Planning a trip to Hong Kong but not sure where to begin or how many days to spend? After visiting the city more than three times, I’ve put together the perfect 5-day Hong Kong itinerary that will allow you to experience all the best aspects of this one-of-a-kind city without feeling rushed.
From spending a full day exploring classic attractions like Tsim Sha Tsui and Victoria Harbour to making day trips to Tian Tan Buddha and going on a photography walk around some of Hong Kong’s best urban spots, here is the complete 5-day itinerary for Hong Kong!
- Hong Kong 5 Days Itinerary Map
- Where to Stay in Hong Kong?
- 5 Days in Hong Kong: A Complete Itinerary
- Why Visit Hong Kong?
- When To Visit Hong Kong?
- How to Get to Hong Kong?
- How to Get Around Hong Kong?
- How Much Money Do I Need For 5 Days in Hong Kong?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Hong Kong?
- What to Pack for Hong Kong?
- Further Reading for China, Hong Kong, and Macau
Hong Kong 5 Days Itinerary Map
| ☀️ Day 1: | Explore Tsim Sha Tsui |
| ☀️ Day 2: | Explore Wong Tai Sin District |
| ☀️ Day 3: | Go Up Victoria Peak or Hike Around Hong Kong |
| ☀️ Day 4: | Spend A Day at Tian Tan Big Buddha |
| ☀️ Day 5: | Visit Disneyland or Go on Photo Walks |
5 Days in Hong Kong: A Complete Itinerary
Day 1: Explore Tsim Sha Tsui
On your first day in Hong Kong, start by visiting Tsim Sha Tsui, a vibrant shopping district filled with casual eateries and eclectic local shops along neon-lit Nathan Road, as well as luxury malls lining nearby Canton Road. The area is also surrounded by many major tourist attractions, which makes for a great place to begin your journey in Hong Kong.
You can go and check out the Avenue of Stars HK, a famous promenade that runs along along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront which was modeled after the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It celebrates Hong Kong’s rich film industry and honors legendary actors, directors, and filmmakers who have contributed to the city’s cinematic history.
You can see hand prints of famous stars, statues (including a prominent Bruce Lee statue), and plaques highlighting the achievements of iconic figures in Hong Kong cinema throughout the promenade. You can also take photos with the famous Hong Kong Film Awards Statue here as well.
- Hi Backpackers (Hong Kong Hostel Group) (Budget)
- Eco Tree Hotel Causeway Bay (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- The St. Regis Hong Kong (High-End)
- Big Bus Hong Kong Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour (1 hour)
- Hong Kong Self-Guided Audio Tour (1 hour)
- A Perfect Hong Kong Layover - 5h private tour (5 hours)
You can check out Victoria Harbor briefly, but I recommend you come back at sunset when the light is best. Thankfully, you do have to hang around doing nothing, as there are many museums around this area, such as the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, where you can explore art galleries and installations; the Hong Kong Museum of Art, showcasing beautiful Chinese art, sculptures, and drawings; or the Hong Kong Space Museum, where you can enjoy planetarium shows, astronomy exhibits, and more.
If you are interested in learning about the history of Hong Kong, you might also wanna check out Hong Kong History Museum, located about 20 minutes walk from Victoria Habour. It's a great place to help you understand the rich and complex history of the city. The museum features immersive and well-curated exhibitions covering Hong Kong’s natural history, cultural heritage, and social evolution, from prehistoric times to the modern era.
Before you head over to Hong Kong History Museum, you can stop by and have lunch at Kai Kee Noodles, a popular noodle restaurant here in Tsim Sha Tsui. There are also many shops and cafes around this area, so you can spend some time and shop a bit before heading to the museum.
Once evening rolls around, come back to Victoria Harbour and watch the city lit up in dazzling lights as the sun set behind the horizon. Hong Kong's skyline is legendary, and there’s no better place to enjoy it than here.
You can come to the harbour about an hour before sunset and go and check out some of the tourist attractions nearby like the Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower, one of Hong Kong's iconic landmarks, and once you are done, you can go up the elevated bridge over the pier, find a place to sit and enjoy the wonderful light shows at sunset.
For dinner, I highly recommend trying the fish ball noodles from Aberdeen Fish Ball King. They have several branches around Hong Kong, and I visited the one near my hotel in Fortress Hill and it was great. Find the branch closest to your accommodation and give it a try before calling it a day.
Day 2: Explore Wong Tai Sin District
For your second day, we’re heading out of the city center to explore some of the more peaceful and quiet parts of Hong Kong, starting with a stroll around Nan Lian Garden, a beautiful Chinese garden with stunning temples located in the Wong Tai Sin District that feels more like Japan than Hong Kong.
