Exploring Hong Kong in 3 days gives you a decent chance of seeing some landmarks, to shop, and to dine. Hong Kong is over-flowing with gastronomic delights and deluxe shopping. You need to live there to really experience all that Hong Kong has to offer. But, some of us only have 3 days. Keep reading for a curated itinerary of what you should see, do, and eat with only 3 days in Hong Kong.
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase after clicking on one of the affiliate links. I only recommend products I’ve personally used and liked. All opinions are my own.
Essentials
Language: Locals mainly speak Cantonese Chinese, but Mandarin Chinese is common too. Most businesses are also comfortable speaking in English.
Currency: the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD).
Voltage: 220 volts. Hong Kong uses the 3-pronged UK-style plugs. See my post on Essential Items to Pack in your Carry-on for tips on what plug adapters to buy.
Major Train Station: MTR is the main subway station for getting around Hong Kong. To get to mainland China, head to either the Hung Hom or West Kowloon high speed train stations which are all accessible by the MRT subway. See MTR System Map for more info.
Major Airport: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Best time to visit: During the colder months of November to February or April. It gets really hot and humid so bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
Getting There
There are plenty of direct flights to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). The flight can be close to 14 hours long depending on your city of departure, so dress comfy!
The airport express from HKG is super convenient for getting across Hong Kong. It’s located on the MTR Subway line (Hong Kong’s major subway transportation) and should get you anywhere you need. Ask the customer service counter for how to get around and which ticket you need to buy to hop on the airport express. Make sure to get an octopus card! These tap on/tap off cards make the city run. Get one, add some money to it, and simply reload when you run out of credit. It makes travelling around the city ultra convenient.
There’s always the option of taking a taxi or Uber which’ll cost you around 350 HKD to get to the Kowloon side.
Where to Stay
Hong Kong is composed of several islands, but the two main parts are Kowloon (attached to mainland China) and the island of Hong Kong (you’ll see this simply referred to as Hong Kong on road signs). The infamous Victoria Harbour separates the two landmasses and you can get across easily either by the Star Ferry or the MTR underground subway.
Avoid staying in ChungKing Mansion on Tsim Sha Tsui. It’s in a prime location but, unfortunately, it’s a building of ill-repute and unsafe for visitors. You’ll see some tourist websites touting it as a cool place to go for far-flung cuisine, but I recommend to avoid it in general for safety reasons.
What to See and Do
Exploring Hong Kong in 3 days should give you enough time to see a few major landmarks that might be farther out on different islands. Plan your time and you’ll see some highlights and maybe stumble on some hidden gems too.
Buy tours with Viator to explore Hong Kong with local guides. A good, curated tour saves you the hassle of commute and planning. Check out my list of curated Viator tours to Hong Kong.
Victoria Harbour at Tsim Sha Tsui and the Avenue of Stars
A boardwalk right along the harbour of Tsim Sha Tsui with the most famous view of Victoria Harbour. Best part: it’s free to walk! Definitely come here during the day and in the evening to catch both views of the skyscrapers. All the towers are lit up at night and they flash advertising and play funky animations, making it a great chance to get some night time photos. Walk down further to the Avenue of Stars to view some celebrity handprints and the great statue of Bruce Lee.
The Peak Tramway
The tram, leading up the peak, has been operating for over 130 years. Take this tram up over 1300 feet to get an impeccable view of both sides of Hong Kong. Once at the top, make sure to head to the Sky Terrace for the view. It gets pretty windy up there so watch your belongings.
Star Ferry
The little wooden boat has been in operation since British Colonial rule. It ferries passengers back and forth from Kowloon to Hong Kong island and it’s a fun and breezy way to get a great view of Hong Kong. It’s cheap to ride (about 6 HKD) and the trip takes about 15 minutes. I mean, you could just take the MTR subway if you’re in a rush (the ride only takes 2 minutes to cross under the harbour!) but you won’t get to enjoy the view.
Hollywood Road in Sheung Wan
Also known as the antiques district because you’ll find endless stores selling Chinese antiques. Now, I’m not really sure how to tell if they’re authentic Chinese antiques or not. Some places are a bit more reputable, but definitely do your research if you’re serious about buying antiques. My personal recommendation is to assume you’re buying a nice piece of artwork versus an authentic antique and to simply appreciate the craftsmanship for what it is. You can absolutely bargain about the price and pay what you’re comfortable with — or walk away if the price sounds too absurd.
Man Mo Temple
A temple is Sheung Wan dedicated to the Gods of Literature and War. There are magnificent incense coils hanging from the ceilings and beautiful, but ghostly, hand-carved wooden gods on the altars. The temple offers respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s quite intimate and even feels haunted at times, but still quite a sight to see.
Hong Kong Museum of Art (MOA)
A fantastic and free museum to see some classical Chinese antiquities. Stroll along the corridors on each floor and there are floor-to-ceiling windows giving you a fantastic view of Victoria Harbour. There’s also a restaurant here called Hue (discussed further below) which, if you walk all the way to the bar, has a wonderful view of Victoria Harbour as well. Enjoy a cup of coffee here with the incredible view.
Where to Eat
Hong Kong offers top-tier, mid-tier, and lower-tier (but delicious!) dining options with everything else in between. Here were some great finds, but stroll along Hong Kong and you’ll undoubtedly find great restaurants everywhere.
Schragels
A jewish delicatessen in Hong Kong. Yep, you read it right. The owner recreated a delicatessen in Hong Kong after moving back there and the smoked white fish bagel is divine! The chef, the owner hired, literally recreated all the tastes from the owner’s memory of what smoked meat tastes like in New York. This is a hidden gem so don’t skip out on it!
Yardbird
Come here for the best yakitori chicken skewers ever! And be prepared to fall in love with all the side dishes as well (especially the roasted daikon and mushroom salad). This is where the sides are just as impressive as the mains. Book reservations early or be prepared to wait in line for a few hours.
Dim Sum at Lei Gardens
We usually head to this location when we’re in Hong Kong but, since it’s a chain, you should be able to find one closer to wherever you’re staying. Some classic dim sum dishes I recommend include har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (shrimp and pork dumplings), spring rolls, and fried turnip patties. There is also gingko soup and even roast quail which is absolutely worth trying if you’d like to eat a bit more for lunch.
Dim Sum at Tin Lung Heen (at The Ritz-Carlton)
You must order the char siu here! Here they use Iberico pork to make char siu and it is absolutely the best char siu ever served. Again, order all the classic dim sum dishes to see how beautifully and tastefully they serve it. The dim sum here is extremely delicate and very refined and the decor is stunning.
Hong Kong is, in a word, spectacular. New businesses pop up and close all the time. It’s just amazing how much of everything there is in Hong Kong. Wear good shoes so you can walk everywhere and indulge in a bit of everything. Check out my other Hong Kong guides for more ideas for your next Hong Kong trip.
