Hong Kong is a culture-packed place with a balanced mix of both city life and quiet and calming areas. You’re reading this probably because you’re planning a 3-day trip to Hong Kong! 3 days in Hong Kong is not a lot of time to see this densely-packed city so this Hong Kong 3 days itinerary will show only the must-see places that are worth visiting. Activities are grouped in a way that limits the amount of transportation needed. This Hong Kong itinerary 3 days will take you to the most iconic places in Hong Kong, the best restaurants to try, and what places you don’t want to miss.
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Day 1 of Hong Kong Itinerary 3 Days
Day 1 of the Hong Kong itinerary 3 days will be visiting the Kowloon side of Hong Kong including famous markets, exploring Hong Kong’s busy streets, and eating roast duck.
Take the metro to the hotel (MTR)
The Hong Kong MTR is incredibly convenient. Simply look up your hotel on Google Maps and it should tell you which metro line will take you to your hotel. The MTR opens usually from 6am-1am. Another option is to take a Hong Kong taxi. There are three taxi colors – red (most areas), green (new territories), and blue (Lantau Island). The red taxis are the most popular and you’ll be taking that unless you’re staying in New Territories or Lantau Island.
Get Breakfast at Australia Diary Company
On Day 1 of the Hong Kong itinerary 3 days, we’ll start off with traditional Hong Kong breakfast. Hong Kong is popular for its Hong Kong-style cafes which are called “cha caan teng”.
Australia Diary Company, located in Jordan, HK, is the most famous of them all. Its founder worked on an Australian farm and decided to specialize in using high-quality dairy ingredients imported from Australia. They’re known for their scrambled egg which they put cream inside to make it extra soft and creamy. They’re also famous for their steamed milk pudding.
Don’t be surprised if you’re faced with rude service. It’s typical for Hong Kong cafes to have rude service but they probably have one of the worst. The seating is not very comfortable also and the average customer visit length is only 10 minutes. Despite all of this, it’s still a must-try in Hong Kong.
Kai Kai Dessert
Hong Kong desserts essentially can fall into two categories – cold and hot. Cold desserts have lots of fruits (especially mango). Hot desserts use many healthy ingredients to make a thick soup-like consistency using key ingredients like red bean, green bean, black sesame, almond, walnut, papaya, ginger, and more. Kai kai dessert is a Hong Kong local favorite spot for authentic hot desserts. They have some cold desserts as well but specialize in the hot desserts category. This place was featured in Michelin’s Guide so you know it has to be good.
Visit Jade Market
Jade Market is an outdoor market with hundreds of vendors selling jade jewelry, accessories, and other good-luck charms. It can get quite crowded in these outdoor markets. Jade Market is located in Yau Mai Tei which is close to Australia Dairy Company.
Wander Around Sai Yeung Choi Street
We’re going to make our way up north to Mong Kok, which means “busy corner”. Mong Kok is really true to its name. Sai Yeung Choi Street is one of the busiest streets in Hong Kong and is home to a ton of shopping malls and restaurants. Here, you can find anything from the top makeup and beauty brands to tech gadget stores. Don’t miss out on the small shops that are hidden in between buildings or on the 2nd floor.
Mong Kok has a huge variety of street food. Over the years, Hong Kong implemented more regulations around limiting street stands so you won’t see them everywhere like there were years ago. But there is still a good handful of them in Mong Kok. Definitely don’t miss out on those because they have some of the best curry fish balls, egg puffs, and more.
If you want to know all the best street foods, discover where locals eat, and learn about what ingredients go into the street foods, there’s a popular street food private tour that’s highly worth it. Check the HK private street food tour here.
Langham Place
Also in Mong Kok is Langham Place, one of the biggest malls in Hong Kong. It’s over 56,000 square meters and has 15 stories. The top floor has smaller boutiques and lower levels have bigger name stores. After shopping for hours, you can stop by their huge food court which has all types of Asian food. Or if you’re in the mood for a nice environment, try out Bistro Bloom or other dining options here. This can be the spot for lunch.
