24 Hours in Hong Kong: A City of East and West

  • Written by Roi Alfassi
  • Updated October 2025

Once a small and remote fishing village, Hong Kong grew into a British colony and, through rapid development, transformed into a modern economic powerhouse with deep roots in ancient Chinese culture. Hong Kong today symbolizes cutting-edge progress while carefully preserving its traditional heritage.

Kowloon’s Beating Heart: Start the Day with Fresh Flowers and Birdsongs

Take the red line of Hong Kong’s modern and efficient MTR to Prince Edward Station, exit B1, and walk along Prince Edward Road West. Whether or not you’re a flower enthusiast, the sheer variety here—herbs, seeds, roses, and orchids, still damp with morning dew—fills the air with a refreshing fragrance that charms every visitor.

After this aromatic stroll, stop for a morning coffee at Café Hay Fever, considered one of the best in Hong Kong, located inside a beautifully designed flower shop.
📍 Address: G/F, 62–64 Flower Market Road, Mong Kok.

Continue down the same street to find the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden. This market tells the story of Hong Kong’s elderly bird-lovers, many of whom take their birds out for a walk in ornate cages each morning. The market serves as a popular meeting place where bird owners share advice, gossip, and admire each other’s pets. Alongside the birds themselves, you’ll also see cages, feeding accessories, and the birds’ favorite live delicacies—worms, crickets, and more.
📍 Address: Prince Edward, Hong Kong.

From here, walk back through the street parallel to the Flower Market and return to Prince Edward Station. Take the red MTR line south to Tsim Sha Tsui Station, your next stop.

Tsim Sha Tsui: On the Kowloon Waterfront

Continue the journey with a touch of luxury and history. From Tsim Sha Tsui Station, take Exit L3 and walk toward the entrance of the legendary Peninsula Hotel. At the front, you’ll be greeted by a fleet of gleaming Rolls-Royces, while an elegantly dressed doorman opens the door with style.

Take a few moments to stand at the entrance, soak in the grandeur, and imagine you’ve just arrived for a glamorous ball. Before moving on, head up to the second floor restrooms—an experience in itself, offering a refreshingly royal pause.

For those who have an additional day in the city, it is recommended to come to the “Tea Ceremony” (Afternoon Tea) that takes place every day between 14:00 and 18:00 in the lobby of the hotel, accompanied by classical music.
Address: The Peninsula, Salisbury Road, Kowloon.

After we leave the hotel, we will walk a few minutes on Salisbury Road toward the pier. On the way we will pass through the “Heritage 1881” historic complex. We will be impressed by the magnificent colonial building, which served as the headquarters of the English navy, and is decorated with cannons from World War II. In the entrance square there is a wonderful place to take pictures against the backdrop of the decorations that change according to the holidays.
Address: 1 Man Lam Rd, Sha Tin, Hong Kong.

At a distance of a few minutes’ walk from there is a viewpoint overlooking the pier next to the Clock Tower. The viewpoint will reveal the mesmerizing skyline of Hong Kong. From there we will take the picturesque Star Ferry to the other side—to Hong Kong Island.

For booking a night cruise in Hong Kong »

Bridge Walk in the Beating Heart of the City

We will get off the ferry at Pier No. 7 and go up onto the bridge. Walking along the bridge toward the city, we will experience the density of the buildings and the vibrant bustle. We will continue to the bus station located beneath the IFC Mall, which also houses the Stock Exchange—the largest financial center in Hong Kong. If you raise your head, you can see all 88 floors towering right above you.
📍 Address: IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central.

Coastal Ride Between Picturesque Bays

We will take bus 6, X6, or 260 toward Stanley Market. After half an hour of a winding scenic ride, we will arrive at the southern tip of Hong Kong Island, where the town of Stanley is located.

A pleasant stroll among the stalls of Stanley Market offers a wide variety of goods at market prices (always open to bargaining): bags, clothes, paintings, art, and souvenirs.

