Twenty-seven. That’s how many times we’ve crossed the border into Hong Kong. Twenty-one day trips and six weekend escapes. When we lived in Zuhai, just across the border in Mainland China, the city was our backyard, and what a backyard it was.
Our Hong Kong travel guide comes from years of eating, wandering and riding the MTR until closing time. From dim sum breakfasts in Central to night markets in Kowloon, this route blends iconic sights, local eats, and classic city views, perfect for first-time visitors short on time.
One day in Hong Kong might sound like a tease, but it’s more than enough to taste the city. The territory is compact, the public transport is world-class, English is easy, and the food alone is worth leaving the airport for if you’re on a long layover with Cathay Pacific.
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Tips for this One Day in Hong Kong Guide
Start by getting an Octopus Card, the stored-value card used for the MTR, buses, ferries, and even convenience stores. You can pre-order one on Klook and pick it up at the airport, or buy one at any MTR station or 7-Eleven. A HK$100–150 top-up is plenty for a single day. Any unused balance plus the card deposit can be refunded at the airport or MTR customer service before you leave.
Airport → City Transfer Options
- Airport Express train: About 25 minutes from the airport to Hong Kong Station (Central). Trains run every 10 minutes. HK$88 single to Hong Kong Station; HK$81 to Kowloon Station. Buy your Airport Express tickets here.
- Bus: Cheaper, slower. Costs about HK$35-50 depending on destination. Travel time depends on traffic, but allow at least 45 minutes
Where we stay in Hong Kong
The Kowloon side is cheaper than Central. In Kowloon, we usually stay at Holiday Inn Golden Mile, right by Jordan MTR Station. We once splurged at the YMCA Salisbury on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, and it was excellent. In Central, we like Butterfly on Wellington, a small boutique hotel in the heart of the action.
Don’t diss the Hop-on Hop-off / Big Bus Tours
- Those with only one day in Hong Kong and unfamiliar with the city should not dismiss the Big Bus tours. We took my parents, who are in their early 70s, on the Big Bus tour of Hong Kong Island. They loved it. We did too. You sit, you ride, you hop off if you like, you catch the next bus. I always thought you’d NEVER see me on one of those, but it’s actually a very enjoyable way to see any city. See routes and prices here.
Is One Day In Hong Kong Enough?
One day in Hong Kong is not enough to see or visit all the sights. It’s not even enough to eat everything we want you to eat. But sometimes a day is all you have, so we’ll try our darnest to show you the best of Hong Kong in 24 hours.
Due to logistics and timing constraints, we couldn’t fit all our favourite restaurants into this 1-day Hong Kong itinerary. We’ll drop the names and a few photos at the end of the post, along with a handy map.
A day in the Fragrant Harbour is just long enough to get a good taste of it, and will probably leave you with a plan to return and stay longer. It’s that kind of place. Still, with a whole day, you can see and eat quite a bit, so if you have a long layover or want to squeeze in some sightseeing on a business trip, then, yes, Hong Kong is definitely worth it, even for a single day.
If you ask me how long you should stay in Hong Kong, I’d say three to four days are ideal. With three days, you could spend an entire day in Central, a day in Kowloon and Stanley, and even go on a day trip to Macau (or Disney World if you have kids).
Morning in Hong Kong: Dim Sum & Central Streets
Dim Sum Square Breakfast
A good day in Hong Kong starts with dim sum. For a classic Hong Kong dim sum experience, we always head straight to Dim Sum Square in Central. Expect long lines that move fairly quickly on weekends and shorter waits during the week. This place is always packed, and that is exactly what you want to see.
Order a bit of everything. The har gow (shrimp dumplings) are some of the best we have ever had. I never skip the lo mai gai (sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaf), and Jin has been addicted to their baked BBQ pork buns since our first visit. And absolutely don’t leave without having their mango pudding. It’s never too early for pudding, especially in Hong Kong.
Order whatever catches your eye. Eat too much. This is an essential part of Hong Kong food culture.
If you are new to dim sum, check out this guide to our favourite dim sum dishes, so you know what to order without feeling overwhelmed.
