Got a long layover in Hong Kong or just fancy a long weekend away? Here’s our ultimate guide to how to spend 3 days in Hong Kong and hit all the top attractions.
DAY 1
Victoria Harbor – Start your day with an early morning trip to Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor where you’ll see traditional junks and other boats sailing past the city’s incredible skyline. There’s plenty of restaurants and cafes around the harbor serving traditional and international breakfasts.
Clock Tower – A short walk from the harbor is the Clock Tower, made of red brick and granite and serving as a reminder of when the Kowloon–Canton Railway (KCR) ran through the city and all the Chinese immigration it brought with it. The clocks were started on March 22, 1921 and were only temporarily stopped during the Japanese Occupation. You can admire the clock from the ground or climb the wooden staircase inside the tower.
Search cheap flights to Hong KongMuseum of History and/or Science Museum – You don’t need to visit both museums unless you want to, but they’re only a couple of minutes’ walk from each other. The Museum of History offers a wonderful history of Hong Kong, from its archeology to its political history, covering a massive 6,000 years. There are replica villages, local footage from WWII and English guided tours at 11am to help you understand it all. The Hong Kong Science Museum is a much more interactive museum and therefore possibly a better place to take children. It teaches the laws of physics and energy, with tons of experiments and activities for kids (and adults) to get stuck into.
Temple Street Night Market – Any Hong Kong itinerary should include an evening trip to Temple St Night Market. Here you’ll find everything from antiques and electronics to tea-ware and traditional souvenir trinkets. There’s also street performers and fortunetellers who all appreciate visits from relatively wealthy tourists. It’s by far the busiest market in Hong Kong and runs all the way along from Man Ming Lane to Nanking Street. Head to Woo Sung Street to the east of the market to find the best street food for dinner.
DAY 2
Wisdom Path – To see Hong Kong’s spiritual side, start your second day in Hong Kong with a walk along the Wisdom Path on Lantau Island (you can reach it on the MTR train). Inscribed on wooden columns along the path is the Prajna-Paramita Heart Sutra Buddhist prayer. It’s a very relaxing place where you’ll stumble across at least one person meditating and after a night at the Temple Street Night Market you might want to join them!
READ MORE: Top 10 attractions and things to do in Hong Kong
Ngong Ping 360 – This cable car ride gives incredible views of Tung Chung Bay, Lantau Island and the Tian Tan Buddha. As such, it’s an essential on your 3 days in Hong Kong itinerary. It’s a 5.7km ride and takes about 25 minutes (much quicker than the 60 minutes in the car to do the same journey). There are three cabin styles and single rides cost from HK$135 (Dh64) for adults and HK$65 (Dh31).
Po Lin Monastery & The Big Buddha – The Big Buddha on Lantau Island is one of Hong Kong’s most popular attractions and should be on any Hong Kong itinerary. The Po Lin Buddhist monastery is made up of a large complex of new and old buildings but the main attraction is the huge seated bronze Buddha, the Tian Tan Buddha which stands at 23m high. You can visit between 9am and 6pm. The monastery also has some beautiful gardens and a pleasant vegetarian restaurant.
Tai O – This small fishing village on the west of Lantau is built on the water; houses are built on stilts and people get around on traditional sampans (a type of boat). It’s the home of the Tanka boat people who have made a living from the sea for generations. The town is split between Lantau and a tiny island offshore. You can walk between the two on the Tai Chung footbridge (HK$1). Locals are usually happy to let you take their photos – and photos of their houses – but it’s always polite to ask before snapping away.
DAY 3
Victoria Peak – The best views of Hong Kong are found from the top of Victoria Peak. It sits 1,805 above sea level and on a clear day offers views of Kowloon, the Victoria Harbor and other nearby mountains. The best way to reach the top is on a steep ride on the Peak Tram. Return tickets cost HK$45 (Dh21) for adults and HK$20 (Dh9) for children from three to 11.
Madame Tussauds – This classic waxwork museum is at the base of Victoria Peak just opposite the Peak Lookout Cafe. As well as plenty of international stars, there’s also lots of local and regional heroes (including Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama and lots of anime characters) so the museum offers a great insight into what makes Hong Kong tick.
Ocean Park – A 30 minute ride in a cab from Victoria Peak and Madame Tussauds will take you to one of Hong Kong’s best places to take children, the Ocean Park Hong Kong. It has an animal theme park, marine mammal park, amusement park and oceanarium and was built in 1977. It’s a smaller alternative to Hong Kong Disneyland and great for children of all ages. You can buy tickets up to 90 days in advance if you like to be organized; it costs from HK$438 (Dh207) for adults and HK$219 (Dh103) for children.
OR
Hong kong Disneyland – This is by far the most popular attraction in Hong Kong but will likely require a full day of your time if theme parks are your thing. It contains seven themed lands and it would take a real park pro to tick them all off in a one day! Choose your favorite rides here and plan your hit list before you go! If you’re traveling with children, a trip to Disneyland is the perfect way to round off 3 days in Hong Kong.
*Content published in June 2018. Information correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change and/or availability.
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