When leaving the market, we will turn right and left and climb up to a beautiful viewpoint over the whole area: a relaxing wooden promenade, restaurants, and cafés offering a variety of culinary styles.

👉 For booking tickets to a Kowloon market tour »

Back to Downtown: Soho District and the World’s Longest Escalator

It’s lunchtime—will it be street food or a restaurant? We’ll return from Stanley by bus and get off at the final stop. After a 10-minute walk through Des Voeux Road and Jubilee Street, we’ll arrive at the Soho area and the famous Central–Mid-Levels Escalators. This system consists of 14 escalators stretching over 800 meters, built to ease the heavy transportation load in the dense city. Around 55,000 Hong Kong residents use this ingenious commuting route every day(!).

The youthful, trendy Soho district grew around the escalators: stylish shops, restaurants from around the world, and afternoon beers on the sidewalk after a long day at the office. Beneath the first escalator section, you’ll find local street-food stalls, but if you prefer tried-and-true recommendations:

  • Max’s Noodle – 77 Wellington Street, Central – serving authentic local dishes such as dim sum and dumplings.

  • TeaWood Taiwanese Café & Restaurant – 98 Wellington Street, Soho – a cozy option with Taiwanese flavors.

After lunch, take a short stroll along Wyndham Street, known for its galleries, until you come across Opera Gallery, run by an Israeli owner named Shirley. This gallery spans four floors of rotating contemporary art from around the globe and is definitely worth a visit.
📍 Address: 52 Wyndham Street, Central.

Just the Right Time for a Beer on the Steps…

We’ll head back to the Central–Mid-Levels Escalators and start climbing up until we reach Hollywood Road. There, we’ll step off—literally—onto the street and join the laid-back neighborhood vibe with an afternoon beer right on the steps.

At a slightly slower pace, we’ll continue ascending the escalators all the way to the upper neighborhoods of the city, ending at Conduit Road. From here, we’ll take a red taxi (about a 15-minute ride) to the iconic Victoria Peak.

👉 Skip the line at Victoria Peak and head straight out for a walking tour of South Hong Kong Island »

Evening: A Panoramic View of the City

We’ll ascend through the glass-covered mall until we step out onto the viewing terrace. As dusk settles, the lights flickering on over Victoria Harbour create one of the city’s most beautiful—and truly breathtaking—sights.

There are two ways to return from the top of the peak back into the city:

  1. Bus No. 15, which goes directly to Pier No. 7.

  2. The historic Peak Tram, which sharply descends through the hillside neighborhoods and between the skyscrapers—though this option depends on the crowds and waiting times.

Ending the Day: Fine Dining or Live Music?

As night falls, the upscale dining district of Lan Kwai Fong comes alive. This pedestrian-only street is packed with stylish nightclubs and elegant restaurants, offering a chic international atmosphere. For a taste of the scene, check out Tazmania Ballroom or Volar—just make sure to reserve in advance.
📍 Address: 38–44 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong.

If you’re in a more relaxed, “groovy” mood, take a short taxi ride to the pub district of Wan Chai. There, you can enjoy a night out at The Wanch, a legendary institution in Hong Kong’s nightlife, known for hosting live music performances every evening.
📍 Address: 54 Jaffe Road, Wan Chai.

A Final Stroll and Farewell to Hong Kong

After a full day of markets, history, scenery, and trends, it’s time to choose from which side of the harbor you’ll say goodbye.

  • If your hotel is on Hong Kong Island – walk from the nightlife district to the northern promenade near Pier No. 7, next to the giant Ferris wheel. From here, the shimmering harbor lights will spread out before you like a painting.

  • If your hotel is on the Kowloon side – cross the harbor aboard the Star Ferry from Pier No. 7 and arrive at the Clock Tower (the same one you visited in the morning). Climb up to the viewing terrace and sit for a while to soak in the pastoral view.

Let your thoughts drift away with the ships sailing across the harbor, and remember—you are in a city unlike any other, one that blends past and future, and the wisdom of the East with the spirit of the West.

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