3-Day Itinerary Rainy-day swaps included
Hong Kong in 3 Days:Harbour, Lantau's Big Buddha, and Sai Kung
This 3-day Hong Kong itinerary moves from the Kowloon and Admiralty waterfront on day one, out to Lantau Island's Big Buddha and monastery grounds on day two with a stop in Tai Kok Tsui, and finishes among Sai Kung's pier, hills, and seafood-town promenade in the New Territories on day three.
✓ Hours, ratings, and directions come from Google Places · routes are computed from real coordinates · updated September 24, 2026
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Day 1 · Neon waterfront and cinema legends
The first day starts on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront in Kowloon, then heads to Jordan for a no-frills lunch institution. From there it crosses to the Admiralty side of Victoria Harbour for skyline views as evening approaches.
- Morning
Avenue of Stars HK
This Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade is famous for Bruce Lee's statue and handprint plaques honoring Hong Kong cinema, and it's quiet enough at this hour to walk it without crowds.
Quietest: 7–9 AM Time to allow: ~53 minHow to get there
The Avenue runs along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, easiest reached on foot from the Star Ferry Pier after crossing from Central by ferry, a ride that's an attraction in itself. Alternatively, take the MTR to East Tsim Sha Tsui Station and follow signs for the Avenue of Stars or Salisbury Road.
- ~23 min walk (1.7 km) Directions →
- Lunch
Australia Dairy Company
This legendary cha chaan teng in Jordan is known for wobbly steamed egg white omelettes and silky scrambled eggs, making it a fast, budget-friendly lunch stop.
Closed Thursday Time to allow: ~4 h - Take the subway or a taxi Directions →
- Afternoon
Victoria Harbour
Hong Kong's waterfront centerpiece is best seen from the Admiralty side as the skyline lights up, making it a fitting close to the first day.
Time to allow: ~1 hHow to get there
- Tsim Sha Tsui side: East Tsim Sha Tsui Station (Tsuen Wan Line), Exit J, leads straight onto the waterfront promenade.
Day 2 · Big Buddha and a Lantau climb
Day two heads out to Lantau Island for the Tian Tan Buddha and the monastery grounds below it, giving the morning and much of the afternoon over to the plateau at Ngong Ping. It then crosses to the New Territories side before ending on a quiet park bench in Tai Kok Tsui.
- Morning
Tian Tan Buddha
This giant bronze figure atop Ngong Ping Plateau, reached via cable car or bus, is the headline reason to visit Lantau Island and worth seeing before the steps and grounds fill up.
Quietest: 10–11 AM Book ahead Time to allow: ~2.5 h - ~6 min walk (0.5 km) Directions →
- Afternoon
Po Lin Monastery
The monastery grounds sit right beside the Big Buddha, and riding out early keeps the site calm before weekend tour groups arrive.
Quietest: 5–6 PM Book ahead Time to allow: ~4 h - ~0 min walk (0 km) Directions →
- Afternoon
Big buddha
This bronze statue and its 268-step climb sit directly above Po Lin Monastery, rounding out the Ngong Ping visit begun earlier in the day.
Time to allow: ~30 min - Take the subway or a taxi Directions →
- Evening
Lok Kwan Street Park
A small neighbourhood park in Tai Kok Tsui, good for a short breather to close out a long day on Lantau.
Time to allow: ~30 minHow to get there
The closest MTR stop is Olympic Station on the Tung Chung Line, about a 10-minute walk east through the surrounding streets. Mong Kok Station (Tsuen Wan and Kwun Tong lines) works too, roughly 15 minutes on foot if you don't mind cutting through the market streets first.
Day 3 · Sai Kung's waterfront and hills
Day three centres on Sai Kung, starting at the public pier before heading out to the wilder ground of Sai Kung East Country Park in the New Territories. It closes back in Sai Kung Town, where the fishing-village waterfront comes alive in the evening.
- Morning
Sai Kung Public Pier
The waterfront hub of Sai Kung town, where sampan and speedboat operators gather and tanks of live seafood line the promenade, makes an easy starting point for the day.
Time to allow: ~30 minHow to get there
- From Choi Hung Station (Kwun Tong Line), Exit C2, take green minibus 1A
- Take the subway or a taxi Directions →
- Afternoon
Sai Kung Seafood Street
A hidden-gem rated 4 by visitors, included as a stop on this route.
Time to allow: ~1.5 hHow to get there
- Minibus 1A from Choi Hung Station (Kwun Tong Line) to Sai Kung town
- Take the subway or a taxi Directions →
- Afternoon
Sai Kung East Country Park
This mountainous swath of the New Territories, home to the High Island Reservoir and volcanic rock formations, is the day's wilder counterpoint to the town itself.
Time to allow: ~1.5 h - Take the subway or a taxi Directions →
- Evening
Sai Kung Town
This former fishing village's promenade of seafood restaurants and sampan piers is made for a late-afternoon wander into the evening dinner crowd.
Time to allow: ~2.5 h
Frequently asked questions
How much walking does this itinerary involve?
Most days mix short walks with transit for the longer hops, such as the crossing from Lantau Island's Ngong Ping Plateau back toward Tai Kok Tsui, or from Sai Kung town out to the country park.
Which day is best for a Lantau Island day trip?
Day two is built around Lantau Island, giving the Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery the morning and much of the afternoon before heading back toward the New Territories side.
Is this itinerary heavy on hiking?
Only day three ventures into hillier ground, at Sai Kung East Country Park; the rest of the trip is waterfront promenades, a monastery plateau, and a neighbourhood park.
What's the best time of day to visit the Big Buddha on Lantau?
Going early in the day, before the plateau fills with visitors, gives the calmest visit to the Buddha and the monastery grounds beside it.
How should I plan around crowds at Victoria Harbour?
Arriving on the Admiralty side in the late afternoon lets you settle in before the harbour view draws its evening crowds.
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