One Day in Hong Kong Itinerary (Perfect For First Timers)

Last Updated 02/05/2024 | 2nd May, 2024

Hong Kong is the fastest-paced place I have ever visited. Comparable to London or Mexico City, with so much to do and so much going on!

Tourists often use this destination as a pit stop between countries due to its huge, super modern airport. However, there is so much more to do and see here that a simple layover can allow.

Hong Kong is a melting pot of Chinese, British and Indian cultures, with the rest of the world sprinkled in for good measure. I would totally recommend visiting Hong Kong for more than a couple of days.

ut, if you’re on a tight schedule, here is a jam-packed itinerary for one day in Hong Kong.

Table of Contents

Interesting Facts About Hong Kong

🏢 Skyscraper Density: Hong Kong boasts one of the most impressive skylines in the world, with over 8,000 skyscrapers, more than any other city. The city’s limited space has led to a vertical expansion, resulting in an iconic skyline dominated by towering buildings.

🐙 Octopus Card: The Octopus card is a ubiquitous feature of daily life in Hong Kong. Introduced in 1997, it’s a rechargeable contactless smart card used for electronic payments in public transport and many retail outlets. Beyond its practical use, it’s become a symbol of Hong Kong’s efficiency and innovation in public transportation.

🐉Feng Shui Influence: Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese practice of harmonising individuals with their environment, has a significant influence on Hong Kong’s architecture and urban planning. Buildings are often designed with Feng Shui principles in mind, including the orientation and placement of entrances, to promote positive energy flow.

🍜 Michelin-starred cuisine: Despite its relatively small size, Hong Kong is home to one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. These range from humble street food stalls to fine dining establishments. (Keep reading for more on this!).

🚊Double-Decker Trams: Hong Kong’s iconic double-decker trams, known locally as “ding-dings,” have been in operation since 1904, making them one of the world’s oldest tram systems. They provide an affordable, convenient and fun mode of transportation.

How to Get From The Airport

To travel from Hong Kong International Airport to Tsim Sha Tsui, one of the most popular areas in Kowloon, you have a few transportation options:

Option One: Airport Express Train + MTR (Mass Transit Railway):

Take the Airport Express Train from the airport to Kowloon Station. The journey takes about 20-25 minutes. From Kowloon Station, transfer to the MTR Tung Chung Line (orange line) towards Tung Chung.

Alight at the next station, Hong Kong Station, and transfer to the Tsuen Wan Line (red line) towards Central. Finally, get off at Tsim Sha Tsui Station.

Option Two: Airport Express Train + Shuttle Bus:

Take the Airport Express Train from the airport to Kowloon Station.

Upon arrival at Kowloon Station, you can take a free Airport Express Shuttle Bus to various hotels and destinations in Tsim Sha Tsui. Check the bus routes and stops to ensure it goes to your desired location.

Option Three: Taxi:

Taxis are readily available at the airport taxi stands. Simply follow the signs to the taxi pick-up area. The journey typically takes around 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Option Four: Private Transfer:

You can arrange a private car or limousine (if you’re feeling extra fancy!) service to pick you up directly from the airport.

Many companies offer this service with varying price points. If this is the option you want to go for, I recommend organising with your hotel ahead of arriving.

Your Full Itinerary for One Day in Hong Kong

9 am – Kickstart Your One Day in Hong Kong

There is so much to do in Hong Kong that I recommend grabbing a breakfast and a coffee on the go. There are 7/11 stores and local bakeries all over the city – offering a tasty and affordable breakfast option.

Line your stomach while wandering down the Avenue of Stars and Garden of the Stars. It is a great place to admire famous statues, including Bruce Lee’s.

10 am – Harbour City Mall

📌 3-27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the world’s shopping capitals. You could go here for a week and do nothing but shop and still not see all the fantastic malls.

However, if you’ve only got a day, the chances are you’re not going to want to spend it all in a shopping centre. Head to the Harbour City mall for an hour or two and have a window shop at some serious designer labels.

