Long Weekend in Hong Kong
A 2023 Travel Guide + Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
To know me is to know that I'm obsessed with Hong Kong. With its iconic skyline, movie-like street scenes and “east meets west” culture, this vibrant city is one that people tend to fall in love with immediately. Since travel restrictions were lifted
earlier this year, more people have been itching to visit the city. This guide is for first-time visitors to make the most of a long weekend in Hong Kong, including a three-day itinerary to help you plan your visit.
A quick history of Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China. The city was leased from China to Britain from 1898 to 1997, following the First Opium War, becoming a British colony for 99 years until it was handed back to China on July 1, 1997. Because of this long period of autonomy, as well as the “one country, two systems” style of governance, Hong Kong has flourished economically over the last century as a trading and financial hub, while developing a unique “east meets west” culture. While I won't get too much into the politics of today, Hong Kong has an energy and spirit that is very different from the rest of China, and one that you can only experience when you're in the streets of the city.When to visit Hong Kong
The best time to visit Hong Kong is from October to March, when the weather is most pleasant. In the spring and summertime, Hong Kong gets extremely hot and humid, making it almost unbearable for strenuous outdoor activities, such as hiking. During these months, people in Hong Kong are either at the beach, on a junk boat or indoors, with shops across the city putting their air conditioning on blast. July to September are also the peak months for typhoon season, which bring sudden strong winds and heavy rain.How to get around Hong Kong
Hong Kong is truly the most convenient and safe city I've ever experienced. The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is efficient, dependable and affordable, with many trips costing less than $1USD. Make sure to get an Octopus Card when you arrive at the airport, which can be used for trains, buses and even local restaurants that are otherwise cash only. It's also useful to have cash on hand to exchange for local currency, which will be needed for taxis and some local restaurants. For farther trips to places such as Sai Kung, there are minibuses and for the most part, Google Maps will be an accurate app to figure out the fastest way to get to your destination. It's not common to have a car in Hong Kong, nor is it necessary, and after experiencing the city's transportation system, your bar for public transportation will forever be raised.Places to visit in Hong Kong
Victoria Peak:
If you picture the Hong Kong skyline, it's probably from the view at Victoria Peak. As the tallest hill on Hong Kong Island, Victoria Peak is a must-visit if it's your first time in Hong Kong. The best way to get there is via the popular, leisurely walk up the Morning Trail, a 1.8 mile relatively steep, but scenic and paved road. Once you get to the top, you can grab coffee or food at The Peak before heading back down. Try taking the historic, newly renovated Peak Tram, which offers stunning views and perspectives of the city.Man Mo Temple:
A tribute to Man, the God of Literature, and Mo, the God of War, this beautiful temple is worth stopping by to appreciate traditional Chinese architecture, while experiencing a slower, more spiritual side of Hong Kong. For an extra special setting, visit the temple on a sunny day in the late morning or early afternoon to see the beams of light shine throughout the temple.Central Market:
Central Market first opened in 1842 as one of Hong Kong's first wet markets. The historic building was recently renovated and reopened as a cultural hub for visitors to dine and shop, and is a perfect place to stop by for cute souvenirs from local small businesses.Victoria Harbour:
There's no other place to watch your first sunset in Hong Kong than Victoria Harbour. Separating Hong Kong Island in the south from the Kowloon Peninsula to the north, the best way to take in the iconic skyline up-close is by taking the charming and beloved Star Ferry. You'll arrive in Kowloon in about 10 minutes and can head to the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, where you can watch the colorful lights from across the harbour reflect on the waves once the sun goes down.M+:
M+ is Asia's first global museum of contemporary visual culture, featuring impressive visual art collections in a beautiful, minimalistic setting. Even before seeing the art, you'll be impressed by the museum's design and architecture.
