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Hong Kong may only cover 1,114 square kilometers, but it is home to a bustling population of 7.4 million, making it one of the busiest cities in the world. Despite the city's busyness, there are countless attractions and activities that make a visit to Hong Kong incredibly enjoyable. To help you make the most of your visit, we've compacted all of our experiences in Hong Kong to ensure you are well informed on what to do so you don't miss out on anything. So, without delay, let's dive into the best of what Hong Kong has to offer!
Hong Kong Travel Tips
We would recommend you pick up an Octopus travel card to use on public transport to make life easy. For us travellers we will want to pick up the Tourist version of the card which you can find at any 7-eleven or circle-K stores. The cost of the card is HK$39 ($8AUD) and you can top up your card at one of those convenience stores or any MTR Customer Service Centres. Grabbing one of these cards is a must in our opinion as it will save you time and money in the long run and will make your life so much easier when navigating this busy city. For more information about the octopus card click here.
Book your accommodation in advance! From our own experience we found it almost impossible to find cheap accommodation when booking a few days beforehand. So get in early if you want to avoid paying an arm and a leg and staying in places that aren't in a great location.
Where to stay?
We stayed at two different accommodations during our trip. The first half was spent 'Hotel Hart' which was located in a great area close to many of Hong Kong's attractions and transport options. We then wanted a more social accomodation so we also stayed at 'The Hop Inn' for a few days. It had a friendly atmosphere, a relaxed common area, and clean bunk bed rooms with gender split options. Our general recommendation would be to stay in the Kowloon area, specifically in 'Tsim Sha Tsui'. This area offers easy access to transportation and is close to many tourist attractions. We would also suggest to NOT stay at any Guesthouses due to safety concerns and avoid using Airbnb as from personal experience/local opinions, it is not a reliable platform to use in Hong Kong.
Day 1 - Arrival and Sightseeing
Your arrival time in Hong Kong will determine what you can do for the day. For a daytime activity, consider exploring the local area and discovering what Hong Kong has to offer. We suggest visiting the Avenue of Stars to see the celebrity statues, especially the iconic Bruce Lee statue. For a night time activity, stay around the area until 8pm to watch the Symphony of Lights show. This event illuminates Hong Kong's skyline with lights, and the best vantage points are the Avenue of Stars and the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
Day 2 - Sky100 Observation Deck & Ferry ride
To begin your day, we suggest visiting the Sky100 Observation Deck for a fantastic city vantage point. This indoor observation deck provides stunning 360-degree views of Hong Kong's iconic sights, including Victoria Harbour and the Kowloon Peninsula. It's a wonderful and affordable way to take in the city's beauty. We personally booked our tickets on GetYourGuide which was very convenient and affordable. Feel free to click below to check on availability and to book in your tickets!
Fun Fact
Hong Kong has the highest number of skyscrapers in the world!
In the evening, we suggest making your way back to Victoria Harbour and hopping on a scenic cruise. There are many options available for booking online or in person at the harbour, although we recommend booking earlier to avoid missing out. It's a great way to see the city and cruise through the harbour, and you can even book cruises that run during the light show as well!
Day 3 - Hong Kong Disneyland
If you're huge Disney fans like us, a trip to Hong Kong wouldn't be complete without visiting their own Disneyland. Even though it's the smallest of the Disneyland parks, it still offers plenty of attractions. When we visited in April, we found the park to be pleasantly uncrowded. We purchased 2-day tickets, but honestly, you could experience the entire park in just one day, especially if you avoid weekends, holidays, or peak days. For more information, you can check out the Disney crowd calendar to see which days are the busiest to help plan the best date for you to attend! The park was a lot of fun, and the standout attractions for us were the Lion King Show and the Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars. To book tickets in advance, we would highly recommend booking on Klook, we found them to be the most affordable!
Day 4 - Victoria Peak Tram & Monopoly Dreams
If you're looking for stunning views, a scenic ride, and enjoyable activities, then our plan for today will definitely cover it all. First, you will take the Victoria Peak Tram, which boasts incredible views during the journey up. An adult return ticket is quite affordable at $88HK ($17 AUD) and can be purchased on arrival. However, to avoid waiting in line, we recommend booking online in advance.
