Irresistible 5 Days Hong Kong Itinerary + Exciting Macau Day Trip

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Welcome to the cosmopolitan bucket list city in this region of Asia. Countless skyscrapers filled with traditional culture, shopping opportunities, numerous green oasis everywhere you look, and excellent food. Oh, food! I’m still dreaming about the mount melting delicious smoothie bowls and dumplings. We convinced you? Then jump on this 5 days Hong Kong experience. 

Besides being a business centre, Hong Kong is a harbour city. Due to its history, you can see the interweaving of oriental and British tradition. As home to 8 million inhabitants, it’s known for endless crowds. Some popular areas can get crowded beyond your expectations. We were, however, not able to witness it despite travelling during the national holiday.

There is no other city that you can navigate easily. With an excellent public transportation system, you can travel around the city by metro, bus or ferry, making all the things to do and see in Hong Kong relatively close.

5 Days Hong Kong Itinerary

Hong Kong has a lot to offer. Everyone can find something to see and do in Hong Kong. Although it is manageable to see the main sights in two days, we recommend spending at least three to five days in Hong Kong. With this extension, you can manage to make a day trip outside Hong Kong and see Macao’s glitz and glamour and its famous casinos.

With our five day Hong Kong itinerary, you will get a taste of city life and nature, explore it off the beaten path and enjoy Hong Kong to its fullest.

5 Days Hong Kong Itinerary

DAY 1: The best of Hong Kong traditional culture

As we stayed in the Kowloon area, we decided to start exploring our ‘home area’. We recommend you start your first of five days of this Hong Kong itinerary exploring the neighbourhood where your accommodation is.

Kowloon is the unofficial centre of the city with many street markets, shopping areas, and nightlife. Right next to it is the district of Mongkok. It is an industrial district known for all kinds of markets and budget accommodations.

Tsim Sha Tsui

 Recommended time: 30 minutes

Tsim is the district with a waterfront offering fantastic skyline views of Hong Kong Island. Take a stroll and explore the Avenue of Stars, visit museums such as the Hong Kong Cultural Center, Hong Kong Space Museum, the Clock Tower, and Garden of the Stars.

AVENUE OF STARS

A famous replica of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame pays attribute to Hong Kong’s cinematic history and its movie stars. You can observe handprint plaques and stars showcasing the prominent personalities. The most known and celebrated statue is Bruce Lee.

The Hong Kong Museum of History

 Recommended time: 2-3 hours

It is a great place to start your Hong Kong experience and understand where it comes from and what shaped its culture. The museum offers an excellent overview of the city’s complex past through different exhibitions.

Kowloon Park

 Recommended time: 1-2 hours

In the middle of the Tsim Sha Tsui area, you can find the biggest green heaven in Hong Kong. Come after a long day of walking to relax, run or just observe people.

Nathan Road

 Recommended time: 30 minutes (without shopping)

Continue your way into the mainland by walking along 3,6 km long Nathan Road. This street is a heaven for shopping and dining, and is usually full of tourists.

Mong Kok and its famous street markets

 Recommended time: 1-2 hours

The best way to soak in the atmosphere, smells, and sounds of the city is by exploring the most famous and busiest markets. The most known markets are:

• Ladies Market: clothes, accessories, and souvenirs
• Temple Street Night Market: flea marker with all kinds of things and the best are to eat seafood
• Sneaker Street Market: discounted prices of major brands of footwear
• Fish Market
• Computer Center

You can reach all of above markets by metro. 

Recommendation for the night: watch the Symphony of Lights

The show of lights, lasers, and the led screen starts every day at 8 pm and lights up over 40 buildings of Victoria Harbour. It’s the world’s largest permanent light and sound show. Finds your spot on the river bank to enjoy this 15 minutes.

We have to say it didn’t impress us at all. Coming from Shanghai and comparing the phenome we saw, we both expected much more.

DAY 2: Explore the New Territories

The second day of this 5 days Hong Kong itinerary is focused on the two main Buddha landmarks in the island. Each interesting in its own way. 

