also need a headlamp (see my reviews of my Fenix HM65R ).
• While what I call the “Kowloon Peak” is scenic with its view of the city and the willows in the foreground, you don’t really get the full unobstructed view of the city until you keep going further down from the peak and right before Suicide Cliff.
• If you are filming a timelapse, my recommendation would be do it further down from the peak. Set it up and let it run, allowing you to photograph or film with another camera. I learned from my experience at the peak that I couldn’t let it run and explore the trail further down.
• The stairs down immediately after the peak is highly photogenic.
• Make sure to pack a light jacket or fleece with you. Despite how hot it might be throughout the day, at the top of the mountain after sunset, it gets quite chilly and windy.
• If you’d like to track this hike, make sure to download Gaia GPS or AllTrails .

Reward yourself with Asam Chicken Rice

You’ll be exhausted by the time you finally make it back to TST so have a quick dinner at Asam Chicken Rice and crash early.

Day 6 Summary

• Kowloon Walled City Park
• Kowloon Peak Observation Point
• Breakfast – Page148 – Whether it’s included with your stay or not, their hot items and coffee make a great breakfast.
• Snack – Bakehouse – Modern bakery that’s risen in popularity because of their egg tarts. Their bolo bao (pineapple bun) is also superb. There have multiple locations in the city.
• Dessert/Lunch – Tei Mou Koon – One of the top traditional Chinese dessert shops and the oldest in Kowloon City. A heads up that their menu is Chinese-only.
• Dinner – Asam Chicken Rice – They make delicious Hainanese chicken rice and best of all, they’re close to Page148 so you can rest after a long day of hiking.

It’s easy to associate Hong Kong with it’s plethora of landmark skyscrapers and the hustle and bustle of a megatropolis.

So far we’ve peeled back the layers from that to show you that there’s so much more to the city. On your final full day of the itinerary, you’ll get to see a place that belongs to somewhere like Iceland or Northern Ireland.

See the colorful Choi Hung Estate

Once you arrive at MTR Choi Hung Station, you’re only a short walk away to the Choi Hung Estate , the famous public housing apartments.

This has become a hotspot for photographers because these estates are painted a strikingly beautiful layers of pastel. From the basketball court vantage point, you can’t help but snap away!

Venture out to the geological wonder of Sai Kung County

What makes this area unique is that it belongs to a large protected area known as the Hong Kong Global Geopark .  The area is particularly rich in super rare rhyolitic volcanic rock columns that was revealed during the excavation work for the dam.  Thanks to this project, it’s the only place in Hong Kong where you can walk to on foot and get right up to the hexagonal rock columns.

What’s special is that this type of rare rock showcases more of the features of the original lava and tuff. This whole area was created 140 million years ago from a supervolcano where the cooling process eventually sculpted the volcanic materials into millions of hexagonal rock columns.

Spend your day hiking the High Island Geo Trail which consists of:

• Reservoir Monument
• The overlook of the reservoir
• Geopark Monument
• Hexagonal rock columns including the buckled S-shaped hexagonal columns 
• Inner cofferdam
• The lower wall which consists of thousands of concrete wave-dissipating dolosse

If you have time, you can also do:

• 1 km-long extension to Biu Tsim Kok viewing point
• Connecting trail from the lower wall to get close to seeing the Po Pin Chau sea stack island

TIP: We cover this in detail below but coming here is the easiest on the weekends and you’ll want to plan to head back before 3:30PM because the line up for the bus gets very long.

While visiting High Island Reservoir East Dam is relatively straightforward, one topic that deserves more clarification is how to get there and back.

Closest MTR Station: MTR Diamond Hill Station or MTR Hang Hau Station

Location: High Island Reservoir East Dam is located inside the the Sai Kung County Park. The UNESCO Hong Kong GeoPark is a large collection of sites and landscapes of international significance and includes the East Dam.

Time: The park isn’t gated and can be visited at anytime. However, you’ll most likely be limited based on your transportation opens in and out of the Hong Kong GeoPark.

• Getting to East Dam – 2 hours including wait times during transfer (based on weekend 96R + 9A route)
• Exploring East Dam – 3 hours

How to get to the East Dam: This is not an easy spot to get to unfortunately. There are a few options to get here that you’ll want to pay attention to. When it’s time to leave the East Dam, just follow the reverse.

• Weekday from Diamond Hill – From MTR Diamond Hill Station exit C2, take bus 92 to Sai Kung Town Centre and connect with bus 94 to Pak Tam Chung stop. Take a taxi from here or walk.
• Weekday from Hang Hau – From MTR Hang Hau Station exit B1, take minibus 101M to Sai Kung Town Centre and connect with bus 94 to Pak Tam Chung stop. Take a taxi from here or walk.
• [Best option] Weekend and Holidays from Diamond Hill – From MTR Diamond Hill Station exit C2, take bus 96R to Pak Tam Chung stop. Connect with green minibus 9A .
• Weekend and Holiday from Sai Kung – Get to Sai Kung Town Centre and connect with bus 94 to Pak Tam Chung stop. Connect with green minibus 9A .
• Weekend and Holiday from Sha Tin – Take bus 289R from Sha Tin Central to Pak Tam Chung stop. Connect with green minibus 9A .

About Bus 92:

• This is a standard double-decker bus.
• From Diamond Hill, it operates from 6AM – 11PM. Frequency varies from 15-30 minutes.
• From Sai Kung, it operates from 6AM – 11:45PM. Frequency varies from 15 – 30 minutes.
• This bus does not run on Sunday.
• Fare is HK$7.50 and they only take Octopus Card or exact fare.
• The journey takes 40-45 minutes.

About Bus 96R:

• From Pak Tam Chung, it operates from 7:30AM to 5PM. Frequency varies from 18-30 minutes.
• From East Dam, it operates from 8:50AM to 7:30PM (8:50AM to 3PM on holidays). Frequency varies from 20-30 minutes.
• Pak Tam Chung stop is not the final destination so make sure to pay attention to the stops.
• Fare is HK$19.90 and they only take Octopus Card or exact fare.
• The journey takes 60-65 minutes.

About 9A Bus:

• Only runs on Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays.
• From Pak Tam Chung, it operates from 9:30AM to 6:30PM.
• From East Dam, it operates from 10AM to 7PM.
• This bus doesn’t have a specific schedule during operation. They basically have several mini buses that run back and forth. Get in line and wait patiently.
• Green mini buses have a maximum capacity of 19 people.
• Fare is HK$11.90 and they only take Octopus Card or exact fare.
• The journey takes 20 minutes.
• Service updates due to bad weather can be found on their website or Facebook page .

About taking the taxi:

• The cost for a cab ride between Sai Kung Town Centre and East Dam can be anywhere between HK$120-160. This is metered and takes 30 minutes.
• The cost for a cab ride between Pak Tam Chung and East Dam is listed to be roughly HK$95. This is metered and takes 25 minutes.
• It’s much easier to hail a taxi on-the-fly from Sai Kung and Pak Tam Chung stops but much more difficult from East Dam, especially on weekends.
• To call a taxi, you can try the following numbers: +852-8103-1189 , +852-2729-6600 or +852-6767-8181 . You’ll be charged an extra HK$50 for booking a cab this way. Alternatively, use the HKTaxi app ( iOS / Android ). Make sure you download this ahead of time and have your credit card set up.
• You’ll have much better luck getting your taxi if you call for one a few hours in advance.
• You might see different colored taxis. Red taxis are urban taxis that service Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Green taxis are ones that operate in the New Territories. If you’re in Sai Kung, Pak Tam Chung, or East Dam, you can take any to get between these 3 locations but if you’re looking to get all the way back to the Kowloon area (i.e. Diamond Hill), take a red taxi.
• Download the HKTaxi app (iOS

Price: Free. There is no cost to enter Hong Kong GeoPark/Sai Kung County Park or the High Island Reservoir East Dam.

Booking: There are no advanced booking of transportation but there are guided tours available.

Guided tours:

• East Dam Half Day Tour – Offered by the Volcano Discovery Centre and operates from October to February on weekends and holidays (except Lunar New Year’s Day and Second Day of Lunar New Year).
• Group Hiking Tour ( Viator or Klook ) – A guided hiking tour of Hong Kong GeoPark and includes the East Dam.

Website: UNESCO Hong Kong GeoPark – High Island Reservoir East Dam

• When is the best day of the week to go to the High Island Reservoir East Dam? From a transportation perspective, the most convenient day to go is on weekends and holidays. That said, this is also when the East Dam is the busiest. If you prefer to go on a quieter day, weekdays are great as long as you’re willing to pay for a taxi.
• When is the best time of day to go to the East Dam? The most photogenic part of the day is close to sunset when you have less harsh light and the sky starts to change colour. Going early in the morning is also a great time when the sun isn’t as high up and there are fewer people.
• How long is the walk from Pak Tam Chung to the East Dam? The walk takes roughly 2-2.5 hours.
• Are there bathrooms at the East Dam? Yes, there are basic bathrooms at the end of the road and next to the GeoPark Monument.
• Are there food vendors at East Dam? No, you can’t buy any food here.
• Are there bathrooms at Pak Tam Chung? Yes, there is a large bathroom facility here as it’s also meant for those camping here.
• Are there food vendors at Pak Tam Chung? Yes, there is a supplies store here for campers. They sell a variety of snacks, drinks, and ice cream.

• Now that you know your transportation options to the East Dam, we still think the best option in and out would be to go on weekends so that you don’t have to rely on the taxi.
• If you’re open to taking a taxi and would like to avoid crowds, go during the weekday.
• If a taxi tries to charge you per person, they are trying to scam you. Politely say no and wait try another one.
• On weekends, the line to take minibus 9A gets very long after 4PM. To avoid this, we recommend that you try to leave the East Dam no later than 3:30PM.
• The most photogenic time at the East Dam is at sunset. However, the flip side is that the line up to take the bus or taxi will be much longer. Also, be mindful of when the minibus 9A is which is 7PM.
• If the queue for the minibus 9A is really bad, you may consider trying to group up with other travelers to hail a taxi. We saw a number of people do this which is quite smart.
• We noticed that most taxis will go all the way to end of the road by the GeoPark Monument (where the bathroom facilities are). To hail a return taxi, your best bet is to make a line from here to catch an empty cab back instead of where the lineup for minibus 9A is.

