Hong Kong Itinerary: Day 1
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/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 11am–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 4–6 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 four–day pass costs 50 HKD.
Hong Kong Itinerary: Day 2
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/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 12,000 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:
Hong Kong Itinerary: Day 4
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 108 HKD, while the same with entry to the sky terrace viewing platform is 168 HKD per person.
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 and Fridays 10am–6pm, weekends 10am–9pm. Admission is free (some special exhibitions have a fee).
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.
Other Things to See and Do in Hong Kong
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 19 schools offering classes! Prices vary but expect to spend around 600–925 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 668 HKD.)
Day trip to Macau — The gambling mecca of Macau is a short boat ride away. For as little as 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.
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