One day is Hong Kong

Question

Hello TA members. We will be in Hong Kong for one day from 7 am to 4 pm. We want to do it on or own without a tour and will use UBER and public transportation. There are a few places we'd like to visit but I'm not sure which order makes sense and if we have enough time for all the stops:

Victoria Peak for a hike

Nam Lian Garden

Kowloon Walled City Park

Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

Dim Sum lunch along the way

Your aadvice is very much appreciated.

Answer

With only one day in Hong Kong from 7 am to 4 pm, it’s important to plan your route efficiently to maximize your time while still enjoying each destination. Using a combination of public transportation and Uber is practical, but traffic can affect Uber travel times, especially during morning and lunchtime. Here is a suggested plan:

Start early with Victoria Peak, as mornings are cooler and less crowded for a hike. You can take the Peak Tram or Uber to the start of a short hiking trail. A moderate hike can take about 1–2 hours, including time for enjoying views and photos.

After descending from Victoria Peak, you can head towards Kowloon. Here’s an efficient sequence for the rest of your day:

Kowloon Walled City Park: Travel via Uber or MTR to this historic site. A walk through the park and viewing the preserved areas can take around 45–60 minutes.
Dim Sum Lunch: After the park, stop for a traditional dim sum lunch. There are many good restaurants in Kowloon; allocate about 1–1.5 hours for a relaxed meal.
Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade: After lunch, take the MTR or a short Uber ride to the promenade along Victoria Harbour. Enjoy views of Hong Kong Island, the skyline, and perhaps a quick visit to the nearby Avenue of Stars. A visit here can take around 30–45 minutes.
Nan Lian Garden: End your sightseeing with Nan Lian Garden in Kowloon. This classical Chinese garden offers a peaceful escape and takes about 45 minutes to an hour to explore. Travel time from Tsim Sha Tsui is around 15–20 minutes by Uber or public transport.

Tips to make your day smooth:

Start early and stick to approximate times to avoid missing any locations.
Consider using Uber mainly for longer distances, as MTR is faster and more predictable during peak traffic times.
Keep an eye on the time at each stop; some areas, like Victoria Peak and Nan Lian Garden, can be enjoyed more briefly if pressed for time.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as you will be moving a lot between locations.

In summary, your day could look like this: