Hongkong & Macau Travel Guide

Travel can open your mind

Hongkong & Macau

🐉 Our Hong Kong & Macau Tale: Temples, Skylines & a Dash of Disney

Traveling in March turned out to be the perfect choice. The weather was cool, pleasant and perfect for exploring without the sweat! This time, we planned a mix of vibrant cityscapes, spiritual moments and family fun all in the bustling heart of Hong Kong and the charm of Macau.

🏨 Stay 1: Cordis, Hong Kong — 4 Nights of Comfort & Convenience

We stayed at Cordis, right in the heart of Mong Kok. This hotel gave us easy access to bustling markets, MTR stations and shopping streets. The room was spacious and modern, and the views from the higher floors were a treat! They even had a rooftop pool and spa (though we mostly explored the city). A hearty breakfast was available, but vegetarians like us may want to plan ahead or pack some familiar snack. Local cuisine is a paradise for non-vegetarians!

📍Day Roadmap

Our adventure began with a visit to the Big Buddha at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island. Normally, visitors take the famous Ngong Ping Cable Car, but the winds had other plans. It was shut for the day. We took a 30-minute taxi ride, which was curvy and hilly, not so comfortable for my 6-year-old.
At the top, the Tian Tan Buddha stood tall and majestic. We climbed up, admired the view and then explored the peaceful Po Lin Monastery. The spiritual vibe and serene surroundings made it a calming start.
Post that, it was time to switch gears and shop! We headed back to Mong Kok, where the buzzing streets and street-side shopping kept us entertained. From cute accessories to souvenirs, it was a fun walk-around evening.

We began our day with the Peak Tram ride, a classic Hong Kong experience. The steep journey up to Victoria Peak was fun for our little one, and the view at the top was simply stunning! The Sky Terrace 428 gave us panoramic views of the city that looked like a mini-Lego world from above.
From Victoria Peak, we wandered through the Peak Galleria and enjoyed stunning panoramic views of the city skyline and Victoria Harbour. The cool breeze and lush greenery made it a perfect stop for both relaxing and clicking some amazing pictures.
At the top, we also discovered Candilicious, a vibrant and colorful candy store that felt like walking into a sugar wonderland. It was a delightful surprise perfect for picking up some sweet souvenirs (and a few treats for us too!).

The evening was spent at the Ladies Market. Don’t let the name fool you, it’s for everyone! Souvenirs, clothes, knick-knacks and street buzz made it a great local experience.

The day started with a peaceful walk-through Nan Lian Garden and a visit to the Chi Lin Nunnery. The wooden architecture, bonsai and lotus ponds made us feel like we had stepped into a Zen painting.
Later in the evening, we headed to Tsim Sha Tsui for a leisurely stroll along the promenade. The Avenue of Stars, with handprints of Hong Kong film legends and breathtaking views of the skyline across Victoria Harbour, made it a memorable walk.
As night fell, we watched the Symphony of Lights — a dazzling multimedia light and sound show that illuminates the skyline from both sides of the harbour. It was the perfect way to end the day, soaking in the magic of Hong Kong under the stars.

This day was all about Disneyland Hong Kong, a dreamland for our kiddo! A 45-minute taxi ride got us there comfortably. Though smaller than other Disney parks, it had its own charm. From classic rides like “It’s a Small World” to meeting Donald, it was a magical day filled with laughter and wide eyes. Unfortunately, we missed meeting Mickey!
We returned to Cordis with tired legs but happy hearts.

We took a ferry from Hong Kong to Macau. There are multiple options, including TurboJET and Cotai Water Jet. We opted for the Cotai Water Jet, which was clean, quick and comfortable. Immigration was smooth and within an hour we were in a new country!

Checking into The Venetian felt like entering a palace. From marble floors to indoor canals with gondolas, it was luxury redefined. The room was spacious and elegant, and the mall inside the hotel could easily take up a whole day. It’s a city within a city!

We dedicated this day to exploring The Venetian itself. From gondola rides, window shopping and indulging in the grandeur of the hotel, we let ourselves soak in the vibe. There were plenty of entertainment options and food courts too though vegetarian food was again a little tricky to find, we managed with some snacks and a few custom dishes.

After a lazy morning, we visited The Ruins of St. Paul’s and strolled around the charming Senado Square. Unfortunately, the streets were very crowdy and we found it difficult to walk however, the pastel buildings, mosaic tiles and vibrant street energy gave us a very different cultural flavor than Hong Kong.
In the evening, we made our way to Galaxy Hotel for the water and light show. It is an absolute visual treat! A great way to wrap up our Macau stay.