Wind down with dinner and dessert

There’s nothing better than simple and classic Hong Kong comfort dishes when you finally get back to TST.

Tai Hing is a popular chain restaurant that you’ll find all over Hong Kong. They started specializing in BBQ roast meats but is now a casual restaurant that you could say is very much like a HK-style cafe as well.

On your way back to Page148 , treat yourself to froyo from Frozen Yogurt Drool .

When you get to this point, you will be shocked that you’ve already a full week in Hong Kong. Since it’s your last night, do any last minute shopping that you might want to do, re-pack your belongings, and prepare for the next leg of your journey.

Going to Japan before or after Hong Kong?

Tokyo is overwhelming with so many great places to eat so use our guide helps narrow it down.

Day 7 Summary

• Choi Hung Estate
• High Island Reservoir East Dam
• Breakfast – Page148 – Make sure to have a full breakfast because you’ll be burning a lot of calories exploring the GeoPark.
• Lunch – Packed food – There isn’t any food for purchase at High Island Reservoir East Dam so build your own lunch with food from a local bakery and/or a convenient store.
• Dinner – Tai Hing – A popular HK-style cafe restaurant that you’ll find all over the city. If it’s your first time, the BBQ meats (chicken, park, and duck) on rice is a no-brainer.
• Dessert – Frozen Yogurt Drool – A tiny shop of icy treats literally a stone’s throw away from Page148 that you might even want to build into your daily routine walking back to the hotel. It’s that good!

To help with your Hong Kong trip planning, this map be super handy in knowing where everywhere we’ve included in this itinerary is located.

Even with our week in Hong Kong, there was a lot that we missed and wish we could’ve included. As a bonus, we’ve also included extra pins for activities, attractions, restaurants.

HOW TO USE THE MAP: You can use the Hong Kong itinerary map as is but if you’d like to do more with it, expand the map and create a copy in your logged-in Google account. With this copy, you’ll be able to access it in your Google Maps app under the Saved tab. Scroll to the bottom and look for the “Maps” button. Keep in mind that you need data to access this map . For an offline solution, use the offline Google Maps feature and individually save location pins on your primary map.

5 Essential Hong Kong Travel Tips

So far we’ve covered a ton of itinerary-specific tips but we have a few more for you that are more general to Hong Kong. These nuggets of advice will help ensure you have the most stress-free and awesome time in the city.

We talked about this at the beginning but the Octopus Card is truly a wonder in Hong Kong and extremely visitor friendly.

Not only can you use it to take the subway (MTR), tramways, and Star Ferry, you can also use it to take the ferries to outlying islands, pay for things at places such as cafes, bakeries, and convenient stores, and you can even use it to take the Peak Tram.

It’s as simple as either pre-ordering one loaded with HK$50 or getting it right at the airport (HK$39 with no deposit charge) at the following locations:

• 7-Eleven (Unit 5T058, Arrivals Meeters & Greeters Hall, or any 7-Eleven outlets)
• MTR Ticket & Octopus Selling Machine (Airport Station)
• Relay (Arrivals Pre-Immigration, L5, Terminal 1, (Restricted Area))

Always keep it topped up and try to use up all of the funds by the end of the trip.

While Hong Kong isn’t a massive city, it makes sense to build your days around the different areas of Hong Kong. This helps reduce the commuting time and unnecessary back and forth.

At a high level, you can break out your days between spending time on Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon-side. More specifically though, you can also look at your itinerary around the neighborhoods of:

• Tsim Sha Tsui
• Sham Sui Po
• West Kowloon
• Diamond Hill/Choi Hung
• Causeway Bay

That’s why it’s super helpful to have all of the places you want to go pinned on a map. Make sure to grab a copy of our Hong Kong trip planning map .

If you’re not able to make it work, it’s not the end of the world either because transit is so convenient. As you saw from this itinerary, we tried our best but sometimes less-optimal detours were unavoidable.

There were very few places now that are cash-only in Hong Kong. This means that you don’t necessarily need to convert too many Hong Kong Dollars before you come.

In our case, we loved the convenience of our Wise card . This is the ultimate travel hack. It’s this magical hybrid of being a Visa and a loadable card except the beauty is that it can hold multiple currencies, and they have near-market exchange rates. Since you’re spending local currency, you don’t have to worry about any foreign-exchange mark up.

That said, there are exceptions. On this itinerary specifically, Australia Dairy Company, Shek Kee Wonton Noodles, Kung Wo Beancurd Factory, and Hop Yik Tai are cash-only. You’ll also need it for those mom & pop street vendors and markets that you might encounter (including Ladies Market).

TIP: For a week in Hong Kong, we recommend you have HK$2,000 (roughly $250 USD) per person.

It’s easy to stay connected in Hong Kong thanks to hotels like Page148 offering free pocket wifi devices and the ease of the use of eSIMs with the likes of Airalo so offline capability isn’t too big of a deal but here are a few apps to download:

• MyMapHK ( iOS / Android ) – This is an official Lands Department app and a great free companion if you plan on doing any hikes in Hong Kong.
• Google Maps ( iOS / Android ) – You probably already have this installed but we found this to be the most straightforward app to get transit directions including times. Quick reminder that it’s always good practice to turn Google Maps offline before you go.
• Explore Hong Kong ( iOS / Android ) – Sometimes you just want a quick look at the MTR map without having to search for it on Google and this does just that
• Wise ( iOS / Android ) – Managing your foreign currency has never been this easy with the accompanying app. You’ll have a physical Visa debit card with Wise but you can also set it up in your digital wallet.
• Gaia GPS ( iOS / Android ) – If you are doing any of the bigger hikes, you’re better off having the premium version of this which is great to for tracking your hike but also available offline incase signal cuts out. Get the 1 year free trial from us!
• Google Translate ( iOS / Android ) – Hong Kong is very visitor-friendly with tons of English signage everywhere but you’ll inevitably run into a place or menu that is only in Chinese. Remember to download the Chinese (Traditional) language pack for offline use.
• HKTaxi ( iOS / Android ) – Uber sort of works but the standard Hong Kong taxis are just a lot better so use this app to book one in trickier situations such as when you’re at at the High Island Reservoir East Dam.

Hong Kong can get insanely hot so on most days, you’ll want to manage the sweltering heat by wearing t-shirt and shorts but I’ve learned to always bring light layers with me because they love to crank up the air condition indoors.

We recommend the following items to help you stayed prepared on your trip:

• Whether it’s for the ice-cold indoors, breezes by the water, high peaks, or cooler evenings we recommend having an active fleece or mid-layer jacket with you.
• We find that wearing Breathable and lightweight active-wear is way more comfortable than their cotton equivalents. Even on days you aren’t doing anything super strenuous, you’ll be glad to have something breathable.

For this Hong Kong travel itinerary, we stayed at Page148 Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui and closest to MTR Jordan Station.

This hotel was certainly a bit more of a splurge compared to the additional hotels we recommend below but we were very happy with this property for a number of reasons:

• Modern and new – It’s a newer hotel which just gave a fresh and energetic vibe as most properties in Hong Kong will feel outdated.
• Free drinks – Refilled daily (if you opt for housekeeping), it was really nice to have refreshments available in the room or to bring on the road.
• Free wifi hotspot – While we didn’t know this at the time of booking, they actually offer wifi hotspots. This means that you can get data access for free, eliminating the need to get an eSIM while you’re in Hong Kong.
• Breakfast – Our package included breakfast and we actually loved that they served Western-style cafe items such as avocado toast, smoked salmon bagel, and burrata cheese & roasted red pepper toast. We preferred this over a buffet because it left all-important stomach space to eat more throughout the day.
• Convenient location – We’ve stayed in different parts of Hong Kong over the years and being in the Tsim Sha Tsui area can’t be beat. There’s tons of food, shopping, and is easy to get back to at the end of the night.

TIP: When looking for hotels in Asia, Agoda is hands-down the best booking platform. We’ve done numerous tests and it’s always come out on top in terms of inventory and prices. They’re also love showering their users with coupons for additional savings.

We understand that everyone has different budget requirements and interests in types of accommodations so below are 4 alternate properties that you should consider for your trip to Hong Kong.

Overall, we’ll say that Hong Kong isn’t a cheap place to stay when comparing to Asia standards of prices. However, deals can be found, if you know where to look. We’ve included 4 well-priced hotels and one intriguing luxury place to stay.

TIP: You might be tempted to stay at an ultra-budget hotel like Dragon Inn but if you look more closely, many these inns are all located in the infamous Chungking Mansions . While we know people that have stayed here in the past, it’s good to know more about the building.

NORTH POINT

Ramada Hong Kong Grand View

This is the cheapest of this set of hotels but is clean, modern, spacious and comfortable. While it is located in North Point on the Hong Kong Island-side, the Island Line easily connects to Tsuen Wan Line on the MTR.

The Emperor Hotel

This is another affordable stay on the Hong Kong island-side and near the MTR Wan Chai Station. It’s great value for the money, the bed is comfortable, has welcoming staff, and is in a quieter part of the neighborhood.

CAUSEWAY BAY

Rosedale Hotel Hong Kong

Another property that offers great value for the money. It’s only a 5 minute walk from MTR Causeway Bay Station and is also next to Victoria Park. As a bonus, many rates include buffet breakfast.

TSIM SHA TSUI

The Perkin Hotel

This is located in a prime area of Kowloon, making it a great base for your trip to Hong Kong. Rooms are large for Hong Kong, and have the bonus of complimentary coffee and snacks.

Looking for more accommodation ideas?

