The latest Hong Kong itinerary: A fulfilling trip to enjoy spectacular views, fine cuisine, and art in 3 nights and 4 days

*Prices, offerings, and business hours are current as of October 2024.

Day 1: Kowloon's classic spots and deep downtown area

From Hong Kong International Airport, it takes 22 minutes to Kowloon Station and 24 minutes to Hong Kong Station by Airport Express. Hong Kong has a well-developed public transportation system, including the MTR (railway), trams, and Star Ferry, so even beginners can easily get around.

On the first day, we will visit Kowloon, the tourist center. After a dim sum lunch, we will experience art in the new and popular "West Kowloon Cultural District", enjoy the classic night view, and enjoy the deep world of Hong Kong.

Lunchtime at the dim sum specialty store "Long Dim Sum"

The first meal in Hong Kong, the food capital, is dim sum. Traditionally, dim sum time is from morning until around 2 p.m., but recently, the number of dim sum specialty stores that serve dim sum all day has increased. The good thing about dim sum specialty stores is that you can easily drop in alone or with a partner, depending on how hungry you are.

We head to "Long Dim Sum" in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong's most bustling shopping district, on the Kowloon side. This restaurant, which serves dim sum handmade by artisans in an open kitchen, is popular for its wide variety of menu items.

The recommended dish is the "Yatlong Daimanjock," a luxurious assortment of six creative dim sum dishes using ingredients such as shrimp and truffles.

In addition to the above, there is a wide variety of high-quality dim sum dishes made with carefully selected ingredients and recipes. Enjoying these dishes in a shop with a retro pop interior will give you a taste of the gourmet city of Hong Kong.

Dragon's Dim Sum

Immerse yourself in contemporary visual art at Hong Kong's new icon, M+

After the dim sum lunch, we headed to the West Kowloon Cultural District, a new area on the waterfront northwest of Tsim Sha Tsui that is home to a variety of art, culture, entertainment and gourmet facilities.

M+, which opened in November 2021, is Asia's first visual culture museum that collects and exhibits a wide range of visual art, including design and architecture from the 20th century onwards.

The museum has 33 galleries, a cinema, an audiovisual library, and more, laid out in a space of 17,000 square meters. There is also a roof garden with a view of Victoria Harbour, as well as a cafe and restaurant. Be sure to check out the museum shop, which stocks goods based on the exhibits and miscellaneous goods by Hong Kong creators! It's a fascinating museum that you'll want to take your time to appreciate.

M+

Experience precious Chinese art at the Hong Kong Palace Museum

Located about a 5-minute walk from M+, the Hong Kong Palace Museum is a new museum that opened in July 2022. The building, which combines traditional Chinese architectural style with innovative technology and modern sensibilities, was designed by renowned Hong Kong architect Rocco Yim.

It consists of nine galleries and displays nearly 1,000 precious treasures collected from the Palace Museum in Beijing, 166 of which are designated national treasures. In addition to Chinese art, the museum has also held special exhibitions on the theme of Cartier, a representative French jewelry and watch brand, and an exhibition of masterpieces from the London National Gallery, and future plans are sure to be interesting.

Hong Kong Palace Museum

Enjoy one of the world's best night views from Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, which overlooks the buildings of Hong Kong Island on the opposite shore across Victoria Harbour, a symbol of Hong Kong, is a spot where you can enjoy a spectacular view unique to Hong Kong. The second floor of the observation deck is the best position for viewing and taking photos of the night view. As it is a popular viewing spot, it is best to reserve a spot early.

The Symphony of Lights, which starts every night at 8 p.m., is a fantastic light show in which searchlights and lasers are shot from the skyscrapers on both sides of the river, accompanied by music. From late November, the buildings are decorated with Christmas lights, making the area even more dazzling.

We also recommend taking in the night view from the Star Ferry, which connects Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. It's an elegant boat trip that costs just 100 yen. The gorgeous night view is also a highlight of Hong Kong sightseeing.

Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

Symphony of Lights

Discover the deep side of Hong Kong in "Mong Kok"

Check out the night markets "Ladies' Street" and "Men's Street"

After enjoying the night view, take the MTR (subway) from Tsim Sha Tsui to Mong Kok, the third stop. This is a popular town for the younger generation of Hong Kongers, with many shopping centers and local restaurants.

The place that gets lively from the evening is "Ladies' Market (Noi Yang Ngai)" (Tung Choi Street). As the name suggests, it is a night market lined with stalls mainly selling women's clothing and miscellaneous goods.

Also, the night market called "Namyang Ngai (Temple Street)" near the next station "Yau Ma Tei" has stalls lined up on both sides of a 600m long road. In the past, there were many stores selling products for men, but now most of the stores are for tourists, such as T-shirts, bags, and souvenirs. We recommend visiting both street markets at the same time.

