Fly into Hong Kong International Airport, where your included transfer will take you straight into the city, giving yourself plenty of time to check in and shake off the jet lag. Enjoy an easy day settling in, and perhaps a gentle wander near your hotel if you’ve still got some energy left, or simply an early night to get ahead of the time difference.

If you do fancy venturing out, time it for early evening and catch the Symphony of Lights, Hong Kong’s nightly light and laser show that plays out across Victoria Harbour. It’s best viewed from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, looking back towards the Hong Kong Island skyline, and costs nothing to enjoy, a low key way to ease yourself into the city.

Head out this morning on a half day tour of Hong Kong Island, taking in the classics: a ride on the iconic Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour, the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak for spectacular views over the city, a stop at Aberdeen’s floating fishing village, and a final browse around Stanley Market for a holiday souvenir or two.

Once the tour wraps up, head back across the harbour and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Kowloon at your own pace. Start along the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, where the waterfront promenade offers fantastic views back across to Hong Kong Island, a nice contrast to the view you had from the Peak this morning. If you fancy one more big view before the day is out, Sky100, the observation deck at the top of the ICC Tower, gives you the reverse angle: looking down over Kowloon and the harbour together.

From there, dive into Mong Kok, one of the busiest and most atmospheric districts in the city. Neon signs, narrow shopping streets and the famous Ladies’ Market make it a proper contrast to the polish of Stanley Market this morning.

As evening sets in, make your way to Temple Street Night Market for dinner. Expect sizzling woks, fortune tellers, karaoke stalls and bargain shopping well into the night, easily one of the most atmospheric ways to spend an evening in Hong Kong.

With a pre-dinner sunset cruise booked in for this evening, today is yours to explore at a relaxed pace.

Start the morning at Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden, a beautifully peaceful Tang dynasty style temple and garden complex, and a lovely, calm way to begin the day before the city’s energy properly kicks in.

From there, why not head across to Hong Kong Island for a wander around Tai Kwun or PMQ, two former heritage buildings now reinvented as arts, culture and design hubs. Both are full of independent boutiques, galleries and good coffee, linger as long as you like, or head back whenever suits.

If you’d rather get the legs moving, swap this out for the Dragon’s Back Trail instead, one of the best short hikes in Hong Kong, with sweeping views out over the coastline and the islands beyond.

Either option leaves you plenty of time to get back, freshen up, and be ready for the harbour as the sun starts to dip for your cruise.

After a busy Hong Kong city break, say goodbye to this buzzing city. Whether this has been a standalone trip or a stopover on a longer journey, just let our Asia Experts know what you’d like to do and they’ll create a bespoke itinerary.