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

 Recommended time: 30 min – 1 hour

Walk alongside 10.000 Buddha statues leading up to the main Buddhist temple with the view over Sha Tin in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Each life-sized gold-painted Buddha has a different poster and facial expression. It takes 431 steps to reach the pavilions and pagoda, where you will be dazzled by 12.000 more statues.

Ngong Ping 360 to Lantau Island

 Drive time: 20 min

One option to cross from Hong Kong mainland to Lantau Island is to take a cable car. The 5,7 km long ride offers impressive panoramic views of the airport, the largest bridge, and the harbour. You can choose between a standard cable car or a glass-bottom cable car (known as Crystal Cabin).

If you are afraid of height, you can also access Lantau Island by bus or taxi. And what does Lantau Island offers? You can visit the Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha statue (more on this below).

The Big Buddha

 Recommended time: 1 hour

Tian Tan Buddha or the Big Buddha is with 34 meters of height the largest statue of Buddha Shakyamuni in bronze. You must climb 268 steps to reach it. To explore the inside, you need to purchase a ticket at the bottom of the stairs. You don’t need a ticket to walk around it.

Po Lin Monastery

 Recommended time: 30 min to 1 hours

Founded in 1906, it features three bronze statues of the Buddha – one representing the past, one present, one the future – and various Buddhis scripts.

After exploring all the sides, we decided to continue our stay on Lantau Island and visiting Tai O Fishing Village. You can reach the village by taking bus number 21 or a taxi. It takes approximately 15 minutes.

One of the oldest fishing villages was a big disappointment for us. There is nothing to do there, nor to eat. Once you get off the bus, the locals already wait for you to sell you one of their boat tours alongside half-ruined houses on stilts. We hadn’t purchased one as we didn’t see an added value and decide to walk around by ourselves. We spoke with some people who took the tour, and they were disappointed.

DAY 3: Discover the urban and modern site of Hong Kong

There is nothing better than a morning ride with an iconic boat looking at the skyline touched by sunshine. Star Ferry is the fastest and cheapest way to get from the mainland to the island.

The central business district hosts all major international companies and designer shopping. It is the district of Hong Kong that developed the earliest and is an incredible experience. We recommend starting at the most western sight, Victoria Park. Then continue just walk along the streets and harbour.

Another exciting mode of transport: riding the ding-ding around town. It’s a double-decker tram. I felt like I am in the middle of the Harry Potter adventure on these iconic double-decker trams. The oldest transportation mode gives you the chance to observe the people and do some sightseeing of the main business buildings as they are not the fastest ones.

Victoria Park

 Recommended time: depending on you

A lovely oasis of greenery and calmness along the urban jungle is also the largest park on that side of the city. Great to sit down for a moment and watch people. There is also a playground for children and some tennis fields. 

Causeway Bay

 Recommended time: 30 min

Walk around many interesting streets, where you can observe modern architecture. Here you can find the Bank of China skyscraper.

The Mid-Level escalators

 Recommended time: 10 min

The covered escalator system is the longest one in the world. It’s a unique experience of commuting between the different district, saving you from walking up the hill to reach the famous Soho area.

Victoria Peak

 Recommended time: 1 hour

The highest point on Hong Kong Island offers the most iconic view of the Hong Kong skyline, Kowloon, and the surrounding area high above the city. Visiting the peak is among the must-do things in Hong Kong. There are several viewing points near Peak Tower. You can visit a 360-degree platform or walk around for free views over Hong Kong city.

How to get to the top of Victoria Peak? 

There are several ways – the Peak Tram, taxi or walking. We used the iconic Peak Tram, a 1920-style funicular. Not only because it’s one of the most popular modes, but for a unique way of slowly getting above the city.

Recommend activity at night: Happy Valley Racecourse

The reason why we decided to visit the island on our third day and not earlier were the horse races. Every Wednesday evening you can take part and bet on your favourite horse.

