Planning to spend 48 hours in Hong Kong? Excellent choice! Hong Kong is such a vibrant, energetic city and it turns out it’s one of my favorite cities in Asia. We visited Hong Kong on a layover the first time. And I’ll be honest, we weren’t expecting a whole lot. But, we were quickly blown away by its stunning skyline that lights up the harbor at night, and how the city uniquely blends Eastern and Western cultures (like no other city we’ve been).
With two days in Hong Kong you can visit crazy-big but photogenic apartment blocks (you’ll see what I mean below), wander through bustling street markets, and enjoy more modern attractions like Victoria Peak. And let’s not forget about the food in Hong Kong! The food scene here is phenomenal – my mouth is watering just thinking about it!
Below, I’ve shared with you everything we’d recommend doing if you only have 48 hours in Hong Kong/ It sure is a jampacked itinerary, but, everything I’ve included REALLY IS worth seeing!
Day One in Hong Kong – Kowloon, Victoria Peak, Temple Street Night Market
For your first day in Hong Kong, we recommend exploring the bustling Kowloon district (aka the more traditional side of the city) and getting lost in a local market or two. Then, in the afternoon, hop on the peak tram to the top of Victoria Peak – for the most wow-worthy view of the city. Finish your first day on a high by grabbing some delicious street food at Temple Street Night Market.
Morning – Get lost in Kowloon (the more traditional side of Hong Kong)
Did you know there are two sides to Hong Kong – Kowloon and Hong Kong Island and they are both separated by Victoria Harbor? And on the morning of day one in Hong Kong, we recommend wandering around Kowloon, the more traditional side of the city. As it’s best explored in the morning when it’s a little quieter.
Kowloon has more of an authentic feel than the rest of Hong Kong and to me, it feels quite chaotic (in a good way). The sidewalks are jammed with street food sellers and locals rushing about their day. It’s also where you’ll find most of Hong Kong’s temples and markets.
Below, you’ll find my suggestions on how best to spend your morning in Kowloon –
Check out a local market:
There are hundreds if not thousands of market stalls scattered across Hong Kong. They remain a staple in everyday Hong Kong society and the locals use them to buy anything from meat to beauty products. One of the busiest markets in Kowloon is Ladies Market in Mongkok.
But arguably the prettiest market in Kowloon is the Flower Market in the Mongkok neighborhood. Here you’ll be treated to a dizzying visual display of colorful flowers and plants. It’s like being in a dream, wandering the narrow street that’s overflowing with flowers of all colors of the rainbow.
Related Read: I’ve just finished putting together a detailed guide to spending 3 days in Taipei – it’s one of my other favorite cities in Asia!
Snap some photos of the Clock Tower:
The Clock Tower is a Hong Kong icon and it’s located in Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. It’s one of the most photographed structures in the city and for good reason – it’s a mighty 44 meters tall. The clock on the tower chimes every hour (starting at 8 am and ending at midnight).
Relax in Nan Lian Garden:
You may also have time to wander around Nan Lian Garden in the Diamond Hill neighborhood near Diamond Hill station. It’s a classical Chinese garden styled in the Tang Dynasty style and it’s spread across 3.5 hectares. It’s so scenic here and is a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of Kowloon.
I recommend packing a light picnic with some snacks you picked up at one of the markets this morning and enjoying it in one of the lovely gardens here.
Lok Wah South Estate
Just off Chun Wah Road in Kwun Tong is Lok Wah South Estate, a series of public rental housing estates that are not much to look at save for a few fun and quirky elements. The colorful children’s playground has proven to be an excellent stomping ground for curious Instagrammers. And the roof of the parking garage is Lok Wah’s most photographed asset. The roof hosts turquoise-colored concentric circles that serve as both a bizarre subject and a fascinating backdrop.
Afternoon – Hop aboard the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak
Hopping on the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak is one of those must-do Hong Kong activities. The tram ride takes around 10 minutes and on the way up you’ll get a birds-eye view of the city. At the top, you’ll find a shopping center and the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. You can also head up to Peak Tower, aka, the upper terminal of the Peak Tram – from the viewing platform here you can take in what I always say is the best view of Hong Kong.
Pre-book the Peak Tram and Sky Terrace Pass here. You can use it at any time on the day you book for. It costs from $18 USD for a return ticket.
Evening – Get lost in the maze that is Temple Street Night Market
Tonight, we recommend visiting the vibrant Temple Street Night Market near Jordan Station.This is a super lively and energetic spot to grab some delicious street food. Walking through here is like an assault on all your senses – in the best way possible.
Its former nickname as a “poor man’s nightclub” rings true as it is where locals come to socialize, now that Hong Kong has gotten so expensive to party in.
The street food there is out of this world. You’ll find street food stalls mixed in with market stalls – selling everything from clothing to trinkets. It’s a sense-evoking experience – noise, smells, and colors!
For food, my suggestion is the Woosung Street Temporary Hawker Food Bazaar where you can sample all sorts of dishes from fish balls to egg tarts to dumplings.
Day Two in Hong Kong – Monster Building, Choi Hung Estate, Star Ferry
For your second day in Hong Kong – we really have some cool sights in store for you! Yup, today you’ll tick off the city’s most Insta-famous places like the Monster Building (as seen in the Transformers movie) and the super-colorful Choi Hung Estate. End your day, aboard the iconic Star Ferry!
