Hong Kong Island: Wan Chai
Victoria Park. Begin the day watching tai chi practitioners performing their slow-motion shadow-boxing routines in downtown Hong Kong’s largest public space.
Times Square. This is what Hong Kong is all about: cruising fashion boutiques in huge, multilevel malls.
Queen’s Road East. A kilometre of quirky shops and the unusual Pak Tai and Hung Shing temples – not to mention ghostly Nam Koo Terrace.
Central Plaza. There’s a public viewing bay on the 46th floor (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm; free), which comprises a whole floor of giant windows where you can get a walk-around 360-degree view over the harbour and neighbouring buildings.
Pak Tai Temple (daily 8am–5pm)
Victoria Park. Begin the day watching tai chi practitioners performing their slow-motion shadow-boxing routines in downtown Hong Kong’s largest public space.
Times Square. This is what Hong Kong is all about: cruising fashion boutiques in huge, multilevel malls.
Queen’s Road East. A kilometre of quirky shops and the unusual Pak Tai and Hung Shing temples – not to mention ghostly Nam Koo Terrace.
Central Plaza. There’s a public viewing bay on the 46th floor (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm; free), which comprises a whole floor of giant windows where you can get a walk-around 360-degree view over the harbour and neighbouring buildings.
Pak Tai Temple (daily 8am–5pm)
Hong Kong Park. Attractive landscaped hillside right above busy Queensway; spot colorful tropical birds inside the walk-through Edward Youde Aviary.
Bank of China tower. This knife-shaped tower is a major player in the feng shui wars being waged in Hong Kong’s competitive financial district.
Hollywood Road. Antique stores, curio shops and art galleries surround the smoky Man Mo Temple, dedicated to the twin gods of war and culture.
Sheung Wan Market. A wholesale market for dried medicinal herbs, seafood and animal products.
Best places for a stunning view. Hong Kong’s premier lookout points are The Peak and the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, between the Star Ferry terminal and Avenue of Stars – both dazzling after dark, when the whole harbourside area lights up like a Christmas tree.
Hong Kong - The New Territories
Kam Tin. Old walled clan village, famous for resisting the British takeover of the New Territories in 1897 – at which point the iron gates were confiscated.
Wishing Trees. Hong Kong’s folk beliefs are on display at these two fig trees, where people write wishes on strips of red paper and attach them to notice boards.
Hong Kong Wetland Park. Bird hides, a butterfly garden and an excellent aquarium provide a fun insight into the Chinese take on the natural world.
Lunch. There aren’t many restaurants in this part of the New Territories, so pack a picnic and make use of the outdoor tables in Hong Kong Wetland Park.
Temple Street Night Market. Souvenirs, alfresco dining, fortune-telling and Cantonese opera – this market is more like street theater.
Kowloon waterfront. Get a spectacular view of one of the world’s greatest cityscapes, all lit up in a riot of competing neon.
Hong Kong - Old Macau
Old Macau’s Portuguese-influenced cathedrals, forts and cobbled lanes make a complete break from the hi-tech, modern towers dominating Hong Kong’s harbour, and Macau’s newer casino district along Avenida da Amizade.Largo do Senado. Old Macau’s main square, sided in pastel - colored religous institutions and arcaded shops.
São Paulo facade. Landmark frontage of a seventeenth-century cathedral, all that remains after a devastating fire in 1835.
Fortaleza do Monte. There are great views from this seventeenth-century fort, complete with old cannons and a museum outlining Macau’s lively history.
Leal Senado. Browse the art gallery and decorative Portuguese tiling inside Macau’s one-time seat of government.
Lunch. Lunch on coffee and nata, Portuguese custard tarts, at the Ou Mun Café
Rua da Felicidade. Macau’s former red-light district is now a busy street of hotels, restaurants and pastelarias selling almond biscuits and roasted meats.
Largo do Lilau. Picturesque residential square in the Barra, one of the first to be settled by Europeans.
A-Ma Temple. Site of the oldest temple in Macau, dedicated to the southern Chinese protector of sailors and fishermen.
Fortaleza do Monte. There are great views from this seventeenth-century fort, complete with old cannons and a museum outlining Macau’s lively history.
Leal Senado. Browse the art gallery and decorative Portuguese tiling inside Macau’s one-time seat of government.
Lunch. Lunch on coffee and nata, Portuguese custard tarts, at the Ou Mun Café
Rua da Felicidade. Macau’s former red-light district is now a busy street of hotels, restaurants and pastelarias selling almond biscuits and roasted meats.
Largo do Lilau. Picturesque residential square in the Barra, one of the first to be settled by Europeans.
A-Ma Temple. Site of the oldest temple in Macau, dedicated to the southern Chinese protector of sailors and fishermen.
Lantau island
The Big Buddha. Standing a lofty 34 m (112 ft) high, this mighty bronze statue is among the largest seated Buddha images in the world. The statue, which was cast in more than 220 pieces, sits on a throne of lotus – the Buddhist symbol of purity. (10am–5:30pm daily • Free)
Tea Gardens. The Tea Gardens just west of the Buddha statue boast their own modest tea plantation. The café sells tea leaves from the bushes and makes a pleasant shaded place to enjoy a drink or cheap Chinese meal away from the crowds.
Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car. The cable car ride from Tung Chung to Po Lin is an attraction in itself. The 4 mile (5.7km), 25 minute journey provides sweeping views across the North Lantau Country Park and to the distant South China Sea Cable Car • 10am–6pm Mon–Fri, 9am–6.30pm Sat, Sun & hols • single/return HK$105/$150
Footpath Down to Tung Chung. Walk back down to Tung Chung MTR via the lovely 4 mile (7 km) wooded path through the Tung Chung Valley. You will pass some small monasteries including Lo Hon, which serves cheap vegetarian lunches.
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