Capture the New and Old Territories of Hong Kong
09-16 May, 2026
8 Days/7 nights
Get ready to experience Hong Kong through a unique lens — both literally and figuratively. This carefully curated cultural tour invites you to discover the city’s vibrant character, rich traditions, and hidden stories, and immersion during the Lunar New Year.
Over the course of the journey, we’ll explore the dynamic contrasts that define Hong Kong — from centuries-old temples nestled among towering skyscrapers, to the energy of local markets and quiet moments in timeworn alleyways. You’ll have the opportunity to photograph everyday life as it unfolds in historic neighbourhoods, capture the details of ancient rituals, and create portraits of the people who bring this city to life.
Designed with both cultural immersion and photographic storytelling in mind, this tour strikes a thoughtful balance between guided exploration and moments of personal discovery. Whether you're an experienced photographer or passionate traveller with a camera in hand, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for Hong Kong.
Saturday, May 9 (D) – After your arrival in Hong Kong , take the MTR to Central for hotel check-in. If you are arriving earlier in the day, use the time to walk the streets. We will enjoy a welcome dinner amongst the locals.
Sunday, May 10 – We will dive straight into Hong Kong culture and enjoy a Yum Cha breakfast. After breakfast we will head to Wan Chai Like much of Hong Kong, Wan Chai was once a small fishing village populated by Chinese settlers. Its strategic harbour-side location and proximity to the powers-that-be in Central during the 19th and 20th centuries, however, saw it develop from a spillover for workers and labourers to a wealthy commercial and cultural hub.
While Lee Tung Street, once lined with wedding stationery shops, has given way to an upscale mall, pockets of heritage still exist. It’s not just in the facade of the Bauhaus-era Wan Chai market, but in the maze of Wan Chai Road and Bowrington Road, where old-fashioned wet markets hum daily. It’s in tenement houses on Stone Nullah Lane and temples and shrines hidden in back lanes.
Wan Chai District offers a wealth of heritage hideaways and modern hot spots.
We will then head to Man Mo Temple, distinguished by its green tiled roof, was constructed between 1847 and 1862. The complex includes Lit Shing Kung, which was created to worship all heavenly gods, and Kung Sor, an important assembly hall where community affairs and disputes were often discussed and settled. The temple contains well-preserved artefacts such as a Qing Dynasty bronze bell cast in 1847 and a sedan chair built in 1862. Intricate granite pillars, door frames, carved wooden plaques, and historic murals demonstrate traditional craftsmanship, highlighting Chinese architectural features. Visitors frequent Man Mo Temple to pray for success and prosperity, offering joss paper, incense sticks, vegetables and symbolic round fruits such as oranges.
Nearby is Upper Lascar Row — also known as Cat Street — is a quaint outdoor street market best known for its enticing antique shopping experience. After looking at the remnants of the traders here, we will head towards, Tai Kwun, the former site of the Victoria prison, using the Mid-Level Escalators.
Incorporating the Former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison, the earliest structures of the compound date back to 1864. Originally intended for the sterner purpose of maintaining law and order, Tai Kwun’s historic declared monuments, along with architecturally spectacular new structures, now house restaurants, cafes, shops and galleries, and the area is dedicated to cultural and recreational activities.
We will then continue with the Mid-Level escalators and head towards the Peak Tram for sunset/nighttime photography at Victoria Peak.
Monday, May 11(B) – We will spend this day away from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong Island and take the MTR to the Ngong Ping 360 cable car for our day on Lantau Island. The journey, lasting 25 minutes and spanning 5.7 kilometres up mountains, offers views of the Hong Kong International Airport and the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge stretching across the Pearl River Delta. From there visit the majestic Big Buddha - standing at 34 metres tall, it is one of the largest seated Buddha statues in the world. Either climb the 268 steps to the base of the statue and enjoy a moment of quiet reflection, or just admire it from afar, however, the panoramic views at the summit are also spectacular.
We will then take a local bus to Tai O Village. Tai O is hidden away at the far end of Lantau Island, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Take a step back in time as you explore the historic Tai O fishing village, home to the iconic Tai O Heritage Hotel, scenic hiking trails, traditional restaurant fare and street snacks
Tai O is home to the Tanka people, a community of fisher folk who’ve built their houses on stilts above the tidal flats of Lantau Island for generations. These stilt houses are interconnected, forming a tightly knit community that lives on the water.
We will then begin the journey back to Central.
