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On this article, I’d like to share with you our 5-day itinerary for Hong Kong, that includes a number of budget-friendly issues and must-do actions.
Hong Kong is one in every of my favorite locations on Earth. I used to be very lucky to have spent over 5 months on this superb metropolis again in 2013, and once I returned earlier this 12 months, I used to be overjoyed to be again once more. On this 5-day itinerary for Hong Kong, I wished 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, Seaside, LKF
Day 4: Disneyland or Ocean Park OR Monastery & Lion’s Rock Hike, optionally available sundown cruise
Day 5: M+ Museum, Ozone Bar, Harbour Metropolis
The place to remain in Hong Kong?
In case you’re questioning what the most effective 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 just isn’t the most cost effective place to remain – and probably the most sought-after areas are typically pricy. Nevertheless, there are many locations within the metropolis that match any finances.
Listed below are the areas I’d suggest:
TST or Tsim Sha Tsui (finest for views, buying and general one of many best-connected areas)
Central (finest for sightseeing as a consequence of connectivity; numerous eating places are round)
Admiralty (a really fancy space, well-connected, numerous buying malls however barely additional away than Central and TST)
Mid-levels (finest for distinctive outlets, hipster cafes and going out)
Causeway Bay (nice for buying, much less handy for connectivity)
Sha Tin (numerous 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 just too lengthy. I lived close to Siu Hong station for five months and it will take me no less than 1 hour to go to town centre each time, which isn’t excellent should you’re in Hong Kong for under 5 days as you’ll spend an excessive amount of time within the MTR.
Accommodations I’d suggest:
Luxurious with the most effective 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 e-book: Sundown cruise – examine availability right here
Dragon’s Again mountain climbing tour with a information – examine right here
Meals tasting tour – e-book right here
Disneyland tickets – e-book right here
The Victoria Peak tram – examine availability and e-book on-line
Ngong Ping Skip the Line (to Massive Buddha) – e-book right here
Sky 100 remark deck – e-book right here
With out additional ado, let’s get began!
5-day itinerary for Hong Kong: superb issues to do
Earlier than we begin with the detailed itinerary for Hong Kong, I wished to say that this itinerary is very depending on the climate – the climate in Hong Kong may be fairly unpredictable, and even throughout a dry season, you may get some stormy days. Whereas I’m writing a separate article about the most effective 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 finest to postpone any panoramic actions till it’s sunny (or, no less than, 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 just isn’t the most effective, attempt to postpone this stuff to the following good day and do a day 2 itinerary as an alternative.
The Avenue of Stars
In case you’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 novel shopping center referred to 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 number of occasions 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 no less than as soon as, despite the fact that 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 just isn’t a standard market – it’s a really new place with numerous stalls promoting quirky candles, soaps, tea, cosmetics and cookies.
The mid-levels space in Hong Kong is dwelling 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 elements of HK island. It’s free to take, so you’ll be able to skip the steps and take the escalator as an alternative.
Mid-levels can be a beautiful space to have lunch – there are many eating places inside the Central Market and out of doors within the Mid-levels space.
Nevertheless, if I had been to suggest one place, I’d advise attempting Tim Ho Wan restaurant within the IFC mall (within the decrease ranges – nearly within the Central MTR station). – it was once the world’s least expensive Michelin-star restaurant, nevertheless it misplaced its star a few years in the past. Even so, after we visited this 12 months, it was just like the way it was once again in 2013 when it nonetheless had the star. Please don’t go away it with out attempting the BBQ buns, they’re mouth-watering!
Victoria Peak tram & the remark deck
Victoria Peak is the most effective place to see the postcard-perfect panorama of Hong Kong, and one of the best ways to go there may be earlier than the sundown so to watch the sundown from there. The sundown is often round 7pm in summer time and 5:30pm in winter, so be certain to reach on the remark deck no less than 30-40 minutes earlier than the sundown.
Essentially the most touristy strategy to go up is by taking the well-known Victoria Peak tram. To keep away from queues on the ticket-selling factors, you should purchase a combo ticket for a return tram trip and the remark deck on-line right here.
Generally, the queues for the tram may be lengthy, so be certain to reach early. There are many issues to do within the Victoria Peak space, so don’t fear should you arrive too early. You’ll be able to 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 remark deck is a magical expertise, and town modifications rather a lot after darkish – I personally can’t determine which panorama I favor – the one throughout the day or the one at evening, each are gorgeous.
Dinner
After visiting the Victoria Peak remark deck, head again to town centre for dinner. A number of the trendiest eating places in Hong Kong should be booked upfront; nevertheless, numerous locals (and vacationers alike) simply head to eating places at buying malls – every shopping center may have no less than 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’ll be able to discover one other iconic location – Lantau island, dwelling to the Massive 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 automotive tickets – Ngong Ping 360. On a sunny day throughout the excessive season, the queue is perhaps fairly lengthy, so that you would possibly wish to purchase some skip-the-line tickets for the cable automotive right here.
The trip within the cable automotive takes round 30-40 minutes and goes by means of many stunning places. Lantau Island may be very inexperienced – there are many mountain climbing trails all around the island.
If the cable automotive just isn’t working or visibility just isn’t the most effective, it’s also possible to take a bus to Massive Buddha – it’s additionally less expensive.
Massive Buddha & Po Lin Monastery
The Massive Buddha statue in Hong Kong may be very spectacular. The doorway to the world and the Po Lin Monastery is free, and despite the fact that the place will get fairly crowded, it nonetheless has a serene and peaceable environment.
Massive 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 gorgeous views of the mountains close by, you should climb fairly a number of stairs, nevertheless it’s price it.
