Why Hong Kong is the Perfect Stopover City in 2025

As international travel routes surge and connections across Asia become ever more seamless, Hong Kong is reclaiming its place as a world-class stopover destination. Conveniently located just 24 minutes from the airport by Airport Express, the city offers an irresistible blend of culture, cuisine, nature, and design — all within easy reach of one of its most iconic addresses: Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong.

Whether for an overnight layover or a 24-hour detour between long-haul flights, this thoughtfully curated itinerary reveals the many faces of Hong Kong — from dim sum trolleys and junk boat sunsets to art-filled alleys and Michelin-starred dining.

8:00 am | Sky Meets Sea

High above Victoria Harbour, the rooftop Infinity Pool at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong sets the tone for the day. Surrounded by skyscrapers and mountain silhouettes, the open-air deck becomes a moment of calm in a city that rarely slows down. Inside The Lounge, a quintessential Hong Kong breakfast of congee, wok-fried noodles, and delicate dim sum offers a quiet nod to Cantonese culinary heritage — refined, but never overdone.

For those drawn to a more active start, a scenic hike to Victoria Peak begins just five minutes from the hotel entrance. The route via the Central–Mid Levels Escalator and Old Peak Road rewards early risers with sweeping views and a first-hand look at one of the world’s most vertical cities.

12:30 pm | Dim Sum, Two Ways

No stopover in Hong Kong is complete without dim sum — a few destinations rival the contrast between new and old like this city.

At Lung King Heen, the first Chinese restaurant in the world to earn three Michelin stars, Executive Chef Chan Yan Tak crafts exquisite dim sum in a setting that feels both serene and celebratory. Nearby in Sheung Wan, Lin Heung Lau offers a more nostalgic take: steam-filled rooms, hand-pushed trolleys, and century-old charm that locals still swear by.

2:00 pm | Time Travel in Central

From incense-swirled temples to modern galleries, Old Town Central is a microcosm of Hong Kong’s contradictions. Along streets like Tai Ping Shan, Hollywood Road, and Upper Lascar Row, visitors encounter antique dealers, local designers, indie cafes, and contemporary art studios in close quarters. A stop at the restored Central Market or the heritage-meets-arts compound of Tai Kwun reveals the city’s ability to constantly reinvent itself.

Travellers interested in culture and craftsmanship can also book the Chinese Art Tour on Hollywood Road, a private tour curated by Hollywood Galleries Ltd., offering a rare look into Himalayan Buddhist antiquities guided by third-generation collectors.

6:00 pm | Harbour at Golden Hour

When dusk arrives, Victoria Harbour takes centre stage.

Guests may book the Sunset Cruise and Michelin Dining experience—beginning with a traditional wooden junk boat cruise and culminating in a multi-course dinner at Lung King Heen. For French culinary excellence—Caprice, the Hotel’s three-Michelin-starred gem—welcomes diners to indulge in refined cuisine of Executive Chef Guillaume Galliot, blending precise techniques with global influence.

Alternatively, the Peak Explorer experience provides guided access to the newly revitalized Peak Tram and an insider’s look at The Peak. Dinner at the colonial-era Peak Lookout offers sweeping skyline views and a charming nod to Hong Kong’s heritage.

For a more grassroots detour, the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui delivers cinematic harbour views before a stroll along the Avenue of Stars and a glimpse of Kowloon’s after-dark energy.

Midweek Alternative: Happy Wednesday at Happy Valley

For travellers passing through on a Wednesday, Hong Kong offers a spirited detour into local life: Happy Wednesday at the historic Happy Valley Racecourse.

The evening begins with a ride on one of the city’s beloved “Ding Ding” trams—a double-decker time capsule that rolls from Central toward the racecourse. Along the way, stop at Cheung Hing Coffee Shop, a decades-old cha chaan teng kown for its golden egg tarts and pillowy pineapple buns.

Gates open around 5:45 pm, with crowds trickling in just in time for the first race at 7:15 pm. Inside, the open-air Beer Garden hums with energy—live music, themed pop-ups, food stalls, and an easygoing local crowd that gathers not just for the horses, but for the atmosphere.

10:30 pm | Raise a Glass

Named among the World’s 50 Best Bars, ARGO at Four Seasons is a destination unto itself. The bar serves up imaginative cocktails with rare and emerging spirits from around the globe.

Guests looking to extend the evening may opt for the Neighbourhood Bar Exploration, a curated bar-hopping experience guided by ARGO’s team. Expect hidden speakeasies, creative menus, and insider access to Hong Kong’s cocktail culture—all within walking distance of the Hotel.

12:30 am | A Better Kind of Layover

Even a single night in Hong Kong deserves a remarkable ending. Back at Four Seasons, blackout curtains draw to a close, the harbour lights fade, and the city outside hums on. The final moment of this 24-hour journey? A cloud-like bed and a gentle reminder that some stopovers are simply too good to rush through.