Goldfish Market
On Tong Choi Street, you can find a huge goldfish market that sells all types of pet fish. Its specialty, of course, is goldfish. You’ll see tons of fish packed in plastic bags with water. You’ll also see tons of aquariums with unique types of fish. Not only is there fish, but there are also lots of reptiles sold here.
West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade
West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade is the largest waterfront promenade in Hong Kong. It overlooks Hong Kong Island. It’s not too crowded here so it’s a great place to relax and take a stroll by the water. At night, all the buildings on Hong Kong Island light up and you can see the entire skyline of Hong Kong. It’s incredibly beautiful and worth it to stay here until it gets dark.
At 8pm the Symphony of Lights starts which is a lights show that illuminates the Hong Kong skyline. It’s the world’s largest permanent light and sound show according to Guinness World Records. The Western Kowloon Waterfront Promenade is the perfect location to watch this performance.
Dinner at Yan Toh Heen (Roast Duck)
When in Hong Kong, you have to try their roast duck. Yan Toh restaurant is on the pricier side but it has a Michelin 2-star rating. They also have a variety of other authentic Cantonese dishes including braised lobster, frog legs, abalone, sea cucumber, and more. This restaurant also has views of Victoria Harbour and at night, it’s so beautiful.
Day 2 of Hong Kong Itinerary 3 Days
Day 2 of the Hong Kong itinerary 3 days will be seeing the popular destinations in Hong Kong Island, exploring the art scene, going up to the peak of Hong Kong for amazing views, and lots of shopping.
Dimsum Breakfast at Dim Dim Sum
On Day 2 of the Hong Kong itinerary 3 days, we’ll stop by dim sum for breakfast. A trip to Hong Kong means trying their dim sum at least once for breakfast. It’s an essential part of Hong Kong cuisine. One highly rated dim sum spot is called Dim Dim Sum located in Wan Chai/Causeway Bay. They have a large variety of dim sum. It’s a small restaurant so if it’s busy, there might be a short wait.
Times Square
PHOTO: TIMES SQUARE BY DADOWJ SUWE UNDER CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE
PHOTO: TIMES SQUARE BY GUGUS R2 ENMHUI UNDER CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE
Times Square is one of the most popular malls in HK with a combination of luxury shops, a food court, more affordable retail shops, and an office tower complex. It’s very new and modern inside and has pretty much everything under one roof.
SOGO
SOGO is a few steps away from Times Square and is a multi-story department store with apparel brands, cosmetic brands, houseware, groceries, and more.
See the Noonday Gun
Noonday Gun is a former naval artillery piece that is located in Causeway Bay. It fires every day at noon and has become a popular tourist attraction. The location for the gun is quite hidden – you’ll need to pass through a tunnel under the World Trade Center.
Ride the Ding Ding
Ding Ding is what the locals call the trams in Hong Kong. The Ding Ding passes through many areas in Hong Kong but it’s common for tourists to ride it in Causeway Bay, specifically on Hennessy Road which is a vibrant and busy street with lots to see. The Ding Ding has 2 levels so you can get some nice views from the 2nd level.
Lunch at one of HK’s Fast Food Places
Fast food in Hong Kong is not like the one in the US. They have incredible, high-quality Hong Kong-style food that matches restaurant-quality food. You can order in the front and then pick up your meal minutes later. Look out for the most popular ones – Cafe de Coral, Maxim’s, and Fairwood. They’re everywhere in Hong Kong.
PMQ
This is for art lovers. PMQ is a historic site that used to be the Police Married Headquarters which was government-subsidized housing for HK’s junior police officers and their families. Now, it’s a creative venue with over 100 studio units that artists use as workshop studios or as art retail shops. Each shop is quite small but each offers very unique creative items.
Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts
Next up on the Hong Kong itinerary 3 days is Tai Kwun. This historic place used to house Hong Kong’s first and longest-running prison. Now, it hosts lots of art events including performing arts, contemporary arts, and heritage. One of the many events Tai Kwan hosts is a series of 5-8 exhibitions a year centering around contemporary arts, forming partnerships with other art institutions and Hong Kong artists.
Star Ferry
The Star Ferry shuttles daily between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. All of them are double-decker ferries. It’s a relaxing ride to enjoy views of both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon as well as Victoria Harbor. The Star Ferry is not only a convenient way to travel but it’s also an iconic symbol of Hong Kong. You can take the Star Ferry from Central to Tsim Tsa Tsui or Wan Chai to Tsim Tsa Tsui (and vice versa). Your trip to Hong Kong is not complete without this ferry ride.
Central Mid-Levels Escalators
Hong Kong holds the Guinness World Record for the longest outdoor elevator system. It covers over 2,600 ft in distance. It was built for the purpose of providing a more efficient link between Central and Mid-Levels on Hong Kong Island.
Ride the Tram to the Peak
Victoria Peak is something not to miss on the Hong Kong itinerary 3 days. It’s at the peak of Hong Kong where you can see a beautiful, almost birds-eye view of Hong Kong. It’s beautiful during the day and nighttime, so try going at a time when the sky will change from day to night.
There are three options to get up to the peak. You can take the bus, walk, or take the tram. It’s an incredibly steep road so the most popular option is to take the tram. It’s also a really cool experience to ride the tram. To get to the tram, search for Central Terminus. You can get there by getting off at Central MTR station.
Hong Kong Observation Wheel
In Central, you can find the Hong Kong Observation Wheel. At the top, you can see a perfect view of Hong Kong and Victoria Harbor. It’s a smooth 30-minute ride and can sit up to 8 people per pod. Even if you don’t plan on riding it, it’ll be fun to snap some pictures.
Dinner at Wildfire
Since you’re already up at the top, it’ll be nice to enjoy dinner with amazing views. Wildfire is a popular pizza restaurant with amazing views. They have all glass windows and you can pretty much see views at any location of the restaurant.
Lan Kwai Fong
Lan Kwai Fong is a small square of streets in Central that is the go-to spot for nightlife, drinking, and bars. At night, you’ll see crowds of people and the atmosphere is incredibly lively. Locals and tourists frequently visit Lan Kwai Fong. It’s also a spot that’s featured in many movies and TV shows.
Day 3 of Hong Kong Itinerary 3 Days
Day 3 of the Hong Kong itinerary 3 days will be visiting Lantau Island, quiet and peaceful areas of Hong Kong, and some areas in Hong Kong Island.
Hong Kong Breakfast at Mido Cafe
On Day 3 of the Hong Kong itinerary 3 days, we’ll get breakfast at Mido Cafe, a popular “cha chaan teng” (Hong Kong cafe) among locals. It’s unique because its interior gives a very retro and old-style feel. It’s located in Yau Ma Tei. Try their pineapple bun with butter,
Ngong Ping 360
So far, we’ve stayed only visited Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Now, we’re heading to Lantau Island which is on the left side of Hong Kong, near the airport.
Ngong Ping 360 is a very popular tourist destination. It’s a 25-minute gondola lift with a glass bottom that overlooks the beautiful green hills of the island. It’s one of the longest gondola rides in the world. They also have lifts without a glass bottom for a cheaper price. The lift takes you to Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. You can get to Ngong Ping 360 by taking the MTR to Tung Chung station.
Get tickets to Ngong Ping 360 here.
Hong Kong Disneyland
If you’re into Disneyland, you have to add HK Disneyland on your Hong Kong itinerary 3 days! It’s also significantly cheaper than the US Disneyland. It’s located on Lantau Island and you just need to take the MTR one more station from Tung Chung to get here.
