After spending my first 24 hours in Hong Kong on a layover, I knew I’d uncovered one of my new favorite travel destinations.
From gawking at the skyline while crossing Victoria Harbour on the Star Ferry to chowing down on delicious Cantonese food, I made sure to take full advantage of my first time in one of Asia’s most interesting cities. And although I’ve since returned to Hong Kong for a longer stay, I can’t help but think back to how much I was able to pack in here on my first time-crunched trip.
Got your own quick stop in Hong Kong? Maximize your trip with this complete 1-day Hong Kong itinerary, including my recommendations for what to see & do, what to eat, where to stay—and plenty more!
What to do in Hong Kong in 24 hours: A complete 1-day itinerary
Limber up at Kowloon Park
Rinse and shine, traveler—we’ve got a lot to experience today!
Let’s start by dragging ourselves out of bed in the wee hours of the morning to get an early start on our first day in Hong Kong in Kowloon Park.
On my first visit, I enjoyed an early-morning stroll around this tranquil green space in Tsim Sha Tsui. It turned out to be the perfect transition from a jet-lag-induced sleep to the hectic streets of Hong Kong.
To loosen up for the day ahead, join dozens of early-rising Hongkongers perfecting their morning Tai Chi routines. (Or you can, as I did, just enjoy the scene.)
After limbering up—or faking it!—tiptoe over to the Bird Lake, Aviary, and Chinese Garden. On my visit, I loved relaxing here, trying to spot some of the over 100 species of birds that call Kowloon Park home.
Before leaving, sneak a peek at the park’s quirky Hong Kong Avenue of Comic Stars featuring larger-than-life-sized statues of Hong Kong comic book heroes.
I can’t say I recognized any myself. (I’m not up-to-date on my Hong Kong comic book history). But a couple to watch out for include Wang Xiao Hu from Dragon Tiger Gate and Q-Boy from White Cat Black Cat.
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our other city itineraries and our Hong Kong Travel Guide for more recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
Fuel your Hong Kong adventure with a hearty breakfast
Before my visit, I knew Hong Kong was one of the best food cities in Asia. But little did I know that its tummy-pleasing reputation even extends to breakfast.
In Hong Kong, breakfast is less a time to stuff yourself than a chance to socialize. I found the portions reasonable, and certainly nothing comparable to the mounds you’d find at an IHOP or a Denny’s.
(And that’s not a bad thing, is it?)
Oh, and don’t be surprised if you see Hongkongers chowing down on oh-so-yummy dim sum early in the morning. I learned quickly that dim sum is a common breakfast in Hong Kong—even if it seems like more of a midday or evening snack to our tastebuds.
Since we have all day to sample Hong Kong’s silky and mouth-watering delights, try out one of these popular Hong Kong breakfasts in Kowloon:
- Australia Dairy Company (47 Parkes Street): The most famous breakfast joint in Hong Kong. Every day, fans queue up, sometimes for hours, to secure a seat in this perpetually jammed eatery. I’d vouch for their famous scrambled eggs and steamed milk; they’d convert even the fussiest of skeptics. And, okay, I’ll admit that their runny macaroni with Chinese ham looks like something your shih tzu would cough up, but it’s surprisingly tasty.
- Café Kool (64 Mody Road): A big buffet-style breakfast in the Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel. I saw both Asian and Western favourites on the menu, and, at least according to locals I asked, they rank among the most delicious breakfasts in the city.
- The Verandah (Salisbury Road): Another buffet breakfast located at The Peninsula, Hong Kong’s oldest luxury hotel. The continental-style breakfast served here is a class above what you’d expect at most hotels. (And all without the surly servers that characterized so many of my own Hong Kong dining experiences.)
Zip across Victoria Harbour on the Star Ferry
Now that your stomach is satisfied, let’s head to the southern fringes of Kowloon to the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. When I first walked along the promenade, I couldn’t get enough of the arresting views of Victoria Harbour and the skyline of Hong Kong Island.
Exercise your camera’s shutter while walking west along the Avenue of Stars. Keep an eye out for the famously kitschy Bruce Lee statue—located near the Salisbury Road footbridge—on route to the Kowloon Public Pier (also called the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier).
