Hong Kong stopover itinerary: romance in 9 hours

9.30am

Wheels down in Hong Kong. You’ve got a day in the city with someone you’re trying to impress – or a hastily arranged Tinder date. The Airport Express train will bring you to Central in 24 minutes. Here’s what to do next…

10.45am

Start your romantic itinerary off by heading straight to Bakehouse in Wan Chai for the ideal breakfast date. Dine on delights like shakshuka or brioche French toast, with superlative baked goods from pastry chef Grégoire Michaud. 

14 Tai Wong Street East, Wan Chai

11.50am

Hop aboard a tram bound for Happy Valley. The slow trundling is perfect for romantic introspection, or one of those deep-and-meaningfuls reserved for Richard Linklater movies.

12.35pm

Nothing says love like sitting in adjacent chairs, having your feet rubbed by strangers (it beats having to massage each other). That’s why a stop at Ten Feet Tall for a foot massage is mandatory for romance and relaxation.

Two locations including 1/F Lai Shing Building, 13-19 Sing Woo Road; +852 2415 1010 

1.40pm

Grab everything you need for an impromptu picnic at the supermarket by the tram terminus and head for the Happy Valley Recreation Ground, right in the middle of the racecourse. Pick a spot where you can pop a bottle of champagne and cheer on the joggers.

2.10pm

Its tucked-away location means the F11 Foto Museum  (temporarily closed), located in a beautiful Art Deco heritage building, is rarely busy: a great date option.

11 Yuk Sau Street, Happy Valley; +852 6516 1122

3.30pm

Put your hands to work at mod-dim sum joint Yum Cha , home of the googly-eyed sweet steamed buns that ‘vomit’ custard when you squeeze them. Don’t just photograph this Instagram sensation – learn to make them in the restaurant’s two-hour cooking workshop and afternoon tea session.

Three locations including 2/F, Nan Fung Place, Central; +852 3708 8081 

6.05pm

Your romantic itinerary is coming to an end. However, you’ve got just enough time for a swift one at Dear Lilly (closed), a jewel box of a restaurant/bar in the IFC, just above the Airport Express station. The place is a tribute to l’amour, complete with inscribed love quotes, perfume bottles and thousands of flowers. If that doesn’t impress, it was clearly never meant to be…

Shop 4010, IFC Mall, Central; +852 2771 6060