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Welcome to the “tall city” where your neck will hurt from constantly looking up at more than 657 skyscrapers. Your Hong Kong itinerary 5 days will be filled with the best things to do while you visit the bustling city in Asia.
Hong Kong, often called “Fragrant Harbour”, is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. An independent city and a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China, it is located on the coast of the South China Sea and is an important commercial and economic center.
The official languages are Standard Chinese and English, but the most widely spoken language is Cantonese.
Hong Kong is divided into three geographical regions, Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories.
Tip: The Hong Kong dollar is the official currency of China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
1 HKD – 0.13$ / 0.12€ (always check the current rate).
Table of Contents
Tip: Here you can see all your options for hotels in Hong Kong
HONG KONG ITINERARY 5 DAYS
Day 1 – Kowloon
Your Hong Kong itinerary 5 days begins in Tsim Sha Tsui, an area known for its diverse shops, small bistros, and numerous neon signs on the main Nathan Road. The Tsim Sha Tsui area is famous for its panoramic views of Hong
Kong Island.
Kowloon Park
A large public park in the Tsim Sha Tsui area is located a 6-minute walk from the Tsim Sha Tsui metro station. The first part of the park was publicly cleared in 1970. More than 70 buildings were demolished to
make way for this park. In the area of the park, you will find many places to rest in the shade of tropical trees, plants, bird aviaries, and a children’s playground.
It is a nice peaceful oasis in the middle of a busy city.
Dolphin Sunset
This viewpoint is located a 12-minute walk from the park towards the port. The name of the lookout itself suggests that there will be wonderful views of the sunset and Victoria Harbor from this place. It is also worth visiting during the day.
Ocean Terminal Deck
Another viewpoint is located a 12-minute walk from Dolphin Sunset. A great place to view Hong Kong Island, the harbor, and the island itself.
Hong Kong Cultural Centre
This distinctive building on the Kowloon waterfront is a 9-minute walk from the Ocean Terminal Deck. In front of the building is the Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower famous landmark of Hong Kong.
Various exhibitions are held in the building. People often watch the Laser Show in front of the building.
Avenue of Stars
The avenue is only a 6-minute walk from the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. This place is known for the handprints and plaques of prominent Hong Kong stars, as well as a statue of Bruce Lee.
There is also a good view of Hong Kong Island. During the laser show, this place can be crowded.
Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
A 9-minute walk from the avenue towards the Cross Harbor Tunl is the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. The place offers a really wide view of the opposite harbor and Hong Kong Island. It is a good place to watch the
laser show. Our recommendation is to visit this viewpoint during the day but also in the evening when the river is illuminated only by the surrounding buildings and skyscrapers.
Evening activities
Watch the Symphony Of Lights (SoL)
SoL starts at 8 pm every night. The best places to watch the evening show are the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, in front of the Hong Kong Cultural Center and the Avenue of Stars. If you want to make this attraction special, you can watch this show from the sightseeing ferries in Victoria Harbour.
Visit street markets in Mongkok
These markets are only a few metro stops from Tsim Sha Tsui, around a 5-minute drive. Mongkok is a busy tangle of narrow streets where people usually go shopping.
The extensive Ladies’ Market is filled with stalls selling clothes, accessories, souvenirs, and electronics. A street away you will find street shops with sneakers (Fa Yuen).
Around the night markets, you will also find many small bistros and stalls offering food and refreshments. It is worth considering visiting the local markets and getting to know the culture, smells, and tastes of this million-strong city.
Ladies Market starts at dusk and ends around midnight, as does the Temple Street Night Market.
Additional museums to visit in the Tsim Sha Tsui area
Hong Kong Space Museum
A building on the waterfront with a planetarium, an Omnimax cinema, and exhibitions about space together with astronomy.
Admission costs are 10 HKD.
Hong Kong Museum of Art
The first public art museum in the city, founded in 1962, currently manages an art collection with more than 19,000 items. It represents the unique cultural heritage of Hong Kong’s connection with the world.
The advantage of this museum is that it is free, so all visitors can get closer to the history of Hong Kong and its art.
Hong Kong Museum of History
A large museum about the history and culture of Hong Kong from prehistoric to modern times. It contains artifacts from various dynasties.
A big advantage is that this museum is free, so there is no reason not to go.