Explore Sheung Wan, SoHo & Hollywood Road
With dim sum done, you’ll find yourself on the edge of Sheung Wan, named one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world in 2025 by Time Out Magazine. This is where old Hong Kong meets the new. Between glimpses of everyday Cantonese life, you’ll find indie shops, small galleries, and some of the city’s coolest coffee spots and bars.
It is the kind of area where you can pick up a vintage bargain, stumble upon a serious art piece, or just sit with a flat white and watch Hong Kong go by.
Antique Shops, Art and Coffee in SoHo
SoHo, short for South of Hollywood Road, is one of those parts of Hong Kong that feels layered with new cafes and cocktail bars sitting beside family-run antique shops and faded shophouses. Start your walk along Hollywood Road, the second-oldest street in the city, once the heart of the old trading district.
The antique stores here are endlessly fascinating. You can dig through stacks of Royal Doulton tea sets, Tibetan thangkas, and a good dose of Mao-era kitsch.
I find the high-end ivory shops along Hollywood Road oddly fascinating. I am firmly against the ivory trade, but I can still recognise the skill and artistry behind these old crafts. We stepped into one small shop where entire tusks, including what the owner said was a mammoth tusk, were carved with incredible precision. Among the pieces were a few magnificent rose balls, also known as Chinese puzzle balls.
These puzzle balls are carved from a single block of ivory into a series of delicate, nested spheres, sometimes fourteen layers deep. Curious, I asked the dealer how long it takes to make one. She smiled and said it can take up to thirty years. I must have looked shocked because she added, Thirty years is long for one man, but very short for humanity. I also nearly choked when I saw the price tag: several hundred thousand US dollars.
Visit the Man Mo Temple
Pop into Man Mo Temple, which dates back to 1847. There are several Man Mo temples around Hong Kong, but the one on Hollywood Road is the largest and most famous. Students and their parents come here to pray for good fortune, especially before exams. Inside, spirals of incense hang from the ceiling and fill the air with smoke and a sweet, woody scent.
Ride the Mid-Levels Escalator
From Hollywood Road, follow signs to the Central–Mid-Levels Escalator. This covered outdoor escalator system is the longest in the world and runs uphill through Central and SoHo. It is a fun and practical way to see the neighbourhoods from above while giving your legs a break. You can hop on or off at any landing to explore side streets, cafes or small shops.
I love this part of Hong Kong. Maybe because in my mind, an escalator belongs in a mall. Indoors. But here you get to ride it outside while getting a glimpse of a city in motion and an understanding of just how densely Hong Kong is built up and populated.
Lan Fong Yuen: Hong Kong Comfort Food
One of Hong Kong’s oldest cha chaan tengs (tea restaurants), Lan Fong Yuen is a must when you are exploring Central. It has been around since 1952 and feels like it.
This place is pure Hong Kong. Locals line up next to tourists, everyone sweating in the same queue for the same reason: a slice of old Hong Kong and food that tastes like home, even if you’re not from Hong Kong.
We always order a silk-stocking milk tea served in a plastic cup each, and a sweet, buttery Hong Kong-style French toast to share. It is comfort food in its truest form. The kind that reminds me of something my mom made between school and sports practice.
Inside, space is tight. Tables barely fit between the walls plastered with old movie posters. It is noisy and a bit cramped, but perfect. Every time I am here, it feels as if I’m in the classic Hong Kong movie, Chunking Express, and I half expect Faye Wong to walk in with a cassette player. If you’re heading to Hong Kong and haven’t watched it, give it a go.
Afternoon: Ride the Ding Ding
Time to shift gears and change neighbourhoods. Pull up Google Maps and make your way to the Yick Cheong Building in Quarry Bay. Skip the MTR and take one of the old double-decker trams instead. Locals call them ding dings for the sound of their bells. They are slow, open to the city, and one of the best ways to see Hong Kong without trying too hard.
The ride across Hong Kong Island is a moving postcard. Glass towers give way to weathered residential blocks. New high-rises go up wrapped in bamboo scaffolding. Neon signs flicker. Crowds flow in and out like tides. By the time you reach Quarry Bay, you have seen the rhythm of the city.