We checked out of The Venetian, took a ferry back to Hong Kong. With some time in hand, we made our way to Tsim Sha Tsui and had lunch at Saravana Bhavan, a well-known vegetarian chain that serves authentic South Indian cuisine. The crisp dosas, flavourful sambhar and filter coffee hit just the right note after a long journey. The restaurant's location in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui made it a convenient and satisfying end to our Hong Kong experience. Then we began our journey back home tired but completely fulfilled.

This trip had it all - city buzz, peaceful temples, high-rise views, theme park fun and luxurious moments. Cordis in Hong Kong offered urban comfort and access, while The Venetian Macao gave us a royal ending.
From Big Buddha’s calm to Disneyland’s joy, from Lan Lian Garden’s serenity to Senado Square’s charm, every day brought something unique.
We returned with souvenirs, a heart full of travel stories and a 6-year-old who now believes the world is one giant playground of adventure

🏛 Iconic Landmarks

Buckingham Palace

Home of the British monarch; don’t miss the Changing of the Guard.

London Eye

Giant observation wheel with sweeping city vistas.

Tower Bridge

A symbol of London; great for photos and panoramic views.

Big Ben & Houses of Parliament

Iconic clock tower and stunning Gothic architecture.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

Famous dome, whispering gallery, and city.

Westminster Abbey

A royal church and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tower of London

Historic fortress and home to the Crown Jewels.

🖼 Museums & Galleries (mostly free entry!)

British Museum

Rosetta Stone, ancient mummies, and global artifacts.

Natural History Museum

Dinosaurs, volcanoes, and hands-on exhibits.

Science Museum

Fantastic for kids and curious minds alike.

Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)

Art, design, and historic fashion.

National Gallery

Masterpieces in Trafalgar
Square.

Tate Modern

Bold and thought-provoking contemporary art.

🌳 Parks & Outdoor Spaces

Hyde Park

Boating on the Serpentine, picnics, and Speaker’s Corner.

Kensington Gardens

Diana Memorial Playground & Kensington Palace.

Regent’s Park

Manicured gardens, playgrounds, and London Zoo.

St. James’s Park

Relax by the lake and spot
pelicans.

🛍 Shopping & Entertainment

Oxford Street

Endless high-street brands and flagship stores.

Covent Garden

Street performers, artisanal markets, and cafes.

Camden Market

Eclectic, edgy fashion and global street food.

Carnaby Street

Retro-chic shops and cool Soho vibes.

Piccadilly Circus

Iconic neon lights and tourist
buzz.

Harrods & Selfridges

World-famous luxury
shopping.

M&M’s World

Four floors of candy fun and photo ops in Leicester Square.

Hamleys

The world’s oldest toy store with 7 magical floors on Regent Street.

🎡 Family Fun

Madame Tussauds

Snap pics with wax celebrities and superheroes.

London Dungeon

Spooky, theatrical history lessons (older kids).

SEA LIFE London Aquarium

Sharks, rays, and ocean
tunnels.

Legoland Windsor

A full-on LEGO adventure just outside London.

⚡Special Experiences

Harry Potter Studio Tour

Magical sets, props, and behind-the-scenes fun (Leavesden).

Thames River Cruise

Stunning views from the
water.

Afternoon Tea

Try The Ritz, Fortnum & Mason, or kid-themed cafés.

🚇 Getting Around London – Transport Made Easy

One of the best parts of exploring London is how well-connected and easy the city is to navigate. From the iconic red buses to the Underground (a.k.a. the Tube), here's how we got around:

🚆 The London Underground (Tube)

London's Tube system is one of the oldest and most efficient in the world. It's made up of 11 color-coded lines, each connecting different parts of the city. Some of the most popular lines we used were:

Victoria Line (light blue) – Perfect for staying near Victoria Station (like our hotel!)
Central Line (red) – Connects to Oxford Street, Notting Hill, and Stratford
Piccadilly Line (dark blue) – Direct link to Heathrow Airport
District Line (green) – Runs through Kensington and the West End
Jubilee Line (grey) – For Canary Wharf, Southbank, and Westminster

Each station is clearly marked and trains run frequently. It's the quickest way to get across town and beat the traffic.

🟡 Oyster Card: Your Travel BFF

We used an Oyster Card throughout our trip, which made traveling a breeze. You simply tap in and tap out at the station gates, and the right fare is deducted.

Where can you use it?

London Underground, buses, trams, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth Line (within London), and more.

Not valid on:

Elizabeth Line between Reading and Iver – good to know if you're heading that far west.

Cost-saving tip:

The Oyster Card automatically applies a daily cap – once you hit a certain spend for the day, you won't be charged more no matter how much you travel!

To know more about the Oyster Card visit their website: Transport for London Oyster Card

We got ours at Victoria Station upon arrival, and it saved us from queuing for tickets or figuring out fares every time.