Itinerary for a 3-5 day trip (Updated in 2025).
Hong Kong. Its name conjures up images of a chaotic city, jam-packed with skyscrapers and thick smog. There are endless noodle stands in the streets, as well as big finance and wild nights. It’s my favorite city in the entire world. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world. The fast pace gives me a feeling of constant change. I also love the multiculturalism and food. Oh, the food. I could spend the entire day bent over a bowl of noodles. Many visitors find it overwhelming, especially if they are not used to crowds. It can be overwhelming for many visitors to Hong Kong. With so much to see and do, they are unsure where to begin. You’ll need at least 4-5 days if you want to see Macau. This four-day Hong Kong itinerary will help you plan your trip and steer you away from the tourist trail. It’ll also show you why Hong Kong has become one of the most active cities in the world.
Hong Kong itinerary: Day 1
The Hong Kong Museum of History
To understand a place you first have to understand its history. You can do that at this museum. This museum provides a great overview of Hong Kong’s complex and long history. The exhibits cover archaeology as well as social history, ethnography and natural history. The museum is huge, so plan on spending 2-4 hours there.
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). The admission is free, but there may be a charge for some special exhibits.
Kowloon Park
The huge park on Kowloon Island features a swimming-pool, a fitness centre, small ponds to watch ducks or other swimming birds in action, a Chinese Garden, an Aviary, and the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre. (Not to be confused with Hong Kong Heritage Museum, more information about that museum can also found below). You can also relax in the rest areas to escape the oppressive heat of Hong Kong. It’s one the best places in the city to watch people. The park covers 13 hectares, or 33 acres.
22 Austin Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, +852 2724 3344, lcsd.gov.hk. Street Markets in Mong Kok
This part of Hong Kong is home to the busiest and largest markets. Hong Kong’s fast-paced atmosphere is reflected in the sellers and crowds. The best way to reach the markets of Mong Kok is by using the Hong Kong MTR subway system, stations Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok, and Prince Edward on the Tsuen Wan (red) line. 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. The Avenue of Stars is Hong Kong’s version of Hollywood’s “Walk of Fame” where you can find stars from both Chinese and Western films. You can find shops, restaurants and, at night a large outdoor food market that serves traditional Cantonese cuisine alongside knockoffs, souvenirs, and other items. Come ready to haggle.
Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (next to the Star Ferry pier). The Star Ferry is open 24/7. Even if you don’t use it as a means of transportation, riding the ferry can be a lot of fun! It’s one of my favorite activities.
Star Ferry Pier, Kowloon Point, Tsim Sha Tsui, +852 2367 7065, starferry.com.hk/en/service. Tickets are 4 HKD during the week and 5.6 HKD on weekends, while a four-day pass costs 50 HKD. The tickets cost 4 HKD in the week, 5.6 HKD at weekends and 50 HKD for a 4-day pass. You can enjoy a panoramic view from the cable car of the harbor, airport and the entire city. The cable car ride takes about 25 minutes. When you reach the top, make sure to visit the nearby Po Lin Monastery, a Buddhist monastery that was founded in 1906, and Tian Tan – a 34 meter (111 foot) bronze Buddha statue located on the peak of the island. The ride, views and monastery are worth the trip. Open from 10am-6pm during the week and 9am-6.30pm weekends/holidays. You can reserve tickets online in advance here. Reserve tickets in advance online here.
Take an afternoon food tour
After a morning of cable car riding and admiring the view, spend the afternoon on a food-tour. Hong Kong has over 12,000 restaurants! You’ll discover a wide variety of cuisines. The following companies offer the best value tours:
Expect to spend 770-900 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 on full-day and half-day trips. Rent a Junk boat
Those classic boats with large sails you see in Hong Kong movies are a great way to explore the harbor for a full day or half-day trip. The Dukling is the only traditional junk boat that remains. Tickets start at 220 HKD and are usually only available on weekends.
Another choice is to sail on The Aqua Luna. This boat was built in 2006 in the traditional style. Tickets start at 270 HKD. There are many options to choose from, including all-you-can-eat and drink boats with add on water sports, massages, and DJ packages. You can even charter your own boat if you have the money! 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 and 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.
