Hong Kong
A vertical city where the harbour, the Peak, dim sum and neon-lit street markets collide.
A sample 3-day Hong Kong route
Kowloon, then HK Island, then a half-day on Lantau for the Big Buddha and cable car paired with the most local Kowloon street life — a complete first-timer's Hong Kong.
- Day 1Kowloon — harbourfront, museums & night marketsTsim Sha Tsui · West Kowloon · Yau Ma Tei
- Day 2HK Island — old streets, a park & the Peak at sunsetSheung Wan · Central · The Peak
- Day 3Lantau — Big Buddha & cable car, then Kowloon street lifeLantau Island · Sham Shui Po · Mong Kok
This is one of several routes in the guide — change the length, budget and dates yourself in the workspace.
Where to eat in Hong Kong
MICHELIN & Bib picks show the year awarded — selections are revised yearly, so confirm current status before you go. Every name links to a Google Maps search.
- Dim sum (yum cha) Bib Gourmand
Baked BBQ pork buns (char siu bao)
- Roast goose (siu ngo) ★ MICHELIN
Crispy-skinned roast goose over rice
- Egg waffles (gai daan jai) Bib Gourmand
Bubble egg waffles, plain or with chocolate/matcha
- Fine Cantonese (the splurge) ★★★ MICHELIN
Refined dim sum
Thin springy egg noodles in shrimp-and-pork broth with prawn wontons
Tender braised beef brisket and tendon over noodles in a spiced broth
When to go to Hong Kong
Weather, typhoon signals and event dates change. During a Typhoon Signal 8 or higher, transport, ferries and attractions shut down — always check the Hong Kong Observatory before travelling.
Autumn (the best season) Oct, Nov, Dec
Cool, dry and sunny, 18–26°C — Hong Kong at its finest, with clear skies and great visibility.
No weather caveats — this is the season to prioritise the Peak, Dragon's Back and the islands.
Look out for: Clearest skyline views of the year, Great hiking weather, Festive lights from late November
Winter (cool & dry) Jan, Feb
Cool and dry, 12–20°C, occasionally chilly with a cold snap — bright and comfortable for sightseeing.
Around Chinese New Year, expect closures — plan for malls, big attractions and the festive events, and confirm small eateries are open.
Look out for: Chinese New Year flower markets, parade and fireworks, Hotpot and claypot-rice season
Spring (mild & misty) Mar, Apr
Mild and increasingly humid, 18–26°C, often grey, foggy and damp with low cloud on the Peak.
On a foggy day the Peak view may be socked in — swap in M+, the Palace Museum, Tai Kwun and the markets, and try the Peak on a clearer day.
Look out for: Art Basel and the spring art season, Cheung Chau Bun Festival (usually late spring)
Summer (hot, humid & typhoons) May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Hot and very humid, 27–33°C, with heavy showers, thunderstorms and the typhoon season (roughly June–October).
Keep indoor backups ready (M+, the Palace Museum, Tai Kwun, malls); do the Peak and hikes early morning, and watch the Observatory for typhoon signals that close transport and attractions.
Look out for: Beach season (Repulse Bay, the islands), Summer sales
What Hong Kong costs
Per person, per day, excluding flights. A rough guide only — your costs depend on season, area and pace.
Budget
- Accommodation: Guesthouse or budget hotel in Mong Kok/Jordan (HK$300–700; rooms are tiny).
- Meals: Cha chaan tengs, dai pai dongs, dim sum and Bib Gourmand street food (HK$30–80/meal).
- Transport: MTR, the Star Ferry and trams (tap an Octopus or bank card); walk the markets and Central.
- Attractions: Free icons — the Star Ferry, the harbourfront, the Symphony of Lights, the temples, the markets and the Lugard Road Peak walk.
- Evening: The free 20:00 Symphony of Lights, Temple Street night market, a tram ride and a dai pai dong dinner.
Mid-range
- Accommodation: 3–4 star hotel in TST or Causeway Bay (HK$900–1,800).
- Meals: Street classics plus a sit-down roast-goose lunch or a hotpot/seafood dinner (HK$80–300/meal).
- Transport: MTR plus the odd taxi or Uber for the islands and late nights.
- Attractions: Add the Peak Tram, M+ or the Palace Museum, and a Ngong Ping 360 cable car to the Big Buddha.
- Evening: A harbour dinner cruise, a rooftop bar, or hotpot in Causeway Bay.
Comfortable
- Accommodation: 5-star harbourfront hotel with a Peak or harbour view (HK$2,200–5,000+).
- Meals: A starred Cantonese dinner, a tasting menu or top dim sum, plus the street classics by day.
- Transport: Taxis and private transfers; the MTR when it's faster.
- Attractions: Add Ocean Park or Disneyland, a private junk-boat harbour cruise, or a helicopter/Peak experience.
- Evening: A three-star Cantonese dinner with harbour views, or cocktails on a rooftop terrace.
Where to stay in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is dense and the MTR is superb, so anywhere central works. Tsim Sha Tsui puts the harbourfront, museums and skyline view on your doorstep; Central/Sheung Wan is best for the Peak, galleries and dining; Causeway Bay is shopping-and-food central; Mong Kok/Jordan is the most local and best value. Rooms are small and rates are high — book early.
Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon)
First-timers — harbourfront, skyline views, museums and the Star Ferry
Central / Sheung Wan (HK Island)
The Peak, galleries, SoHo dining and nightlife
Causeway Bay (HK Island)
Shopping, food and tram-and-MTR links; buzzy and central
Mong Kok / Jordan (Kowloon)
Markets, street food and the best value; very local
Wan Chai (HK Island)
Central, lively, between Central and Causeway Bay
By budget
- Budget — HK$300–700 · Hostels & guesthouses, Budget hotels (rooms are tiny)
- Mid-range — HK$900–1,800 · 3–4 star hotels, Boutique hotels
- Comfortable — HK$2,200–5,000+ · 5-star harbourfront hotels, Luxury towers with Peak/harbour views
- Rooms are small — pay for a harbour view in Tsim Sha Tsui only if you'll use it; otherwise prioritise being on the MTR.
- A Kowloon-side base (TST) gives the best skyline view and easy ferry/MTR access to the island.
- Mong Kok and Jordan are the best value and put you in the thick of the markets and street food.
Rates and availability change constantly — confirm with the hotel or a booking site before paying.
Common Hong Kong mistakes to avoid
- Only seeing HK Island — Kowloon's markets and the outlying islands are half the magic.
- Underestimating the heat, humidity and hills — pace yourself and use the MTR and the Mid-Levels escalator.
- Skipping the Star Ferry — it's one of the world's great cheap rides.
- Eating only in malls — dai pai dongs, cha chaan tengs and old noodle shops are the real Hong Kong.
- Going up the Peak at midday — sunset and after dark are far better (and book the Peak Tram ahead).
Good to know
Where to stay
Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon), Central / Sheung Wan (HK Island), Causeway Bay (HK Island), Mong Kok / Jordan (Kowloon).
How long to go
3–5 days suits most visitors. Shorter and longer routes are built in, so you are never padding a trip to fill days.
Hong Kong travel guides
In-depth, free reads with real routes, Maps links, budgets and the mistakes to skip:
- Hong Kong in 4 Days: A Complete Itinerary
The Peak and the harbour, dim sum and street markets, the islands and the neon — a complete four-day Hong Kong itinerary with real stops, Maps links, where to stay and what to budget.
Plan a nearby trip
Easy to pair with Hong Kong on the same trip — tap through to a full guide.
Plan Hong Kong your way
Start free, or unlock the full interactive guide with maps, food, day-by-day routes and a 1-click PDF.