Hong Kong dazzles with a skyline that seems to grow by the week, yet its soul lives in incense-wreathed temples, old-school tea houses, and lively wet markets. Once a British colony and now a Special Administrative Region of China, it’s a city where feng shui guides architecture and neon still hums over noodle shops.

Beyond the skyscrapers, Hong Kong is a hiking and island paradise: think Dragon’s Back ridgelines, pink-sand sunsets at Repulse Bay, and stilt houses in Tai O. Ferries stitch it all together—the city’s favorite commute since the 19th century—while the efficient MTR makes exploring effortless.

Pack an appetite. Cantonese cuisine rules here: dim sum trolleys, roast goose lacquered to perfection, claypot rice crackling with aroma, and egg tarts still warm from the oven. Buy an Octopus card at the airport for tap-and-go transit and small purchases, and check local weather—summer is hot and humid, winter is mild and ideal for hiking.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s core districts each tell a story. Central and Sheung Wan mix colonial-era lanes with cutting-edge galleries and coffee bars. Tsim Sha Tsui glitters with harbor views, while Sham Shui Po is where you’ll find fabric markets and Michelin-rated street snacks. West Kowloon has transformed into a cultural hub with M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum.

• Top sights: Victoria Peak, Star Ferry, Man Mo Temple, Wong Tai Sin Temple, Nan Lian Garden, PMQ, Tai Kwun, M+ Museum, West Kowloon Cultural District.
• Food highlights: Tim Ho Wan (Sham Shui Po), Yat Lok Roast Goose (Central), Bakehouse (Wan Chai), Kam Wah Café (pineapple buns), Mak’s Noodle (wonton), Duddell’s/Mott 32 for upscale Cantonese.
• Nature & islands: Lantau’s Big Buddha and Tai O, Dragon’s Back hike, Repulse Bay & Shek O beaches, Stanley promenade.

Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com. For iconic splurge stays, consider The Peninsula Hong Kong (harbor views, classic afternoon tea) or The Upper House (serene design, stellar service). Family favorites include Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney Explorers Lodge. Great-value picks: YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel, Hop Inn, or Hop Inn on Carnarvon in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Getting in: Search flights to HKG on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical times: Singapore 3.5–4h ($120–250), Tokyo 4.5–5.5h ($180–380), Sydney 9–10h ($450–900), Los Angeles 14–16h ($800–1300). From the airport, the Airport Express to Central takes ~24 minutes; taxis to Kowloon/Central run ~35–50 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1 — Arrival, Harbor Lights, and Classic Cantonese

Morning: Travel day. If you land early, fuel up with a buttery bolo bao (pineapple bun) at Kam Wah Café in Mong Kok or grab specialty coffee at The Coffee Academics in TST.

Afternoon: Check in and decompress. Stroll the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and Avenue of Stars for a first look at Victoria Harbour’s skyline. Pop into K11 MUSEA’s design-forward floors and grab an egg tart at Tai Cheong Bakery.

Evening: Ride the Star Ferry at golden hour to Central—cheap, nostalgic, and the best-value view in town. Dinner options: Yat Lok (Central) for legendary roast goose with rice noodles; Mak’s Noodle for springy wonton noodles; or Mott 32 for elevated Cantonese (order the Peking duck—book ahead). Cap the night with a sky-high cocktail at Ozone in ICC or DarkSide at Rosewood.

Day 2 — Old Town Central, Temples, and Trendy Lanes

Morning: Hong Kong breakfast, cha chaan teng style: milk tea and pork-chop bun at Lan Fong Yuen (SoHo), or congee and youtiao at Sang Kee Congee in Sheung Wan. Visit Man Mo Temple, then browse PMQ’s local designer studios and Tai Kwun’s heritage courtyards.

Afternoon: Join a guided wander through history-rich neighborhoods with the Hong Kong Day Tour: City Landmarks & Highlights. Expect temples, markets, snack stops, and stories that make the streets come alive.

Evening: Dine in SoHo: Yardbird’s modern yakitori remains a local favorite; Ho Lee Fook serves inventive Cantonese plates in a buzzy room. For dessert, try Bakehouse’s famed sourdough egg tart in Wan Chai or a sesame tong sui at a neighborhood dessert shop in Sheung Wan.

Day 3 — Kowloon Culture, Gardens, and Night Markets

Morning: Head to Sham Shui Po for a grassroots Hong Kong morning. Breakfast at Tim Ho Wan (Michelin-star dim sum) or tofu pudding and soy milk at Kung Wo Beancurd Factory. Explore Apliu Street Market’s electronics stalls and the colorful fabric lanes of Ki Lung Street.

