The Perfect Itinerary for 3 Days in Hong Kong (2024)

Looking for the perfect itinerary for 3 days in Hong Kong? Don’t miss this firsthand guide.

Are you planning to spend 3 days in Hong Kong? Get ready to experience a completely unique city with one of the densest population in the world. This incredible concrete jungle is one of those places which will leave you in a state of awe.

3 Days in Hong Kong Itinerary

I’ve included in this Hong Kong 3-day guide the most beautiful and surprising tourist attractions around the city. I’ll tell you one secret: you can find some really cool places if you know where to look.

READ MORE – Check out our guide to the best places to visit in Hong Kong

Day 1 – Morning

We’ll start the day with some colourful buildings which will brighten your day instantly. After breakfast, hop on one of the double-decker buses (yes, you can find red buses in Hong Kong, it used to be a British colony after all) and head to the Choi Hung Estate Instagram sensation.

We’ll start our journey here and then continue and visit some other interesting tourist attractions.

8am – Choi Hung Estate

Have you ever seen those photos taken at a colourful basketball court surrounded by tall apartment buildings? It’s all over the internet! You can find that famous basketball court at the Choi Hung Estate.

This residential area, in the heart of Hong Kong is visited by hundreds of tourists every day. Everyone wants to have that Insta-perfect picture. My advice would be to arrive here as early as possible since the place tends to get crowded quickly.

Choi Hung Estate is situated on the top of a car park and is not exactly easy to find. If you’re having trouble finding it, make sure to ask a few locals. They would be more than happy to guide you.

After arriving, make sure to respect a few simple rules:

• Don’t interrupt the basketball games
• Don’t make too much noise, people live there

10am – Nan Lian Garden

I’ve visited many beautiful gardens in many Asian countries but none was as fascinating as the Nan Lian Garden in Hong Kong. Once you’ll take the first step inside this garden, you’ll feel peaceful and relaxed.

The garden was built during the Tang Dynasty and every tree, stone or pond were arranged according to the Tang style. Although the Nan Lian Garden is not big, it’s perfect to take a walk and escape the chaos of Hong Kong.

This oasis of tranquility also has a souvenir shop (the prices are a bit higher than in the rest of the city), a vegetarian restaurant and a Chinese tea house. I would definitely recommend you to add this place to your 3-day Hong Kong itinerary. Another good part is that there is no entrance fee!

12pm – Chi Lin Nunnery

Right across the street from the Nan Lian Garden is the Chi Lin Nunnery, built in 1934. This beautiful temple complex with incredible wooden details and carvings is situated in the Diamond Hill area. If you’re in the area, it would be a shame not to visit it.

The temple hosts some amazing statues made from gold, clay or wood, dedicated to Sakyamuni Buddha and Guanyin.  The Chi Lin Nunnery also has a traditional Tang Dynasty architecture but the most impressive things is that no nails were used to build this temple.

Chin Lin Nunnery holds the record for the biggest hand-made wooden building and is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Hong Kong.

Day 1 – Afternoon

After you grab something to eat, it’s time to head to one of the most intriguing places in Asia. The subject of many documentaries, the Kawloon Walled City Park is one of those places that will give you the chills.

From the Chi Lin Nunnery you can walk for about 1 kilometre or take a direct bus to the park.

2pm – Kawloon Walled City Park

Even though there is a mini-museum inside the park, I recommend watching this documentary before visiting. The Kawloon Walled city used to be the densest city in the world. Even though it was situated in the heart of Hong Kong, the Walled City was a place where crime and vice thrived. Even the local police was afraid to get inside this city.

Kawloon had a population of 50,000 residents, all living in an area of 2.6 hectares. In the early 90’s the government decided to entirely demolish the city and a few years later in the exact place where the city was built, a park was opened to the public.

Nowadays, the park is a quiet place, where locals come to relax and where ex-residents of Kawloon Walled City come to remember the old days. There is a small museum in the centre of the park where you can see images and read the history of the Walled City.

4pm – Hau Wong Temple

Right near the park is the Hau Wong Temple. The temple was built in 1730 and even though it is quite small, this temple is really beautiful. Here you can find important artefacts and beautiful Chinese calligraphy.

Day 1 – Evening

We’re going to spend the evening admiring some of the best views in Hong Kong. After that, it’s time for some shopping in one of the most photogenic markets in the world. Are you ready?

