Brian Kennett
Amateur Chef and Boozy Traveling Foodie Extraordinaire
Best Hong Kong Five Day Itinerary for Families: as created by ChatGPT
Best Hong Kong Five Day Itinerary for Families: Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure in the bustling metropolis of Hong Kong? Get ready to experience the perfect blend of vibrant city life, cultural richness, and culinary delights. In this travel blog, Ilifearecipe.net has crafted the ultimate five-day itinerary that will take you on a literal journey through the heart and soul of this remarkable destination: Hong Kong.
Best Hong Kong Five Day Itinerary: Jump To...
Best Hong Kong Five Day Itinerary: From soaring skyscrapers to tranquil temples, from sizzling street food to gourmet dining, Hong Kong promises a whirlwind of experiences that will leave you in awe. And, guess who was our travel guide for creating the itinerary? Yep, ChatGPT. I have to say. It nailed it.
“Give me a 5-day travel itinerary for a family holiday in Hong Kong packed with family fun and amazing food…”
We kick off our adventure with a visit to the iconic Victoria Peak, offering panoramic views of the city. We’ll get into the heart of Hong Kong’s culture with stops at historic temples and culinary exploration including delectable street food.
We’ll take you to a DIY and scenic escape to Lantau Island, home to the awe-inspiring Big Buddha and serene Po Lin Monastery. We’ll explore the modern side of Hong Kong, from shopping in bustling districts like Causeway Bay to experiencing the city’s thriving nightlife in Central and Happy Valley.
We’ll also take you to Hong Kong Disneyland and Hong Kong Ocean Park: this really is the Best Hong Kong Five Day Itinerary
Finally, we’ll also offer some relaxation and nature as we unwind on beautiful Hong Kong beaches like Stanley Bay.
So, folks, get yourselves ready for a whirlwind adventure as Islifearecipe.net guides you through the Best Hong Kong Five Day Itinerary the city has to offer. Whether you’re a culture enthusiast, a foodie, a nature lover, or a shopaholic, this itinerary has something special in store for everyone. So, pack your bags and join us on this exhilarating journey through the vibrant streets of Hong Kong!
Day 1 Best Hong Kong Five Day Itinerary: Victoria Peak and Kowloon
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- Morning: Start your day with a ride on the historic Victoria Peak Tram. Enjoy breathtaking views of Hong Kong’s skyline and harbor.
- Lunch: Dine at ‘The Peak Lookout’ for a mix of Asian and Western cuisine with a view.
- Afternoon: Visit and have some fun to Madam Tussauds. What fun we had there. Explore the Central District, visiting landmarks like the HSBC Building and St. John’s Cathedral.
- Dinner/Evening: Star Ferry Hong Kong from Pier 6 to Kowloon. The Star Ferry schedule is frequent so don’t worry so much about booking or missing slots. We dined at Paper Moon Italian Restaurant – incredible views back from Kowloon to Hong Kong and the infamous Symphony of Lights.
Victoria Peak Tram Hong Kong
Uber cool ride up to the top of Victoria Peak as you travel through the Hong Kong mid-levels, passing old tram stops from the Victorian era. If you’re lucky you might even see a wild bore, as we did on our journey up.
I remember riding this from about 25 years ago, this is old skool and some…
Madam Tussauds Hong Kong
That was un-called for Bruce, mate…
Breakfast with Tiffany? If only I could one day. Woof!!!
Star Ferry: Hong Kong to Kowloon
It’s a must. It’s something like every 6 minutes this goes back and forth, but it’s a piece of history.
I remember coming here and boarding the Star Ferry some 25 years ago, and laughing at the signs posted all over the vessel stating “no spitting”.
Symphony of Light: the view of Hong Kong from Kowloon
That is not too shabby a view now, is it? It’s truly a WOW view from Paper Moon Italian Restaurant Hong Kong.
Day 2 Best Hong Kong Five Day Itinerary: Lantau Island Adventure
- Morning: Head to Lantau Island using the fast ferry from the ferry terminal: Pier 6. Visit the Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha: the biggest exterior Buddha in Asia.
