The Perfect 4 Day Hong Kong Itinerary for First Timers

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You know, I didn’t intend on visiting Hong Kong. I knew of it, and in theory it seemed cool and all, but it just wasn’t high on my visitation list. YEAH YEAH I KNOW – how foolish and naive I used to be, haha. However, back when I visited Dubai, the transfer airport was through the Hong Kong airport. So I figured why not turn the layover into a stopover? That’s how I ended up quickly putting together a 4 day Hong Kong itinerary only a few days before I left on my trip.

Needless to say, I GREATLY underestimated Hong Kong as a destination. First of all, it’s a LOT bigger than I expected. Yes, it is essentially a city-state like Singapore, but it is made up of over 250 islands! The food blew me awayyy, the shopping was fun and unique, and as someone who absolutely loves cities, the skyscrapers and energy from the city really sealed the deal. All of this to say that I loved my time in Hong Kong, so I’m putting together my lil 4 day Hong Kong itinerary so you can also have a wonderful experience!

Though, I’m no expert on Hong Kong. I’ve literally only visited…once. For four days. So to help me out with this 4 day Hong Kong itinerary, I’ve had the help of my fellow blogger friend Steve from The Trip Goes On. He lived in China for over a decade, but due to being unable to renew his visa, he had to move on to a new country. He lived in Hong Kong for a few months…then unfortunately due to circumstances out of his control, he was unable to stay. However, he kept all his Hong Kong goodies close to his heart so he could help me out with this 4 day Hong Kong itinerary!

I’ll also be dropping a few links from my good friend Nam from Laugh Travel Eat, a local Hong Kong resident and blogger. She has some incredible resources on her blog full of hidden gems and insider knowledge that you can’t find anywhere else!

4 Day Hong Kong Itinerary Overview

And with that, let’s get this 4 day Hong Kong itinerary on the road! This post will be divided up into an itinerary summary and general “things to do” section (this part), a FAQ section to answer a few common questions about traveling to Hong Kong, and then finally move on to a day-by-day breakdown.

Feel free to use the Table of Contents to hop around to whatever section you’re interested in, or if you have the time, read the whole post for a good overall picture of what a 4 day Hong Kong itinerary might look like for your trip!

Top Sights in Hong Kong

If you’re more of a self-planner and like to take things as they come, here is a list of the top attractions in Hong Kong that I feel are worth prioritizing. All of these are visited in my suggested 4 day in Hong Kong itinerary.

Of course, there is tons more to do in Hong Kong, but yanno, we’re here in Hong Kong for a fun time not a long time haha. Feel free to visit any of these as they are convenient during your trip. Likewise, pick and choose which ones are most appealing to you, and then you can fill your itinerary with other niche attractions that fit your specific interests.

• Big Buddha
• Kowloon
• Hong Kong Park
• Silvermine Bay
• Stanley
• Star Ferry
• Victoria Harbour
• Victoria Peak

Itinerary Summary

That said, I know not everyone will have a full four days in Hong Kong. That’s okay! This 4 day Hong Kong itinerary is arranged with the more iconic sights happening in days 1 and 2. Even if you can only swing an overnight layover, you’ll still have a good experience.

1 Day Hong Kong Itinerary:

If you only have one day out of the 4 day Hong Kong itinerary then these are the must-see sights: Kowloon markets, Victoria Harbour, Star Ferry, Victoria Peak, Soho & Mid Levels.

2 Day Hong Kong Itinerary:

Follow the 1 day itinerary and add Hong Kong Park, the village of Stanley, Repulse Bay and finish with a cocktail overlooking the harbour 30 floors up!

3 Day Hong Kong Itinerary:

Follow the above for days 1 and 2 and add charming Lantau Island with its quiet beaches, hiking trails, big Buddha, and authentic fishing villages.

4 Day Hong Kong Itinerary:

On the last day of this 4 day Hong Kong itinerary, we head to the wild New Territories for some exceptional hiking, picturesque beaches and seafood restaurants with the freshest catch!

Hong Kong FAQ

BUT!!! Before we really dive into this 4 day Hong Kong itinerary, you’ll probably want to know the basics about traveling in and around Hong Kong before you go.

Getting to Hong Kong

Hong Kong International airport is one of the busiest in the world with flights to destinations across the globe. US citizens do not need to apply for a travel visa in advance. The airport is situated on Lantau Island and is connected to the metropolitan area by MTR, bus, and taxi. Ubers exist in Hong Kong, but don’t service everywhere.