We breakdown the different neighborhoods of Hong Kong, reasons to stay at each, and hotel recommendations.

When we put together our travel itineraries , everyone wants to know how much it cost. It’s a great question and we’ve got you covered.

Below is a table of our travel expenses in Hong Kong converted to USD. We’ve purposely left out flights because everyone will have different inbound and outbound plans.

What’s a bit tricky about the 12 days is that 3 days was with my parents and 4 days on my own. After some fancy math, I was able to calculate a daily per person spend of $316 USD.

Comparing to the 12-day Shikoku itinerary which was a $208 USD/day, this trip cost a bit more but came very close to what our week in Sapporo in the winter cost ($318 USD/person/day).

Ultimately, the biggest expense was our stay at Page148 . To bring the costs down, you can stay a budget property such as Ramada Hong Kong Grand View , The Emperor Hotel , Rosedale Hotel Hong Kong , and The Perkin Hotel .

For other points of comparison, 1 month in Chile averaged out to $308 USD/day, 3 weeks in New Zealand was $353 USD/day, and 10 days in Egypt was $204 USD/day.

Flights – Use Skyscanner’s alerts to track the prices so you can book when they’re the cheapest.

eSIM – In Hong Kong, we tested AloSIM and the speed was excellent and stable. For most of our travels, we always consider Airalo as well.

Hotel – We’ve tested it and Agoda ultimately has the best prices, hands down.

Tours – Out of all the booked tours we did, aqualuna was the most memorable.

Transit – Make sure you get your Octopus card when you land or have it pre-ordered .

Travel Insurance – Sh*t happens and you want to make sure you’re covered. If you’re travelling for a long period of time, check out SafetyWing . We also love Insured Nomads .

What To Pack for A Trip To Hong Kong

Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate which means that it gets pretty steamy for half of the year because of its high humidity. As a result, you’ll want to make sure you’re well-prepared.

For some context, we visited in mid-November which just happens to be one of the best times to visit because the temperatures are more comfortable (low 20s) and there are cool breezes.

• Jacket – Arc’teryx Beta Shell – If you come during typhoon season (July – September), this will be important to have so the rain doesn’t ruin your days.
• Waterproof pants – Arc’teryx Beta Pant – Especially if you don’t want to carry an umbrella everywhere, waterproof pants to pair with your jacket will be important.
• Light jacket – Arc’teryx Squamish Hoody – A super light shell that provides wind protection and packs into itself. Since it’s designed for minimalists, you can pack it in your bags and pull it out when you freeze with all of that AC pumping.
• Active fleece – Delta Hoody – This is a thin fleece that can be your go-to long-sleeve. This’ll come in handy for cooler nights or when you’re on Kowloon Peak after dark.
• Travel pants – Outdoor Research Ferrosi Joggers – My new favorite travel pants that features a zippered back pocket, elastic cuff hem, elastic waist, and quick-drying material.
• Shoes – Altra Lone Peak 7 – Lightweight, versatile, zero-drop shoes that are comfortable for long days on foot and excels on the trail.
• Active t-shirt – Arc’teryx Cormac Crew Shirt – Hong Kong in the summer gets sweaty. Ditch anything that’s not breatheable and only pack these active tees.
• Long-sleeve sunshirt – Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie – On days where you’ll have no cover from the sun (i.e. Kowloon Peak or Peng Chau Island), this gives you UV protection while keeping you cool.
• Hat – Ciele GOCap – I’m a big fan of these light, quick-drying, packable, and fun-colored hats for travel. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a hardcore runner!
• Sunglasses – Maui Jim – The current model I’m wearing is discontinued (Chee Hoo) but I can back up optometrist’s claiming that they have the best clarity and quality of lenses on the market.
• Luggage – Db Journey Ramverk Luggage – I chose the medium size of this niche-brand suitcase because they use one of the best and largest wheels on the market (60mm Hinomoto), making them silent and easy to move around the streets of Hong Kong.
• Charging – Mogics Super Bagel – This is a handy universal power strip for travelers that gives you 5 standard North American outlets, fast-charging Type C USB and a original USB A. You’re also protected with a replaceable fuse.
• Backpack – Shimoda Action X50 V2 – The ultimate photography backpack for active travellers.
• Messenger bag – Everyday Sling – The 3L and 6L slings are amazing for travel, especially in Hong Kong when you’re urban exploring and don’t need that much camera gear with you.
• Packing cubes – Eagle Creek Pack-It Cubes and Compression Cubes – Keep your suitcase organized.
• Sunscreen – Sun Bum SPF50 for face and body – Make sure you’re protected every day.
• Reuseable tote – Peak Design Packable Tote – Super handy when you go shopping and don’t have space in your sling or backpack.
• Tripod – Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod – This is our go-to tripod for our travels and we’ve reviewed it extensively .
• Camera – OM System OM-1 – Certainly one of the minority but I love my OM System (previously Olympus) micro-four-thirds system. It’s perfect for travel .
• Camera – DJI Osmo Pocket 3 – If you watch our video on the best things to do in Hong Kong and where to eat and stay in Hong Kong , you’ll be surprised to hear that most of it was shot on the Pocket. It worked extremely well in those tight spaces, to be discreet, and encouraged me to do more on-camera commentary.
• Drone – DJI Mini 4 Pro – This is the perfect travel drone (for now). I was able to fly it on Peng Chau and High Island Reservoir East Dam.
• Lens – OM System M.Zuiko Pro 8-25mm – I had to be selective with my lens choices for this trip and ended up using this one the most.
• Powerbank – VEEKTOMX 10000mAh – So good that I travel with 2 of these now. One is permanently with the Shimoda backpack and the other in the sling or my pocket.

The funny thing is that most people think of Hong Kong as merely a quick stopover. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great hub to get to other parts of Asia but as you’ve seen with our Hong Kong travel itinerary, even with 7 days, we missed plenty of stuff.

If you’ve loved our itinerary but would like to make tweaks to it based on your interests, travel style, and group dynamic, here is a list of places that we think would be great to swap in.

Places to go

• Golden Bauhinia – By the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is this golden flower statue. The whole area has great views of the Kowloon-side.
• Ocean Park – The original amusement park in Hong Kong with roller coasters, water park, shows, and wildlife encounters, this is fun for the whole family.
• Ngong Ping 360 – Cablecar experience on Lantau Island that takes you up to The Big Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery.
• Happy Valley Racecourse – This is a fun night out especially if you go on one of their Happy Wednesday events which includes their Beer Garden and English-commentary.
• Chi Lin Nunnery & Nan Lian Garden – These two are next to each other and are beautiful places to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
• Sky100 – If you’re a fan of views from skyscrapers, don’t miss out the observation deck on the 100th floor. It’s also right next to the West Kowloon Cultural District.

Day trip ideas

• Hong Kong Disneyland – With the exclusive World of Frozen, this is a must-visit for any Disney-lover. Get your tickets ahead of time to save money.
• Stanley – Picturesque coastal town that’s located on the southern side of Hong Kong Island with a sandy beach, shopping, temple, vibrant market, and seaside restaurants.
• Macau – We have a great Macau day trip itinerary that shows you how you can fit it in your trip.
• Sai Kung – A great seaside fishing village that is worthy of being a day trip on its own or you could even try to combine it with your visit to the Hong Kong GeoPark area.
• Tai O Fishing Village – At this historic fishing village in the far end of Lantau Island, explore scenic trails, seafood restaurants, street food, and houses on stilts.
• Outlying Islands – Peng Chau is just one of many. Others we’ve loved in the past are Cheung Chau and Lamma Island.
• Hikes – There are so many epic hikes in Hong Kong. If you’re looking for a different type of trail and view, check out Dragon’s Back, Braemar Hill Peak, Lion Rock, and Sunset Peak to name a few.
• Shek O Beach – A popular beach getaway within the city and easy to get to on Hong Kong Island.
• Lau Fau Shan & Nam Sang Wai – Chatting with a local, he said if you really want to go off-the-beaten-path, these two spots on the far northwest end of Hong Kong’s New Territories is a more untouched fisherman village (Lau Fau Shan) and nature preserve that’s great for bird-watching and extremely photogenic (Nam Sang Wai).

Activities and tours to join

• Plover Cove Bicycling and Hiking – A great guided tour that includes biking and hiking in Hong Kong’s wilderness and through one of the prettiest parts of the city that rarely anyone gets to see.
• GeoPark Kayaking – See the GeoPark and the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region from the water with this kayaking adventure .
• Baked Goods DIY Workshop – This is a bit of a new concept. You’ll go to a self-service baking studio to learn how to make traditional Chinese baked goods like egg tarts and mooncakes.
• Dark Side of Hong Kong Walking Tour – In this walking tour , see the real disparities in housing in Hong Kong with visits to a subdivided unit what it’s like to live in a 100 sq. ft. apartment.
• Street Food Walking Tour – A great way to try the best street food in one walking tour .

Restaurants to try

• We’re not going to list them all but we’ve added several that we wanted to fit in but just didn’t have the time on our trip planning map .

Short on time? You can always follow our 2 day Hong Kong itinerary as well!

How To Spend A Day in Macau

If you’re thinking of replacing one of the days with a trip to Macau instead, you can easily do that with this guide.

Even if you think you know what Hong Kong is about, think again! Whether you’ve been to Hong Kong before or it’s your first time, there is so much to do.

Thinking about the trip as a whole, these were 4 highlights that made it really special.

Can’t beat local eats – If you think we intentionally picked the grungiest and no frills street food-type restaurants that we could find, you’d be right and I’m so glad that we did. The energy, cheap prices, and downright deliciousness can’t be beat!

What a view! – While in Hong Kong, you kind of get used to the gorgeous skyline everywhere you go but I’m not exaggerating when I say that the view from Kowloon Peak is absolutely jaw-dropping.

