Lantau Island
Lantau Island is twice the size of Hong Kong Island, but only a fraction of the population live here, leaving its beaches, hills and national parks to visitors to enjoy.
The highlight is the Po Lin monastery and temple, reached by the Ngong Ping 360 cable car on the western side of the island. The temple’s amazing seated bronze Giant Buddha is the world’s largest.
Hong Kong Disneyland offers more familiar entertainment, and the island’s fishing villages, walking trails, beaches and seafood restaurants are also popular.
The highlight is the Po Lin monastery and temple, reached by the Ngong Ping 360 cable car on the western side of the island. The temple’s amazing seated bronze Giant Buddha is the world’s largest.
Hong Kong Disneyland offers more familiar entertainment, and the island’s fishing villages, walking trails, beaches and seafood restaurants are also popular.
Macau
To discover another aspect to multifaceted China, take a day trip to Macau.
The former Portuguese colony mixes crumbling fortresses with glitzy casinos, baroque churches with cobbled backstreets, and spicy Macanese seafood with classic dim sum.
Macau’s exotic history and culture are evident at every turn, with eight squares and 22 historic buildings on the World Heritage List.
Take a walk down the main street to the baroque Church of St. Dominic, tour the Jesuit Monte Fort, with its exceptional Macau Museum, and don’t miss the evocative ruins of the Church of St. Paul, its free-standing baroque facade a Macau symbol.
A drive around the peninsula reveals yet more churches, beautiful colonial buildings, temples and gardens.
The former Portuguese colony mixes crumbling fortresses with glitzy casinos, baroque churches with cobbled backstreets, and spicy Macanese seafood with classic dim sum.
Macau’s exotic history and culture are evident at every turn, with eight squares and 22 historic buildings on the World Heritage List.
Take a walk down the main street to the baroque Church of St. Dominic, tour the Jesuit Monte Fort, with its exceptional Macau Museum, and don’t miss the evocative ruins of the Church of St. Paul, its free-standing baroque facade a Macau symbol.
A drive around the peninsula reveals yet more churches, beautiful colonial buildings, temples and gardens.
Aberdeen Harbour
Aberdeen Harbour is a busy harbor with floating restaurants, brilliantly illuminated at night. Jumbo is the most famous of these floating restaurants, along with its neighbor Tai Pak.
Recently refurbished, and outlined in colored lights, the double-storied Jumbo serves up a huge array of gourmet delights, highlighting fresh seafood and traditional Cantonese dim sum.
While you’re here, take a sampan tour of the harbor and its famous ‘floating village’ of junks, used for fishing, restaurants, sightseeing and also the home of Aberdeen’s boat-dwellers.
Recently refurbished, and outlined in colored lights, the double-storied Jumbo serves up a huge array of gourmet delights, highlighting fresh seafood and traditional Cantonese dim sum.
While you’re here, take a sampan tour of the harbor and its famous ‘floating village’ of junks, used for fishing, restaurants, sightseeing and also the home of Aberdeen’s boat-dwellers.
Victoria Peak (Tai Ping Shan)
Overlooking the Central district on Hong Kong Island, Victoria Peak (Tai Ping Shan) is one of the best vantage points for stupendous views of the harbor and high-rises. Rising 1,810 feet (552 meters), Victoria Peak is topped with the touristy Peak Tower complex of shops, restaurants and 360-degree Sky Terrace viewing platform.
Go for a stroll through the Victoria Peak Garden, follow one of the many nature walks on the mountain, and stay on for nightfall to see Hong Kong's spectacular nightly light show.
Go for a stroll through the Victoria Peak Garden, follow one of the many nature walks on the mountain, and stay on for nightfall to see Hong Kong's spectacular nightly light show.
Peak Tram
For over 100 years, the Peak Tram has been inclining its way up the Peak mountain on Hong Kong Island. Taking a ride on the steeply angled tram is an essential Hong Kong experience.
