🇭🇰 Best of Hong Kong in 3 days

About Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a city of immense contrasts. It's a breathtakingly beautiful and bustling metropole that is home to some amazing tourist attractions and fantastic nature trails, lively traditions, unique cuisine and a melt pot of many different cultures. To get the most out of Hong Kong, I recommend spending anywhere from three to seven days in the city. However, most travelers tend to spend 3 days in Hong Kong.

My pictures of Asia’s big apple 🍎

www.instagram.com

When to visit?

Unlike other Asian countries, like Thailand, Hong Kong experiences a myriad of different climates depending on the time of year. You’ll want to carefully avoid certain months that come with rain or crowds. My top pick: springtime (April – May).  

Visa

Individuals from more than 150 countries and territories can enter Hong Kong without a visa for stays ranging from 7 to 180 days, depending on their nationality. Check your embassy’s website to see what rules apply to your country.

ATM

Use an ATM that has the same network as your card.

The best and most common ATMs can be found with these banks:

HSBC

Hong Kong Citi

Hong Kong Visa

Hong Kong Hang Seng Bank

Important!

When you use your foreign card at a Hong Kong ATM, it may offer you the “helpful” service of showing the transaction in your home currency instead of Hong Kong dollars. This service, called dynamic currency conversion or DCC, actually lets the ATM set its own exchange rate, which may be poorer than the mid-market rate. To avoid this fee, you should always choose to view transactions in the local currency, even though it seems more convenient to use a currency you know well.   

Sim card & internet

China Mobile prepaid sim card

China Mobile Hong Kong is the only prepaid sim card for tourists that offers 5G. For $78 HKD ($10 USD) you get unlimited high speed data for 7 days. That is however what the package suggest, in reality it is only 7 GB data.

Buying a prepaid sim card on arrival in Hong Kong takes a bit of effort due to its extensive sim card ID verification process: you will have to register online, scan your passport, provide all the details and then send it for approval, which can take up from 30 mins to a few hours. Your Hong Kong sim card will be registered on your name and passport number and you get a sim card with a Hong Kong phone number starting with +852.

Where to buy Sim cards?

1. Hong Kong International Airport

The easiest way to get connected when arriving in Hong Kong is to buy a prepaid sim card at Hong Kong Airport. There are multiple sim card shops that sell sim cards for tourists at Hong Kong Airport.

There are several 7-Eleven convenience stores as well as Global Exchange shops that sell prepaid sim cards for tourists. There is a 7-Eleven already before you go through customs.

When you arrive in the Arrival Hall there is also a China Mobile and a 1010 sim card store. All these sim card stores are all located on L5 in the middle of the arrival hall. There is free WiFi available at Hong Kong Airport for your convenience.

Buying a sim card at Hong Kong Airport is very convenient, but expect to pay tourist prices compared to the sim card plans you can find in the city center of Hong Kong (and keep in mind that they do not sell eSIMs. They only sell physical prepaid sim cards for tourists).

2. Retail stores mobile internet providers

If for some reason you were not able to buy a sim card on arrival at the airport then I recommend you to go to any of the official mobile internet provider stores in any of the malls. There are so many around. Just type in your preferred provider on Google Maps and go to the nearest store.

3. Convenience stores

The most popular ones are 7-eleven and Circle K. However, if you buy a Sim card here you will have to do the activation by yourself.

How to get around

From and to the airport

The most convenient is the airport bus, where passengers can pay by cash or Octopus Card.

More info about airport buses here:

Public Buses, To and From Airport - Hong Kong International Airport

www.hongkongairport.com

Octopus app

For tourists, the biggest convenience is using your Octopus on all public transport, including the Airport Express, the MTR, buses, minibuses, taxis, the street tram, the Star Ferry, and ferries to outlying islands. It can also be used in convenience stores.

You can either download the app and add the card to you mobiel wallet or buy the physical card at the airport or any MRT station (Mass Transport Rail – train).

More info about the Octopus app here

Octopus App

www.octopus.com.hk

Other useful apps:

MTR app - https://www.mtr.com.hk/mtrmobile/en/

Where to stay?

Hong Kong may be small, but it is a bit complicated. It is set mainly on a peninsula, but it also covers various nearby islands. To its north is Shenzhen and to its west, now connected by a bridge, is Macau. And like Macau, Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China. It is a part of China, but it has its own economy, currency, and immigration laws.

Hong Kong is composed of 3 main regions:

Best areas to stay at:

1. Central

Central is very accessible, more accessible than Tsim Sha Tsui or Mong Kok in Kowloon. There is a direct bus from the airport (A11 bus). But most importantly, there is a direct train – the Airport Express, which is the fastest way to get to the city center. However, keep in mind that this area is hilly with many stairs.

2. Tsim Sha Tsui

Tsim Sha Tsui (often shortened to TST) is well-known among budget travelers because of three things:

1. There are direct airport buses (Bus A21) that stop at multiple points across the district.

2.  Its proximity to some key Hong Kong attractions including the Avenue of Stars, the K11 Mall, and the shopping streets in Mong Kok and Jordan areas.

3. There’s A LOT of budget-friendly accommodations in Tsim Sha Tsui.

I chose to stay in TST (at Urban Pack Hostel) and was glad I chose this neighborhood to base myself in.  

Check out the hostel here:

https://www.agoda.com/urban-pack-hostel/hotel/hong-kong-hk.html

www.agoda.com

3. Mong Kok & Yau Ma Tei

Also worth checking out in Kowloon are Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei. Both are parts of the Yau Tsim Mong District, the same administrative unit that Tsim Sha Tsui belongs to (and both have a lot of similarities to Tsim Sha Tsui). They are also accessible from the airport by the same direct bus – Bus A21. It’s a popular shopping area with various shopping streets and night market streets and street food stalls.