If you are coming from China, there is a new fast train service from Shenzhen North Railway Station to Kowloon which reduces the journey time from hours to around 30 minutes.

Octopus Card

Even if you are only in Hong Kong for 1 day, it is useful to pick up an Octopus Card. Like the Suica card in Japan, The Octopus is not only useful for the MTR and buses, but can also be used on ferries, in shops and at attractions. At the end of your stay you can return it for a refund. The card costs 50HKD which is refundable. You can get one at any MTR station and some newsagents.

Best Time to Visit Hong Kong

Hong Kong is located in the tropics and enjoys year-round warm weather. Which is nice for us travelers who want to avoid the cold at all costs! Though, some seasons are more…favorable than others. Autumn, Winter and Spring are the best times to visit Hong Kong as you will avoid the intense heat and monsoons of the summer months.

Basically, the worst time to visit Hong Kong is in the summer.

But you know what they say, there’s no bad weather – only bad preparation. So if you know a packing list for monsoons…let me know hahah.

What’s Hong Kong like for Black Travelers

Traveling in Asia, for Black people, often comes with a caveat. A lot of times, we end up being attractions on our own. It seems as though, without fail, people line up to take pictures of Black travelers. So what’s the vibe in Hong Kong?

Visiting Hong Kong while Black, in my experience, was pretty chill. It may be because many residents in Hong Kong are exposed to and familiar with western and Black culture, so Black travelers aren’t an exciting spectacle to many of them. Also, Hong Kong is a major metropolis with many international companies and businesses. Even if someone is shocked or excited to see a Black traveler, city people are more reserved when approaching strangers.

Howeverrrr, when I was out and about during my 4 day Hong Kong itinerary, I was approached a few times and asked to take a picture with the person – but I want to note that it was only by other travelers to Hong Kong, and not Hong Kong residents.

1 Day Hong Kong Itinerary

On your first day in Hong Kong, discover the bustling Kowloon area with its markets and street food before taking a walk down to Victoria Harbor. Take the iconic Start Ferry across to Central and ascend Victoria Peak for impressive views across the harbor and out to sea. Finish off with a lively evening of food and drink in Soho and the Mid-Levels.

Victoria Harbour

Recommended Time: 1 hour

Nearest MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui

From Kowloon you can walk down to the most famous of all the sights in Hong Kong; the iconic Victoria Harbour. The harbour stretches from Kowloon to Central on Hong Kong Island and affords magnificent views of the city.

Star Ferry

Journey Time: 10 minutes

Nearest MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon) and Admiralty (HK Island)

There are a few ways of crossing the harbour to Hong Kong Island but none are as fun as the Star Ferry, which has been plying the waters of Victoria Harbour for well over 100 years. The journey time only takes 10 minutes and costs as little as $3 HKD with an Octopus Card. The ferries run every 6 to 8 minutes from 06:30 to 23:30.

Victoria Peak

Recommended Time: 2 to 4 hours

Nearest MTR: Admiralty

Victoria Peak (also known as Austin Peak or just “the Peak”) is the highest point on Hong Kong Island at 552 metres (1,811 feet). The views from the Peak are incredible as you can see not only the city and harbour, but also fantasic sea views dotted with islands.

There is tram (funicular railway) that goes from Admiralty where you can either hike the myriad paths that criss-cross the peak, or take a series of elevators to the very top. The tram is very packed, so if you would rather take that than hiking, I’d recommend going early. Thankfully, “early” by Hong Kong standards is maybe 8:30am, though the tram opens at 7am and costs $88 HKD. The viewing platfom at the top $75 HKD.

You can reach the peak by tram, bus 15, taxi or even walking (moderate level of fitness required).

Kowloon Markets & Street Food

Recommended Time: 1 to 2 hours

Nearest MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui

Start in Kowloon and explore the busy streets and markets where you are sure to find some bargains. This area is also packed with stalls selling some of the best street food in the world! I knowww people hate when bloggers just tell them to “stroll around and find stuff,” I know because I hate it too, but in this instance it’s true.

There are tons of small little booths along the markets with lots of souvenirs, unique products, and… potentially a few fake designer stuff. I’ll admit, I picked up a few bags for my mom. WHAT? It’s not like she knows. Anyways, as you walk along, you will also find a lot of different food and for the most part, it’s all delicious. The area really comes alive at night though, so that’s my favorite time to go.

If you’d like a more structured approach to visiting the 4 day Hong Kong itinerary, you can take a guided Kowloon tour with a local.

