Best of Hong Kong in 4 days

Kowloon Park Hong Kong

Best of Hong Kong in 4 days

This guest post on Hong Kong in 4 days is by Neha Singh from Dubai Wikia. As a Mass Comm postgraduate, Neha has an artistic take on everything about life. An avid trekker, explorer and a true foodie, she finds happiness in small endeavours of life and loves to pen them down as a cherished memory. 

Hong Kong – what visions does this city inspire in you? To us, it’s an enchanting island of soaring skyscrapers, big money, tons of noodle stands, eight million inhabitants and many wild nights out. The city’s vibrant atmosphere and fast pace, its multiculturalism and incredible cuisine, are what keep people coming back. Here’s how best you can enjoy Hong Kong in 4 days. Use our four-day itinerary to organize your trip to Hong Kong. We’ve included only the very best to see and do in Hong Kong, so you can enjoy every moment of your 4 days in this fascinating city.


Day 1

Hong Kong Museum of History (Morning)

It’s best to understand Hong Kong’s complex past before exploring it, and that’s exactly what the Hong Kong Museum is all about. Check out exhibits concerning archaeology, ethnography, natural history and the social history of the region. The museum tour will take you about 4 hours; entry is free on Wednesdays, and the audio tour is available for HKD $10.

Hong Kong Museum of History

Hong Kong Museum of History

Kowloon Park Tour (Early Afternoon)

After you’re done with the museum, head over to Kowloon Island’s ginormous park that houses a fabulous aviary containing swimming birds. There’s also a lush Chinese garden and lots of greenery around. Do take a dip in the swimming pool for that much-needed escape from Hong Kong’s oppressive heat!

Kowloon Park Hong Kong

Kowloon Park Hong Kong

Check out Sky 100 Observation Deck (Late Afternoon)

If you're covering Hong Kong in 4 days, this is one experience you cannot miss! Sky100 Observation Deck is Hong Kong’s highest point. It offers fabulous views of Hong Kong’s skyline and the sights of Kowloon. In fact, much of Kowloon is not visible from the peak but can be seen clearly from Sky100.  Late afternoon, towards sunset, is the best time to check out the city, as the neon LEDs turn on one by one then. Plus there’s Sky-high dining at Café 100, operated by The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong.

sky100 Observation Deck

sky100 Observation Deck

Ride the Star Ferry to Kowloon Island (Evening)

Cross over to Hong Kong Island from Kowloon Island and back again on the Star Ferry, to grab some of the best views of the city skyline and the coastal sights.

Star Ferry Hong Kong

Star Ferry Hong Kong


Day 2

Walk along the Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront (Morning)

Start early in the morning with a stroll along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. You’ll be rewarded with the most breathtaking views of the city skyline, and the fancy vessels lined up at the waterfront. Check out the Avenue of Stars, which is Hong Kong’s answer to the Walk of Fame in Hollywood.

tsim sha tsui Hong Kong

Tsim sha tsui Hong Kong

Ride A Junk Boat (Afternoon)

The Chinese junk boat is that classic boat with the large sail that’s always present in Hong Kong movies. Sign up for a lovely half day trip sailing on a junk boat, up and down the coast, getting close to the many islands that surround Hong Kong city.

Junk Boat Hong Kong

Junk Boat Hong Kong

Ride the 360 Ngong Ping cable car (Evening)

The Ngong Ping cable car runs for 3.5 miles all the way from Tung Chung to Lantau Island across the bay. At Lantau Island, be sure to visit the ancient Po Lin Monastery. The best thing about riding this cable car is the simply amazing views you get of the Victoria Harbor, the airport, the city and the surrounding mountains.It’s one of the top things to do in Hong Kong in 4 days!


Day 3

Walk the Ping Shan Heritage Trail (Morning)

This trail takes you to some of Hong Kong’s most important old landmarks such as the Fu Shin Street Traditional Bazaar, Che Kung Temple, the Hakka village of Tsang Tai Uk, the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas and the Man Mo Temple. If you have the time, do the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail also which begins at the Taoist temple complex of Fung Ying Seen Koon and culminates at the 18th-century Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall, passing the walled villages of Ma Wat Wai and Lo Wai.