Launching from the pier is the Star Ferry, a service chugging the Kowloon-Hong Kong route for over a century. Even with road tunnels and a metro line now connecting the mainland peninsula to Hong Kong Island, millions still criss-cross the city in, what I’d say is, one of the world’s most interesting commutes. (Click here for more tips about getting around Hong Kong).
And why wouldn’t they? At a penny-pinching HK$4.00-HK$5.60 ($0.51-$0.72) each way, the Star Ferry is by far the most scenic cruise I’ve ever embarked on for so cheap—the views are simply spectacular!
Unsurprisingly, I crowned it one of my favorite things to do in Hong Kong.
Swoon over the Hong Kong skyline at Victoria Peak
From the Central Ferry terminal in Hong Kong, let’s walk about 20 to 25 minutes (or take a cab) to the Garden Road Terminus of the Peak Tram. Like the Star Ferry, the Peak Tram occupies a massive space in the history of Hong Kong.
Way back in 1888, the Peak Team began to shuttle passengers up Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island. Today, millions ride the tram every year. And I can’t blame them. Whenever I visit Hong Kong, I love admiring fantastic views of the city as the tram plies the steep 1.4-km route.
A regular return ticket on the Peak Tram costs HK$108 ($14), but I’d recommend splurging on the Peak Tram Skypass.
The pass is money well spent. It includes both a return ticket on the tram and access to The Sky Terrace 428. A 360-degree panorama point in Peak Tower, the Sky Terrace delivers some of the finest views I’ve seen of the Hong Kong skyline.
Want to save some serious time and experience more at The Peak? I’d recommend grabbing a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Skip-the-Line Peak Ticket. With this combo ticket, I was able to avoid the insanely long wait at the Peak Tram and enjoy a full day of a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus.
Slurp noodles for lunch in Central
Descending back to the city, let’s head over to Wellington Street in Central Hong Kong to load up on a hearty lunch. In my opinion, Wellington Street is one of the world’s best food streets. Whenever I walk down here, I love how its restaurants waft the aroma of its sweet and savoury onto the sidewalks as passers-by salivate.
Truthfully, in a city like Hong Kong, I feel comfortable stopping into any random place as it’s bound to surprise. In any case, here are a few of my recommendations along Wellington Street:
- Mak’s Noodle (77 Wellington Street): Any serious discussion of food in Hong Kong is bound to include this city staple. Wonton noodle soup is their signature dish. And they knock it out of the park. Treat yourself to what I’ve found to be some of Hong Kong’s silkiest and most succulent shrimp wontons and noodles.
- Tsim Chai Kee Noodle Shop (98 Wellington Street): This traditional noodle shop will leave your palate in awe. I loved the signature dish here, which combines their famous fishballs, shrimp wontons, thinly sliced beef, and hand-pulled noodles in an umami-drenched broth.
- Butao Ramen (69 Wellington Street): If you’re craving Japanese- rather than Cantonese-style noodles, this delectable ramen joint was one of the tastiest I tried in the area. Hopefully, you’ll arrive early enough to sample one of the limited 300 bowls of ramen they serve up daily. Like ramen shops in Tokyo, at Butao Ramen, you order via a menu card with all of the options laid out. My own favorite? I’d recommend their traditional Butao King. It’s a classic tonkotsu-style pork bone broth, along with the meat, veggies, and condiments of your choice.
Interested in indulging in the tastiest food Hong Kong has to offer? I’d recommend booking yourself onto a Central & Sheung Wan Food Tour. This food tour wanders through two of Hong Kong Island’s most interesting neighbourhoods. It’ll take you off the beaten path to six different restaurants & shops to try local delights like dim sum, noodles, and specialty desserts.
Sip an afternoon tea at Luk Yu Teahouse
Slip around the corner from Wellington Street’s cavalcade of deliciousness to Luk Yu Teahouse (24-26 Stanley), a remnant from Hong Kong’s colonial past.
Although it’s not fancy, I thought the traditional art deco interior, featuring stained glass windows and rich wooden wainscotting, offers the perfect atmosphere for enjoying afternoon tea in HK.