If you are coming from the airport take the airport express line (blue) on the MTR 5 stops to Kowloon and walk, or change to Line 1 (red) at Lai King and go 9 stops to Tsim Sha Tsui.

Soho and the Mid Levels

Recommended Time: 2 hours +

Nearest MTR: Admiralty & Hong Kong

To end day one of your 4 day Hong Kong itinerary, head to Soho. Soho is Hong Kong’s hip nightlife area where expats and tourists come to relax after a hard day’s working or sightseeing. You can find bars on every street, especially along the mid-levels escalators that run through the area.

2 Day Hong Kong Itinerary

For day 2, whether that’s all you have or just your halfway point in a 4 day Hong Kong itinerary, we’ll add Hong Kong Park, the village of Stanley, Repulse Bay, and discover the best place to sip cocktails 30 floors above the harbor.

Hong Kong Park

Recommended Time: 1 hour

Nearest MTR: Admiralty

The best part about this attraction? It’s free! Head to Hong Kong Park behind Admiralty MTR station. The park is an oasis beneath the shining skyscrapers which are partially hidden by large palm trees. Walk around the lake and see the hundreds of turtles sunbathing on rocks. There is a café/restaurant within the park and a visual arts center. It’s a nice break from the bustle of city life.

Thankfully, you can get right back into the bustle by visiting Montane Mansion, the iconic apartment complex in Hong Kong. It even appeared in Transformers 4! If you’re photogenically included, definitely check out some other great Instagrammable spots in Hong Kong.

Repulse Bay

Recommended Time: 1 to 2 hours

Bus: Take bus 6, 6A, 6X, 66 or 260 from Exchange Square Bus Depot in Central

The Lamborghini Garage as you enter Repulse Bay tells you what sort of place this is. But even if you are not rich and famous you can still enjoy this beautiful sandy beach overlooking rocky outcrops and islands. A great place for a swim year-round, especially in the quieter off-season months.

Stanley Village

Recommended Time: 2 to 4 hours +

Bus: Take bus 6, 6A, 6X, 66 or 260 from Exchange Square Bus Depot in Central.

Continue the day’s journey to Stanley, a small village on the south side of Hong Kong Island. Depending on your mode of transportation, it will take you about 30 to 40 minutes to get there. There is a small market, shops, restaurants, and three small beaches all within walking distance. The bus ride from Central is stunning as it follows a coast road above Deepwater and Repulse Bays.

Alternatively, you can bypass taking the journey yourself and take an Aberdeen Fishing Village tour, also on Hong Kong island!

The Eye Bar

Recommended Time: 1 to 2 hours

Nearest MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui or walk from the Star Ferry pier.

When you’re ready to end the night, you can pair it with getting a beautiful skyline view! The Eye Bar is located on the top (30th) floor of the iSquare Shopping Complex on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. It’s not the cheapest place in Hong Kong to eat or drink, but the views across the harbor are worth every penny. You can dine inside on a selection of Eastern and Western dishes and then retire to the roof terrace to sip cocktails above the city.

And, word of warning, it is very pricey. A bottle of Corona costs $80 HKD and cocktails are $120 HKD+ so…just a heads up. If you’re not a fan of going to bars alone, there’s also a rooftop bar tour so you can get local insight on all the myths and misconceptions about Hong Kong over drinks!

3 Day Hong Kong Itinerary

For day 3 of the 4 day Hong Kong itinerary, let’s discover Lantau Island, the second largest in the territory! Lantau Island is located roughly 10 kilometers west of Hong Kong Island. If you’d rather not do planning on your own, there are many Lantau Island tours you can join. However, it’s more than doable on your own as well and easily reachable by MTR, bus, and ferry.

Ferry: There are 4 ferries per hour to Lantau (2 fast and 2 slow). The fast ferry takes just 30 minutes and the slow one closer to an hour. Tickets are $15 and $30 respectively and can be paid by Octopus.

MTR: Take the Tung Chung Line (orange) from Hong Kong or Kowloon stations to Tung Chung. Here you can take a cable car to the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery (tickets from $160HKD one way/25 minutes) or a bus to Mei Wo, Tai O, or the start of the hiking trails.

Car: you can get an Uber TO Lantau Island, but there are no Ubers to come back.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Recommended time: 3+ hours

One of the biggest draws toward Lantau Island is an attraction that independently brings both domestic traffic and travelers from all over the world. And that, of course, is Hong Kong Disneyland. Unlike other Disneylands when people start lining up two hours before the park opens…Hong Kong Disney opens at a leisurely 10:30am and I didn’t experience any lines when I went at that time on a week day.

