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Hong Kong in 1 day | What to see and do on your stopover
Maybe wanting to see Hong Kong in 1 day is somewhat ambitious, but for me It seems like the perfect time to give you a good idea. of what one of the most populated cities in the world is like. Hong Kong is a perfect stopover, as its airport is the seventh largest in Asia and has direct flights to all of Europe. So combining it with another destination for your next vacation is a great idea.
Although it is not a city that we have fallen in love with, Hong Kong It has some very interesting contrastsBoth within the city itself and compared to China. Curiously, they are polar opposites that have little in common. Something not so strange if we consider that Hong Kong was a British colony for almost 150 years, until it passed into Chinese hands in 1997. It's now a special administrative region with its own currency, passport, and even its own legislative power, albeit with certain limitations. A most complex place.
- how to get around Hong Kong in 1 day
- what to see in hong kong in 1 day
- Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery
- Yick Cheong Building, Monster Building
- Tour the skyscrapers of Central
- Cross to Kowloon Island with the Star Ferry
- Avenue of Stars, a must-see in Hong Kong in one day
- Victoria Peak, the best viewpoint to see in Hong Kong in 1 day
- Temple Street Night Market, Hong Kong's last stop in 1 day
- More places to see in Hong Kong in 1 day
- What to know before traveling to Hong Kong
After this brief introduction, we'll tell you more. What we would do if we had a day in Hong Kong and some practical tips for visiting the city. We also have other guides, such as How to get internet in Hong Kong which explains how to get a SIM card that also works in mainland China and costs the same.
how to move through Hong Kong in 1 day
the best way to Getting around Hong Kong is by MTR (subway), But the best doesn't mean the most fun. Although the most efficient option is to take the metro, you can't miss out on trying out their charming double-decker trams. Don't forget to take a ferry ride between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central, where for less than €0,50 you will have very good views of the skyline of Kowloon Island and Hong Kong Island. For me, an essential thing to do in Hong Kong in 1 day.
To visit as much of Hong Kong in 1 day, it may be worth it to buy the Adult Tourist Day Pass, it has a price of 65HKD (7,70€) and allows you to make unlimited subway journeys during 24 hours from the moment you activate it.
A single ticket costs between 4 HKD and 14,5 HKD (€0,40–€1,75) depending on the route. I recommend doing a quick calculation beforehand to see if buying a day pass is worth it.
You can buscar all routes on Google Maps, works well in Hong Kong. When using the subway pay close attention to which exit you have to useBeneath the city, there is practically another city; there can be a difference of blocks between exiting through one exit or another.
If you do not buy the daily pass you can pay directly at the metro doors with a Visa card, whether physical or digitalIt only accepts VISA, so if you use Mastercard...carYou have to go to the window or pay in cash using the machines.
Hong Kong Islands Map
Hong Kong is divided into more than 200 islands, but almost everything important is concentrated on three of them. Here's a map to help you find your way around.
- Lantau: Home to the airport, Disneyland, and Buddha Tian Tan (one of the largest in the world). It's also an island with many hiking trails and beaches.
- Hong Kong Island: The most modern area, full of skyscrapers and luxury shopping centers. From there you can climb Victoria Peak, the most iconic views of the city.
- Kowloon: The best area to stay, we could consider it the center of the city since it has more life, markets and quite a few tourist spots.
There are many other islands with things to do and even old fishing villages that make you forget you're in a big city, but you'll have to leave that for your second visit; it's impossible to include them in your Hong Kong itinerary in one day.
what to see in hong kong in 1 day
Now that you know how to get around Hong Kong in 1 day, let's get to the most important thing: What to see and do in this great Asian city! If you need more information, Tips for organizing your trip to Hong Kong At the end of the article you will find information on visas, budget, money exchange and travel insurance.
If your stopover allows it, stay overnight in Hong Kong, During the last hours of the day is when the city gets the most lifeHaving one of the largest square meters carthe rooms of the world Cheap hotels They are really tiny, but you'll probably spend all day walking around the city so you won't need much more.