Ladies' Market

Temple Street Night Market

A toast at the local food court "Wu Song Street Temporary Prepared Food Retail Market (Ng Chong Ga Ilam Si Sao Se Siu Fan Shi Chong)"

The Wu Song Street Temporary Prepared Food Retail Market, located in front of the Men's Street market, is a local food court. It has about 10 stores, including snack shops and Cantonese restaurants, and exudes the down-to-earth atmosphere of an Asian food stall.

After 6pm, the tables set up outdoors become very lively. Many foreign tourists can be seen enjoying meals and beers with the locals. Experience the local atmosphere and get a real taste of Hong Kong from your first day here.

Wusong Street Temporary Ripe Food Retail Market

Day 2: Enjoy Hong Kong Island, a trendy destination where old and new meet

On the second day, we will mainly visit the Central area on Hong Kong Island, the economic center of Hong Kong. It takes about 10 minutes by MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui, which we introduced on the first day, to Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island, where the cafe where we will have breakfast is located.

You will visit historical buildings that have been renovated, and enjoy Hong Kong's unique cuisine, including local breakfasts and authentic afternoon tea. In the evening, you will also enjoy the spectacular night view from Victoria Peak.

Breakfast at Hong Kong-style cafe "Sap Haven Sak"

Cha Chaan Teng and Bing Shan are family-style restaurants that are indispensable to Hong Kong people's lives, and their signs can be seen all over the city. They offer great value set menus for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.

One of these ice cream shops, which has three locations, is Cross Ice Cream Shop, a cafe run by Cross Pai Milk, a Hong Kong milk brand that has been produced on Lantau Island, an outlying island of Hong Kong, since the 1960s. You can enjoy drinks and food made with the company's own milk.

During morning hours, they offer a set that includes Hong Kong's specialty pineapple bun, "Bo Lo Bao," and a drink.

We recommend enjoying it with Hong Kong-style milk tea "Nai Cha." After breakfast at a local Hong Kong cafe, take the MTR to Central.

Cross Ice Room

Stimulate your senses at Old Town Central, where history and art come together

Old Town Central, which spans Hong Kong's oldest districts, Central and Sheung Wan, is a fascinating area where old and new, local and international, come together, with renovated historical buildings, old temples, modern art galleries, trendy restaurants, and long-loved local cuisine.

As you walk around the city, you will see unique street art dotted around the walls, staircases, and other areas, making it a popular photo spot.

Old Town Central

Visit "Dai Kwun", a restored historical building from the British colonial era

Tai Kwun is a renovated historic building that was constructed as a police and judicial facility from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century when Hong Kong was under British rule, and opened in 2018.

There are 18 buildings on the grounds, including a gallery showcasing the prison's history, an exhibition room showcasing life in the former prison, and a shop.

The hotel also houses sophisticated dining establishments, including a restaurant serving cuisine from around China, a teahouse serving vegetarian dim sum, and a cafe serving traditional French cuisine, where you can enjoy lunch and teatime that are unique to Hong Kong.

Odate

Get your hands on unique goods at creative spot "PMQ"

PMQ, a renovated police station, consists of two buildings, the Staunton Building and the Hollywood Building, and is home to around 140 stores, including shops by Hong Kong creators and designers, cafes and restaurants. There are many products that can only be found here, including miscellaneous goods with a Hong Kong motif, and it is an exciting experience to wander around the unique stores. Why not look for a wonderful souvenir to commemorate your trip?

PMQ Yuan Zhongfeng

Afternoon tea at the luxury hotel "Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong"

Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong is a prestigious hotel representing Hong Kong that opened in 1963. Enjoy authentic afternoon tea at the Clipper Lounge located on the mezzanine floor.

Sandwiches, savory dishes, and pastries are beautifully arranged on a three-tiered tray. The scones served with the original rose petal jam are said to be the best in Hong Kong. An afternoon spent with fragrant tea in a luxurious atmosphere is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

We recommend making a reservation in advance for afternoon tea on the official website.

Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong Clipper Lounge

Enjoy the spectacular view at Victoria Peak, a World Heritage Site

"Victoria Peak" is a must-see spot for tourists in Hong Kong. Let's get off on the "Peak Tram", which has been in operation since 1888, departing from Central Tram Station.

The Peak Tram will be upgraded with stations and carriages in 2022. The Peak Tower, which is connected to the summit station after a 10-minute ride, houses the observation deck Sky Terrace 428, restaurants, cafes, shops, and more. There is also an observation deck in the shopping mall, Peak Galleria, opposite the Peak Tower.

The night view from Victoria Peak will be recognized as a "World Night View Heritage" by the World Night View Heritage Committee of the Night View Tourism Convention Bureau in July 2024. The night view of the skyscrapers of Central and the Kowloon Peninsula on the opposite bank will let you feel the energy of the big city of Hong Kong.

Victoria Peak

Day 3: Head to the outlying islands! Discover a new side of Hong Kong on Lantau Island

On the third day, we will leave the hustle and bustle of the city and head to a remote island. Hong Kong is made up of over 250 islands, and Lantau Island (大嶼山, Dai Yui San), located west of Hong Kong Island, is an island that many locals visit on holidays. After taking a cable car to see the Big Buddha, we will enjoy a relaxing trip to Tai O, a fishing village located on the west of the island.