Disneyland can easily take a full day so if you plan to go to Disneyland, you probably won’t be able to do the rest of Day 3’s activities. If you don’t plan on going to Disneyland, then read on to see what’s left to do in this Hong Kong 3 day itinerary.
Get tickets to HK Disneyland here.
Tai O Fishing Village
Tai O Fishing Village has kept its rural way of living with most houses being by the water. It’s commonly called the “Venice of Hong Kong”. Some highlights of the village include small alleyways of small shops with local foods, unique metal houses, a rope-drawn ferry bridge, and a 17th-century Yeung Hau Temple.
Lunch at For Kee
For Kee is a traditional Hong Kong-style restaurant (“cha chaan teng”). This place is popular for its signature baked pork chop with rice and other pork chop dishes as well. For Kee is located in Sheung Wan. It’s popular among locals so you definitely need to add this to your Hong Kong itinerary 3 days.
Tai Ping Shan Street
This is a unique and super popular trendy street in Hong Kong. In fact, it’s voted 7th in the world’s coolest streets according to Timeout. On Tai Ping Shan Street, you can find numerous aesthetic coffee shops and independent shops. This street is located in Sheung Wan so perfect to come after your lunch at For Kee.
Stanley
Stanley is located on a peninsula on Hong Kong Island and is a quaint beach town. One of the most popular spots in Stanley is Stanley Market. It has everything you can think of including clothes, toys, electronics, art, and more. Don’t miss the Lover’s Terrace where you can find colorful love bubbles with written messages hung up. Stanley Promenade overlooks the water and is filled with restaurants. Murray House is an iconic three-story building in Stanley that has restaurants and shops. Stanley Blake Pier is also a popular spot with amazing ocean views.
To get there, you can ride the MTR to Central station, then take the 6/6A/6X bus to Stanley. The route also travels through Admiralty and Wan Chai so you can catch the bus there as well. There’s always the option of taking a taxi but it could be expensive.
Monster Building
You’ve probably seen this picture on your Instagram feed before. It’s located in Quarry Bay and is five densely stacked residential complexes. It’s been featured in some popular blockbuster movies including Transformers: Age of Extinction.
Walk Around Causeway Bay
Since it’s your last day here in Hong Kong, spend some time just aimlessly walking around one of the busiest and liveliest areas in Hong Kong, Causeway Bay. Other lively areas include Tsim Tsa Tsui, Wan Chai, and Soho. Enjoy the bright neon signs, crowded streets, and lively atmosphere.
Best Tours In HK
This Hong Kong Itinerary 3 days is all self-guided, but if you want to join a few tours during your Hong Kong trip, these are the most highly-rated ones.
Hong Kong Private Walking City Tour with a Local Tour Guide:
You get a personalized tour of Hong Kong’s top attractions and get to see lesser-known areas in Hong Kong that are hidden gems.
Check Out Private Walking City Tour here.
Private Hong Kong Street Food Tour
This tour is for all the foodies who want to find the absolute best street foods to try in Hong Kong. The local HK tour guide will guide you through this adventure.
Check out HK Street Food Tour here.
Use this 3 day Hong Kong itinerary as a starting point to help you plan your trip to Hong Kong!
Read more: Now you have your Hong Kong itinerary 3 days, check out these crucial airline tips to ensure you have a smooth trip to HK!
FAQ: Hong Kong 3 Days Itinerary
Is 3 days in Hong Kong enough?
If you don’t plan on exploring Hong Kong in depth and just want to see the main attractions, 3 days in Hong Kong is enough time. However, if you want to go to more lcoals spots, visit the other island in Hong Kong, or explore hidden gems, 3 days may be too short for Hong Kong.
Is Hong Kong a walkable city?
Yes! Especially if you’re staying near the lively areas (Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, and Central or Tsim Tsa Tsui, Mong Kok, and Yau Ma Tei), it’s very easy to walk. There is also a very conveient MTR station that easily takes you to anywhere you want to go.
