Hong Kong Sample Itineraries 2025

Ready-to-use trip plans for 3, 5, and 7 days - complete with daily schedules, restaurant picks, transport tips, and estimated costs

How to Use These Itineraries

These sample itineraries balance Hong Kong's highlights with practical pacing, realistic transport times, and meal scheduling. They're designed as customizable templates - adjust based on client interests, energy levels, and weather conditions.

Customization Guidelines

Activity Swaps: Each day includes 2-3 major activities. Museums can substitute for outdoor attractions on rainy days. Shopping can replace cultural sites for retail-focused clients. The time blocks accommodate most alternative activities of similar duration.

Pace Adjustments: These itineraries assume moderate pace - not rushed but not leisurely. Families with young children should reduce activities by one per day. Seniors may prefer slower mornings with afternoon rest breaks. Young travelers can pack in additional experiences.

Budget Modifications: Restaurant suggestions span budget to mid-range. Substitute dai pai dongs for cheaper meals or Michelin-starred restaurants for luxury experiences. Activity costs are mostly fixed, but transport (taxis vs. MTR) offers savings potential.

Seasonal Considerations: Summer heat requires more indoor time - shift outdoor activities to early morning/evening. Winter's cooler weather allows longer outdoor exploration. Typhoon season needs backup indoor plans ready.

Transport Note All itineraries assume Octopus card usage for public transport. Get one immediately upon arrival - it transforms navigation from complex to effortless. MTR journey times are actual platform-to-platform durations; add 10-15 minutes for walking within stations and waiting for trains.

3-Day Hong Kong Itinerary: Essential Highlights

This condensed itinerary covers Hong Kong's must-see experiences for first-timers or those with limited time. It balances iconic sights, cultural immersion, and food experiences while maintaining realistic pacing.

Day 1: Hong Kong Island - Harbor Views & Peak Experience

9:00 AM - Breakfast in Central
Start at a Cha Chaan Teng
Begin with authentic Hong Kong breakfast at Lan Fong Yuen or Tsui Wah - milk tea, pineapple bun with butter, scrambled eggs. This sets the local food tone.
HKD 40-60/person 45 mins
Arrive before 9:30 AM to avoid crowds. Most cha chaan tengs have picture menus making ordering easy despite limited English.
10:00 AM - Central Walking Tour
Explore Central's Contrasts
Walk through Central's financial district - HSBC Building, Bank of China Tower (exterior views). Ride the Mid-Levels Escalator through SoHo, browse Hollywood Road antique shops, visit Man Mo Temple (free entry). This shows old-meets-new Hong Kong.
Free 2 hours
The escalator runs downward 6-10 AM, upward rest of day. Man Mo Temple's incense coils create atmospheric photos - ask before photographing worshippers.
12:30 PM - Lunch in Sheung Wan
Dim Sum Experience
Dim sum at Tim Ho Wan (Michelin-starred, budget-friendly) or Dim Sum Square (modern, English-friendly). Order har gow, siu mai, char siu bao, cheong fun - classics that define Hong Kong dim sum.
HKD 80-150/person 1.5 hours
Off-peak lunch (12:30-1 PM or 2-3 PM) reduces wait times. Order 3-4 dishes per person - you can always order more.
2:30 PM - Victoria Peak
Peak Tram & Sky Terrace
Take iconic Peak Tram to Victoria Peak (book skip-the-line tickets online). Sky Terrace 428 offers 360-degree views. Walk the Peak Circle Walk (45 minutes, easier than it sounds) for different perspectives and fewer crowds.
HKD 88 return + HKD 88 Sky Terrace 2-3 hours
Afternoon visits (2-5 PM) have better light than midday. Sunset is gorgeous but crowded. Check weather - fog obscures views. The tram's right side (going up) has best views.
6:00 PM - Dinner in Soho/Central
International or Local Dining
Soho offers diverse dining - Yardbird (Japanese izakaya), Bao Bei (modern Chinese), or upscale options like The Chairman (Cantonese, book ahead). Match to client preferences.
HKD 200-500/person 1.5-2 hours
8:00 PM - Symphony of Lights
Harbor Light Show from TST
Cross harbor via Star Ferry (HKD 3.70, 8 minutes) to Tsim Sha Tsui. Watch 8 PM Symphony of Lights from TST waterfront promenade - buildings on both sides of harbor illuminate to music.
Free (+ ferry HKD 3.70) 30 mins show
Arrive 15 minutes early for good viewing spots. The show happens nightly at 8 PM sharp, weather permitting. After, explore TST's night markets or return via ferry.

