3-5 Day Suggested Itinerary (Updated 2025)

Hong Kong. Its title conjures up visions of a chaotic, jam-packed metropolis with hovering skyscrapers, thick smog, limitless noodle stands, huge finance, and wild nights out.

It’s certainly one of my favorite cities in the world. The quick tempo creates a way of everlasting change, and the crowds, multiculturalism, and meals hold me repeatedly coming again. Oh, the meals! I may sit bent over a noodle bowl all day lengthy.

Hong Kong is a busy metropolis of seven.5 million inhabitants with one of many greatest hub airports on the earth. It may be overwhelming for a lot of guests, particularly these not used to crowded locations.

And, with so much to do in Hong Kong, many vacationers scratch their head about the place to begin to be able to get essentially the most out of the journey.

When you can go to the town inside one or two days, it’s greatest to spend a minimum of three days in Hong Kong. In case you’re going to go to Macau, I’d add one other day, so that you’d want 4–5 days to actually see the place.

This four-day Hong Kong itinerary will allow you to set up your journey, steer you off the overwhelmed path, and present you why Hong Kong is likely one of the most on-the-go cities on the earth.

Hong Kong Itinerary: Day 1

The Hong Kong Museum of Historical past
With the intention to perceive a spot, you should first perceive its previous. This museum allows you to just do that. It offers a wonderful overview of Hong Kong’s lengthy and sophisticated previous. There are displays referring to the archaeology, social historical past, ethnography, and pure historical past of the area. It’s huge, so enable about 2–4 hours on your go to.

100 Chatham Street South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, +852 2724 9042, hk.historical past.museum/en/net/mh/index.html. Open Wednesday-Monday 10am-6pm (7pm on weekends). Admission is free however some particular exhibitions could require a price.

Kowloon Park
Head to Kowloon Island’s gigantic park that encompasses a swimming pool, a health middle, little ponds the place you may watch geese and different swimming birds, a Chinese language backyard, an aviary, and the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre (to not be confused with the Hong Kong Heritage Museum; extra on that museum under). There are additionally loads of relaxation areas right here the place you may loosen up to flee the oppressive Hong Kong warmth. Spanning 13 hectares (33 acres), it’s top-of-the-line locations to people-watch within the metropolis.

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

Avenue Markets in Mong Kok
This space of Hong Kong has the most important and busiest markets during which to absorb the frenetic environment, sights, and sounds of Hong Kong. The crowds and sellers actually exemplify Hong Kong’s on-the-move essence.

The 2 greatest markets for cheap souvenirs are the Girls Market (discount clothes, equipment, and souvenirs) and the Temple Avenue Evening Market (flea market). The markets of Mong Kok are greatest reached by the Hong Kong MTR subway system, stations Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok, and Prince Edward on the Tsuen Wan (pink) line.

The markets are open every single day, beginning round 11am–midday and shutting within the late night (instances differ).

Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
Stroll alongside the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and take within the breathtaking skyline view of Hong Kong Island. When you’re right here, ensure that to go to the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong’s reply to the Hollywood “Stroll of Fame,” the place you may see the celebs of Chinese language and Western movie alike. There are retailers, eating places, and, at evening, a big out of doors market serving conventional Cantonese meals alongside knockoffs and souvenirs. Come able to haggle.

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

The Star Ferry
The easiest way to get throughout the harbor from Kowloon Island to Hong Kong Island is through the Star Ferry, which showcases a implausible view of the town skyline for less than 4–6 HKD. Driving the ferry is a enjoyable factor to do even in case you aren’t utilizing it for transportation! It’s certainly one of my favourite actions.

Star Ferry Pier, Kowloon Level, Tsim Sha Tsui, +852 2367 7065, starferry.com.hk/en/service. The ferry runs 6:30am-11:30pm every single day, although they happen much less regularly on weekends and holidays. Tickets begin at 4 HKD throughout the week and 5.6 HKD on the weekends, whereas a 4–day cross prices 50 HKD.
 

