You won’t be able to see it all in one day in Hong Kong, but you can get a great feel for the city. Hong Kong is a metropolitan area that has such a unique culture. It used to be a British colony, but is slowly being transitioned to the Chinese government. The culture is unique, but so is the city itself. Hong Kong Island is located on the Kowloon peninsula and has everything including crowded city streets, beautiful beaches, and lush mountains. So you’ll have plenty to see and do there.
My parents and I had the pleasure of visiting Hong Kong Island on our way back from Vietnam. We only had one day to spend there, but we were truly blown away. Read below to figure out what to do on one day in Hong Kong.
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Things to Do in One Day in Hong Kong
Take the Tram Skypass to Victoria Peak
First, you’ll want to make your way all the way to the top of Hong Kong. Victoria Peak is the highest point in the district with 360 degree views of the island. The best way to get to the peak is to take the Skypass Tram all the way to the top. This tram climbs up the hill and provides amazing views of the city all around you.
Once you get off the tram, you’ll enter the terrace where you can take in the astounding views of Hong Kong. I was amazed at the views of the city with the lush trees and beaches around. It’s the best way to get a good understanding of the geography of Hong Kong.
Ride the Mid-Levels Escalator
Take a ride on the world’s largest escalator system in the center of Hong Kong. This system raises up 800 meters and connects the various levels of the Hong Kong hills. Along the way you’ll find plenty of shops and restaurants to stop by. While tourists flock here to see the escalators, these escalators are heavily used by the local residents.
They are their daily transportation system, kind of like a monorail or bus system. You’ll be amazed at this intricate contraption. They are free to take and they are a super unique way to explore Hong Kong.
Eat Dim Sum for Lunch
No trip to Hong Kong is complete without a delicious dim sum meal or as the locals call it Yum Cha. The locals eat dim sum often and it can even be a daily occurrence in their lives. So, you’ll definitely have your choice of restaurants to try. There’s a wide variety of options from nice hotels to cafes in side streets. We chose to eat our dim sum meal at the Yan Toh Heen in the Intercontinental Hotel. While this was a pricier option, the meal was everything we could have asked for.
Best Dim Sum in Hong Kong:
- Yixin Restaurant
- Dim Sum Library
- Above & Beyond
- Seventh Son
- Yum Cha
Attend the Themed Street Markets
There’s a huge street market culture in Hong Kong, where there are various markets dedicated to different things. For example, you’ll find an electronics market, a flower market, and even a jade market. It’s crazy to walk through these markets and see rows and rows of offerings.
Our favorite market was definitely the flower market. The abundance of different types of flowers and colors of flowers was astounding. If we were staying longer, I definitely would have gotten some.
Watch the Symphony of Lights
Every night, Hong Kong holds a huge light show on their buildings at 8 pm. It’s the perfect way to end your day in Hong Kong. If you want to watch the show, you’ll have to take the Star Ferry from Kowloon to the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. You’ll see people lined up and down the waterfront to get a good view of the show. Your eyes will be delighted as you take in this fun spectacle over the water and it’s a great sendoff for your trip.
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