Hong Kong SAR Travelers Recommend

While it’s easy to fill a day or a week in Hong Kong, the former British colony and current special administrative region of China also makes a great base for exploring the wonders of  mainland China. Here are some great options for doing so.

Full-Day Tours

China’s a huge country with a ton to see, but if you’re pressed for time, it’s possible to get a taste of the mainland on a day trip from Hong Kong. Spend a day shopping and sightseeing in Shenzen, one of China’s most modern cities, or opt for a day exploring its third largest city, Guangzhou (formerly known as Canton).

Multi-Day Tours

Travelers with more time on their hands can use Hong Kong as a base for a more extensive multi-day trip through the mainland. Spend some time in Macau (the Las Vegas of Asia), float along the Li River, or explore the karst-covered landscape of Yangshuo. Other options include strolling along the Longji Rice Terraces or visiting the spectacular rock formations along the Guilin riverfront.

Things to Know

• Day tours from Hong Kong to the mainland can last upwards of 14 hours.

• Choose between a day trip to Shenzhen or Guangzhou or a multi-day journey through Southern China.

• Many mainland China tours include hotel pickup and drop-off in Hong Kong.

• Remember that Chinese visa requirements differ between Hong Kong and the mainland.

With three days in Hong Kong, you have time to experience the city’s star attractions, from its peaks and skyscrapers to its street markets and floating villages. You can dig deeper into its history, culture, and culinary scene, and explore nearby Lantau Island or Macau. Here’s how to get the most out of your 3-day trip to Hong Kong.

Day 1: City Sightseeing

With its towering skyscrapers and myriad global influences, Hong Kong is one of the world’s great cultural capitals. Get an overview of “Asia’s world city,” as it’s often called, with a guided sightseeing tour of its top attractions. Join a small group or create a personalized itinerary with your own private guide and you won’t miss a thing. Alternately, ride the hop-on hop-off bus (there are three routes from which to choose) to take in the sights at your leisure.

In the afternoon, ride the Star Ferry to admire Hong Kong’s modern architecture from Victoria Harbour, and take the Peak Tram to the top of Victoria Peak for panoramic views of the city (both are included with the hop-on hop-off tour). Finish your day with a seafood dinner in a floating restaurant or with an atmospheric dinner atop Victoria Peak.

Day 2: Follow Your Interests

After your overview of Hong Kong, it’s time to dig deeper. Foodies explore the culinary landscape on a food tour of Kowloon or get their hands dirty at a dim sum cooking class. Learn Hong Kong history when you hit the pavement on a historical walking tour, ride the historic double-decker “ding ding” trams through Hong Kong Island, or stop at one of the many museums near Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. 

As night falls, grab a spot to watch the Symphony of Lights light up the buildings on either side of Victoria Harbour. Then, have dinner at one of Hong Kong’s luxury hotel restaurants, or take off to the nightlife districts of Lan Kwai Fong, SoHo, or Mong Kok.

Day 3: Get Out of Town

Visitors to Hong Kong who want to escape the city bustle have several easy day trip options. Nearby Lantau Island is home to Po Lin Monastery and the Ngong Ping Giant Buddha. Day tours to the island often include a ride on the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car, as well as visits to Tai O fishing village and the South China Sea beaches.

Another day trip option takes you across the border to Macau to see the highlights of the former Portuguese settlement. Families traveling with kids might spend the day with Mickey Mouse and friends at Hong Kong Disneyland.

Hong Kong's mighty skyscraper skyline and bustling harbor traffic are on full display from Victoria Harbour, sandwiched between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Take in the city sights or dine on the water with a harbor cruise—here are your options.

Highlights

• Get the best views of Hong Kong's daily Symphony of Lights show.

• Enjoy dinner or cocktails on the water with views of the Hong Kong skyline.

• Learn about Hong Kong's history and distinctive neighborhoods onboard.

• Tours combining a cruise with a sightseeing tour of the city are available.

• Most cruises last 1 to 3 hours.

Night Cruises

Each evening, the Hong Kong skyline illuminates during the Symphony of Lights, and one of the best places to watch the colorful spectacle is from the waters of Victoria Harbour. On National Day (October 1), it's also possible to catch a fireworks display on a night cruise.

Dining Cruises

It's no secret that Hong Kong is a foodie paradise, and while there's no shortage of excellent places to eat, there's something undeniably romantic about dining on the water. Choose to eat onboard the boat, or opt for an evening cruise followed by dinner at Victoria Peak or Hong Kong's famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant.

Combo Tours

As one of Hong Kong's most popular activities, a harbor cruise can easily be combined with an afternoon of sightseeing, a drive to the top of Victoria Peak, or a post-cruise stroll through the popular Temple Street night market.