The Monster Building in Quarry Bay
The Yick Cheong Building, better known as the Monster Building, is a cluster of five connected apartment blocks. More than ten thousand people live here in just over two thousand units. Built in the 1970s, it was an ordinary housing complex until a scene from Transformers: Age of Extinction turned it into an icon. Now everyone comes to photograph the courtyard where the towers rise like walls around you.
It is a little off the usual one-day route, but worth the forty-minute tram ride from Central. You get to see everyday Hong Kong from the tram windows and then stand in the middle of the Monster Building, where the city’s density hits you head-on.
Yee Shun Milk Company
Ask Google Maps to take you back to Central, but don’t rush. (The MTR will be faster than the ding ding). Make a stop in Causeway Bay for one of Hong Kong’s simplest and most perfect desserts. Yee Shun Milk Company is an institution, and if you skip it, you are doing Hong Kong wrong.
They serve the silkiest double-steamed milk pudding in the city, along with air conditioning that could freeze the equator. On a sticky August afternoon, that alone is worth the detour.
If we have been to Hong Kong twenty-seven times, we have been to Yee Shun at least twenty-eight. I always order the classic double milk pudding, cold, while Jin swears by the version topped with red beans. I still don’t get the red bean thing, but apparently, it is the only correct way to eat it.
The puddings come hot or cold and cost around HK$40. Beyond the classic milk pudding, you can try ginger, coffee, chocolate, lotus seed, black sesame, or egg flavours. They also do proper Hong Kong snacks like pork chop buns, kaya toast, and beef and egg sandwiches.
A day in Hong Kong without milk pudding is a day wasted.
Sunset: Victoria Peak
The view from Victoria Peak alone is worth a transcontinental flight. The best time to see it is at sunset, when the city shifts from day to night and the Fragrant Harbour starts to glow. There is something about watching Hong Kong light up that is hard to put into words.
Besides THAT view, the Peak Tram is one of Hong Kong’s oldest (since 1888) and most famous attractions. The tram operates every 15 minutes between 7:30 and 23:00 daily
Sunset is also the busiest time, so give yourself plenty of time. Arrive at the Peak Tram Lower Terminus no later than 17:00 and buy your tickets in advance.
Even with a ticket in hand, you could wait close to an hour before actually boarding. When my parents started to struggle in the heat, a tram employee noticed and directed them to a bench towards the start of the line. Still, do not let the long line put you off. The Peak Tram is part of the experience and absolutely worth it for first-time visitors to Hong Kong.
The view from Sky Terrace at the top of Victoria Peak is staggering. The city stretches out in every direction like a living circuit board, skyscrapers flickering to life one by one as the harbour darkens. As darkness falls, ferries cut slow lines across the water, neon signs flicker on, and the whole city seems to hold its breath for a moment before the night takes over.
It is one of the most beautiful skylines in the world, and no photo ever does it justice.
Evening:
Hong Kong’s Best Wonton Noodles &
Cross to Kowloon
Back down from Victoria Peak, make a quick and delicious stop on Wellington Street. Here, two of the city’s best wonton noodle shops face each other in a quiet rivalry that’s been going for decades.
Choose either, you won’t be disappointed. Portions are small, which makes it the perfect first dinner — yes, there will be a second — before crossing Victoria Harbour to Kowloon for the night.
Tsim Kai Kee
This wonton noodle joint has earned its Michelin nods year after year, and it’s easy to see why. The line often snakes out the door, but it moves quickly. If you’re solo or in a small group, don’t be surprised if you’re seated with strangers. That’s just how it works here.
Tsim Chai Kee made a bold gamble in 1998 when it opened right across the street from Mak’s, which was already a household name by then. Instead of trying to copy what Mak’s was doing, they went with large portions and cheaper prices, and it paid off.
The menu is as straightforward as it gets: shrimp wonton, beef slices, fish balls, or a combination of the three with noodles. A three-combo noodle bowl costs HK$52, and you’ll be full afterwards. The shrimp wontons are plump and juicy, floating in a rich, flavour-packed broth. You can choose from three types of noodles. Jin had the shrimp wontons with thin egg noodles, while I devoured the shrimp-and-beef combo with flat rice noodles. The menu might be small, but sometimes that’s all you need.
