Thinking of Hong Kong I have this image of an enormous skyscraper city, but did you know Hong Kong has much more to offer than only the urban life? Hong Kong has for example many beaches and national parks that are easily accessible from the city. These are places where you can find the locals escaping from the fast paced city life.

I have often experienced traveling to a place, only to find out afterwards that I missed some essential spots. In this itinerary a full day is set out for you to enjoy, combining the must sees and must eats at the best places in town. A full day starting from your breakfast till your diner (or possible late night drinks), covering all there is to see in every neighborhood.

This is the ultimate guide that makes sure you do not miss out on anything; the perfect Monday-Sunday.

A quick glance

Monday: Central, Sheung Wan & Admirality

With it’s many skyscrapers Central is probably Hong Kong’s most iconic neighborhood. Central is home to the Hong Kong business centre and is therefore a good place to start your Hong Kong adventure. Sheung Wan on the other hand is known as Hong Kong’s hipster neighborhood.

This walk combines both neighborhoods and takes in total approximately 2 hours and 55minutes. The total length is about 12.8km spread over an entire day. Click here for the complete route. The route starts at the MTR station Central exit D2.

• Start the day with an iconic Milk tea breakfast at Lan Fong Yuen
• Sample authentic Chinese tea at Lock Cha Tea House
• Do it for the gram at Hollywood Road G.O.D store
• Get spiritual at the Man Mo temple
• Go antique shopping at Upper Lascar Row
• Visit the historical Pak Sing Ancestral Hall
• Chill out at Sun Yatsen memorial park
• Experience the unique Dried Seafood Market
• Taste Hong Kongs best Beef Brisket at Kau Kee Food Café
• Ride the Mid Level escalators, the longest escalators in the world
• Ride the Peak Tram, Asia’s oldest funicular railways
• Enjoy Hong Kong’s most iconic view at Victoria Peak
• See the Hong Kong flower in the Hong Kong Zoological & Botanical gardens
• Pay a visit to Hong Kong Park
• Spot some birds at the Edward Youde Aviary
• Discover western heritage at St John’s cathedral
• Get your Feng Shui going at Cheung Kong Park
• Experience some vertigo at the Bank of China tower
• Cross the urban Chater garden
• Stroll around Tamar park
• Enjoy sundown at the touristic Hong Kong Observation Wheel
• Have a cocktail at SEVVA rooftopbar
• Indulge in the famous roasted goose of Yat Lok Roast Goose
• Try a Hong Kong Eggtart dessert at Tai Cheong Bakery

Tuesday: Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan & Yau Ma Tei (South-Kowloon)

Day 2 offers an in depth look of the different neighborhoods in South-Kowloon. A direct contrast can be noticed between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. This walk will mainly concentrate around Nathan Road going from Tsim Sha Tsui all the way up to the more overlooked Yau Ma Tei.

In total the walk itself will take approximately 1h41m, covering a length of in total 7.6km. Click here for the complete route. The day starts at the MTR Station Jordan exit C2.

• Begin the day with a classic CCT breakfast at the Australian Diary Company
• Go gemstone shopping at the Jade Market
• Visit the largest Tin Hau Temple in Kowloon
• Visit Hong Kong’s most iconic Cha Chaan Teng, Mido café
• Shop some vitamins at the Yau Ma Tei fruit market
• Enjoy a classic Mak Man Kee Wonton Noodle Lunch
• Stroll around Kowloon Park
• Treat yourself on a iconic Egg Waffle at the famous LKK North Point
• Learn about the history of Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Museum of History
• Get out of your comfort zone and have a pork intestine at Fat Boy
• Taste a Michelin approved Egg Waffle at Mammy pancake
• Sample different cuisines at Chunking Mansion
• Climb the stairs for a scenic view at Signal Hill Garden
• Witness the iconic Victoria Harbor at the Avenue of Stars
• See the unique Clocktower
• Take a colonial ride on the Star Ferry
• See some 19th century architecture at 1881 Heritage
• Shop at the Temple street night market
• Eat a hearty Clay Pot Rice at The Four Seasons
• Sip a cocktail at the Ozone lounge (highest bar in the world 118/F)
• Witness the symphony of lights at Victoria Harbor

Wednesday: Wan Chai & Causeway Bay

Wan Chai is primarily known for its notorious neon light district. Causeway Bay is one of Hong Kong’s most commercial areas with various shopping malls like Times Square, Sogo, Hysan Place and Lee Garden. See for yourself how much more these neighborhoods have to offer. For those interested in seeing the Jarine Noonday Gun at 12.00AM I recommend starting the day at 08.00.

In total the route takes around 2.5 hours, covering a length of 11km. Click here for the complete route. Start the day at MTR station Wan Chai exit A4.

• Have a Hong Kong style French Toast Breakfast at Chrisly Cafe
• Visit the formerly at the seaside Hung Shing Temple
• See some different Hong Kong architecture at the Blue House
• Visit the largest temple on Hong Kong island, the Pak Tai Temple
• Pray for your love life at the Lover’s Rock
• See the high-rise vertical graves at Hong Kong cemetery
• Have an insider’s view at Central plaza view
• Have lunch at Kam’s Roasted Goose
• See the Golden Bauhania
• Witness the Jardine Noonday Goon at 12.00AM
• Ride an authentic sampan
• Stroll around the modern Victoria park
• Visit one of Hong Kong’s catholic churches: St Mary’s church
• Take a snap at the concrete jungle of Quarry Bay
• See the sundown at Wooloomaloo rooftop bar
• Gamble at the Happy Valley Horseraces
• Get your spicy going at Under Bridge Spicy Crab
• Have a Milk Pudding dessert at Yee Shun Milk Company
• Party at the famous Wan Chai Wednesdays

Thursday: San Po Kong & Lion Rock Country Park

This is day is a more randomly assembled itinerary. There are some hotspots in less touristic neighborhoods combined with a popular hike in Hong Kong. When staying for multiple days in the city, Hong Kong nature can not be overlooked. The Lion Rock hike will show a different side of the city, rewarding the hiker with some unique views over the city.