Of course, I saw a wide assortment of sip-worthy Chinese teas on the menu here. But what Luk Yu Teahouse is famous for in Hong Kong—and why I’ve brought you along for the ride here—is its dim sum.
If you’ve still got room in your belly after lunch, sample the historical restaurant’s silky xiao long bao dumplings or pork buns, both of which get my thumbs up.
Just a head’s up, though: I wouldn’t expect great service here. The waiters are a tad brusque, and, even in my happy-go-lucky travel mood, I found it a bit off-putting at first.
If you’d rather eat in a less historical venue (with less grumpy servers), I saw plenty of other great dim sum joints in Central, like One Dim Sum (44 Lyndhurst Terrace).
Still want to learn more about Hong Kong’s unforgettable food & drink culture? I’d suggest hopping onto a Hong Kong Island Private Food Tour! Sample four delicious dishes like dim sum or wonton noodles at local restaurants with help from your own knowledgeable private guide. The tour also visits a wet market and medicine shop to get a true taste of the city’s more traditional elements.
Shop until you’re broke at Causeway Bay
From Central, jam yourself into the MTR bound for Causeway Bay (or Tung Lo Wan in Cantonese) in Wan Chai. Causeway Bay is Hong Kong’s answer to Fifth Avenue in New York with all of the glitz, glamour—and prices!—we’d expect from a ritzy shopping district.
Times Square, one of Hong Kong’s most popular malls, is my go-to place to start exploring Causeway Bay. Times Square features major fashion brands like Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci.
And fashion isn’t all there is to it. While cooling off in the mall, I also spotted sportier brands like Sketchers, Columbia, and Vans, along with cafés, bookstores, and restaurants.
If buzzing up escalators in a 9-storey shopping mall isn’t your cup of matcha, skid over to the street level. Peruse the boutiques along Kingston and Patterson at Hong Kong’s so-called Fashion Walk, where I saw plenty of famed international brands like Diesel, DKNY, H&M, and Fossil.
Stuff your face with a Hong Kong dim sum dinner
Okay, so we’re in Hong Kong, one of the top cities in the world for foodies. It’d be a shame for us to waste the opportunity to eat a tad more, wouldn’t it?
From Hong Kong Island, zip under Victoria Harbour on the MTR to Kowloon’s Mong Kok station. Mong Kok was one of the crazier quarters I saw in Hong Kong, buzzing at nearly every hour of the day. I loved plying through the markets and street-side vendors of Mong Kok to catch a fleeting glimpse of a side of Hong Kong that’s slowly disappearing as the city develops.
More important is the food. Oh, yes, the food!
While you’ll never go hungry anywhere you decide to tantalize your tastebuds in Hong Kong, I’d recommend grabning a hearty sampling of Hong Kong’s famous dim sum at one of these two popular Mong Kok restaurants:
- Tim Ho Wan (West Kowloon Station or 9-11 Fuk Wing Street): You always know you’re in for a treat when you sit down for a meal at Tim Ho Wan, perhaps the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world. Ever since Mak Kwai-pui swung open the doors to his original Mong Kok location in 2009, his celebrity chef status soared. The original Mong Kok location is long gone. But the West Kowloon Station, Olympian City location in Mong Kok and, even better, on Fuk Wing Street in Sham Shui Po stay true to the spirit of Tim Ho Wan. The char siu (BBQ pork) buns and ha jiao (steamed shrimp dumplings) here are some of the tastiest I’ve tried anywhere.
- Lei Garden (121 Sai Yee Street): Another Michelin-starred Cantonese favourite in Mong Kok. I’d recommend filling up on the cheung fun (rice noodle rolls) and shrimp-stuffed har gau (Chinese dumplings). Lei Garden is always busy, so book ahead!
Admire the city from the harbour on an evening Chinese junk boat cruise
Don’t let your dim sum belly stop your Hong Kong itinerary in its tracks! Let’s get movin’ back to Victoria Harbour either by foot or with the MTR, and get set to trounce the evening in style on the water.
Seeking out a memorable moment for your Hong Kong trip? I’d recommend hopping onto the Aqua Luna, a historic Chinese junk boat, for an evening cruise on Victoria Harbour. The 45-minute boat trip includes a complimentary drink to sip on as you watch the sun sink below the bay.
