I discovered a stunning mountain and sea trail in Hong Kong for a super niche day trip
I've been to Hong Kong so many times, and I'm sharing a photogenic and niche day trip route with everyone❗️
✅ Highlights
🌸 Take a glass carriage to overlook the mountains and sea (P10)
🌸 Authentic Ngong Ping Market (P7)
🌸 34-meter-high Tian Tan Buddha (P6)
🌸 Breathtaking mountain and sea trail (P1)
🌸 "Venice of the Orient" Tai O Fishing Village, also known as Hong Kong's "Cat Island," with many cats in the streets and alleys (P8)
✅ Route
❶ Morning
Ngong Ping Cable Car Station (next to 🚇 Tung Chung Station) → Take the Ngong Ping Cable Car (25 minutes) → Ngong Ping Market → Tian Tan Buddha → Po Lin Monastery
❷ Afternoon
Take Bus 21 to Tai O Fishing Village → Stroll around Tai O Fishing Village → Visit Tiger Hill Viewing Point → Take Bus 21 back to Ngong Ping and take the cable car back
🌟 Refer to our itinerary schedule:
10:00: Ngong Ping Cable Car Station
10:25: Arrive at Ngong Ping Market by cable car, check in at the market, Tian Tan Buddha, and Po Lin Monastery
12:00: Have lunch at the market
13:20: Take Bus 21 from Ngong Ping Market to Tai O Fishing Village (departs every hour at 20 minutes past the hour)
13:30: Visit Tai O Fishing Village
15:30: Visit Tiger Hill Viewing Point
16:45: Take Bus 21 from Tai O Fishing Village back to Ngong Ping and take the cable car back
✅ Itinerary tips
✔️ Time arrangement: The cable car is open from 10:00–18:00. It is recommended to arrive at the cable car station between 10:00 and 11:30 to start the trip.
✔️ Time arrangement: The last bus from Tai O Fishing Village to Ngong Ping is at 16:45. Remember to return before then.
✅ How to get to the starting point, Ngong Ping Cable Car Station
✔️ If you are coming from Shenzhen or Zhuhai, China HK Travel has a direct bus
✔️ If you are coming from Hong Kong city, take the subway directly to Tung Chung Station
✔️ Take Exit B from Tung Chung Station and walk 200m
✅ Camera positions
P1, 3, 4, 11: Tiger Hill Viewing Point
P2: Tai O Heritage Hotel, you can have afternoon tea by the sea
P5, 10, 18: Ngong Ping Cable Car
P6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 16: Ngong Ping Market
P13: Tai O Fishing Village
P9: South Road, Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong
The following is a Hong Kong travel guide compiled based on the latest information in 2025, covering pre-trip preparations, transportation, accommodation, attractions, food, and practical tips to help you plan your trip efficiently:
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### **I. Pre-trip preparations**
1. **Documents and endorsements**
- Mainland tourists need to apply for the "Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents" and a valid endorsement (G endorsement for individual travel, L endorsement for group travel). Currently, it supports applying in different places, which takes about 7–15 working days and costs CNY 80.
- When entering the country, you need to go through the self-service channel, prepare your fingerprint and facial recognition, and fill in the "Customs Passenger Fingertip Service" QR code in advance.
2. **Currency and payment**
- Most shopping malls and chain stores support Alipay/WeChat Pay, but it is recommended to exchange a small amount of HKD (HKD 500–1,000 per person) for street snacks, Star Ferry, and other scenarios. The exchange rate at the port is poor, so prioritize making an appointment to exchange at a mainland bank.
3. **Communication and electronic equipment**
- SIM card: It is recommended to buy a "MySIM" card after arriving in Hong Kong (HKD 33/month for 50G), which is more cost-effective than international roaming.
- Conversion plug: Hong Kong uses British three-pin sockets, so you need to bring a converter or USB charging cable.
4. **Luggage suggestions**
- Lightweight backpack, sunscreen, parasol (Hong Kong is hot and humid in summer), and sneakers (high daily walking volume). Hotels do not provide toothpaste and toothbrushes, so you need to bring your own.
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### **II. Transportation**
1. **Airport to city**
- **Airport Express**: Direct to Central in 24 minutes, fare is about HKD 115, suitable for tourists with limited time.