The temple is located at the foot of Diamond Hill and can be easily reached by metro or bus from Central. It’s one of my favorite places in Hong Kong because of how quiet it is compared to other places in the city. The garden is quite large, with plenty of photo spots, attractions, and walking paths to explore, so expect to spend at least an hour or two here.
Once that is done, you can continue on to one of the most sacred temples you can visit in Hong Kong, which is Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple, a large and highly revered temple where you’ll see both worshippers and tourists seeking blessings for health, fortune, and success.
The complex features colorful traditional architecture, ornate carvings, and beautifully landscaped gardens, where you can walk around in, while enjoying the lively atmosphere as people from all over the world pray respect to Wong Tai Sin, a legendary Taoist deity this temple was dedicated to. There's a shopping mall right next to the temple, so you can stop by there for lunch as well.
Next up, you can drop by and check out Kowloon Walled City Park, which is where the notorious Kowloon Walled City, where lawlessness, crime syndicates, and all kinds of illegal activities thrived inside overcrowded buildings that ignored any building codes, once stood.
You can visit the park and enjoy a nice peaceful walk along its pathways crisscrossing around the Chinese-style garden. Along the way, you will be able to see several historical remnants from the original Walled City, including parts of the South Gate, the remnants of the watchtower, and some foundation walls, which help you visualize the original layout.
There, you will also find an exhibition that recreated some parts of the overcrowded Kowloon Walled City that provide a much needed context of what it was like to live inside the walled city and the exhibition was excellent. They have recreated places like an unlicensed dental clinic, an old-school salon, and make-shift restaurants and shops you can walk around in.
One of my favorite features is the simple hallway lined with a tangle of wires hanging from the ceiling, surrounded by exposed, rusty pipes that once kept the city running. It gives a rare glimpse of what life inside the Walled City was like, something we would never have seen firsthand.
If you are into photography, while you are here, you might also wanna drop by Choi Hung Estate, one of Hong Kong’s most famous public housing complexes, located in Wong Tai Sin. Completed in the 1960s, its name literally means “Rainbow Estate”, and it lives up to that name with brightly painted apartment blocks in vivid colors, set against a colorful basketball court, which makes a perfect backdrop for photography. You can also leave this for the last day if you do not plan to visit Disneyland.
Once evening comes, head over to Lan Kwai Fong, a nightlife hotspot known for its vibrant atmosphere, bars, restaurants, and clubs. The area really comes alive after dark and on weekends, attracting both locals and tourists looking to enjoy drinks, live music, and a lively social scene. You can spend your night here having dinner and drinks before heading back to your hotel and ending the second day.
Day 3: Go Up Victoria Peak or Hike Around Hong Kong
On your third day, you can choose to go up Victoria Peak and hike around the mountain or explore other hiking trails in Hong Kong, such as Lion Rock Head or Pat Sin Leng, spending the entire day surrounded by the often-overlooked natural beauty of Hong Kong.
One of the most famous mountain peaks here is Victoria Peak, which is a 552 meters high mountain with an epic vantage point over Hong Kong and its extravagant skylines. You can take a taxi up there, which I recommend, a tourist tram, which I do not, or even hike up yourself if you are up for it.
Why didn’t I recommend taking the tram up Victoria Peak? It’s simple: there are far too many people wanting to do it, and you might end up waiting hours just for a 10-minute ride to the top. In my opinion, it’s not worth the wait and there are easier, sometimes cheaper way to get up there, without having to deal with the crowds.
I would recommend taking a taxi or you can hike up yourself via Central Green Trail, which should take about an hour top. Just make sure you bring enough water for the hike as it can be quite hot humid sometimes.
Once you arrive at Victoria Peak, you can spend some time hiking around the area. There are several trails to explore, such as the Peak Trail that hugs the cliffside. You can also hike a bit further to visit Victoria Peak Garden with its beautiful landscapes, and enjoy the view from the other side of the mountain at Victoria Peak Pavilion.
After you finished the hike, you can either choose to eat lunch at one of the many restaurants around the Tram Station or come down to Central and enjoy a local noodle dish at Kau Kee Restaurant by Sheung Wan MTR station.
After you are done, you can come and check out Tai Kwun, a revitalized heritage and arts center that was once the city’s Central Police Station, Magistracy, and Prison. The site has been beautifully restored and transformed into a vibrant cultural hub, blending history, art, and contemporary creativity, attracting a lot of creative youths and tourists to the historic site.
While at Tai Kwun, you can explore historical architecture, learn about Hong Kong’s colonial and judicial past, and enjoy rotating art exhibitions, performances, and cultural events. You can even walk inside the old prison to learn about the people who worked there, the events and crises that shaped the city’s history, and much more.
You can hang out at Victoria Peak until evening and have dinner at one of the restaurants there, or head over to Kwan Kee Claypot Rice, one of Hong Kong’s most popular claypot restaurants. As the name suggests, they are famous for their claypot rice, so be sure to give it a try. After you are done, you can chill and enjoy the rest of the night.
