Worth getting out of bed for
Highlights the best Hong Kong has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.
- Viewpoint
- Have an early dinner at Aqua (+852 3427 2288), the sexy Italian-Japanese restaurant high atop One Peking Road in Kowloon. This achingly hip eatery has the most sensational views of Hong Kong harbour and both the interiors and food are fantastic.
- Arts and culture
- Hong Kong has some fabulous galleries, hawking everything from antiques (and reproductions) to contemporary Chinese art. The coolest and most thought-provoking art-space on the island is the Librarie Galerie (+852 2869 5505) run by French fashion house Agnes B.
- Something for nothing
- The Hong Kong Tourist Board (www.discoverhongkong.com) run a superb programme of (mostly) free events and classes as part of their Cultural Kaleidoscope programme. It covers everything from Chinese Medicine through to Kung Fu and Chinese Tea appreciation. Pick of the bunch are the free five-times-a-week Tai chi classes held on either the viewing platform at the Peak Tower or the Sculpture Court at the Kowloon Museum of Art. Your teacher will be the renowned Tai chi master, Mr Ng.
- Shopping
- Hong Kong does shopping like cows do milk. Kowloon is crammed with brightly lit displays of discount computers, cameras and other top-end gadgetry, tended by over-enthusiastic salespeople vying to ply you with bargains. Kowloon and Causeway Bay are stuffed with dinky boutiques selling both local and regional garments and accessories. Hollywood Road and Cat Street are excellent for furniture and antiques, but be wary: some goods aren’t nearly as ‘antique’ as you might think. Fashionistas in search of international luxury brands should head to Landmark (www.centralhk.com), the elite mall in Central. If you only have time for one shop, go to the militantly on-trend Lane Crawford outlet (www.lanecrawford.com) in the IFC mall.
- Daytripper
- Helicopter your way over to ex-Portuguese colony of Macau, Hong Kong’s naughty little sister. By air, it’s just 14 short minutes; by ferry, it’s an hour. Hop over in the morning, see the sights, have a sinfully delicious lunch at Robuchon a Galera (+853 377 666) at the infamous Hotel Lisboa, then spend the afternoon shopping – Macau does a brisk trade in ‘antique’ furniture – or try your luckat one of the island’s many casinos. Then dine at the wonderfully authentic and local favourite A Lorcha Portugese restaurant (+853 313 195), before jumping back on your helicopter.
- Activities
- One of Hong Kong’s best kept secrets is its awesome hiking trails. For starters ask your concierge to help you plan a short hike along ‘the Dragon’s Back’. You’ll need directions to the start of the trail – just outside a prison. From there, walk for two to three hours over some of the most gorgeous landcapes you’d never expect to see in Hong Kong. The trail ends just outside Shek O Village. Grab a cab or bus into the village and rest your heels at the Thai/Chinese seafood restaurant (+852 2809 4426) there, before heading back to the city.
Diary
February–March The month-long Hong Kong Arts Festival showcases some of the world’s best performing artists (www.hk.artsfesival.org). March Hong Kong Sevens is one of the most famous rugby sevens tournaments in the world, seeing around two dozen national teams clashing on the pitch every year (www.hksevens.com).
May–June The Dragon Boat Festival in Stanley attracted around 15,000 people to the port to watch the frenetic amateur water-race and soak up the carnival atmosphere (www.dragonboat.org.hk). June–August The Hong Kong Shopping Festival (www.discoverhongkong.com/hksf). A good time to visit Hong Kong if you’re planning some serious retail therapy. December Hong Kong Winterfest (www.hkta.org/hkwf) Hong Kongers embrace the festive season by slashing prices once again.
