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.

Lamma: Sok Kwu Wan

Don’t expect many sights in Lamma’s main area of development on the east coast. Sok Kwu Wan is known mainly for its quarry and wall-to-wall seafood restaurants along the harbour front. The seafood tanks are a sight in themselves, however, with some monster-sized fish and crustaceans. There’s not much to differentiate most restaurants, although the standard is generally very good. Have a look at the pretty Tin Hau Temple at the end of the main street. The lovely 3-mile (5-km) circular walk to the sleepy, remote village and beach at Yung Shue Ha is recommended for the reasonably fit.
Lamma: Yung Shue Wan

Lamma’s western coast also has a harbour, with lots of bars and eating choices along the village’s endearingly ramshackle main street. Watch villagers, resident expats and fellow visitors wander by, before hitting the well-kept beach at Hung Shing Ye, a 20-minute walk to the southwest.
Lan Kwai Fong

Not much to look at during the day, Lan Kwai Fong (or Orchid Square) only really starts to buzz at night when office workers, including plenty of city suits, come here to unwind at its many bars, clubs and restaurants. The street is packed with revellers on Fridays. The partying spills across to tiny Wing Wah Lane just across D’Aguilar Street with bars and good-value Thai, Malay and Indian restaurants.
Lancome

Take your pick from the skin check-up, the 45-minute VIP consultation, or go straight for a one-hour facial in a private cabin.
Landmark Hotel, Shenzhen

This recently renovated hotel offers luxury and extensive facilities, including health club, driving range, gym and Internet room.
Lane Crawford

Upmarket clothing, with concessions from most big Western designer brands, houseware, beauty products, glass and porcelain ranging from the exotic to the naff.
Lane Crawford Outlet

Slow-moving items and old stock from Hong Kong’s trendy department store are on sale here at much lower than orginal prices.
Langham Place

A fabulous 5 star hotel with excellent service and great views of the Hong Kong skyline. As it is on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong it is a veritable bargain for a 5 star experience.
Lantau: Mui Wo

The main ferry from Hong Kong Island to Lantau docks at Mui Wo, or Silvermine Bay as the British named it. It’s a good starting point from which to explore the island, though not the most beautiful spot on Lantau. Most of the restaurants and bars and a supermarket are just around the corner from the ferry pier. There is also a beach five minutes’ walk to the northeast. Enjoy a beer and a game of snooker or stock up for a picnic before walking or beachcombing.

China Bear Pub, Lantau
Lantau: Sunset Peak

For the reasonably fit, Sunset Peak offers the finest views on Lantau. The 934-m (3,063-ft) high mountain, Hong Kong’s second highest, commands great views across Hong Kong, down onto the international airport, Po Lin Monastery and the lovely wooded valleys of this sparsely inhabited terrain. Hardy souls stay at the nearby Youth Hostel and head up the peak for Hong Kong’s most spectacular sunrise. Obviously all this only applies in clear conditions.

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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