Take the cable car to Lantau Island and worship the iconic Giant Buddha.

First, we went to see the Giant Buddha, the symbol of Lantau Island. It took about 30 minutes to get from Hong Kong Station to Tung Chung Station by MTR, then took the cable car "Ngong Ping 360" from the boarding point near the station, and took a 25-minute aerial stroll to Ngong Ping Village, where the world's largest outdoor Buddha is enshrined.

From the cabin, you can see the nature of Lantau Island. The newly introduced cabin "Crystal +" is thrilling because not only the floor but also the sides are made of tempered glass from top to bottom!

Once you get off the cable car, you will find Ngong Ping Village, a replica of an old Chinese town.

About a five-minute walk from here, at the Ho Lian Temple, is the Tiantan Buddha, which is 34 meters tall including the pedestal and is known as the world's largest outdoor seated Buddha.

Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car

Head to Tai O, a fishing village that retains the original scenery of Hong Kong

About 30 minutes from the bus terminal near Ngong Ping Village, the idyllic Tai O is the earliest fishing village on Lantau Island.

There are still floating houses called "Tana-ya" remaining here.

You can spend a relaxing time touring the waterways on a sightseeing boat or sampling Tai O's specialty snacks such as fried sweets and fish cakes. There are also cafes built in floating huts, so you can enjoy a coffee break with a different feel from the city.

Tai O

Lantau Island, rich in nature, has several hiking trails, so you can choose a route that suits your level of physical fitness. Lantau Island is also home to Hong Kong Disneyland, making it a destination where you can enjoy a full day of fun. By leaving the city center and visiting this remote island, you are sure to discover a new side of Hong Kong.

Day 4: Morning Dim Sum Experience & Souvenir Hunting

On the final day, before returning home on an evening flight, start the morning with dim sum, a representative Hong Kong dish. After enjoying tea and dim sum at your leisure, take the tram, which has been the Hong Kong people's means of transportation for 120 years, to the new spot, Central Market. End your trip with some shopping and gourmet food.

On the final morning, enjoy dim sum at Mei Sam Wong Kong

Mornings in Hong Kong start with dim sum. Many Cantonese restaurants have a morning dim sum time called "Early Cha."

Located in Sheung Wan on the Hong Kong Island side, Mei Shin Palace opens at 7:30am. When you sit down, you will be asked, "What kind of tea would you like?" The most popular tea in Hong Kong is Pu-erh (characterized by its unique aroma and flavor, which has the effect of flushing oil), but you can also tell them the brand of tea you would like, such as Tie Guan Yin or Xiang Pian (jasmine tea). Simply fill in the number of dim sum you would like on the order sheet with the name of the dim sum written on it and hand it to the waiter to complete your order.

All that's left to do is wait for the freshly made, piping hot dim sum to arrive. Start your final day by enjoying dim sum in a lively restaurant.

Beautiful Palace

Travel on a Guinness-certified double-decker tram

Next, we will take the tram, which celebrates its 120th anniversary in 2024, to the popular spot "Zhonghuan Street Market".

Hong Kong's trams are the only ones in the world where all carriages are double-decker. They are recognized by the Guinness World Records for the "largest number of double-decker tram carriages in operation." The fare is a cheap flat rate of 3 HK$ (about 60 yen). From the second-floor seats, you can look down on the bustling city.

Finding made-in-Hong Kong souvenirs at "Jung Wan Gar Yi Shi" (Central Circle Market)

"Yi Shi" is a type of market. The historic Central Market, which opened in 1842 as one of Hong Kong's early markets, has been reborn and reopened in 2021.

The three floors house approximately 90 stores, including long-established Hong Kong food and general merchandise stores, interior and lifestyle stores, and restaurants.

If you're looking for souvenirs, head to the first floor (the second floor in Japan). There are shops selling cute goods with tram and Star Ferry motifs, as well as stores selling famous Hong Kong seasonings.

Also, on the 2nd floor (3rd floor), there is a Hong Kong style pancake shop called "Gai Tan Chai" where you can enjoy freshly baked pancakes. At the end of your trip, you can enjoy shopping and gourmet food that is typical of Hong Kong at Central Street Market.

Central Market

A 3-night, 4-day tour of dynamic Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a mix of East and West, tradition and modernity, city and nature, hustle and bustle and silence. Experience a Hong Kong you've never known before through its diverse charms, which go beyond just its gourmet food and night views.

10 recommended Hong Kong souvenirs! Introducing exquisite sweets and unique goods that are unique to Hong Kong

Hong Kong is known for its breathtaking harbor views and its vibrant city where the old and the new collide. It is also a city of fine food, and its sweets and snacks are of the highest quality. We have selected 10 items, from snacks with flavors unique to Hong Kong to miscellaneous goods designed with Hong Kong's icons and characteristics.

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