Tip: Here you can see all your options for hotels in Hong Kong
Day 2 – Hong Kong Island
Take a ferry ride to Hong Kong Island
The ferry connection between the main island of Hong Kong and Kowloon lasts about 10 minutes. You can decide whether to go towards Central Ferry Pier No.7 or Wan Chai Ferry Pier.
The company operating between these ports is the Star Ferry.
The Victoria Peak Tower
Victoria Peak is probably the most famous and most visited place in Hong Kong and there are few ways to get there.
The entrance fee is 75 HKD, we were not on the tower because perfect panoramic spots could be found all around for free.
From Central Ferry Pier No.7 take bus no.15 or walk 5 minutes to Hong Kong Station Minibus Terminus and take bus no. 1 to Victoria Peak.
The journey with bus no.1 takes 25 minutes and with bus no.15 it takes 35 minutes.
Another option is to take the Peak Tram located 20 minutes walk from Central Ferry Pier No. 7 or 10 minutes with bus no.22S. Get off at the Cotton Tree Drive bus stop.
The Pick Tram ride takes less than 10 minutes and it’s open daily from 7:30 am to 11 pm. The return ticket cost 88 HKD.
Note: The Pick tram can be crowded!
Due to bad weather and fog, we visited Victoria Peak twice, in the day and the evening. After sunset, Victoria Peak has its charm, while you are surrounded by nature with a view of one of the most densely populated places on the planet.
The views were truly exceptional with all the lights of the skyscrapers and other buildings.
Visit Central Plaza viewpoint
Right in the center you can visit one of the skyscrapers. This office building with an observation deck on 46 floors called “Sky Lobby” has free admission and offers a great view of Hong Kong Island itself and Kowloon opposite.
Lan Kwai Fong
Historic district with narrow streets and passageways lined with restaurants, nightclubs, and bars.
It is worth a visit, especially in the evening.
This street is a 6-minute walk from the Central MRT station.
Take one of the sightseeing ferries in Victoria Harbour
In Victoria Harbor, you can find many companies offering full-day boat trips around Hong Kong, as well as evening cruises with a view of the sunset and the city immersed in the lights of skyscrapers.
The classic Junk Boat is a Chinese sailing vessel that once served as a cargo ship, nowadays this classic vessel has almost completely disappeared.
Tickets start at 190 HKD. Duckling provides regular boat trips during the day, even at sunset, and the Symphony of Lights Night Cruise every day except Wednesdays.
⬇️ Check all available tours in Hong Kong ⬇️
Day 3 – Hiking day
An attraction that you should visit during your Hong Kong itinerary 5 days is Victoria Peak. The weather in Hong Kong can be changeable, so if you did not visit Victoria Peak during your 2nd day of the itinerary, you
have now the option of hiking there.
Hiking to Victoria Peak from Central Ferry Pier No.7
The distance between Central Ferry Pier No.7 and The Peak Tower is 3.2 km and the steep slope will take you a little over an hour with well-deserved views waiting for you.
Jardine’s Lookout
Your hiking route starts near Central Plaza on Hong Kong Island, the hike is 4.6 km away and takes about an hour. From there, the tourist trail leads even further.
Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park
Take bus no. 6 from the Central MRT station to the Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park stop.
The journey will take around 25 minutes.
There are many other hiking trails and paths around the area, just follow one of them.
Victoria Peak Trail
The easy hiking trail is located near Victoria Peak, it is a circular route that is about 3 km long, and from there you can enjoy breathtaking views in all directions.
Tip: Check all available hiking tours in Hong Kong
Day 4 – Beach day
On the opposite side of Hong Kong Island, you will find many small beaches, so if you visit Hong Kong during the summer months, you should also visit the local beaches and escape for a while from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Repulse Bay Beach
This beach is good for starting your beach day, there are several smaller beaches around it, so if you get tired of this beach, you can move a kilometer further to Middle Bay Beach.
Middle Bay Beach
The clean sandy beach with nearby refreshments is often visited by locals and tourists, mainly because of good bus access.
In the Morrison Hill area of Hong Kong Island, you can take bus N40, the journey will take around 25 minutes.
St. Stephen’s Beach
The village of Stanley is located quite far from the big city of Hong Kong and therefore has a peaceful atmosphere, many interesting and tourist attractions, and one of them is a small quiet beach often visited by local people. It’s a good place to rest after two days in the city and one day of hiking.