Choi Hung Estate:
When the Choi Hung Estate opened in 1963, it was the largest public housing estate in the world, housing over 18,000 people. “Choi Hung” is Cantonese for “rainbow,” which is reflected in the colors of the building. It has now become one of the most photographed spots in Hong Kong, due to its clean, striking layers of colors and aesthetic design and architecture.Ping Shek Estate:
While most people know about Choi Hung Estate, not many know of Ping Shek Estate. Only a 10-minute walk away, Ping Shek Estate is another public housing estate that isn't nearly as colorful, but offers a unique perspective for photographers. Walk to the middle of the estate and look up to see the sky framed on four sides by the apartment complex's soaring residential towers.Cheung Chau:
Escape the city life and experience Hong Kong's laid-back vibes with a day trip to Cheung Chau. The ferry from Central takes about 45 minutes and will transport you to this charming island known for its giant fish balls, mango mochi and annual bun festival, where climbers race on a mountain of steamed buns. The island doesn't have any public transportation or cars due to its narrow alleys, so you're forced to slow down by spending the day on foot or on a rental bicycle.What to eat in Hong Kong
Lan Fong Yuen:
Founded in 1952, Lan Fong Yuen is one of Hong Kong's most historic cha chaan tengs, or “tea restaurants.” Cha chaan tengs are known for down-to-earth and affordable menus featuring local comfort food, but the star of Lan Fong Yuen is its milk tea, which comes from a traditional method of using a sackcloth bag (resembling silk stocking) to filter the tea, creating a smooth taste. Pair it with chicken chop ramen with ginger scallion sauce and Hong Kong-style French toast.Oi Man Sang:
Eating at a dai pai dong is a quintessential Hong Kong experience. A dai pai dong is an open-air food stall that translates to “big license stall." After WWII, the government issued licenses to families of the deceased and injured civil servants to operate cooked food stalls and make a living. Today, the stalls are known for cheap, delicious food in a no-frills atmosphere. The high intensity cooking using a hot, open flame creates “wok hei,” translating to “breath of the wok,” a distinct charred and smoky flavor in Cantonese cuisine. There's nothing like a Friday night in Hong Kong with friends, eating stir-fry with an ice cold beer.Kai Kai Dessert:
Hong Kong-style desserts are my favorite. They're warm, nourishing, and most importantly for Asian tastes, not too sweet. Try the black sesame soup with glutinous rice balls - the soup is roasted for four hours, creating a rich, thick texture.
Australia Dairy Company:
This is always my first stop every time I come back to Hong Kong. An iconic cha chaan teng, Australia Dairy Company is known for its famous scrambled eggs on buttery thick toast, macaroni with char siu in chicken broth and milk tea. Finish it off with a steamed milk pudding, which is the best in the city. The line moves quickly, the staff is infamously impatient and you'll share a small table with strangers, but it's a classic Hong Kong experience that you can't miss.Satay King:
Pork chop rice is another one of Hong Kong's fundamental dishes. I recently discovered this down-to-earth spot and was blown away by the signature dish: lemongrass pork chop with white curry. The pork chops are fragrant with lemongrass and the curry includes hints of coconut - all served with steaming white rice.Draft Land:
The concept of this Taiwanese bar is all about cocktails on tap. I love the casual, yet minimalist, chic setting, and the wide selection of tea-infused cocktails is interesting and creative. My favorite is the Guk Bou, made of sweet chrysanthemum, earthy pu'er tea, gin and lime.Tim Ho Wan:
You can't visit Hong Kong without having dim sum, and you can't go wrong with Tim Ho Wan. Known as one of the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, Tim Ho Wan is delicious, cheap and a perfect start to the day. Their most famous dish is char siu bao, or barbecue pork baked bun, which are sweet and crispy on the top, and filled with sweet, savory pork.Halfway Coffee:
For a coffee break, check out Halfway Coffee. Tucked away near the antique shops in Sheung Wan, this charming shop serves their coffee in vintage Hong Kong porcelain cups. The cozy, dim setting makes it a perfect place to spend a Sunday afternoon.Mott 32:
For a special occasion, I love bringing friends to Mott 32, which serves upscale, modern Chinese cuisine. If the name sounds familiar, it's because it pays homage to 32 Mott Street in New York, where the city's first Chinese convenience store opened in 1891. Apart from the elegant setting, the char siu is my favorite in Hong Kong - it melts in your mouth - and the applewood roasted Peking duck is impressive and delicious. Be sure to book in advance for the Peking duck!Three-Day Hong Kong Itinerary
Day 1
- Victoria Peak via the Morning Trail (morning hike)
- Peak Tram back down to Central
- Lan Fong Yuen (cha chaan teng lunch and milk tea)
- Man Mo Temple (sightseeing)
- Central Market (souvenirs)
- Victoria Harbour, Star Ferry from Central Pier to Tsim Sha Tsui (experience)
- Oi Man Sang (dai pai dong dinner)
- Kai Kai Dessert (Hong Kong-style sweet soup dessert)
Day 2
- Australia Dairy Company (cha chaan teng breakfast)
- M+ (museum and lunch)
- Choi Hung Estate and Ping Shek Estate (sightseeing)
- Satay King (curry pork chop rice dinner)
- Draft Land (tea cocktails on tap)
Day 3
- Tim Ho Wan (dim sum)
- Halfway Coffee (coffee break)
- Ferry to Cheung Chau (day trip for mango mochi and giant fish balls)
- Mott 32 (peking duck and char siu dinner)