We have a guide explaining which are the best areas for stay in Hong KongWe have included a summary table below.
| Hotel | Description | Price 2 pax | Nota | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAKKAS guest house | Located near the subway | 37-55 € | 7.4/10 | See hotel |
| Ramada Hong Kong | Privileged views | 44-60 € | 7.4/10 | See hotel |
| iClub Fortress Hill | Modern and clean | 45-65 € | 8.4/10 | See hotel |
| REGENT Hong Kong | Premium, the best views | 300-400 € | 9.5/10 | See hotel |
If you have crossed from China to Hong Kong to be able to renew your visa will also be a great opportunity to visit Hong Kong in 1 day before returning to China.
Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery
You can start the day by visiting the most iconic thing about Lantau Island. To do this you will have to take the cable car Ngong Ping 360 from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping Village. The cable car will take you to the Tian Tan Great Buddha, one of the The largest Buddha statues in the worldThe Po Lin Monastery is also located there.
Both places have free entry, but you will have to pay for the cable car. It's not cheap, but it lasts half an hour and has incredible views.
Do you have more time in Hong Kong? A great plan is cross to MacauThe great casino city that makes you feel like you're in Lisbon. We tell you everything in What to do in Macau in one day.
Yick Cheong Building, Monster Building
After visiting the Big Buddha, take the metro to change islands. We'll head downtown to start. to sightsee Hong Kong Island, the financial district. Although the first stop will be a great contrast with all the skyscrapers you will see later.
In Quarry Bay is the Yick Cheong Building, also known as “Monster Building.” This place has been the setting for several films such as Gozilla, and many iconic photos of Hong Kong have been taken. It is a residential building that It reflects very well the poor conditions where a large part of the population lives, tiny apartments even known as coffin houses.
Keep in mind that it's a residential area, so please be respectful. The residents must have seen it all, because they've even had to put up a... cardrone prohibition hotline.
Tour the skyscrapers of Central
A few metro stops away is the Central area, the financial and commercial heart of Hong Kong. Here you can visit the IFC Mall or stroll through the SoHo area, known for its fashion stores, art galleries, and cafes.
The best plan is take a walk to see the most iconic skyscrapers. Even if you are only visiting Hong Kong for 1 day it can be a good time to do some short double-decker tram ride, a classic of the city. They began operating in 1904 and still retain their classic style with wooden seats and open windows for ventilation. We took it a couple of times to move in a straight line and have a different view of the city, its price is only 2 HKD.
Cross to Kowloon Island with the Star Ferry
You can take the Star Ferry from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui to change islands and enjoy the views. The price is only HKD 2,7 (paid when entering the port by card or cash).
The journey is short, but the views are well worth it to the skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island and Victoria Harbour, where you arrive by ferry.
At the port you can see the Clock Tower, built in 1915 as part of the Old railway station that connected Hong Kong with ChinaThe station building was demolished in 1977, but the clock tower was preserved as a historical monument. Although it is not spectacular, it is one of the few buildings that have been preserved after the Second World War.
Avenue of Stars, a must-see in Hong Kong in one day
Upon arriving in Tsim Sha Tsui, you can't miss a walk along the Avenue of Stars, where you can see the statues and commemorative plaques of Hong Kong film stars. The most famous is a statue of Bruce Lee.
Beyond the plates, without a doubt what is beautiful are the views. Is a super nice promenade with very good views of the Central skyscrapers.
From there too you can see the light and music show They do this every day at 20.00:1 p.m. But it's very outdated and nothing spectacular; it's not a must-see for Hong Kong in one day. Personally, we liked the views better during the day.
Victoria Peak, the best viewpoint to see in Hong Kong in 1 day
Trying to arrive in time for sunset, we cross back to Hong Kong Island to climb Victoria Peak, this time it is better to go by metro which is much faster.
To get there, you can walk (it takes just over an hour on a constant climb), or take the funicular, which is the best option if you're visiting Hong Kong in one day. The funicular is one of the most historic places to see in Hong Kong, has been operating since 1888. Its price at the box office is 99 HKD (11,60€) round trip, if you buy online You will pay only 88 and you will avoid the entire queue.