Ping Shan Heritage Trail

Visit the Hong Kong Heritage Museum (Noon)

Check out historic Chinese scenes depicted by clever dioramas at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. Also, check out the large exhibit pertaining to the New Territories. This museum offers an excellent look at the city’s growing art scene. Also, it’s located close to the picturesque Sha Tin Park and Shing Mun River, so do enjoy a nice stroll after checking out the museum.

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

Check out the Che Kung Temple (Afternoon)

The Che Kung Temple is dedicated to a general of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279) in ancient China. The temple’s lovely traditional architecture and beautiful sculptures make it worthy of the time you spend here.

Che Kung Temple Hong Kong


Day 4

Ride the Peak Tram (Morning)

For those covering Hong Kong in 4 days, this is the ideal plan for the last day. This tram takes you to the top of the Peak, which is Hong Kong Island’s largest mountain. At 1,700 feet, the views that’ll greet you of the city are simply spectacular.  Enjoy the incredible 180-degree views of the Victoria Harbor’s skyscrapers, Kowloon’s sights and the lush landscaping of the surrounding hills.

peak tram hong kong

Hong Kong Museum of Art (Afternoon)

In this part museum, part Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, you can check out the incredible collection of Chinese ceramics, rhinoceros horns, Chinese paintings, terracotta figurines as well as excellent samples of contemporary art by Hong Kong artists. A visit to the Hong Kong Museum of Art is a must when you’re in the city.

hong kong museum of art

Hit the Nightlife in Hong Kong (Evening)

Nights at Hong Kong are wild; hit the party scene in Hong Kong at night and you’ll be delighted at the number of bars and clubs offering cheap drinks and sheesha pipes. At night, Hong Kong is crowded, and there’s always something fun going on somewhere. The night markets are vibrant and crowded and everything is so well-lit, you’ll wonder if it’s daytime. If you’re a party animal or a night shopper, you’ll never want to go home!

Conclusion

Hong Kong is a bustling city with countless things to do. Hong Kong has a unique spirit of its own; you can feel it in the markets, at street foods stalls and at shopping malls where people are gathered. You could blissfully spend days and weeks exploring Hong Kong’s many markets, restaurants, islands, sights, and nightlife. However, if you have to cover Hong Kong in 4 days, we urge you to make the very best of those days. Use the services of a good tour operator to take care of your cruise bookings, ticketing for shows and museums and so on to save time.

Comments:

  • Yukti

    July 2, 2018

    Thanks for sharing complete 4 days Itinerary for HongKong. I would love to take a Kowloon Park Tour as it looks interesting and beautiful. Riding on a junk boat must fun. Also walking through traditional lanes of HongKong must be interesting with those beautiful authentic houses and temples all over.

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  • May 2, 2018

    So much to do for those 4 days and given the suggestions, I have a feeling that this time might not be enough for me. I guess, I will have to just make the best of it. Kowloon island has been on my list as is the cable car and the other stuff. However, the one thing that caught my fancy and worked its way to the top of the list – the heritage trail. Thanks for that suggestion

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    • Medha Verma

      May 3, 2018

      Cheers x

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  • Danila Caputo

    February 11, 2018

    We were meant to go to Hong Kong last year and yet we got invited elsewhere. We already had so many of these things on our itinerary but the Kowloon Park Tour with the Chinese garden: we’ll definitely keep it in mind for when we’ll make it there!

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    • Medha Verma

      February 11, 2018

      I also hope to make it there soon 🙂

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  • February 9, 2018

    Can’t believe still haven’t gone to ride a junk boat! I feel like you have to be with a group of friends that live there to really enjoy it! Never went to any temples in HK, hopefully next time at least see the Che Kung one, it looks great! Love the Hong Kong sign outside the museum of art too! wow I missed out haha

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    • Medha Verma

      February 10, 2018

      I hope to get to Hong Kong soon myself!