Day 2: Kowloon Culture & Markets

9:00 AM - Breakfast in Mong Kok
Local Morning Ritual
Experience local life at Mong Kok's Australian Dairy Company (famous scrambled eggs) or Mido Café (retro atmosphere). Expect queues, shared tables, and brusque service - it's part of the authentic experience.
HKD 35-55/person 30-45 mins
10:00 AM - Mong Kok Markets Tour
Flower, Bird, & Goldfish Markets
Walk through Flower Market Road (colorful blooms), Bird Garden (caged songbirds and their devotees), Goldfish Market (aquatic shops). These traditional markets show Hong Kong's softer side. End at Ladies' Market (opens 12 PM but vendors set up earlier).
Free browsing 2 hours
These markets cater to locals, not tourists - prices are better than Temple Street, atmosphere more genuine. Perfect for photography and cultural observation.
12:30 PM - Lunch at One Dim Sum
Michelin-Starred Bargain Dim Sum
One Dim Sum in Mong Kok offers Michelin-quality dim sum at incredible prices (HKD 15-30 per basket). Try everything on the menu - it's all excellent and won't break the budget.
HKD 60-100/person 1 hour
2:00 PM - Wong Tai Sin Temple
Active Buddhist Temple
MTR to Wong Tai Sin station (10 minutes from Mong Kok). This vibrant Taoist temple sees constant worshipper activity - fortune telling, incense offerings, prayers. It's beautiful, atmospheric, and authentically local. Free entry.
Free (fortune sticks HKD 20 optional) 1 hour
Dress modestly (covered shoulders/knees). The fortune-telling arcade is fascinating to watch - locals shake bamboo containers until numbered stick falls out, then consult fortune tellers for interpretation.
4:00 PM - Chi Lin Nunnery & Nan Lian Garden
Tang Dynasty Architecture
Next to Wong Tai Sin (5-minute walk), this wooden Buddhist temple complex and classical Chinese garden offers tranquility amid urban density. No nails used in construction - traditional joinery throughout. Free admission.
Free 1 hour
6:30 PM - Dinner & Temple Street Night Market
Night Market Experience
MTR to Jordan station. Temple Street Night Market (opens 6 PM, peaks 8-10 PM) sells clothes, accessories, electronics, souvenirs. Eat at dai pai dong stalls within the market - claypot rice, seafood, noodles. Fortune tellers and Cantonese opera singers add atmosphere.
HKD 80-150 food + shopping 2-3 hours
Negotiate prices (start at 50% of asking). Quality varies wildly - inspect carefully. The atmosphere and cultural experience matter more than actual purchases for most tourists.

Day 3: Lantau Island Adventure

9:00 AM - Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car
Scenic Cable Car Journey
MTR to Tung Chung station. Take Ngong Ping 360 cable car (25 minutes) over mountains and South China Sea to Ngong Ping village. Crystal cabin (glass floor) costs extra but provides unique perspective. Book online to skip queues.
HKD 240 standard / HKD 315 crystal cabin 25 mins ride + queue
Morning rides have better air quality and shorter queues. Sit on right side (facing forward) for best views. Windy days can close the cable car - have bus backup (bus 23 from Tung Chung).
10:30 AM - Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha)
Iconic Bronze Buddha
Climb 268 steps to Tian Tan Buddha (34 meters tall, completed 1993). Views reward the climb. Free exterior access. Interior museum (HKD 60) houses relics - worthwhile for Buddhist interest, optional otherwise. Po Lin Monastery beside Buddha remains active - observe respectfully.
Free exterior / HKD 60 interior 1.5 hours
12:30 PM - Vegetarian Lunch at Po Lin Monastery
Temple Meal Experience
Po Lin Monastery restaurant serves vegetarian set meals (HKD 100) - Buddhist temple food with rice, vegetables, mock meat, soup. Simple but satisfying. The setting matters as much as the food.
HKD 100/person 1 hour
2:00 PM - Tai O Fishing Village
Traditional Stilt Houses
Bus 21 from Ngong Ping (45 minutes) to Tai O village. Walk narrow lanes past stilt houses, dried seafood shops, and small temples. Optional boat rides (HKD 30, 20 minutes) show village from water and sometimes spot pink dolphins. It's touristy but genuinely preserves fishing village character.
Free walking + HKD 30 boat optional 2 hours
Try local snacks - egg waffles, shrimp paste, dried seafood. The smell is pungent (fish drying in sun). Afternoons are quieter than mornings when tour groups arrive.
5:00 PM - Return to Central
Bus to Tung Chung, MTR to Central
Bus 11 from Tai O to Tung Chung (50 minutes), then MTR to Central (30 minutes). This routing avoids backtracking to Ngong Ping.
Octopus card 1.5 hours total
7:00 PM - Farewell Dinner
Roast Goose or Chili Crab
Celebrate final night with signature Hong Kong dish - Kam's Roast Goose (Michelin-starred, HKD 250-400) or Jumbo Seafood for chili crab (HKD 600-1,000 for whole crab serving 2-3). Book ahead for both.
HKD 250-500/person 1.5-2 hours