Thriving art scene – I’ll be honest, on previous visits, going to a museum never even crossed my mind. Hearing all of the buzz around the West Kowloon Cultural District, I was interested to see if it lived up to the hype. I was impressed and am glad I spent a day dedicated to the area. On top of that, places like Tai Kwun which I never thought to do added another layer to Hong Kong’s diverse culture.

Outdoor gems – We believe that the perfect Hong Kong itinerary should have a nice sprinkle of its gorgeous outdoors. Green spaces are another thing that doesn’t necessarily come to mind right away but it’s one of those hidden secrets where “if you know, you know!”

Hey I get it, a week in Hong Kong seems like a long time but I’m proof that there’s more than enough places to visit and things to eat. In fact, I probably could’ve used a few more days but I’ll leave that for a future trip.

Hope this itinerary leaves you inspired for your upcoming adventure in Hong Kong!

For the best combination of weather and crowds, November and April are the best months to visit. These are away from the big holiday seasons in January/February (Chinese New Year), May (Labour Day Golden Week), October (China National Day) and December (Christmas) and the climate is very comfortable. Avoid summer as it is unbearably hot.

At a minimum, with so many things to do in Hong Kong, and numerous day trip options, we recommend at least 5 days in Hong Kong.

We did this trip the third week of November.

November is the perfect time to visit Hong Kong because it’s out of Typhoon Season, rainfall and humidity is at a minimum, and the temperatures are pleasantly cool at an average of 22°C (71.6°F).

Hong Kong is a relatively drone-friendly location. Beyond the common-sense rules, if your drone is >250g, you’ll need to register it with eSUA although that will be challenging if you don’t live in Hong Kong. There are some locations designated as no-drone zones such as Victoria Peak, Por Lo Shan, Siu Ma Shan, most of Northern Lantau Island, Tai Mo Shan, and most of Victoria Harbour.

The best eSIM to use in Hong Kong is Airalo where 5GB is $12 USD and is valid for 30 days. Use code WILLIA9500 to get $3 off your first order.

• 2 Day Hong Kong Itinerary – Maximize Your 48 Hours
• 20 Best Places To Eat in Hong Kong
• Our Best Hong Kong Articles
• We normally use Booking.com and Expedia when looking for hotels but for Asia, Agoda has lower prices and often more inventory as well.

If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100% .

Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card . Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.

Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature . Kayak is also another that’s we will often check as well.

Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.

Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.

Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300 ) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.

eSIM: Lately, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. The one we find using the most is Airalo . Save money by getting region-specific eSIMs and use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase. Ubigi is another one that we’ve had success with where they uniquely offer 5G coverage. Use code AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order. The newest eSIM we’ve tried is KnowRoaming that sneakily has great rates on unlimited plans. We’ve partnered with them to give you a custom code GAP10 to save you 10%.

Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts . Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.

Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key ).

Tours: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.

Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.

• HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks.
• RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
• SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
• Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
• InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.

If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.

This trip was in partnership with Hong Kong but all opinions are our own.

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About William Tang

William Tang is the Chief of Awesome behind the award-winning Going Awesome Places which is focused on outdoor adventure, and experiential travel. His true passion lies in telling stories, inspiring photography and videos, and writing detailed itineraries and travel guides. He is a member of Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), and Travel Massive. He has also been featured in publications such as Reader's Digest, Entrepreneur, Men's Journal, and Haute Living. Make sure to learn more about William Tang to find out his story and how Going Awesome Places started.

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5 Days in Hong Kong: Highlights of My Itinerary-Free Trip

Last Updated: August 20, 2024

My spur of the moment trip to Hong Kong was born from a late-night conversation with a travel-hungry friend 10,000 miles away.

It was a wild, impulsive, and indelible adventure; a chance journey that wasn’t really meant to take place, but played out perfectly nonetheless.

Our five-day meet-up was a blur of world-class food, bumpy ferry rides to distant destinations, passionate karaoke with locals, adrenaline-pumping blackjack hands, frenzied markets – and plenty of other captivating adventures in between.

And when it was time to fly our separate ways, we’d been left in awe of what Hong Kong has to offer.

Neither of us was quite ready to leave, and we both made stern-faced promises that we’d return one day and recreate the magic.

So, here’s our story.

Our Hong Kong highlights, if you will.

Five Days in Hong Kong: The Highlights

• How My Trip to Hong Kong Began

My Partner in Crime

• Map of Hong Kong Highlights

Getting Lucky in Macau

A wild night with new friends, hong kong mansion hopping, the food, the glorious food, cruising the ferry to lamma island, the insanity of lan kwai fong.

• High Stakes Horse Racing
• Wandering the Hong Kong Night
• Hong Kong’s Bustling Markets
• Karaoke With the Locals

Hong Kong Raised the Bar

How my impulsive trip to hong kong all began.

I was having an unassuming late-night conversation with my lifelong friend, Riley, on a quiet March evening.

He was busy getting a house-renovation business set up in Colorado and I was half a world away, working on my blog in Chengdu, China.

The chat had been rather uneventful until I sent him a few pictures from my 32nd birthday Chengdu street food marathon from just a few days earlier.

It was then when our conversation instantly took a turn.

The photos of the tantalizing street food had sparked something inside of him.

“I want to see Asia. I just started searching for flights. Let’s meet in Hong Kong on Monday. I hear they have some of the best food in the world.” he suggested.

“I’m in, but do you really think that’s going to happen? You don’t have a passport. Monday’s five days away. Who’s going to watch your kids?” I answered skeptically.

“I’ll make it happen. The kids are out of town. I’m buying tickets. I’ll expedite the passport. Let’s do this.”

And five days later, I packed my bag and boarded a plane to Hong Kong.

Meet Josh Riley — known by friends simply as “Riley.”

He’s the impulsive soul who pulled the trigger on a 15-hour plane ride halfway across the world on five days’ notice without a passport .

My last-minute trip to Hong Kong was Riley’s wild and hair-brained scheme that he carefully willed into fruition.

I’m giving him all the credit.

Since we met in middle school 19 years ago, the two of us have had a knack for adventure.

We’ve weathered wild storms high in the Colorado mountains, taken seedy Greyhound buses cross-country, and even picked up our lives to move to Hawaii.

(At one point we packed five people into a dingy two-bedroom Honolulu apartment.)

So, when Riley stepped off a bus and we found each other in the crowded streets of Hong Kong, we both knew unpredictable opportunities were waiting on the horizon.

Map of Our Hong Kong Highlights

Interactive map of our Hong Kong highlights

Click a marker on the map to reveal information about its destination.

I’ve included every location mentioned in this post, so zoom out if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for.

Most destinations are easily accessible by public transportation or taxi.

Our first day in Hong Kong — Southeast China’s autonomous and densely-packed cultural wonderland of 7 million — was fairly short-lived.

But, worry not. We’d be back.

Just a few hours after Riley landed in Hong Kong, we boarded a ferry and rode east towards Macau, Asia’s gigantic and gaudy equivalent to Las Vegas.

Bringing in over $37 billion in 2018 (more than triple that of Las Vegas), Macau is unquestionably the gambling capital of the world.

Super-sized Las Vegas? Right up our alley.

When we arrived in Macau, we excitedly dropped off our bags at our hotel and set off towards the swanky Grand Lisboa Casino .

We were ready for some low-stakes blackjack, free drinks, and top-notch people-watching.

You know, all the familiarities we’d become accustomed to over our multiple trips together to Las Vegas.

But we hadn’t done our research.

Macau and Vegas are nothing alike.

Low-stakes gambling does not exist in Macau.

And the casinos don’t serve alcohol either.

The only people hanging out in the streets are bored cab drivers, taking long drags off cigarettes and waiting to give their next ride.

So, we reluctantly walked up to the cheapest blackjack table we could find – $40 minimum per bet.

I took a deep breath, sat down at the only open seat amidst a down-on-their-luck Australian bachelor party, and put my money on the table.

My brief dive into blackjack was only three hands long.

Each deal of cards was an agonizing and nail-biting experience, but I ultimately edged out the dealer each time.

Knowing that my luck could (and probably would) run out at any moment, I grabbed my chips and stood up.

I’d won $200 in under five minutes.

After a lengthy contemplative chat with Riley about luck, limits, and life, we decided it was time to ditch the casino and walk away on top.

Macau’s high-stakes tables would chew us up and spit us out if we stayed much longer.

We weren’t cut out for Macau, and we both knew it.

Since we’d banned ourselves from entering any more casinos, we retreated back towards our hotel and wandered into a nearly empty restaurant for a late dinner.

Sure, we’d won a good bit of money, but we hadn’t found the excitement we’d been anticipating in Macau.

The first day of our adventure was fading to an uneventful end.

Were we really going to visit the gambling capital of the world just to play three hands of blackjack and eat a quiet meal?

But then, a man at a nearby table stood up with a large bottle of beer in his right hand and gestured wildly to his eight tablemates, and gave what I can only assume was a rousing speech.

He was speaking in Chinese and, although neither Riley nor I had the slightest clue what he was saying, we answered his heartfelt words with applause.

He took a look over at us and smiled.

We liked his passion and he liked our enthusiasm, so he invited us to come and join his table.

For the next few hours, the ten of us enthusiastically drank beer and baijiu, Hong Kong’s favorite grain alcohol, and communicated through wild gestures, basic broken English, and laughter.

We chummed it up like old friends who hadn’t seen each other in years.

By the end of the night, the table was littered with empty beer bottles, cigarette butts, and half-eaten plates of food.

Soon enough, the clock had crept well past midnight and the restaurant staff started stacking chairs on the tables around us.

The beer ran dry shortly after and we all decided to part ways, hugging and wishing each other happy days ahead.

Our brief stay in the luxurious Macau Crowne Plaza Hotel was our big splurge to start the trip.

After a sleepy check out, we hobbled onto a bus back towards Hong Kong and retreated to more suitable confines for a couple of shoestring travelers – the Chungking Mansions.

Made famous by Anthony Bourdain , the Chungking Mansions are a set of old, funky high-rises, home to a large slice of Hong Kong’s immigrant population.