- **Bus/Taxi**: A-line buses cover major areas and are affordable; taxi fares are higher (red/blue/green cars correspond to different areas).
2. **City transportation**
- **Subway**: Covers the entire city. It is recommended to use Alipay "Travel" to scan the code or purchase an Octopus card (HKD 150 including deposit, refundable).
- **Featured transportation**: Star Ferry (HKD 4), Ding Ding Tram (HKD 2.3) are suitable for experiencing the city's charm.
- **Transportation ticket options**:
- **One-day pass** (HKD 65): Suitable for frequent subway rides within 24 hours, but Airport Express and Lo Wu Station are not available.
- **Airport Express Tourist Pass** (HKD 250–350): Includes one-way/round-trip Airport Express and 3-day subway pass.
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### **III. Accommodation recommendations**
- **Luxury hotels**: Tsim Sha Tsui (Peninsula Hotel), Central (Mandarin Oriental), etc., are adjacent to shopping areas and attractions.
- **Budget hotels**: Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei are cost-effective, and "Hong Kong Mong Kok Vejune Hotel" is recommended.
- **Avoidance tips**: Avoid choosing Chungking Mansions and unlicensed hostels, especially for female tourists.
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### **IV. Must-see attractions and itinerary suggestions**
1. **Classic route (5 days and 4 nights)**
- **Day 1**: Victoria Harbour night view + Star Ferry + Peak Tram (best for night view).
- **Day 2**: Disneyland (fireworks show is a must-see) or Ocean Park (animal show + amusement facilities).
- **Day 3**: Mong Kok street snacks + Tsim Sha Tsui shopping (Harbour City, K11).
- **Day 4**: Cheung Chau Island (seafood + beach) or Lamma Island hike.
- **Day 5**: Central historical district (PMQ) + Lan Kwai Fong nightlife.
2. **Niche experience**
- **Sai Wan Swimming Shed**: Holy place for sunset photography.
- **Shek O Village**: Colorful huts and beaches, the filming location of "King of Comedy."
- **Temple Street Night Market**: Affordable night market, feel the atmosphere of Hong Kong movies.
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### **V. Food recommendations**
- **Must-eat in tea restaurants**: Silk stocking milk tea, pineapple bun, wonton noodles (recommended "Mak's Noodle").
- **Street snacks**: Curry fish balls, egg waffles, bowl pudding (Mong Kok Fa Yuen Street).
- **Seafood and roasted meat**: Typhoon shelter fried crab (Lei Yue Mun), Yung Kee Restaurant roast goose.
- **Dessert shop**: Yee Shun Dairy Company (double-layered milk custard), Kai Kai Dessert (sesame paste).
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### **VI. Shopping guide**
1. **Cosmetics**: Sasa, Bonjour (pay attention to the expiration date), counters (Times Square, Causeway Bay).
2. **Luxury goods**: Harbour City (most complete brands), Citygate Outlets (outlet discounts).
3. **Jewelry watches**: Nathan Road "Golden Mile" (Chow Sang Sang, Chow Tai Fook), Emperor Watch & Jewellery (Rolex agent).
4. **Trendy brands and sneakers**: Mong Kok Sneaker Street, THE FOREST shopping mall in Tsim Sha Tsui.
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### **VII. Practical tips**
- **No smoking and fines**: Smoking is prohibited in public places, and eating and drinking in the subway will be fined HKD 2,000.
- **Customs restrictions**: Duty-free for alcohol within 1 liter, cigarettes within 19, and milk powder within 1.8 kg.
- **Safety tips**: Take care of your belongings and avoid walking alone in remote areas at night.
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The above guide integrates core information such as transportation, attractions, and food. The specific itinerary can be adjusted according to personal interests.
A must-do item when visiting Hong Kong is to go to the top of Victoria Peak to see the panoramic view of Victoria Harbour. Especially around sunset. The advantage of buying tickets in advance is that you can avoid queuing. . The disadvantage is that you can only buy a round trip ticket. In fact, taking the bus down the mountain is also a different experience.
The night view of The Peak in Hong Kong is definitely a must-see. We went a little late and it was almost closed, but it was good that there were fewer people at this time, and there was no need to queue up for the cable car going up and down the mountain.