Tuesday, May 12 (B) – Today we head to the New Territories and visit Tai Mei Tuk is located near Tai Po wet Market and Plover’s Cove Reservoir. The tranquil coastal village of Tai Mei Tuk is a popular weekend destination amongst locals, especially for its cycling & hiking paths. On your way to Tai Mei Tuk, if you keep your eyes peeled, rising from out of the mountains is the Guanyin statue of Tsz Shan Monastery, a large Buddhist temple located in Tung Tsz. At 76 metres in height, the Guanyin is the second highest in the world. Coupled with the monastery’s serene greenery, low buildings, and wide pathways, it appears to loom even taller.
As a Chinese Buddhist monastery established for the teaching of the Buddha, Tsz Shan Monastery is a sanctuary for the purpose of spiritual purification.
We then head towards Tai Po Wet market. Not to be confused with the MTR station of the same name, this street-long outdoor wet market is one of the most winning in the New Territories. Feast your eyes on a rainbow of fruit and vegetables, tables lined with dried seafood, old ladies hawking glutinous Hakka rice cakes, and stalls selling fresh aloe and sugar cane juices.
Still wanting more market? This evening, we will return to Central for the night market.
Wednesday, May 13 (B) – Morning at leisure. It’s been a hectic first few days in Hong Kong, and we all need a little downtime to recharge. Take the morning to relax or explore, and we will meet at the Star Ferry Pier on Hong Kong Island at 2.00pm, after lunch. This afternoon, we head to Kowloon and Sham Sui Po.
Sham Shui Po, just north of Boundary Street, might be one of the oldest and densest districts in the city, but it has transformed into a hip area in recent years. Instead of glitzy, glass-panelled skyscrapers, you’ll find buildings that hide a rich history behind their humble façades. It’s brimming with quirky cafes, contemporary art spaces and independent shops, all while retaining its old-school charm.
Once a flourishing hub for textiles manufacturing, Sham Shui Po remains a favourite haunt among designers and craftsmen.
From here, we will head towards the famous Hong Kong Flower market and Ladies market in Mong Kok. Everyone from gardening enthusiasts to locals looking for some blooms to brighten up the house. It's also a favourite of interior stylists, who come for inexpensive vases, festive decorations, fake flowers, and other props at Brighten (one of the market's larger shops).
Ladies' Market is always a treat to visit with the rows of open stalls as well as tiny boutiques offering a wide range of different fashions, accessories, gadgets and gimmicks. Frequented as much by Hongkongers as by tourists it maintains a special place in the heart of every lady, and quite a few gents. From tourist souvenirs/ like place name boards, through travel essentials such as luggage, there is always something to see and browse.
We will then head towards the Temple Street Night Market, one of the largest and liveliest shopping places in Hong Kong. This carnival of shopping and snacking starts every night from around 6pm but really gets going after sunset. It's one of the most popular places in Hong Kong to shop for cheap clothes, delicious open-air street stall food, watches, pirated CDs and DVDs, fake label clothing, sports and everyday footwear, cooking ware and household items.
Any marked prices should be taken as suggestions as this is definitely a place to bargain. Due to the popularity of Temple Street as a tourist destination, prices are higher compared to other night markets in Hong Kong, but for an overall spectacle, it’s not to be missed. It is also famous for array of food stalls; it’s a great place to experience the local street food scene.
Thursday, May 14 –(B) Lamma Island Day trip - Long associated with the fishing industry, it is now home to a thriving multicultural community. Start relaxing once you start strolling along Sok Kwu Wan and Yung Shue Wan's waterfront village streets with shops selling beautiful fisherfolk arts and crafts, and restaurants serving fresh seafood and numerous East-meets-West delights. Nature lovers and Instagram buffs can explore the area's breathtaking scenery and cultural sites along the leisurely 5 km Lamma Island Family Walk, while history buffs can learn more about local culture at Lamma Fisherfolk's Village.
In the early evening, we will head towards Sai Ying Pun, where all the university students live. The Island Line extension in 2015 has brought gentrification to this old Hong Kong neighbourhood. Today, Sai Ying Pun has emerged as a vibrant hub of trendy cafes, lively bars, and tempting restaurants. Whether you crave European dishes or a taste of mouthwatering Asian delicacies, this neighbourhood has it all.
Friday, May 15(B,D) – Another morning at leisure for those last-minute souvenirs, more exploration or revisiting sites. In the afternoon, we will head to The West Kowloon Cultural District. This area is a growing arts and cultural hub with performance and exhibition centres, green open spaces, a growing selection of cafes and restaurants, and a waterfront promenade perfect for enjoying sunset views and evening strolls. We will head to Sky100 for sunset and then light show in the evening.
We will then enjoy a farewell dinner together
Saturday, May 16 (B) – After breakfast, our tour comes to an end this morning.