Located across the Pearl River Estuary from Hong Kong, Macau is an autonomous Chinese territory known for its casinos and its historical center. This former Portuguese colony—today a UNESCO World Heritage Site—showcases a mix of Portuguese and Chinese architecture. Here’s what you need to know about day trips to Macau from Hong Kong.

Group Tours

Full-day tours highlight Macau’s top attractions, such as A-Ma Temple, the Ruins of St. Paul’s, and Largo do Senado (Senate Square), and sometimes include a drive along the Guia Circuit, where the Macau Grand Prix is held. Group tours often end with a stop at one of Macau’s casinos before returning to the ferry terminal. Some tours allow time to visit the popular landmark Macau Tower, while others may just include a pass-by.

Private Tours

For flexibility and customized service, opt for a private tour, which includes the main sights with the added bonus of personalized commentary from a private guide. Private tours may include additional sites not usually visited on group tours, such as the Maritime Museum, the Mandarin’s House, and Lilau Square. Some tours include a casino visit or lunch at the Macau Tower’s revolving restaurant.

Things to Know

Most day trips to Macau are by boat; it’s usually a 1-hour ride.

Day trips range from 10 to 14 hours due to travel time.

Most tours include hotel pickup and drop-off and the round-trip ferry ticket, but some do not, so make sure to check the inclusions.

If you’re planning to stay in Macau, look for a tour with a one-way ferry ticket from Hong Kong instead of round-trip.

You may need a visa to enter Macau, depending on your country of citizenship; it’s your responsibility to obtain and pay for any visas.

Food is an integral part of the culture in Hong Kong and Cantonese dim sum in the city is impossible to beat elsewhere in the world. With everything from local hole-in-the-wall joints to internally acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurants, you could literally eat your way through Hong Kong on dim sum alone.

Dim sum spots are scattered throughout Hong Kong and it’s nearly impossible to wind up with a terrible meal anywhere. However, to get you started, here are some of the best spots to eat dim sum in Hong Kong.

San Hing Craving dim sum after a long night out – San Hing opens at 3 a.m. and is the best place to get your after hours food fix. Expect customers to arrive earlier though as people scramble to secure seating, especially on weekends. San Hing hosts a mixture of drunks, celebrities, and late night party–goers who flock there for inexpensive, but quality dim sum. Its signature dish is liu shao bao, yellow custard egg buns.

Tim Ho Wan Recognized for a time as the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world, a visit to Tim Ho Wan is worth the lengthy lines that form on a daily basis. There are multiple locations now, but the original in Mongkok is the best. Get there early to avoid waiting for up to two hours and come with a big appetite. Everything on the menu is good, but save ample room for its signature dish -- Baked Bun with BBQ Pork.

DimDimSum Dim Sum With a number of awards under its belt and recommendations from local chefs in Hong Kong, DimDimSum Dim Sum offers an extensive dim sum menu. Everything is made to order and prices are quite reasonable. Like many other top spots in Hong Kong, don’t be surprised to find a wait. There are different locations, but the one in Wan Chai is typically the best.

Ming Court Located in the prestigious Langham Place Hotel in the Mongkok District, the two Michelin-starred Ming Court is a great spot for a contemporary take on traditional Cantonese style dim sum. It is highly recommended to make a reservation as Ming Court is often completely booked, especially on Sundays. Be sure to check out its premium tea menu, or if you prefer something a little stronger, Ming Court has an impressive wine cellar with over 430 bottles.

The Ritz-Carlton’s Tin Lung Heen If you are willing to spend a little more and want dim sum with a view, Tin Lung Heen at The Ritz-Carlton is hard to beat. Located on the 102nd floor, the views on a clear day are stunning. Everything on the dim sum menu is top-notch, but noted dishes include the baked abalone puffs, steamed rice roll with Iberian pork, and the BBQ pork buns. If you visit on the weekend, be sure to try some of Tin Lung Heen’s desserts, especially the chilled milk jelly with black truffle.

Lung King Heen at the Four Seasons Dying to try a Michelin three-starred restaurant in Hong Kong? Try Lung King Heen at the Four Seasons Hotel in Central. Here you have dim sum, fine-dining style. The menu features a number of classics and other dishes that are more creative and unavailable at your regular dim sum joint. Lung Keen Heen lacks the chaos of a more traditional Cantonese restaurant, but if you want gourmet dim sum, this is the place.

With influences from around Asia and the rest of the world (thanks to the British), Hong Kong's culinary scene is truly a melting pot. While the creative possibilities are endless, Hong Kong has developed its own distinctive food culture, with some 11,000 restaurants and several iconic dishes every visitor should try. Here are a few favorite foods and activities you won't want to miss.