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  • January 22, 2018

    I would love to travel to Hong-kong at some point but as a budget traveler I know it’s very expensive. But in saying that As an experienced budget traveler I know there are ways around the expenses. You’ve listed some great things here, riding the junk boat would be a cool experience and of course I’d love to experience the night life 😀

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    • Medha Verma

      January 22, 2018

      I haven’t got myself to Hong Kong yet either but maybe in 2018, I do love the suggestions my guest blogger has listed here 🙂

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  • Meg Jerrard

    January 17, 2018

    Would love to sail on a Junk boat although even the ferry to Kowloon looks fun. Kowloon Park looks and sounds stunning. Such a fascinating destination I hope to get to in the near future.

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    • Medha Verma

      January 17, 2018

      As do I 😉

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  • January 17, 2018

    Hong Kong is a real melting pot of cultures and a melange of experiences. This is is a great itinerary for four days. I think we were there for the same number of days, but we included a trip to Disneyland which took up one day. One of the best experiences here is riding up in the heritage Peak tram which is so fascinating.

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    • Medha Verma

      January 17, 2018

      I haven’t been there myself Sandy but after reading this post by my guest blogger, I’m actually considering it 🙂

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  • Jas

    January 4, 2018

    Swimming birds!? Did you manage to take a picture of them? I hear the Victoria Peak hike is a must-see/do too. Will have to add your recommendations to my HK bucket list for sure!

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  • January 2, 2018

    Hong Kong is one of my favourite cities, it has so much to offer to its visitors. The vibrant markets, sprawling towers and the delicious foodmakes it a perfect city holiday destination. Ngong Ping is beautiful, a little world on its own.

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  • January 2, 2018

    Oh this is so nice to know! I have been to Hongkong and never heard of Sky 100 Observation Deck. haha! We’ve only been to Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront as tourists and the ladies market at night. 4 days is not enough, right? I mean Hongkong is such a beautiful city! But consider these things to do that you’ve listed down, surely 4 days is just so worth it. Next time, we’ll visit temples, too!

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  • January 2, 2018

    Happy New Year! We just love Hong Kong. I have been there twice and just can’t have enough of it. Still I have not been to some of the places you mention :(. The first time Avenue of stars was open to public and the second it was closed. My favorite hangout place was TST waterfront and the peak area. and of course those street markets. 🙂 🙂

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  • Anu

    December 31, 2017

    I loved the hong kong museum of history & I missed the heritage museum. Kowloon walled city was a discovery – wish I could see it when it was there – but I was told I may not have come back alive 🙂

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  • December 30, 2017

    I agree that museums are the best place to know about the culture of a place, but somehow most of the travellers and tourists tend to avoid them. I myself like to visit museums that say a lot about the place.
    I have heard a lot about Hongkong nightlife. It looks that they are true. 🙂
    Nice and informative post.

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  • Joe

    December 29, 2017

    Hong Kong is a very vibrant and intoxicating destination, no doubt about it. I was there for the briefest of visits last year, and I can see that I will need to go back as I missed out on a couple of the experiences above. My favourite part was undoubtedly the Ping Shan Heritage Trail – history brought to vivid life, with some great views toward mainland China thrown in to the bargain 🙂

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  • Followingtherivera

    December 28, 2017

    It’s been a long time since I last went to Hong Kong. I can’t remember visiting Kowloon Park, so I’d like to see this, and the Bruce Lee statue. The tram is great fun, and I’d love to see all the amazing temples there too. A stunning city!

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  • December 28, 2017

    I was in HK 10 years ago and I definitely did the Star Ferry, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Peak Tram. I would love to check out the museums and nightlife so I would love to go back!!! I should make it happen soon!

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  • December 28, 2017

    I am so glad! Thank you so much for your kind words.

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  • December 28, 2017

    Outstanding post about Hong Kong, Hong Kong looks amazing! Thanks for sharing this post. Keep writing and stay blessed.

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  • December 28, 2017

    Hong Kong looks amazing! I’m planning to visit next year. How much did you spend to visit all those places?

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  • December 28, 2017

    I didn’t enjoy Hong-Kong too much when I went, but I also didn’t get to see as many cool things as the ones in this post…! I mostly only went to the Peak and went to see the Big Buddha. I wish I had taken one of those boats though… is it expensive ?

