There are so many reasons travelers might find themselves spending a few days in Hong Kong. Perhaps you have a long layover or can arrange a stopover. Maybe you are visiting a nearby country and want to pop over to Hong Kong With just a little planning, you can hit the highlights of Hong Kong along the way!
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6-8 Hour Layover
Long layovers aren’t uncommon when transiting through Hong Kong International Airport. If you find yourself with at least six hours between your flights, you definitely have time to do a little exploring.
Layover Option 1
Your first order of business is to enjoy the skyline and explore the harbor. Take the Peak Tram up Victoria Peak to enjoy both the iconic skyline view as well a the lush nature surrounding you. Operational since 1888, the tram is one of the world’s oldest funiculars. The ride is 6 minutes each way. Once you are at the top of the peak, make sure to go to Peak Tower for Sky Terrace 428. From the terrace you will see remarkable panoramic views of the city. There’s also plenty of restaurants, shops and other things to do inside the tower.
Victoria Harbor separates Hong Kong Island from Kowloon. It’s teeming with ferries, cargo ships, and traditional boats creating an kinetic energy to the area. For great skyline views, take the Star Ferry. This historic and inexpensive ferry shuttles between Hong Kong and Kowloon and departs every 6-12 minutes. The ride is about 10-15 minutes. Sit on the upper deck for the best views.
Layover Option 2
Another option on a long layover is to take a city tour. What’s even better is that you can book a free guided tour from the airport! These 4 hour tours provide a quick snapshot of what the city offers. They offer four different tours – the one you choose depends on when your layover is.
Layover Logistics
You can take the Hong Kong Airport Express train from the airport to Central station. It takes about 30 minutes. Hong Kong International Airport has luggage storage available, so there’s no need to lug your heavy carry-on bags around! Americans do not need a visa to enter Hong Kong.
Arrival Day/Day 1
If you have longer than one day to spend in Hong Kong you can take a different approach. Try to get a flight that lands in the evening so that you can just go straight to your hotel and get some sleep. But if you arrive early in the morning, you will need to plan a day of activities to keep you awake! Just drop your luggage at your hotel and start your tour.
Morning
This morning, start early by taking the Peak Tram up Victoria Peak. If you are up for a hike, you can take the tram up and hike down the 3 mile Morning Trail (Lung Fu Shan Trail). Don’t miss the great views from Sky Terrace 428 in Peak Tower.
After descending the peak, head to Central Hong Kong. Visit the Man Mo Temple to learn about traditional religious activities, draw fortune sticks, and admire the intricate architecture. Take a ride on the Central-Mid Levels Escalator, the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world. And hop on a “Ding Ding” Tram, historic double-decker streetcars that have been running since the early 20th century along the north side of the island. If you have time, stop in the The Blue House, a 1920s tenement building to visit the Hong Kong House of Stories museum.
Afternoon & Evening
Now we extend our exploration to Victoria Harbor. This body of water separates Hong Kong Island from Kowloon. Hop on the Star Ferry to see the views as you cross over to Kowloon. Then take a stroll on the Avenue of the Stars. This waterfront promenade has statues, handprints, and plaques honoring Hong Kong’s cinematic history.
The rest of the afternoon and early evening should be spent exploring Mong Kok, a neighborhood known for unique markets. Ladies’ Market has clothing and accessories. And don’t miss the Goldfish Street (Tung Choi Street) where you will see bags of colorful fish hanging outside of aquarium shops. The Flower Market, as its name suggests, sells every manner of flower, plants, and bonsai trees. The Bird Garden (Yuen Po Street) has birds and bird-accessories to sell, from songbirds to parrots. Sneaker Street (Fa Yuen Street) sells footwear and sportwear. When it gets dark, visit the Temple Street Night Market for street food, fortune tellers, and great deals on electronics.
Day 2
Morning
This morning we’ll explore the Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden. Chi Lin Nunnery is a Buddhist temple built out of wood without any nails. There are many buildings in the complex, as well as gorgeous courtyards filled with ponds and bonsai trees.
Adjacent you will find Nan Lian Garden. The classical Chinese garden has ponds, bonsai trees, rock formations, bridges, and wooden pavilions to enjoy. You can get lost wandering the landscaped paths through the gardens, ponds, and courtyards.
Afternoon
This afternoon, you have a few options. If you want to do more sightseeing, make your way over to Monster Building, a massive complex of five interconnected apartment blocks. After ogling this striking site, take a ferry over to Kowloon. Here you can see Kowloon Walled City Park, a landscaped garden that sits on the site of the former Kowloon Walled City. Originally a military fort, this was one of the most densely populated places on Earth by the mid-20th century. You can also see the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple in this part of Hong Kong.
Your other alternative is to embrace the great outdoors! Take the three mile long Dragon’s Back trail to experience spectacular scenery. In a 2-3 hour hike, you will experience views of the coastline, South China Sea, and rolling ridgeline that looks like the spine of a dragon. This is a easy to moderate hike and suitable for many people. There are lot of places to stop and rest. And at the end, you can enjoy a beach break on Big Wave Bay.
Or opt for an afternoon on the beach at Repulse Bay. Enjoy sunbathing in the soft sand and swimming in the gentle waves. You can also wander along the promenade enjoying views of the South China Sea. Visit the Tin Hau Temple to see colorful statues of sea deities.
Another alternative is to spend the afternoon at Hong Kong Park. This urban oasis is filled with tropical plants, waterfalls, and koi ponds. Visit the Edward Youde Aviary to see tropical birds, and enjoy the exotic plants in the Forsgate Conservatory. The Tai Chai Garden inspires reflection, and perhaps you will see locals engaging in the practice.
Evening
This evening, go to Victoria Harbor by 8 p.m. to view Symphony of Lights, a multi-media light and sound show. The 10 minute show is best viewed from in front of the Hong Kong Culture Centre and Avenue of the Stars or from the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wanchai. Better yet, take a yacht cruise!
Day 3 & Beyond
If you are lucky enough to have an additional day or more in Hong Kong, choose any of the following day trips:
- Hong Kong Disneyland – classic Disney magic with a feng shui twist
- Lantau Island – Ngong Ping 360 cable car, Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha) statue, and Tai O fishing village
- Macau – Las Vegas of Asia and Portuguese colonial historical sites
- Ocean Park – theme park, zoo, and aquarium all in one with incredible views
- Sai Kung – Promenade and Seafood Street, boating to Sharp Island, and Hong Kong Global Geopark
- Cheung Chau Island – Pak Tai Temple, scenic walk on the Mini Great Wall Trail, and beach time
How would you spend 1, 2, or 3+ days in Hong Kong?
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