Each of the mansion’s 16 stories is full of life – packed with cramped businesses, wandering aromas, and tiny budget hotels.

Yeah, you guessed it, we’d come for the budget hotels.

Once we arrived at the Mansions, we wandered about the buzzing ground floor.

Chattering food vendors beckoned us to have a seat at their stalls.

Shopkeepers peddled counterfeit watches, SIM cards, and discount tailored suits.

The sights, smells, and sounds jumped out at us from every direction.

We strolled around slowly, soaking it all in.

We then checked into our miniature hotel room at the Premium Lounge (which was barely bigger than my camper van ), flipped on the clunky air conditioning unit, and fell into a peaceful afternoon nap as the restless outside world continued to buzz and throb outside our window.

After resting up in the Chungking Mansions, we hit the town to explore Hong Kong’s world-renowned food scene and were overwhelmed with the choices.

I’m a glutton for quality Chinese food , so the choices in Hong Kong were pushing all the right buttons.

Whether it was a golden-roasted goose hanging in an oily window, a greasy grab-and-go waffle shack on a noisy street corner, or a muggy dim sum restaurant with steam spilling out the front door – the wide array of food options in Hong Kong frequently stopped us dead in our tracks.

Eventually, a tiny 10-seat sushi restaurant beckoned us, so we wandered in and started filling out a menu.

From the moment the first plate arrived, we were in heaven.

Sea urchin, eel, mackerel, raw shrimp, seared salmon – our selections hit the table one after another in a blissful blur of fresh flavors. We soon returned to the register to order a second round of sushi – a third – a fourth.

High-quality Japanese food is abundant all over Hong Kong and we were reaping the delicious benefits.

And this experience was only a sign of things to come.

Hong Kong’s top-notch cuisine blew us away time and time again for the duration of our trip.

Steamed buns, beef brisket noodles, egg tarts, you name it – we had as much mouth-watering food as our stomachs could handle, and we always hit the streets in search of more.

The following morning, we pushed and squeezed our way through Hong Kong’s ever-congested sidewalks to the Central Ferry Pier.

From there, we hopped aboard a ferry, this time bound for Lamma Island .

We were a bit beat up from the first couple of action-packed days of our trip and decided an island escape would recharge our batteries.

After about 20 minutes on the barge, we disembarked at a quiet fishing village on the south of the island.

We bee-lined into the first café we saw and quickly threw back six shots of espresso between the two of us.

Gripped by the energy of a few fresh hits of caffeine, we set off on a paved 6 kilometer (3.6 mile) hiking trail that would take us through the middle of the tropical island to its northern shore.

We huffed and puffed up hills, and past the empty houses of fishermen at sea as the powerful sun radiated down.

Within an hour and a half, we reached our destination where we walked up and down a small lonely beach.

A fisherman, perched on a rock in the distance, cast out a line.

Hungry seagulls swirled in the sky above us. Barges inched across the South China Sea on the distant horizon.

We kicked around the sand, chatting eagerly about what Hong Kong might have in store for us next.

Soon, a ferry arrived to take us back towards the frantic city we’d become so enamored by, and we hopped on.

A quick breather back at the Mansions and another trip to our beloved sushi spot turned day into night.

Once fully recharged, it was time to set off on the subway towards our next adventure: Hong Kong’s wild bar district, Lan Kwai Fong .

From the moment we arrived, the neighborhood was absolutely buzzing.

Hordes of raucous people spilled out of bars, posted up along storefronts, and swarmed chaotically into the streets.

We both knew that Lan Kwai Fong wasn’t really our style, but we’d have a great time anyway.

We set off into the night, wandering in and out of crowded bars for a drink when the moment struck – completely taken aback by the insanity that surrounded us.

Inside one venue, a man sat playing acoustic guitar and singing passionately as oblivious bargoers brushed past him.

The next bar was playing host to a risqué drag show much to the delight of its tipsy patrons.

People from all corners of the world filled the streets, flowing through the wild night without worry.

Lan Kwai Fong was loose and crackling with energy.

Midnight came and went as we drifted around, chatting the evening away with strangers in the streets.

But our fleeting energy fled, and the exhaustion of international travel sideswiped us.

We flagged down a taxi, crawled in, and made our way back towards the refuge of our tiny hotel room for a much overdue night of sleep.

High Stakes Horse Racing (Almost)

Our ensuing Sunday morning got off to a sluggish start, but a stroll down Hong Kong’s lively Nathan Avenue jolted us awake once again.

Now fully alert, we set off towards the Happy Valley Racecourse for some of Hong Kong’s world-renowned horse racing .

We’d heard that Hongkongers take horse racing very seriously and we were more than ready to place a few wildly uninformed bets on the races.

Our excitement took a hit, however, when we arrived and realized that we’d shown up at the wrong racetracks.

The races were about to start at Sha Tin Racecourse – over an hour away on crowded public transportation.

But Happy Valley was still open for business – they were accepting bets and streaming the races on a swath of big-screen TVs – so we went in anyway.

We’d gotten a brief taste of gambling in Macau and we’d been itching for more ever since.

This might be the day we strike it rich.

That’s what we told ourselves at least.

We frantically Googled “how to horse bet” and scrambled through the confusing ins and outs of it all on our smartphones as the first race drew closer.

It didn’t take long for us to approach the counter and place a few longshot bets that would never come close to panning out.

After a couple of hours and a few too many failed bets, we consoled ourselves with a greasy bag of comfort food from a nearby McDonald’s.

We climbed high into the racetrack’s bleachers to sit and stare at the distant, glittering skyscrapers.

Wandering Through the Hong Kong Night

After our brief foray into the world of horse betting, we retreated back to our hotel to nap and recharge for a few hours.

When night fell, we were once again back on the prowl, searching for our next adventure.

Our first stop was along Hong Kong’s Avenue of Stars to soak in the well-known Symphony of Lights – a choreographed spectacle of multi-colored lasers beaming and flashing out of skyscrapers across Kowloon Bay.

Accompanying music played in the background.

Next, we walked through Kowloon Park , a mid-city escape from the hectic buzz of city life.

The park was swarmed with countless large groups of people enjoying the humid Sunday evening.

Grill tops full of sizzling meat spewed out smoke, music blared from portable speakers, and circles of joyful people danced the night away.

Hong Kong was packed with life in every corner.

Further along, we found a small, quiet park where we sat on a bench and watched two men playing an intense game of chess, slamming the timer emphatically after every move.

To our right, three men casually played cards, stopping frequently to engage in seemingly devious transactions with the occasional passersby.

Hunger eventually struck, so we walked to a nearby seafood restaurant and climbed a pair of tall metal stools at a cramped table.

We capped off another successful day with a dinner of razor clams, baked mussels, pork belly, and cold Tsingtao beer.

Hong Kong’s Bustling Markets

Riley and I began our final day in Hong Kong by walking the ever-packed sidewalks and soaking in the chaos that reverberates in every direction.

First, we stopped at the Wan Chai Market – a claustrophobic collection of stalls peddling mountains of fresh seafood.

From the moment we stepped inside, our senses were overwhelmed.

Live shrimp splashed and wiggled about in cheap over-filled plastic bowls.

Vendors wearing thick rubber gloves shouted across the market as they de-scaled the day’s fresh catch.

Freshly cut filets of fish lay across beds of ice, their hearts left attached and still beating.

Oysters. Clams. Mussels. Prawns. Sea snails. Crabs. Scallops. Geoduck.

Seafood was everywhere .

The unmistakable aroma of fresh ocean creatures permeated the air as we wandered the crowded corridors in amazement.

We left only after we’d ogled every last stall.

A few more hours of captivating city-walking eventually brought us to Temple Street Night Market , a pedestrian-only street packed with kiosks selling kitschy knick-knacks, handmade goods, counterfeit electronics, silly t-shirts, and other touristy trinkets.

We spent an hour bartering and haggling with amused vendors, accumulating numerous gifts for Riley’s family and friends back home.

When the dust settled, Riley donned a t-shirt of two cats reenacting the famous Titanic “I’m flying!” scene and had two plastic bags bulging full of knock-off goods.

The urge to find amazing food hit once again, and we stopped for yet another top-notch meal – this time of grilled scallops, mantis shrimp, razor clams (again), and cold Tsingtao (again).

The food in Hong Kong was a non-stop highlight for us – it never let us down.

Belting Out Karaoke with Locals

Full of seafood and cheap beer, Riley and I dived back into the bustling streets but quickly realized we needed to find a bathroom, any bathroom, in a hurry.

In a desperate search, we poked our heads down a dark, greasy alley where we heard the faint echoes of a keyboard and off-tone vocals in the distance.

We followed the sounds into the back door of a dimly lit lounge with soft red lighting and cigarette smoke hanging in the air.

A middle-aged couple shared the microphone – singing together passionately to a Cantonese ballad.

The moment we set foot inside, we knew we’d stumbled upon our destiny for the evening – Hongkongers love karaoke, and so do we.

A few locals spotted us (clearly, we looked a bit out of place) and invited us to their table.

They ordered a round of drinks, brought us a book of songs, and chatted to us in broken English.

It didn’t take long for our new friends to force us into picking out a couple of songs.

They wanted to hear us sing badly, so we really had no choice in the matter.

We’d be singing in front of strangers whether we were ready or not.

It was Riley’s turn first.

He took the stage and promptly began butchering “It’s Been a Long Day’s Night.”

His delivery was a bit erratic, so the elderly house keyboard player slowed down and sped up in an attempt to coax Riley back to the basic melody.

His attempts were futile.

After watching a few more locals sing their hearts out, it was my turn to take the stage.

I clutched the microphone and gave “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” my very best attempt.

I was met with blank stares and half-smiles from the audience.

Nobody had the slightest clue what song I was singing.

Meanwhile, Riley had disappeared.

He’d taken to the streets in search of an ATM and had been gone for nearly an hour.

Where the hell did he go?

