Drop your bags off and explore: how to spend your last day in Hong Kong

There's no end to the diverse and memorable experiences to be had in Hong Kong. If you've reached the end of your trip and are still longing for more, here’s how to squeeze in a few more magic moments during your last hours in the city.

To save time, Cathay Pacific passengers can use our self-service in-town check-in and bag drop kiosks at the Hong Kong Airport Express station. You can check in as early as one full day in advance, and up to 90 minutes before your scheduled flight departure. 

Once you've dropped off your bags, it's time to explore. Here are the best places to shop, eat and sightsee near the station on your last day in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Station

Where to shop

Still have shopping to do? The IFC Mall is connected to the station, making it the perfect place for a last-minute gift run. Home to Hong Kong's biggest Apple store and luxury department store Lane Crawford , it offers the latest in fashion, beauty, tech and more. For a good book to read during your flight, make a stop at Bookazine , an independent family-run bookshop. 

If you have a few hours to spare, hop on the Star Ferry for a breezy 10-minute ride across the harbour to Tsim Sha Tsui and take your pick from over 450 designer labels, luxury gift shops, food and beverage outlets, and kid-friendly areas at Harbour City , Hong Kong’s largest shopping mall. Alternatively, soak up the artistic ambience of K11 Musea at Victoria Dockside, featuring a mix of high-end fashion, beauty and tech brands, as well as destination restaurants and contemporary art installations. 

Where to eat and drink

From K11 Musea, make a beeline to the adjoining Rosewood Hong Kong for a signature cocktail at Darkside – named one of Asia’s best bars – and modern Cantonese cuisine at the hotel’s flagship Chinese restaurant, The Legacy House . You can't leave Hong Kong without sampling these delights – which is why you’ll find both featured in a limited-time exclusive tasting menu at The Pier, First, our First class lounge at Hong Kong International Airport .

If you prefer to stay closer to the Airport Express, the IFC's modern Chinese restaurant Chineseology serves traditional dishes with an elegantly creative twist, and herb-inspired cocktails to match. Looking for something more authentic? You'll find baskets of steaming dim sum at Cuisine Cuisine . 

For a true taste of Hong Kong's eclectic energy, make your way to Central’s wine and dine destination: Soho. The neighbourhood is dotted with streetside dai pai dongs and some of the best bars the city has to offer, including COA and Penicillin and hidden speakeasies Twenty Fifth Hour and Room 309 . Meanwhile, at new Cantonese-themed cocktail bar Kinsman , you can raise a farewell glass to the city with cocktails based around Chinese spirits.

What to see and do

Take one last look at the city’s iconic sights. Hop on the Hong Kong Observation Wheel , just a short walk from the IFC Mall, to admire 360-degree views of Central and Victoria Harbour.

Across the waters in Tsim Sha Tsui, you’ll get one of the best views in the city along the stretch of promenade, which is also home to the historic Clock Tower and the famous Avenue of Stars – where you can stop for a photo op with Bruce Lee. For a slice of culture, stroll down Salisbury Road and visit the Space Museum or Museum of Art . If you’re still around in the evening, watch the sun go down over the Hong Kong Island skyline and witness the skies light up at 8pm during the nightly Symphony of Lights spectacle.

Kowloon Station

Where to shop

Shop to your heart’s desire at Elements , a shopping and entertainment paradise spanning almost 100,000 square metres. It sits just above Kowloon Station and is conveniently connected to the Airport Express and the ICC building, Hong Kong’s tallest skyscraper. It also features an award-winning baby care room, ideal if you’re travelling with little ones and need to stop for a nappy change or feeding. 

Where to eat and drink

There is no experience in Kowloon like dining with a view. Take in city panoramas over a drink and nibbles at Café 103 by The Ritz-Carlton , nestled on the 103rd floor of the ICC building, or dig into Italian fare on the 102nd floor at Tosca di Angelo . For a real treat, indulge in a cocktail at Ozone ; occupying the 118th floor of The Ritz-Carlton, it’s the highest rooftop bar in the world.

Prefer to save the heights for your flight? There are plenty of options closer to the ground. Head to Italian-American restaurant Fini’s for pizza and pasta in a casual setting. For a breath of fresh air, dine al fresco at Italian restaurant Joia on Elements’ rooftop garden, or at the Parisian steakhouse District 8 , located on the mall’s open-air deck.

What to see and do

For one of the best vantage points in Hong Kong, make your way to the ICC building’s Sky100 Observation Deck , the highest viewing gallery in Hong Kong. 

While you’re in the area, it would be a shame to leave the city without a visit to West Kowloon Cultural District, a world-class arts and culture hub with a two-kilometre-long harbourfront promenade and gorgeous views of the sea. The district is boasts incredible museums including M+ and Hong Kong Palace Museum , where you can also pick up some unique mementos of your trip. You’ll find fantastic dining spots and coffee shops to relax at here, too.