In fact…I don’t think people really started to show up until after lunch.

I loved it!

It’s one of the smallest Disney parks, but that’s part of the charm. But of course, I still recommend downloading the Hong Kong Disney app and making all food reservations in advance. For more insight, be sure to check out my Hong Kong Disneyland Guide!

Hiking

Lantau boasts some excellent hiking trails including Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak with incredible panoramas of the ocean and islands. Both hikes are pretty tough and require some level of fitness, but are worth the effort for the stunning views.

Hong Kong is home to a variety of venomous snakes from cobras to kraits. Wear sturdy boots when hiking and make noise so snakes can escape. Never put your hands where you can’t see such as under rocks or branches.

Tai O

Recommended time: 1-2 hours

The pace is much slower on Lantau compared to the city and you can amble around traditional fishing villages like Tai O or trek into the jungle behind Silver Mine Bay. There are quiet beaches perfect for a swim.

Hong Kong is a great place for swimming but leave all marine life well alone. Many of the city’s beaches are patrolled so swim where there is a lifeguard station and shark nets (there haven’t been any shark-related fatalities since 1995 and given overfishing, sharks are unlikely to be a threat again any time soon).

Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery

Recommended Time: 1 hour

I’ve seen a lot of Big Buddhas in my time, and the one on Lantau Island is definitely in my top three! From a cultural attraction standpoint, I do feel like this was one of my favorite visits in my 4 day Hong Kong itinerary. The monastery grounds are beautiful and there is a small shop to buy incense, charms, and other items.

Insider Tip: It is definitely worth spending the whole day on Lantau but to get the most out of a trip to the island consider staying overnight at one of the hotels or guesthouses. There is a hostel called the Sea Ranch on the South side of the island that is only accessible by boat or long trek through the jungle. There is another beach a 15-minute walk away that is even more picturesque, and at night you can even witness bioluminescent plankton if you are lucky!

4 Day Hong Kong Itinerary

If you are lucky enough to fully follow this 4 day Hong Kong itinerary, you’ll be able to break away from the usual tourist trail and see a side of Hong Kong that many do not. Follow the 1, 2 and 3 day itineraries as above and for day 4 we will spend the day in the New Territories and some of the best beaches you could hope to find anywhere!

Sai Kung Country Park

First, to get to Sai Kung, take the MTR to Diamond Hill on the Kwun Tong line (green) and then change to bus 92 to Sai Kung. From there you can take bus 94 to Pak Tam Chung and start hiking the Maclehose Trail or take one of the ferries or speedboats to the gorgeous beaches that line the park.

The New Territories refers to the area north of Kowloon that goes up to the Chinese border. The area includes hundreds of islands, gorgeous deserted beaches, ancient fishing villages, and the best hiking in Hong Kong. The town of Sai Kung has many seafood restaurants where you can pick your fish/seafood before it is brought to your table. You won’t find fresher anywhere else!

For a more thorough guide to Sai Kung, check out Nam’s local guide to Sai Kung Hong Kong! And that’s the end of our 4 day Hong Kong itinerary! Of course, there’s a tons more you can add-on to your 4 day Hong Kong itinerary, or if you happen to have more time in Hong Kong, but that’ll get you through all the coolest spots!

Hong Kong Budget Tips

Hong Kong is not a cheap city, but if you are sensible it doesn’t have to break the bank. You can get a bed in a dorm at one of the many hostels for around $100 HKD per night and hotel rooms start at double that for a simple room. If you have hotel points, now is definitely the time to use them. A few other budget tips to keep your wallet cozy on your 4 day Hong Kong itinerary:

• Ensure you pick up an Octopus Card!
• Feast on street food or grab a picnic if you are heading to the outlying islands.
• Search out bargains on tours or

And of course, you could always take the extreme budget option of backpacking Hong Kong! Just be mindful that your money won’t go AS far in Hong Kong as say…Central America or Southeast Asia, but it’ll help make your 4 day Hong Kong itinerary a bit more financially accessible.

Conclusion: 4 Day Hong Kong Itinerary

There you have it folks – a full 4 day Hong Kong itinerary that covers all the bases of this amazing destination. If you can stay longer, I do highly recommend it. I’m ready to book another trip just to go on endless food tours alone. However, if you only have a few days, hopefully this 4 day Hong Kong itinerary will help you plan your vacation.

Have you ever been to Hong Kong? What other food and activities would you suggest on a 4 day Hong Kong itinerary? Let me know in the comments below!

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