5-day itinerary for Hong Kong for a first-timer: wonderful issues to do

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On this article, I’d like to share with you our 5-day itinerary for Hong Kong, that includes loads of budget-friendly issues and must-do actions. 

Hong Kong is one in all my favorite locations on Earth. I used to be very lucky to have spent over 5 months on this wonderful metropolis again in 2013, and after I returned earlier this yr, I used to be overjoyed to be again once more. On this 5-day itinerary for Hong Kong, I needed to share a few of my favorite locations in Hong Kong and must-visit locations that may make you fall in love with Hong Kong, too! 

Right here’s a brief overview of the 5-day itinerary for Hong Kong

Day 1: TST, the Avenue of Stars, Star Ferry, Mid-levels and Central Market & Victoria Peak at sundown

Day 2: Lantau Island – Bid Buddha and Tai O fishing village

Day 3: Dragon’s Again Hike, Seashore, LKF

Day 4: Disneyland or Ocean Park OR Monastery & Lion’s Rock Hike, elective sundown cruise

Day 5: M+ Museum, Ozone Bar, Harbour Metropolis

The place to remain in Hong Kong?

For those who’re questioning what the very best space to remain in Hong Kong is (because it’s an enormous metropolis and nobody likes commuting on a vacation), I like to recommend a pair. Hong Kong is just not the most affordable place to remain – and probably the most sought-after areas are typically pricy. Nevertheless, there are many locations within the metropolis that match any price range. 

Listed here are the areas I’d suggest:

TST or Tsim Sha Tsui (greatest for views, purchasing and general one of many best-connected areas)

Central (greatest for sightseeing because of connectivity; plenty of eating places are round)

Admiralty (a really fancy space, well-connected, plenty of purchasing malls however barely additional away than Central and TST)

Mid-levels (greatest for distinctive retailers, hipster cafes and going out)

Causeway Bay (nice for purchasing, much less handy for connectivity)

Sha Tin (plenty of locations close by, good connectivity, budget-friendly)

Mong Kok (extraordinarily busy, because it’s the place the women market is, nonetheless very centric)

Keep away from New Territories – whereas many areas are good, the commute to town centre is simply too lengthy. I lived close to Siu Hong station for five months and it could take me at the least 1 hour to go to town centre each time, which isn’t perfect should you’re in Hong Kong for less than 5 days as you’ll spend an excessive amount of time within the MTR. 

Lodges I’d suggest:

Luxurious with the very best views: Ritz Carlton, Sheraton Hong Kong (the one in TST)

Mid-range: Courtyard Hong Kong (the place we stayed for 4 nights), New World Millenium Lodge

Reasonably priced: Hop Inn, Examine Inn Hong Kong

Overview of the hyperlinks in your Hong Kong journey:

Excursions to guide: Sundown cruise –  examine availability right here

Dragon’s Again mountain climbing tour with a information –  examine right here

Meals tasting tour – guide right here

Disneyland tickets – guide right here

The Victoria Peak tram – examine availability and guide on-line

Ngong Ping Skip the Line (to Large Buddha) – guide right here

Sky 100 commentary deck – guide right here

With out additional ado, let’s get began!

5-day itinerary for Hong Kong: wonderful issues to do

Earlier than we begin with the detailed itinerary for Hong Kong, I needed to say that this itinerary is extremely depending on the climate – the climate in Hong Kong could be fairly unpredictable, and even throughout a dry season, you will get some stormy days. Whereas I’m writing a separate article about the very best issues to see in Hong Kong on a wet day (I’ll hyperlink to it right here as soon as it’s prepared), I’ll point out that it’s greatest to postpone any panoramic actions till it’s sunny (or, at the least, not very wet). In any other case, you might even see nothing. Actually.

Day 1: Essentially the most touristy issues to do in HK

(Victoria Peak & Central Hong Kong Island. Star Ferry, TST and the Avenue of Stars)

As I discussed earlier than, if it’s a wet day or the visibility is just not the very best, attempt to postpone these items to the following good day and do a day 2 itinerary as an alternative. 

The Avenue of Stars

For those who’re fortunate with the climate, it’s not raining, and the visibility is nice, I like to recommend heading to the TST (Tsim Sha Tsui space) very first thing within the morning and having fun with the Avenue of Stars when it’s not crowded. You’ll nonetheless have an opportunity to benefit from the Symphony of Stars present at 8pm one other day and see town at evening.