Even more remarkable is Aqua Luna’s Symphony of Lights cruise, which times your boat trip with Hong Kong’s nightly light show. (A light show I always love watching when I’m visiting the city.)
In any case, if you opt for one of the more frequent Victoria Harbour evening cruises, be sure to get back to the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade by 8 pm to watch the cavalcade of colours overtake the Hong Kong skyline.
Ready to make the most out of the evening? Watch HK spring to life on a private Hong Kong After Dark Tour, where you’ll stroll through the traditional market, eat amazing street food, and enjoy the buzz of city nightlife with a local guide.
Bargain like a pro (or hammer your late-night hunger) at Temple Street Night Market
After surrendering your eyeballs to the Symphony of Lights, let’s walk north along the always-exciting Nathan Road towards Jordan. This working-class neighbourhood, like Mong Kok, is a taste of Kowloon at its more traditional.
As we see the evening hours fade away to darkness, the highlight of Jordan is Temple Street Night Market.
As I plied through the dense throng of market stalls, Temple Street Night Market felt more like an unbridled flea market than what I normally associate with night markets.
I saw vendors peddling wares that ranged from men’s clothing and fashion accessories to vintage second-hand goods like cassettes and long-out-of-date electronics.
Brush up on your Cantonese bargaining skills to score a good deal!
Even better, enter with an open mind and, in true Hong Kong fashion, room in your tummy for yet another round of local food favourites.
On my first trip here, I loved filtering through the dai pai dong (open-air food stalls) of Temple Street Night Market, in search of delicious Hong Kong food delights like fishballs or fried oyster omelettes.
Where to stay on a Hong Kong layover
Although it sprawls less than other cities in East Asia, I still found choosing where to stay in Hong Kong a challenge. The quality of accommodations in Hong Kong varies greatly from dingy budget guesthouses in the (somewhat sketchy) Chungking Mansions to ritzy harbourfront luxury hotels.
And the prices? Well, let’s say Hong Kong isn’t the cheapest city I’ve visited in Asia. In any case, here are a few of my favorite hotels in Hong Kong to help start your search.
Kerry Hotel
We love the beautiful harborfront views at this Kowloon gem, found at every corner of the hotel from its guestrooms to the outdoor pool. Aside from its beautiful rooms, we can’t get enough of this hotel’s extra amenities and design touches. Walk around to check out its world-class art collection or duck into one of its five restaurants for an evening in.
Hotel ICON
This stylish luxury hotel is located close to the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, and is one of our favorites in the city. The stupendous rooftop pool and bar offer some of the finest harbour and skyline views we’ve seen among hotels in Kowloon. Don’t want to relax with a dip? We’d recommend weening off the day’s stress with a relaxing massage at the on-site spa.
The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
One of the sleekest hotels we’ve seen on our travels, this luxurious 5-star is the pinnacle of hospitality. The hotel is located between floors 102 and 118 in the International Commerce Centre, with the bold views to match. Besides its vistas—which, we’d say, are among the finest in the world—the Ritz is home to the highest bar in the world and five on-site restaurants, including two Michelin-starred gems. If you want to splurge on a hotel on your trip, this is the one.
Getting there
By air
Over 100 airlines fly into Hong Kong International (HKG), including Cathay Pacific, one of my favourite airlines in the world. (I won’t deny that a random free upgrade to first class on a 15-hour flight to HKG influenced that opinion.)
The best time to visit Hong Kong for airfares tends to be in the fall and in winter, outside of major holidays like the Chinese New Year.
More 1-day Hong Kong itinerary ideas
- Fascinated by science and technology? Skip out on afternoon tea to geek it up at the Hong Kong Space Museum or Hong Kong Science Museum.
- Need a spiritual awakening? Grab a moment of bliss at Man Mo Temple or Wong Tai Sin Temple, two of the most beautiful temples I’ve visited in the city. They’re both within quick reach of the city centre.
- Missed your flight out? That can be a good thing! Even more of Hong Kong is at your fingertips. Move beyond the city centre, hitting up gems like the beautiful Tai O fishing village and Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in Sha Tin, or hiking the epic Dragon’s Back Trail on the southeastern side of Hong Kong Island.
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