Day 4: Spend A Day at Tian Tan Big Buddha
One of the most impressive landmarks in Hong Kong is Tian Tan Buddha, also known as the Big Buddha, and that is what we are going to visit on our fourth day in Hong Kong. This monumental bronze statue on Lantau Island is about a two-hour metro and cable rides from Central, which makes for a great day trip to make.
Standing 34 meters tall, it is one of the largest seated outdoor Buddha statues in the world. You can visit the temple and climb the statue for stunning views of Hong Kong’s beautiful mountain surroundings and the South China Sea.
The site also includes the Po Lin Monastery with its beautiful temples, pavilions, and sacred Buddha statues to explore. There are restaurants and shops nearby to make your visit more comfortable. The area is quite large, and it will take some time to see all of its attractions. Expect to spend at least 3-4 hours here, not including travel time, which adds another 3–4 hours for a round-trip journey from Central.
The metro will take you to the cable car station where you will then have to purchase a separate ticket to get to the temple ground. I highly recommend you purchase the ticket in advance from here, to avoid having to line up and queue at the ticket booth which can be pretty long.
I was there during the Golden Week, which sees a large influx of mainland tourists to Hong Kong, but with the pre-booked ticket, I was able to get on the cable car without having to wait very long. The pre-booked line flows very fast (way better managed than the Peak Tram if you asked me), and I was at the temple in about 30 minutes. So don't forget to get the ticket beforehand!
The views from the cable car are absolute incredible! You can see the dramatic landscape of Hong Kong as you ascend up the mountain. You might even spot planes taking off and landing, as the cable car is not far from the airport. You can spend the entire day exploring the temple ground before heading back to Central and enjoy a chill evening for the rest of the day.
Day 5: Visit Disneyland or Go on Photo Walks
On your fifth day, you can choose to either go and spend the entire day at Disneyland, which is quite fun even for me as an adult or you can go and visit some of the cool and unique photo spots around Hong Kong like Yick Fat Building or Choi Hung Estate if you haven't done so on your second day here.
Hong Kong Disneyland is a compact but charming Disney park that is unlike its larger counterparts in the U.S. or Tokyo, which makes it more manageable in size, and easier to explore in a single day, but it still captures all the magic Disney is known for.
The park is divided into several themed lands, including Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, and Grizzly Gulch, each with its own rides, attractions, and character experiences. Even if you aren't going on rides, there are shows and parades to keep you occupied throughout the day.
I spent an entire day with my friend here and it was actually pretty fun. If you are looking for a day of fun and fantasy, you can come and visit Hong Kong Disneyland. The ticket price is 78 USD per person and you can get the ticket here.
If you are a photographer and are looking for something more interesting to take photos at, you can spend the day and go on a photo walk around the city, visiting places like Yick Fat Building and Choi Hung Estate. Yick Fat Building is one of the city’s most iconic examples of dense, high-rise residential architecture. Its tightly packed apartments, colorful exterior, and repetitive geometric patterns make it a favorite spot for photographers and filmmakers looking to capture Hong Kong’s urban vibe.
Afterwards, spend the evening at Causeway Bay, a bustling shopping district where you can shop until you drop. With no sales tax, Apple products and other electronics are some of the cheapest in the world, so if you’ve been eyeing that new iPhone Pro Max, this is the place to grab it. You won’t find it cheaper anywhere else!
After sunset, be sure to take a tram ride around the city, which is especially beautiful at night with skyscrapers and buildings lit up in dazzling lights. A single ride costs 3.5 HKD, and you can travel from one side of Hong Kong Island to the other. This makes for a perfect way to end your last day in Hong Kong and wrap up this itinerary. Congratulations!
Why Visit Hong Kong?
Looking from the outside, Hong Kong may seem like a densely populated city, but there is so much more to this city than you would think. I should know, I made the mistake of not visiting Hong Kong earlier with the same notion.
For one, the technological and architectural marvel of the city is in a league of its own. Secondly, Hong Kong has been a harbor city throughout most of its life, and with a combination of its oriental cultural foundation and British influence, Hong Kong is one of the countries that can blend the East and the West into its own identity. Lastly, and surprisingly, the hiking this city offers will surprise even the best of us adventurers.
When To Visit Hong Kong?
November to January is preferable, as the temperature is mild and dry, which is perfect for hiking and exploring the city's extremely dense streets. Summer, on the other hand, is very hot and humid, making exploration tiresome and hiking difficult.
How to Get to Hong Kong?
By Plane: The fastest way to get to Hong Kong is to fly into the country directly via Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), one of the most popular travel hubs in Asia. You should have no trouble flying here via airlines like Cathay Pacific and AirAsia, which have excellent coverage all over the world.
You can find cheap flights to Hong Kong from Trip.com, Skyscanner, or Expedia.
