One Day in Hong Kong — The Perfect Itinerary

8am — Tim Ho Wan's Michelin-starred dim sum

Tim Ho Wan (北角, since 2009): four Michelin stars across locations, the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world. The baked bbq pork buns and the steamed rice rolls are the reasons to come. Get there at 8am or book via OpenRice. The Tai Hang neighborhood (nearby) has the best Western breakfast in Hong Kong: The Cupping Room (specialty coffee, two-time World Barista champion), and the SLOWHOUSE (brunch classics).

10am — Victoria Peak and the Peak Tram

The Peak Tram (since 1888) is the funicular railway that climbs 373 meters to Victoria Peak in 8 minutes. Arrive before 10am to avoid the queue (45–60 minutes on weekends). The Peak Tower at the top has the Sky Terrace (428m, the highest viewing platform in Hong Kong, S$36). Walk the Peak Circular Walk (3.5km, 45 minutes) for the most dramatic urban views on Earth. The walk around the peak on the Lugard Road and Harlech Road shows you Hong Kong's entire skyline.

12pm — Central and the Mid-Levels

Walk down the Mid-Levels Escalator (800 meters, the longest outdoor covered escalator in the world, since 1993): it descends from Victoria Peak to Central in 20 minutes, passing through the SoHo (South of Hollywood Road) dining district. The Man Mo Temple (文武廟, built 1847): two temples in one, Taoist and Buddhist, the smoke of hundreds of incense coils. Cat Street Market: the antique and vintage market between Hollywood Road and Queen's Road Central.

3pm — Star Ferry and Tsim Sha Tsui

The Star Ferry (since 1888) crosses Victoria Harbour every 10–20 minutes, 365 days a year. The crossing takes 8 minutes, the ticket costs HK$3.2 (S$0.41). The view from the middle of the harbour is the view that made Hong Kong famous. On the Tsim Sha Tsui side: the Hong Kong Museum of Art (free), the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, and the Jaffe Road (the Avenue of Stars, the Hong Kong equivalent of Hollywood Boulevard, with handprints of Hong Kong film stars).

6pm — Sunset over the harbour and the light show

The A Symphony of Lights is Hong Kong's free nightly light show (8pm, 10 minutes): buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour synchronize their lights and laser shows. The best viewing points: the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront (in front of the Cultural Centre), the Star Ferry (departing at 7:45pm), and the Victoria Peak (evening slot). Walk the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade after the show.

9pm — Mong Kok and Ladies' Market

Mong Kok is the most densely populated area on Earth (130,000 people per square kilometre). The Ladies' Market (女人街, Tung Choi Street): 100 metres of market stalls selling fashion accessories, watches, and souvenirs at prices that are genuinely cheap. Sai Yeung Choi Street (西洋菜街): electronics, cosmetics, and street food. Mong Kok's wet market (清晨): fresh fish, live frogs, and vegetables. Eat at Sweetheart Garden Dessert (a local institution for mango pomelo sago).