3-day first-time itinerary
Three days is enough to get a real feel for Hong Kong without rushing — here's one sensible way to structure it.
Day 1 — the skyline and the harbour
Start in Central, ride the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak for the daytime view, then come back down and cross the harbour on the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui in time to see the skyline light up from the other side.
Day 2 — a district, properly
Pick one district and actually walk it rather than sight-hop — Sheung Wan's dried-seafood streets and Hollywood Road antique shops, or Mong Kok's markets, both reward slow wandering more than a checklist.
Day 3 — out of the city centre
Take a half-day trip to Lantau for the Big Buddha and Tai O fishing village, or to Sai Kung for a short hike and seafood lunch — either gives a completely different side of Hong Kong from the first two days.