oC % Five Days
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| In the morning, take The Peak Tram up to The Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island to see the entire region from the sky down. Have a nice dim sum lunch as an introduction to Chinese cuisine. Then spend the afternoon exploring antique and art galleries along Hollywood Road. Don't miss passing by the Central-Mid-levels Escalator, the longest outdoor covered escalator, which zips up the mountain from the Central business areas, through the Soho dining and arts district to residential neighbourhoods. Continue your walk on Hollywood Road to the Man Mo Temple, one of Hong Kong's oldest temples. A stone's throw away is the Cat Street Bazaar for some bargains of Asian treasures. As night falls, treat yourself to dinner with a view and end the evening with dancing and merriment in Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong's premier nightlife district. |
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| Travel on Victoria Harbour on one of the oldest forms of transport around - the Star Ferry. Alight at Tsim Sha Tsui for a morning of museums. The Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of History, the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre and the Hong Kong Science Museum are all within walking distance of each other. After lunch, continue through Kowloon to Mong Kok and Jordan for market shopping. The area is packed with everything imaginable, from the Flower Market and Goldfish Market to the Ladies' Market. End the market tour at the Temple Street Night Market, which starts around 4pm. Return to Tsim Sha Tsui by 8pm for the nightly light show 'A Symphony of Lights' from the Avenue of Stars. Then choose from the many restaurants of Tsim Sha Tsui for a Chinese dinner. |
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| Hong Kong is made up of hundreds of islands, the biggest of which is Lantau. This lush green island is home to the Giant Buddha, the world's largest outdoor bronze seated Buddha, resting atop a peak along with the Po Lin Monastery and Wisdom Path. Spend the good part of your last morning near this beauty, and then have a leisurely Chinese tea in the Po Lin Themed Village. Once back on Hong Kong Island choose to either relax at Hong Kong Parkand the Hong Kong Zoological Gardens in Central or shop 'til you drop in crazy Causeway Bay, where you can easily spend the evening browsing the stores, dining and singing karaoke. |
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| Wake up bright and early for the flag raising ceremony at 7.50am at Golden Bauhinia Square at the tip of the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. With the day ahead of you, venture out to the New Territories of Kowloon to experience time-honoured local culture. (Guided tours are available.) This area was the last to be leased by the British through a treaty valid until 1997, which became the impetus for the return of Hong Kong to China. Be sure to stop at the traditional Fanling Walled Village and the Yuen Yuen Institute, dedicated to the three local religions of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. The Hong Kong Wetland Park is also in the New Territories, made up of marshes and fishponds, for a look at Hong Kong's local wetland system. |
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| Once upon a time Hong Kong was a quaint fishing village. The South Side of Hong Kong Island is reminiscent of those days and remains a stark contrast to the towering business districts. Begin the morning in Stanley. This seaside village has a main street with al fresco dining, perfect for people watching, and a popular market selling everything from Chinese souvenirs to affordable art, clothing and ceramics. The former British Army Barracks, Murray House, is also in Stanley, after a complicated move from Central. If you have time, continue along the south side of the island to Ocean Park. Perched on a stunning hillside overlooking Deepwater Bay, the amusement park boasts exciting rides and an up close and personal view of amazing animals. Finish off your visit in Aberdeen, a floating village of junks, fishing boats and restaurants, for a relaxing dinner on the water at Jumbo Kingdom. |
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