Hong Kong
Hong Kong Island and Kowloon
Skyscrapers, harbor ferries, dim sum and trails above the city. Stay 3 days. Below: 4 sights, 1 activity and 1 outdoor spot, plus how Hong Kong Island and Kowloon fits into a longer trip.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Oct – Dec
- Warmest month
- July
- Coolest month
- January
- Wettest month
- June
4 See · 1 Do · 1 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink · 1 Shop
Hong Kong, Lantau & Macau
from our route notes
31°C / 87°F avg high
20°C / 68°F avg high
about 282 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
The landmarks we would not skip in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon across Central, Sheung Wan and West Kowloon. 2 of them are free.
- See
Victoria Peak and Peak Tram
Historic funicular up to the city's highest viewpoint over the harbor.
Tip Walk the flat Lugard Road loop for the best free views.
Photo: Yasu kov · GoogleSeeMan Mo Temple
Smoky 1847 temple hung with giant incense coils, dedicated to gods of literature and war.
Tip Walk down to Cat Street antiques afterward.
Photo: Hideko Murakami · GoogleSeeM+ Museum
Museum of visual culture in West Kowloon with harbor-facing terraces.
Tip Pair with the Hong Kong Palace Museum next door.
Photo: Lewis So · GoogleSeeChi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden
Timber Buddhist complex built without nails beside a Tang-style garden.
Tip Free entry; quiet on weekday mornings.
Do
Hands-on ways to spend time in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Photo: Pat Chun Chan · GoogleDoStar Ferry
Green-and-white ferries crossing Victoria Harbour since 1888 for a few dollars.
Tip Sit on the upper deck for the skyline.
Outdoors
Trails, views and open space in and around Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
Photo: Kingston Chan · GoogleOutdoorsDragon's Back
Ridge hike above the South China Sea ending at Big Wave Bay beach.
Tip Take bus 9 from Shau Kei Wan to To Tei Wan to start.
Eat
2 places to eat across Central and Wan Chai, picked for groups who care about the food.
Photo: 美心皇宮 (中環) · GoogleEatMaxim's Palace City Hall
Huge banquet hall serving dim sum from push carts, with harbor-side windows.
Tip Queue opens before 11am; arrive early on weekends.
Photo: 甘牌燒鵝 · GoogleEatKam's Roast Goose
Small Wan Chai shop known for crisp-skinned roast goose over rice.
Tip Expect to share a table.
Drink
1 bar or café in West Kowloon for coffee, a round or a nightcap.
Photo: Sofia Hyland · GoogleDrinkOzone at The Ritz-Carlton
Bar on the 118th floor of the ICC tower, high above the harbor.
Tip Smart casual dress code; book a window table.
Shop
1 shop in Yau Ma Tei for browsing and souvenirs.
Photo: Masahiro Tokuno · GoogleShopTemple Street Night Market
Night stalls, fortune tellers and claypot rice restaurants in Yau Ma Tei.
Tip Come for claypot rice rather than souvenirs.
How to fit Hong Kong Island and Kowloon into a trip
Hong Kong Island and Kowloon is stop 1 of 3 on our Hong Kong, Lantau & Macau route. Follow it as-is or lift Hong Kong Island and Kowloon into your own plan.
Stop 1 of 3
Hong Kong, Lantau & Macau
Harbor views, island hikes and Portuguese lanes
- Trip length
- 6 days
- Best season
- Oct – Dec
- Pace
- easy
- Next: Lantau Island
Getting here and onward
- Hong Kong Island and Kowloon to Lantau IslandLantau Island is about 23 km / 14 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Hong Kong Island and Kowloon month by month
Average daily highs run from 20°C / 68°F in January to 31°C / 87°F in July. June is the wettest month, with about 282 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan20° / 68°F average high
- Feb21° / 71°F average high
- Mar24° / 74°F average high
- Apr26° / 79°F average high
- May29° / 84°F average high
- Jun30° / 86°F average high
- Jul31° / 87°F average high
- Aug31° / 87°F average high
- Sep30° / 86°F average high
- Oct28° / 83°F average high, in our recommended season
- Nov25° / 78°F average high, in our recommended season
- Dec21° / 70°F average high, in our recommended season
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Hong Kong Island and Kowloon weather and the best time to visit →
Near Hong Kong Island and Kowloon
2 other destinations from our guides within about 100 km (62 mi), measured in a straight line.
Hong Kong Island and Kowloon questions, answered
How many days do you need in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon?
Our route notes suggest 3 days in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. On our Hong Kong, Lantau & Macau route it is stop 1 of 3 in a 6-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 15 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Hong Kong Island and Kowloon best known for?
Skyscrapers, harbor ferries, dim sum and trails above the city. Stay 3 days. Standouts on our list: Victoria Peak and Peak Tram (Historic funicular up to the city's highest viewpoint over the harbor); Man Mo Temple (Smoky 1847 temple hung with giant incense coils, dedicated to gods of literature and war); M+ Museum (Museum of visual culture in West Kowloon with harbor-facing terraces).
When is the best time to visit Hong Kong Island and Kowloon?
Our Hong Kong, Lantau & Macau route is best Oct – Dec. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (31°C / 87°F), the coolest in January (20°C / 68°F) and the most rain in June (about 282 mm).
What are the best things to do in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon?
Start with Victoria Peak and Peak Tram, Star Ferry, Man Mo Temple, M+ Museum and Dragon's Back. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 4 sights, 1 activity, 1 outdoor spot, 2 places to eat, 1 bar or café and 1 shop.
Where should a group eat in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon?
Our picks: Maxim's Palace City Hall (Central); Kam's Roast Goose (Wan Chai). Queue opens before 11am; arrive early on weekends (Maxim's Palace City Hall).
What is near Hong Kong Island and Kowloon?
The closest destinations in our guides are Lantau Island (about 23 km / 14 mi) and Macau (about 64 km / 40 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Hong Kong Island and Kowloon with your crew
Open the Hong Kong, Lantau & Macau route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.