By Ferry: If you are in Macau, you can also take a high-speed ferry from Macau Outer Harbor to Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal. It costs around 200 HKD and takes a little under an hour. You can book the ticket in advance here.
By Bus: If you can spare some time and would like to save a bit of money, you can also travel from Macau to Hong Kong by bus from several spots in the city. The bus will take about 3 hours in total as you will have to go through 2 immigrations, and it should cost about 150 HKD. You can also book the ticket in advance here.
By High Speed Train: If you are in China, you can also take a high-speed train from any of the major cities in the South like Shenzhen and Guangzhou. It costs around 30 USD and takes a little over an hour. You can book the ticket in advance here. You will clear immigrations for both China and Hong Kong when you get off at West Kowloon Station.
How to Get Around Hong Kong?
By Metro: Hong Kong has excellent metro coverage, and you can get just about anywhere with it. It’s extremely accessible and convenient, with payment just a quick tap of your credit card. A single journey usually costs around 6 HKD per person.
By Bus: Buses are also a great option if you prefer a direct ride without transfers. I took one from Fortress Hill to Kowloon in a single trip, which was super convenient. You can even pay with a credit card, which is awesome. Most routes cost around 2.6 HKD, while the Airport Express buses range from approximately 35 to 50 HKD.
By Tram: If you’re staying on Hong Kong Island, you can also use the vintage trams to get around. They’re slow and a bit clunky, but perfect for photos, especially at night when the streets and skyscrapers are lit up. A single ride costs about 3.30 HKD. While some trams accept tap-to-pay, the older ones might not, so it’s best to have the exact cash on hand for the ride.
By Uber: If you’re looking for a more comfortable ride, you can also opt for Uber to get around Hong Kong. It’s more expensive, but not as much as you might think. I took a taxi up and down Victoria Peak, and it ended up being cheaper for two people than taking the tram. Plus, we didn’t have to queue for the tram. Win-win!
How Much Money Do I Need For 5 Days in Hong Kong?
From this 5-day itinerary, we can calculate approximately how much money you will be spending here (average) as follows:
| 🛌 Lodging: | 300 USD (50 USD/Day) |
| 🥘 Food: | 120 USD (24 USD/Day) |
| 🚗 Transportation: | 80 USD (16 USD/Day) |
| 🧗 Activities: | 50 USD (10 USD/Day) |
| 💰 Total Budget: | 550 USD (110 USD/Day) |
Which tourist SIM card is best for Hong Kong?
Wifi is widely available in Hong Kong, so a SIM card may not be needed for such a short trip. However, CSL seems to have the most coverage if you are interested in buying one, with easy online top-ups or vouchers available from convenience stores. They also offer a good 3-day, 2GB data package for HK$38. For more information, visit this page.
For the most convenient option, I highly recommend getting an e-SIM from Klook or Trip.com if your phone supports it. They’re affordable, easy to set up, and activate automatically the moment you arrive, so you won’t have to sort anything out at the airport.
If not, Wi-Fi is readily available throughout Hong Kong, or if you prefer a physical SIM card, you can go with CSL, which seems to offer the best coverage. You should be able to find their SIM cards at phone shops or at the airport.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
What to Pack for Hong Kong?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Hong Kong:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Hong Kong in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Further Reading for China, Hong Kong, and Macau
Looking for more information about your trip to China, Hong Kong, and Macau? Here is a collection of articles that you might find useful:
- First time in Hong Kong, but you are not sure where to begin? This is the guide for you: Visiting Hong Kong: 12 Awesome Things to Do & More.
- Macau is often called the Las Vegas of Asia, offering larger-than-life entertainment, a unique blend of Portuguese heritage, and so much more. If you’re planning a visit, be sure to check this out: Discover Macau: 10 Cool Things to Do & More.
- Guangzhou is the fourth-largest city in China and one of the wealthiest, with major trade activities taking place in and around the city for over 2,000 years. With so much history and so many places to explore, you’ll definitely want this comprehensive travel guide: Explore Guangzhou: 12 Incredible Things to Do & More.
- Guilin is, hands down, one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in China. If you’re planning to visit, here is the comprehensive travel guide I wish I had! Check it out: Visiting Guilin: A Complete Travel Guide
- Looking for a complete itinerary to Guilin? Check out: 5-Day Itinerary in Guilin
- For more articles about China, visit the China travel guide, or explore my guides to Hong Kong and Macau.
- Planning a trip to East Asia? Explore all my articles on the East Asia Travel Guide page.
- You can find all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
2 Comments
The first time I went to Hong Kong, I thought I wouldn't want to go back again very soon. Turns out I went back the next year. And now, I find myself missing Hong Kong.
There was lots of city exploring the past two trips. The next one will have to include some hikes.
Totally agree! I thought it would be just another big city but I was completely wrong! So many things you can do there!