The service began as a coal-fired tramway in 1888, and was electrically powered by 1926. Today, more than four million people take a ride on the Peak Tram every year.
At the top, you’ll find the ultra-modern Peak Tower with its restaurants and Sky Terrace viewing platform, the surrounding nature walks on the Peak and the Victoria Peak Garden.
The service began as a coal-fired tramway in 1888, and was electrically powered by 1926. Today, more than four million people take a ride on the Peak Tram every year.
At the top, you’ll find the ultra-modern Peak Tower with its restaurants and Sky Terrace viewing platform, the surrounding nature walks on the Peak and the Victoria Peak Garden.
Kowloon
Kowloon, on the mainland facing Hong Kong Island across Victoria Harbour, has a less formal, more domestic feel. Most Hong Kongers live in the crammed streets of Kowloon, and the focus for visitors is Nathan Road's hotels and shops on the waterfront at Tsim Sha Tsui.
Most people flock to what is known as 'the Golden Mile,' the neon-lit lower end of Nathan Road, lined with shops and businesses. If you need time out from the bustle, head to the trees of Kowloon Park.
Further north from Tsim Sha Tsui, you’ll find the popular night markets of Temple Street and Tung Choi Street. Take the lift to the 28th floor of the legendary Peninsula Hotel for cocktails and views at Felix Bar, and browse the upmarket stores of deluxe shopping malls like Harbour City and Festival Walk.
Most people flock to what is known as 'the Golden Mile,' the neon-lit lower end of Nathan Road, lined with shops and businesses. If you need time out from the bustle, head to the trees of Kowloon Park.
Further north from Tsim Sha Tsui, you’ll find the popular night markets of Temple Street and Tung Choi Street. Take the lift to the 28th floor of the legendary Peninsula Hotel for cocktails and views at Felix Bar, and browse the upmarket stores of deluxe shopping malls like Harbour City and Festival Walk.
Hong Kong Island
The focus for shopping, eating and sightseeing on Hong Kong Island is Central and Causeway Bay.
Away from Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Island retains a surprising amount of greenery on the Peak and its mountainous interior, and its coastline is indented by a beguiling sequence of coves and harbors.
Explore the streets and shopping plazas fanning out from Connaught Road in Central, Harcourt Road and Gloucester Road in Causeway Bay. Shop for antiques in Hollywood Road, browse the Graham Street and Western markets and shop till you drop in upmarket malls like Pacific Place and Times Square.
At night the towering skyscrapers light up along the waterfront and at the famous Happy Valley Racecourse. Catch a wobbly double-decker tram from Des Voeux Road to Wan Chai, or ride the world’s longest elevator past shops and houses.
Away from Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Island retains a surprising amount of greenery on the Peak and its mountainous interior, and its coastline is indented by a beguiling sequence of coves and harbors.
Explore the streets and shopping plazas fanning out from Connaught Road in Central, Harcourt Road and Gloucester Road in Causeway Bay. Shop for antiques in Hollywood Road, browse the Graham Street and Western markets and shop till you drop in upmarket malls like Pacific Place and Times Square.
At night the towering skyscrapers light up along the waterfront and at the famous Happy Valley Racecourse. Catch a wobbly double-decker tram from Des Voeux Road to Wan Chai, or ride the world’s longest elevator past shops and houses.
Symphony of Lights
Every night at 8pm, Hong Kong puts on a spectacular light show, highlighting the skyscrapers lining both sides of Victoria Harbour. The world’s largest light show, A Symphony of Lights, is free.
More than 40 skyscrapers shoot laser beams, colored lights and searchlights from their rooftops, in a choreographed sequence synchronized to music and a narration.
The best place to view the extravaganza is from a boat cruise or ferry ride on Victoria Harbour.
More than 40 skyscrapers shoot laser beams, colored lights and searchlights from their rooftops, in a choreographed sequence synchronized to music and a narration.
The best place to view the extravaganza is from a boat cruise or ferry ride on Victoria Harbour.
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