DK Travel : Hong Kong

“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.

2 Macdonnell Road

With pleasant rooms, a good Central location and excellent views across the Zoological and Botanical Gardens to the city and harbour, Macdonell Road offers good value for its position. Rooms have all the basics plus kitchenette. Long-stay packages are available (see Long-Stay Hotels)
22 Peel St

Centrally located above a bustling produce market, this modern block offers cosy studios and spacious-looking apartments with smart furnishings, big beds, daily maid service and, for HK$250 extra, monthly unlimited broadband Internet access.
360°

With great night views of Shenzhen, the revolving restaurant atop the luxury Shangri-La Hotel (see Shangri-La Hotel Shenzhen)has an international buffet, hotpots and grills.
4000 BC: Early Peoples

For many years, the popular version of history was that Hong Kong was a “barren rock” devoid of people when the British arrived. In fact, archaeology now shows that scattered primitive clans had settled by the seaside on Hong Kong Island and the New Territories six millennia ago. Their diet was not politically correct by today’s standards: bone fragments show they liked to eat dolphin.
A Lorcha

A fine proponent of Macanese cooking, which blends the cuisines of East and West. Try spicy grilled African chicken,bacalhau (baked codfish) and caldo verde (potato purée soup).
Aberdeen Harbour

Take a trip around Aberdeen Harbour on a water taxi, see the boat peoples boats and have a fantastic meal on the floating restaurants.
Aberdeen Harbour

Residential blocks crowd Aberdeen’s small, lovely harbour, which is still filled with high-prowed wooden fishing boats despite the fact that overfishing and pollution have decimated the Hong Kong fishing industry. Ignore the ugly town centre and instead photograph the tyre-festooned sampans, or walk to the busy wholesale fish market at the western end of the harbour and watch the catches being loaded onto trucks and vans.

Fish market, Aberdeen Harbour
AD 1127: Local Clans

When marauding Mongols drive the Song dynasty emperor’s family out of the imperial capital of Kaifeng, one princess escapes to the walled village of Kam Tin in the New Territories, where she marries into the powerful Tang clan.
Ah Long Pakistan Halal Food

A good bet if you fancy a spicy curry, although the surroundings aren’t pretty.
Aim for Everything Zen

For a modern take on ancient China, check out the Chi Lin Nunnery in Kowloon. This gorgeous replica of a seven-hall Tang Dynasty (AD 618–907) complex took 10 years to build, using traditional techniques and materials. Bliss out as stubble-headed nuns chant to the Sakyamuni Buddha (see Chi Lin Nunnery).

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Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal) and extra charges.
- under HK$100
- HK$100-250
- HK$250-450
- HK$450-600
- over HK$600
Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under HK$500
- HK$500-$1,000
- HK$1,000-$2000
- HK$2000-$2,500
- over HK$2,500