Across the Avenue of Stars is a singular shopping center known as K11 Musea – it’s free to go to – should you’re curious to see a free exposition (it ought to take as much as half-hour to go to), head there for a couple of minutes.

Star Ferry

Star Ferry connects the TST space with Hong Kong Island, and it’s truly public transport somewhat than a vacationer attraction. It accepts Octopus playing cards, and one journey on the ferry is tremendous inexpensive (one thing like £0.3 USD) – the ferry departs a couple of instances per day, so the queues are often not so massive. 

Most individuals benefit from the views and the sensation of being on a ferry – I like to recommend taking it at the least as soon as, though the MTR is quicker and extra handy. 

The Mid-levels space & Central Market 

The following place I like to recommend visiting in Hong Kong is the Mid-levels space and the Central Market situated subsequent to it. Don’t let the title idiot you, Central Market is just not a standard market – it’s a really new place with plenty of stalls promoting quirky candles, soaps, tea, cosmetics and cookies.

The mid-levels space in Hong Kong is house to the world’s longest escalator. Within the morning, all escalators go all the best way to Central, whereas within the afternoons, they go the opposite approach, all the best way up & again to the residential components of HK island. It’s free to take, so you may skip the steps and take the escalator as an alternative. 

Mid-levels can also be a stunning space to have lunch – there are many eating places inside the Central Market and outdoors within the Mid-levels space. 

Nevertheless, if I have been to suggest one place, I’d advise attempting Tim Ho Wan restaurant within the IFC mall (within the decrease ranges – virtually within the Central MTR station). – it was the world’s most cost-effective Michelin-star restaurant, nevertheless it misplaced its star a few years in the past. Even so, after we visited this yr, it was much like the way it was again in 2013 when it nonetheless had the star. Please don’t depart it with out attempting the BBQ buns, they’re mouth-watering! 

Victoria Peak tram & the commentary deck

Victoria Peak is the very best place to see the postcard-perfect panorama of Hong Kong, and the easiest way to go there may be earlier than the sundown so as to watch the sundown from there. The sundown is often round 7pm in summer season and 5:30pm in winter, so ensure that to reach on the commentary deck at the least 30-40 minutes earlier than the sundown.

Essentially the most touristy method to go up is by taking the well-known Victoria Peak tram. To keep away from queues on the ticket-selling factors, you should buy a combo ticket for a return tram experience and the commentary deck on-line right here.

Generally, the queues for the tram could be lengthy, so ensure that to reach early. There are many issues to do within the Victoria Peak space, so don’t fear should you arrive too early. You possibly can at all times stroll across the shopping center or close by and even discover the Victoria Peak Gardens space.

Watching the sundown from the Victoria Peak commentary deck is a magical expertise, and town modifications so much after darkish – I personally can’t resolve which panorama I want – the one through the day or the one at evening, each are beautiful. 

Dinner

After visiting the Victoria Peak commentary deck, head again to town centre for dinner. A number of the trendiest eating places in Hong Kong have to be booked prematurely; nevertheless, plenty of locals (and vacationers alike) simply head to eating places at purchasing malls – every shopping center could have at the least 20 eating places and queue there – it often takes simply round 10-Quarter-hour to get a spot (relying on a restaurant). 

Day 2: Lantau Island – Bid Buddha and Tai O fishing village

Ngong Ping 360

On the second day of 5 days in Hong Kong, you may discover one other iconic location – Lantau island, house to the Large Buddha, Lin Po temple and the Tai O fishing village. 

If the climate permits, head to the Tung Chung MTR station and purchase the cable automobile tickets – Ngong Ping 360. On a sunny day through the excessive season, the queue may be fairly lengthy, so that you would possibly need to purchase some skip-the-line tickets for the cable automobile right here.

The experience within the cable automobile takes round 30-40 minutes and goes via many lovely areas. Lantau Island may be very inexperienced – there are many mountain climbing trails all around the island. 

If the cable automobile is just not working or visibility is just not the very best, you may also take a bus to Large Buddha – it’s additionally less expensive.

Large Buddha & Po Lin Monastery

The Large Buddha statue in Hong Kong may be very spectacular. The doorway to the world and the Po Lin Monastery is free, and though the place will get fairly crowded, it nonetheless has a serene and peaceable environment. 

