Planning a trip to Hong Kong and wondering how to spend your time? This three day Hong Kong itinerary combines everything I loved about the city from my short visit: incredible skyline views, scenic hiking trails, local food, beautiful islands, and of course, some Disney magic!
Before visiting, I knew Hong Kong was famous for its skyscrapers and bustling streets. What surprised me most was how much nature was woven into the city. One day I was wandering through busy underground markets and riding ferries across the harbour, and the next I was hiking mountain trails with sweeping views over the South China Sea.
If you’re looking for the perfect balance of city exploration, outdoor adventure, and a little Disney magic, here’s exactly how I spent 3 days in Hong Kong.
Top Tours/Day Trips in Hong Kong
– Hong Kong Day Tour: Priority Peak Tram, City Walk & Dim Sum
– Hong Kong: Lantau VIP Priority Cable Car, Big Buddha & Tai O
– Hong Kong Disneyland Park Tickets
– Hong Kong: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Optional Peak Tram
– Hong Kong: Street Food Tour with Locals – Dim Sum and Wonton
Day 1: Explore Hong Kong & Hike Victoria Peak
There’s no better introduction to Hong Kong than spending your first day exploring the city itself.
Hong Kong is energetic, vibrant, and constantly moving. The contrast between towering skyscrapers and pockets of green space makes it one of the most fascinating cities I’ve visited.
Morning: Explore Central Hong Kong
Start your day in Central, the heart of Hong Kong Island. Spend the morning wandering through the city streets, grabbing coffee, and soaking up the atmosphere. One of my favourite things about Hong Kong was simply walking around and taking it all in.
A great way to familiarize yourself and get insight into a new city, is taking a guided walking tour like this one: Hong Kong Walking Tour 6hrs Landmarks & Highlights /w Lunch
Be sure to spend some time in Kowloon and explore the waterfront and Avenue of Stars – this is like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, only with handprints and for famous Chinese celebrities. Highlights include:
- Central District
- Mid-Levels Escalator
- Street art in Soho
- Try the all famous “pineapple bun” (surprisingly there is no pineapple in this bread!)
- Victoria Harbour waterfront
- Avenue of Stars
Afternoon: Victoria Peak Tram
One of the absolute highlights of my trip was watching the sunset from Victoria Peak.
The most famous way to reach Victoria Peak is aboard the historic Peak Tram. Operating since 1888, the tram climbs steeply up the mountainside and has become an attraction in its own right. The journey takes around 10 minutes and offers fantastic views as the city slowly falls away beneath you.
The Peak Tram is very popular, so be sure to book your tickets in advance!
OR Hike to Victoria Peak
If you’re up for a little adventure, I highly recommend hiking to the summit!
One of the things that surprised me most about Hong Kong was how much nature exists alongside the skyscrapers. Within minutes of leaving Central, you’ll find yourself surrounded by lush forest, birdsong, and surprisingly peaceful walking trails.
Going on a hike gives you a completely different perspective of the city and allows you to experience Victoria Peak at a much slower pace.
There are a few trail options but for most visitors, the best route is the Morning Trail. This scenic path begins near the Peak Tram Lower Terminus and steadily climbs through shaded forest all the way to the summit. It was beautiful and so peaceful – I would definitely recommend if hiking is your thing! Stay at the summit and enjoy the sunset – this was one of my favorite moments from my trip to Hong Kong.
Evening: Symphony of Lights
After descending from the Peak, make your way back to the harbour.
Watching the city skyline light up after sunset is something every visitor should experience at least once. The Symphony of Lights sounds like a show, but it is really just lights flashing from the city skyline – it’s very pretty, but don’t expect fireworks or anything too spectacular.
Grab some amazing Chinese food along the waterfront and enjoy your first evening in Hong Kong.
Day 2: Lantau Island & Lantau Peak
Today is all about escaping the city and discovering a completely different side of Hong Kong: Lantau Island! Check out this day tour here: Hong Kong: Lantau VIP Priority Cable Car, Big Buddha & Tai O
How to Get to Lantau Island
One of the best things about visiting Lantau Island is how easy it is to reach from central Hong Kong.
The simplest option is to take the MTR to Tung Chung Station. From here, buy a ticket on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car (for one of the most scenic cable car rides ever!) which will take you up to the Ngong Ping Village. This is an easy central point for all Lantau Island attractions.
Buy your Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car ticket in advance here to avoid the queues.
Morning: Ngong Ping Village
Spend the morning exploring Ngong Ping Village. It’s a touristy little hub to enjoy a egg waffle, bubble tea or some dumplings before your day of exploring Lantau Island.
Morning: Hike Lantau Peak
At 934 metres, Lantau Peak is the second-highest mountain in Hong Kong and offers incredible panoramic views across the island. This was one of my all time favorite experiences from my trip to Hong Kong.
The climb is challenging in places, with LOTS of stairs, but the views made every step worth it.As you reach the summit, you’ll be treated to sweeping vistas of mountains, coastline, and the South China Sea stretching into the distance. It was absolutely beautiful and hands down, my favorite part of my Hong Kong trip.