Just as I was getting worried, he called frantically over a choppy public WiFi connection.

He’d become hopelessly lost in the Hong Kong night and needed me to come and find him.

“Tell me your intersection and don’t move,” I told him as I sighed and dropped my head into my hands.

I typed his location into my phone, grabbed his heaping bags full of gifts, and started walking along the deserted city sidewalks.

Fifteen minutes later, I found Riley standing under a flickering streetlamp with a shit-eating grin on his face.

I shook my head in disbelief.

We regrouped with a basket of fried seafood and began our stumble back towards the Chungking Mansions.

Dawn was just around the corner and Riley had a flight to catch in six hours.

What a trip.

What a wild and ridiculous trip.

For as much fun as we had, Riley and I left countless stones unturned in Hong Kong.

Hopefully, this wasn’t our final trip to Hong Kong together – there was too much left unseen.

We’d seen only a sliver of this shining city in five days, and it left us hungry for more.

We made a good start of it, though – the high-stakes blackjack, the late nights with new friends, the worldly cuisine, the lively markets, the free-wheeling karaoke – it all happened because a couple of thrill-seeking old friends got itchy feet and decided it was time for an adventure.

And I must say we chose the perfect city to embark on that adventure.

Hong Kong is a striking place full of dynamic and eye-catching travel opportunities.

To walk its spirited streets is to elevate all five senses into overdrive.

Our fascinating five-day tour of Hong Kong was a brisk stream of highlights — one after another, after another — on repeat.

Neither Riley nor I know if or when our trails will ever lead back to Hong Kong.

We have no idea what the future will bring.

But what I do know is that our remarkable journey to Hong Kong has left me hooked, humbled, and patiently on call to return at a moment’s notice.

Noel Krasomil

Affiliate Disclosure : Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate links help support this website and keep it 100% ad-free.

8 thoughts on “5 Days in Hong Kong: Highlights of My Itinerary-Free Trip”

Great post, this brings back memories of the trips I made to Hong Kong, now I yearn to go back for all its chaos, adventure and its world-class food! Especially from those hidden restaurants that only the locals eat at – those are the best.

Been six times and always find new, hidden and exciting spots every time. I’ve yet to visit Lamma Island – will definitely add that to the next trip.

Happy Travels,

Billy | http://www.brbgonesomewhereepic.com

Yeah, I’m counting down the days until I return as well. I think it’d be quite interesting to be there right now during all of the intense protests. History in the making. Thanks for checking out the post!

Everything you want and need in life seems to be packed into Hong Kong, Noel. Sounds like you guys had a fab time. Like many places, it’s on my to-do list.

Agreed! There really is everything you could ask for, including nature. Who knew? I could go back a hundred times and never run out of things to do.

was a wild ride. would recommend 10/10

When the hell are we going back?!?! *Looks at watch*

Great article. Sounds like you two have a wonderful exciting time in HK. Sure brings back memories.

Thanks, Sherry! It was a wonderful trip.

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The Best Hong Kong Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Hong Kong is a vibrant city with interesting geographical layout, versatile entertainment and futuristic cityscape. Hong Kong though being such a small city it is jam packed with tourist attractions, temples, theme parks and more.

As a tourist you will find it fascinating how developed and diverse the city and its people are. Due to the beautiful skyline and high skyscrapers of the city and being located on the South China sea it is also called the “Fragrant Harbour” . It has two main divisions mainland Hong Kong and Hong Kong Island, and both are equally glamorous and scenic.

To make sure your itinerary is packed with all the best things to do in Hong Kong, check out this comprehensive Hong Kong Travel Guide .

WHAT IS COVERED IN THIS ARTICLE?

Hong Kong travel guide: Preparation

Visa: Hong Kong is quite relaxed about visas. Most people can visit without needing a visa in advance. However, the rules can vary based on your home country and how long you plan to stay. Typically, visitors get a stay of 7 to 90 days upon arrival, but if you need more time, you should apply for a visa beforehand. It’s always smart to check with the Hong Kong Immigration Department or your local consulate to make sure you have the right documents before you travel.

Travel Documents : Ensure that you have a valid passport with at least six months’ validity from your intended departure date. Depending on your nationality, you may also need a visa to enter Hong Kong, so check the visa requirements well in advance.

Flight and Accommodation : Book your flights to Hong Kong and secure your accommodations. Hong Kong offers a wide range of hotels, hostels, and guesthouses to suit different budgets. Consider the location of your accommodations in relation to the places you want to visit.

Travel Insurance : It’s advisable to purchase travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and other unforeseen circumstances.

Currency Exchange : Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD). Check the exchange rates and consider carrying a small amount of local currency with you. Hong Kong offers a lot of cashless online payment options like Paypal, Alipay and Wechat’s payment. To make your transactions more convenient and cashless, it is recommended to purchase an Octopus payment card in advance or at the airport.

This card can be used for various modes of transportation such as buses, taxis, and subways. Additionally, if you have a Mastercard or Visa debit or credit card, you can enjoy additional benefits and credit facilities, although there will be an extra cost of HK$1 per transaction. Having an Octopus card will ensure hassle-free transactions throughout your journey.

Language : While English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas, it’s helpful to learn some basic Cantonese phrases or download a translation app to ease communication. You can use apps like Koalssky’s offline translate, cantonese translator, Nemo cantonese.

Weather and Packing : Check the weather forecast for your travel dates and pack accordingly. Hong Kong has distinct seasons, so bring appropriate clothing, including rain gear if you’re visiting during the wet season.

Adapters and Power Plugs : Hong Kong uses a three-prong power plug with a voltage of 220V. If your devices use different plug types or voltages, bring suitable adapters and transformers.

Local Customs : Familiarize yourself with local customs and traditions. Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city, but it’s essential to be respectful of local customs, especially when visiting temples or other cultural sites.

Health Precautions : Check if any vaccinations or health precautions are necessary for your trip to Hong Kong. Carry any essential medications and bring a basic first aid kit. Most Hongkong pharmacies are not open 24X7 and hence carry your daily medicines.

Research Attractions and Activities : Make a list of places you want to visit and activities you’d like to experience. Hong Kong offers a diverse range of attractions, from cultural landmarks to bustling street markets and picturesque hiking trails.

Public Transportation : Familiarize yourself with Hong Kong’s efficient public transportation system, including the MTR (Mass Transit Railway), buses, and ferries. An Octopus Card is a convenient and cost-effective way to pay for public transport and some purchases.

Safety : Hong Kong is generally a safe destination for travelers, but it’s always good to exercise common sense and take basic safety precautions, such as keeping your belongings secure and being aware of your surroundings.

Best time to discover the city

The best time to visit Hong Kong is during the months of October to December. During this period, the weather is cooler and more pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). These months are perfect for outdoor activities, exploring the city’s attractions, and enjoying festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival and Christmas celebrations.

Hong Kong Travel Guide: Topmost Attractions

The two main areas of the region are divided by the scenic victoria harbour. As a tourist it is always advised to start your tour from mainland Hong Kong to cover most of the top-tier landmarks and attractions. 

Victoria Peak:

Victoria peak is the most popular hill in western islands of Hong Kong, and it is also known as “The Peak”. The peak offers a viewpoint for the panoramic view of the city. The peak stands at a height of 552 meters from sea level. You can either hike up to the top or take Peak team, the funicular railway. The funicular railway has been operating there since 1988 and the scenario visible while going up is worth the visit.

For hikers, there is the Peak circle walk which is easy and enjoyable. At the summit you will see Peak Tower and Peak Galleria. There you will find a variety of shopping and dining and entertainment options. There is also a Madame Tussauds gallery.

The observation deck is located at the top of the Peak Tower and is called Skyscraper 428 from where you will get a beautiful view of the mighty city. The nighttime view from the deck is quite spectacular. You can come here for dinner and visit the beautiful city. 

Opening Hours: The observation deck and the path to the peak is open from 7 AM to 12 PM for all 7 days of the week. 

Hong Kong Disneyland:

Hong Kong Disneyland is one of the first opened Disneyland resorts in Asia and is quite entertaining and amusing. Disneyland is located in Lantau island and was established in 2005. The different themelands like main street, U.S.A, Toy Story Land fantasyland, Grizzly Gulch, Tomorrowland, Mystic Point will amuse any disney lover. Disneyland takes a full day to cover. The Main street USA is a 20-th century America’s layout and it’s the beginning point of the park.

After that, Head straight to Fantasyland where you can meet Donald, Mickey, Cinderella, Goofy, Winnie and other beloved Disney characters. From there go on exploring different worldwide attractions in adventure land and futuristic high-tech fun elements in tomorrow land and so on. You will also see a lot of parades and shows like the “Festival of the Lion King”, “Disney Paint the Night” and more.

You can also plan your trip to see seasonal celebrations like Chinese New Year, and Christmas. There is zodiac signed merchandise stores, Disney merchandise stores and delicious Chinese foods and fast-food stalls. There are also eight restaurants in the theme park for fine dining.

Opening Hours:  Hong Kong Disneyland is open from 10 AM to 8:30 PM 7 days a week.

Tickets & Entry Fee: You may buy 1-day, or 2-day Disneyland tickets and the one- day tickets come at HK$759- and two-day tickets for HK$ 789 for adults. The fare for children between the age of 3 to 11, the ticket prices are $596 for two-day tickets. 

How to reach Hong Kong Disneyland?

You can easily reach Hong Kong Disneyland through the MTR line that runs from Sunny Bay to Hong Kong Disneyland. And the Sunny Bay station is connected with other lines like Tun Chun, Tsuen Wan and others. For adults the train tickets cost around HK$21.

Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery:

Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery , this famous Buddhist monastery is located in Sha Tin and has numerous Buddha statues, made in the 1950s. The name reflects the huge number of statues as well as the presence of vast numbers of statues with various poses, showing the teachings of Buddha.

