3 Days in Hong Kong: The Best HK Travel Itinerary

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Getting from Hong Kong Airport

Hong Kong International Airport is a 30-minute journey to Kowloon when traffic is good; otherwise, it can take significantly longer. Book your airport transfer with Welcome Pickups.

There are other public transport options, but for me, a taxi is the easiest way to get to your hotel.

Where to Stay in Hong Kong

Divided into two main areas, Hong Kong Island is home to Victoria Peak, while Kowloon is home to modern culture and the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade. I had chosen to stay at the 5* Royal Garden Hotel in Kowloon because it was only a block from the waterfront and offered the iconic view back across to Hong Kong Island.

Three-Day Hong Kong Itinerary

Day One in Hong Kong - Morning

• Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
• Avenue of Stars
• Peninsula Hotel
• The HK Museum of History
• The Clock Tower
• Star Ferry Pier

As our hotel was on the waterfront in Kowloon, our first stop was the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. This iconic promenade contains the Avenue of Stars, the History, Art and Space museums and a cultural centre. Its main feature is the fantastic views of the Hong Kong skyline towering over Victoria Harbour.

The Avenue of Stars, modelled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and honours Hong Kong film industry celebrities.  It features a statue of Bruce Lee, one of Hong Kong's biggest stars.

The Peninsula Hotel is worth visiting, even if only to say you have been! From the supercars on the drive to the high-end jewellery shops inside, it is clear that this is a rich man's playground. You can have coffee and cake in the lobby, but if you feel underdressed, just look around and vow to return another time in a more befitting outfit.

The Hong Kong Museum of History is located along the waterfront and immerses visitors in the city's history and culture.

The Clock Tower is a landmark in Hong Kong. It is located on the southern shore of Tsim Sha Tsui and is the only remnant of the original site of the former Kowloon Railway Station.

Star Ferry Pier is where you embark on taking the ferry across Victoria Harbour to Hong Kong Island, and is near the Clock Tower.  

It is famous for having been in service since 1888, and no trip to Hong Kong would be complete without experiencing what National Geographic describes as "one of 50 great journeys to take in a lifetime."

Shopping in Kowloon

Once we left the waterfront, we headed into the main streets of Kowloon. The shops here sell everything you could imagine and sit beside sky-high blocks of flats.  

Shopkeepers will inundate you with offers to make you a suit. Every other shop seemed to be a tailor, so we had no escape. Tell them firmly, "No, thank you," and you will be left alone unless a bespoke suit is what you want.

Day One in Hong Kong - Evening

Take a Cruise in Victoria Harbour at Night

We booked an evening trip on Hong Kong's only original 3-mast Chinese junk.  The trip sails around Victoria Harbour in time to watch the Symphony of Lights show every evening.  

Constructed in 1955, the Dukling was used by fishermen as both a workplace and a home. There are other similar-looking boats in Victoria Harbour, but this is the only original one, and when you step aboard, it feels like you are experiencing a piece of Hong Kong's history.

We weren't as impressed with the Symphony of Lights as we had hoped. After visiting Singapore at night, where the light shows are amazing, we felt that this was no match.

After enjoying a cruise around the harbour, I recommend visiting one of Hong Kong's rooftop bars. Sip a cocktail and enjoy Hong Kong's skyline at night from a unique perspective.

Day Two in Hong Kong - Full Day

On our second day, we joined a day tour from Hong Kong to Lantau Island. We stopped at a beach, saw the Big Buddha statue, enjoyed a vegetarian lunch in a monastery, and visited a floating village.

It was a great day out, as you can read about in my post - Lantau Day Trip From Hong Kong.

Day Three in Hong Kong - Morning

Today, we decided to take the Star Ferry from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island and explore the other side of the harbour. Our first stop was to visit Victoria Peak on the Peak Tram.

When we arrived, there was a long queue to get on the tram, and it was quite uncomfortable in the heat.

I recommend bringing plenty of water.  After much pushing and shoving, we finally reached the front of the queue and boarded the tram to make our way up the hill.

