Hong Kong is a city where incense curls in century-old temples while LED billboards blaze over steamy noodle shops. Once a British colony and now a dynamic SAR of China, its layers of Cantonese heritage, finance-fueled modernity, and island landscapes make a riveting week-long escape. From Michelin-recommended roast goose to sunset junk boats on Victoria Harbour, this itinerary blends headline sights with local eats.

Food is the heartbeat here—dim sum trolleys, claypot rice, wonton noodles, egg tarts, and tong sui desserts. Markets bustle in Sham Shui Po; chic cocktail dens hum in Central. With speedy trains from Shenzhen, it’s easy to cross the border for a flavor-forward city break, then slow down with ferries, temples, and gardens.

Practical notes: carry valid travel documents for border control (Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau or Express Rail to West Kowloon). Octopus cards make public transport effortless. Book popular restaurants and cable cars ahead on weekends and holidays, and aim for The Peak at golden hour for the city’s greatest light show—the skyline itself.

Hong Kong

Welcome to a city of contrasts: incense-lit Man Mo Temple stands a short stroll from slick galleries at Tai Kwun, and Mong Kok’s neon lanes give way to serene Nan Lian Garden. The Star Ferry still glides across the harbor as it has since 1888, and the century-old Peak Tram climbs to Hong Kong’s crown.

Top draws include Victoria Peak, Lantau’s Big Buddha and Tai O stilt village, West Kowloon’s world-class museums (M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum), and night markets that sizzle late. Food-wise, expect life-changing dim sum, roast meats, seafood, and nostalgic cha chaan teng cafés.

• Stay: Browse stays on VRBO Hong Kong or Hotels.com Hong Kong. Standouts: The Upper House (sophisticated calm, Admiralty), The Peninsula Hong Kong (iconic harbor grande dame, TST), YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel (budget-chic heritage in Sham Shui Po), and Hop Inn or Hop Inn on Carnarvon (artsy, great TST base). For families near the parks: Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel or Disney Explorers Lodge.
• Getting here from Shenzhen: Take the high-speed train from Futian or Shenzhen North to Hong Kong West Kowloon (about 15–25 minutes, roughly US$10–15) via Trip.com Trains. Or ride the MTR East Rail via Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau (about 45–70 minutes, ~US$6–8). Flying into HKG? Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrival, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Victoria Harbour

Morning: From Shenzhen, take the high-speed train to West Kowloon. Grab a welcome coffee at NOC Coffee Co. (Austin Road West; bright, minimalist) or Fineprint (TST K11 Atelier outpost; Australian-style flat whites). Check in and freshen up.

Afternoon: Stroll the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade: Avenue of Stars, the Hong Kong Museum of Art exterior, and postcard views of Central’s skyline. Lunch nearby at Tsim Chai Kee (Central; giant shrimp wonton, beef and fish ball trios) or Mak’s Noodle (Wellington Street; delicate wonton broth). Both are quick hops via Star Ferry.

Evening: Take a sunset/early-evening cruise on a historic junk for unbeatable skyline photos.

Hong Kong: Dukling, Antique Boat Tour in Victoria Harbour

After docking, catch the Symphony of Lights from the TST waterfront. Dinner at Yat Lok (Central; Michelin roast goose with rice or noodles) or Under Bridge Spicy Crab (Causeway Bay; typhoon-shelter crabs with fried garlic). Nightcap at DarkSide (Rosewood; jazz-leaning classics) or COA (Sheung Wan; agave temple, Asia’s Best Bars mainstay).

Day 2: Sham Shui Po & Mong Kok—Your Street-Food Playground

Morning: Classic cha chaan teng breakfast at Australia Dairy Company (Jordan; silky scrambled eggs, macaroni soup, steamed milk pudding). Explore Sham Shui Po’s Ap Liu Street market and fabric lanes. Dim sum brunch at Tim Ho Wan (various branches; baked char siu buns) or One Dim Sum (Prince Edward; value and variety).

Afternoon: Wander Mong Kok: Sneaker Street (Fa Yuen), Goldfish Market, and Ladies’ Market for souvenirs. Snack crawl: Fei Jie (Dundas Street; curry squid and offal skewers), Mammy Pancake (egg waffles; signature chocolate or matcha), and local curry fish balls from street stalls.

Evening: Join a guided street food walk to decode flavors and backstreets with locals.

Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Locals - Dim Sum, Wonton & more

Post-tour, browse the revamped Temple Street Night Market for trinkets and fortune-telling stalls. Supper options: Kwan Kee Claypot Rice (Sai Ying Pun; smoky “wok hei” rice with Chinese sausage) or Good Hope Noodle (Mong Kok; beef brisket, fish ball noodles). Dessert at Yee Shun Milk Company (steamed milk custard) or Cong Sao Dessert (mango sago specialties).

Day 3: Lantau Island—Cable Car, Big Buddha, and Tai O

Make it an easy, all-in-one day with transport, the Ngong Ping 360, and Tai O boat rides arranged.

Lantau Island Day Trip Big Buddha & Tai O Includes Cable Car

Expect breezy village lanes, incense at Po Lin Monastery, sea views from the gondola, and a taste of old Hong Kong in Tai O’s stilt-house alleys. Try tofu pudding, shrimp paste, and dried seafood snacks.