What to do

Day 1

Take the Star ferry

The ferry one of the cheapest and most scenic ways to cross the Victoria Harbour. Star Ferry boats leave from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island daily between 6.30 A.M. and 11.30 P.M. to Central Pier. A ferry departs about every 10 minutes. During the week, the upper deck costs HK$ 5 and the lower deck HK$ 4. On the weekend, the prices increase to HK $ 6.5 and HK$ 5.6.

More info - https://www.starferry.com.hk/en/service 

Monster building

Get to the Monster Building by MTR at Quarry Bay Station, take Exit A. Turn east towards Tai Koo Place and head down King’s Road for approximately 5 minutes. Once you’ve hit the Mount Parker Road Green Trail Sign, you’ve reached the Monster Building. The building will be on your right. You have to walk through a few shops into the building complex. This will only take a few minutes before you finally reach the photography spot.

Victoria Peak tram 

The Peak Tram has been taking tourists up Victoria Peak since 1888 and is an ultimate Hong Kong experience.  

- Option #2 → Bus 15 or Bus 1 (11-12 HKD), the ride up takes roughly an hour

Victoria peak & Lugard Road Viewpoint loop

From the Victoria Peak follow the path for about 15 minutes to an amazing viewpoint over the skylines

Walk around in SoHo district

What to do there:

1. Street Art - There’s tons of beautiful pieces scattered around the area, so be sure to explore all the side streets, especially Graham Street

2. Central Mid-Level escalator - Ride the longest uncovered escalator in the world

3. Man Mo Temple - This 1800s temple features a lavish, traditional interior with tons of incense spirals overhead

4. Cat Flea Market

5. Lan Kwai Fog street for food

6. Hollywood road - The main street of Soho, full of antique stores, unique Hong Kong souvenir and concept stores a

7. PMQ - the former ‘Police Married Quarters’ which has been transformed into Soho’s premier arts precinct full of small Hong Kong designers and boutiques

Ladies Market

With over 100 stalls of bargain clothing, accessories and souvenirs and everything beyond, this is the best places for bargain shopping.

Other markets in Mong Kok district:

Flower Market Road - a hub of activity andfull of color

Goldfish Market - the streets around here are full of vendors selling goldfish in plastic bags, turtles and other household pets

Temple street night market

One of the most popular night markets full of neon signs, where you’ll find souvenirs (clothing, jade, and antiques), local street snacks with tons of outdoor seating, and even fortune tellers,

Day 2

Wong Tai Sin Temple

Go early as it gets crowded

Nan Lian Garden 

Here you’ll find lush gardens, pavilions, lotus ponds, and pagodas – it’s basically like a calming oasis in the middle of the city.

Chi Lin nunnery

The Chi Lin Nunnery is an active Buddhist temple that was built in 1934 as a retreat for Buddhist nuns.

Choi Hung Estate

Besides being a top Hong Kong instagram spot, it actually is pretty interesting considering the interesting people watching opportunities. The basketball court is above the parking lot.

Kung Fu Demonstrations in Kowloon Park on Sundays

From 2.30 to 4.30

Avenue of stars promenade

Symphony of light free light show every day at 8 PM (there are several prime locations to watch it like the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront or even on the Star Ferry)

Day 3 - Day trip to Macau

Important:

- Make sure to bring your passport with you!

- Bring cash - HKD is accepted (exchange rate 1:1)

How to get there:

The fastest way (55 minutes) to reach Macau is by taking the ferry. There are two leading operators, CotaiJet and TurboJet, departing from 3 terminals in Hong Kong.  

- China Ferry Terminal: located in Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon beside the Harbour City Mall

- Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal: situated on the 3rd floor of Shun Tak Centre, which is next to the IFC Towers (go down at the metro station Sheung Wann and take Exit D) - ferries are more regular

- There’s an information center at the ferry terminal about the local transport

What to see in Macau:

Get off at Macau downtown

Ruins of St. Paul’s

Mount Fortress

Senado Square

Pastel de Nata at Koi Kei bakery

Taipa Village - Rua do Cunha

Venetia Casino

Places to eat

Tai Cheong Bakery - Egg tarts

Lan Fong Yuen - One of the most famous places in Hong Kong to try Hong Kong milk tea and other Hong Kong cha chaan teng staples like yuenyeung (mixed tea and coffee), Hong Kong French toast and macaroni in soup with ham

Luk Yu Tea House -  Traditional yum cha (dim sum)

Lock Cha Tea House - Traditional dim sum experience in a purely vegetarian environment

Australian Dairy Company - Great breakfast options

Other things to do if you have more time

Lantau Island

Cable car ride - In order to get to Lantau Island, you’ll need to ride the Ngong Ping 360 cable car. Book tickets beforehand (up to 14 days prior to visiting) in order to save time, as it get’s very crowded. If you’re on a budget, take bus #23 outside of Tung Chung MTR.

Big Buddha - Climb the 268 steps up to the majestic Tian Tan Buddha, also known as Big Buddha at 34 meters high.

Tai O Fishing Village - Tai O is known for being one of the oldest remaining fishing villages in all of Hong Kong

Wisdom Path - Take a 15 minute mini hike through the woods

Disneyland

Make sure to book your tickets in time

Explore the beaches

Shek O Beach - The water here is clean and relatively calm, attracting many people and families during sunny days and the holidays

Big Wave Bay - Located a short distance from Shek O Beach, Big Wave Bay is the go-to beach if you plan on riding the waves

Clearwater Bay - Within Clearwater Bay Country Park, on the Eastern shore of Clearwater Bay Peninsula, are two popular beaches: First Beach and Second Beach (both offer public facilities including changing rooms, lockers, showers, toilets, and rafts)