Hong Kong. Its title conjures up visions of a chaotic, jam-packed metropolis with hovering skyscrapers, thick smog, countless noodle stands, large finance, and wild nights out.
It’s one in all my favourite cities on the earth. The quick tempo creates a way of everlasting change, and the crowds, multiculturalism, and meals maintain me constantly coming again. Oh, the meals! I might 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 a lot to do in Hong Kong, many vacationers scratch their head about the place to start out with the intention to get essentially the most out of the journey.
When you can go to town inside one or two days, it’s greatest to spend at the least three days in Hong Kong. For those who’re going to go to Macau, I’d add one other day, so that you’d want 4–5 days to essentially see the place.
This four-day Hong Kong itinerary will aid you arrange your journey, steer you off the crushed path, and present you why Hong Kong is among the most on-the-go cities on the earth.
Hong Kong Itinerary: Day 1
The Hong Kong Museum of Historical past
So as to perceive a spot, you need to first perceive its previous. This museum permits you to just do that. It offers a superb overview of Hong Kong’s lengthy and sophisticated previous. There are reveals regarding the archaeology, social historical past, ethnography, and pure historical past of the area. It’s large, so permit about 2–4 hours on your go to.
100 Chatham Highway 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 might require a charge.
Kowloon Park
Head to Kowloon Island’s gigantic park that encompasses a swimming pool, a health middle, little ponds the place you possibly can 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 beneath). There are additionally loads of relaxation areas right here the place you possibly can chill out to flee the oppressive Hong Kong warmth. Spanning 13 hectares (33 acres), it’s among the best locations to people-watch within the metropolis.
22 Austin Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, +852 2724 3344, lcsd.gov.hk. Open each day 5am-12am and admission is free.
Road Markets in Mong Kok
This space of Hong Kong has the most important and busiest markets by 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 (cut price clothes, equipment, and souvenirs) and the Temple Road Night time 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 (purple) line.
The markets are open day-after-day, beginning round 11am–midday and shutting within the late night (occasions fluctuate).
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, make certain to go to the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong’s reply to the Hollywood “Stroll of Fame,” the place you possibly can see the celebs of Chinese language and Western movie alike. There are outlets, eating places, and, at night time, a big outside market serving conventional Cantonese meals alongside knockoffs and souvenirs. Come able to haggle.
Salisbury Highway, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (subsequent to the Star Ferry pier). Open 24/7.
The Star Ferry
One of the simplest ways to get throughout the harbor from Kowloon Island to Hong Kong Island is through the Star Ferry, which showcases a improbable view of town skyline for under 4–6 HKD. Driving the ferry is a enjoyable factor to do even when you aren’t utilizing it for transportation! It’s one in all 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 day-after-day, although they happen much less steadily on weekends and holidays. Tickets begin at 4 HKD through the week and 5.6 HKD on the weekends, whereas a 4–day move 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 provides you a panoramic view of the airport, harbor, and whole metropolis earlier than it travels via the encircling mountains. The trip lasts about 25 minutes.
Once 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 trip, views, and monastery make it definitely worth the journey.
11 Tat Tung Highway, 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’ll be able to reserve tickets on-line upfront right 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 the perfect worth excursions:
Anticipate to spend 770–900 HKD per individual 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 approach 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 way more steadily 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 when you’re in search of extra of a celebration boat vibe, you may also hire a ship with a big group of associates (15 or so folks) or be a part of a gaggle 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 produce the whole lot else your self.
Listed below are some advisable corporations that provide reasonably priced boat excursions:
- Island Junks – They’ve a few cruise choices and you may also constitution your individual when you’ve acquired the cash!
- Saffron Cruises – This can be a nice possibility when you can put collectively a big group of 20–30 folks.
