If you are a first-time traveller to Hong Kong, here is a simple guide:
- things to do when for a Hong Kong layover
- how to navigate border control from mainland China
- getting to and from Hong Kong international airport
Hong Kong is often a stopover for 48 hours to refresh after a long flight or the starting point for travel into mainland China. Or, like us, Hong Kong was the last destination on our China tour itinerary
And when spending 48 hours in Hong Kong, you’ll want to know the best things to do in Hong Kong during your stay.
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Where to Stay in Hong Kong
Staying in Hong Kong gives you a choice of either:
- Kowloon
- Hong Kong Island
Kowloon is the Chinese area, while Hong Kong Island has a more British influence.
Depending on your budget, here is a 10% discount with Booking.com.
We stayed on Kowloon at Butterfly on Pratt for its easy access and clean and modern rooms. Plus, we were given the FREE use of a cell phone while in Hong Kong.
How to Get from the Airport to Hong Kong Central
Hong Kong International Airport (Chep Lap Kok) is on Lantau Island, accessible by train or taxi.
The cheapest option to get to Kowloon or Hong Kong Island is the Airport Express Train (only 50 meters from the Arrivals Hall).
- Kowloon – HKD90 (USD12) per adult – a 20-minute journey
- Hong Kong Island – HKD100 (USD13) per adult – a 24-minute journey
Hong Kong also has a FREE Airport Express Shuttle Bus with various stopping points. Check the route to find the stop closest to your hotel.
At the Kowloon train station, you can check in your bags and get your boarding pass. So when you board the train to the airport, it’s only with hand luggage. So easy.
For more information, check out this website Travelvui.
Border Control for Hong Kong and China
If you are entering Hong Kong from mainland China, the most likely place is Shenzen Border Control.
The Shenzen Border Control is within the Shenzhen train station, which makes the border crossing into Hong Kong fairly straightforward.
Look for the signs for Hong Kong in the train station.
By following these signs, you will find yourself at Border Control. Once through, you will then need to pass through Customs.
Once through Customs, look again for signs for Hong Kong and the Currency Exchange to change Chinese Yuan for Hong Kong Dollars.
Hong Kong Border Control will not stamp your passport.
But you will be issued an immigration slip for your passport to be held until you leave. You are now in Hong Kong.
Just follow the Metro signs for Kowloon or Hong Kong island and purchase tickets from the machines.
1. Half-Day Tour of Hong Kong Island
Your best option is booking online, as you can organize a half-day or full-day tour depending on the time you have in Hong Kong.
We purchased a half-day orientation tour of Hong Kong island.
The small minivan collected us from the hotel, and with only one other couple, the tour guide had our full attention.
Highlights of Hong Kong Island
- Jewelry Manufacture
- Aberdeen Wharf
- Boat ride to a fishing village
- Victoria Peak
- Stanley Street Market
Jewelry Manufacture – apart from the ten salespersons and glass cabinets filled with exquisite pieces, the brief history we learned was interesting.
Aberdeen Wharf is the place to see the Jumbo Restaurant, owned by the richest man in Hong Kong. It’s also the starting point for a boat ride to a nearby fishing village.
Stanley Street Market is a small market for tourists with local cafes nearby. The drive to the market is down the hill via Repulse Bay (named after the British ships that would hunt down pirates).
Keep an eye out for the building with a hole. According to Chinese mythology, it allows the dragon to fly through.
Peak Tram to Victoria Peak was a highlight of the half-day tour. Unfortunately, the queues for the tram were long, so we drove to Victoria Peak and used our tram ticket a day late. (The one-way ticket price is included in the tour.)
Make sure to taste a local delicacy, a custard tart from Tai Cheong Bakery (1954) at Victoria Peak. It was delicious.
Highlights of Hong Kong Island
- Aberdeen Wharf
- Boat ride to a fishing village
- Victoria Peak
- Manufacturing Jeweller
- Stanley Street market
Jewelry Manufacture – apart from the ten salespersons and glass cabinets filled with exquisite pieces, the brief history we learned was interesting.
Aberdeen Wharf is the place to see the Jumbo Restaurant, owned by the richest man in Hong Kong. But also to take a boat ride to a fishing village.
