2 Days Essence of Hong Kong Tour (Hong Kong Island + Lantau Island)

To fall in love with Hong Kong, you have to see the extraordinary beauty of Hong Kong, experience the authentic living of Hong Kong, hear amazing stories of Hong Kong, which is what this 2 Days Hong Kong Essence tour all about. You will have a flexible half day tour to enjoy different aspects of this vibrant and exciting city at Hong Kong Island as well as a free afternoon to explore anything you are interested. On the next day, take a side trip to Hong Kong’s largest outlying island – Lantau Island which is a melting pot of local culture. Lantau Island is anything but, and in many ways it’s like stepping back in time with Buddhist temples, traditional fishing villages, dramatic ocean views, gorgeous hiking trails and stunning beaches. Taking a day trip there is definitely worth it!

Highlights:

  • Spend one day exploring Lantau Island which is bigger than Hong Kong Island and has some of Hong Kong’s biggest and best sights well worth your time;
  • Experience the most spectacular way to reach up Lantau Island by Ngong Ping 360 cable car and marvel at the biggest seated bronze Big Buddha in a close distance;
  • Get away the madding crowds and relax yourselves in the seaside village to fully enjoy the breathtaking ocean views, blue sky, white clouds and leisure atmosphere;
  •  Enjoy your free time to experience the exciting star ferry to travel across Victoria Harbor from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon Island for amazing views and Hong Kong skylines.

Brief Itinerary

  • Day 1: Hong Kong
  • Day 2:Hong Kong & Hong Kong Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Hong Kong

Sightseeing and Activities: Victoria Peak – Repulse Bay – Stanley Market Plus Self-guided Activities
Accommodation
Meals:

Victoria Peak in Hong Kong

In this morning, the local guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel or assigned place (like airport, railway station or metro station). Your amazing Hong Kong tour starts. Firstly, you’ll experience the quickest and most scenic way to reach up the highest point on Hong Kong Island (552 meters) – Victoria Peak by the legendary Peak Tram which has been operating for more than 130 years as one of the world’s oldest funicular railways. Ascend the Sky Terrace 428 observation deck to enjoy 360-degree spectacular panoramic views of the vibrant city – from the stunning skyline and Victoria Harbor to the tranquility of greenery landscape. If you like, enjoy a walk around and shoot some gorgeous photos.

Later, be driven far away from the bustling and hustling downtown area to “Hawaii of the Orient” – Repulse Bay. This crescent-shaped stretch of sand is Hong Kong’s most famous beach with long coastline, soft sand, clean water and appropriate temperature and it is also home to some of its richest residents. Appreciate beautiful sea view and visit the Tin Hau Temple situated facing the sea. Continue your visit to Stanley Market on Hong Kong Island’s south coast. Walk and browse fancy petty commodities in various little stores and if you like, buy some souvenirs or just order a cup of coffee or beer at the seaside café or pub which will be a great way to spend time away from the maddening crowds. 

Repulse Bay in Hong Kong

After the tour, you’ll be driven back to your hotel in downtown area. This afternoon and evening is free on your own. If you have time to continue exploring, you can take our suggested itinerary for further visit.

Late Afternoon & Evening Activities to Explore on Your Own:

In this late afternoon, you are highly recommended to enjoy beautiful views on both sides of Victoria Harbor. Transfer to the Central for a marvel at the tall buildings in very close distance and know them one by one (like Bank of China Tower, IFC, HSBC Building), and then walk to the Central pier to take one of the oldest modes of transport – Star Ferry which was rated by National Geographic as one of “50 Places of A Lifetime to Visit”. Enjoy the 10-minutes ride across Victoria Harbor by the distinctive green and white ferry and snap some stunning pictures of the magnificent Hong Kong skyline. Upon arrival at Tsim Sha Tsui pier, savor your stroll along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and Avenue of Stars where offers resplendent views across Victoria Harbor to Hong Kong Island. If time allows, catch the chance to watch “A Symphony of Lights” that is held every night at 20:00. After the show, get back to your hotel by yourselves.

Day 2 Hong Kong & Hong Kong Departure

Sightseeing and Activities: Lantau Island (Ngong Ping 360 – Tian Tan Big Buddha – Po Lin Monastery – Tai O Fishing Village )
Accommodation
Meals: Breakfast.

Ngong Ping 360 in Hong Kong

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel and transfer about 1 hour to Tung Chung of Lantau Island – the largest outlying island of Hong Kong.

Upon arrival at Tung Chung, ride the 25-minute wonderful Ngong Ping 360 cable car which is famed as one of the world’s most amazing cable car experiences and the most spectacular way to reach Ngong Ping Village. With the cable car, you will get breathtaking panorama of Hong Kong International Airport, vast South China Sea, verdant and mountainous terrain of Lantau Island, and 360-degree view of Ngong Ping Plateau. When landing the earth at Ngong Ping Village, go to visit the largest Buddhist temple of Hong Kong – Po Lin Monastery which is composed of palatial prayer halls, shrines, courtyards, gardens and a scripture library. Located opposite the monastery is Tian Tan Big Buddha – the biggest seated bronze Buddha in the world at 34 meters high. You need to climb 268 steps up to the statue to marvel at its magnificence. From here you can also enjoy super views over the lush greenery of Lantau Island. If you like, take a walk for 20 minutes to reach Wisdom Path to see a series of 38 wooden steles arranged in a ∞ pattern that stands for infinity.

After lunch, ride a bus down the Ngong Ping Village to explore the Venice of Hong Kong – Tai O which is more than three centuries old, and still retains most of its historical setting such as waterways, stilt houses and fishing boats and its fishing village scenery. Then transfer by bus to Tung Chung and drive back to your hotel. 

Service Included:

  • Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary;
  • Hotels as listed in the itinerary;
  • Private English-speaking tour guide;
  • Private vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;
  • Service charge & government taxes;
  • Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
  • Domestic train tickets of soft sleeper.

Service Excluded:

  • Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
  • Chinese visa fees;
  • Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
  • Single room supplement;
  • Tips to guides and drivers;
  • Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
  • Personal travel accident insurance;
  • All optional programs.