Few cities pack so much energy into so little space as Hong Kong. A British colony for over 150 years, it returned to China in 1997 and today hums with Cantonese culture, sky-piercing architecture, and jungle-clad peaks. Double-decker trams still ring their “ding-ding” through old neighborhoods, while Michelin-rated bites hide in humble shopfronts.

From the Peak Tram to neon-lit markets, Hong Kong rewards curiosity. Sail across Victoria Harbour, wander incense-swirled temples, then ride the MTR to stilt-house villages and sandy coves. You’ll taste traditions—silky milk tea, bamboo-steamed har gow, char siu glistening with lacquer—beside some of Asia’s most exciting contemporary art and design.

Practical notes: Pick up an Octopus card for tap-and-go transit and snacks. The Airport Express gets you to town quickly, and the MTR network is vast, clean, and bilingual. Weather swings humid in summer and breezy in winter; pack a light layer for fiercely air-conditioned interiors.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a compact metropolis of islands and peninsulas: Central’s skyscrapers, Kowloon’s street buzz, the green hills and beaches of the New Territories and outlying islands. Expect cutting-edge galleries, Cantonese opera, feng shui–tuned towers, and dai pai dong open-air food stalls.

• Top sights: Victoria Peak, Man Mo Temple, Tai Kwun, PMQ, Star Ferry, Wong Tai Sin Temple, Nan Lian Garden, West Kowloon’s M+ and Palace Museum.
• Classic bites: Dim sum, wonton noodles, roast goose, pineapple buns (bolo bao), egg tarts, claypot rice.
• Getting around: MTR is fastest; trams for scenic hops on HK Island; taxis are affordable; ferries link outlying isles.

Getting there: Book international flights to Hong Kong International (HKG) on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical flight times: 12–16 hours from the US West/East Coasts (nonstop/one-stop), 4–5 hours from Tokyo/Seoul, 9–12 from Europe (one-stop).

Where to stay: Browse stays across budgets on Hotels.com (Hong Kong) or apartments on VRBO (Hong Kong).

• Iconic luxury: The Peninsula Hong Kong (Kowloon waterfront heritage, famed afternoon tea, Rolls-Royce fleet).
• Design-forward: The Upper House (Soothing minimalism above Pacific Place; beloved cafe and bar).
• Family favorite (Lantau): Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel or Disney Explorers Lodge.
• Excellent value: YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel (revived 1950s public-housing block with a local museum).
• Budget & social: Hop Inn (TST; colorful rooms near the harbour).

Day 1: Arrival, Victoria Harbour, and Tsim Sha Tsui Night Views

Morning: Fly into HKG. Consider booking flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Take the Airport Express (about 25 minutes) into the city and check in.

Afternoon: Shake off jet lag along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade—Avenue of Stars, mirrored skyline, and the sail-shaped Cultural Centre. Ride the historic Star Ferry across to Central and back for classic harbour panoramas.

Evening: Time dinner with the 8:00 p.m. Symphony of Lights. For dramatic harbour views and Northern Chinese dishes, book Hutong (fiery chili crabs, Peking duck). Nearby alternatives: Spring Deer (old-school Peking duck), or Tsui Wah (cha chaan teng comfort—crispy buns with condensed milk, curry beef brisket). Nightcap: DarkSide at Rosewood (Cantonese dessert cocktails) or Ozone atop ICC—one of the world’s highest bars.

Day 2: Central, Sheung Wan, and the Peak

Morning: Start with pineapple buns at Kam Wah Bakery (Mong Kok) or buttery egg tarts at Tai Cheong Bakery (Central). Coffee at NOC Coffee Co. Gough Street or % Arabica in IFC. Explore Man Mo Temple (incense coils) and creative studios at PMQ. Walk through Tai Kwun, a beautifully restored police compound turned cultural hub.

Afternoon: Skip queues and pair culture with cuisine on this guided experience: Top-Rated Hong Kong Tour: Peak Tram, Dim Sum & Cultural Sights. You’ll ride the Peak Tram, explore Old Town Central and Man Mo Temple, and taste dim sum with a guide’s storytelling.

Evening: Dine in Soho. Try Ho Lee Fook (inventive Cantonese; roast meats and typhoon shelter crab fried rice) or Yardbird (yakitori; don’t miss the sweetcorn tempura). Post-dinner cocktails: COA (agave temple; Asia’s top-ranked bar) or ARGO (botanical-driven menu at Four Seasons). Late snack: Mak’s Noodle (petite bowls of springy wonton noodles).

Day 3: Kowloon Temples, Gardens, and Night Markets

Morning: Fuel up at Australia Dairy Company (silky scrambled eggs, steam-milk pudding). Coffee at Knockbox Coffee Company (Mong Kok). Visit Wong Tai Sin Temple (fortunes and Taoist architecture) and the serene Nan Lian Garden with its neighboring Chi Lin Nunnery—a rare pocket of Tang-style tranquility amid the city.

Afternoon: Hunt for sneakers and gadgets in Mong Kok (Sneaker Street, Sai Yeung Choi). For lunch, consider Mak Man Kee (shrimp wonton noodles), Islam Food (Kowloon City; famous veal goulash and curry), or Kwan Kee Claypot Rice (Shek Kip Mei) when it’s cooler.