The monastery has several buildings and halls like the main hall, meditation halls and at the entrance you will see the nine-story pagoda. You can also see the shrines inside with Chinese decoration and old architecture. To reach the monastery you will have to climb the four hundred thirty-one steps along the way. There is no entrance fee to the monastery. 

Opening Hours: The Man Fat Tsz monastery is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00PM.  

Lan Kwai Fong:

If you want to taste the finest Chinese dishes and enjoy the nightlife of Hong Kong, you must not miss Lan Kwai Fong . It’s a vibrant neighborhood with clubs, pubs, breweries along with two beautiful art galleries. It’s home to a vibrant and energetic neighborhood with over 90 bars and restaurants.

In Lan Kwai Fong you can also see street parties, music festivals, and holiday decorations throughout the year. Lang Kwai Fong is most crowded during the new year’s. You can go to the area by public buses, MTR central station by metro. 

Nan Lian Garden & ChiLin Nunnery:

Nan Lian garden is a picturesque public garden where you can take a stroll, visit beautiful architecture, pavilion and botanical collections. Nan Lian garden is meticulously designed with Chinese architecture including pavilions, halls, bridges and structures. Nan Lian garden is mostly known for its impressive collection of Bonsai trees.

At the center of the garden there is also a lotus pond and beautiful rock formations. While visiting the Nan Lian Garden, don’t forget to visit the Chinese tea house where you can enjoy traditional Chinese tea and sweets. Adjacent to the Nan Lian Garden, you can visit the Chi Lin Nunnery where you can see the Tang-dynasty style architecture.

Ding Ding (Hong Kong Tramlines):

The Hong Kong tram line or commonly known as ding ding because of the sound of its bell is one of the heritage transport mediums of Hong Kong city.

It is one of the oldest tramlines continuing to operate. Take a tram ride across the city and enjoy the slow ride from Kennedy Town in the west to Shau Kei Wan in the east. During the ride you can see the iconic Victoria peak, wan chai, north point, in the urban landscape of Hong Kong. 

Siksik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple:

Wong Tai Sin temple is located in Kuwoon and it’s a temple of the Taoist god Wong Tai Sin. The temple practices beliefs of Taoist, Buddhist, and Confucian beliefs. You will see complex traditional Chinese architectural elements, like the vibrant colors along with ornate roofs, intricate carvings. The architecture and design are visually striking and hold cultural significance.

You will see an old form of fortune telling practiced in Siksik Yuen Wong Tai Sin temple. The temple celebrates different festivals throughout the year, especially the Taoist holidays. The Wong Tao Sin festival is the biggest one among them and it is on the eighth day of the lunar month. 

Lantau Island:

Lantau Island is located to the west of Hong Kong Island, and you can get there easily by the MTR, or ferry or bus. Lantau Island’s topmost attractions include Tian Tan Buddha, Po Ling Monastery, Lantau Peak along with beautiful hiking trails and other options. Lantau island has beautiful challenging trails for hikers and monasteries. Keep aside one day to tour Lantau Island. The main attractions of Lantau Island are:

• Ngong Ping 360
• Lantau Peak & Lantau Trails
• Po Lin Monastery
• Cheung Sha Beach and Pui O Beach

How do you reach Lantau Island from Hong Kong?

To reach Lantau island you can take the easiest way, that is by taking a ferry from Central to Mui Wo or Discovery Bay. You can also take public buses and trains that go to Tung Chung via the Tsing Ma bridge. A single ferry ticket costs HK$ 25.50 for adults and HK$13 for kids.

Tian Tan Buddha:  

Tian Tan Buddha or big Buddha is one of the most celebrated and famous statues in Lantau Island. Tin Tan Buddha is a 112-feet buddha statue over the top of a hill from where you can see Nnog Ping, and you can visit the panoramic view of the whole island. You can visit the statue between 5AM to 10PM.

You have to take a flight of 260 stairs to reach the top. It is always recommended to buy the tickets in advance. 

Victoria harbour:

Victoria harbour is a natural harbour located between Kowloon peninsula and Hong Kong Island. The victoria harbour looks very beautiful on the brink of Hong Kong with its beautiful skyline, with modern skyline and more. On the Tsim Tsa Tsui side of the harbour you will find a beautiful promenade called the Avenue of Stars.

The harbour is the most vibrant place with cultural fun activities like dragon boat races, firework displays, and lantern displays during the mid-autumn festivals and on other occasions. 

Ocean Park:

Ocean Park is a marine theme park and indoor aquarium located in Hong Kong. It’s the perfect place for a day out with kids. The theme park has a lot of water rides in the Thrill Mountain, Aqua City, Amazing Asian Animals, Polar Adventure, and Rainforest sections of Ocean Park. You will see a diverse display of animals there including conservation for giant pandas and red pandas.

There are dolphins, penguins, sea lions, Chinese sturgeons and other marine life. You can also buy tickets to the shows displayed there like the animal performances, educational demonstrations and more.

Tickets:  The tickets to the ocean park are HK$388 for adults and HK$233 per child.

How Many Days Are Required for a Hong Kong tour?

Hong Kong has a lot to offer being this vibrant and bustling city. From mountain peaks to beaches and harbours along with the temples the city has endless entertainment and attractions. Depending on your interests the time for the tour may vary.

For visiting only, the highlight attractions of the city it will only take you 2 to 3 days. Within 3 days you can cover the Victoria Peak, Victoria Harbour, Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, and a few key shopping districts. 

But if you extend your vacation to 4 to 5 days you can explore a lot more of the city. You can spare one or two more days if you wish to visit the disneyland, ocean park, monasteries, street night market and the outlying islands specially Lantau. 

If you are planning outdoor activity trips or cultural heritage trips, the recommended time would be at least 7 days. With 7 days in hand, you can plan hiking, boat races and other adventurous activities. Hong Kong is such a beautiful and affordable city that you cannot miss this out on your trip to China.

You can also plan the vacation in such a way that you also visit the nearby districts and cities like Macau or Shenzhen after visiting Hong Kong.

Hong Kong City Tour: Details, Timings, Budget

Hong Kong city tours are divided into a few aspects from which you can choose from based on your interests and set the itinerary like that. Hong Kong city tours can be family centric, cultural or active and fun.

You can look for local trip operators if you are not familiar with planning your own trips. But a little bit of research will help you save a lot of money and get the most out of your trip. You can find attractive Hong Kong vacation packages from global and local tour providers like Klook .  So, here’s a breakdown of the expenses in Hong Kong city.

Hong Kong Transportation Cost:  There are few ways you can get around the city. Most convenient is an available octopus card which gives you access to MTR, bus and ferry. Otherwise, MTR single trips generally cost around HK$4. The typical public bus travels may cost you around HK$4.50 to HK$15. The infamous Ding Ding ride or metro fare is HK$2.60 only.

And, if you are going to the nearby islands the Star ferry will cost you around HK$2.9 to HK$6.5 to go to Tsim Sha Tsui. And the night tour or Victoria tour on ferry will cost you HK$200 for an hour trip.

Accommodation Cost: Depending on the area you are staying in and the season you are travelling the cost for hotels, resorts, hostels may vary. But you will easily find multiple options for cheap stay as well as luxury hotels . You will also get serviced apartments for longer stay in Hong Kong. The cheap hotels start from HK$400 to HK$600 per night.

Hong Kong Food Cost: An average meal in Hong Kong generally costs around HK$60 to Hk$90. On an average you can expect to spend around HK$200 to HK$250 per person. Hong Kong food is generally very cheap.

Hong Kong is a melting pot of culture and an affordable city for travelers. Make Hong Kong the next spot on the bucket list .

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Hong Kong Travel Guide

Travel resources.

Here are some websites you may find useful when planning your trips. All the services and products listed here are those I have personally used and I hope you find them helpful. Feel free to bookmark this page and check back when planning a trip or before booking. Let’s have a look below:

Hong Kong Travel Resources

Accommodation

Hotels.com, part of Expedia, is a leading accommodation booking website, with over 500,000 properties around the world for you to choose, ranging from budget to luxury hotels. Accommodation can be sorted by star and guest rating, price, types and landmarks etc. Last minute deals and booking app are available. You can also book 10 nights and get 1 free wherever you go. Secure your room now !

Transportation

Airport Express

The Hong Kong Airport Express train is the cheapest and fastest way to get from Hong Kong International Airport to the city centre. Enjoy free WiFi and device charging stations on board, in-town check-in at Hong Kong Station and Kowloon Station, as well as free shuttle bus service to major hotels. Book now and get to town in just 24 minutes .

Explore other options and private airport transfers .

Take the semi-open-top double decker bus and get a glimpse of Hong Kong’s famous attractions. Choices of 1-Day Classic ticket, 2-Days Premium or Deluxe tickets, Single Route ticket or Night Tour.

Get the unlimited hop-on hop off bus ticket from Big Bus or from Klook .

Octopus Card

Every HongKonger I know has an Octopus card. This pre-paid card is a must-have for tourists as well considering its convenience. It can be used for riding public transport, dining and shopping etc. You can buy things and top up/ reload the card at MTR stations, McDonald’s, 7-Eleven and more.

Buy your Octopus card and travel hassle-free.

One of the newest and fastest growing Asian travel company offering various travel activities, attraction tickets such as Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland , WIFI and SIM cards , day trips and guided tours. Explore Hong Kong now.

Wing On Travel

One of the biggest travel companies in Hong Kong. It has an online booking platform and numerous branches throughout Hong Kong. It is famous for local and overseas guided tours and packages, with cruise, hotel and flight booking services.  Check it out  (Chinese website).

Health & Beauty, Travel Gear, Clothing and more

Check out the deals on  Shopee Malaysia , Shopee Singapore and Amazon.com .

Rental Cars

If you travel outside Hong Kong for leisure or business, you may want to rent a car . Rentalcars.com searches through major car rental companies like Hertz and Avis, and offer you some best deals. Easy to use.

Thank you for reading this page. Feel free to leave us comments or contact us if you have any questions.

