Written by Cathay Pacific and Dragonair
Hong Kong is the quintessential Asian city – a compact metropolis that brims with contrasts, colour and excitement. Whether you’re a first-time sightseer or a repeat visitor, there’s always something new to discover.
If you’re in Hong Kong for the first time, soak in your surroundings by venturing up The Peak for panoramic views of the city, or get up-close with local street culture at the vibrant Temple Street Night Market. And when night falls, travel from the Kowloon peninsula back to Hong Kong Island on the Star Ferry to take in breathtaking lights over the bay.
Been there, done that? Frequent visitors will always find hip new eateries and shops to explore in the Central and Sheung Wan neighbourhoods.
We’ve chosen the must-see highlights of this fantastic city for you. Read on and be inspired.
Central: Urban exploration
Hong Kong’s Central district is a hubbub of exciting activity, where the city folk truly live up to the ‘work hard, play hard’ mantra.
The sprawling IFC building dominates the area, with offices, bars and restaurants spilling from its concrete sides. Stock up on luxury goods inside or head to nearby Cat Street to pick up an antique bargain.
If you’re after fine dining head to Soho, where you’ll find a mixture of cuisines cooked to exceptional standards. Hungry shoppers looking for a quick bite should visit Mak’s Noodle on Wellington Street.
Party-goers should visit the infamous Lan Kwai Fong district, where you can drink ’til dawn and mingle with expats and locals alike. For more sedate bars and boutique coffee shops, head along the coast until you find Sheung Wan and Kennedy Town.
Kowloon: Shopping mecca
Take a trip off-island and escape the expats in the populous Kowloon, where you’ll find the most interesting stores and authentic street food.
The traditional tourist haunts are all here and more. Walk the Avenue of Stars, featuring the famous Bruce Lee statue, standing strong over a spectacular view of the harbour. Learn more about Hong Kong’s history too in the nearby museums, all crowded around the retail hotspot iSquare.
Nathan Road is the link between touristed Tsim Sha Tsui and electronics hub Sham Shui Po. Thronged with tourists, eager tailors and towering shopping centres, it’s easy to see why it was given the post-war nickname ‘The Golden Mile’.
If your energy levels are running low after an entire day of sightseeing and shopping, refuel at the many eateries along Nathan Road.
Lantau: Photogenic landmarks
There are four famous Buddhist landmarks on Lantau island: Po Lin Monastery, Wisdom Path, Ngong Ping Piazza and the man himself, who sits proudly atop Mount Tin Tan, overlooking the people below.
The statue of Buddha Amoghasiddhi is cast entirely in Bronze, charting 34 metres and 12 years in the making. The walk to reach him may leave many breathless – both from the view and the exertion.
The trip to the top is just as fun as the surrounds. The Ngong Ping 360 cable car wobbles up the mountain with a pleasing slowness, allowing for plenty of wide-angled shots by photography enthusiasts.
Tips:
Dragonair, codesharing with Cathay Pacific, flies daily from Xi’an to Hong Kong
Book your tickets to Hong Kong today at www.cathaypacific.com and www.dragonair.com, or visit our websites for more insider travel tips to 70 other destinations.