A Weekend in Hong Kong

The 24-hour skyscraper city where Britain meets China and Have you eaten yet? is as common as Hello, how are you?

1. WHY GO NOW
The perfect city for a stopover year-round, although the autumn months from September to November are considered the best time to visit Hong Kong with plenty of sunshine but comfortable temperatures, lack of humidity and pleasant breezes.

2. GET YOUR BEARINGS

Most of Hong Kong’s seven million residents live in skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island, but the ‘Special Administrative Region’ spreads over an area of 1,130 sq km, including the New Territories and over 200 islands. Take the iconic Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour, separating Hong Kong Island from Kowloon peninsula, and be wowed at the size and number of buildings dominating the skyline on both sides. Travel on the upper deck for only 20p more to get a better view.

3. WHERE TO STAY
The waterfront Harbour Grand Kowloon is in the peaceful neighbourhood of Whampoa just 5-minutes from bustling Tsim Sha Tsui and a ferry ride from the nearby Hung Hom pier whisks you over to Hong Kong Island in a few minutes. The rooftop pool has panoramic views across the harbour, Kowloon and the Island.

4. KNOWN FOR
Being British. Or at least it was a British territory until 1997. Get glimpses of the UK in Central, with bars and restaurants that wouldn’t look out of place in London, and colonial buildings scattered throughout Hong Kong Island such as the Western Market and Government House.

5. WORTH WALKING

Experience local Chinese lifestyles in Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei. Stroll through the colourful flower market and bird garden, and the goldfish market, selling exotic fish by the bag. Stop off at the jade market for a souvenir – the revered stone is believed to ward off evil spirits – and pass through the Ladies Market to haggle for bargain-priced knick-knacks, clothing and everything else imaginable.

6. QUICK LUNCH
Eat at an open-aired food stall, known as dai pai dongs, near any of the local markets. Share a table with locals and envy their efficiency at using chopsticks to eat noodle soup. Try the stalls near Graham Street market, or upstairs in Sheung Wang market. Luk Yu Teahouse on Stanley Street serves excellent dim sum in an atmospheric and traditional Chinese teahouse.

7. CULTURAL AFTERNOON
Get away from the busy streets and spend a couple of hours in the Hong Kong Museum of History in Kowloon (80p; closed Tuesdays and free on Wednesday so recommended to avoid), which covers the development of the region up until the handover back to China in 1997.

8. COCKTAIL HOUR
For dizzying harbour views, Ozone is the highest bar in the world, on floor 118 of the Ritz-Carlton, the world’s highest hotel. Sip on cocktails infused with basil or chili foam, whilst being mesmerised at the dazzling skyline. Even the toilets have floor-to-ceiling views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island

9. DRESSING FOR DINNER
Hong Kong’s five-star hotels have excellent restaurants, popular with locals and guests alike. Four Seasons is the world’s only hotel with two Michelin three-star restaurants: Cantonese dim sum and seafood offerings at Lung King Heen, the first Chinese restaurant to achieve three stars, and fine French dining at Caprice. Traditional signature dishes at local’s favourite Tim’s Kitchen include sautéed pork stomach and snake bisque.

10. NIGHT ON THE TOWN
Head to the Avenue of Stars on the Kowloon waterfront to watch the free Symphony of Lights laser show (nightly at 8pm, with English narration on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays). Hop on the cheap and efficient MTR (metro) a couple of stations to Yau Ma Tei and emerge into the lively Temple Street Night Market. Have a quick Cantonese dinner at the Ming Fat Spicy Crab before shopping for souvenirs until midnight. See Chinese karaoke singers vie for space on the streets with fortune tellers reading palms, faces and tarot cards.

11. EASY LIKE…
Wander through Hong Kong Park in Central and join locals in their early morning tai chi exercises. Flagstaff House, in the northern end of the park, is the oldest existing western building in Hong Kong and now houses the Museum of Tea Ware (admission free). Behind it is a small foot reflexology area where you can walk on raised pebbles to massage tired feet.

12. WINDOW SHOPPING
Hong Kong is a shopper’s paradise. Malls link streets to MTR stations and markets pop up in the shadows of the skyscrapers. Harbour City in Kowloon is the city’s largest and the adjacent Canton Road sees Chinese day tourists queuing to get inside the numerous top designer brands’ stores lining it. Smaller boutique stores are in the Victorian 1881 Heritage building on Salisbury Road.

13. DON’T MISS

Take the Peak Tram (www.thepeak.com.hk From £4 one-way) up to Victoria Peak for spectacular views of the harbour, New Territories, and on a clear day towards the outlying islands. In operation since 1888, and travelling up so steep that buildings appear to be leaning 45-degrees, the tram winds its way up to the summit past apartment blocks and parks clinging to the mountainside. Take the bus back down the winding and steep road to avoid the queues.

14. OUT OF TOWN
A visit to one of the many islands is worth the cheap ferry ticket. Lamma is a popular weekend choice for locals offering clean air, sandy beaches and delicious sea food. Sok Kwu Wan has restaurants raised on stilts above the bay. Fresh chili crab, garlic prawns and steamed fish with ginger are all popular choices. Cheng Chau, Lantau and Peng Chau are other options.