Once you reach the top, you'll find a charming shopping center with numerous stores and restaurants to explore. After that, don't miss the opportunity to visit the Sky Terrace 428 for breathtaking views and some memorable photos. Tickets for this area can be purchased individually or as a combo with the tram for a discounted price.
Next, you can head over to Monopoly Dreams, located just a short walk from the tram stop. Upon arrival, the experience begins with a leisurely walk through various areas, offering the opportunity to learn about the history of Monopoly and capture some fantastic photos with the oversized props from the beloved board game. Following this, you then enter an area filled with a variety of entertaining mini-games, all themed around Monopoly, such as a money grab machine, water works, and a jail area. Overall, it's an enjoyable and fascinating experience, particularly for avid Monopoly fans. However, I wouldn't say it's an activity worth revisiting or if you've attending another Monopoly Dreams attraction.
To book in these activities we would highly recommend you do so on Klook. From our research they are the most affordable and sometimes their have tickets can come with add ons such as vouchers/other activities!
Day 5 - Llama Island
Hong Kong comprises 263 islands, with one of the most popular destinations being Lamma Island. This is a perfect day trip idea especially if you are wanting to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. To get there, simply head to Central Pier 4 on Victoria Harbour, where you'll find the ferry to Lamma Island, specifically the one heading to Yung Shue Wan. This ferry service is more frequent and affordable compared to the ferry to Sok Kwu Wan. The cost for an adult ticket is HK$22 (approximately $4 AUD) and the travel time is about 30 minutes. For more information, click here.
FUN FACT
Llama island is the third largest island in Hong Kong!
We had a wonderful time exploring numerous charming spots and enjoying a delicious meal at one of the cafes. For reference, we dined at Jaybird Restaurant, which was not only affordable but also really delicious. Afterwards, we took a leisurely stroll to the nearby Nga Kau Wan Beach and had a refreshing swim. Although we chose not to, there are plenty of hiking trails available for you to do which offer fantastic viewpoints of the island. In general, it's a remarkably beautiful island and a fantastic place to unwind or embark on adventures!
Day 6 - Ngong Ping Cable Car & Lantau Peak
On a beautiful day, one of the best ways to enjoy it is by taking the Ngong Ping Cable car up to Lantau Peak. The cable car ride is 5.7km long and takes about 25 minutes, offering breathtaking views of Hong Kong, including a sight of the Big Buddha as you near the top. Upon arrival, you'll find a charming little town with plenty of food stores, shops, and a variety of activities to enjoy. Some of these activities include visiting the Art of Chocolate Museum, taking a chocolate making class, and experiencing the thrilling Motion 360, a 5D adventure. Afterward, you can explore further by climbing the stairs up to the Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha) and the Po Lin Temple. Overall, this day trip is a must-do, and we highly recommend it.
Day 7 - Bakebe & Comedy Show
Consider starting your day with a fun and interactive activity at Bakebe, where you can participate in a unique baking experience. Here, you not so much join a class but rather choose from a selection of recipes on what you want to bake and then utilise their fully equipped kitchen to bring your creations to life. The experienced bakers at Bakebe are always available to offer guidance and assistance as you work on your chosen recipe. Bree and I ended up making Panda shaped macarons and we had a blast doing it so we would highly recommend you check it out!
During the day, we would recommend visiting the longest escalator in the world, which consists of 20 escalators in a row. Although it's not a single long escalator, it's still a great way to explore the city. To experience this for yourself, we recommend heading to Queens Street Central so you can start at the bottom and enjoy the ascent.
If you're looking for a fun night time activity, definitely explore Hong Kong's vibrant nightlife and catch a stand-up comedy show. The one Bree and I went too was at a place called 'The Aftermath' and was hosted by the hilarious comedian Bryan Bentley. It was truly one of the best stand-up comedy shows we've experienced. If you're interested in attending future events, check out the ComedyHK website for details on when and where they will be held!
Summary
So there you have it, that is our opinion on the best 1-week itinerary for Hong Kong, featuring a blend of activities, sights, and adventure. If you enjoyed it, we'd love for you to share our blog with others or leave a like. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Until next time
Goodbye!
Bree & Aiden
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