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  • December 27, 2017

    When I say Hong Kong I think of multiculturalism too, but I like the way the city also preserved it’s history very well. Great itinerary btw! Hope I can get there soon so I can follow it.

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  • December 27, 2017

    Hi Neha,

    Nice post about Hong Kong, These 4 days in Hong Kong are really unforgettable. I like the way that you shared your 4 days in Hong Kong !

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  • Jennifer Melroy

    December 27, 2017

    So much color in the Che Kung Temple. I could probably spend a day just exploring the temple and checking out all the fine details.

    The museums look like an amazing way to explore and learn more about Hong Kong.

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    • December 28, 2017

      Che Kung Temple is one of the peaceful place in Hong Kong. Worth to Visit.

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  • December 27, 2017

    I was just looking in Lonely Planet about Hong Kong!! Your guide is so useful!!! There are so many attractions!!!

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  • December 27, 2017

    I have been dying to visit Hong Kong. It sounds like such an incredible city – skyscraper skyline, bustling nightlife, and thousands of noodle shops – right up my alley. I actually hadn’t realized there were so many cool museums and temples to check out. I hope I have more than 4 days when I finally do make it over there – but this will give me a good place to start!

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  • December 26, 2017

    This is such a lovely guide – I would just LOVE to visit! As you said, you can just never run out of things to do in a place like this. I would love to just meander around and shop, and especially hit up a local market! 🙂

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  • December 26, 2017

    This was a really interesting photo journalistic guide! I like your suggestion to start with the Museum of History.

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  • December 26, 2017

    Hong Kong looks great :). I would really love to go there one day. How much would it cost to do all those activities across those 4 days?

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  • December 26, 2017

    I’ve been to Hong Kong, but I definitely missed alot of interesting things to see there. I like how you suggested morning, afternoon and night things in your itinerary. Touring the harbor and walking along it looks like a must do!

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  • December 26, 2017

    This is a great itinerary for Hong Kong, as it hits many of the highlights of the city. I had three days and it wasn’t nearly enough. I totally missed Kowloon Park.

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  • December 25, 2017

    Hong Kong sounds fascinating! The history museum is a great place to start, I’m afraid I know very little about Hong Kong’s history so would need to brush up. I love wandering round the gardens in Asia, and would definitely take a ride on a junk boat, it looks like a great way to see the sites!

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    • December 26, 2017

      Visiting Hong Kong has been rewarding for me in a lot of ways. Not only did it helped me understand the culture and people a lot better, I experienced an array of delectable local dishes too. Do try the Wind Sand Chicken there.

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  • December 25, 2017

    I’ve been to Hong Kong many times but there were several things on your itinerary I’ve never done. I’ll have to check out the Museum of History and the Sky 100 Observation Deck the next time I’m in town.

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  • December 25, 2017

    Part of the reason that I have yet to visit Hong Kong is because of how overwhelming the sightseeing and travel options are- there’s just so much to see and do! This list definitely helps to make things more manageable. Plus, from Kowloon Park to the variety of markets, I just don’t think I can pass up the trip any longer!

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  • December 24, 2017

    I had no idea that you can do all that in Hong Kong is 4 days. I bet the view from the observation deck is phenomenal. I can’t wait to visit this beautiful city.

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  • December 24, 2017

    I love finding spots in every city from where you can see a skyline or a big picture of the place from above! Hence tram ride will be definitely one of the Hong Kong experiences on my list!!

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  • December 24, 2017

    I only had an overnight layover in Hong Kong and got to take the Ngong Ping cable car, but would love to return to experience more of these Hong Kong attractions!

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    • December 26, 2017

      Hong Kong is every bit an impeccable experience for an explorer. The kind of vibrancy and warmth you receive here is rarely known. I’m sure visiting Hong Kong will be a cherished experience for you. All the best.

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  • December 24, 2017

    Oh how I love Hong Kong, thank you for taking me back there again today. I haven’t experienced the Sky 100 Observation Deck, I’ll have to definitely spend some time there next time I visit.

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    • December 28, 2017

      Thanks for your comment. Glad you liked the post. Indeed Hong Kong is a place that grows on you. The more you explore it, the more fascinating it gets.

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