After countless hours of obsessive research, I will be heading to Hong Kong this week and of course I have a plan, a 3 day Hong Kong itinerary. I think it’s a good one. If nothing else, it is overloaded with new experiences, an obscene amount of weird food and plenty of bucket list checks.
With only three days of travel in this attraction-loaded city, I have jam-packed as much as possible. Are all of you non-planning travelers gasping at this strict Hong Kong itinerary? Don’t worry, these plans are not set in stone. Spontaneous adventure is always welcome. I’m flexible.
Hong Kong Itinerary: What to Do in 3 Days
DAY 1
After a non-stop fifteen, yep 1-5, hour flight from San Francisco we will arrive in Hong Kong at 6:00am, just in time for some coffee. Do you think they have a Starbucks in the airport? We will purchase a travel pass giving us two Airport Express trips, as well as three days of non-stop MTR rides. That’s the Hong Kong subway system that will be our main mode transport. The Airport Express will drop us off at the hoity-toity Conrad Hotel in the Central District of town. With any luck, or just because I am a gold member, they will allow us an early check in.
Following the briefest nap or three shots of espresso, the adventures will immediately begin in order to make the most of the short three days.
When our bellies have been filled, we will walk off some calories at the Avenue of Stars, a tribute to the Hong Kong movie industry and similar to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. I hope to put my hands in the concrete hand imprint of the famous martial artist, Jackie Chan.
After feeling a little closer to the stars, the Hong Kong Itinerary will take us on a walk through the Central District. During this stroll we will witness Exchange Square (the Hong Kong Stock Exchange), Statue Square and St. Johns Cathedral.
It’s 8:30 by now and the stomach has to be growling. Even though this may be early dining by Hong Kong standards we will head over to Yardbirds to indulge in some trendy yakitori.
Their skewers feature all parts of the animal; knee, thigh, gizzard, heart and neck. Sounds like an adventurous eaters haven of offal.
Day one of this Hong Kong itinerary is a wrap. Time for some well deserved sleep. Good night.
Day 2
Lunch will be at one of the cheapest Michelin starred restaurants in the world, Tim Ho Wan. There we will be noshing on what they are famous for, the dim sum. Michelin is well recognized for it’s restaurant rating system, and I am honored that my restaurant, Sugo Trattoria, has been Michelin recommend for the past five years. But, I want to know what it takes to get that star.
Then we will be off to Tin Hau Temple to pay a visit to the fortune tellers that hang out nearby. Hopefully, my very first fortune telling experience, not including the cookies, will actually bring good fortune.
Afterwards, it is all about overindulging on Hong Kong markets. First will be the goldfish market which specializes in selling these friendly sea creatures. Then off to the Ladies Market because sometimes I claim to be one. Here I will practice my haggling skills while trying to score some new clothes. Lastly, it’s off to the Temple Street Night Market for Hong Kong trinkets and food. Hopefully they will be selling fried chicken feet.
Dinner on day two of the Hong Kong itinerary will be at the carnivorous Blue Butcher. As the name would suggest, they serve meat. A large plate of the Kurobuta Pig Belly & Cheek is already on my mind.
Day 3
The morning will start with a ride on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, a clear box tram that travels high in the sky. The car will bring us to see the amazing Tian Tan Buddha, otherwise known as Big Buddha.
We will climbed the 268 steps to see this majestic Buddha that sits 34 metres high. That’s 195 less steps than when we climbed to the top of the Duomo in Florence. Phew.
Buddha makes me hungry, so it’s off to the Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant for lunch. It’s a restaurant that floats. Duh. Here we will order the signature dish, the Flamed Drunken Shrimp which is prepared right in front of you.
After lunch, we will head to see the Ten Thousand Buddhist Monastery, a temple with over 13,000 Buddha statues. It’s a Buddha kind of day.
We will then make a quick stop to Se Wong Yee for a memorable bite of snake soup. Though it is a popular Hong Kong dish, I will just be eating it for the street cred.
After the adventurous food experience it will be time for Happy Wednesdays at Happy Valley Racecourse. On this weekday evening the racecourse has great food, drinks and entertainment, all while being able to bet on the ponies. Each Wednesday is a different theme and it will be Wines of the Valley when we are there. Could that be any more perfect?
As if this Hong Kong itinerary wasn’t sensory overload enough, after these three days we hop on a plane to head to Chiang Mai, Thailand for a whopping two weeks. Can you imagine the adventures I can squeeze into two weeks?
What do you think of this Hong Kong Itinerary? What would you you add?
Update: Here are the stories from the adventures I had in Hong Kong…
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my links, I earn a commission that helps to keep this blog running—at no extra cost to you. For more information read my full disclosure.
You Might Also Enjoy
Hong Kong Bucket List: 60 + Best Things to Do
3 Day Hong Kong Itinerary. The Plan.
Ride the Longest Escalator in the World. Mid-Levels in Hong Kong.
Fodor’s Hong Kong Travel Guide (book)
Take a Junk Boat Ride Through Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour
Slurp Chinese Snake Soup in Hong Kong
Visit an Offbeat Asian Market. Hong Kong’s Goldfish Market.
