Welcome to our 3 days in Hong Kong itinerary.
As one of the most popular destinations in Asia, Hong Kong is a fascinating city with its unique mix of Chinese and Cantonese cultures.
This guide explores our itinerary, which we’ve customized so you can see everything at a moderate pace without too many breaks or idle time.
Table of Contents
3 days in Hong Kong
Time is precious, so let’s start by looking at the number of days in Hong Kong needed as well as the best time to visit so you can ensure the weather is on your side during your visit to the city.
How Many Days to Spend in Hong Kong?
We recommend spending a minimum of three days exploring Hong Kong, which will include visiting the best sites in the city, as well as taking a couple of day trips that are further away.
Best Time to Visit Hong Kong
The weather pattern in Hong Kong follows the standard seasonal pattern in the Northern Hemisphere, with hot summers and cooler winters.
The summer season runs from June until early September and is characterized by an average daily temperature of 85-86°F throughout these months. Highs can rise as high as 89°F on a good day, with low sometimes dropping down to 77°F, mostly during the nighttime.
Rainfall is at its highest during this time of year, with anywhere from 20-26 days of rain for each of these months. August on average is the wettest, with around 270mm falling throughout the month.
The winter in contrast is somewhat cooler, although still pleasant. Average temperatures from December until February hover between 64-65°F, with highs of 68°F, and lows of 55°F.
On record, January is usually the coldest month to visit Hong Kong. Precipitation is very low during this time of year, with only 20-30mm falling throughout each.
Hong Kong 3 day itinerary
Below is our 3-day itinerary which we feel covers some of the best landmarks in Hong Kong. It’s not extreme on-time efficiency, which means there will be a few hours free here and there.
Day 1:
On our first day in Hong Kong, we will start early and first head to picturesque Victoria Harbour and walk down the promenades, before then taking the ferry over to Hong Kong Island.
From here, either take the popular open-top bus or the Peak Tram to ascend to the top of Victoria Peak. Here you can enjoy the amazing panoramic views of the city, and also to get some lunch.
After we then head to the Temple Street Night Market to explore the wild variety of bargain novelties, as well as taste some local foods.
Day 2:
On our second day, we’ll first take the boat over to the island of Cheung Chau for some relaxing time on the beaches. The ferry either takes half an hour or an hour depending on which option you choose.
We recommend Tung Wan beach, which has lots of nice beach-side bars and restaurants close by. Take in the views from the North Lookout Pavillion, before heading onto Lantau Island.
Once we arrive, we’ll visit the imposing Tian Tan Buddha Statue, which is one of the best sights in Hong Kong. After the evening is yours to enjoy!
We recommend heading up Ozone Bar for some drinks and impressive views of the city (it’s the highest bar in the World!), and then onto Wan Chai which is home to the best nightlife in Hong Kong.
Day 3:
On our last day, we’ll take the 2.5 hour ferry over to Macau, and explore an island with a very unique, historical past.
For the best photo opportunities, head to the Ruins of St. Pauls, and also to the gorgeous Senado Square.
Afterward, we’ll have time to explore the rest of the island, including the infamous Venetian Macao hotel, and also wind down with an almost unlimited array of entertainment opportunities on-hand.
When you’re finished, take the ferry back to mainland Hong Kong and to your apartment to gather your luggage before leaving for the airport.
Day Trips From Hong Kong
Doing a day trip from Hong Kong will give you the opportunity to see more than you usually would but within a much shorter time frame.
Cheung Chau
An island located roughly 15 Km from mainland Hong Kong, Cheung Chau is a great place to spend the day relaxing away from the bustle of the city.
There are lots of great beaches here, with the most popular being Tung Wan. Another great thing to do on the island is to visit The North Lookout Pavilion, which arguably has the best views of the island out into the South China Sea.
Macau
This Island can be reached by ferry from Hong Kong. Now a special administrative region of China, Macau was previously leased to Portugal for many centuries, and so has features from this earlier historical period.
Nowadays, Macau is well-known as one of the playground islands of Asia, with many luxury hotels and casinos lining the island such as The Venetian Macao. You can even take a Self guided tour on your phone that goes around the infamous ‘Las Vegas of the East’.
Things to Do in Hong Kong
With a long list of things to do let’s start by taking looking at the most popular activities that you wouldn’t want to miss out on during your visit:
Victoria Peak
Also known as The Peak, this hill is the highest point on Hong Kong island, and has the best views over the city.
The best way to reach the top is using the Peak Tram, which is an experience in itself, where you’ll go up a sharp incline all the way up to the top. We recommend heading up around mid-afternoon, where you can have dinner whilst watching the sunset over the skyline.
Tian Tan Buddha
The Big Buddha is a 112ft tall bronze statue of the Buddha Amoghasiddhi, which is located on Lantau Island.
One of the most popular destinations to visit in Hong Kong, Tian Tan is also a major hub for those who worship Buddhism and also a tourist attraction, the statue symbolizes the harmonious relationship between nature, man and faith.
Victoria Harbour
Located in the middle of Hong Kong, Victoria Harbour and its long promenades are one the best places for photography in the city.
Separating Hong Kong Island from the Kowloon Peninsula, it has huge historical importance including Hong Kong’s development as a trading center to the more recent controversial reclamation projects.
Temple Street Night Market
One of the biggest flea markets in Hong Kong, Temple Street Night Market is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.
Here one can find anything from traditional Chinese medicine, to novelty bargains and roadside dining. There are also occasional Cantonese Opera Shows that take place along the market.
Hong Kong Travel Tips
- The best time to visit Hong Kong is within the shoulder months of May, September and October, which have both hot temperatures and less rainfall than the Summer.
- There are many great places to stay in Hong Kong, however, we recommend Wan Chai, which is full of arts, culture and a variety of great nightlife.
- Before heading to Eastern Asia, why not take a look at these photos of China to get even more inspiration for the rest of your trip?
- Getting around is much easier if you buy a Tourist Octopus Card, which is both affordable and gives full access to Hong Kong’s extensive travel network.
- Lastly, we recommend getting some practice eating with chopsticks beforehand! Much of Hong Kong’s cuisine requires them, just don’t cross them over as it’s thought to bring bad luck.
3 Days in Hong Kong: Final Words
All in all, you should have some idea of how to spend your precious time in this beautiful city.
Be sure to follow some of our sustainable travel tips to ensure that your trip has a positive impact on the local environment.
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