3-Day Budget Estimate (Per Person)

Meals

HKD 800-1,500
(9 meals, budget to mid-range)

Transport

HKD 400
(MTR, ferries, buses, Octopus)

Attractions

HKD 500-700
(Peak, cable car, paid entries)

Total

HKD 1,700-2,600
+ accommodation + shopping

5-Day Hong Kong Itinerary: Classic Complete

The 5-day itinerary adds depth to the 3-day highlights - more neighborhoods, outlying island exploration, specialized experiences, and flexibility for personal interests or weather adjustments.

Days 1-3: Same as 3-Day Itinerary Above Follow the complete 3-day program for Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and Lantau Island foundations. Days 4-5 add cultural depth and alternative experiences.

Day 4: Hong Kong Heritage & Beaches

Morning: Heritage walking tour of Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun - PMQ creative hub (free), dried seafood streets, traditional herb shops, Possession Street historical marker. Breakfast at local bakery (HKD 40).

Lunch: Cha chaan teng in Kennedy Town - try borscht and pork chop rice, classic Hong Kong fusion (HKD 60-80).

Afternoon: Bus or taxi to Repulse Bay Beach (30 minutes). Swim, relax, visit Tin Hau Temple at beach's south end. Continue to Stanley Market (15 minutes further) - browse souvenirs, beachside dining options, Murray House historical building.

Dinner: Seafood in Lei Yue Mun (east Kowloon) - choose live seafood at market stalls, restaurants cook it your way. Authentic local experience (HKD 200-350/person).

Evening: Return to hotel area, light stroll or rooftop bar in Central/TST for harbor views.

Day 5: Choose Your Adventure

Option A - Lamma Island Escape: Ferry to Lamma Island (30 minutes from Central, HKD 20). Hike Yung Shue Wan to Sok Kwu Wan (1.5 hours, easy trail). Seafood lunch at Sok Kwu Wan waterfront (HKD 250-400). Return ferry. Quiet island life contrast to urban Hong Kong.

Option B - Macau Day Trip: TurboJet ferry to Macau (1 hour, HKD 160 return). Explore Portuguese colonial architecture - Senado Square, Ruins of St. Paul's, A-Ma Temple. Try Macanese cuisine (fusion of Chinese-Portuguese). Visit casinos if interested. Return evening ferry. Passport required.

Option C - Shopping & Museums: Serious shopping at Causeway Bay malls (SOGO, Times Square). Lunch at Causeway Bay's food scene. Afternoon at Hong Kong Museum of History (HKD 10, fascinating Hong Kong story) or Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Sha Tin (free). Dinner in Wan Chai's dai pai dongs.

Option D - Hiking Adventure: Dragon's Back Trail (Hong Kong Island, 1.5 hours, moderate) with stunning coastal views. Start early to avoid heat. Post-hike beach lunch at Shek O. Return to city for evening rest and casual dinner.

5-Day Budget Estimate (Per Person)

Meals

HKD 1,500-2,500
(15 meals)

Transport

HKD 650
(MTR + ferries + buses)

Attractions

HKD 800-1,200
(Including Day 5 options)

Total

HKD 2,950-4,350
+ accommodation

7-Day Hong Kong Itinerary: Deep Dive

Seven days allows thorough Hong Kong exploration including day trips, specialized interests, repeat favorite experiences, and built-in rest days. This suits returning visitors or those wanting comprehensive coverage.

Days 1-5: Follow 5-Day Itinerary Above Complete the full 5-day program before adding specialized days 6-7 focused on interests or relaxation.

