Hong Kong is probably one of the places we can recommend if you are planning your 1st out of the country trip. In fact, our 1st out of the country trip was also in Hong Kong. It is very easy to navigate in Hong Kong. Aside from the signs along the road, there are a lot of tourist centers too, that could help you in case you are lost. I remember in our 1st travel going here that there are tourist officers along the street that are willing to guide the tourist in case they need help. Just a reminder, even though Hong Kong is a great place to explore, wandering around Hong Kong is not that cheap compared to other Asian countries. That is why we created this Hong Kong Itinerary to help you in planning your trip without spending too much.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE TRAVELING TO HONG KONG

4 Seasons in Hong Kong 

•Spring:  March to May – The Humidity is mild but as the summer approaches the weather gets hotter and hotter.

•Summer lasts from June to August.  During this time, it is generally hot and humid. But make sure to bring your umbrellas as this is also the time when the typhoons pass through Hong Kong.

•Autumn is from September to November.  This is the best time to go to Hong Kong. The skies are clear and the weather is not too hot or humid.

•Winter.- Winter normally starts in December, then it will peak in January (the coldest month), and will last till February.

Power Plugs – There are 2 types of power plugs used in Hong Kong. Type G and Type D. See sample here

There are a lot of countries that use a different kind of power plugs. For frequent travelers or planning to be one, We recommend that you purchase a universal adapter. Less hassle and you don’t need to worry anymore for what type of power plug they used.

Octopus Card – Octopus card is a transportation card used in Hong Kong. It gives you a discount on every fare you made. You can also use this card in convenience stores and some fast food stores.  Octopus Card is available at the airport or at any MTR station. In our case, we purchase it in advance for a discounted price HongKong Octopus Card. 

WI-FI – In our Hong Kong Trips, We only avail the 4G sim card for internet connections. The main reason for this is that we only need an internet connection to help us in wandering especially when we were lost. Also, it is cheaper than renting a pocket wi-fi plus we can always use the hotel/hostel wifi. Avail discounted 4G sim here (4G Sim Card)

Hong Kong Metro app – Download Hong Kong Metro app -MTR map and route planner in play store or app store. It is a great help for wanderers like us. It will help you with your itinerary by showing you the fastest way and the interconnecting stations that you need to take.

Google Map – There are tourist destinations in Hong Kong that require a few minutes walks from MTR station. Although there are signages to guide you, we still recommend using google map for guidance. 

Currency – Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong Dollar. For currency exchange, I suggest to have it in Tsim Sha Tsui. There are a lot of money changers in the area that gives a higher exchange rate than those at the airport.

Time Zone – Hong Kong time zone is at UTC +08:00 and there is no DST or Daylight saving time in Hong Kong.

Visa – Philippine passport holder is visa-free for 14 days in Hong Kong.

Food

• For Filipino foods, there is a Jollibee store in Tsim Sha Tsui or if it happens that you are in Hong Kong in weekends way may go to Central Station Exit K. We have some Kabayan there selling Filipino food at a cheap price.
• If you are in Tung Chung Station, Check out “Taste” inside Citygate.

HOW TO GO TO HONG KONG

There are a lot of airlines, that offers a direct flight to Hong Kong, it is up to you to choose what airline you prefer. For us, we usually travel in a budget airline and book our flight during their promo fare. Check out our article in How to Get Promo Flight

For those who are coming from Macau. You have 2 transportation options, it is either by bus or by ferry. For detailed instruction for these modes of transportation check our HongKong to Macau by ferry and bus guide

WHERE TO STAY IN HONG KONG

In our Hong Kong Trips, we usually stayed in Tsim Sha Tsui Area. The main reason why we stayed here is that it is very convenient, it has an MTR station and the Ferry terminal is also nearby the area. It is also known as one of the shopping areas in Hong Kong plus there are also nearby tourist destinations, like Avenue of the Stars and Promenade, in the area.

Just a reminder, if you are getting a hotel/hostel/guest house in Mirador or Chungking Mansion. Ask the staff first if they will open your room, even if you are not around (Yes, they are doing it), if yes, you can request them not to clean the room or just bring your valuable things with you. This happened to us during our 1st Hong Kong Trip, and when I asked them why they do that? The staff answered me that they clean the room, fortunately, we did not leave valuable things in the room at that time.

Here are some of the budget hotels in Hong Kong

Fortune Hotel– Tsim Sha Tsui

Legend Guest House – Tsim Sha Tsui

Urban Pack Hostel – Tsim Sha Tsui

Garden Hotel –  Mong Kong

HONG KONG ITINERARY AND EXPENSES

Day 1

Ngong Ping 360 and Big Buddha

When we were planning our itinerary, we had a hard time deciding what to do first upon arrival at Hong Kong International Airport. We were torn if we will go directly to our hotel and wait until check-in time, or we immediately explore Hong Kong with luggage. After a lot of research and some pros and cons analysis, we’ve decided to visit first Hong Kong’s Big Buddha before going to the Hotel.