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We Are Travel Girls

A Community Created To Inspire, Connect, Educate & Empower Female Travelers

ASIA , HONG KONG · November 18, 2016 Last Updated on July 26, 2024

7 THINGS YOU MUST DO ON YOUR FIRST VISIT TO HONG KONG

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may receive a small commission when you make a purchase using our link.

Hong Kong is the gateway to Asia, buzzing with a vibrant culture of east meets west, and old meets new. But it can be overwhelming for first time visitors, so I’ve put together an easy guide so you can get the most out of this wonderful city.

1. GAWK AT SKYSCRAPERS  They are hard to miss given there are over 7000 high-rise buildings making Hong Kong the world’s most vertical city. There are plenty of vantage points around the city; the classic skyline viewing area at Tsim Sha Tsui , atop Victoria Peak, or my favourite – a rooftop bar, with a cocktail in hand.

By We Are Travel Girls Contributor Jess Mizzi of ExpatGetaways.com Connect with Jess   Instagram | Facbook | Twitter | Pinterest

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November 19, 2016 at 2:51 am

Wow! Hong Kong sounds fun. I would love to visit some day. Dim sum is so good, I would love to try it there. :)

We Are Travel Girls says

November 19, 2016 at 3:07 am

Thanks for reading Jenni! Hope you make it to Hong Kong x

รับดูแลเว็บไซต์ says

September 4, 2017 at 9:11 am

Thank you for sharing.

Becky van Dijk says

September 4, 2017 at 9:55 am

Thanks for reading!

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What to pack for a trip to Hong Kong 

My first time visiting Hong Kong, I really wasn’t sure what to expect. Given it’s such a big city, I didn’t know if I’d fall in love with the place and worried it wouldn’t have enough soul for my liking. Turns out, Hong Kong is all heart! This place is a buzzing mix of cultures, from the super modern to the very traditional. All of this makes for a bright, bustling city bursting at the seams with history, shopping and incredible food.

But first, watch this…

You might also like to read:

• 47 of the BEST things to do in Hong Kong

Must-try food in Hong Kong

• Where to stay in Hong Kong
• 10 Essential things to know before you go .

What is the weather like and when should I visit?

Ahhhhh yeah, it’s hot. Hot damn! Call the po-lice and the fireman! Not really, it’s a safe hot, so, no authorities necessary. That said, it’s pretty much hot and humid all year round, so there’s no chance you’ll avoid the warmer weather altogether. That said, here’s some insight on what the weather is like to help you decide the best time for you to visit:

November to April:  No shortage of sunny days, but you’ll find the weather slightly cooler with less rain and humidity. Expect temperatures between 20 – 25 degrees Celsius, for the most part, while things can get pretty chilly during January and February.

April to June:  Expect things to be pretty wet and very hot and humid at this time of year. Temperatures rise and things can get pretty crazy with the amount of pollution in the air too.

July to September:  You’ll find this time of year to be around the typhoon season with very high temperatures hanging around. With lots of rain, heat and humidity, this time of year may not be the best time to visit.

October:  Good old October! This time of year sees some rain, with the tail end of typhoon season, but you’ll find the weather to be slightly less crazy with heat and humidity.

What should I pack?

When it comes to packing clothes, especially if you’re visiting during hot times of the year, you absolutely must pack clothes that are lightweight and breathable. I made the mistake of wearing non-breathable fabrics and heavy skirts a few times and really regretted it.

Look to pack singlet or vest tops, loose-fitting t-shirts, shorts and skirts that are all cotton and breathable. You may feel comfortable wearing some types of activewear that are sweat-wicking, especially if you plan on doing any hiking while you’re there. I’d also recommend packing loose-fitting cotton summer dresses that allow the breeze to cool you down.

If you’re visiting during hot times of the year, you won’t need jeans or warm tops of any kind. It’s way too hot for that kind of thing!

I really recommend packing a few different hats. We spent a lot of time walking between places and the extra protection from the suns hot rays were much appreciated.

You will definitely need  comfortable footwear , so pack a few pairs of shoes that you can happily spend all day in. I recommend packing at least two comfy pairs to switch between because even the most comfortable pairs of sneakers start to hurt a bit if you wear them for three or four days in a row. I also packed sandals and flats with me as I found the winding streets were not a suitable place for high heels.

Bring a small bag packed full of essential medicines with you, bring things like cold and flu tablets,  hay fever/allergy medicine , ibuprofen, paracetamol, tums and Imodium. People who suffer from hay fever, asthma or other allergies may find the pollution causes them to play up, so keep that in mind. You should also definitely pack your prescription medicines and anything special you may require, like a Ventolin inhaler for asthmatics. Find medicine bags here.

Pocket packs of tissues tucked into a bag will come in very helpful at public toilets. Whilst there is no shortage of toilet paper, there are some public toilets which run out of the good stuff due to the high volume of people using them. Don’t be a victim, be proactive. If you’re a germ-a-phobe, I recommend packing a bottle of hand sanitiser which can be used, with a tissue, to sanitise a toilet seat.

If, like me, you’re the kind of person who loves to snack, bring some muesli bars or similar with you. There are loads of shops selling beautiful fresh fruit though, which helps you stay healthy while you travel and make it easy to grab a quick snack while you’re out, but it’s nice having a go-to ready in your bag.

SunSmart gear

You’ll definitely need sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen with high SPF to protect you from the sun’s harsh rays. Remember, sunscreen is only as good as its user and it’s up to you to reapply during the day to ensure you don’t get burned. Remember, cloudy days mean U.V rays!  Find Sunscreen here.

Buy a bottle of good quality insect repellant and use it regularly to help prevent mosquito-borne viruses. It’s also really important you visit your doctor before your trip and let them know where you’re going so you can get any medication or immunisations you may need to protect you.

Major cities have plenty of ATMs and specific ATMs will accept foreign cards, but just remember you get charged a fee every time you withdraw, so it’s better to plan your budget ahead and take out what you need in fewer transactions. You’ll also need to notify your bank you’re going to Hong Kong or they’ll think you’re a fraudster and freeze your accounts. No dumplings for you.

Hand sanitiser

Uh oh, I hate to be  that  tourist, but hand sanitizer is essential no matter where you are, even if you’re in your hometown. You never know when you’ll unexpectedly touch something sticky, hairy, wriggly or gross, so be prepared and have some hand sanitiser with you. I found myself really wanting to use it after I’d been on public transport, just because of the huge volume of people using the system.

Your essentials

Pack your beloved brand-name essentials like cosmetics, electric toothbrush heads and feminine hygiene products. Also, pack your environmentally friendly products and products for sensitive skin, as it may be difficult to get your hands on these while you travel. Don’t waste money on travel minis , use refillable 100ml bottles instead! I often fill up those black pots from Lush with my products as they’re re-usable and under the 100ml limit.

Packing hacks and tips

A few tips and tricks to help you hack your packing!

Eco-friendly bags

Stash some eco-friendly bags and reusable sandwich bags in your luggage , they come in so very handy for storing dirty shoes and clothes as well as bars of soap, wet swimwear or leaky toothpaste tubes!  Find Eco-Friendly Reusable Bags here .

I use Tupperware or similar hard plastic containers to put all my toiletries in. This ensures no leaks will destroy my clean clothes and makes it really easy for me to grab my toiletries in one easy swoop, keep them together in the hotel and makes re-packing easier too. I also use a small container for all my jewellery and another one for electronics like adaptors, cords and chargers. It keeps me organised and stops me from losing things!  Find Storage Containers here.

Dryer sheets

Put dryer sheets in your suitcase to keep your clothes smelling good throughout the whole trip. If you don’t have dryer sheets, a few drops of essential oil on a tissue, laid flat in-between layers of clothes, works wonders. I also have a little bottle of spray which instantly freshens up clothes, it’s from  The Laundress  and it’s amazing! No musty smelling clothes for you, my friend.  Find Dryer Sheets here.

As freelancers, we travel with a lot of electronics so we can work on the road. This can mean a laptop, two cameras, two phones, and a GoPro! If this sounds like you too, then you’re going to need more than one power outlet. Buy one power-point converter and take a power-board with multiple plug-ins on it. It makes life so much easier!  Find Power Boards here  and  Find Power Converters here .

Best travel resources for your trip!

If you found this post useful, please use the affiliate links below. I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, these are the products and services I love and use . Read the disclaimer for more information. Thanks for your support! – Matt.

Hotels, I use  Agoda and Booking.com Rentals:  Discover Cars RVs: Motorhome Republic Transfers:  Welcome Pickups Rideshare: DiDi Insurance:  Cover-More Tours: TourRadar SIM Cards:  Simify VPN: Surfshark

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Top Travel and Tourism Websites in Hong Kong Ranking Analysis for July 2024

trip.com ranked number 1 and is the most visited Travel and Tourism website in Hong Kong in July 2024, followed by ulifestyle.com.hk as the runner up, and klook.com ranking at 3rd place as the leaders of the Travel and Tourism websites in Hong Kong.

Closing off the top 5 Travel and Tourism websites ranking list in Hong Kong are cathaypacific.com ranked in 4th place, and agoda.com at the last position for July 2024.

Come again next month for the updated website ranking & traffic analysis of the most visited Travel and Tourism websites in Hong Kong!

FAQs About The Top Travel and Tourism Websites in Hong Kong

Question: Which is the top Travel and Tourism website in Hong Kong? Answer: trip.com is the most popular Travel and Tourism website in Hong Kong in July 2024.

Question: Which is the 2nd most visited Travel and Tourism website in Hong Kong? Answer: ulifestyle.com.hk is the 2nd most visited Travel and Tourism website in Hong Kong in July 2024.

Question: What are the top 5 most popular Travel and Tourism websites in Hong Kong? Answer: The top 5 most popular Travel and Tourism websites in Hong Kong in July 2024 are: 1. trip.com 2. ulifestyle.com.hk 3. klook.com 4. cathaypacific.com 5. agoda.com.