2 days in Hong Kong for Lunar New Year

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. 1
   MorningWorth the time

   Victoria Park

   A large park in Causeway Bay where a flower market usually runs for days up to the eve of the new year. Stalls sell mandarin and kumquat trees, peach blossom, orchids and lucky bamboo, which many families bring home for luck. Go early, because the park is very crowded in the afternoon. Dates and layouts change each year, so check ahead.

   Go when Morning, before the park fills up.

   Local tip Walk the whole market once before you buy. Ask before you photograph a stallholder, and carry plants with care in the crowd. Keep a hand on your bag.

   

   About 18 min by car or transit4.2 mi
2. 2
   MorningBusy, check ahead

   Wong Tai Sin Temple

   A large, bright Taoist temple with red pillars and gold roofs, busy with people shaking fortune sticks and asking for luck, health and a good year. It is crowded early in the new year, and lines for the main hall can be long. Follow the local people, take turns and ask before you take photographs of worshippers. Entry may be managed by staff, so follow their directions.

   Go when Morning, before the queues grow.

   Local tip Follow the local people, take your turn with the fortune sticks and do not push. Ask before photographing worshippers, and keep a hand on your bag in the crowd.

   

3. Lunch

   A vegetarian meal

   Many people eat vegetarian food on the first day of the new year, as a Buddhist custom of the day. Simple vegetarian restaurants near the nunnery and garden serve it, with mock meats, tofu and vegetables.

   Local tip Check ahead whether a place is open, and ask the staff about any allergy first.

   About 15 min walk0.8 mi
4. 3
   MorningWorth the time

   Chi Lin Nunnery

   A Buddhist nunnery built in the Tang dynasty style, with wooden halls joined without nails, lotus ponds and quiet courtyards. A calm start to the new year. Keep your voice low and ask before you photograph.

   Go when Morning, when the halls are quiet.

   Local tip Dress modestly, keep your voice low and ask before photographing. Take your time in the courtyards and by the lotus ponds.

   

   About 17 min by car or transit3.9 mi
5. 4
   EveningCheck ahead

   Tsim Sha Tsui

   The area at the tip of Kowloon where an international Lunar New Year parade usually passes along the main streets on the first night, with floats, dancers and bands. Route, times and viewing spots change each year, and stands may be ticketed, so check ahead. Arrive early, keep to the sides, follow the police and stay together.

   Go when Early evening, to find a place before the parade.

   Local tip Route, times and viewing spots change each year, so check ahead. Keep to the sides, follow the police, stay together and agree on a meeting place in case you are separated.

   

6. Dinner

   A reunion dinner of hot pot

   On New Year's Eve many families gather for a big shared meal, often a hot pot of broth with meat, fish, vegetables and tofu. Restaurants offer set menus for the night, and tables are taken far ahead.

   Local tip Book early. Tell the staff about any allergy first, since a shared pot cannot be separated.

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. 1
   AfternoonWorth the time

   Man Mo Temple

   A small, old temple on a steep street in Sheung Wan, dedicated to the gods of literature and war. Big coils of incense hang from the ceiling, and the room fills with smoke and prayers. It is usually busy in the days around the new year, so go early and follow the pace of the people ahead of you.

   Go when Early afternoon, before the evening crowds.

   Local tip Keep your voice low, move with the line and do not stand in front of the altar. Ask before photographing worshippers, and cover your nose if the incense bothers you.

   

   About 14 min walk0.7 mi
2. 2
   AfternoonCheck the weather

   Victoria Peak

   The hill above the city, where a visitor area has a tower with viewing decks and paths through the trees. The view over the towers and the harbor depends on haze and cloud, and queues for the tram are long on a holiday, so check ahead. Come down in good time for the evening.

   Go when Afternoon, then down before the harbor evening.

   Local tip Haze and cloud can hide the view, and queues for the tram are long on a holiday. Allow extra time, and have a plan B if the sky is gray.

   

3. Lunch

   Dim sum

   Small steamed and fried dishes in bamboo baskets, eaten with tea, a custom that many families keep on holidays. Tea houses in Sheung Wan and Central serve it, and tables fill early.

   Local tip Book a table or go early. Tell the staff about any allergy first, since many dishes contain shrimp, pork or peanuts.

   

   About 9 min by car or transit1.4 mi
4. 3
   AfternoonWorth the time

   Star Ferry

   The green and white ferries that have crossed the harbor for well over a century. A short ride between the island and Kowloon, and an easy way to see the skyline. Holiday pattern and extra crowds are likely, so check ahead and allow time.

   Go when Afternoon, for the open view of the harbor.

   Local tip Sit by an open window for the view. Holiday crowds are likely, so allow extra time and hold the rail on the way on and off.

   

   About 12 min walk0.6 mi
5. 4
   EveningCheck ahead

   Victoria Harbour

   The harbor between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, where a traditional fireworks display is usually held over the water on the second night. Viewing areas on both sides fill early, and police may limit entry once they are full. Dates, times and viewing areas change each year, so check ahead and have a plan B. Smoke and haze can hide the show.

   Go when Evening, arriving early to hold a place.

   Local tip Viewing areas fill early and police may limit entry once they are full. Dates, times and areas change each year, so check ahead and have a plan B. Smoke and haze can hide the show.