Take a ride on the famous Peak Tram

One of the world's oldest and most famous funicular railways, the tram rises to 396 metres (about 1,300 feet) above sea level.

It goes quite fast, and you are at a real incline in your seat as it goes up the hill, so the buildings you pass look like they are leaning.  

As residents still use this tram to reach their homes, you can stop a couple of times during the journey if you wish to get off and walk the rest of the way. We chose to stay in our seats!

On top of The Peak

Before you can access the peak's viewing platform, you must walk through an entertainment complex featuring Madame Tussauds, a 3D photo area, numerous food outlets, and souvenir shops.  

My son, who was travelling with me, had promised to bring something back for his friends, so we seized the opportunity to buy 15 (yes, 15!) golden cats with waving paws, the Chinese symbol for luck. It's worth bargaining for, as we got quite a few souvenirs at low prices.

We exited the complex and were blown away by the iconic view that confronted us. Seeing the city spread out below us was one of the reasons we wanted to visit The Peak. Once we saw it, we understood why Hong Kong is one of China's best places to visit.

We wandered around The Peak, taking in all it had to offer.

We began investigating a walking track that circles the Peak. Maps on the walls tell you where you are going. It's good to see some original houses dotted around despite everything else being so modern.

Step inside the historic Man Mo Temple

Our next stop was Man Mo Temple. We took a taxi to Hollywood Road, Hong Kong's first street.

One of Hong Kong's oldest and most acclaimed temples is between the towering skyscrapers along this iconic road.

Constructed in 1847, the Man Mo Temple pays tribute to the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo). It is one of the top temples to visit in Southeast Asia.

When we entered, the thick smoke took my breath away, and I couldn't stop coughing! Giant incense coils, lit and hung by worshippers, line the roof. They are considered food for the spirits and purify the surroundings.

Make sure the temple is high on your Hong Kong itinerary. It is a fascinating place steeped in tradition and beliefs.

After World War II, Hollywood Road and its surrounding streets became the centre for antiques and curios, and this remains the case today.  

We looked in the shops and found a curio store, a treasure trove of antiquities. Inside, it was dark and dusty and felt almost magical. We wondered just what stories these objects could tell us.

We also came across carvings made from Mammoth tusks! In the 21st century, where were they sourcing these protected items? Surprisingly, the answer was Siberia.

Intricate ivory carvings are crafted from tusks buried deep in the ice. The sculptures are beautiful but come with a hefty price tag.

Day Three in Hong Kong - Evening

Search for the Street Art

We wandered along the adjacent roads towards the world's longest escalator, the Central Mid-Level Escalators.  

One of the unique things to do in Hong Kong is to see the city's street art. On our way to the escalators, we noticed how much street art was around us - not something we had read about in the guidebooks.

There are many Asian cities with street art, but I was surprised to see so much of it in Hong Kong.

Ride the famous mid-central escalators

We finally reached the famous mid-central escalators and rode them to the top. It is a long way to the top because they are the world's longest escalators. Don't worry; you can exit at different points to visit restaurants and bars!

When we arrived at the top, we realised the only way back down was to take the hundreds of steps. Needless to say, we jumped into a taxi to take us back to the port.

We caught the Star Ferry back to Kowloon and agreed we'd had the perfect 3-nights in Hong Kong.

Our incredible 3-day adventure had finished, and we would leave Hong Kong with fond memories, along with ten gold lucky nodding cats, a silk kimono, incense sticks, silk makeup bags, and hundreds of photos!

Conclusion of Hong Kong and Kowloon

What month did I travel? March

How was the weather? It was hot and dry.

Would I recommend the hotel? Yes, the Royal Garden Kowloon offers 5-star luxury.

Would I recommend three nights in Hong Kong and Kowloon? Yes, it is worth visiting both. They each have a different vibe, which is good. Kowloon is modern with its ultra-sleek museums and luxury hotels, while Hong Kong Island is more traditional. A trip to Lantau Island should also be included in your trip itinerary.

Please Pin for Future Travel to Hong Kong

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