Midday: Visit the Tian Tan Buddha
After your hike, head over to the iconic Tian Tan Buddha, also known as the Big Buddha.
Towering above the surrounding mountains, it’s one of Hong Kong’s most famous landmarks and an impressive sight to see up close. Take time to wander through nearby Po Lin Monastery, which offers a peaceful contrast to the busy city.
Check out this day tour here: Hong Kong: Lantau VIP Priority Cable Car, Big Buddha & Tai O
Day 3: Hong Kong Disneyland
No Hong Kong itinerary would be complete without a visit to Hong Kong Disneyland!!
Whether you’re a lifelong Disney fan or simply looking for a fun day out, Hong Kong Disneyland is one of the highlights of visiting the city.
Be sure to book your Disney tickets in advance: Hong Kong Disneyland Park Tickets
Arrive Before Park Opening
My biggest tip? Get there early. Arriving before opening allows you to enjoy Main Street U.S.A., take photos in front of the castle, and experience some of the most popular attractions before the queues build.
Must-Do Attractions
If you’re only spending one day in the park, make sure you prioritise:
- Mystic Manor
- Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars
- World of Frozen
- Castle of Magical Dreams
Mystic Manor alone is worth the visit.
It’s unlike any Disney attraction I’ve experienced anywhere else in the world.
Don’t Skip the Snacks
One thing that surprised me was how good the food was. Some of my favourite snacks included:
- Olaf Soft Serve
- Lotso Waffle Sandwich
- Stitch Paw Ice Cream
- Pineapple Coconut Slushie
Honestly, half the fun was eating my way around the park.
Stay for the Nighttime Spectacular
End your day in front of the castle for the nighttime show.
Watching the castle light up as the sun sets behind the mountains is the perfect way to finish your Hong Kong adventure.
Where to Stay in Hong Kong
For this itinerary, I’d recommend staying somewhere centrally located on Hong Kong Island for easy access to the city and public transport.
Where to stay at Hong Kong
Budget: The Cityview – Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong
Mid-Range: The Kowloon Hotel
Luxury: Cordis, Hong Kong – Langham Hospitality Group
If you’re planning a dedicated Disney day, you could also consider spending a night at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels.
I stayed at Disney’s Hollywood Hotel and loved how easy it made my Disneyland visit.
Where to stay at Hong Kong Disneyland
Budget: Disney’s Hollywood Hotel
Mid-Range: Disney Explorers Lodge
Luxury: Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel
Getting Around Hong Kong
One of the best things about Hong Kong is how easy it is to navigate.
The MTR is clean, affordable, and connects most major attractions. An Octopus Card is an great way to make travelling around the city even easier, however you will need cash to top this up at 7Elevens. You can use an Octopus Card on trains, buses, ferries, and even at many convenience stores. As I didnt have cash, I found it easier just paying for the trains by Apple Pay at the ticket stops at the train stations.
Final Thoughts
Three days may not sound like much, but it’s enough time to experience some of the very best things Hong Kong has to offer.
From hiking Victoria Peak and watching the skyline light up after dark, to conquering Lantau Peak and exploring the Big Buddha, to finishing your trip with a day of Disney magic, this itinerary showcases just how diverse Hong Kong can be. It’s a city that really surprised me – in the best possible way.
Helpful Hong KOng Travel Links
Where to stay at Hong Kong
Budget: The Kowloon Hotel
Mid-Range: Cordis, Hong Kong – Langham Hospitality Group
Luxury: Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel
Top Tours/Day Trips in Hong Kong
– Hong Kong Day Tour: Priority Peak Tram, City Walk & Dim Sum
– Hong Kong: Lantau VIP Priority Cable Car, Big Buddha & Tai O
– Hong Kong Disneyland Park Tickets
– Hong Kong: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Optional Peak Tram
– Hong Kong: Street Food Tour with Locals – Dim Sum and Wonton
How to Get Around Hong Kong – Octopus Card
Getting around Hong Kong is incredibly easy thanks to the city’s efficient public transport system. From my research, picking up an Octopus Card at the airport and using it for your trip was highly recommended – it makes getting around seamless and can be used on the MTR, buses, trams, ferries, and even at convenience stores. While the Octopus Card is cheaper, I didn’t have cash readily available to top up the card (for some reason the 7 Elevens only accept cash to top up the card) so I just found it easier to just tap my apple pay at the MTR gates.
The MTR is by far the easiest way to explore the city and get to Hong Kong Disneyland, but taxis and ride shares are also widely available if you’re heading somewhere more direct.
Hong Kong SIM Card: Airalo eSIM
Staying connected in Hong Kong is a must for maps, transport apps, bookings, and Googling “best egg waffles near me” (trust me). I used Airalo, an eSIM app that lets you download a Hong Kong data plan before you even land.
There’s no need to swap physical SIM cards or hunt down a store at the airport. Just activate your eSIM and you’re online the moment you arrive – easy, affordable, and super convenient.
👉 Get your Hong Kong eSIM with Airalo here
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links – at no extra cost to you
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