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Forty eight hours may not sound enough to see everything that Hong Kong has to offer, but in a city so compact, you’d be surprised about how much you can get done. Split your time between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon for maximum effect. Here’s a guide on how to get the most out of your two days in the city.

DAY ONE

8am
Start your day in Central, and take a walk through Hong Kong Park to see how locals start their day. Watch Tai Chi enthusiasts practice their routine and get fabulous views of the towering office buildings in Admiralty and Central. There’s also a large aviary full of foliage that lends the illusion of being in the wilderness and the city all at once.

9am
Walk to Central for breakfast. There are many small local canteens where you can try local breakfast. Try congee or the local version of French toast with Hong Kong-style milk tea, which is the signature drink at one of our recommendations, Lan Fong Yuen. We also recommend Wai Kee for congee.

10am
Wonder around the streets of Central after breakfast to explore the historical and cultural part of Hong Kong. Take the world’s longest outdoor covered escalator up to check out small cafes and shops in the area, and then hop on the tram for the short trip to Sheung Wan.

11am
Sheung Wan is a must for antique lovers. Check out Lok Ku Road for handicrafts and imperial-inspired furniture, and Cat Street bazaar for old coins and antiques. Western Market, another must, is a renovated Edwardian building filled with Chinese handicraft and fabric stores.

For memorable Hong Kong souvenirs, head to Man Wah Lane. This tiny lane full of stalls is where you can have your chop hand carved. While you’re in the area, stop for a drink at one of our recommended coffee spots.

1pm
Head back to Central to catch a bus (number 6 or 6X from Exchange Square) to Stanley for lunch and shopping at Stanley Market. Stanley has a bunch of good waterfront restaurants and pubs, where you can while away much of the day.

4pm
After coming back to Central from Stanley, we recommend you explore the urban wonder of Hong Kong by taking the unique rickshaw sightseeing bus on its Metropolis route. The bus gives you 540-degree panoramic views and allows you to hop on and hop off at will. This will give you explore and shop in Causeway Bay and do some boutique shopping in Admiralty’s Pacific Place.

If you want to expand your shopping horizons beyond malls, try some upper-floor stores around the city for off-the-beaten-path bargains.

6pm
Get off the rickshaw bus at The Peak Tram terminus in Central to take an historical ride to The Peak. Visit Madame Tussauds Wax Museum to take photos with wax celebrities, and hit up the observation deck for million-dollar views from the top of the mountain.

The Peak is also the best place to enjoy the Symphony of Lights at 8pm, daily. There are many restaurants you can choose at The Peak that come with fabulous night views of the city, such as The Peak Lookout.

9pm
From The Peak, take the Peak tram back to Central, walk or hop on the rickshaw bus again and head to the party district, Lan Kwai Fong (find out about some of Hong Kong’s best bars here) for a glimpse of nightlife in Hong Kong.

But if you’re feeling like putting your feet up after a long day, try one of many foot massage places around Central to relax your feet for a reasonable price.

After Midnight
Wan Chai’s Lockhart Road provides a nightlife spot with slightly seedier intentions than Lan Kwai Fong. The benefit here is that these bars are open till late. Just watch out for all the attention the males will get from the ladies of the night working in every second establishment. Lockhart Road also has a few ‘safe’ bars, such as Uno Mas and Trafalgar.

Somewhat classier are the bars in nearby Star Street, where you’ll have a more hygiene-friendly, but pricier, evening.

If you feel like experiencing local dining culture and having late night food at the same time, try nearby dim sum restaurants that stay open all night, such as Dim Sum.

The Early Hours
Still up for more? You can hit some of Hong Kong’s best clubs, which party until daylight. We recommend you jump in a cab and head right back to Central, where you can check out Volar, Yumla, Drop, the Beijing Club, Play, and Bassment.

DAY TWO

9am
Start your day on Kowloon side with breakfast at The Sweet Dynasty in Tsim Sha Tsui. This is a tourist favourite with Chinese desserts at night, but it also opens for breakfast. Remember to come back here for desserts if you enjoy its unpretentious environment.

10am
After your breakfast ,walk along Canton Road to the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry pier, where, if you feel like it, you can take a boat ride to Central, during which you can enjoy great views of the Victoria Harbour. If you want to spend more time on the harbour, there’s a morning harbour cruise, daily at 10.15am.

11am
If you’re still on the Kowloon side, you’re not far from the Avenue of Stars, where you can look at hand imprints of Hong Kong’s film stars. You’ll also see a statue of Hong Kong legend Bruce Lee.

Midday
A lot of restaurants in the hotels alongside the promenade guarantee you fine dining with great harbour views. Pick one for a prime lunch spot. We like Shang Palace and Chesa.

3pm
Take advantage of great shopping opportunities that Tsim Sha Tsui offers. Boutiques, department stores and all sorts of retail shops are under one roof in Harbour City.

4pm
Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea during a break from shopping at the prestigious Peninsula Hotel. Or you can enjoy drinks at one of the bars in newly opened tourist spot, Heritage 1881, just across the street from the Harbour City. Try The Parlour.

7pm
There’s just too many restaurants to choose from in Tsim Sha Tsui. Here are some picks that shouldn’t disappoint, though: Le 188, Aqua and Canton Deli.

9pm
Take MTR, Hong Kong’s subway system, to Mong Kok to shop more and test your bargaining skills at Ladies Market. Open till late every night, the market vendors sell just about everything, especially trashy tourist trinkets. It’s also worth hitting up the famous Temple Street Night Market, where you can buy everything from knock-off paintings to Communist propaganda items to cheap sex toys. Enjoy.

After Midnight
Knutsford Terrace, one of the main nightlife spots in Tsim Sha Tsui, is pedestrian-only area lined with Western and Eastern restaurants and bars with outdoor tables.

For late-night massage treatments, there are many places that open till late in the Mong Kok area.

The Early Hours
If you’re not ready to stop partying, head across to check out the bars and clubs on Chatham Road South and Hart Avenue, or take a spin round the clubs of Minden Avenue. There’s plenty there to keep you going till dawn… 

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