Tao Xu
What's inside this guide
I've done this route more times than I can count. 24 hours in Hong Kong sounds tight – but it's actually the perfect amount for a sneak peek. No fluff, no tourist traps. Here's the plan I use with my own friends when they transit through HKG.
First things first – before you leave the airport
Most foreigners mess this up. You land at Hong Kong International Airport, clear immigration quickly (usually under 20 min), and then... you need cash? No. You need Octopus card. And SIM. And a plan for your luggage.
Get an Octopus card right away
Go to the Airport Express counter near the arrivals hall. Buy an Octopus card (HK$150, includes 50 deposit). It works on MTR, buses, ferries, 7-Eleven, even some restaurants. Pro tip: You can refund it at the airport before departure – but keep it as a souvenir if you'll return.
SIM card & VPN
Don't roam with your home plan – grab a local SIM at the 7-Eleven or official stores in the airport. I use CMHK prepaid – HK$88 for 8GB, 7 days. And yes, VPN is needed if you want Instagram, Google Maps (yep, it works here unlike mainland), and WhatsApp. Hong Kong has no firewall, so you're safe. But just in case, I always have ExpressVPN or NordVPN on my phone.
Luggage storage – the secret hack
Airport lockers are expensive. Instead, take the Airport Express to Hong Kong station (24 min, HK$115 one-way). Right there in the station, there's a luggage storage service called Locker Lounge – HK$60 for 24h per large bag. Or use the left luggage at Hong Kong Station (follow signs). Avoid carrying a suitcase up to Victoria Peak – you'll hate life.
The morning crunch – make it count
Assuming you land around 8 AM. After clearing immigration, getting Octopus and SIM, you'll be on the Airport Express by 9 AM. You'll reach Hong Kong Station around 9:25 AM. Drop your luggage at the locker, and you're free by 9:40 AM.
First stop: Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha) on Lantau
Wait, isn't that far? No – it's on the same island as the airport. Take the MTR from Hong Kong Station to Tung Chung (one stop on Tung Chung line, about 25 min). Then walk to Ngong Ping 360 cable car. The cable car ride is spectacular – 25 min over the mountains and sea. Queue tip: buy a standard cabin ticket online (Trip.com or Klook) to avoid queue. Or go for the crystal cabin with glass floor – pricier but cool.
Cost: Cable car round trip HK$255 (standard). Buddha platform is free. But visiting Po Lin Monastery is free. Total time: 2.5 hours including cable car. Best time: morning before 11 AM when crowds are thinner. Afternoon gets packed with tour groups.
Getting there from Tung Chung MTR: Exit B, walk 5 min to cable car terminal. No need for taxi.
Alternative if you hate crowds
If you'd rather skip the cable car line, go straight to Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront via MTR (45 min from Hong Kong Station). Walk along the promenade from Avenue of Stars to Star Ferry. That's a solid 2-hour stroll with views of the skyline. Plus you can grab a breakfast at Australia Dairy Company (Jordan, G/F, 10-14 Cameron Road) – their scrambled egg and toast are legendary. Open 7:30 AM, queue moves fast.
Lunch like a local – dim sum in Central
By 12:30 PM, you're back from Lantau or done with harbour walk. Now eat.
Lin Heung Tea House (中環蓮香樓) – 160-164 Wellington Street, Central. Old-school dim sum. Waiters push carts with steam baskets. You grab what looks good. Cha siu bao, har gow, siu mai – all fresh. Cash only. No English menu but just point at other tables. About HK$120 per person. Warning: it's chaotic, but that's the charm.
Alternative: Tim Ho Wan (添好運) – the Michelin-starred dim sum chain. Sham Shui Po branch is original, but Central branch is convenient (Shop 12A, Exchange Tower). Cheaper than Lin Heung, with fewer crowds if you go before 1 PM. Must-order: baked BBQ pork bun (HK$30).
Payment: Lin Heung is cash only. Tim Ho Wan accepts Octopus and cash. Credit cards? Hit or miss. Always have enough cash.
Afternoon explosion – peak views & hidden spots
2:00 PM. Time for the classic view – but let's do it better.
Victoria Peak – but not the Peak Tram
I already told you – skip the Peak Tram. Instead, take bus 15 from Exchange Square bus terminus (near Central MTR, exit K). The bus ride is a scenic climb, takes about 35 min, and seats are comfortable. Cost HK$12.8. Arrives at the Peak Tower. The Sky Terrace 428 entrance fee is HK$75 – totally worth it for 360 view. Or just walk around the free Lugard Road Lookout.
Why bus beats tram: No 45-min queue, cheaper, and you sit. Honestly, the tram is steep and hot. After 2 PM, the queue extends past the station. Bus is a no-brainer.
A hidden viewpoint – not many know
If you have extra 30 minutes, walk down from the Peak to Mount Austin Road. There's a small gazebo with zero crowds. Perfect photo spot. Then take the bus back down.
What about a museum?
If it's rainy, skip the Peak altogether. Instead, go to Hong Kong Palace Museum (Kowloon, West Kowloon Cultural District). It's new – opened 2022. Exhibits on Chinese art and history. Entry HK$60. Nearby is the M+ Museum (contemporary art). Both are air-conditioned, huge, and have great cafes. To get there: take MTR to Kowloon Station, exit E, walk 10 min via the skywalk.
Evening harbour – the iconic skyline
5:30 PM. Head down from the Peak (bus 15 back to Central). Then take the Star Ferry from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui (HK$4 for upper deck). The 7-minute ride is magical as the sun sets.
Arrive at Tsim Sha Tsui Pier. Walk along the promenade toward Avenue of Stars. At 8:00 PM, the Symphony of Lights show starts. It's a laser and music show on the buildings. Honestly, it's average – but the first-timers love it. I usually skip it and go for dinner instead.
Dinner: Temple Street Night Market & street food
From Tsim Sha Tsui, walk to Jordan MTR (15 min). Exit A, and you're at Temple Street. Go for clay pot rice at Hing Kee (興記) – 19 Temple Street. Get the preserved meat clay pot rice (HK$60). Also try the stir-fried clams with black bean sauce. Cash only. Expect a 15-min wait. What I always skip: the seafood stalls on the street – overpriced and not fresh.
Dessert: Yee Shun Milk Company (義順牛奶公司) – 75 Nathan Road, Jordan. Their steamed milk pudding is legendary (HK$38). Just sweet enough, smooth as silk.
Back to airport – no stress
You need to be at the airport 2 hours before your flight. Your flight is at, say, 9 AM tomorrow? Then you have to leave the city by 6:30 AM. The Airport Express runs from 5:50 AM to 1:15 AM. Last train from Hong Kong Station: around 12:45 AM. But if you have an early morning flight, you might prefer to stay at a hotel near the airport. Options:
Regal Airport Hotel – directly connected to terminal 1. Rooms from HK$1200/night. Book on Trip.com. If on a budget, Novotel Citygate (Tung Chung) is 15 min from airport by shuttle. Rooms from HK$800.
Luggage retrieval: Your bag is at Hong Kong Station locker. Last pick-up is before 11 PM. If you need 24/7 access, use the airport lockers instead (but more expensive). Plan ahead!
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