The fastest way to get to Stanley Village is to take the N40 bus from Jardine’s Bazaar stop on Hong Kong Island to the Stanley Village Road stop. The journey will take around 45 minutes.
It takes about 13 minutes to walk from the bus stop to the beach.
Shek O Beach
A secluded sandy beach near the small village of Shek O is easily accessible and not too far from the metropolis. You will be surrounded by beautiful nature, with several hiking trails and footpaths, a golf club, and a beach.
Near Jardine’s Bazaar is the Causeway Bay metro station, where you can take the metro direction to Shau Kei Wan, which is a 12-minute ride.
Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus is a minute’s walk from the subway station, where you can take bus 9, which will take you directly to the village of Shek O, from where it is about a 3-minute walk to the beach.
Tip: Here you can see all your options for hotels in Hong Kong
Day 5 – Day trip to Macao
Visit during your Hong Kong itinerary 5 days also “Las Vegas of the East” has become a major resort and top destination for gambling tourism since the end of the 20th century. The gambling industry here is 7 times bigger than in Las Vegas.
Visit Macao by ferry from Kowloon
TurboJET ferries operate between the China Ferry Terminal at Kowloon and the Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal. The distance between the terminals is 67 km, the journey will take about an hour and costs 160-200 HKD.
The TurboJet service runs up to 3 times per day.
Visit Macao by ferry from Hong Kong Island
You can easily visit Macau from the main island of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal is only 1.3 km from Central Ferry Pier No.7.
TurboJet Macau ferry shuttles between Sheung Wan Ferry Terminal in Hong Kong and Macau Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal.
The route takes an hour and the price starts at 171 HKD.
Additional things to do in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Disneyland
Another fun to do is Disneyland. A theme park with more than 100 attractions and entertainment programs is located on Lantau Island. General Admission for one day is 639 HKD.
Ngong Ping 360 Midpoint Overlook
The cable car connects Tung Chung and Ngong Ping on Lantau Island. There are various types of cabins to choose from and various routes. A single trip in the standard cabin for an adult is 195 HKD.
Tip: Read also our 5 days Malta itinerary.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The good thing about Hong Kong is that you can visit it all year round because it is located in a subtropical climate most of the year. Many people consider the best time to visit Hong Kong to be from October to December when the temperatures are enjoyable, there is a pleasant breeze, and plenty of sunshine.
January and February are cloudy with occasional cold fronts followed by northerly winds.
March and April are milder, sometimes with high humidity. Ferry services and air traffic are sometimes interrupted due to reduced visibility, fog, and drizzle.
May to August are hot and humid with occasional showers and storms.
From June to September, tropical cyclones affect Hong Kong.
HOW TO GET AROUND
Getting from the Airport (HKG)
The Hong Kong International Airport is located 35km from the city on Chek Lap Kok Island, just next to Lantau Island.
The journey takes about 30 minutes and you have few options on how to reach the city.
Airport Express
The fastest way how to reach the city.
This high-speed line offers every 10 minutes trains to five stations and takes only 24 minutes.
The five stations are the Airport Train Station, AsiaWorld-Expo Station, Tsing Yi Station, Kowloon Station, and Hong Kong Station.
The first Airport Express service to and from the city starts around 6 am and finishes after midnight.
The ticket price starts from 100 HKD.
Tip: Check all details about Airport Express.
Public bus
There are more than 20 “A” route buses every 10 minutes to and from the airport which can bring you to Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, and New Territories including Lantau Island + other bus lines.
The journey to Kowloon takes around 40 minutes and about 10 minutes more to Hong Kong Island (depending on your location).
The first public bus service to and from the city starts around 6 am and finishes around midnight.
At night use the “N” line bus route.
The ticket price is around 40 HKD.
Taxi
The expensive option, but flexible and comfortable.
The journey takes about 30 minutes.
The price is around 300 HKD. (depending on your location)
Taxis are in three different colors:
Red taxis (Urban taxis) operate in most areas of Hong Kong except some parts of Tung Chung Road and roads in south Lantau.
Green taxis (New Territories taxis) operate mainly in the northeastern part and northwestern part of the New Territories.
Blue taxis (Lantau taxis) operate only on Lantau Island and Chek Lap Kok.
Getting around the city
Metro
MTR, or Mass Transit Railway system covers all major districts in the territory. It’s comfortable, clean, fast, safe, and goes on average every 5 minutes.