Large Buddha, or Tian Tan Buddha, is the world’s tallest seated bronze Buddha. It’s a comparatively new development – accomplished in 1993 – to go all the best way up and see probably the most beautiful views of the mountains close by, you should climb fairly a couple of stairs, nevertheless it’s value it.

The Po Lin Monastery can also be positively value visiting – it’s one in all Hong Kong’s most lovely monasteries!

Tai O fishing village

As soon as you are feeling such as you explored the Po Lin monastery and the areas close by, you may head to the Tai O fishing village. You possibly can both take a taxi or a bus to get there. The experience solely takes 10-Quarter-hour, however the buses solely go as soon as each hour, so ensure that to examine the schedule beforehand so when to return to the bus cease.

Tai O fishing village supplies a glimpse into the historical past of Hong Kong – how Hong was 100 years in the past, and it feels just like the village is frozen in time. Folks nonetheless reside in stilt homes and use boats and bicycles to get round. There are not any vehicles and no trendy retailers round both. 

Many guests come to Tai O to see the photogenic village and check out native seafood and avenue meals. The road meals choices are barely completely different from different areas of Hong Kong – for instance, I’ve but to see shrimp paste wraps and hand-made mochis with nuts anyplace else.

Additionally, seafood eating places are pretty in Tai O. Additionally, as you may think about, fish may be very contemporary!

Apart from strolling round and consuming, you may also take a ship tour to see the well-known pink dolphins – we haven’t performed it, however I’ve heard good issues about it!

To get again to Tung Chung, you may both take a bus again to Large Buddha after which one other bus to the Tung Chung station or look forward to a ferry that additionally goes each hour and brings you to Tung Chung immediately and far quicker. Make sure you have the funds for in your Octopus card, as there may be nowhere to reload it in Tai O, and the ferry isn’t that low-cost! 

Day 3: Dragon’s Again Hike, Seashore, LKF

The Dragon’s Again Hike

Hong Kong is an excellent mountain climbing vacation spot, and only some folks comprehend it! For those who’re fortunate with the climate and also you’re visiting Hong Kong when it’s not too sizzling or too chilly, top-of-the-line issues you might do there may be hike. One among my favorite hikes in Hong Kong is the Dragon’s Again Hike – I’ve performed it twice, and in my view, it’s the very best hike you are able to do should you’re in Hong Kong for a restricted time. 

The perfect half about this hike are the beautiful views and the very fact it ends on a really good seaside. It’s additionally simply accessible by public transport and isn’t too difficult to finish.

I like to recommend waking up early (however not exaggeratedly early) – 8am can be nice. Have some breakfast, go to a grocery store and purchase some snacks, loads of water and anything you would possibly want for a hike/seaside.

Getting there / mountain climbing

To get to the beginning of the Dragon’s Again Hike, take the MTR to the Shau Kei Wan station, exit the station and take the minibus 9. Inform the motive force you’re doing the Dragon’s Again hike, and he’ll inform you the place/when to exit. It takes round 15-20 minutes to get there by minibus. 

Whenever you exit the minibus, there will likely be a map of the hike and in addition a bathroom. There received’t be extra bogs all through your entire period of the hike. The hike will begin fairly steep, however then it can get simpler and extra gratifying. 

Having fun with the Large Wave Bay seaside

The stroll to the Large Wave Bay seaside is the final a part of the hike. Even should you’re not planning to swim, I like to recommend ending the hike there because it’s a stunning seaside to go to, and you’ll positively take pleasure in simply seeing it. And if you wish to swim, it’s a really pretty and clear seaside with small waves, and it’s enjoyable to leap them! 

There are additionally some eating places and retailers close by – should you’re hungry, it is a superb place to have a snack or a lunch/dinner. 

To get again to town centre, take the identical minibus, 9, to the Shau Kei Wan station after which take the MTR again to town centre. 

LKF

For those who’re not too drained, I like to recommend spending the night discovering Hong Kong’s nightlife space – LKF or Lan Kwai Fong. It has modified a bit within the final 10 years – I’d say it has develop into extra refined. There was simply nightclubs and fairly mediocre lounge bars – now there are additionally plenty of pretty cocktail bars, from speakeasies to bars from the record of the highest 100 bars of the world, e.g. Coa.

