W E L C O M E TO TH E
G O O D L I F E
I N
H O N G K O N G
P L A N N I N G
Hong Kong is dense, fast-moving, and oddly easy to navigate—with a little guidance.
The MTR (subway) is clean, efficient, and the best way to move between major districts, though private transport is often a better option for comfort and flexibility, especially when including outlying islands or making multiple stops in a day.
Like in London, you can just tap your phone to use the Hong Kong metro, though the author fondly remembers the days of the Octopus card.
Ferries to Lamma Island, Cheung Chau, and Lantau work well and are both practical and delightfully scenic, and of course the historic Star Ferry is worth a crossing or two simply for the views and atmosphere.
Note from the author: we love a ferry at GGG. Eventually we will post a list of Travel Rules to make your life easier, which includes an important point about ferries.
The best seasons to visit are autumn (October–December) and early spring (March–April), when skies are clear, humidity is lower, and temperatures are pleasant. Summer tends to be hot, humid, and prone to typhoons, while winter can be overcast but comfortably mild.
For a more relaxed stay, consider accommodations in quieter neighborhoods like Mid-Levels or Kennedy Town.
Central and Tsim Sha Tsui remain excellent bases for those who want to be close to the action.
Really do bear in mind that Hong Kong, affectionately ‘Honky Kong’ is famous for shoe-box-sized hotel rooms.
There’s not much to say here, you’ve got to pay to play, or you’ll end up staying in a closet, which to be fair is an experience in its own right.
M U S E U M & S I T E B O O K I N G
Star Ferry – No booking needed. Ferries run every few minutes between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui. Sit upstairs on the open deck for the best views.
Victoria Peak & Peak Tram – The Peak Tram now has upgraded facilities and is very popular. Go early or late to avoid long queues. Book the tram and Sky Terrace online if you’re planning around sunset. This is a particularly lovely experience, and well-worth the effort.
Man Mo Temple – Entry is free and no reservation is required. Go early in the day before the crowds arrive, and allow time to simply stand quietly under the coils of incense.
Hong Kong Museum of History – Recently reopened with beautifully updated exhibitions. Worth at least 1.5–2 hours. No booking required, but it can be busy on weekends.
M+ Museum & West Kowloon Cultural District – The new face of contemporary art and design in Hong Kong. Online reservations are recommended for special exhibitions, and the surrounding parklands are a wonderful place to escape the city’s density.
Big Buddha (Tian Tan) & Ngong Ping Cable Car – Book both the cable car and Buddha entrance in advance, particularly on weekends and public holidays. Clear weather makes a huge difference to the experience, so be flexible if possible.
Temple Street Night Market – No booking required, just show up and wander. It comes alive after 7pm.
If you're planning on having a suit or shirts or any other garments made:
Hong Kong is faster than the west. But it's still not instantaneous. Bargain with perhaps a week to six weeks. Try to avoid people who say they can do it overnight – you're not getting a quality product, and this is almost certainly a garment with fused chest/lapels instead of a proper hand-sewn canvas interlining.
S U G G E S T E D I T I N E R A R Y P O I N T S
DAY I
Harbour, Heights & Old City Charm
Morning: Start with a classic — take the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour, a short ride that opens up one of the great urban vistas of the world. Disembark in Central and take the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak.
If you’re early enough, the air is still clear and cool. From the top, take in the views and walk a short circuit along the Lugard Road path. Take some photos, this is one of the most iconic places in the world for it.
Lunch: Return to ground level and walk through Hong Kong Park, pausing in its aviary or one of the shaded pavilions. Then make your way to Sheung Wan for lunch — this is a great spot to try roast goose or congee at one of the city’s beloved lunch haunts.
Afternoon: Explore Hollywood Road and its antique shops, including a visit to Man Mo Temple, where incense coils spiral overhead in thick perfumed air. Head up to PMQ, a former police married quarters turned design hub, filled with independent shops and galleries.
You might want to pop into Chop Alley, which is about a ten-minute walk, if you’d like to have a hand-carved name seal made. Bear in mind that these artisans are used to doing this for the Hong Kongese & Chinese, and have some experience adapting their characters to western names…. but, if you already have your own monogram designed and can give them an image of it, they can certainly produce almost anything to a high standard. This is on the first day, because it might take them a day or two to complete their work. The author has a beautiful seal fitted into a hand-carved buffalo horn case that he has used for all paper correspondence for a decade.
Evening: Finish in Kowloon, beginning with a stroll along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. Catch the nightly Symphony of Lights at 8pm, then head into Mong Kok’s Temple Street Night Market. You can eat here — seafood, hot pot, clay pot rice — or wander and return to a quieter meal elsewhere.
GOOD LUCK DECIDING. There are no wrong answers, really.
DAY II
Markets, Museums & the Wild Edge
Morning: Begin in Kowloon with the Flower Market, Bird Garden, and Goldfish Market — three separate streets forming one of the most surreal and poetic neighbourhoods of Hong Kong.
Then head over to the Hong Kong Museum of History. If museums aren’t normally your thing, let this one change your mind. It tells the story of Hong Kong with real emotional depth — through archaeology, soundscapes, colonial history, Japanese occupation, and post-war transformation.
Lunch: Wander over to the West Kowloon Cultural District and have lunch in one of the harbour-facing restaurants. You’ll find both international and Cantonese options here, often with open-air seating and harbour breezes.
Afternoon: Visit M+ Museum or the Hong Kong Palace Museum, depending on your interests. Then, time allowing, take a ferry to one of the outer islands. Lamma is close, peaceful, and makes for a lovely stroll between villages. If you’d rather stay in the city, visit the Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden in Diamond Hill — two of the most tranquil places in the city.
Evening: Dine either in Central or back in Kowloon — both sides of the harbour have something wonderful to offer. End with a drink at a rooftop bar or hidden speakeasy, or simply wander the lantern-lit alleys one last time.
DAY III PLUS
You might also want to stay longer, and here’s why we think you should:
Lamma Island – A completely different rhythm: walking trails through forested hills, seafood lunches at waterside shacks, and quiet beaches where life moves at half speed. No cars, just small village lanes and the occasional bicycle with a basket full of groceries.
Tai O Fishing Village – Often called the “Venice of Hong Kong,” Tai O is a tangle of stilt houses, drying seafood, and traditional Chinese fishing culture. Of course there is actually only one real Venice, but Tai O is a chance to walk the rope bridges, watch for pink dolphins, and enjoy a slower tempo of existence.
Sai Kung – A world away from the business towers and neon. Hike, kayak, or swim in clear waters before feasting on just-caught seafood at the pier. Charter a boat to the Geopark or hidden beaches for something especially special.
Macau – High-speed ferries or the long-span bridge can take you to this former Portuguese colony for a day of baroque architecture, barbecued pork buns, egg tarts, and possibly a night of baccarat. Contrast is the point.
China gateway extensions – Hong Kong remains one of the best starting points for onward travel in China. High-speed rail and short flights connect you to Guangzhou, Guilin, Xi’an, and beyond — ideal for stitching this city into a wider journey.
M E E T Y O U R G U I D E
All of our guides can offer you a spectacular experience. As each person has a slightly different look at the world, due to their own unique interests and specialties, we'd encourage you to read a few profiles.