Here’s the perfect Hong Kong itinerary for one week! You can easily tweak it to be shorter or longer, and it’s written by fellow travel bloggers who have lived in the city for years.
Although Hong Kong is mostly known as a shopping paradise and dim sum destination, this island has much more to offer, not only to its locals, but also to world-wide travelers and holiday makers.
Hong Kong is, above all, a place where different cultures meet together. In one city, you can find a mix of Cantonese, British and Mandarin cultures. It is filled with local museums and parks, healthy restaurants and there are plenty of festivals taking place every month. If you are looking for a vibrant and dynamic place for shopping, good food, great nightlife and amazing views, Hong Kong is the place!
How long should I stay in Hong Kong?
When you are planning a trip to Hong Kong, do not make it too lengthy (2 – 3 weeks) or too short like (3 – 4 days). Realistically, you’ll want to spend a week in Hong Kong to make the most of the city. With a week, you’ll be able to see all the highlights and even have time for some lesser known areas.
The beautiful combination of modern landscapes and natural beauty makes Hong Kong very interesting. It is quite famous for its popular shopping destinations and hiking. So, you need to plan the entire trip in such a way that it can cover all the places and at the same time you can enjoy hiking too. In Hong Kong you will find many people speaking English, with a very large expat community. A lot of newcomers look for a potential English teaching job in China.
Here’s a week-long Hong Kong itinerary you can copy for yourself!
Where to Stay in Hong Kong
There are many places to stay in Hong Kong, and often people think of the city as too expensive. However, there are a lot of options at different budgets, which you can compare here.
The ULTIMATE Hong Kong Itinerary
Day 1: Overlook the Hong Kong City & Victoria Harbor
After landing, it’s best to rest, have your lunch and then witness the Hong Kong skyline. You will not want to miss the breathtaking aerial view of the entire Hong Kong city and the Victoria Harbor.
You can take a look at this awesome view and enjoy its beauty from Victoria Peak, or The Peak, on Hong Kong Peninsula. It is about 512m or 1811 feet high and offers one of the best scintillating views of the city. You can take a ride up the hill with a series of escalators or by a bus. The entire city lights up with glittery neon lights at the night which looks amazing. Do not miss the light show (Symphony of Lights) that takes place at 8 pm every day.
Day 2: Relaxing in the Nan Lian Garden
On the second day, you can get the feel of Hong Kong city in the beautiful Nan Lian Garden. You can chill over there and admire the natural beauty of the city. It is one of the most beautiful natural spots in Hong Kong. After that have your lunch and head for a relaxing stroll on Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and Avenue Of The Stars. Even in the evening, you can enjoy the ferry ride on Victoria Harbor. This is something which you should not miss. It is a great way to relax and enjoy your vacation.
Day 3: Hong Kong Museum Of History
On the third day, you can get the best of Hong Kong by visiting Hong Kong Museum of History. It remains open every day from 10 am to 6 pm (local time) except on Tuesdays. So, make sure your Day 3 is not on Tuesday. This is the best way to gain some deeper and better understanding of the history of Hong Kong. When you are visiting a new place, the trip is incomplete without knowing a bit of their ancient and glorious history to understand its culture. Thus visiting this museum is mandatory. After this, you can walk through Kowloon with Nathan Road and then the Temple Street Night Market in order to finish the third day.
Day 4: Explore the Markets and Specialty Streets
These places are great for shopping. There are a lot of streets in Hong Kong which are specialized in selling some particular commodities. It can be anything and everything that you want. Starting from flower market with some exclusive flowers and bouquets, to ladies market where you can find stylish inexpensive clothes, everything is there. Later you can go to Temple Night Street market for some great souvenirs for your Hong Kong Trip and scrumptious sea-foods.
Day 5: Lantau Island
This is the largest island of Hong Kong which is situated at the mouth of the Pearl River. Go there for a visit to Ngong Ping Plateau which has a beautiful Po Lin Monastery. It has a huge statue of Tian Tan Buddha (which means “Giant Buddha”). The statue is about 85 feet (or 26m) in height. This place is well connected by roadways as well as railways. So, getting there is not a problem. This place is accessible and open to all outsiders between 10am to 5:30pm (local time).
Day 6: Hiking at Dragon’s Back Ridge
On the sixth day, pack your backpack and head towards one of the most exciting parts of the trip. If you are crazy about hiking, then nothing can be better than the spectacular hiking trails. For exploring the natural beauty of Hong Kong, this is the best time.
Day 7: Don’t Miss the Cuisine and Street Food
If you visit Hong Kong and do not try their authentic Chinese cuisine and street food, then your trip to Hong Kong will remain incomplete. You can try different options of Chinese cuisines which are delicious. You can also try their teas, as tea is a big part of the local culture. Don’t miss an opportunity to try dim sum and fried morning glories for a great food experience.
Now it is time to bid goodbye to the awesome memories that you will create in Hong Kong. So, make sure to make the most of your one week in Hong Kong. You can leave for Macau after Hong Kong is done.
For more Hong Kong travel
- 9 Lesser Known Hiking Trails That Offer the Best Views of Hong Kong
- You’ve Got Me Wonton More: A Guide to Hong Kong’s Best Hidden Eateries
- Don’t Miss These 5 Epic Things to Do in Hong Kong
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Agness and Cez are two adventurous freaks from Poland, who fell in love with Hong Kong at first sight. They are the biggest fans of dim sum and walking across the Victoria Harbor at night. Feel free to follow their adventures on eTramping and don’t forget to visit Hong Kong island in the near future!
Thank you, Rachel, for having us here! We recently visited Hong Kong and spent an amazing time shopping, strolling down the busy streets and digging into delicious dim sum! :)
Yes 1 week is perfect! I love HK because it offers something for ever style. BOUGIE ASS restaurants, cheap dim sum, fancy spas or little massage studios. Ugh love it!
‘Love the post Rachel, and Agness & Cez are awesome, as is their blog!
I’m in Asia in a few weeks, and I thought long and hard about whether I wanted to go back to Hong Kong as I absolutely loved it the first time around! However, I’ve decided to go to a completely new destination so I’m going to Taiwan instead lol!
‘Brilliant post. xx
OH I was meant to go to Taiwan in about 12 days but the timing didn’t work out! You’ll have to share your thoughts on it.