Open daily: 11:00-21:30
Mak’s Noodles
Just across the road from Tsim Chai Kee, Mak’s Noodle is hard to miss with its green storefront and steady stream of locals. Like its neighbour, the line moves fast, so don’t be discouraged if you find a crowd waiting outside.
Mak’s Noodle traces its roots back to Guangzhou in the 1920s, when Mak Woon-chi was crowned the city’s King of Wonton Noodles. His son, Skinny Mak, carried on the family legacy after moving to Hong Kong in the 1940s. In 1968, he opened his own dai pai dong (street food stall) in Central, which was the very first Mak’s Noodles. In the 1980s, Mak’s opened its doors on Wellington Street.
Mak’s menu has many options, but don’t even think about customising. The menu is to the point, led by their famous Shrimp Wonton Noodles, which are simply incredible.
The wontons and portions are smaller than at Tsim Chai Kee, but the flavour is what keeps us coming back. Maybe that’s why we’ve been to Mak’s countless times and only once to Tsim Chai Kee. When it’s our only dinner of the night, we usually order three dishes to share between the two of us. Definitely order some hot sauce
Besides the signature wontons, you’ll find noodles topped with beef brisket, beef tendon, pork knuckle, and shrimp-pork wontons, plus a few comforting congee and stir-fried noodle options. Mak’s is a little pricier, but you get free tea and refills. In the end, both spots serve unbeatable value and flavour, and you really can’t go wrong with either.
Ride the Star Ferry Across Victoria Harbour
If there is one thing in Hong Kong you cannot skip, it is riding the Star Ferry. These ferries are part of the city’s excellent public transport network and among the cheapest, most beautiful ways to cross Victoria Harbour. They were born out of necessity but ended up becoming icons.
Make your way down to Central Pier and board this iconic Hong Kong experience and cruise over to Kowloon.
You will be surrounded by bankers in suits and backpackers with cameras. The ferry gives you a slow, captivating view of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon — glass towers, lighted signs, the harbour rippling below — all for just a few Hong Kong dollars.
The Star Ferry reminds me of the abra rides we took across Dubai Creek a bit in that way, but the view from a Star Ferry is about ten thousand times better.
The Star Ferry Company began in 1888 as the Kowloon Ferry Company, and in 1898, Sir Catchick Paul Chater renamed it Star Ferry. Today, there are eight double-deck diesel-electric ferries in the fleet that ferry 70,000 passengers every day.
Each ferry carries a name with star, such as the Evening Star, Meridian Star, Night Star, and Twinkling Star. The Celestial Star is currently the oldest vessel in the fleet, dating back to 1956.
Star Ferry: Fares, Frequency and Which Deck to Ride
- A ride between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui costs HK$5 on the upper deck on weekdays, HK$6.50 on weekends or public holidays. Lower deck is cheaper: HK$4 on weekdays, HK$5.60 on weekends. Use your Octopus Card to pay; otherwise, buy a token from a vending machine at the ferry pier.
- Ferries run every 6-8 minutes from 6:30 – 23:30
- Which deck should you pick? The upper deck offers better views, while the lower deck is cheaper, faster to board, and easier to get a seat. If you are with older folks or want a more relaxed ride, the lower deck is fine. If you are chasing photos and light, the upper deck wins.
Night: Night Markets & Second Dinner
From Tsim Sha Tsui, where the Star Ferry drops you, take a moment to admire the skyline. Hong Kong at night is pure magic, and you finally understand why this city feels so alive even after dark.
When you’ve had your fill of the view, make your way north toward one of Hong Kong’s famous night markets. If your legs still have some fight left, walk up Nathan Road for a dose of neon and window shopping. If not, hop on the MTR. Either way, your next stop is food, chaos and atmosphere in equal measure.
Temple Street / Ladies Night Market
There are two big night markets in Kowloon: Temple Street Night Market in Jordan and Ladies Market in Mong Kok. Both are cheap, cheerful and a Hong Kong essential.