From the top of Victoria Peak you will have the best panoramic view of the city. By the way, there is the possibility of pay extra to go up to the Sky Terrace 428, but it is not necessary, the views from where the funicular arrives are practically identical.
Going out to the left there is an ideal viewpoint, and on the opposite side a path that borders the mountain and from where you can also have very good views with fewer people around.
Temple Street Night Market, Hong Kong's last stop in 1 day
To end the day you can take a walk and have dinner on Temple Street. A bustling street that is perfect for buying a souvenir. It has many Chinese restaurants and some street food stalls.
Alternatively Ladies' market, full of small shops and lots of imitation clothing, so if you buy something, don't forget to haggle. Markets in Hong Kong don't have fixed prices.
More places to see in Hong Kong in 1 day
In case you have a few hours until your flight the next day, these are two places close to each other that you can visit:
Choi Hung Estate It is one of the oldest and most famous residential complexes in Hong Kong, known for its colorful buildings surrounding a basketball court. Her name literally means "Rainbow" in Cantonese. Surely you have seen more than one photo of this place.
And the Wong Tai Sin Temple, one of the most important and visited in Hong Kong, dedicated to Wong Tai Sin, a popular deity in Taoism. Its architecture is traditional Chinese, with highly decorated ceilings, ornate pillars full of dragons. If you have never seen a Chinese temple, I am sure you will like it. Furthermore, as it cannot be otherwise in Hong Kong, it is surrounded by skyscrapers, which creates a pretty cool contrast.
what to know before traveling to Hong Kong
These are some of the most frequently asked questions when you travel to Hong Kong in 1 day for a stopover.
With a Spanish passport you can be in Hong Kong 90 days without having to do any paperworkYou'll only need a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months.
It has a different condition than China, in which we can only stay 15 days without a visa. Go to Hong Kong It is a very good option to renew your 15 free days in China.
Remember to include Hong Kong, or select the world option when booking your travel insurance. Many people when visiting Hong Kong in 1 day forget to add it so those hours are not covered and it does not cover lost luggage or delays in the flight to Hong Kong.
To book your travel insurance for an international vacation, the ones we recommend the most are heymondo o Iati.
In Hong Kong, the Hong Kong dollar is used, which has a similar exchange rate to the Chinese yuan. Currently €1 is 8,50HKD (Hong Kong Dollar).
You may need cash to visit Hong Kong in 1 day, most things can be paid on cardBut we did find some restaurants that didn't. We withdrew money with N26 at two ATMs and neither charged a fee; the minimum withdrawal is around €20, so you can...car very little and see how it goes.
Another very good option is to carry some euros and exchange money, In Chungking Massion there are many exchange houses at good rates. If you have dollars left over you can exchange them into the currency of the destination you are going to, or euros if you are already returning home.
To the question of how much you would spend in Hong Kong in 1 day the answer is that It depends mostly on where you stay and the restaurants. whichever ones you go to because the price ranges are very different. But you can take these expense references for a day traveling lowcost:
- Accommodation €25/double room
This was where we stay.
- Food €8-10/person
- Transportation €8/person
- Airport transfer to the center i/v €25/person
The budget will also vary greatly depending on the activities you do, we leave you the price of the main ones:
- Victoria Peak Funicular: HKD 99 (round trip). With an extra 52 for going up to Sky Terrace 428
- Hong Kong Disneyland: If you visit Hong Kong in 1 day it is impossible to go, but if you have more it is a popular activity. The price for Adults (12-64 years) is HKD 799 and children HKD 569.
- Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car: To see the Big Buddha, HKD 235 round trip in a normal cabin and HKD 315 in the glass floor cabin.
- Hong Kong Ferris Wheel: HKD 20 per person
Some places are also free or cost just over one euro, such as the Wong Tai Sin Temple or the Hong Kong History Museum and of course walking the streets, which is our favorite free activity in all cities.
And this far Express itinerary for everything to see in Hong Kong in 1 day, we hope it has been very helpful to you in organizing your time in the city. If you have any questions or contributions, we will read you in the comments!
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