Experience Hong Kong in Three Days

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This is an easy one-hour walk along the pedestrian road that snakes its way round the famous Victoria Peak. On offer are spectacular views of Victoria Harbour and the outlying islands, whilst passing by a number of beautiful villas built in the early days of Hong Kong. You can take the historic Peak Tram from Central to the starting point of the 2.8 kilometre walk. When you reach the Peak, start either from Lugard Road or Harlech Road.

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Big Wave Bay is about two kilometres north of Shek O and, although it is not really a good beach for swimming, the waves that come crashing in to the bay make this a great surfing spot. Actually, most of the time the warning flag is up telling swimmers that Big Wave Bay is not suitable for swimming because of, yes, big waves! The area is also home to a collection of ancient rock carvings, the first of its kind to be declared a monument in Hong Kong.

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No visit to Hong Kong is complete without a visit to the Peak. What is the most authentic way of getting there? The Peak Tram no doubt. Before the Peak Tram opened, hardly anyone travelled to the Peak. Part of the experience is watching the faces of tourists glow with delight as they climb the steepest slopes of Victoria Peak on the Tram. The Tram, which is itself an attraction, dates back to 1888 with new and larger cars installed in 1989. These cars are pulled by 1,500m steel cables wound on drums. Passengers sit back for a literally vertical ride enjoying panoramic views as the car steadily makes its way to the top. The Peak Tram station is located right opposite the Hong Kong US Embassy and the best way to get to the Tram station would be to take the bus. Expect long queues if you go right before 7pm, the peak is a tourist haven and you will be able to take postcard pictures of Victoria Harbour line.

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A great way to get a different view of Hong Kong is to go sailing. For a unique experience, you can charter a junk--a traditional Chinese sailboat usually distinguished by a flamboyant red sail--which are still seen around Victoria Harbour. DeTours runs charter tours around Aberdeen and the harbour. The cost for a minimum two and a half hour tour will cost around HK$5,500. A crew is provided to operate the junk but there is no tour guide, so it is best to look at a map and figure out exactly where you would like to go.

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Sai Kung is located on the east side of the New Territories and is a popular destination for fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking, camping and boating. Visitors can hire Sampans (small taxi-boats) for leisurely harbour trips or stroll around Sai Kung's town centre, which hosts a fresh-fish market displaying various kinds of seafood in big tanks. Customers can pick whatever fish they fancy, take it to a nearby restaurant of their choice and request the fish to be cooked in a certain way. After that, it is just a case of relaxing until the sumptuous seafood feast is served!

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This is the biggest of all the outlying islands, almost twice the size of Hong Kong Island. Although the new town of Tung Chung next to the airport is bringing more people to Lantau, the island is still largely unspoilt and undeveloped. The general atmosphere is tranquil with many hiking trails snaking across the rugged peaks. Lantau Peak is the highest, and at nearly 1,000 metres, it is almost twice as tall as Victoria Peak. Home to the Big Buddha (not to be missed on a trip to Lantau) and the Po Lin Monastery, this escape from hectic city life should be on everyone's itinerary.

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Tung Choi Street (Ladies Market) and Fa Yuen Street are the essence of Mong Kok, Ladies market is probably the most famous street market in Hong Kong for tourists. Fa Yuen street sells sports-shoes and later turns into an outlet street market that locals tend to visit more. Mong Kok used to be a Mango Plantation Village and it is difficult to imagine now, Mong Kok has the reputation of being the most densely populated urban areas in the world. Pedestrian traffic is amazing so the best way to absorb its atmosphere is simply to walk the streets. Cars and people fight for road space, nothing is considered a traffic jam because most of the time the cars are just waiting for people to finish crossing. Rather than Nathan Road, take Sai Yeung Choi Street South, although hardly glamourous or relaxing, Mong Kok oozes with life and character. You should go in the evening after dark because then you can see the shop signs lit up in all kinds of neon lights in Chinese - just like what you see on postcards.

Our Local Expert Says:

Deluxe $50,000 package is guaranteed to satisfy all true romantics, you arrive and depart by chauffeured Rolls-Royce, take a 15 minute "flight-seeing" tour around Hong Kong in the hotel's chopper, enjoy four meals at the hotel's restaurants, from breakfast in bed to a romantic candlelit dinner.

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This is Hong Kong's most famous hotel, the place to stay if you are an incurable romantic and have a penchant for the historical. Built in 1928, it exudes elegance, from its white-gloved doormen and one of the world's largest limousine fleets of Rolls-Royces to its ornate lobby, reminiscent of a Parisian palace and Hong Kong's foremost spot for afternoon tea and people-watching. After The Peninsula lost its fabled view of the harbor following construction of the unsightly Space Museum across the street, it remedied the problem in 1993 with a 32-story tower providing fantastic harbor views from guest rooms and its top-floor restaurant Felix, designed by Philippe Starck. Spacious rooms (with a minimum of 41 sq. m/441 sq. ft.) -- so wonderfully equipped that even jaded travelers are likely to be impressed -- include headphones for both radio and TV; tightly focused bedside reading lights designed to keep sleeping partners happy; telephones and control panels on both sides of gigantic beds; a display panel showing outdoor temperature and humidity; mood lighting; and a box in the closet where attendants can place your morning newspaper or take your dirty shoes for complimentary cleaning. Each huge bathroom is equipped with its own TV, hands-free phone (which automatically mutes the TV or radio and digitally filters the sound of running water), and two sinks, both with a magnifying mirror. It's worth the extra money to spring for a stunning harbor view in the tower if you can afford it, since views facing the back are a disappointment and those in the older part of the hotel are marred by the Space Museum. For the culture-minded, The Peninsula offers classes on everything from tai chi and feng shui to cooking; for the travel-weary, its spa focuses on the journey to rejuvenation with views of the harbor from its sauna. I absolutely love this place.

Facilities: 6 restaurants, including Gaddi's, Felix, and Spring Moon; 2 bars; lounge; gorgeous indoor pool w/sun terrace overlooking the harbor; health club; spa; concierge; business center; designer-brand shopping arcade; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; in-house nurse; practice music room w/grand piano.

In room: A/C, satellite TV/DVD/CD w/free in-house movies, fax (silent, w/personal fax number), minibar, hair dryer, safe, free Wi-Fi and high-speed Internet access.

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Lan Kwai Fong was once an "expat hangout", but locals have gradually joined in the party fun. Centered around an L-shaped cobblestone lane just above the Central business area, Lan Kwai Fong houses some of the trendiest pubs and entertainment hangouts in town. Every year, during Christmas, New Year's and Halloween, people dress up and parade through the streets. But, whatever the time of year, Lan Kwai Fong is definitely a fun place to see and to be seen.