Ultimate FREE Backpacking Hong Kong Travel Guide

‘AT THE FIRST GLANCE’ WALKING TOUR

The Most Comprehensive Travel Solution to Backpackers. See More, Spend Less.

This is a Hong Kong self-guide walking itinerary in budget for backpackers. Buzzpacker creates a FREE PDF guide book that covers all the details, maps, photos, schedules and various useful links. You can see the brief introduction and tour gallery at the At the first glance page .  Very different from other guide, this is a informative itinerary with points to point public traffic instruction, cultural introduction to each point you are going to visit. We have covered all the hot picks and popular attractions and activities you never want to miss at a glance. You will find all the budget recommendations on where to sleep, what to eat, and secret tricks from locals. The table of contents is listed as below. Do you know that a private walking tour normally cost at least US$100 per 2 hours, then why don’t try to explore at your own pace? Check the best date for your holiday with our Festival Calendar, which lists local celebrations, festivals and public holidays. Ready to go for your journey?

What Is Covered In This Itinerary?

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

This itinerary is a 4-day manual which would provide you with all the details you need to travel to Hong Kong without stress. It contains all the famous spots as well as tourist attractions. With this guide, you will be able to visit brilliant attractions on your own and a budget easily. It is recommended that you travel to Hong Kong during the off-peak season – this would help you responsibly budget for your travelling and expenses. We also advise that you make use of the public transport for budgeting and responsible travel purposes. The routes in the guide are designed to give you understandings on the culture and background of Hong Kong.

WHERE TO FIND BUDGET ACCOMMODATION

Hong Kong is a very amazing area that you can finds tons of choices in all aspects. From luxary 5-stars world-class hotel brands to decent mini hostels with local style. For backpackers, it’s always a better way to stay in hostels or dorms to save some budget. You will discover that there are many accommodation with good quality hidden inside the industrial buildings or traditional tenement houses. And they are not all listed on the same online travel agency. So you should always check more than one platform for comparison. Our itinerary guide book recommends one to two budget hostels that are at good location for the journey and having high ranking and good quality-price ratio, you may take them as reference. (Mostly US$30-50 per night).  8 points are listed below for reminder when finding decent accommodation in Hong Kong

1. Stay in Kowloon side, such as Tsim Sha Tsui, Mongkok and Yau Ma Tei. It is always cheaper than in Hong Kong Island and near the attractions.
2. Some recommends  budget hostels in Chung King Mansions (a building in Tsim Sha Tsui) for travellers. But from insider’s view, it’s not a really safe and comfort places to stay. You can get other better with similar cost.
3. Book in advance. General accommodation cost in Hong Kong ranges from USD100 to USD200 per night. Budget hostels with dorms charge USD 30 – 50 per person, however, those with comfort environment is always popular and fully booked easily.
4. Call or Email the hotel to ask if staff can offer a better rate then the one advertised.Sometimes they might have a discount.
5. Opt to stay with a local for free via websites like couch surfing.com.
6. Check several sites before booking. Compare all the official website, mega-search engines like Hotelscombined, Trivago and hotel-booking agencies such as Agoda, Booking.com, Expedia and Hotelsworld etc. You might be surprised how the prices can fluctuate in different sites.
7. For Last-minute accommodation booking, you can also check Hotel Tonight and Jetsetter.The former finds users last-minute hotels, the best rates appear until noon on your preferred staying day while the latter offer discounted limited-time deals of luxury hotels.
8. Make sure that the hotel or hostel you are booking is licensed.  You can check the license here. Beware that unlicensed guesthouses may pose threats to the your safety, you may not be covered by your insurance policy if there is any injury and damage.

Other Travel Tips on flight,Weather and Public Traffic:

>Hong Kong Travel Essentials and Preparations You Need to Know for Backpacking

HOW TO GO TO TSIM SHA TSUI AREA FROM AIRPORT

There are three main ways to go to Kowloon Tsim Sha Tsui Area from Airport. All the three ways’ schedule, walking routes,photos and maps are listed inside the free itinerary guide book.

1. Airport Express with Free Shuttle Bus
   Airport express is a kind of MTR but specifically runs between AsiaWorld-Expo to Hong Kong Station. Stations in-between are Kowloon, Tsing Yi and Airport. It operates from 5:54am to 0:48am with frequency of 10 mins. Take Airport Express from Airport to Kowloon Station, then find the #K3 shuttle bus route at Exit B2 of Kowloon Station.
   -Budget: HKD100 for single trip and HKD185 for round trip. Booking ticket online through travel agency  is much cheaper- Only HKD50 per single trip.
   -Time Spent: 20 mins for Airport Express & 15mins for shuttle bus
2. Bus A21 (hot picked)
   This is the popular budget way to take. HKD33 per trip and it takes around 80 mins from Airport Ground Transportation Centre to Cameron Road in Tsim Sha Tsui.
3. Airport Express with MTR
   Another option is to travel from Airport to Tsing Yi Station, then change MTR line to Lai King and Tsim Sha Tsui.

WALKING TOUR MAP (GOOGLE MAP)

• DAY 1 MAP & ROUTE
• DAY 2 MAP & ROUTE 
• DAY 3 MAP & ROUTE
• DAY 4 MAP & ROUTE

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DAY 1
Walking into the History | The Kowloon Peninsula

Hong Kong is composed of Hong Kong Island, A peninsula (Kowloon) , a land connecting to South Mainland China (New Territories)and many outlying small islands. Kowloon Peninsula is a busting and hustling city town where you can find authentic livelihood here. If you walk through it with attention, you may find lots of hidden gems telling the story and culture of old Hong Kong.