Stanley Street Market is a small market for tourists with local cafes nearby. The drive to the market is down the hill via Repulse Bay (named after the British ships that would hunt down pirates).
Keep an eye out for the building with a hole. According to Chinese mythology, it allows the dragon to fly through.
Peak Tram to Victoria Peak was a highlight of the half-day tour. Taking the tram up to Victoria Peak, we met the tour guide for an overview of the buildings we could see below. (The one-way ticket price is included in the tour.)
Make sure to taste a local delicacy, a custard tart from Tai Cheong Bakery (1954). It was delicious.
2. Take Peak Tram to Victoria Peak
Peak tram is a highlight of any visit to Hong Kong. Its fabulous views over the harbour from various points are a must-see of Hong Kong.
Peak Tram:
- A single ticket is HKD37 (USD5)
- Return ticket HKD52 (USD6)
- Opening time is 7 am to midnight
- Trip duration is 22 minutes one way (waiting time 30 minutes in busy times)
If you do decide to walk down from Victoria Peak, you visit the Zoological and Botanical Gardens. (Free to enter)
The Wok is a distinctive building on Victoria Peak with a view of a different side of Hong Kong. The entrance fee is HKD48 (USD6).
3. Exploring Kowloon
Walking around Kowloon, expect to meet hawkers (mainly men) selling watches and handbags or offering a tailoring service.
If you want to avoid them, just don’t run across the road.
Jaywalking is frowned upon and can incur a fine of HKD1,500 (USD192). Yikes!
Highlights of Kowloon
- Temple Street Night Market
- Daytime markets and outlet stores
- Victoria Harbour Light Show
- Massage and Reflexology
- 1881 Hotel and Shops
- Hung Lee Kitchen
Daytime markets are perfect for souvenirs, but for cheaper lines of clothing and shoes, browse one of the many outlet shops.
And make sure you take a peek inside the indoor market, Chungking Mansions, with its many money exchangers, cell phone stalls and eateries.
Hung Lee Kitchen on Prat Avenue for authentic Cantonese dishes with local Chinese.
Victoria Harbour Light Show is best seen from Kowloon for evening views of Hong Kong island.
1881 Hotel and Shops was originally the Marine Police Headquarters. The architecture is stunning, and so is the Time Ball, which was used by ship captains to set their watch.
4. Day Trip to Macau
Macau was once a Portuguese city. You can visit its beautiful old town, enjoy one of its many hotel casinos, and experience one of the most densely populated regions in the world.
One of the popular reasons to visit Macau is to spend time at a casino with free shuttles from the ferry terminals.
We loved the casinos near Fisherman’s Wharf as it reminded us of Las Vegas with its Roman Amphitheatre and old-styled Portuguese streets, buildings and statues.
How to Get to Macau from Kowloon and Hong Kong Island
- Kowloon to Macau – China Ferry Terminal at 33 Canton Road has a fast ferry
- Hong Kong island to Macau – Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal at Shun Tak Centre, 200 Connaught Road Central, Sheung Wan
Ferries from Sheung Wan are the most frequent.
If you take the Star Ferry from Kowloon to Hong Kong island, you will have a 20-30 minute walk to the Shun Tak Centre.
Bonus Tip – the fast ferry ticket sold to us from Kowloon to Macau arrived and left from two different terminals in Macau. The Casino shuttle only runs from the arrival terminal, so you will need to get a local bus to the ferry terminal back to Hong Kong.
Remember to take your passport to enter and exit Macau.
For more information and ferry times, we used TripSavy here
5. A Unique Ride on Hong Kong Island
While a ride on the iconic Star Ferry between Hong Kong island and Kowloon is always popular. A unique experience on Hong Kong island is riding the Trambulator.
The Trambulator is a one-way free system moving people to work in the morning down the hill. At 10 am, the Trambulator is reversed to take people up the hill.
Enjoy 48 Hours in Hong Kong
If Hong Kong is your stopover to or from Europe, or an entry or exit to China, spending two days exploring Hong Kong highlights is easily seen on your own or with a tour.
Whether you choose Kowloon or Hong Kong Island, both places give an insight into the best of Hong Kong.