6pm – Avenue of Stars

Take the direct bus number 1 from the Hau Wong Temple and head straight to the famous Avenue of Stars. This waterfront promenade offers some of the best views towards Hong Kong’s skyscrapers.

The idea behind the Avenue of Stars is similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This walkway honours the most important celebrities from the Hong Kong’s film industry. If you want some awesome pictures with the Hong Kong skyline, this is the place to be!

It is also a popular spot to watch the daily light show called the Symphony of Lights but for that I have an even better idea (see day 2).

7pm – Mong Kok District

From the Avenue of stars take the double-decker or the subway to Mong Kok, the busiest district in Hong Kong. In Cantonese, “Mong Kong” means “crowded corner” so get ready for a bit of chaos.

With countless shopping malls and convenience stores this place is heaven for shopping addicts. Also, here you can find many street food stalls. If you’re feeling adventurous, I recommend to try the local street food. You will find local dishes such as fish tofu and stinky balls and also international dishes such as pizza.

Don’t forget to keep track where you’re heading! Getting lost is almost inevitable in Mong Kok.

8pm – Temple Street Night Market

After escaping the crowded Mong Kok, take the bus to the famous Temple Street Night Market. Now it’s time to buy souvenirs for the loved ones back home. Here you will find magnets, clothes, accessories, electronics and pretty much anything you can think of.

The prices are decent but don’t forget to bargain! You can easily save up a few bucks!

As soon as the sun sets, the Temple Street Market opens and welcomes its visitors. Both tourists and locals shop here and it’s a really nice place to feel the vibe of the city.

To get an awesome shot from above the market, head to the parking lot, where the market ends and get your camera ready to catch some colourful photos!

Day 2 – Morning

Our second day in Hong Kong will take us to some of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. Get ready to see some incredible views and experience first-hand how locals live in this crowded concrete jungle.

Make sure to get up early in the morning, we have a lot to explore today!

8am – Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car

Take the subway to Lantau Island and head straight to the Ngong Ping 360Cable Car. The 20-minute ride will take you through Hong Kong’s most beautiful scenery.

If the sights are not enough for you, you can take the Crystal Cabin (it costs a bit more) which has a transparent glass floor. How awesome is that? If you’re afraid of heights, maybe you should take the regular cabin.

The Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car is a tourist attraction itself and one of the coolest things to do in Hong Kong. Make sure to be there early as the cable car gets pretty crowded. You can also buy a fast pass if you want.

10am – Tian Tan Big Buddha

Our next stop is the Tian Tan Big Buddha, situated right next to the cable car. This bronze statue of Buddha Shakyamuni impresses through its size and beauty.

As you walk towards the statue, you’ll find six smaller bronze statues, known as “The Offering of the Six Devas”. To get to the Big Buddha, you will have to climb no more and no less than 268 steps. I recommend wearing some comfortable shoes.

While you’re in the area, I also recommend visiting the Po Lin Monastery. It’s a really nice way to experience first-hand Hong Kong’s culture.

Day 2 – Afternoon

It’s time to leave the Lantau Island and head to the Hong Kong Island. Here, we’ll visit another Insta-famous location and then see how the sun sets over Hong Kong from some of the best viewpoints around the city.

1pm – Monster Building

After being featured in the Transformers – Age of Extinction movie, the Monster Building, as it’s called by locals, has become an internet sensation. To get that perfect picture surrounded by the apartment buildings from the Montane Mansion, you’ll have to queue for a while.

The Monster Building has two courtyards where you can take photos. If the first one is too crowded, try the second one. Apart from photography enthusiasts, here you will also meet many local people who seem to not even notice the tourists searching for the best photo angle. You’ll see them playing Mahjong and drinking tea.

4pm – Victoria Peak Tram

After experiencing first-hand how locals live in Hong Kong, it’s time to head to the Victoria Peak Tram and enjoy one of the most scenic rides in the city.

On your way to the top, you will pass by tall skyscrapers, dense forest and beautiful private villas. It’s a really good way to see the difference between how the rich and medium-class people live in Hong Kong.

Sometimes the Victoria Peak Tram can get pretty crowded. Be prepared to wait about 30 minutes for your turn to get in. The ride will take around 15 minutes so make sure to sit comfortably and relax while admiring the views.

Day 2 – Evening

This evening is all about jaw-dropping views. There is nothing more impressive in Hong Kong than its skyline. Although there are many viewing points around the city, I am going to tell you exactly where to go to experience the best views.

