Food Tour of Hong Kong & Macau - 6 Days

Highlights

• Indulge in the classic Hong Kong tradition of dim sum
• Taste street food dishes like tofu pudding in the Kowloon district
• Ride the cable car to the top of Lantau Island for gorgeous views
• Sample classic Portuguese pastries as you explore the streets of Macau

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Hong Kong, Dim Sum Feast

Welcome to China! You'll touch down in Hong Kong, one of the world's great international hubs, with over seven million residents on this small island city. Prepare to experience Hong Kong's melting pot of cultures due to its history as a former British colony and its current status as a "special administrative region" of China. This also means its cuisine takes inspiration from all over the world, making it an ideal city for foodies. Once you land, catch the Airport Express to your hotel in the city.

Spend a few hours recovering from your flight, then go yum cha (drink tea), which in Hong Kong means "go to eat dim sum." Join your guide to experience Hong Kong's cultural yum cha tradition, which is enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. Savor these bite-size dishes at Michelin-starred spots like Tin Lung Heen or neighborhood favorites in Dim Sum Square. Hong Kong specialties to try include har gow (shrimp dumplings), lor mai gai (rice steamed in lotus leaf), sweet egg tarts, and the classic cha siu bao (bun filled with barbecued pork).

Day 2: Highlights of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Street Food & Culture Walking Tour

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your guide for a half-day tour of Hong Kong's highlights. Start with a classic ride on the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak for panoramic city views. Then, head to Repulse Bay, a wealthy suburb in the south of Hong Kong Island famous for its beautiful beaches. Stroll along the shoreline before continuing to the popular Stanley Market in a quaint coastal village nearby. Wander through the market and its selection of clothing, accessories, home furnishings, and more, stopping to grab a bite for lunch. 

Later in the day, head to the Kowloon district for a four-hour street food walking tour. You'll start in Sham Shui Po, a blue-collar area known for its open-air markets, delectable street food, and several Michelin-starred eateries. As you explore, sample smooth tofu pudding, steamed sugar cakes, and rice noodle rolls in various dipping sauces. Walk toward Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, passing through many of Kowloon's most famous neighborhoods, while your guide offers a dose of history and culture, covering the origins of Kowloon and its present-day lifestyle.  

Day 3: Day Trip to Lantau Island, Sample Local Seafood, Transfer to Macau

This morning, check out of your hotel and join your guide for a tour of nearby Lantau Island. Start with a 25-minute ride on the picturesque Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car for sweeping views of the lush island and surrounding ocean. Disembark, then continue to the renowned Po Lin Monastery, built in 1906 CE by three Buddhist monks. Enjoy the peaceful grounds and visit the tall and impressive Hall of the Ten Thousand Buddhas.

Finish your exploration of the island by climbing up 260 steps to the base of the Big Buddha. At 112 feet (34 m) tall, it's one of the world's largest Buddha statues. Admire the immense bronze statue of Buddha sitting on a lotus flower atop a three-story altar with his right hand raised in healing as he gazes at the incredible view.

Finally, head to a local restaurant on the island to try some classic Hong Kong seafood dishes caught fresh that day. Favorite staples to sample include mantis shrimp fried with garlic, steamed scallops, razor clams with red pepper, or steamed fish with soy sauce and scallions. At the end of the meal, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to Macau, about an hour away, where you'll spend the next two nights.  

Day 4: Macau Heritage Tour, Macau Culinary Highlights Tour

In the morning, meet your guide for a discovery tour of Macau on the Pearl River estuary. Macau is an autonomous region of China that was formerly a territory of Portugal up until 1999 CE. On today's tour, you'll discover how this mix of cultural influences creates an exciting variety of architectural styles, cuisine, and customs. As a Portuguese colony, Macau was little more than a sleepy fishing region, but in 1999 CE, after the liberalization of casino regulations, it became a gambling hotspot. 

Your half-day tour goes beyond the casinos and takes in the major sights. Start at Macau's most famous site, the Ruins of St. Paul's, once the largest Catholic church in Asia. See the ornate granite facade at the top of a small hill, then head to the Church of St. Dominic, a brightly colored, 400-year-old church with a small museum in its bell tower. Wander to Senado Square, where you'll be surrounded by European-style Baroque architecture, to visit Leal Senado, once the seat of the Portuguese government and now home to an exhibit hall with artifacts and a library. 

In the afternoon, join a culinary tour to discover the many flavors of Macau. As an important trade hub for centuries, linking the East and the West, Macau attracted recipes and spices from all over the world, which is reflected in its one-of-a-kind food scene. Follow your guide to neighborhoods from Senado Square to Taipa Village, savoring bites of pastéis de nata (Portuguese custard tart), michi (a Chinese-Portuguese fusion of meat, potatoes, and soy sauce), pork chop buns, steamed milk pudding, or curry fish balls.

Day 5: Ferry to Hong Kong, Self-Guided Discovery of Hong Kong

Take another stroll around the streets of Macau before grabbing your bags and catching a one-hour ferry back to Hong Kong, where you'll have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure. After hotel check-in, explore this vibrant city on a double-decker bus or via the various ferries. Savor the views of busy Victoria Harbour and take a ferry to Kowloon for afternoon tea in the ornate Peninsula Hotel, built in 1928 CE. Sip tea from bone china, savor English-style finger sandwiches, scones with cream and "jam," and sweet pastries, all accompanied by a string quartet.

Day 6: Depart Hong Kong

It's time to say goodbye to Hong Kong! At the designated time, you'll be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Hong Kong International Airport for your departure flight home. Safe travels!

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