Hong Kong is made up of three regions, each with its own distinct character—Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories. From towering skyscrapers and bustling, neon-lit streets, to densely forested mountains and quiet rural villages, Hong Kong is incredibly diverse. Whether you're visiting its decades-old restaurants, wandering through its sprawling markets, or exploring its natural landscapes, Hong Kong offers an experience at every turn.
In November 2024, Kevin and I visited Hong Kong for the first time. What stood out to me during our visit was the sharp contrast between the fast pace of the city and the stillness of the coastal and mountainside towns. On our first night in the city, I remember making our way through a rush of activity—crowds filling the streets as well as brightly lit shops and restaurants open late into the night. But the next day, we spent time on Lantau Island where life moved at a much slower pace.
To help plan your own visit to Hong Kong, keep reading for our 4-day itinerary and watch my YouTube video. We also visited Taiwan prior to Hong Kong—if you're interested, check out my blog post and watch my YouTube video for our 5-day itinerary!
Table of Contents
Skip ahead to specific places on our itinerary!
• Yat Lok
• Haidilao
• Wan Chai
Our 4-Day Itinerary in Hong Kong
Day 1:
Airbnb in Sheung Wan: After our flight to Hong Kong International Airport, Kevin and I checked into our Airbnb located in the Sheung Wan district. Edmond's apartment has everything you need for a comfortable stay, and is located in a central location—I cannot recommend it enough!
Dragon State Restaurant: When you're visiting Hong Kong, you have to try Cantonese BBQ which you can find at countless restaurants and food stalls in the city. Cantonese BBQ was a staple in both of our families growing up (and still is), so we were excited to try it in Hong Kong!
Our first meal in the city was at Dragon State Restaurant, which specializes in Cantonese BBQ. I recommend ordering an assorted meat platter to try different meats. We ordered the classics which were all delicious—char siu (roast pork), siu aap (roast duck), and siu yuk (roast pork belly).
Ladies' Market: Ladies' Market is a popular street market with over a hundred stalls. Despite its name, this market caters to everyone and is lined with vendors selling a variety of goods including clothing, handbags, shoes, jewelry, souvenirs, toys, and so much more!
Temple Street Night Market: Another popular market is Temple Street Night Market which is lined with food stalls offering a variety of local eats from fish balls to egg waffles (and much more).
Day 2:
Sang Kee Congee Shop: Kevin and I began our morning with breakfast at Sang Kee Congee Shop, a no-frills restaurant and local favorite for congee. We shared a bowl of preserved egg congee, as well as a bowl of fish filet and meatball congee. Both were so tasty and comforting—our meal made us feel like we were back at home. While you're here, don't forget to order a side of you zha gui (fried donut sticks)!
Tai O Fishing Village: Surrounded by mountains and nestled along the coast, Tai O is a centuries-old fishing village known for its stilt houses.The fishing lifestyle however is fading away as the locals are navigating both natural and human-driven changes that are gradually impacting their village.
While you're here, I recommend stopping by Tai O Bakery for their deep fried donuts coated in sugar which are perfectly sweet, light, and fluffy!
Wah Tao Restaurant: We made our way to Tung Chung where we had lunch at Wah Tao Restaurant. Located along Tung Chung Bay, this seafood restaurant offers views of the bay and the surrounding mountains. Make sure to request a table outside so you can enjoy the views!
Tian Tan Buddha: Perched atop a forested hill overlooking Lantau Island, Tian Tan Buddha is a massive Buddha statue that can be reached by climbing 268 steps. This 250-metric ton, 112-foot statue took over a decade to build. Growing up in a Buddhist household, this visit was particularly special to me—but whether you practice the religion or not, I highly recommend adding this to your itinerary!
While you're here, make sure to visit Po Lin Monastery which is the largest Buddhist temple in Hong Kong.