Why Big Buddha? Our 2 main reason is 1st the location, Tung Chung station is near the airport, and 2nd it will give us a whole day itinerary for Hong Kong Disneyland.  If you are wondering what is the connection of the Big Buddha to Hong Kong Disneyland, Tung Chung is 1 MTR station away from Hong Kong Disneyland you can go 1st in Tian Tan Big Buddha then go to Hong Kong Disneyland, Just be mindful the possibility of long queue for Ngong Ping 360, like what we have experienced.

For those who wanted to eat, we suggest you try to go in the lower ground of the Citygate and find “Taste”. It is like a grocery store but there is a kiosk inside offering food for a cheap price. it’s around 38 HKD for 2 dishes and 1 rice. For the luggage, we stored our luggage at the Citygate self-service lockers.

Sorry, No decent pics 🙂

How to get there:

From Hong Kong International Airport to Tung Chung:

• Ride S56 or S1 bus to Tung Chung — HKD 3.5

From Tung Chung to Big Buddha

1. Take Ngong Ping Cable Car (Discounted Price) or
2. Take New Lantao Bus 23

Avenue of Stars

Avenue of stars is just a few minutes walk from our hotel (perks of staying in Tsim Sha Tsui).  It is Hong Kong’s version of Hollywood Walk of Fame. Here, you can see the plaque of Hong Kong’s biggest stars dipped with their hand and signature. Some notable handprint you can see here is from Jackie Chan and Jet Li.  Its a perfect side trip before or after you ride the Star Ferry.

How to go there: MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Exit P1 and go to the ‘Pd’ floor

Star Ferry / Symphony of Lights at Victoria Harbour

This gorgeous ferry is transporting passengers from Hong Kong to Kowloon for more than 100 years, and even though Hong Kong and Kowloon are now already connected by MTR and Bridges, Locals are still using it due to its reliability and its efficiency. Star Ferry is also popular to tourists for the reason that it offers a stunning view of the Victoria Harbor, Kowloon, and Hong Kong. No wonder why it was named by the National Geographic as one of the 50 ‘places of a lifetime’.

If you are planning to take a star ferry, we recommend that you take the trip around 8 P.M., so that you can catch the Symphony at Lights Show while in the Ferry. (Star Ferry Discounted Price here)

How to go there: 

• Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry pier: MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Exit L6. Walk to Salisbury Road
• Central Star Ferry pier: MTR Hong Kong Station, Exit A2 or MTR Central Station, Exit A. Walk to the Man Yiu Street
• Wan Chai Star Ferry pier: MTR Wan Chai Station, Exit A1. Go to Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, and descend to Convention Avenue at Harbour Road.

Day 2

Man Mo Temple

We’ve included Man Mo temple in our itinerary as a side trip before going to Victoria Peak. It is a 15-20 minute walk from MTR Central station or 7-10 Minute walk from Sheung Wan Station.

Man Mo Temple is the oldest Taoist temple in Hong Kong that is dedicated to God of literature (Man Cheong) and God of war (Mo Tai).  Built in by wealthy Chinese merchants in 1847 and used as a place of worship and a court of arbitration for local disputes.

How to go there: 

1. MTR Sheung Wan Station Exit A2 – Use Google Map for a guide
2. MTR Central Station exit D2 – Use Google Map for a guide

Victoria Peak

We booked a limited offer 3 in 1 Peak tram package in Klook, It includes round trip peak tram ticket (one-way special entry, no long queue), Madame Tussauds admission ticket, Sky Terrace 428 entry and Extra 200 Klook Credits. The only condition for this offer is that we must enter Madame Tussauds in Hong Kong before 1:00 pm or after 6:00 pm. Not bad right? 🙂

Victoria Peak is 552 meters above sea level, It is considered as the Hong Kong’s highest point. Victoria peak has a viewing platform at the Peak Tower. Here you can see a picture perfect view of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, Victoria Harbour, and even the New Territories.

How to get there: MTR Central Station Exit J2, walk towards the Peak Tram Lower Terminus and  ride a Peak Tram (Peak Tram discounted price)

Saint John Cathedral

Saint John Cathedral is not really part of our itinerary, it just happened that we saw it while walking from Central Station going to Peak Tram Station.

Hong Kong government declared St. John cathedral as a monument. It is the oldest church structure in Hong Kong and the oldest Anglican cathedral in the Far East too.

How to get there: 3-5 Minute walk from Peak Tram Lower Terminus going to Central Station.

Nan Lian Garden and Chi Li Nunnery

Nan Lian Garden is a perfect place to relax in the middle of Hong Kong’s high rise apartments. The park has an area of 3.5 hectares and was inspired by the style of the Tang Dynasty. Inside the park, you can find lotus ponds, beautiful trees and flowers, and timber structures. There are also shops inside and a tea house which compliment well with the relaxing aura of the park.

Just across the park, you can find the Chi Li Nunnery. It was established in the 1930s and renovated in 1990s. Its architectural design is also inspired by the Tang Dynasty. During the reconstruction of Chi Li Nunnery, it was said that no nails were used in the structure, as a symbol of the harmony of humans with nature.