5pm – Victoria Peak Viewpoint

Once you get off the Victoria Peak Tram, head to one of the free viewing platforms. If you want, you can also go to the Sky Terrace 428 although I honestly don’t recommend it.

While the view from the Victoria Peak is beautiful, it’s definitely not the best one. Walk for a few minutes and you will get to a hidden gem, with a wider view and less tourists. I will talk about this place below.

7pm – Lugard Road Viewpoint

Lugard Road is not actually a road but a path through the forest. From the Victoria Peak follow the path for about 15 minutes and you will get to this incredible viewpoint. Well hidden from tourists and with no entrance fee, this was my favourite place to watch the sunset in Hong Kong.

Take your time to watch how one by one, the skyscrapers light up. Slowly, the sunlight is replaced by neon lights and the night takes over the city. It is a truly wonderful sight. Don’t forget your camera home as you will definitely want to capture these moments.

8pm – Take a Ride in the Star Ferry and Admire the Symphony of Lights

Head back to the Victoria Peak Tram, get back down and head to the Central Pier No. 7 (Star Ferry Pier) and catch the 8pm ferry (from the Victoria Peak Tram there is a direct bus to the pier).

If you catch this exact ferry you will be one of the few lucky ones who will get to experience the Symphony of Lights from a ferry. Make sure to sit near a window and enjoy the show!

The Symphony of Lights is a daily multimedia show where the buildings in the Victoria Harbour light up on the sound of music. At the end of the show, be prepared to admire the fireworks!

Day 3 – Macau or Disneyland

For your last day in Hong Kong I have prepared two exciting activities. You can either take a day trip to the fascinating Macau or become a child again at Disneyland.  Let’s talk about each of these options in detail.

Option 1 – Day trip to Macau

Take the ferry to Macau and explore another spectacular city. Day trips from Hong Kong to Macau are really popular since the ferries run every 15 minutes.

Make sure to bring your passport with you! Most travellers don’t require a visa to enter Macau but you can check out more about visa requirements here.

To explore the city, I recommend taking the hop on and hop off bus straight from the ferry terminal in Macau. The bus has 16 stops and it covers all the important tourist attractions in the city.

Some of the attractions you can’t miss are: Macau Tower, A-ma Temple and of course, the famous casinos.

READ MORE – Check out our ‘One Day in Macau‘ itinerary.

Option 2 – Disneyland

Disneyland Hong Kong is one of the most visited theme parks in Asia and you should definitely visit it if you’re looking for some fun. Make sure to avoid holidays and the weekends since the park gets extremely crowded and you don’t want to spend hours queuing for rides.

To skip the lines, you can use the free fast passes. Near each important ride there is a ticketing machine that will issue a ticket with a “return time”. Make sure to be back at the time indicated on your ticket and enjoy a shorter queue!

Some of the most popular attractions are Big Grizzly Mountain Coaster, Iron Man Experience, Mystic Manor and Tarzan’s Tree House.

Hong Kong 3-Day Itinerary – Tips & Tricks

If you have 3 days in Hong Kong there’s a couple of useful tips I can share to help you make the most of your visit.

Walk as Much as You Can

Hong Kong is a really beautiful city and there is no better way to experience it than by walking. You will find fascinating hidden alleys and you will have more time to admire the tall, crowded buildings around you.

Use Public Transport!

The public transport in Hong Kong is awesome! The buses and the subway are really reliable, affordable and fast. Yes, taxis might be more comfortable but trust me, you don’t want to be stuck in traffic in Hong Kong.

Tip: When using the double-decker buses, head to the upper floor and sit in the front row. You will have the best view!

Try the Local Food!

Stop at small, local restaurants to grab something to eat or try the street food. The food in Hong Kong might be a bit weird, especially for Westerners but it’s definitely worth a try!

Where to Stay in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is known to be a crowded city. Therefore, the bigger the hotel room is, the more you’re going to pay. There are accommodation options for each budget. You’ll definitely find something suitable for your needs!

If you feel like splurging, I recommend the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. This hotel has some dreamy views and an incredible pool. Also, the rooms are incredibly spacious and very comfortable. The Grand Hyatt has all the amenities of a luxury hotel.

If you’re on a budget, I recommend the City Oasis Guesthouse. Situated in a beautiful area on Lantau Island, this place is perfect to relax after a day full of sightseeing.