Afternoon: Take the MTR to Diamond Hill for Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery—Tang-dynasty inspired tranquility amid the city rush. Then continue to West Kowloon to explore M+ Museum (Asia’s premier museum of visual culture) and the waterfront Art Park.

Evening: Browse Temple Street’s night market in Yau Ma Tei and sit down for sizzling claypot rice at Four Seasons Clay Pot Rice (not the hotel—arrive early). Nightcap at DarkSide (Rosewood) or a casual craft pint at Second Draft in Tai Hang if you hop back to the Island.

Day 4 — Lantau Island: Big Buddha, Cable Car, and Tai O

Spend the day on Lantau with the Lantau Island Day Trip Big Buddha & Tai O Includes Cable Car. Ride the Ngong Ping 360 cable car to the Tian Tan (Big) Buddha and Po Lin Monastery, then see stilt houses and boat life in Tai O.

After you return, grab a casual dinner near Central: Mak’s Noodle for quick comfort, Yat Lok for roast meats, or head to Sai Ying Pun for neighbourhood izakayas. If energy allows, walk the Peak Circle at dusk for an easy, spectacular loop above the city lights.

Day 5 — Hike to the Sea, Stanley Stroll, and a Night on the Water

Morning: Start with pastries and coffee at Bakehouse (Wan Chai). Hike Dragon’s Back (Shek O Country Park)—one of Asia’s best urban trails—with sweeping views over Shek O and Tai Long Wan. Wear a hat and bring water; the trail is exposed.

Afternoon: Cool off at Repulse Bay or Shek O Beach; lunch on seafood and Thai plates at Shek O Thai or grab burgers and sand-between-your-toes vibes at Ben’s Back Beach Bar. Continue to Stanley for the seaside promenade and market browsing.

Evening: Sail into the neon glow with the STARLIGHT: Victoria Harbour Night Yacht Tour—a front-row seat to the city’s lights from the water.

Before or after your cruise, consider dinner with a view: Hutong (Northern Chinese with dramatic harbor vistas) or Aqua for Italian/Japanese fare in a glass-clad aerie.

Day 6 — Macau Day Trip: UNESCO streets and egg tarts

Cross the Pearl River via the record-setting bridge on the Full- Day Macau Tour from Hong Kong via HZM Bridge. Explore the Ruins of St. Paul’s, Senado Square, A-Ma Temple, and sample Macanese flavors—think Portuguese-African chicken and iconic egg tarts.

If you have free time, peek into a historic pastel-blue townhouse or the fort walls above the city. Back in Hong Kong, keep dinner simple: Tsui Wah (Central) for late-night rice plates and milk tea, or noodle shops around Soho.

Day 7 — Dim Sum Finale, Last-Minute Finds, and Departure

Morning: A proper Cantonese send-off: dim sum at Duddell’s (refined, artful plates), Luk Yu Tea House (time-capsule wood paneling and tea culture), or the convenient Tim Ho Wan branch if you’re near Sham Shui Po again. Coffee to-go at % Arabica (Star Ferry or K11 MUSEA) and a final harbor glance.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping in Causeway Bay (Fashion Walk, Times Square) or Tsim Sha Tsui (Harbour City). Pick up edible souvenirs—almond cookies, egg-roll biscuits—at Kee Wah Bakery. Depart for the airport; the Airport Express from Kowloon or Hong Kong station is the fastest bet.

Evening: In the air, reliving the skyline. If your flight is later, swing by the Peak Tram for Sky Terrace views or wander Tai Kwun’s lit courtyards one last time.

Optional Upgrade for Peak Lovers

If you prefer a guided city day that includes dim sum tasting and a fast-track ride up the Peak, swap Day 2 afternoon for the Top-Rated Hong Kong Tour: Peak Tram, Dim Sum & Cultural Sights.

Local eats to bookmark: Yat Lok (roast goose), Sister Wah (beef brisket, Tin Hau), Sing Heung Yuen (open-air tomato noodle, daytime), Dim Sum Square (Sheung Wan), One Dim Sum (Prince Edward), Kam Wah Café (bolo bao), Mammy Pancake (egg waffles), Bakehouse (sourdough egg tart). Note: Australia Dairy Co. is famed for scrambled eggs and toast but closes on Thursdays; lines move fast.

Hong Kong rewards curiosity. With a week, you’ll taste its kitchens, ride its waves of history, and step into nature just beyond the towers. Expect to leave already plotting your return.