- Lunch: Try vegetarian dishes at the monastery’s dining hall. We decided though to jump a taxi and make a fast exit to Tai O stilted fishing village for lunch. We dined at Good View Seafood Restaurant.
- Afternoon: Explore Tai O, a traditional fishing village, and enjoy a boat ride around the stilt houses.
- Dinner: Return to Hong Kong Island because the ferries stop running from Lantau to Hong Kong at 19:30. We had dinner at Hai Di Lao Hot Pot Causeway Bay, Lee Theatre, 19樓. You can’t go wrong with that brand.
Uncle Russ Coffee Hong Kong
Before you board the ferry to Lantau Island I highly recommend a quick stop at the ferry terminal and a visit to Uncle Russ Coffee. They are a coffee shop, cum licensed bar, cum snacks sell.
And the snacks they’re selling are the likes of Pork Scratchings and Biltong. I am in heaven!!!
Big Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha), Po Lin Temple, Lantau Island
Prepare yourself, folks, it is 268 steps to the top and that’s at a 45-degree angle climb. Wowser!!! But the view is totally worth it.
Where does Father Christmas go on vacation after his ‘busy day’? Clearly, he goes to Po Lin Temple on Lantau Island to have a look at the Big Buddha… Beard Brothers!!!
Feral bulls and water bison roam freely across Lantau Island. Beautiful creatures.
Po Lin Temple, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Stunning!!!
You can’t help but feel peaceful here. You really do.
Jude and I made BFFs with this bull. He loved a head and nose rub. So much so, that he’d tilt his head and shut his eyes in bliss. I think Jude and I must have been in 1,000 photos and Instagrams that day as tourists snapped away… Those too scared to caress this lovely creature themselves…
Thousand Buddha Temple Po Lin Lantau Island
I was not really allowed to take pictures here, but, just for you, I managed to sneak this one in. It is opulent but humbling – so much gold, with so much peace.
Tai O Fishing Village, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
We took a boat ride to try and see the infamous Pink Dolphins (no such luck), which also takes you into the Tai O stilted fishing village. It’s literally like going back in time.
Dried shark anyone? Delicious with an icy cold TsingTsao Beer I hear…
This is like no other 7-11 I have ever seen haha…
Frozen mango anyone? Now this is delicious and very healthy to boot!!!
We had lunch here at Good View Seafood Restaurant, and highly recommend it. Make sure you have cash though. Must try the beef with honey sauce, because that was a WOW dish.
Yeah, I am not sure about this… They had bag after bag after bag of dried seahorses. TCM, really? Is this really going to give you a boner? Leave the beautiful creature alone!!! I am absolutely not a fan of this.
Officially I was not allowed to take photos, but who cares? You’re the one selling this stuff my friend.
Day 3 Best Hong Kong Five Day Itinerary: Hong Kong Disneyland
- Full Day: Spend the entire day at Hong Kong Disneyland. Enjoy the rides, parades, and shows. We were so lazy and just took a taxi there an back, luckily we were able to get 5-seaters.
- Meals: Have lunch and dinner at the park’s themed restaurants, offering a variety of cuisines. I have to say the noodles next door to the Star Wars rollercoaster were seriously good.
New to Hong Kong DisneyLand: World of Frozen
Prepare yourself for major queues of over an hour for each ride… We declined as it was super cold on this day. We had to “Let it go…”.
Star Wars Rollercoaster: Hyper Space Mountain Hong Kong Disneyland
An absolutely superb ride. Pitch black apart from stars and laser fire as you battle for the resistant against the dark forces of evil. Just brilliant.
Toy Story Land: Hong Kong Disneyland
Mystic Manor Hong Kong Disneyland
Tarzan Island Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland and night: let the magic happen
You can’t help but get drawn into the Disney hype, even at 55 years old. It truly is magical, no matter where it is in the world. Great job Walt!!!