Day 6: New Territories & Walled Villages

Morning: MTR to Sheung Shui, then minibus to Ping Shan Heritage Trail - explore Tang Dynasty walled villages, clan halls, pagodas. Free outdoor museum showing pre-colonial Hong Kong life.

Lunch: Dim sum in Yuen Long at Hang Heung Cake Shop area - local gathering spot, minimal tourists (HKD 80-120).

Afternoon: Hong Kong Wetland Park (Tin Shui Wai, HKD 30) - boardwalks through mangroves, bird watching, education center. Or alternative: Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Sha Tin) with hillside golden Buddha statues (free, 400 steps climb).

Evening: Return to urban area. Dinner at Michelin-starred restaurant (reserve ahead) - splurge night after budget new territories exploration. Options: Lung King Heen (3-star Cantonese), Amber (2-star French), or one-star bargains.

Day 7: Flexible Finale

Option A - Revisit Favorites: Return to locations clients loved - favorite restaurant for final meal, neighborhood for morning walk, shopping area for last purchases, peak for sunset photos. Flexible day adapts to trip highlights.

Option B - Ocean Park: Full day at Ocean Park theme park (HKD 498) - mix of rides, aquarium, pandas, ocean theater. Competes with Universal Studios but offers ocean views and different character. Good for families or theme park fans.

Option C - Sai Kung & Hiking: MTR + bus to Sai Kung (east New Territories) - waterfront town, seafood restaurants, access to hiking trails. Boat trips to isolated beaches. Lunch at seafood restaurant where you choose live catches. Relaxed outdoor day.

Option D - Relaxation & Spa: Slow morning, hotel spa treatment, leisurely dim sum lunch, afternoon shopping without pressure, early dinner, pack for departure. Rest before journey home.

7-Day Budget Estimate (Per Person)

Meals

HKD 2,200-3,500
(21 meals, variety)

Transport

HKD 900
(All MTR, ferries, buses)

Attractions

HKD 1,200-1,800
(All major sites + day 6-7)

Total

HKD 4,300-6,200
+ accommodation

Customization by Traveler Type

Families with Children

Add: Ocean Park or Disneyland (full day each), Hong Kong Science Museum, Peak tram (kids love it), Star Ferry rides, Ngong Ping cable car. Reduce: Museum time, long walks, temple visits (unless interactive elements). Adjust: Later start times, afternoon rest breaks, more frequent meal stops, kid-friendly restaurants with English menus.

Foodies

Add: Cooking class (HKD 600-1,200), wet market tour with chef, multiple dim sum spots for comparison, street food evening tour, Michelin restaurant progression (1-2-3 star experiences), specialty dessert shops, tea houses. Reduce: Shopping time, some museums. Focus: Build days around meals - morning market, lunch experience, afternoon cooking class, dinner highlight.

Photography Enthusiasts

Priority Times: Golden hour at Victoria Peak (sunrise/sunset), blue hour for cityscape, night markets in evening, Symphony of Lights at 8 PM. Locations: Quarry Bay's "Monster Building" (Instagram famous), Choi Hung Estate (colorful apartments), neon signs in Mong Kok, traditional shophouses, harbor views from multiple angles. Pace: Allow extra time at photogenic locations, flexibility for weather and light.

Budget Travelers

Focus: Free activities (hiking trails, temples, markets, ferry rides), dai pai dongs and cha chaan tengs for meals, MTR exclusively for transport, free museums on Wednesdays, beaches, heritage trails. Splurge Selectively: One nice dinner, Peak tram, single Michelin dim sum. Save: Skip expensive attractions, stay outer districts, shop at local markets vs. malls.

Luxury Travelers

Upgrade: Private guides for cultural tours, helicopter tours over harbor, Peninsula Hotel afternoon tea, rooftop bars for every sunset, Michelin-starred progression, private yacht for harbor cruise, exclusive shopping appointments. Maintain: Authentic experiences (dai pai dongs, wet markets, temples) for contrast and genuine cultural immersion.

Final Itinerary Advice These itineraries serve as frameworks, not rigid schedules. Hong Kong's compact geography and excellent transport mean spontaneous changes work beautifully. Brief clients to embrace flexibility - weather changes plans, discovered gems warrant extra time, exhaustion requires rest. The best Hong Kong experiences often happen between scheduled activities when travelers wander neighborhoods, stumble into perfect restaurants, or chat with locals. Build structure but allow breathing room.

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