The first metro starts around 6 am and finishes after midnight.
Ticket prices start from about 4 HKD, depending on your distance.
With an Octopus Card, you can have a discount.
Bus
Popular doubledecker buses offer great views of the city from the top deck, for sure take it at least once.
Tickets can be paid on a bus (require the exact amount!) or you can use an Octopus Card with a discount on all buses.
Most buses start from 5 am to 1 am the next day. Night buses, start from midnight to 6 am.
The price starts from about 10 HKD. Depending on your distance
Tip: Get an Octopus Card to travel with a discount for your Hong Kong itinerary 5 days.
Tram
Very tall and double-decker trams are unique to see. Not so many places have them.
They offer a great view from the top deck!
Some trams run daily from 5 am to midnight, depending on the route.
The ticket costs 3 HKD no matter how far you go (require the exact amount if paying in cash!) or use an Octopus Card.
Tip: Read also our 4 days itinerary in Hanoi.
Ferry
Our favorite transportation in Hong Kong.
The Star Ferry transports passengers between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. It offers beautiful views of the city with skyscrapers and a Victoria Harbour when you sail between the Central and Hung Hom.
The journey takes only 10 minutes and costs about 3 HKD.
Ferries sail also between Hong Kong island and outlying islands.
Taxi
All taxis use meters, they are clean, and you can easily find them on the street. Use a red, green, or blue taxi depending on your location as explained above.
All taxis can drive you to and from Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong Disneyland.
WHICH AREA OF HONG KONG TO STAY?
The city is generally safe. The areas where you can stay are Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, and Mongkok, it depends on how you are going to spend your stay in the city.
Hong Kong is known for being very densely populated and therefore the price of accommodation is higher than in other capitals in the world.
We made our base in Chungking Mansions, which is notorious for cramped and not very good sanitary conditions. You will find bad reviews of this building online, but our experience was good overall.
There are elevators with a waiting line in the building. We used the stairs, which did not always look inviting.
➡️ Check all available hotels in Cairo on Booking.com. It’s our favorite booking platform.
If you are more budget traveler you can check Hostelworld where you find cheaper options with shared facilities. ✅
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is 5 days in Hong Kong enough?
With a Hong Kong itinerary 5 days you can visit this magnificent city with everything that goes with it. However, if you are going to visit Hong Kong in the winter months without visiting the beaches, even one day less would be enough.
What time is the best to visit Hong Kong?
Hong Kong is a kind of city that can be visited all year round, in general, the best time to visit is March to April and October to November, summer months can be difficult for hiking because of hot temperatures.
Can I drink tap water in Hong Kong?
According to the Hong Kong government, tap water is safe to drink. Some old buildings have old plumbing systems. Because of this, we recommend that you drink only bottled water.
Is Hong Kong a walkable city?
Hong Kong is one of the most walkable cities in the world. In most parts of Hong Kong, you have all the necessary services and facilities within walking distance.
Is Hong Kong expensive?
Hong Kong is a crowded city where accommodation prices are high. If you choose simple accommodation and focus on the free attractions of the city, it is not unnecessarily expensive
OUR FAVORITE TRAVEL RESOURCES
Accommodation: We use Booking.com where we always find great deals for hotels.
For hostels, we use Hostelworld where we find cheaper options and meet new people.
Rental cars: To rent your car with free cancellation check out Discover Cars.
Ferries: For cheap ferry tickets worldwide we use Direct Ferries.
All travel options in one place: Omio.com we use for easy travel planning where we can find trains, buses, ferries, and more.
Tours and other activities: Wherever we go we look at GetYouGuide to find the best tours and many other activities around the world!
Travel insurance: Never travel without travel insurance! Ekta works all over the world and has 10 years of experience in the industry. It is your right choice!
Reviews: Before we travel somewhere we always look at Tripadvisor, where we always find a summary of restaurants, places to visit, or hotels with current ratings and photos from people who have visited this place recently.
Luggage storage: Radical storage is such a helpful Luggage storage network! When we have a late check-in or an early check-out we don’t need to carry our luggage with us, we just simply put it in the Radical storage which operates in over 70 countries!
E-sim card: The best way how avoid all the stress of searching for local SIM cards or wifi signals and save time after you arrive in your new country is to get Airalo e-sim. Download and install a digital data pack from 200+ countries/regions!