Back in town, dinner in Tung Chung (Fung Shing for Cantonese) or return to Central for Ho Lee Fook (modern Cantonese—char siu, crispy duck). If you’ve energy, a late ferry glide on the Star Ferry caps the day beautifully.

Day 4: Central to The Peak—History, Escalators, and Skyline Drama

Morning: Coffee at Fineprint (Peel Street) or Hazel & Hershey (SoHo). Explore Man Mo Temple (Sheung Wan), antiques on Cat Street, and PMQ design studios. Brunch dim sum at Duddell’s (art-filled dining) or DimDimSum (Wan Chai; playful classics).

Afternoon: Ride the Mid-Levels Escalator through SoHo, then take the Peak Tram for that legendary panorama. Consider this guided program that blends food tasting, neighborhood stories, and priority tram access:

Top-Rated Hong Kong Tour: Peak Tram, Dim Sum & Cultural Sights

Evening: Sunset linger at The Peak; then either casual at The Peak Lookout (colonial-era pavilion, tandoor and seafood) or head down to Yardbird (Sheung Wan; yakitori and Japanese whisky). For cocktails, The Diplomat (American classics, bar snacks) or Penicillin (closed-loop sustainability focus).

Day 5: Kowloon Culture—Temples, Gardens, and West Kowloon

Morning: Start at Wong Tai Sin Temple (multi-faith complex famous for answered prayers). Then unwind at Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery—tang dynasty-style timber halls and lotus ponds, a city oasis. Grab a light bite at the garden’s vegetarian teahouse (soothing teas, tofu dishes).

Afternoon: Head to the West Kowloon Cultural District. Explore M+ Museum’s visual culture trove and the Hong Kong Palace Museum’s imperial artifacts. Lunch choices nearby: Lau Sum Kee (Sham Shui Po; bamboo-pressed noodles with dried shrimp roe) or Samsen (Jordan; Thai boat noodles, wagyu pad kaprao).

Evening: Sunset on the West Kowloon Art Park lawn with harbor views. Then Temple Street Night Market re-run for atmosphere, or K11 MUSEA for upscale dining. Dinner picks: Mott 32 (elevated Cantonese—applewood-roasted Peking duck), Sister Wah (Tin Hau; clear-broth beef brisket), or Kam’s Roast (Wan Chai; goose and char siu).

Day 6: Optional Day Trip—Macau Heritage & Egg Tarts

Morning: Travel from Hong Kong to Macau by ferry (about 55–70 minutes) or by bus across the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (about 45–60 minutes). Bring passports/permits. Start at the Ruins of St. Paul’s and wander to Senado Square’s wave-patterned stones; pop into St. Dominic’s Church and Fortaleza do Monte.

Afternoon: Taste Macanese and Portuguese flavors: pork chop bun at Tai Lei Loi Kei, African chicken or minchi at local spots, and Lord Stow’s Portuguese egg tarts. Explore A-Ma Temple and the maritime-themed Barra area. Coffee at Rooftop Macau or a heritage café near Largo do Senado.

Evening: Return to Hong Kong for a late bowl of wonton noodles at Mak’s or Tsim Chai Kee, or congee and yau za gwai (fried dough) at Sang Kee. If you kept it low-key in Macau, end with a harborfront stroll on the TST promenade.

Day 7: Last Sips & Souvenirs—Sheung Wan to the Star Ferry

Morning: Coffee crawl at NOC (Gough Street) or The Coffee Academics (Causeway Bay). Browse Sheung Wan’s dried seafood lanes (Wing Lok Street), herbal shops, and tea merchants—great for edible souvenirs. Brunch at Yung Kee (roast meats; century eggs with pickled ginger) or a final dim sum round at Tim Ho Wan.

Afternoon: Ride the Star Ferry one last time for skyline views, then pick up gifts at PMQ or K11 Design Store. If time allows, quick beach-and-market jaunt to Stanley (waterfront promenade, market bargains). Depart in the afternoon—express rail or MTR back to Shenzhen, or Airport Express if flying.

Bonus: Private City Overview (Great on Day 1 or 4)

If you prefer a tailored orientation that mixes must-sees with hidden corners, opt for a customizable private tour with a local driver-guide—great for first-timers and food-focused travelers.

Hong Kong｜Private Sightseeing Tour with Local Driver-Guide

Where to Stay (Quick Picks):

• Iconic luxury: The Peninsula Hong Kong (harbor views, afternoon tea tradition).
• Design-forward: The Upper House (serene rooms, stellar service).
• Family fun: Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel or Disney Explorers Lodge.
• Great value: YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel (heritage vibes, foodie district) and Hop Inn (art-driven rooms, prime TST location).
• Browse all: Hotels.com Hong Kong | VRBO Hong Kong

Getting Around & Departures: The MTR is fast and intuitive; Octopus cards work on buses and ferries. For cross-border return to Shenzhen, book the Express Rail on Trip.com Trains. Flying out? Compare routes on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

In a week, you’ve tasted Hong Kong’s soul—dim sum steam and street-stall sizzle, fishing-village quiet and mountain mist, museum polish and neon nights. Keep this guide handy for your next visit; Hong Kong rewards repeat travelers with deeper flavors and new perspectives.