Hong Kong Itinerary: Day 3
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. The trail includes 14 historical buildings, including Hung Shing Temple (Hong Kong’s only ancient temple), The Tang Ancestral Hall (the city’s less visited northern district), Yeung Hau Temple (Hong Kong’s only ancient temple), and Shrine of Earth God. 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. The Ping Shan Trail is located in Sheung Cheung Wai (Yuen Long District), +852 2617 1958, lcsd.gov.hk. Lung Yeuk Tau Trail 66 Pak Wo Rd Fanling, Hong Kong. +852 2669 9186. The New Territories are well represented in the large exhibition, and there is an opera house where performances can be seen. The museum fills in the gaps left by the Hong Kong History Museum, and also gives you an insight into the artistic culture of Hong Kong. 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). The entrance is free.
Che Kung Temple
Located just across the river from Heritage Museum is the temple dedicated to Che Kung. He was a famous general in ancient China during the Southern Song Dynasty (11127-1279), who is known for his ability to stop both uprisings as well as epidemics. The temple was dedicated in his honor during an epidemic that occurred in the 17th century. It is believed that the epidemic ended the day following the official dedication of the temple. Be prepared to see a lot of people at the temple complex. Open daily 8am-6pm. Open daily from 8am to 6pm.
11001010Hong Kong itinerary: Day 4
The Peak Tram
This 1888 tram has undergone several renovations and is still in use today. It takes you up the 518 meter (1,700 foot) tall Peak. You’ll be able to enjoy a 180-degree view of Victoria Harbor, Kowloon and surrounding hills. The best view in the city. The Peak Tower, a huge wok-shaped tower with its Sky Terrace 428 viewing platform, Madame Tussauds and various restaurants are also located at the top. You can find different trails that will take you into nature, and from different viewpoints, to see the skyline of the city. You can take the tram back down or choose to walk along the trails. Trams run every 15-20 minutes. Open daily from 7:30am to 11pm. The return trip costs 108 HKD while the same, with access to the viewing platform on the sky terrace, is 168 HKD.
Hongkong Museum of Art
This fascinating museum is located along the Tsimshatsui waterfront. It was the first art museum to be established in Hong Kong in 1962. The permanent collection and rotating exhibitions include everything from Chinese ceramics to terracotta, horns of rhinoceros, traditional calligraphy and Chinese paintings.
Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 2721 0116. Admission is free (some special exhibitions have a fee). Lan Kwai Fong Nightlife
- LKF, the main party and nightlife area of Hong Kong, is full of tons bars, clubs, shisha pipes (water pipes), cheap drinks, and more. The nightlife is wild, with people getting very drunk and a lot of shots being given out. Other Things to Do and See in Hong Kong
- Take cooking classes
— Hong Kong has a lot of delicious food. Learn to cook some of the food that Hong Kong has to offer. The Hong Kong expat site has a list with 19 schools that offer classes. Prices will vary, but you can expect to pay between 600 and 925 HKD for each person.
Go Hiking
— Hong Kong is a densely populated city but it also has scenic hiking trails in the outer mountains. There are many trails, especially in the New Territories. Visit Disneyland
– If you are on a trip with family or backpackers who want to reconnect with their inner child, Disneyland is the place for you. Visit Mickey Mouse, and shake hands with the sea creatures. (Tickets start at 668 HKD. Day trip to Macau
— Macau’s gambling mecca is just a short boat journey 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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In a city with almost 8,000,000 people, there is a lot to do and see. Hong Kong is so vast that it would take weeks to see all the islands, markets and restaurants, nightlife, sights and attractions. This Hong Kong itinerary is a great way to experience all that Hong Kong has to give in just four days. This is my favorite search engine, because it searches all websites and airlines in the world.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. Booking.com consistently returns the lowest rates for hotels and guesthouses. Two of my favorite place to stay is:
For more places to stay in Hong Kong, this list has my favorite hostels in Hong Kong.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. Travel insurance is a comprehensive way to protect yourself in the event of an emergency. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. Looking for the Best Companies To Save Money?
Check my resource page to find the best companies for you to use while traveling. Here’s a list of all the companies I use when I travel to save money. You will also save money by using them when you travel. Want More Information about Hong Kong?