Eat Dessert First at Hong Kong’s Dessert Kitchen
Eat Squid Jerky in Hong Kong’s Tai O Fishing Village
I think day 1 and 2 schedule is reasonable.
Day 3 is a bit extreme. You are going from one end of the city to the other end. Just by traveling from the Giant Buddha to the Floating Restaurant, it will take you at least 2 hours. Even though if you start out early in Ngong Ping 360, I think you may be in the Floating Restaurant for a very late lunch.
Then, you are going to go back to 10,000 Buddhist Monastry. You will be exhausted before going to Se Wong Yee.
Here is my suggested order for day 3: Ngong Ping 360 & Giant Buddha, 10,000 Buddhist Monastry, Se Wong Yee, The Jumbo Floating Restaurant for dinner, finally, Happy Valley.
Have a wonderful trip.
Thanks so much for the insight on Day 3!!! Looks like with a few minor alterations we can squeeze it all in :)
That is a jam packed itinerary. :)
I enjoyed the view from Victoria Peak, but not sure if you will have the time to make it over.
I wasn't a big fan of the markets, some of the knock offs were REALLY bad. I preferred the ones in mainland China. I'm not a big shopper when I travel anyways cause I HAAAATE having to carry my purchases around. It's worth a look though.
One place I was obsessed with in Asia was a place called Bread Talk. OMG. Loved the bread floss….and just about everything! I remember seeing a few in Hong Kong….oh and they definitely have Starbucks! Spent some time in a few!
I am with you about shopping, not a huge fan. What I am really hoping is that the markets with have some strange food to eat ;) Thanks for the tip about Bread Talk!
What a coincidence. I'm planning three days in Hong Kong, too. So far, the only part of my itinerary that matches yours is Day 3. But after reading all this, that may change. I'm not going until this summer, so can't wait to read about your experiences.
I look forward to seeing what will be on your Hong Kong itinerary!
I've never been, but you know if I ever do I'll be following your food recs :-)
Narrowing down the restaurant/food choices was the toughest! Hong Kong has an amazing selection of trendy restaurants, as well as, strange foods. I hope I chose right! BTW: How’s the Maui itinerary coming?
It's coming along! We have our flights and just booked accommodation in Maui — found a great condo on Airbnb that would have been perfect for the entire time we're on the island, but it wasn't available the first two nights. We've booked two separate Airbnb properties and will book accommodation on the Big Island by week's end. We have a list of restaurants and activities that we want to do on both islands, but we'll probably only book the Feast at Lele and a helicopter tour over the Big Island in the next week or two. The others can wait a bit longer :-) Oh, and I really want to find a deal on car rentals.
You haven't even been there yet you already make the city look amazing. I want to go now. If I needed someone to plan an itinerary, I'd hire you in a heartbeat. Good luck and happy eating!
Thanks! I am an obsessive planner, I don’t like to miss anything :)
First of all- awesome- have a great time!!! I'm very interested to hear your stories!
While I was reading this my daughter was looking at the pictures and was very interested in the first pic and kept saying "cool building" over and over…so you have her seal of approval and I will be sure to show her your pics from the hotel when you post them!
That’s adorable! Hopefully she will approve the rest of my photos too ;)
You definitely had a blast in Hongkong! Good that you were able to had foodtrips in a Michelin restaurant, plus the floataing restaurant (i envy you!) Hopefully I can also try it next time. I also visited Hongkong last August but we had more of trips and photo walks :)
Annette,
Thanks for posting this! I’m headed to Hong Kong (2nd visit for me, 1st for my hubby) for Christmas and I was looking for some alternatives to the usuals. I wish our blog had the informative commitment that yours does… Alas, we can’t all be fountains of info. Keep traveling and sharing :)
I am a little jealous that you will be in Hong Kong at Christmas. But, have a GREAT time!
I really liked the high-profile, knowledgeable staff and service at the Conrad. I was a bit disappointed by the lounge and the size of rooms. But well it’s downtown Hong Kong….
Leaving for Hong Kong in the morning… this was a big help, thanks!
Your Hong Kong trip seems hectic, yet enjoyable. Being for just three days in this vibrant city can leave anyone pondering what to do and what to see since it has lots and lots to offer. But your research paid up and you got to visit the best places in the city, and restaurants where you enjoyed good food.
Hi Annette!
What did you think of the dim sum in Hong Kong?? I was just there earlier this year …and I don’t think I ate anything else but dim sum the whole entire trip!
Great read, thank you!
Mick
Yum to Dim Sum!!
Please can anyone offer a 3 day Christmas itinerary? to include xmas eve and day. Here’s hoping.
Thanks in advance, I’m beyond excited to visit Hong Kong for the first time.
Any notes and recommendations would be greatly received :)
Please can anyone offer a 3 day Christmas itinerary? to include xmas eve and day. Here’s hoping.
Thanks in advance, I’m beyond excited to visit Hong Kong for the first time.
Any notes and recommendations would be greatly received :)