Morning/ Afternoon – Explore Hong Kong Island (the modern face of the city)
If Kowloon is the more traditional side of Hong Kong, then, Hong Kong Island is its modern face. There are lots of skyscrapers here and overall it has a very cosmopolitan feel.
Monster Building:
If you’ve seen Transformers: Age of Extinction, this next building will look familiar.
Yick Cheong Building, or the Monster Building, as it’s been nicknamed by locals, isn’t actually a single building but a complex composed of five connecting structures. They were built during a population boom in the 60s to offer government-subsidized housing for low-income residents. And they’re now regarded one of the best Instagram spots in Hong Kong!
As always when taking photos here be respectful of the locals – this is their home. I will add that we visited at a quiet time (around 10 am) but were really mindful of the locals and didn’t spend too long here. We also bought some drinks and snacks from the local store here to support them (it was just a small way we could give back at the time).
Visiting here really brought home the fact that Hong Kong is one of the world’s most famous megacity’s.
If you’re hungry (and you’re a Tranformers fan) then, why not stop into Transformers: The Ark in Causeway Bay? This small restaurant serves up Transformer-themed fast food and it’s so fun!
Central Mid-Levels Escalator:
This next suggestion is just a quick stop-off. The Central Mid-Levels Escalator can be found on Jubilee Street in Central Hong Kong. It is in fact the longest outdoor covered escalator in the world. If you’re a movie buff, you may be interested to learn that the escalators were used in The Dark Knight (the Batman movie) and many Chinese movies.
Choi Hung Estate:
Choi Hung estate and, in particular, its colorful basketball court is a must-see while in Hong Kong! The buildings are actually council flats, and back in the 70s, the council decided to paint them all different colors to lift the resident’s spirits.
I wonder did they foresee how popular it would become with tourists?
Interestingly, its nickname is “Rainbow Estate”, a fitting moniker given the vibrant, rainbow-colored facade. And would you believe (you will when you see it!) the ‘estate’ consists of 11 residential blocks, is home to thousands of residents and includes amenities such as schools and markets.
To get here from Jordan Station in Hong Kong (one of the biggest and most popular metro stations in the city) you will need to hop on the Tsuen Wan Line (the red line) to Mong Kok station. Change to Kwun Tong Line (green line) to Choi Hung. Take exit C4 and then walk for 7 minutes to Choi Hung estate. Luckily, they have little signposts now pointing you in the right direction.
You will see a car park, go up the stairs next to the car park. The basketball courts are on top of this car park.
Dinner – A cute spot with a bear theme
Carnival by Food Fiesta in Taikoo Place has a fantastic variety of food stalls, offering everything from beloved local dishes to mouthwatering international flavors. There’s truly something to tickle everyone’s taste buds! It’s also home to the first overseas location of the Japanese hotpot restaurant Kumachan Onsen, which is famous for their cute bear-themed hotpots.
But it’s not just about the food here in Taikoo Place! There’s often live music performances and interactive workshops being held here.
Evening – See the city all lit up on board the Star Ferry
The Star Ferry is the best way to see the city all lit up. You can choose to travel between Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai (like we did) or do a full harbor tour.
Aboard the Star Ferry is also the best way the see the Symphony of Lights light show that takes place on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront every evening at around 8 pm. It’s so magical to see and by watching it from the ferry you won’t have to battle with the crowds.
Where to Stay in Hong Kong
We were on a budget when we visited Hong Kong so we chose to stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Kowloon. Rooms are cheap (around $80 USD a night) and exactly what you’d expect from the Holiday Inn brand – clean and comfortable. Although they are on the small side. Given the hotel’s central location, we were able to walk pretty much everywhere in Kowloon and we were near Kwun Tong Station when we wanted to go further afield.
When I next visit Hong Kong I’d like to splurge – we passed the Kowloon Shangri-La hotel a couple of times during our stay in the city and it looks fantastic. It’s a 5-star harbourside property and looking at their website and reading reviews there rooms look so opulent. Many of their rooms also overlook Victoria Harbour – imagine waking up to that view? The Shangri-La also has a gorgeous indoor pool and spa. It’s surprisingly reasonably priced at around $160 USD a night.
Because both options are in Kowloon (the older part of the city), if you’re keen to stay on Hong Kong Island then I recommend the modern Renaissance Harbour View, a 4-star property with excellent harbour views and spacious rooms. A room here costs from just $50 USD per night.
Have I convinced you to spend 48 hours in Hong Kong?
In short, Hong Kong is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city. It’s a city of old vs new with the traditional area of Kowloon standing in stark contrast to the skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island. But we loved both sides equally. It is well worth spending 48 hours in Hong Kong – stay for a couple of days if possible.
You may also enjoy reading my other Asia content, like –
How to Spend 3 Days in Hanoi Vietnam
Two Weeks in Vietnam Itinerary (Perfect for Couples & Solo Travelers)
Two Weeks in Sri Lanka (The Perfect Backpacking Route)
The Ultimate One Month Itinerary for Vietnam!
PIN IT TO PINTEREST:
Last Updated on February 28, 2025 by snaphappytravel