Must-Try Dishes

If you only eat one thing in Hong Kong, make it dim sum, a Cantonese-style meal comprised of several small dishes like dumplings and other steamed or fried items. (Did you know the world's least expensive Michelin-rated restaurant is a dim sum joint in Hong Kong?) Walk the city streets, and you're sure to see another famous dish hanging in windows: roasted duck. The Canton region has its own barbecue style—a must-try for meat-loving visitors. Seafood and noodles, often served together,are also ubiquitous in Hong Kong.

Have a sweet tooth? Don't leave without sampling an egg tart, a small custard-filled pastry derived from a similar Portuguese dessert. Smooth and slightly sweet milk custard is another popular (and inexpensive) treat.

Must-Do Experiences

• Take a street food tour of the Temple Street Night Market to get a taste of one of the world's best street food scenes and sample a lot of dishes without blowing your budget.
• Get off the beaten path and eat like a local with a guided food tour of the Sham Shui Po, Mongkok, or Sheung Wan neighborhood.
• Try a dim sum or Cantonese cooking class to equip yourself to recreate your favorite dishes back home.
• Hop aboard a sunset cruise of Victoria Harbour for a memorable night in the city, followed by a seafood feast at Hong Kong's iconic Jumbo Floating Restaurant.

Glass and steel skylines, a busy harbor, historic trams, night markets, and a globally influenced dining scene make Hong Kong a feast for the senses. There’s much to do in Asia’s “world city,” but with an early start, you can see the top must-dos. Here’s how to get the best from Hong Kong in one day.

Morning: Kowloon Sightseeing

Start your day with a walk along Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade on the Hong Kong mainland to take in the views of Victoria Harbor or snap a photo with a celebrity statue on Avenue of Stars. After you have your bearings, duck in to one of the many area museums, such as the Hong Kong Museum of Art or the Hong Kong Science Museum. Alternatively, ride the hop-on hop-off bus (blue route) to see all the sights and explore Kowloon’s neighborhoods at your leisure.

Afternoon: Explore Hong Kong Island

Take the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbor to Hong Kong Island. Check out the island’s top landmarks on a guided half-day tour. Enjoy panoramic views of the city from the top of the Victoria Peak tram, do some bargain shopping at Stanley Market, visit the floating fishing community of Aberdeen, and observe Repulse Bay. For a different kind of fun, head to South of Hollywood (SoHo) to ride the Mid-Level Escalators—the longest network of outdoor covered escalators on the planet and a popular area for shopping and dining.

Night: Dinner Cruises and Night Markets

Hong Kong comes alive at night. Make the most of your evening by taking a sunset cruise on Victoria Harbor, followed by dinner at Victoria Peak or at Hong Kong’s famous floating seafood restaurant. After dinner, stake out a spot on either side of the harbor to watch as 40 buildings are illuminated in the nightly Symphony of Lights. Alternatively, take a nighttime walking tour through Kowloon to see the Temple Street Night Market and Chungking Mansion, or sample some Cantonese street food.

With two days in Hong Kong, you have time to see both the top attractions and to delve deeper into the city’s multicultural heritage, explore its vibrant neighborhoods, and take in its modern architecture both in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Here are your options for spending two days in Asia’s “world city.”

Day 1: Essential Hong Kong

**Morning:**Kick off your trip with a guided city highlights tour or a hop-on hop-off bus tour to explore Hong Kong’s top sights at your leisure. Either option takes you by must-see attractions such as Victoria Peak, Tsim Sha Tsui, Temple Street, Stanley Market, and the floating fishing village of Aberdeen. 

**Afternoon:**After lunch, spend your afternoon exploring the street markets for which Hong Kong is famous. Snap photos of the brightly colored Flower Market, stroll through the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, shop for bargains at the Ladies Market, and sample Cantonese street food at Temple Street Market.

**Night:**No trip to Hong Kong is complete without a cruise on Victoria Harbour. From the deck of a boat, take in the twin skylines as they light up at night. Cruise at sunset or during the nightly Symphony of Lights performance.

Day 2: Cuisine and Culture

**Morning:**Take the morning to explore Hong Kong’s cultural heritage on a historic walking tour. Alternatively, stroll through the Western District to explore its traditional shops, do some browsing for antiques on Hollywood Road, or duck inside Man Mo Temple, the oldest in Hong Kong.

**Afternoon:**Treat your tastebuds to one of the world’s top culinary capitals on a food tour. Sample bites from open markets and back alleys of Central and Sheung Wan, indulge in dim sum, sip milk tea, and finish with a custard tart. For hands-on experience, take a dim sum cooking class.

**Night:**Let loose on your final night in Hong Kong. Much of the city’s nightlife centers on Kowloon; get your bearings with an after-dark tour before going it alone. Stroll past the neon-lit bars of Mong Kok, learn of Yau Ma Tei’s rough past, and explore the stalls at Temple Street Night Market.