Hong Kong Itinerary: Day 2

Ngong Ping 360
This cable automotive stretches over 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles) from Tung Chung throughout the bay towards the airport after which onward to Lantau Island. The cable automotive offers you a panoramic view of the airport, harbor, and full metropolis earlier than it travels by way of the encircling mountains. The experience lasts about 25 minutes.

Whenever you get to the highest, don’t miss the close by Po Lin Monastery (a Buddhist monastery based in 1906) and Tian Tan, a 34-meter (111-foot) bronze Buddha statue that sits on the highest of the island’s peak. Whereas Lantau Island is a bit touristy, the experience, views, and monastery make it definitely worth the journey.

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

Take a Meals Tour
After the morning on the cable automotive and having fun with a killer view of Hong Kong, spend your afternoon taking a meals tour. Hong Kong is a food-filled metropolis (there are over 12,000 eating places right here!) and also you’ll discover a numerous vary of cuisines from around the globe. However with out assist, you’ll by no means discover all of the hidden native favorites. The next corporations supply one of the best worth excursions:

Count on to spend 770–900 HKD per particular person for a meals tour.

Hire a Junk Boat
Junk boats — these traditional boats with the massive sail you see in any film about Hong Kong — are a enjoyable option to sail across the harbor on full-day and half-day journeys. There is just one conventional junk boat left: the Dukling. It normally sails simply on Saturdays and Sundays solely, with tickets beginning at 220 HKD.

An alternative choice is crusing on The Aqua Luna, a ship that was constructed within the conventional type in 2006. It sails far more regularly and presents a wide range of cruises, from a dim sum cruise to a day tea cruise. Tickets begin at 270 HKD.

Along with these traditional-style junks or in case you’re in search of extra of a celebration boat vibe, you can even hire a ship with a big group of buddies (15 or so individuals) or be a part of a bunch cruise across the harbor. There are a ton of various choices to select from, from all-you-can-eat-and-drink boats with add-on water sports activities, massages, and DJ packages, to corporations that allow you to simply hire the boat and convey all the pieces else your self.

Listed here are some really helpful corporations that supply inexpensive boat excursions:

• Island Junks – They’ve a few cruise choices and you can even constitution your individual in case you’ve acquired the cash!
• Saffron Cruises – This can be a nice possibility in case you can put collectively a big group of 20–30 individuals.

Hong Kong Itinerary: Day 3

Ping Shan Heritage Path
Situated within the New Territories (the town’s much less visited northern district), this path will lead you previous a number of the most necessary historic sights of the Tang clan. There are 14 historic buildings on the path, together with: Hung Shing Temple, The Tang Ancestral Corridor, Yeung Hau Temple, Shrine of the Earth God, and the Fifteenth-century Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda (Hong Kong’s solely historic pagoda). Simply bear in mind that not the entire historic buildings on the path are open to the general public.

An alternative choice is the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Path. It begins on the Taoist temple complicated of Fung Ying Seen Koon and passes the walled villages of Ma Wat Wai and Lo Wai earlier than ending on the 18th-century Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Corridor.

This a part of Hong Kong is usually skipped by vacationers, and the paths, meandering by way of the town’s extra rural area, are quiet and a welcome break from the enormous metropolis of the downtown space.

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

Hong Kong Heritage Museum
This museum showcases the town’s historical past and love of artwork. There’s a big exhibit in regards to the New Territories and an opera home for performances. It fills in a number of the blanks left from the Hong Kong Historical past Museum and provides you a have a look at the inventive tradition of the town. It’s additionally positioned close to the gorgeous Sha Tin Park and Shing Mun River, making the encircling space simply as fascinating because the museum!

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

Che Kung Temple
Simply throughout the river from the Heritage Museum, this temple is devoted to Che Kung, a normal throughout the Southern Tune Dynasty (1127–1279) in historic China who was recognized for stopping each uprisings and epidemics. This temple was inbuilt his title throughout an epidemic within the Seventeenth-century, and it’s stated that the epidemic ceased the day after its official dedication.