You must check in the Victoria Peak Cable Car when you come to Hong Kong! I bought the ticket in advance on Ctrip, which is super convenient. I can enter by scanning the code directly, saving the time of queuing up to buy tickets on site. The cable car has a strong sense of inclination when climbing the slope, which is super exciting! Along the way, you can see the city streets and mountains of Hong Kong, and the scenery is super beautiful. After getting off the cable car, you can also go to the Sky Terrace to overlook the whole of Hong Kong. It's really worth it!
Hong Kong🇭🇰 Victoria Peak [Peak Tram] The Peak Tram has always been the most representative and oldest attraction in Hong Kong's century-old history, and can be regarded as a witness to Hong Kong life. This Hong Kong legend was unveiled to the world after Sir William Telford, a Hong Kong independence activist, presided over the opening ceremony on May 30, 1888. At that time, it used steam generated by burning coal to drive a total of 600 passengers on the first day of opening, and 150,000 passengers in the first year. From 1908 to 1949, the first two seats in the carriage were always the Governor's seats, and the Hong Kong independence logo was inlaid with brass sheets. It was not opened to other passengers until the last two minutes before driving. In 1926, the Peak Tram abandoned coal and chose to use electricity. In the 1950s, Hollywood came to the Peak Tram and Victoria Peak to shoot, and international superstar Clark Gable also came here to shoot the Soldier of Destiny. The opening and ending of the movie are scenes in the cabin of the Peak Tram. Until now, 4 million tourists take the Peak Tram every year. To climb the Peak, taking a continuous ride on one of the oldest and most famous peaks in the world is an unforgettable experience! The entire railway is towed by steel cables, and the train climbs from 28 meters above sea level to 396 meters along the hillside. Passengers can overlook the scenery of Victoria Harbour along the way. In its carriage, the body cannot be tilted backwards, and the slope of some sections ranges from 4 to 25.7 degrees! The tall buildings and dense trees seem to have fallen to one side, and the feeling is really amazing! Transportation: Take the MTR Tsuen Wan Line or Hong Kong Island Line to Central Station, exit J1, walk about 10 minutes to the cable car station on Garden Road, and take the cable car to the Peak. Four ways to go up the mountain: cable car, bus, taxi, and walk. Cable car time: 7:30-23:00 Cable car price: round trip 108 HKD; one way 76 HKD Sky Terrace 428 time: 8:00-10:00 Sky Terrace 428 price: 75 HKD
The Peak Tram experience was a must during this trip to Hong Kong! From the beginning of the queue, the staff were enthusiastic and patient, and the order was maintained in an orderly manner. The cable car slowly climbed up, and the scenery outside the window was like a beautiful painting that slowly unfolded, with the city scenery of Hong Kong and the beautiful scenery of mountains and sea complementing each other. When you reach the top of the mountain, the view is even wider, and you can see the whole of Hong Kong. I was still not satisfied when I returned, and I will take the Peak Tram again next time I come to Hong Kong!
Because it was late when we went there and the weather was bad in the afternoon, we basically chartered a car when we went there and came back (basically there were only 7-8 people in the whole car). The scenery was indeed beautiful, but because it was foggy on the mountain, if the camera angle was not very good, the photos would be a bit blurry. The ride took about 5 minutes (but it cost 7-80 Hong Kong dollars, so just take a one-way trip to experience it)
To go to the top of Taiping Mountain, we must take the cable car of Taiping Mountain. It's a giant cable car, not the kind of couple cable car we usually see. Oh, we must take the front of the cable car with the largest slope. The best overall sense of vision is good. The night scene of the mountain top is really better than that of the day. It's beautiful. At night, people quietly see the lights of Hong Kong and the whole world is quiet.
[Ctrip Strategic Play Experiencer] Come out of the subway Golden Bell and follow the directions along the way to the beautiful Bank of China Building, you can find the cable station on the top of the mountain. There was a slight rain this evening, and the feeling from the foggy Bank of China Building was very beautiful and illusory. The cable car on the top of the hill is a kind of back and forth transportation, so every time a group of people come in and wait for the car, rather than a row of corresponding seats. There is a very steep section up the hill. If you don't get a seat, you need to tighten the handrail or you will fall. Like taking off and landing, I have a little tinnitus.