1.1 HONG KONG MUSEUM OF HISTORY

Hong Kong Museum of history is an excellent place to visit for understanding the culture and history of Hong Kong for FREE. Never miss the Hong Kong Story permanent exhibition, which is a showcase of the story and development of Hong Kong. It outlines the natural environment, folk culture, and historical development of Hong Kong. The exhibition, starts from the Devonian period 400 million years ago and concludes with the Handover of Hong Kong in 1997.

1.2 SIM SHA TSUI EAST WATERFRONT PODIUM GARDEN & AVENUE OF STARS
Near to the Museum of History, you can visit the Waterfront podium garden and avenue of stars. They are actually at the same area. Strolling along the promenade and enjoy the amazing view of Victoria Harbour. The Avenue of Stars pays tribute to the names that helped make Hong Kong the ‘Hollywood of the East’, so you can find more than a hundred celebrity handprints, such as Bruce Lee and Anita Mui.

1.4 HONG KONG SPACE MUSEUM/  1881 HERITAGE
Around 5 mins walk from the waterfront promenade, you will see three signature architecture which are always seen as landmarks of Hong Kong. The space museum is FREE for admission on every Wednesday, and it’s HK$10 per adult on normal days. (except closed on Tue). There are various exhibitions about astronomy and they are very worth visiting. And the most special thing to experience is the “3D  show” in the dome screen of space theatre. That screen and its semi-circular design brings the museum a famous nickname “Pinapple Bun”, which is a local food in Hong Kong.
>>Free admission on Wednesday
>>Schedule of Space shows

1.5 CLOCK TOWER

Another eye-catching icon is the clock-tower. It is the only remanent tower left of the previous Train Terminal Kowloon Station. The architecture is designed with Victoria Style, reflecting the history of British colony. The Station was then moved and is called Hung Hom station today. You can also see an architecture right next to the clock tower. It’s Hong Kong cultural centre which is a main venue for art and cultural performance. 

1.6  1881 HERITAGE
This beautiful compound is the Former Marine Police Headquarters. This Victorian-era architecture was completed in 1884,  and become one of the Declared Monuments of Hong Kong. The site now features a shopping mall, a heritage hotel and an exhibition hall. There is s free guided tour every day.

• Free guided tours of 1881 Heritage can be booked by calling +852 2926 8000.
• ‘Our Harbour ‧ Our Stories’- a 3D light extravaganza
  Colourful and impactful, the 3D light extravaganza presented by FWD House 1881 highlights Hong Kong’s traditions and cultural icons, as well as Victoria Harbour’s changing landscape. The show celebrates the city’s rich heritage and defining moments. The 3D light show begins at 8:30pm every Friday – Sunday and Public Holidays.

1.7 DISCOVERING VICTORIA HARBOUR BY CRUISE

The best way to visit Victoria Harbour is taking a cruse. The cruise takes you to view the whole face of the harbour, you can view the interesting picture that old buildings and modern skyscrapers integrating perfect along the harbour and see the Kowloon and Hong Kong Island from a different perspective. Don’t forget to pay attention on how Hong Kong architects build the tall buildings along the hill from the ground. That’s a special and unique view.  There are three cruise trips provided by different company. The following table compares their feature and fare. They have similar boarding location, for the detailed GPS location for each cruise, just click the link inside the pdf guide book. Purchasing ticket in advanced from online travel agent is always much cheaper than from official website. 

• Aqua Luna Discount Ticket
• Dukling Discount Ticket
• Star Ferry Discount Ticket

1.8 A SYMPHONY OF LIGHTS SHOW
The symphony of light show is one of the world’s most spectacular light shows. With the wonderful Victoria Harbour and dazzling cityscape as background, you will be surprised by this world-class performance! You can listen to the show’s music at the harbourfront areas near Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui and near Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai every night at 8pm. Or, download the show’s mobile app to tune in to the music anywhere you like!
Time: 8pm nightly. The show lasts for about 10 minutes.
How to join: Arrive Harbourfront before 8pm.  Free.

1.9 TEMPLE STREET MARKET TREASURE HUNTING

Temple street is famous for its night flea market. The stalls are re-installed every day afternoon and the market starts to come alive at around 7pm every night. You can find a lot of treasures here such as chinese antiquities, groceries, clothes…Some of them are at a great price! You will also discover some divination stalls which can tell the fortune by looking at your palm or face. It’s quit interesting to have a special experience. Local people come to these soothsayer when they are worried about their life. The Stretch Map below shows featured attractions in temple street, you can also download the original map in the ebook.

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DAY 2
Giant Buddha & The Beautiful Outlying Island | Lantau

Giant Buddha, Po Lin Monastery and Wisdom Path are much more than a popular sightseeing point, they are symbolising China’s root ideology – Harmonious relationship between man, nature and faith. It’s amazing if you know the background in-depth.

2.1 NGONG PING VILLAGE

Ngong Ping Village is Chinese Traditional Style Village on Ngong Ping plateau, Lantau. Lantau Island is the biggest island in Hong Kong and there are lots of excellent natural landscapes and hiking trails here.  Together with Po Lin Monastery, Tian Tan Big Buddha and Wisdom Path, Ngong Ping Village is included in the ‘Ngong Ping 360″ area. This attraction project is designed based on Important Chinese elements- The Buddhism religion, Folk culture, Traditional Architecture and Chinese Calligraphy. This is a great place to understand Chinese Culture with amazing view.

>Ngong Ping 360 Official Site