How to Maximize a 3D2N Vacation in Hong Kong

According to statistics from the Hong Kong Tourism Board, there are already more than 10 million shopaholics, foodies, photography enthusiasts and all sorts of travellers from around the world visiting Hong Kong in January and February 2018. Hong Kong is not only a shopping paradise; it also offers a plethora of delectable local cuisine. The highly developed public transportation system makes getting around so convenient.

I personally feel that there is no better place to experience a fusion of Eastern and Western cultures than in Hong Kong. This city also showcases a marriage between traditional and modern life. With so many things to do but so little time in Hong Kong, I’ve come up with a 3D2N itinerary which covers all the places and foods which you shouldn’t miss out on! Hope this will help in your planning.

---

Day 1

---

Have breakfast at Lan Fong Yuen (蘭芳園) before exploring the wall murals around the area. This cha chaan teng is famous for the pork buns and milk tea. I also ordered the French toast. The pork chop was alright, not as impressive as what netizens have described it to be. However, I do enjoy the refreshing burst of juices from the fresh tomato slices stacked between the pork chop and the buns. I preferred the buttery French toast which was crispy on the outside and soft inside.

Lan Fong Yuen (蘭芳園)
Address: 2 Gage Street, Central, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 7.30am to 6pm
Contact: +852 2544 3895

Besides discovering interesting street art around the area, you can visit the Man Mo Temple too. Stop by at Tsui Wah Restaurant (翠華餐廳) for slurp-worthy noodles and comfort foods such as the scrambled eggs toast. The stocking milk tea served here is my favourite!

In the afternoon, head to the picturesque Nan Lian Garden and the Chi Lin Nunnery which is located within the garden. Have an afternoon tea and a relaxing stroll at this peaceful garden set amidst the hubbub of Hong Kong city. There are a few beautiful spots for photos such as the mini waterfall outside the vegetarian restaurant and the Pavilion of Absolute Perfection situated in the centre of the Lotus Pond.

Nan Lian Garden / Chi Lin Nunnery
Address: 60 Fung Tak Road, Diamond Hill, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 7am to 9pm
Contact: +852 3658 9366

Whenever I visit Hong Kong, I can never leave the city without savouring their roasted meats. You should have dinner at Joy Hing Roasted Meat (再興燒臘飯店). This is one of the most popular stalls in Hong Kong for roasted meats. From char siew (barbecued pork) to roasted duck to roasted goose to soy sauce chicken to sio bak (crispy roasted pork belly), the choices are aplenty. I ordered a 3-meats-combination rice set which came with char siew, roasted duck and roasted goose. The tender, succulent and juicy char siew was a winner! Unlike Singapore’s lean meat, the char siew here contains some fats which makes the meat so flavourful and gives the meat a nicer bite.

Joy Hing Roasted Meat (再興燒臘飯店)
Address: Block C, G/F 265-267 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 9.30am to 10pm. Closed on Sundays and PHs.
Contact: +852 2519 6639

---

Day 2

---

I recommend starting the day at the Mido Café (美都餐室). With its unpretentious booths and vintage tiled floor, this café is a well-known cha chaan teng which has been featured in many television shows and music videos for its old school ambience. The toast which was generously spread with butter and served with condensed milk was amazing. However, there was nothing special about their pork chop macaroni. Take a walk around the Yau Ma Tei neighbourhood after breakfast and you can photograph facades of old apartment buildings, street art and landmarks such as the Red Brick Building and the Tin Hau Temple.

Mido Café (美都餐室)
Address: 63 Temple Street, Jordan, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 9am to 9.45pm
Contact: +852 2384 6402

When you are done exploring the Yau Ma Tei neighbourhood, pop by the Monster Building in Quarry Bay. This building is actually a huge complex comprising 5 connecting structures – Fook Cheong Building, Montane Mansion, Oceanic Mansion, Yick Cheong Building and Yick Fat Building. They were constructed in the 1960s to cater to low-income families. The architecture here is very different from other parts of Hong Kong. This is probably why this estate has been featured in blockbuster films such as the Ghost in the Shell and Transformers: Age of Extinction.

To get to the Monster Building, alight at the Quarry Bay station along the Island line or the Tseung Kwan O line, take exit A, and walk along King’s Road towards Tai Koo. From the Monster Building, take the Ding Ding Tram to a really delicious noodle soup stall called An Li Restaurant (安李大排檔) for lunch. It felt so heartwarming because I had it when the weather was so chilly.

When your tummy is satisfied, take the MTR and alight at the Choi Hung station along the Kwun Tong line and take exits C3 or C4 to the Choi Hung Estate. This old estate boasts colourful architecture and the area located at the basketball courts atop the carpark is picture perfect.

If you plan your itinerary well and make sure you meet the timing allocated for each place, be sure to catch the sunset at the Star Ferry Pier observation platform at Tsim Sha Tsui where the Clock Tower is standing. Watching the buildings gradually illuminate in all sorts of colours and seeing the reflections of these colours on the water is a scene you will never forget. To get there, alight at the Tsim Sha Tsui station, take exit L6 and walk towards the Clock Tower along Salisbury Road.

Kwan Kee Claypot Rice (坤記煲仔小菜) is a great place for dinner. The restaurant is hidden in an alley with both indoor and outdoor seating areas. It is better to dine here with a big group in order to try more dishes. The Beef Claypot Rice with Egg and the Preserved Sausages and Chicken Claypot Rice are the restaurant’s signature items. To complete your meal, pair the claypot rice with the Steamed Pork Patty.

Kwan Kee Claypot Rice (坤記煲仔小菜)
Address: Shop 1, Wo Yick Mansion, 263 Queen’s Road West, Western District
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 12.30am. Sun 6pm to 12.30am.
Contact: +852 2803 7209

---

Day 3

---

Everyone on the net is raving about the Australian Dairy Company café but I’ve heard negative reviews from my close friends so I decided not to waste time queuing and waste calories on average food. The Capital Café (華星冰室) is a good alternative. The menu is quite similar but their customer service is so much better. The Macaroni Soup with Luncheon Meat and the Satay Beef Bun were so satisfying.

Capital Café (華星冰室)
Address: Shop B1, G/F, Kwong Sang Hong Building, 6 Heard Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 7am to 11pm
Contact: +852 2666 7766

Take the Tsuen Wan line after breakfast and alight at the Sham Shui Po station. Exit D2 will bring you to Mei Ho House. The Sham Shui Po Garden Hill can be reached by the flight of stairs behind Mei Ho House. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to arrive at the peak. You will be rewarded by a panoramic view of Hong Kong’s public housing estates instead of the usual modern skyscrapers.

Since there is some free time before lunch, you can do your last minute shopping at the Ladies Market and the Fa Yuen Street Market. The Flower Market is of close proximity to the Fa Yuen Street Market, so why not take a look around there too?

Besides trying the roasted meats in Hong Kong, you also have to try the dim sum. Tim Ho Wan (添好運) doesn’t disappoint. The Glutinous Rice Dumpling, Steamed Beef Balls with Beancurd Skin, Baked Bun with BBQ Pork and the Osmanthus Jelly amazed my taste buds. There are a few Tim Ho Wan outlets in Hong Kong and you can find information regarding the locations and opening hours on their website.

Take a taxi up to Victoria’s Peak for an incredible view of Hong Kong’s cityscape. The Peak is the highest point on Hong Kong Island and this area has been the city’s most exclusive neighbourhood since colonial times. It will be wonderful if you can stay for the sunset and watch the city light up beautifully at night. End your experience at Victoria’s Peak by taking the antique Peak Tram ride down the hill.

Before leaving Hong Kong, I had another plate of roasted meats because I really wanted to try the sio bak after hearing about how good the one served at Wing Hap Lung Restaurant (永合隆飯店) is. The fatty layers of meat were juicy and well marinated and the highlight was definitely the crispy skin. I could hear the crackling sound upon biting the skin. However, the char siew did not fare as well as the one I had at Joy Hing Roasted Meat.

Wing Hap Lung Restaurant (永合隆飯店)
Address: 392 Portland St, Prince Edward, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 11am to 10pm
Contact: +852 2380 8511

This was how I fully made use of my time and packed so many activities within 3 days in Hong Kong. It was an exhausting short trip but I enjoyed every moment spent there. I hope you will enjoy Hong Kong as much as I did.