How to go there: MTR Diamond Hill Station Exit C2

SKY100

We already saw a picture perfect view of Hong Kong in Victoria Peak, but it was during day time. That is why we go to Sky100 observatory to have a closer full 360 view of Hong Kong in Golden Hour/Night time. Sky100 observatory is 393 meters tall above sea level, it is the highest indoor observation deck in Hong Kong. In fact, it is inside of Hong Kong’s tallest building the International Commerce City.

How to get there: MTR Kowloon station Exit C, follow the signage along the way. (Sky100 discounted price here)

Ladies Market

Time for Shopping!!!!!!

Ladies Market in Hong Kong is known for cheap bargain clothes and accessories, it is some kinda like Divisoria or Baclaran in the Philippines. You can buy here a variety of products, not only for ladies but there is also men’s apparel here.

How to get there: MTR Mong Kok Station, Exit E2. Walk along Nelson Street

Day 3

Hong Kong Disney Land

Since we already visited Hong Kong’s Big Buddha on day 1, we now have the whole day to enjoy Hong Kong Disney Land 🙂

Bring out the inner child in you as you meet Mickey and his friends in the magical world of Hong Kong Disney Land. The theme park opened in 2005 and from then, it became one of the most tourists visited place in Hong Kong. There are 7  dream lands in the park,  (1) Adventureland, (2)Grizzly Gulch, (3) Mystic Point, (4)Toy Story Land, (5)Fantasyland, (6) Tomorrowland and  (7) Main Street, U.S.A…

No need to worry for those parents that are planning to bring their children in Hong Kong Disneyland, most of the attractions here are kid-friendly and the rides are not extream. Your children will definitely enjoy also the Disney character parade that happens around 3:30 P.M., and the fireworks musical show at the Sleeping Beauty Castle around 7:30 P.M.

How to get there: MTR Sunny Bay station transfer to Disneyland resort line

Admission time: 10 A.M. – 8:00 P.M. (Booked you discounted Hong Kong Disneyland ticket here)

Day 4

Ocean Park

Have a hangover in theme parks?  or you just want to experience more extreme rides? Ocean Park is the answer for you. Hong Kong’s Ocean Park is also a popular park in the Southern side of Hong Kong.  The park has two major attraction area, the Waterfront, and the Summit. Cable Car and Ocean Express funicular train connects the 2 attraction area.

For thrill seekers, this is a great place for you, Hong Kong Ocean Park features more extreme rides than Hong Kong Disney Land. But for those who are not a fan of extreme rides, you can either check out their zoos or visit the worlds largest aquarium.

How to get there:  MTR Ocean Park station

Admission time: 10 A.M. – 6:00 P.M (Booked you discounted Ocean Park ticket here)

Day 5

Macau Day trip

For detailed instructions on how to go to Macau from Hong Kong, check out this article  “HongKong to Macau by ferry and bus guide“.
Macau will be our exit point going back to the Philippines. We manage to have a day tour in Macau since our scheduled flight was late at night.

Grand Lisboa

Senado Square 

Image from walkway going to Senado square

Macau was previously a Portuguese colony and during that time Largo do Senado or Senado Square was the colony’s center of government. Now, Senado Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourists are going here to see old historic buildings that reminisce the time when Macau is still a Portuguese colony.

How to get there:  From Macau Ferry Terminal, ride a shuttle bus going to Grand Lisboa Casino. It is a few minutes walk from here.

Ruins of Saint Paul Church

Arguably the most iconic landmark in Macau. Built in the 16th Century, Saint Paul church was known at that time as the biggest Catholic church in the Far East. Unfortunately, it was hit by strong typhoon and fires destroying everything, except what you see today.

You can also visit the Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt located at the bottom of the ruins.

How to get there: Few minutes walk from Senado square, just follow the signs heading to St. Paul Ruin (Use Google Map). Also, near the ruins, you will pass by a lot of stores offering jerky, don’t be shy to try and taste it. 🙂

Macau Tower

From St. Paul ruins, we headed back to Grand Lisboa and walks toward Macau Tower. Macau Tower have an observation deck which offers a magnificent panoramic view of Macao and the Pearl River Delta. It also has a revolving restaurant and also offers a walk around the outside of the tower “SkyWalk X”

How to get there: Go back to Grand Libosa Casino and walk towards the Macau tower.

The Venetian and Parisian Hotel

After visiting the Macau Tower, we move next to The Venetian Hotel and have a side trip to the Parisian Hotel.  We have 2 main reasons in going here, 1st is sightseeing and taking instagramable pictures and the 2nd is the free shuttle going to the airport offered by The Venetian Hotel. It is like hitting 2 birds in one stone.

How to get there: Go back to Grand Libosa Casino, you will pass through the bus terminal. Took Bus 26A and drop off at City of Dreams. The Venetian is just across it.  The fare is $6 MOP