Hong Kong Itinerary: Day 3
Ping Shan Heritage Path
Situated within the New Territories (town’s much less visited northern district), this path will lead you previous a few 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 remember 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 advanced 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 via 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 town’s historical past and love of artwork. There’s a big exhibit concerning the New Territories and an opera home for performances. It fills in a few of the blanks left from the Hong Kong Historical past Museum and offers you a take a look at the inventive tradition of town. It’s additionally situated close to the attractive 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 day-after-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 through the Southern Track Dynasty (1127–1279) in historic China who was identified for stopping each uprisings and epidemics. This temple was in-built 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 advanced is at all times full of folks, so be ready for crowds. The standard structure and complex sculptures, together with the massive golden sculpture of Che Kung himself, make this value visiting after you see the Heritage Museum.
Che Kung Miu Highway, ctc.org.hk. Open each 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 ft). Upon exiting on the prime, you’ll take pleasure in spectacular 180-degree views of the skyscrapers of Victoria Harbor, Kowloon, and the encircling hills. It’s the perfect view of town.
Additionally on the prime 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 various trails to get into nature and see town skyline from a bunch of various vantage factors. Once you’re performed on the prime, you possibly can both take the tram or stroll again down alongside the paths.
No.1 Lugard Highway, +852 2849 7654, thepeak.com.hk. Open each day 7:30am-11pm, with trams operating 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 individual.
Hong Kong Museum of Artwork
This museum on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront is a captivating 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 the whole lot from Chinese language ceramics, terra cotta, rhinoceros horns, conventional calligraphy, and Chinese language work, to modern 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 charge).
Lan Kwai Fong Nightlife
LKF is the principle nightlife and social gathering space in Hong Kong and is full of 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, folks get very drunk, and photographs 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 filled with meals. Why not discover ways to cook dinner a few of it? This Hong Kong expat web site has a record of 19 colleges providing lessons! Costs fluctuate however anticipate to spend round 600–925 HKD per individual.
Go climbing — Hong Kong could also be a densely packed metropolis, however there’s additionally scenic climbing within the outer mountains and islands. There are a whole lot of trails (particularly within the undeveloped components of the New Territories). The Hong Kong tourism board lists all the paths right here.
Go to Disneyland — For those who’re on a household journey, or when you’re a backpacker in contact together with your internal baby, head to Disneyland. Hang around with Mickey Mouse and shake arms with sea creatures. (Tickets begin at 668 HKD.)
Day journey to Macau — The playing mecca of Macau is a brief boat trip away. For as little as 175 HKD, the 60-75–minute boat trip from Hong Kong’s ferry terminal will take you to this former Portuguese colony, the place you possibly can wander gigantic trendy casinos, stroll historic streets lined with Portuguese-inspired homes, and dine on egg tarts, a well-known native specialty.
For extra, listed below are my suggestions for the 23 greatest issues to do in Hong Kong.
In a metropolis of virtually 8 million folks, there are numerous issues to see and do. One might fill weeks exploring Hong Kong’s many islands, markets, eating places, sights, and nightlife and nonetheless not see all of it. Although not possible to condense a metropolis so huge into 4 days, this Hong Kong itinerary will aid you expertise essentially the most Hong Kong has to supply in a brief time period!
Guide Your Journey to Hong Kong: Logistical Suggestions and Tips
Guide Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to discover a low-cost flight. It’s my favourite search engine as a result of it searches web sites and airways across the globe so that you at all times know no stone is left unturned.
Guide Your Lodging
You’ll be able to e-book your hostel with Hostelworld as they’ve the most important stock and greatest offers. If you wish to keep someplace aside from a hostel, use Reserving.com as they persistently return the most affordable charges for guesthouses and low-cost inns. Two of my favourite place to remain is:
For extra locations to remain in Hong Kong, this record has my favourite hostels in Hong Kong.
Don’t Overlook Journey Insurance coverage
Journey insurance coverage will shield you in opposition to sickness, damage, theft, and cancellations. It’s complete safety in case something goes incorrect. I by no means go on a visit with out it as I’ve had to make use of it many occasions prior to now. My favourite corporations that provide the perfect service and worth are:
On the lookout for the Finest Corporations to Save Cash With?
Try my useful resource web page for the perfect corporations to make use of while you journey. I record all those I take advantage of to economize after I’m on the highway. They are going to prevent cash while you journey too.
Need Extra Info on Hong Kong?
Be sure you go to my strong vacation spot information on Hong Kong for much more planning suggestions!