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.

Cape D’Aguilar

It may be only 7 miles (11 km) directly south of Hong Kong’s busy Central district, but Cape D’Aguilar feels like another world. The wild coastline has wave-lashed rock formations and a marine life so rich that researchers have discovered 20 species “new to science” in these waters.
Captain Charles Elliot

Flag-planter Captain Charles Elliot claims Hong Kong Island for Britain in 1841.
Caritas Bianchi Lodge

Like Booth Lodge next door, there’s only a chapel and restaurant-cum-café to amuse yourself here. Still, the rates are lower, and the rooms are large by any standards.
Carlsberg Cup

Soccer action.
Casablanca

French and Italian influenced international food in Shekou district, which is Shenzhen’s ex-pat, harbourside bolthole.
Casablanca Café

There’s a pool table, lots of red velvet and posters recalling the famous film. Resist the temptation to say “play it again, Sam” to the surly bar staff.
Castle Peak Monastery

The 1-mile (1.5-km) walk from the nearby light railway station is hard, but this is a nice little outing to relieve stress if the bustle of Hong Kong is getting to you. Suck in some (relatively) fresh sea air and let the chanting of the monks soothe your soul.
Cat Street

No, there are no more cats here than anywhere else in Hong Kong. Cat Street refers instead to the Chinese slang for odds and ends. It and nearby Hollywood Road are chock full of antique and curio shops. This is the place for silk carpets, elegant Chinese furniture, Ming dynasty ceramic horsemen and Maoist kitsch.
Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter

Barnacle-encrusted hulks and down-at-heel gin palaces rub gunwhales with multi-million dollar yachts in this packed haven from the “big winds” that regularly bear down on the South China coast. There are also quaint houseboats with homely touches like flower boxes permanently anchored behind the stone breakwater. The impressive edifice to the left as you look out to sea is the Hong Kong Yacht Club.
Central Market

The escalator begins opposite this agreeably raucous fruit and vegetable market.

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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