We wanted to see them as they are such a trendy part of locals’ life. Horse races were was introduced in 1842 by the British. They remain up to date the only sport on which people can legally bet. We would recommend stopping by and including it in your Hong Kong itinerary if you haven’t seen one yet.

DAY 4: Day trip to glittery Macau

As part of this 5 days Hong Kong Itinerary you cannot miss a day trip from Hong Kong to Macau. It’s only an hour away with a ferry. Everyone can find something for themselves: historical buildings, beaches, shopping malls, and casinos.

There are several ferries operators, but the most known are TurboJet and CotaiJet. You’ll need to clear immigration before departing Hong Kong and when arriving in Macau. Make sure to have your passport ready and possible visas, if required.

Visit the central square Largo de Senado, head to Ruins of St. Paul, walk the historic street with Portuguese architecture, visit A-Ma Temple, explore Macau’s famous casino scene, and dine on egg tarts.

We decided to return to Hong Kong with a bus going through the longest sea-crossing bridge Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (55 km).

DAY 5: Relax on the beach

Although it might not look like Hong Kong Island has several beautiful beaches. To relax after five days of exploring Hong Kong, we decided on a day without skyscrapers. 

Easily reached by bus (because it’s on the island) is one of the most popular beaches – Shek O beach. The sandy beach is located on Shek O peninsula that is home to another gorgeous beach – Big Wave Bay. The latter is more popular with surfers. 

You can rent one umbrella and sun-lounging chairs for two people for about HK$ 100. The beach is kids friendly as there are almost no waves and dog friendly. 

How to reach it? Use the nearest metro station and exit at Shau Kei Wan station. Then take bus number 9. 

How to reach Hong Kong centre from the airport?

We recommend taking the Airport Express to reach the city. It is the fastest, most convenient, and efficient way. In around 30 minutes, you get to Kowloon and Tsim Sha Tsui area. Please note that the main hotel chains offer a free shuttle service to transport to your room.

How to travel around Hong Kong?

You can use the metro, bus, taxi or ferry. But the cheapest way to explore the city is by bus. And no worries, all the signs and stops are written in the English language. The best place to check the bus schedules and/or buy tickets online is Busbud. 

To travel without hustle, you can buy a prepaid contactless debit card called Octopus card. You can use it on most of the public transport (except taxis and red minibuses). Pre-order it online or buy it at the airport or any metro station. 

Where to stay in Hong Kong?

We would recommend staying either on Hong Kong Island or Kowloon and close to the metro station. The most popular tourist areas are Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mongkok because they are close to the markets, must-see attractions and Victoria Harbour. Among them, Kowloon is the most expensive one and Mongkok the cheapest.

Can you pay with credit cards in Hong Kong?

Contrary to mainland China, credit cards are accepted everywhere except for some smaller local shops.

Is free Wi-Fi available in Hong Kong?

In many public places, around hotels and restaurants, and at metro stations, you can connect to Wi-Fi. If you prefer to be connected all the time, you should probably buy a local sim card.

Summary of our trip to Hong Kong

The majority of people visit Hong Kong for only a few days. Spending 5 days in Hong Kong will give you just the right amount of time to explore all the sides of this megacity. The Hong Kong itinerary for five days will take you to different things to do and attractions to see to complete your trip to the region. You will enjoy the incredible viewpoints of the Hong Kong skyline, take a drive in the unique double-decker trams, travel by the cable car to see the Big Buddha, relax at the beaches, and jump on a ferry to a day trip to Macau.

Ultimate 3-week China travel itinerary

Personally, we expected much more from the city itself. But this doesn’t mean we didn’t enjoy our time here. Some attractions, like Victoria Peak, SoHo and local markets, were impressive. It all depends on your interests. We would still recommend stopping for at least three days to get the flavour of Hong Kong. It would mean you would have to rush around, but you can see all the ultimate things in Hong Kong. For that, you can shorten this 5 days Hong Kong itinerary. 

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