The temple complicated is at all times crammed with individuals, so be ready for crowds. The standard structure and complicated sculptures, together with the massive golden sculpture of Che Kung himself, make this value visiting after you see the Heritage Museum.

Che Kung Miu Street, ctc.org.hk. Open every day 8am-6pm.
 

Hong Kong Itinerary: Day 4

The Peak Tram
This tram, which has been in operation since 1888 (with a number of renovations since then) takes you to the highest of the Peak, Hong Kong Island’s largest mountain, at 518 meters (1,700 toes). Upon exiting on the high, you’ll get pleasure from spectacular 180-degree views of the skyscrapers of Victoria Harbor, Kowloon, and the encircling hills. It’s one of the best view of the town.

Additionally on the high is the large, wok-shaped Peak Tower with its viewing platform Sky Terrace 428, Madame Tussauds, and a wide range of eating places. Head away from this space and also you’ll discover many alternative trails to get into nature and see the town skyline from a bunch of various vantage factors. Whenever you’re completed on the high, you may both take the tram or stroll again down alongside the paths.

No.1 Lugard Street, +852 2849 7654, thepeak.com.hk. Open every day 7:30am-11pm, with trams working each 15-20 minutes. A return journey is 108 HKD, whereas the identical with entry to the sky terrace viewing platform is 168 HKD per particular person.

Hong Kong Museum of Artwork
This museum on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront is an interesting and intriguing place. Established in 1962, it was the primary public artwork museum within the metropolis. There are each rotating non permanent exhibitions in addition to a everlasting assortment the place you’ll discover all the pieces from Chinese language ceramics, terra cotta, rhinoceros horns, conventional calligraphy, and Chinese language work, to up to date artwork produced by Hong Kong artists.

Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 2721 0116. Open Monday–Wednesday and Fridays 10am–6pm, weekends 10am–9pm. Admission is free (some particular exhibitions have a price).

Lan Kwai Fong Nightlife
LKF is the primary nightlife and celebration space in Hong Kong and is crammed with tons of bars, golf equipment, shisha (water pipes), and low cost drinks. Nights out listed below are wild — the road is at all times crowded, individuals get very drunk, and pictures get handed out like sweet. It’s rowdy, however if you wish to see Hong Kong’s wilder aspect, that is the place to do it.
 

Different Issues to See and Do in Hong Kong

Take a cooking class — Hong Kong is stuffed with meals. Why not learn to prepare dinner a few of it? This Hong Kong expat web site has a list of 19 schools offering classes! Costs differ however count on to spend round 600–925 HKD per particular person.

Go mountain climbing — Hong Kong could also be a densely packed metropolis, however there’s additionally scenic mountain climbing within the outer mountains and islands. There are a variety of trails (particularly within the undeveloped components of the New Territories). The Hong Kong tourism board lists all the trails here.

Go to Disneyland — In case you’re on a household journey, or in case you’re a backpacker in contact together with your internal baby, head to Disneyland. Hang around with Mickey Mouse and shake fingers with sea creatures. (Tickets start at 668 HKD.)

Day journey to Macau — The playing mecca of Macau is a brief boat experience away. For as little as 175 HKD, the 60-75–minute boat experience from Hong Kong’s ferry terminal will take you to this former Portuguese colony, the place you may wander gigantic fashionable casinos, stroll historic streets lined with Portuguese-inspired homes, and dine on egg tarts, a well-known native specialty.

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

In a metropolis of just about 8 million individuals, there are numerous issues to see and do. One may fill weeks exploring Hong Kong’s many islands, markets, eating places, sights, and nightlife and nonetheless not see all of it. Although unattainable to condense a metropolis so huge into 4 days, this Hong Kong itinerary will allow you to expertise essentially the most Hong Kong has to supply in a brief time period!