Mak Man Kee Noodle Shop: After spending the day on Lantau Island, we headed back to the city and had dinner at Mak Man Kee—an unassuming restaurant that is Michelin guide-recommended for their wonton noodle soup. Their wontons are perfectly plump and juicy!
Kai Kai Dessert: Offering a variety of classic Cantonese desserts, Kai Kai is one of the most popular places to grab dessert in the city. I had the hot almond soup with black sesame paste and black sesame balls, which were so good.
Day 3:
Sun Hing Restaurant: Kevin and I began our morning with easily the best dim sum we've ever had at Sun Hing Restaurant. Make sure to try their har gow (shrimp dumplings) and siu mai (pork dumplings)!
Dining at this restaurant is an experience in itself—embrace the chaos and expect to share tables with strangers in a bustling, compact space. I loved every minute of it!
Blend & Grind: After having breakfast, we walked around the Kennedy Town district where we stopped by Blend & Grind to grab coffee.
Man Mo Temple: Dating back to 1847, Man Mo Temple is one of oldest temples in the city. From the outside, there's a jarring contrast between the centuries-old temple and the towering high-rise buildings surrounding it. When you enter, you'll quickly notice that the air is filled with the smoke of incense coils hanging from the ceiling.
Central-Mid-Levels Escalators: Central-Mid-Levels Escalators is the longest outdoor escalator in the world. As you ride the escalator, you'll pass by everything from shops and restaurants, to high-rise buildings and narrow alleyways. I highly recommend adding this to your itinerary as it offers a unique way to see and experience the city.
While you're on the escalator, make sure to stop by Central Market which has a number of shopping and dining options. It's the perfect place to find souvenirs to bring home!
Yat Lok: For lunch, head over to Yat Lok. This restaurant is Michelin guide-recommended for their roast geese—and for good reason. Their roast geese is ridiculously good. It perfectly balances savory, crispy skin and juicy, tender meat with just the right amount of fat that melts in your mouth.
Tai Cheong Bakery: After having lunch, we stopped by Tai Cheong Bakery for dessert. This long-standing bakery is known for their egg tarts, which are flaky, buttery pastries with egg custard filling.
Ocean Terminal Deck: Ocean Terminal Deck offers a sweeping view of the Hong Kong Island skyline along Victoria Harbour. Be sure to visit at night when the entire skyline lights up—our visit here is one that I'll remember for a long time!
Haidilao: To end the day, we had dinner at Haidilao—a hot pot chain with over a thousand stores worldwide. This restaurant offers an extensive menu including meats, seafood, vegetables, sides, and much more.
Day 4:
Australia Dairy Company: Kevin and I began our last day with breakfast at Australia Dairy Company, a popular cha chaan teng (Hong Kong-style cafe). This restaurant was packed with tourists and locals—you can expect to share a table with strangers. I highly recommend their toast with scrambled eggs which are perfectly fluffy and savory. Make sure to grab a cup of milk tea as well!
Peak Tram: Ride the Peak Tram to a viewing deck that offers panoramic views of Hong Kong. The ride is an experience in itself as the tram makes its way up on a steep incline. The tram features large glass windows, so you can enjoy the views along the way. Make sure to check the weather before you go—the view from the deck was completely covered by clouds the day we visited.
Make a reservation here in advance.
Wan Chai: We wandered around the Wan Chai district, which is one of my favorite neighborhoods that we visited during our time in Hong Kong. While Wan Chai is home to many high-rise buildings, you'll find narrow streets lined with traditional markets, local street vendors, and mom-and-pop shops.
While you're in Wan Chai, make sure to stop by the Blue House which is steeped in history and is one of the few remaining buildings showcasing Hong Kong’s pre-World War II architecture.
Joy Hing Roasted Meat: Before our flight, we had a late lunch at Joy Hing Roasted Meat—a long-standing restaurant specializing in Cantonese BBQ. Kevin and I shared rice plates with siu aap (roast duck), char siu (roast pork), and siu yuk (roast pork belly). They were all delicious!
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