Day 4: Disneyland or Ocean Park OR Monastery & Lion’s Rock Hike, elective sundown cruise 

In your fourth day in Hong Kong, I had two completely different choices for you! For those who like amusement parks, I’ve excellent news for you – there are two unbelievable amusement parks in Hong Kong – Disneyland and Ocean Park. Disneyland is fairly small however has every little thing you want. It’s simple to get there by MTR, and you’ll simply spend all day there, particularly should you resolve to remain for the fireworks. You possibly can pre-book your Disneyland tickets and examine the newest worth right here.

I like Ocean Park equally – it’s a lot larger than Disneyland and has many issues to do. It’s additionally extra inexpensive. Additionally they do seasonal specials – I had a chance to go to Ocean Park earlier than Halloween, and it was top-of-the-line Halloween experiences I’ve ever had. You possibly can examine the value and availability right here.

If amusement parks should not your cup of tea, I’ve received an alternate choice for you!

Visiting Hong Kong’s monasteries:

Hong Kong has beautiful temples and monasteries, and there are various! Listed here are a few of my favorite ones. You possibly can both go to 1 or 2 of those monasteries or simply go to at least one and do one other quick hike. Listed here are Hong Kong’s greatest monasteries:

Chi Lin Nunnery

Wong Tai Sin temple

Sha Tin temple  

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

Lion Rock Hike

For those who loved mountain climbing Dragon’s Again, you would possibly like one other hike. Lion Rock hike is a a lot shorter hike situated comparatively near the centre of Hong Kong, and the views from there are totally completely different from Dragon’s Again. As an alternative of seashores and hills, you will note very dramatic city landscapes. Subsequent to the beginning of the hike, there may be one other thrilling temple – Sik Sik Yuen Wong which you could additionally go to. The hike takes round 1 hour to go up and 1 hour to return, and it’s fairly steep, however the views are beautiful!

To get there, you may take the MTR to the Wong Tai Sin MTR station after which stroll to Shatin Highway.

Sundown cruise

Lastly, should you nonetheless have some vitality left, take a sundown cruise in Hong Kong. The cruise is the easiest way to benefit from the Symphony of Mild present, however the very best half concerning the cruise is that you’ll expertise the sundown and see wonderful views. You possibly can examine the costs and availability of a sundown cruise right here https://getyourguide.tp.st/zNk5dyCm

Day 5: M+ Museum, Ozone Bar, Harbour Metropolis

Now, in your remaining day of this itinerary for five days in Hong Kong, you are able to do a little bit of sightseeing and purchasing. For those who like museums, head to the M+ Museum. It’s a really new museum (opened a few years in the past) situated in a powerful, industrial-style constructing in an space that’s at present being developed and expanded, the West Kowloon Cultural District.

M+ primarily focuses on trendy artwork; nevertheless, there are expositions devoted to the historical past of Hong Kong, and so they have been my favorite ones. 

Whereas within the space, you may also go to Ozone Bar within the well-known Ritz Carlton Lodge. Ozone Bar is the tallest bar on the earth – and the views from there are unreal. Be sure that to go to on a transparent day, although; in any other case, you danger not with the ability to see a lot from there.

Lastly, you may spend the remainder of your time earlier than flying in one in all Hong Kong’s many purchasing malls. 

A few of my favorite purchasing malls in Hong Kong:

• K11 Musea
• Hysan Place, Causeway Bay 
• Harbour Metropolis, TST
• Parts West Kowloon
• IFC Mall
• Pacific Place
• Occasions Sq.

The closest shopping center to the M+ museum and Ozone bar is the Parts West Kowloon, nevertheless, Harbour Metropolis can also be close by. I actually like Harbour Metropolis as a result of it has loads of quirky and never overly costly shops, in addition to loads of nice locations to eat!

As soon as you might be performed with purchasing and consuming, it’s time to go to the airport. You possibly can both take the MTR or seize a taxi (taxis to the airport should not too costly, and final time we requested for one, we received a brand new Tesla). 

Abstract of 5 days in Hong Kong

I hope you discovered this 5-day itinerary for Hong Kong helpful and received some concepts about the way you’d prefer to spend your time on this unbelievable metropolis. 5 days in Hong Kong can be sufficient to get to know town and go to a few of the important landmarks! 

As talked about earlier than, Hong Kong is a tropical place, and the climate could be unpredictable. Most of those locations (apart from museums, purchasing malls and monasteries) are greatest loved when it’s sunny and heat (or, at the least, when it’s not pouring). If you’re unfortunate and the climate forecast doesn’t look too optimistic, examine for some different sights from my article right here: what to do in Hong Kong on a wet day.

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