“A dream of Manhattan, arising from the South China Sea.” For succinctness, modern travel writer Pico Iyer’s description of Hong Kong has yet to be bettered. From opium port to Cold War enclave to frenetic financial capital, Hong Kong has never been boring. This is the hedonistic engine room of cultural fusion: East meets West in high style, and the results astonish and delight. Prepare to experience one of the most dramatic urban environments ever conceived.
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Take the tram to the lofty heights of Victoria Peak for an amazing view of the city (see The Peak).
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Hong Kong Island’s northeast is the region’s administrative centre. Colonial remnants and exciting modern architecture stand next to each other around Statue Square (see Central’s Statue Square).
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Horseracing below the high-rises: Happy Valley is where Hong Kongers go to play (see Happy Valley Races).
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Ignore the subterranean road and rail links between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. The thrilling way to cross the water is on the Star Ferry (see Star Ferry).
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An old fort steeped in colonial history and reminders of World War II, Stanley on the Southside of Hong Kong Island is a peaceful diversion from the frenetic city (see Stanley).
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Kowloon is at its most atmospheric at night. Head up the peninsula to the narrow lanes of Yau Ma Tei for some serious haggling (see Temple Street Night Market).
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Near Sha Tin in the New Territories, Hong Kong’s best museum is a must. Splendid high-tech audio-visual displays cover the region’s rich cultural heritage and natural history (see Heritage Museum).
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The remote, rugged Sai Kung Peninsula in the New Territories is the place to find Hong Kong’s finest beaches (see Tai Long Wan Coastline).
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Of the many islands around Hong Kong, tiny Cheung Chau is arguably the loveliest, with traces of old China (see Cheung Chau Island).
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In the middle of hilly Lantau Island, Po Lin Monastery is a major destination for devotees and tourists alike. The extraordinary seated Big Buddha image facing the monastery can be seen from miles away (see Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery).
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Bun FestivalCheung Chau is Hong Kong's largest fishing island and each May sees floating children and towers of lucky buns; the world's only Bun Festival. Read more
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Tam Kung Birthday FestivalTam Kung is an important patron deity of seafarers. His birthday festival, which coincides with Buddha's, is celebrated with considerable devotion and fanfare at the Tam Kung Temple, built in 1905... Read more
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Birthday of Lord BuddhaBuddha's birthday is celebrated throughout Hong Kong (and officially since 1999), though prime sites are the Po Lin monastery on Lantau Island (home to the world's largest seated outdoor Buddha),... Read more
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Tuen Ng (Dragon Boat Festival)These dragon boat races were first held in 1976 as part of the 2000-year-old Tuen Ng Festival and have now become an exciting and spectacular annual event. Over 100 teams from across the globe... Read more
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