1 pm – Affordable Michelin Star Food For Lunch

Tim Ho Wan in Hong Kong was famously known as the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant. It gained international acclaim for its delicious yet affordable dim sum dishes. Despite its Michelin star, Tim Ho Wan maintained reasonable prices, making it accessible to a wide range of diners.

It’s not often that a backpacker’s budget stretches to Michelin-starred food, so make the most of this one! It’s renowned for its dim-sum, and here are some of its most popular dishes:

🥟 Baked BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao): These buns feature a crispy, flaky exterior filled with sweet and savoury barbecued pork. They’re one of Tim Ho Wan’s signature dishes and are a must-try for many visitors.

🍜 Steamed Pork Dumplings with Shrimp (Siu Mai): Siu Mai is open-topped dumplings filled with minced pork, shrimp, and sometimes mushrooms or other ingredients. They’re steamed perfectly and often topped with a tiny orange-coloured crab roe.

🥟 Steamed Rice Rolls (Cheong Fun): Cheong Fun are delicate, steamed rice noodle rolls filled with various ingredients such as shrimp, barbecued pork, or beef. They’re commonly served with a sweet soy sauce or hoisin sauce.

🍜 Steamed Egg Cake (Malay Sponge Cake or Ma Lai Go): This sponge cake is soft, fluffy, and sweet. It’s a popular dessert option at Tim Ho Wan and pairs well with a cup of tea.

🥟 Pan-Fried Turnip Cake (Radish Cake or Law Bak Gou): These savoury cakes are made from shredded radish and rice flour mixed with bits of Chinese sausage and dried shrimp. They’re pan-fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

3 pm – Tian Tan Buddha

After filling up delicious food, it’s time for more sightseeing!

The Tian Tan Buddha, also known as the Big Buddha, is a large bronze statue on Lantau Island in Hong Kong. It’s one of the most iconic and visited landmarks in the region.

The Tian Tan Buddha stands 34 meters (112 feet) high, making it one of the largest seated Buddha statues in the world.

Getting to the Buddha is very easy. Take the MTR to Tung Chung Station, the nearest MTR station to the Ngong Ping 360 cable car terminal. From there, you can walk (about 10-15 minutes) or take a short bus ride to the cable car terminal.

Depending on your athleticism, you can reach the Tian Tan Buddha by climbing 268 steps or taking a cable car ride!

The statue symbolises harmony, spirituality, and Buddhism. Its serene and majestic presence atop a hill offers a peaceful atmosphere for visitors to reflect and admire the surrounding natural beauty.

I really enjoyed taking the time to wander around this magnificent structure and amazingly managing to time it perfectly to leave just before a huge thunderstorm!

5 pm – Peak Tram Ride

It’s 5 pm, but your one-day Hong Kong itinerary still has plenty left – it is time for the Hong Kong Peak Tram.

The Peak Tram is a funicular railway in Hong Kong that carries passengers from the Central district up to Victoria Peak, one of the highest points on Hong Kong Island. The tram has been in operation since 1888, making it one of the oldest forms of public transportation in Hong Kong.

Late in the afternoon is definitely the busiest time to ride the Peak Tram. However, is undoubtedly going to offer you the best view right before the sun is about to set.

The views are breathtaking, but the tram itself is such an incredible experience; you’ll be surprised how the old tram makes it up such a steep incline.

Note: When buying the ticket, you have the option to buy the tram ticket combined with the ‘sky deck’ entrance. I don’t think the sky deck is essential to get a good view; there’s a big enough viewing platform once you depart the tram.

8 pm – Enjoy The Light Display

Hong Kong is famous for its spectacular nightly light show, the “Symphony of Lights.” This multimedia show involves synchronising music, lights, and lasers from various buildings along the Victoria Harbour waterfront. It’s recognised by Guinness World Records as the “World’s Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show.”

Because this show is on every night, you don’t have to arrive crazily early to secure a great spot. 7.45 pm will be sufficient.

9 pm – Round Up Your One Day in Hong Kong With Indian Food

This has been a jam-packed itinerary for one day in Hong Kong, allowing you to see all of the highlights. What better way to round off a great day with delicious Indian food?

You won’t struggle to find a delicious spot in the heart of Hong Kong!