Day 4 Best Hong Kong Five Day Itinerary: Hong Kong Ocean Park and Stanley Market
- Morning to Afternoon: Take a taxi to Ocean Park. You’re going to be there most of the day, so eat in the park, there are a lot of choices. We chose Bay View Restaurant: very average food, but with incredible views of Stanley Bay.
- Late Afternoon: Visit Stanley Market for souvenirs and a relaxed vibe, and then walk down to the beachfront for the sunset.
- Dinner/evening: Dine at ‘Murray House’ in Stanley, offering a range of international dishes, or (as we did) just pick one along the waterfront. Great food, views, and even live busking music, and then stroll along Stanley waterfront before taking a taxi home.
Hong Kong Ocean Park
OK, after Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park Hong Kong is a major letdown. It’s old, it’s tired and it shows. It feels like something from the 50s that someone forgot about and hasn’t invested a dime in since.
Even the animals and fish looked more pissed off than in any other aquarium-style park.
Still, we had fun, but if I were you: do Ocean Park Hong Kong first and then Hong Kong Disneyland second so you’re on an upward trend.
It has got some cool exhibits, but I can’t help but compare it to the Singapore SEA Aquarium, and it doesn’t even come close to that…
I saw these, so these do become: Spotted Seals.
Just add these to cold water and they’ll make the Water Otter… I thank you!!!
Like looking in a mirror… MASSIVE Atlantic Walrus, two in fact. Watch our YouTube Shorts for an incredible video.
Can you spot our Jude in there taking over the tram driver job? “Home please Jude Jude, and don’t spare the horses… Hold on we need to go via Stanley Market please…”
Ocean Park Cable Car
We jumped in this for a ride and then realized halfway across that this was taking you back to the entrance. This became our exit from Ocean Park Hong Kong… The timing was perfect actually to hit Stanley Market before it closed.
Stanley Bay: Bay View Restaurant Ocean Park
The food was less than average, but… location, location, location. Have a look at that view. Wow! We basked in the sun watching sailing boats and super yachts power past us as sea eagles soared above.
Stanley Market and Stanley Waterfront
My recommendation is to get there before closing haha. We arrived way too late to really enjoy it. It seems to shut about 5pm, so perhaps tweak that itinerary to do more browsing here at Stanley Market.
A beautiful sunset to kick off the end of the day and dinner time.
We chose an al fresco dinner here. Food was OK, just OK, but the vibe was buzzing, views were stunning, and cool toonz were wafting from buskers performing their hearts out along the beachfront.
Day 5 Best Hong Kong Five Day Itinerary: Central Shopping and Hong Kong's Best Rooftop Bars and Rooftop Restaurants
- Morning: Visit Wong Tai Sin Temple, famous for fortune telling.
- Lunch: Savor Michelin-starred dim sum at ‘Tim Ho Wan’ in Sham Shui Po.
- Afternoon/evening: Shop and explore in Mong Kok (Ladies’ Market, Sneakers Street and so on). Do a tour of rooftop bars and dining to get the most incredible views of the city and Kowloon at night.
I certainly was not expecting to see this on out little meander from the hotel this day…
Hong Kong Street Markets: get out and walk, folks...
Wherever you turn it is like the wet markets of Singapore with meats and fish on display and ready to serve.
Skye Rooftop Bar and Dining: Pullman Hotel Hong Kong
Jude and I got seriously bored with shopping with the girls and opted for cool rooftop bar hunting. Boy did we do a good job.
I mean… come on. Views to die for, and the food was knock out too. Read on for a blog on that soon!
I’ll say it again. Just the most stunning views from up here.
La Rambla Spanish Restaurant Hong Kong
Now that is not bad either, is it? Again, back over to Kowloon from Hong Kong, on a beautiful but cold day. Christmas Day in fact.
We had an awesome Christmas Brunch here on Christmas Day at La Rambla Spanish Restaurant, and even had the great fortune to say hello to Chef Rafa Gil: do you remember him from the Netflix show: The Final Table?
Landmark Rooftop Bar and Restaurant Hong Kong
Recommended by Chef Rafa so how could we refuse to ignore that? We simply had to go explore, and wow, so glad we did.