Evening: Dive into Kowloon’s flavors on a small-group tasting: Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Locals - Dim Sum, Wonton & more. Expect dai pai dong classics and stories that connect dishes to neighborhoods.

After, browse the Temple Street Night Market for trinkets and fortune tellers. Dessert at Kai Kai (black sesame soup; almond paste) or mango puddings at Hui Lau Shan.

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

Trade towers for sea breezes. Join a guided day out that handles transport and timing: Best Seller: VIP Lantau Tai O Tour Priority Cable Car, Big Buddha. Ride the Ngong Ping 360 cable car to the Tian Tan (Big) Buddha and Po Lin Monastery, then wander stilt-house lanes in Tai O Fishing Village with options for a dolphin-spotting boat.

Eat a simple vegetarian set at Po Lin (tofu, greens, mushroom dishes) or fresh seafood in Tai O (shrimp paste, dried fish, sugar-dough doughnuts). Families may pair this with an extra night at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel or Disney Explorers Lodge for park time the next day.

Day 5: West Kowloon Culture and Harbour Time

Morning: Brunch at N1 Coffee & Co. (TST) or Bakehouse (Wan Chai; legendary croissants and sourdough). Head to the M+ Museum for visual culture and design, then step into the Hong Kong Palace Museum for imperial art on loan from Beijing.

Afternoon: Picnic or e-scooter along the West Kowloon Art Park, a breezy green strip with skyline views. Lunch nearby at FAM (dim sum with a modern twist) or return to Jordan for Mak Man Kee.

Evening: Sail the harbour at golden hour on the classic Star Ferry or time a DIY waterfront stroll for dusky photos. Dinner options: Spring Deer (carved Peking duck), Yung Kee (Central; famed roast goose), or casual Tsui Wah. Dessert: Oddies (eggette gelato) or a tofu-fa bowl at a neighborhood beancurd shop.

Day 6: Macau Day Trip — UNESCO Lanes and Egg Tarts

Macau blends Chinese temples with pastel Portuguese squares and a blockbuster skyline. Simplify logistics with a guided day from Hong Kong: Full Day Macau Sightseeing Tour from Hong Kong (OW by HZM Bridge). You’ll cover Ruins of St. Paul’s, Senado Square, A-Ma Temple, and fortress viewpoints with transport arranged.

Independent option: Ferries or HZMB buses typically take about 60–75 minutes plus border formalities. Eat like a local: Lord Stow’s Bakery (Coloane egg tarts), A Lorcha (Macanese/Portuguese), or Fernando’s on Hac Sa Beach. Return to Hong Kong in the evening for a laid-back bowl of congee or wonton noodles.

Day 7: Hike Dragon’s Back, Causeway Bay Shopping, Sky-High Farewell

Morning: Lace up for Dragon’s Back—a rolling ridge with ocean views to Shek O and Big Wave Bay (allow 2–3 hours; go early for shade). Coffee at NOC Roastery (Sai Ying Pun) or smoothies at beachside kiosks. If you prefer city strolls, circle the Peak Lugard Road trail for jungle-meets-skyline vistas.

Afternoon: Head to Causeway Bay for retail therapy (SOGO, Fashion Walk) and snack breaks. Lunch at Din Tai Fung (xiao long bao, cucumber salad) or Sing Heung Yuen (Central; al fresco tomato-noodle icon).

Evening: Final feast options: The Chairman (if you snag a reservation; produce-driven Cantonese), Yardbird (energetic yakitori), or Yat Lok (Central; lacquered roast goose). Cap it at Ozone or ARGO and drink in that last, glittering harbour view.

Practical Transit and Tour Tips

• Airport to city: Airport Express to Hong Kong or Kowloon Station, then free hotel shuttles or short taxi/Uber.
• Metro: The MTR runs from early morning to around midnight; signage is in English and Chinese.
• Octopus: Top up at MTR stations and convenience stores; it works for transit, vending machines, and many cafes.
• Regional rail (optional add-on): If you fancy a separate day trip to Shenzhen or Guangzhou, check times and fares on Trip.com Trains.

Optional Private Guiding

If you’d like a flexible, tailor-made overview on your first full day, consider: Private Hong Kong Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems—designed around your interests, from wet markets to contemporary galleries.

Booking Pointers

• Flights: Compare fares and connections on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.
• Hotels: Anchor yourself in Tsim Sha Tsui (skyline views), Central/Soho (dining and nightlife), or Wan Chai/Causeway Bay (shopping and trams). Book via Hotels.com or browse family-friendly flats on VRBO.
• Tours: Reserve popular tours early—Peak Tram priority access and Lantau day trips sell out during holidays and weekends.

Summary: In one week, you’ll scale Victoria Peak, nibble your way through Kowloon, breathe in Lantau’s sea air, and trace centuries of history from incense-filled temples to cutting-edge museums—plus a bonus Macau mosaic of Portuguese tiles and Chinese traditions. Hong Kong rewards both planners and wanderers; keep your Octopus topped up and your appetite open.