Click here for the complete route.

• Have a basic but delicious egg sandwich breakfast at Luen Fat
• Visit the historical (former prison) Kowloon Walled City Park
• Take a picture at the colorful Choi Hung Estate
• Stroll around the traditional Nan Lian Garden & Chi Lin nunnery
• Visit the biggest temple in Hong Kong: The Won Tai Sing Temple and take metro to TST
• Burn some calories at the Lion Rock Hike (3.5h-4h)
• Party at the ladies night in Lan Kwai Fong (LKF)

Friday: Lantau Island

Hong Kong’s biggest island is home to some unique attractions that can not be found anywhere else in the city. Imagine the famous Big Buddha or the serene village of Tai O. Lantau Island has more to offer than just these tourist attractions and visiting the island just to cross these two off your list would be a mistake. Let this itinerary take you for an ultimate experience of Lantau Island. The day ends with a one of kind dining experience at the world renowned Bo Innovation in Wan Chai.

Click here for the complete route. The route starts at Tung Chung MTR station exit B.

• Enjoy some seafood at Mui Wo Cooked Food Market
• See the wall paintings at the Man mo temple
• Hike up to the Silvermine cave
• Chase some waterfalls at Silvermine falls
• Take a dive at Silvermine beach
• Take the Ngong Ping 360 cable cart on Lantau Island
• Visit the one of the biggest Buddha’s in the world: The Big Buddha
• Visit the magnificent Po Lin Monastery
• Hike the Wisdom path
• Take the bus to the Venice of Hong Kong, Tai O
• See the stilt houses in Tai O
• Eat Tai O fried rice at Fook Man Lam Seafood Restaurant
• Learn about history of the village in the Tai O museum
• Go on a boatride and try to spot some pink dolphines
• Taste street food at Tai O Main street snacks
• Visit the 300-year old Yeung Hau temple
• Swim in the secret natural Infinity pool
• Enjoy the ultimate haute-cuisine dining experience at Bo Innovation (Wan Chai)

Saturday: Mong Kok & Sham Shui Po (North-Kowloon)

Mong Kok is officially the world’s busiest and most densely populated urban district in the world.The districts packs an average of 130,000 people into every square meters. However, do not let statistics stop you from visiting this dazzling neighborhood. Sham Shui Po is one of Hong Kong’s oldest neighborhoods known for its textiles industry. Recently the neighborhood has turned into a popular spot with many Michelin recommended eateries. This day will include a lot of shopping and authentic food spots. My recommendation is to (when with multiple people) share dishes so you can eat at as many places as possible.

Click here for the complete route. In total the route takes around1h 20 minutes, covering 6.2km. The route starts at the MTR station Mong Kok exit B3.

• Start the day with a Hong Kong style French toast at Man Wah Cafe
• Practice your bargain skills at the Ladies Market
• Have a pan fried bun snack at Cheung Hing Kee
• Go sneaker shopping at the Fa Yuen Street Market
• Enjoy the best pineapple bun in town at Kam Wah Cafe
• Treat yourself on a sweet at Kee Tsui Cake Shop
• Visit the colorful Goldfish market
• Smell some flowers at the Flower Market
• Hear the songbirds sing at the Yuen Po Bird Garden Market
• Share a quintessential Dim Sum meal at Tim Ho Wan
• Have some street food at Fuk Wa Street
• Shop at the flea market of Apliu Street
• Experience eating at the authentic Keung Kee Dai Pai Dong
• Shop for DIY stuff at the Bead Street of Hong Kong, Yu Chau Street
• Eat a Michelin-recommended Cheong Fun snack at Hop Yik Tai
• Discover the largest mall in Sham Shui Po, the Dragon Centre
• Improve your wardrobe on Cheung Sha Wan Road
• Go toy shopping on Fuk Wing Street
• Learn about the Han Dynasty at Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum
• Walk up to Garden Hill and enjoy the view over Kowloon
• Taste some traditional bamboo noodles at Lau Sum Kee
• Enjoy a Tofu Pudding dessert at Kung Wo Tofu

Sunday: Sai Kung

Known as the ‘back garden of Hong Kong’ Sai Kung is the perfect getaway to escape from Hong Kong’s busy life. Especially on sunday the village is busy with locals fleeing the city. That is why this day is the perfect day to get a real weekend local experience in Sai Kung.

Click here for the complete route. The route starts at the central busstation of Sai Kung.

• Have the best pineapple bun in town at Sai Kung café & bakery
• Take a look at the Sai Kung public pier
• Learn about the formation of Hong Kong Island at the Volcano discovery centre
• Enjoy the view of the Sai Kung Waterfront Promenade
• Rent a canoe at Beach Club
• Take a walk in Fuk Man Garden
• Visit the Tin hau temple
• Learn about Hong Kong nature at Lions nature education centre
• See the authentic fishermen village of Kwun Mun
• Experience some local religion at Street shrine
• Enjoy a Michelin star seafood lunch at Loaf on
• Take a boat trip at Sai Kung waterfront
• Catch your own fish at a fishing tour
• See some amazing rockformations at Hong kong Global Geopark