Brand and squeaky new. Only open for a short while, but proving to be one of the most sought-after rooftops in Hong Kong. And you can see why below.
Hong Kong Travel Tips: Best Hong Kong Five Day Itinerary
- Advance Booking: For restaurants and the junk boat, it’s advisable to book in advance.
- Flexibility: Weather can affect outdoor activities, so have alternate plans ready. Out five-day plan was subject to change as it was freezing cold, and one day we just had to go shopping to get wamer clothes, pushing the itinerary out.
- Transport: Use the MTR (subway) for convenient travel around the city. Make sure you buy an Octopus card to make it super-easy for the payments.
- Taxis: There is no such thing as Grab, or any taxi app in fact, and there are limited taxis that take 5 PAX, so prepare to wait. It was painful ona few occassion for us, especially on Lantau Island.
- Walk: Get amongst it and walk the streets, go see the markets, mingle with the locals, go where they go, and eat where they eat. You’ll see so much more of this exciting city.
- Stay Hydrated: Hong Kong can be humid, especially in summer, so keep hydrated during your explorations.
Conclusion of the Best Hong Kong Five Day Itinerary
Best Hong Kong Five Day Itinerary is a well-planned five-day itinerary for exploring the vibrant city of Hong Kong offers a perfect blend of culture, cuisine, and sightseeing. Start your journey with a visit to iconic landmarks like the Tian Tan Buddha and Victoria Peak for breathtaking panoramic views of the city.
Delve into the rich history and culture of Hong Kong by exploring places like the Po Lin Monastery and Ngong Ping 360.
Don’t forget to indulge in the local cuisine at street markets and sample delicious dim sum in traditional teahouses. As you wrap up your adventure, consider taking a leisurely cruise along Victoria Harbour for a picturesque sunset view.
With a mix of tradition and modernity, Hong Kong promises an unforgettable five-day getaway. And we hope you enjoyed our Best Hong Kong Five Day Itinerary.
Hong Kong FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. What are the must-visit attractions in Hong Kong? | In Hong Kong, don’t miss the iconic Victoria Peak, bustling markets like Temple Street Night Market, and the serene Ngong Ping 360. Explore the Avenue of Stars and take a ride on the Star Ferry for stunning views of the skyline. Just read our Best Hong Kong Five Day Itinerary |
| 2. How can I get from Hong Kong Airport to the city center? | You can take the Airport Express train, a taxi, or an airport bus to reach the city center conveniently from Hong Kong International Airport. |
| 3. What’s the best time to visit Hong Kong weather-wise? | The best time to visit Hong Kong is during the fall (September to November) when the weather is pleasant and not too hot or humid. |
| 4. Are there any vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Hong Kong? | Yes, Hong Kong offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants. Try Loving Hut, Pure Veggie House, and LockCha Tea House for delicious options. |
| 5. What’s the currency used in Hong Kong? | The currency used in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD). Most places also accept major credit cards. |
| 6. How do I get to Disneyland Hong Kong from the city center? | You can take the MTR (Mass Transit Railway) to Disneyland Resort Station or use the dedicated Disney Resort Line from Sunny Bay Station to reach Disneyland Hong Kong. |
| 7. What’s the typical cost of accommodation in Hong Kong? | Accommodation costs in Hong Kong vary, but budget travelers can find hostels or guesthouses for around HKD 200-400 per night, while mid-range hotels may cost HKD 800-1500 per night. Luxury hotels can go higher. |
| 8. What are some hiking trails in Hong Kong? | Hong Kong offers fantastic hiking trails. Try Dragon’s Back, Lantau Peak, or the MacLehose Trail for scenic hikes with beautiful vistas. |
| 9. How do I use public transportation in Hong Kong? | Hong Kong’s public transportation system is efficient. Get an Octopus Card for convenience and use buses, trams, ferries, and the MTR subway system to explore the city. |
| 10. Is it necessary to tip in Hong Kong restaurants? | Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory in Hong Kong. A 10% service charge may already be included in your bill at some restaurants, so check before tipping extra. |