Temple Street is your go-to for knockoff watches, budget electronics, fortune tellers, and greasy, glorious street food. The Ladies Market is where you go for I ❤️ HK T-shirts, knock-off designer bags, fridge magnets, bubble tea and egg waffles. We usually end up at the Ladies Market when we’re showing friends or family around because the mix of cheap stuff and food stalls makes it a bit more fun.
Haggling is part of the game. Don’t accept the first price you hear, even if there’s a tag. Offer half, smile, and meet somewhere in the middle. And in case you were wondering, those Rolexes for HK$200 aren’t real. They’ll stop ticking before your flight home.
Dai Pai Dong Dinner at Oi Man Sang (愛文生)
A dai pai dong is more than just a meal; it’s Hong Kong’s food culture distilled into one delicious experience. These open-air food stalls once filled the city streets, serving fast, fiery Cantonese dishes to workers and night owls.
Dai pai dong literally means big license stall, referring to the large licenses granted by the government after World War II to the families of fallen civil servants. Back in the 1950s, dai pai dongs were everywhere. Today, only a handful remain.
For the real deal, head to Oi Man Sang in Sham Shui Po. Operating since 1956, this place still cooks with soul and fire. While the kitchen has moved indoors, you can still sit outside on the sidewalk, rubbing elbows with locals over cold beer and steaming plates. They’ve modernised just enough — there’s an electronic queue system, QR code ordering, and yes, they even take cards now — but the food hasn’t lost its edge.
We ordered the stir-fried beef fillet and potatoes in black pepper sauce, the razor clams, and the crispy fried eggplant. Every dish came out sizzling and packed with flavour. And of course, a couple of bottles of Blue Girl Lager, because nothing beats beer and street food in Hong Kong.
By the time you’re scraping up the last bit of sauce, your stomach, mind and heart will be full. It’s been a big day, but if you only have one day in Hong Kong, this is exactly how you should spend it.
If You Have More Than One Day In Hong Kong
One day in Hong Kong flies by fast, but this itinerary covers the city’s greatest hits in 24 hours. Still, Hong Kong deserves more. Two or three days give you time to slow down, eat more, and see the city beyond its obvious icons. But I get it, sometimes a day is all you have.
If you’re lucky enough to have more time, take the bus out to Stanley, grab a pint and a pub lunch at The Pickled Pelican, and enjoy the seaside views. Visit the serene Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden for a dose of calm after the city rush, or head to Lantau Island to see the Big Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery. Another good way to split your time is to spend one day on Hong Kong Island and the next in Kowloon. And if you’re still hungry for more adventure, Macau is just a short ferry ride or bridge bus away.
And eat more. Hong Kong is, without a doubt, one of our favourite food cities on earth. We couldn’t squeeze everything into one day, so if you’ve got extra time, don’t miss these two firecrackers.
Under Bridge Spicy Crab
A Causeway Bay institution and the undisputed king of Typhoon Shelter crab. It’s absolutely brilliant. The crab comes piled high with fried garlic and chillies that pack serious heat (you can choose your spice level). When they say Spicy Crab, they mean spicy. They do all the Cantonese classics, but the crab is why you’re here. Open daily from 11:00 to 01:00.
Peking Garden
Sitting right by the Star Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, Peking Garden is where we often start our mornings when staying in Kowloon. The Peking duck with scallion pancakes and plum sauce is textbook perfection: crispy skin, tender meat, just the right amount of sweetness. Their dan dan noodles and mapo tofu are also top-notch.
If you have more than a day in Hong Kong, take it slow. Ride the trams, discover the unplanned, and eat like you mean it. The city rewards curiosity — and appetite.
Heading to the Mainland next?
Here are more guides to help you plan your China trip:
➜ One-day Macau itinerary
➜ Best places to visit in China
➜ Unique Beijing experiences
➜ Xian itinerary
➜ Top things to do in Chengdu
➜ Tulou houses in Fujian Province
➜ Best books to read before travelling to China
One Day in Hong Kong Map
That’s an over and out for our one-day Hong Kong travel guide. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below, and we’ll try our best to help
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