The Po Lin Monastery can be undoubtedly price visiting – it’s one in every of Hong Kong’s most stunning monasteries!
Tai O fishing village
As soon as you’re feeling such as you explored the Po Lin monastery and the areas close by, you’ll be able to head to the Tai O fishing village. You’ll be able to both take a taxi or a bus to get there. The trip solely takes 10-Quarter-hour, however the buses solely go as soon as each hour, so be certain to examine the schedule beforehand so you realize when to return to the bus cease.
Tai O fishing village supplies a glimpse into the historical past of Hong Kong – how Hong was once 100 years in the past, and it feels just like the village is frozen in time. Individuals nonetheless reside in stilt homes and use boats and bicycles to get round. There are not any automobiles and no trendy outlets round both.
Many guests come to Tai O to see the photogenic village and take a look at 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’ll be able to think about, fish may be very contemporary!
Moreover strolling round and consuming, it’s also possible to take a ship tour to see the well-known pink dolphins – we haven’t finished it, however I’ve heard good issues about it!
To get again to Tung Chung, you’ll be able to both take a bus again to Massive 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 instantly 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, Seaside, LKF
The Dragon’s Again Hike
Hong Kong is an excellent mountain climbing vacation spot, and just a few folks understand it! In case you’re fortunate with the climate and also you’re visiting Hong Kong when it’s not too scorching or too chilly, the most effective issues you possibly can do there may be hike. One in every of my favorite hikes in Hong Kong is the Dragon’s Again Hike – I’ve finished it twice, and for my part, it’s the most effective hike you are able to do should you’re in Hong Kong for a restricted time.
The perfect half about this hike are the gorgeous views and the actual fact it ends on a really good seashore. 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 could be nice. Have some breakfast, go to a grocery store and purchase some snacks, a number of water and the rest you would possibly want for a hike/seashore.
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 driving force you’re doing the Dragon’s Again hike, and he’ll let you know the place/when to exit. It takes round 15-20 minutes to get there by minibus.
Whenever you exit the minibus, there shall be a map of the hike and likewise a rest room. There gained’t be extra bathrooms all through your entire length of the hike. The hike will begin fairly steep, however then it would get simpler and extra pleasant.
Having fun with the Massive Wave Bay seashore
The stroll to the Massive Wave Bay seashore 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 beautiful seashore to go to, and you’ll undoubtedly take pleasure in simply seeing it. And if you wish to swim, it’s a really pretty and clear seashore with small waves, and it’s enjoyable to leap them!
There are additionally some eating places and outlets close by – should you’re hungry, it is a wonderful 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
In case you’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 grow to be extra refined. There was once simply nightclubs and fairly mediocre lounge bars – now there are additionally numerous 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, optionally available sundown cruise
In your fourth day in Hong Kong, I had two completely different choices for you! In case you like amusement parks, I’ve excellent news for you – there are two improbable amusement parks in Hong Kong – Disneyland and Ocean Park. Disneyland is fairly small however has all the things you want. It’s straightforward to get there by MTR, and you’ll simply spend all day there, particularly should you determine to remain for the fireworks. You’ll be able to pre-book your Disneyland tickets and examine the most recent worth right here.
I really 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 the most effective Halloween experiences I’ve ever had. You’ll be able to examine the value and availability right here.
If amusement parks will not be your cup of tea, I’ve bought an alternate choice for you!
Visiting Hong Kong’s monasteries:
Hong Kong has gorgeous temples and monasteries, and there are a lot of! Listed below are a few of my favorite ones. You’ll be able to both go to 1 or 2 of those monasteries or simply go to 1 and do one other quick hike. Listed below are Hong Kong’s finest monasteries:
Chi Lin Nunnery
Wong Tai Sin temple
Sha Tin temple
Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
Lion Rock Hike
In case you 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 completely completely different from Dragon’s Again. As an alternative of seashores and hills, you will notice 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 gorgeous!
To get there, you’ll be able to take the MTR to the Wong Tai Sin MTR station after which stroll to Shatin Highway.
Sundown cruise
Lastly, should you nonetheless have some power left, take a sundown cruise in Hong Kong. The cruise is one of the best ways to benefit from the Symphony of Mild present, however the most effective half in regards to the cruise is that you’ll expertise the sundown and see superb views. You’ll be able to 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 closing day of this itinerary for five days in Hong Kong, you are able to do a little bit of sightseeing and buying. In case you like museums, head to the M+ Museum. It’s a really new museum (opened a few years in the past) situated in a formidable, industrial-style constructing in an space that’s at the moment 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 had been my favorite ones.
Whereas within the space, it’s also possible to go to Ozone Bar within the well-known Ritz Carlton Lodge. Ozone Bar is the tallest bar on this planet – and the views from there are unreal. Be sure 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’ll be able to spend the remainder of your time earlier than flying in one in every of Hong Kong’s many buying malls.
A few of my favorite buying 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 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’re finished with buying and consuming, it’s time to go to the airport. You’ll be able to both take the MTR or seize a taxi (taxis to the airport will not be too costly, and final time we requested for one, we bought a brand new Tesla).
Abstract of 5 days in Hong Kong
I hope you discovered this 5-day itinerary for Hong Kong helpful and bought some concepts about the way you’d wish to spend your time on this improbable metropolis. 5 days in Hong Kong could be sufficient to get to know town and go to among the predominant landmarks!
As talked about earlier than, Hong Kong is a tropical place, and the climate may be unpredictable. Most of those locations (apart from museums, buying malls and monasteries) are finest loved when it’s sunny and heat (or, no less than, when it’s not pouring). If you’re unfortunate and the climate forecast doesn’t look too optimistic, examine for some various points of interest from my article right here: what to do in Hong Kong on a wet day.
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